Tabula Rasa

Gr 7 Up—In a mysterious medical facility, 16-year-old Sarah Ramos is undergoing the final procedure to block all the memories of her traumatic and possibly delinquent past when a power outage interrupts and all hell breaks loose. Heavily armed mercenaries storm the facility, killing staff and patients, and Sarah is shocked to learn they are hunting her on the orders of a woman named Hodges. Sarah teams up with Thomas, a teenage hacker, who helps her put together clues about her past, and together they have to survive the rampage and restore Sarah's memories before they are gone forever. Kate Rudd solidly narrates the thriller with a believably youthful voice and a strong sense of pacing. Changes in pitch and tone differentiate other characters from Sarah's first-person narration. Unfortunately, the breakneck pace of the story leaves little room for character development beyond Sarah, and the villain is ultimately disappointing. However, listeners wanting a fast-paced, action-packed story will likely be able to overlook these elements and enjoy the ride.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL