The Palace of Lost Memories

After the Rift, Book 1

By: C. J. Archer

Narrated by: Marian Hussey

Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the author of the USA Today best-selling GLASS AND STEELE series comes this captivating new fantasy.

The king's magnificent palace was built in a matter of weeks. No one saw the builders, no villagers are allowed beyond the gilded gate, and only one servant has ever left. The haunted look in her eyes as she was recaptured by the palace guards is something Josie, daughter of the village doctor, has never forgotten.

For Josie, the palace is a mystery that grows more intriguing after she meets the captain of the guards, a man known only as Hammer, as mysterious and captivating as the palace itself. Whispers of magic fuel Josie's desire to uncover the truth, but an ordinary girl like her can only dream of ever being invited inside.

When the king decides to take a wife from among the eligible daughters of the noble families, the palace gates are finally thrown open and the kingdom's elite pour in. In a court where old rivalries and new jealousies collide, the king's favorite is poisoned and the doctor is summoned. As her father's assistant, Josie finally sees inside the lavish walls, but she soon learns the palace won't surrender its secrets easily, for not a single resident, from the lowest servant to the king himself, has a memory from before the palace existed.

In the search for the truth, Josie is drawn deeper into danger, and the answers she seeks might shake the very foundations of the kingdom.

©2018 C.J. Archer (P)2018 C.J. Archer

Hard call

I’m a bit aggravated with this book. I thoroughly enjoyed Archer’s other series, Curiosities and also Glass and Steele, so began this one with certain expectations. Unlike her other stories, this to me anyhow, is predictable and simplistic writing. The ending of this book is no where near an ending, so if one doesn’t have another credit to immediately purchase the next portion of the story (the next book) then I wouldn’t begin it. I usually don’t have such an issue with books in series as such, but I’m not sure each book is worth 1 credit. ...I don’t know. The characters aren’t very original, but they are likable. The plot isn’t very original, but it’s cute and engaging enough. The narrator isn’t bad, but she gets so whiny at times I think it undermines the main character. It’s not bad, just not nearly as good as I expected.

Basically the same plot as Glass and Steele

If you've listened to C.J. Archer's Glass and Steele series, this is basically the same exact storyline with slightly different settings and characters. Even the narrator is the same, and read/voices the characters similarly so it can be a little jarring to listen to for the first chapter or two. That being said, I did enjoy it (as I have with all of Archer's books) and they're easy reading. I went ahead and listened to the next two books, because like other reviewers commented, you sort of have to. I'll continue to keep reading all of the series despite them being predictable because I've invested myself in the stories and they're easily consumed.

So many unanswered questions.

Enjoyed this book very much. Wasn't happy with the ending. Narrator was very good. Thanks.

Ends way to unexpected

I love the story, but it just ends very suddenly with lots of unanswered questions. Its almost like the author realized that by doing this you will be forced to purchase another book, just for the first one to make sense...
That’s how chapters work, not books. As far as I am concerned a books should have a beginning, middle and an and. If you want to right another one use the same characters, but finish the first story before moving on to the next ...

Painful with no payoff.

This book was painful and I regret continuing to plow through the slow, tedious, and mind-numbing dialogue. The main characters seemed vapid and and predictable, and the plot was so vague it was hard to really care or become engaged in the book. As others have mentioned, the only halfway interesting scenes occur in the last few chapters, only to have it sputter out with no resolution...unless you start the second book.

It felt like a young adult book written for a fourth-grade reading level; historical fiction with literally no history (since it’s all based on some weird, maybe post-apocalyptic, slightly medieval, kind of European society); a magical fantasy with absolutely no magic.

I have enjoyed reading CJ Archer’s other series, but this one felt like everyone just thought if they took Glass & Steele, but changed a few names, no one would notice. It was beyond predictable, especially since it felt like I literally already read this. I don’t think it will be physically possible for me to continue the series, as it was so painful to endure, which is disappointing since I’ve enjoyed the author’s other works. Do not waste your credits/money or your time.

Brilliant

Classic story boy meets girl girl meets boy etc. The narration performance definitely on point. First time I heard her now I’m looking for the books that she narrates.

outstanding story book

this is a most intriguing story completely different from what I've read of CJ archers before anyone who would order this they will not be disappointed and I look forward to reading the entire series enjoy

Exciting and mysterious

Love C. J. Archer's books and enjoy Marian Hussey as a reader. Enjoy the mystery and the thickening plot. The open end invites to start the second book directly after.

slow starting...

it started so excruciating slow but got better. I plan on finishing the series. I hope I dont regret spending the money on the books

Fantastic story

I really enjoyed this book and quickly ordered and listened to the second book in the series. Really well done with an interesting story and well fleshed out characters. I was in a bit of a book burnout when I picked this one up (had started and discarded about ten audiobooks in a row) but this one caught me from the get go. Very well narrated. Can't wait for the next book in the series to be released.

amazing

Such a gripping and unique story. lots of exciting twists and an on going mystery. excellent narration

Swoon! What a series!

I've just finished the whole 'After The Rift' series and felt compelled to recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy and romance. Brilliantly narrated, the characters of beautifully drawn and the story grips from start to finish. Didn't want the series to end.

A Rainy Day Sort of Book

I found this a pleasant listen, something to while the time away on a long drive perhaps. Although enjoyable, it really didn't set the world alight for me. It was more like a Miss Marple who-dunnit.