This was not a book for me, I really struggled to get me head round it being a technical horror, and get used to the world again after the fantastic Ascension. As a life long Trekkie I thought I would be used to techno-babble but this went over my head and it really took away from my enjoyment of the story

This is an imaginative technical thriller that is bound together by love and loss, with an old school ‘bad quy’ in the mix. It should have been great.

"When a mysterious stranger named Hassan appears at her door, he reveals a shocking truth: Stanley isn’t losing his memories. Someone is actively removing them to hide a long-buried secret from coming to light. If Maggie does what she’s told, she can reverse it. She can get her husband back. Led by Hassan and his technological marvels, Maggie breaks into her husband’s mind, probing the depths of his memories in an effort to save him."

This story has a intriguing premise, and I always enjoy plots that play with time and memory, so this should have been perfect for me. There is technology that allows other people’s memories to be explored, and there are implications for the fabric of reality itself, and there is a ‘bad guy’ and a malevolent force that need to be dealt with - this is exciting stuff! The plot is well paced, and the author does a great job of guiding us skillfully through multiple timelines, often intertwined.

But while the plot was intricate and engaging, I think I was hoping for something more profound. The bad guy is an archetypal old school villain - if he had a moustache, he would have twirled it menacingly. The malevolent force is, well… just malevolent:

“I do not know what its purpose is. Maybe it has no purpose. Maybe it’s just a force of nature. It is, perhaps, beyond our comprehension.”

And the mechanism by which memories of others can be explored is similarly well explained:

“We would run out of time before you even began to understand the science of it”

Well, that’s all very convenient. But not very satisfying.

There is a lovely relationship between the two main characters, Maggie and Stanley, and this does form a solid foundation. But the plot has difficulty providing substance to the jeopardy that they’re in, given the two-dimensional villain and the unknowable malevolent force. So, while I did care what ultimately happened to Maggie and Stanley, I found it somewhat of a trudge to work my way through the muddy shallows of their struggle - and I found myself not always wanting to pick up the book and carry on.

Thank you #NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the free review copy of Dissolution in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Having had the opportunity to read Nicholas Binge's previous book Ascension, and absolutely loving it, I was so happy to see an e-mail inviting me to read his new release! This time, we are following Maggie who is trying to save her husband from someone who seems to be actively removing his memories to keep a secret, with the help of a certain Hassan.

This was such an interesting concept, and though I did predict who Hassan would turn out to be quite early on, it didn't stop me from enjoying the book. I loved the science behind everything. Another part I also enjoyed was the after-school club which gave me some academia vibes. Even though some parts were predictable, the book still had a lot of twists and turns, and you definitely won't see those coming. I don't usually like stories with older people as main characters, just because I can't relate to them. But this time, it was done extremely well and it felt sort of like a coming of age story, because we were following Stanley and his friends throughout their teens, 20s, and later life. It was so well written, and I believe it will make an amazing movie!

I can't see what Nicholas Binge has in store next, because right now it's 2/2 for me and I'm so excited to read more!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Dissolution is an absolutely mind-bending, emotionally devastating, and intellectually thrilling novel that left me in awe. Nicholas Binge masterfully blends sci-fi, philosophy, and psychological depth to create a story that is as thought-provoking as it is haunting.

The novel’s premise is gripping from the start, and Binge’s writing is both elegant and immersive. The way he explores existential questions, time, identity, and the nature of reality feels effortless yet deeply profound. The narrative structure keeps you hooked, unraveling its mysteries with perfect pacing and a growing sense of unease.

Beyond the high-concept ideas, the novel also delivers raw, emotional depth. The characters feel real, their struggles and relationships grounding the more abstract, cosmic horror elements in something deeply human. The ending is breathtaking, the kind that leaves you staring at the last page in stunned silence.

Dissolution is a rare novel that challenges the mind while breaking the heart. Fans of literary sci-fi, psychological horror, and philosophical fiction will find this an unforgettable read. Easily 5 stars.

When I got sent a copy of Dissolution to read and review, it brightened a bit of a tough day and as it happened it did the same for the next six days of reading.

As with his previous book Ascension, this is a speculative sci-fi thriller and it happens to tick all the boxes for me. It has a deepness that many books from the genre tend to lack. I guess you could say that it's a love story buried within a sci-fi framework which manages to pull me deeper and deeper into the story. It's also nice that the story doesn't get lost behind all of the science involved within this novel. It's extremely accessable for science lovers or those that have no interest in science at all.
As for the storytelling, it's exemplary. You'll be thinking you've sussed things out and then, bam! The story twists and turns, feeding you little hints here and there, pulling you along with it.

I've purposely not revealed any of the themes within due to not wanting to spoil this for anyone, but if you love a good thriller or science fiction novel then I'd suggest giving this a go.
Exemplary work for Nicholas Binge yet again.

There are a lot of sci-fi books out there with cool ideas but poor writing or one-dimensional characters.

Happily, Dissolution backs up its cool ideas with a very readable story and strong characters.

This is my second Nicholas Binge book, after Ascension, and he's 2 for 2 now for me. This one improves on Ascension by virtue of the main characters, an octogenarian couple whose life together is tenderly drawn. I won't give away any plot points but there's lots of fun sci-fi concepts, set alongside the more mundane settings of old folks homes and after-school clubs for Maths nerds at Uni.

The ending didn't pan out exactly as I might have liked, but such is life!

Highly recommended. I'll look out some other Binge books this coming year.

Interesting idea that drew me to the book.
It's clever, and I wonder if it was too clever for me.
I enjoyed it, but not as much as I'd hoped going on other reviews.
I never really connected with any of the characters ,and the opening part, getting to the point took a while longer than I'd have liked.
It's different though, and for that alone, it's worth picking up.

An aquired taste. I enjoyed Ascension but felt it needed more and whilst Dissolution is a brilliant story, it failed to reach the highs that were expected.