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catsy2022's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Rating: B+
I turn away, trying to remember the last time I cared about anything to scream for it.
The Space Between Worlds is a refreshing and unexpected read for 2020. I'd place this in the same camp as The Last Policeman and The Gone World which I also read this year. This book is about Cara, a traverser who works for the mysterious Eldridge company; a traverser is someone who travels between worlds. Their purpose is usually analytical, but Cara becomes embroiled in something that's bigger than she expected. She comes from a poor city named Ashtown that has grown into the rival empire of Wiley Town, where pale-skilled rich people live.
I really enjoyed the elements of this story, the characters and world were great, I loved reading about them and how Cara thinks. I loved the complexities of their life and how starkly different from our own life they were. The bounds of the world are limited to Wiley and Ashtown and so we never really go beyond their individual goals. I still really enjoyed this and I liked the myth and mystery around Nyame, the god who inhabits the space between worlds.
There are a few different groups in play in this story, each playing their important part and being explained through the book's modest 320 pages. I think what fell short for me in this book is the direction the story went. I found that the middle of the book could have been something big and immense but it started randomly and I felt that it was ultimately not that major to the course of the story. I really felt the story falling apart around 250 and couldn't really see the motivation to why the story went the direction it did. I was surprised honestly about one change to their way of life late in the story; after it is all pieced together I wondered, was that really all worth it?
Still a decent read, I had a lot of fun and powered through it.
I turn away, trying to remember the last time I cared about anything to scream for it.
The Space Between Worlds is a refreshing and unexpected read for 2020. I'd place this in the same camp as The Last Policeman and The Gone World which I also read this year. This book is about Cara, a traverser who works for the mysterious Eldridge company; a traverser is someone who travels between worlds. Their purpose is usually analytical, but Cara becomes embroiled in something that's bigger than she expected. She comes from a poor city named Ashtown that has grown into the rival empire of Wiley Town, where pale-skilled rich people live.
I really enjoyed the elements of this story, the characters and world were great, I loved reading about them and how Cara thinks. I loved the complexities of their life and how starkly different from our own life they were. The bounds of the world are limited to Wiley and Ashtown and so we never really go beyond their individual goals. I still really enjoyed this and I liked the myth and mystery around Nyame, the god who inhabits the space between worlds.
There are a few different groups in play in this story, each playing their important part and being explained through the book's modest 320 pages. I think what fell short for me in this book is the direction the story went. I found that the middle of the book could have been something big and immense but it started randomly and I felt that it was ultimately not that major to the course of the story. I really felt the story falling apart around 250 and couldn't really see the motivation to why the story went the direction it did. I was surprised honestly about one change to their way of life late in the story; after it is all pieced together I wondered, was that really all worth it?
Still a decent read, I had a lot of fun and powered through it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Physical abuse, Gore, Blood, and Death
Minor: Drug abuse and Child abuse
alas_aly's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don't read a lot of sci-fi, mostly because I don't know what I like in the genre. One thing that I know that I do like is multiverse stories which is the premise of this story. I know that all or most science fiction stories are allegories and this one is no exception. That being said, it is done with such a deft touch I could easily see this being a classic that students read and study in schools. There are lines in here are that are just gut punches but you didn't get to sit with them because the narrative keeps moving forward. I really appreciate that the story both gives you beautiful writing but doesn't force you to slow down and dwell in it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Death
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Grief, Sexual content, and Trafficking
Minor: Cursing and Child death
wai's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is, hands down, one of the best books I've read this year (2020) so far. It's got parallel universes, an understanding of racial and class issues, amazing worldbuilding, unique and complex characters, plot twists that hit you head on. It is just so Good and the final page made me cry. I really hope to see more books from this author in the future. (This book does contain quite a few triggers though so TW: rape/sexual assault mentions, childhood abuse & neglect, domestic abuse/IPV (physical & emotional), & general violence including some descriptions of bodily injuries.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Drug abuse
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