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emilyb_chicago's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this dystopian SciFi. The story kept going beyond what the summary laid out to unexpected twists and turns. The main character and her world(s) were vivid and real, with faults and mistakes and cleverness. This felt like a story complete (not a series), but I would continue to read in this world and from this author.
angyie's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
melizzya's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is one of the few sci-fi books I've read, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The author did an excellent job explaining the world (or worlds for that matter). There were so many interesting ideas that just made sense and were easy to understand, which I didn't expect at first with a complex topic like the multiverse, especially since I am a sci-fi newbie.
"The space between worlds" explores far more than just the multiverse though. The title and the dystopian world provide a perfect stage to address the difference between rich and poor, science and religion or life and death. The main character isn't just traveling between multiverses, but is also in a space somewhere between those societal issues. This setting also leads to many diverse characters that represent POC, different genders and sexualities. There is also a beautiful sapphic romance, which I live for!!
The world and the characters were so intriguing that I didn't even mind that I didn't knew where the plot was going until halfway through the book. The main villain only appears towards the last third, but was nevertheless interwoven with earlier events. It stays suspenseful until the end as it was never quite sure who would be the more cunning and intelligent one. Even though the ending felt slightly rushed, it concluded on such a beautiful note.
"The space between worlds" explores far more than just the multiverse though. The title and the dystopian world provide a perfect stage to address the difference between rich and poor, science and religion or life and death. The main character isn't just traveling between multiverses, but is also in a space somewhere between those societal issues. This setting also leads to many diverse characters that represent POC, different genders and sexualities. There is also a beautiful sapphic romance, which I live for!!
The world and the characters were so intriguing that I didn't even mind that I didn't knew where the plot was going until halfway through the book. The main villain only appears towards the last third, but was nevertheless interwoven with earlier events. It stays suspenseful until the end as it was never quite sure who would be the more cunning and intelligent one. Even though the ending felt slightly rushed, it concluded on such a beautiful note.
shksprsis's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
socksandmelons's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
brianna3645's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
draconan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
txchetg's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
spicycronereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
On the surface this is a SciFi thriller about multiverse travel. But at heart it is about fate, found family, and the violence of classism, racism, colonialism, and homophobia. The writing is quite fluid and sometimes beautifully poetic.
The first ten percent or so takes patience as you get oriented to the world and the mechanics of how multiverse travel works, but after that it is engrossing, with dynamically flawed characters and twists galore.
The book has rich secondary characters whose development is rounded out by meeting the same characters in different worlds.
There is a bit of romance between the main character Cara and her colleague Dell. There is plentiful pining, punctuated with occasional moments of potential. I give it one swoony heart 💖
This book has quite a lot of diverse representation. Not only are Cara and Dell in a sapphic romance, but they are both women of color: Cara and other characters are Black, while Dell is Asian. The book deals with attitudes toward queer relationships as well as with the intersection of class, race, and sexuality.
Overall I found this to be a beautiful read. I was excited to see that Johnson’s next book is set in the same world, centered on a tertiary character from this book. I will definitely read it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 💖
The first ten percent or so takes patience as you get oriented to the world and the mechanics of how multiverse travel works, but after that it is engrossing, with dynamically flawed characters and twists galore.
The book has rich secondary characters whose development is rounded out by meeting the same characters in different worlds.
There is a bit of romance between the main character Cara and her colleague Dell. There is plentiful pining, punctuated with occasional moments of potential. I give it one swoony heart 💖
This book has quite a lot of diverse representation. Not only are Cara and Dell in a sapphic romance, but they are both women of color: Cara and other characters are Black, while Dell is Asian. The book deals with attitudes toward queer relationships as well as with the intersection of class, race, and sexuality.
Overall I found this to be a beautiful read. I was excited to see that Johnson’s next book is set in the same world, centered on a tertiary character from this book. I will definitely read it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 💖
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death of parent, Xenophobia, Drug abuse, Grief, Alcoholism, and Racism
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
momo1017's review against another edition
3.0
It was ok. I enjoyed the beginning, but around 40% I lost interest and turned to the audiobook. Won’t be picking up the next book. I enjoyed some of the introspection that occurred.