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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Graded By: Poshdeluxe
Cover Story: Fancy Dress
BFF Charm: Roger Murtaugh
Swoonworthy Scale: 3
Talky Talk: Longwinded
Bonus Factors: Parallel Universe, Kickass Gramps
Relationship Status: The Date That Took Me To a Cool Restaurant Then Talked My Ear Off
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Fancy Dress
BFF Charm: Roger Murtaugh
Swoonworthy Scale: 3
Talky Talk: Longwinded
Bonus Factors: Parallel Universe, Kickass Gramps
Relationship Status: The Date That Took Me To a Cool Restaurant Then Talked My Ear Off
Read the full book report here.
Truthfully, I have no idea how I feel about Dissonance. In the terms of full disclosure I read this book after I read two books I had been dying for that were fantastic and nothing could live up to that. So I don’t know if my uncertain feelings are because this book was a ‘rebound’ book or if I really wasn’t as in love with it as I hoped I would be. I mean Dissonance wasn’t a bad book, but I didn’t feel like it was a great book either.
The story is about Del, a girl that gets to travel into parallel worlds because she is what is known as a Walker. With every choice a person makes a new world, or Echo, is formed and Del gets to navigate them and figure out which ones are stable. But Del has never been one to follow the rules. And when her long time crush starts popping up in all of her Echoes and noticing her in her real world, the Key World, Del is even less likely to follow the rules. When things start changing in both the Key World and the Echoes, Del must figure out where she stands and what’s important to her.
Part of my problem with Dissonance was the pacing. It’s a long book. No getting around that. It’s a lot of pages with a lot of information and newish terms. Some of the stuff is very dense so it makes it hard to focus and pay attention. But that wasn’t the problem. The problem was that nothing seemed to be happening. It took about 3 quarters of reading before I was like, ‘oh, something just happened’. It made reading a struggle at times wish was disappointing. On the surface the premise is really good, but all the buildup and background and unfamiliar words made it harder to get through.
Not that the whole book was bad. There were some really strong parts. The interwoven story of the characters was a part that I really enjoyed along with the different family dynamics. Del’s family was interesting. Addie was a know-it-all, and her parents were workaholics, and her grandfather was somewhere there kind of holding the family together in a way. The way that this dynamic reshaped and changed as the story progressed was a really good part. And when things started to happen, they really started to happen. Whether it was Simon, Del’s crush, and his evolving part in Del’s life or the mystery surrounding the instability in all the worlds, things definitely sped up. Enough to make me want to continue on with the series? That remains to be seen.
The story is about Del, a girl that gets to travel into parallel worlds because she is what is known as a Walker. With every choice a person makes a new world, or Echo, is formed and Del gets to navigate them and figure out which ones are stable. But Del has never been one to follow the rules. And when her long time crush starts popping up in all of her Echoes and noticing her in her real world, the Key World, Del is even less likely to follow the rules. When things start changing in both the Key World and the Echoes, Del must figure out where she stands and what’s important to her.
Part of my problem with Dissonance was the pacing. It’s a long book. No getting around that. It’s a lot of pages with a lot of information and newish terms. Some of the stuff is very dense so it makes it hard to focus and pay attention. But that wasn’t the problem. The problem was that nothing seemed to be happening. It took about 3 quarters of reading before I was like, ‘oh, something just happened’. It made reading a struggle at times wish was disappointing. On the surface the premise is really good, but all the buildup and background and unfamiliar words made it harder to get through.
Not that the whole book was bad. There were some really strong parts. The interwoven story of the characters was a part that I really enjoyed along with the different family dynamics. Del’s family was interesting. Addie was a know-it-all, and her parents were workaholics, and her grandfather was somewhere there kind of holding the family together in a way. The way that this dynamic reshaped and changed as the story progressed was a really good part. And when things started to happen, they really started to happen. Whether it was Simon, Del’s crush, and his evolving part in Del’s life or the mystery surrounding the instability in all the worlds, things definitely sped up. Enough to make me want to continue on with the series? That remains to be seen.
4.5 stars.
I found this book at my college's book sale this spring and got it brand new and free for working the sale. I'd returned to it a couple of times and decided that the third time meant it should be mine. I'm glad I did get it even though I had no idea what it was about until I read it. I love the idea of the Echos and everything that went with the world(s) created. Now I need the next one to come out so I can find out what happens!
I found this book at my college's book sale this spring and got it brand new and free for working the sale. I'd returned to it a couple of times and decided that the third time meant it should be mine. I'm glad I did get it even though I had no idea what it was about until I read it. I love the idea of the Echos and everything that went with the world(s) created. Now I need the next one to come out so I can find out what happens!
This book has been on my radar for over a year, because not only is the cover gorgeous, but I am a huge sucker for multiverse stories. I just cannot resist, because I love seeing each author's interpretation and exploration of the whole multiverse / parallel worlds and universes concept. So naturally, as soon as I saw it available on Edelweiss, I requested it -- and was over the moon when my request was granted! But did it live up to my hopes and expectations?
In most ways, Dissonance delivered.
Dissonance struck a chord with me (pun very much intended, snicker snicker) in more ways than one, which made me very happy. O'Rourke's intertwining of string theory with music theory was a very welcome and accessible approach, which I really appreciated. She took a subject that could be very complicated (and is, at its heart) and put it into terms that were easier to grab and understand as a layman.
I am a huge fan of music -- string instruments in particular -- so
even though I don't do much music playing and I don't know much music theory, I could deeply appreciate the rules surrounding the Key World and its Echoes as Delancey was learning about and interacting with them. Each chapter begins with a snippet of information pulled from one of Del's Walker textbooks, which helped to relate the concept being explored and helped ground me even further in the world(s).
The depth of some themes, the richness of the world-building, and the surprising plot points all served to keep me engaged and excited about this book. I loved that even though there is a lot of romance, it actually serves multiple purposes in the story, in a way that was convincing and satisfying!
So what were its weak points?
For me, the only real issue was the somewhat heavy focus on romance. Maybe this is actually a good balance for a book that is otherwise pretty rich with themes of science and music and morality. But at the same time, it also kind of kept me from fully immersing myself in the story.
I loved how much this book made me think, and it brought up some great discussion topics between my husband and me. But at the same time, I am hesitant to recommend that he read this book, because I know the quantities of romance-focus will turn him off.
Sigh. It's a tough balance.
But all in all, I really liked this book and I am eagerly anticipating its sequel!
In most ways, Dissonance delivered.
Dissonance struck a chord with me (pun very much intended, snicker snicker) in more ways than one, which made me very happy. O'Rourke's intertwining of string theory with music theory was a very welcome and accessible approach, which I really appreciated. She took a subject that could be very complicated (and is, at its heart) and put it into terms that were easier to grab and understand as a layman.
"Every choice we make is both a sacrifice and an opportunity."
I am a huge fan of music -- string instruments in particular -- so
even though I don't do much music playing and I don't know much music theory, I could deeply appreciate the rules surrounding the Key World and its Echoes as Delancey was learning about and interacting with them. Each chapter begins with a snippet of information pulled from one of Del's Walker textbooks, which helped to relate the concept being explored and helped ground me even further in the world(s).
The depth of some themes, the richness of the world-building, and the surprising plot points all served to keep me engaged and excited about this book. I loved that even though there is a lot of romance, it actually serves multiple purposes in the story, in a way that was convincing and satisfying!
So what were its weak points?
For me, the only real issue was the somewhat heavy focus on romance. Maybe this is actually a good balance for a book that is otherwise pretty rich with themes of science and music and morality. But at the same time, it also kind of kept me from fully immersing myself in the story.
"Given a choice, it seems like pity would be easier to bear than mockery, but that's not true. Mockery hardens defenses; pity slips through, finds the softest places you have, and slices to the bone.
Pity will break you, every time."
I loved how much this book made me think, and it brought up some great discussion topics between my husband and me. But at the same time, I am hesitant to recommend that he read this book, because I know the quantities of romance-focus will turn him off.
Sigh. It's a tough balance.
But all in all, I really liked this book and I am eagerly anticipating its sequel!
This was on my list to read for almost a year, and it did not disappoint.
There's nothing I love more than a fresh new well thought out world to dive into, and this really delivered. The concept was really interesting, and highly detailed, with it's own rules. I loved it.
Delancey seems like your average angsty teenage girl looking to put just enough distance between herself and everyone else around her, if you seem unfriendly enough, everyone will leave you alone. Average, except she's a Walker, born with the genetic ability to delve into worlds that grow out of each decision someone makes. The overbearing perfect sister, the busy work-a-holic parents, the seemingly crazy grandfather who taught her everything she knows when it comes to walking.
If I had the ability to get close to my crush in an alternate universe, I'd probably take advantage of that too. haha
I really enjoyed this book, it's defiantly one I will be keeping, and recommending.
I also loved the Walker breadcrumbs at the top of almost all the chapters, giving you just enough insight, into the rules to get you through.
There's nothing I love more than a fresh new well thought out world to dive into, and this really delivered. The concept was really interesting, and highly detailed, with it's own rules. I loved it.
Delancey seems like your average angsty teenage girl looking to put just enough distance between herself and everyone else around her, if you seem unfriendly enough, everyone will leave you alone. Average, except she's a Walker, born with the genetic ability to delve into worlds that grow out of each decision someone makes. The overbearing perfect sister, the busy work-a-holic parents, the seemingly crazy grandfather who taught her everything she knows when it comes to walking.
If I had the ability to get close to my crush in an alternate universe, I'd probably take advantage of that too. haha
I really enjoyed this book, it's defiantly one I will be keeping, and recommending.
I also loved the Walker breadcrumbs at the top of almost all the chapters, giving you just enough insight, into the rules to get you through.
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
To my enormous surprise, I actually enjoyed the book. Though it was a long one, it was a fast-paced and quick read--it's almost finals weeks and I've basically been sneaking this book in between classes.
Why did I think I wouldn't like it? Well, I looked at the reviews and they basically hit all the points that I try to avoid: magical boy, love triangle, and special girl. I refer to these tropes in mocking ways, but there's nothing necessarily wrong with them. They're just not my cup of tea.
In the beginning, my first impressions seemed to confirm these warnings. The relationship between Addie and the heroine seemed way too tense, the, and none of the characters came across as likable to me.
It wasn't that hard to keep going, and my issues with the novel were either fixed or became tolerable. I genuinely liked the heroine and the romance was not too overblown.
The world seems really thought out and quite interesting. Even if you don't remember all the rules they throw at you, it's pretty easy to follow along as the action progresses. The multiverse conceit wasn't gimmicky, as I feared it would be. There were times that I wished that the world expanded (they could essentially cross space, why not time?), but keeping the world small for know kept the novel tighter and prevented potential holes in theory.
If you're into scifi/fantasy ya romance, I think you might like the book. It was a good start to a (probable) trilogy and I'm interested to see where it goes. I'll definitely check out the sequel when it comes out next year.
By the way, I was able to read this book through Pulseit's second annual 31 Days of Reading. If you aren't busy this month (or are a criminal procrastinator like me), you should check it out.
Why did I think I wouldn't like it? Well, I looked at the reviews and they basically hit all the points that I try to avoid: magical boy, love triangle, and special girl. I refer to these tropes in mocking ways, but there's nothing necessarily wrong with them. They're just not my cup of tea.
In the beginning, my first impressions seemed to confirm these warnings. The relationship between Addie and the heroine seemed way too tense, the
Spoiler
Eliot angle seemed unnecessary. Is it so hard to make a boy-girl friendship platonic?It wasn't that hard to keep going, and my issues with the novel were either fixed or became tolerable. I genuinely liked the heroine and the romance was not too overblown
Spoiler
although insta-love was kind of a factor here, which is not my favorite thingThe world seems really thought out and quite interesting. Even if you don't remember all the rules they throw at you, it's pretty easy to follow along as the action progresses. The multiverse conceit wasn't gimmicky, as I feared it would be. There were times that I wished that the world expanded (they could essentially cross space, why not time?), but keeping the world small for know kept the novel tighter and prevented potential holes in theory.
If you're into scifi/fantasy ya romance, I think you might like the book. It was a good start to a (probable) trilogy and I'm interested to see where it goes. I'll definitely check out the sequel when it comes out next year.
By the way, I was able to read this book through Pulseit's second annual 31 Days of Reading. If you aren't busy this month (or are a criminal procrastinator like me), you should check it out.
3 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed this one, but stupidly read 2/3 of book 2 before I realized it wasn't the first book in the series. So for me, this felt a bit like a prequel leading up to the events of Resonance. Still a good read even though I knew the ending before I'd read the first page. Now to finish book 2 properly!