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shippy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
bechkit's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Did I pick this up because the description implied nonbinary rep with a physicist and artist falling in love, and i am a non binary artist in love with a physicist? Perhaps.
I really loved this book, though I admit I went into it with expectations of a romance novel based on the description, and this is very much more literary fiction.
The format of switching universe each chapter was really intriguing, and North uses that format to explore all the ways relationships can form between people in different worlds, even if each person is still the same at heart. This honestly really spoke to me since i think everyone has the capacity to love pretty much anyone else under the right circumstances.
This book has been on my mind constantly since I finished it and I will be purchasing my own copy once its out in hardback.. and perhaps moving my review to 5 stars upon a second read <<
I really loved this book, though I admit I went into it with expectations of a romance novel based on the description, and this is very much more literary fiction.
The format of switching universe each chapter was really intriguing, and North uses that format to explore all the ways relationships can form between people in different worlds, even if each person is still the same at heart. This honestly really spoke to me since i think everyone has the capacity to love pretty much anyone else under the right circumstances.
This book has been on my mind constantly since I finished it and I will be purchasing my own copy once its out in hardback.. and perhaps moving my review to 5 stars upon a second read <<
thoughtcouture's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
librovermo's review
5.0
Emet North’s debut novel, In Universes, is unlike anything I’ve ever read. It’s beautiful, challenging, and the very best kind of strange. Each chapter is just a glimpse into Raffi’s life in one of an unlimited number of possible universes. On their own, the chapters could be short stories—all entertaining for different reasons—but together, they weave a tale of grief, love, heartbreak, and the search for self.
Anything is possible when we’re talking about infinity, so some of Raffi’s lives take place in fairly recognizable universes much like our own, while others take place in universes in which aliens inhabit animal bodies and attack humans, or, in my favorite (because it was both entertaining and absolutely brilliant), mothers fracture into hordes of animals when they give birth to daughters. What the universes all have in common though, is that they all fall within timelines in which Raffi connects with Britt, Kay, Graham, or Alice, and each of Raffi’s lives is unique in a perfect way that doesn’t make them unrecognizable as the same person. Raffi’s shifting and changing relationships with these recurring characters were fascinating, especially the one they had with Britt, who is always important no matter the universe.
Raffi is a remarkable character. They truly read as if they are a real person. They have fully fleshed out hopes, dreams, flaws, and plenty of endearing qualities. It’s easy to relate to and love a character as genuine and realistic as Raffi. Their friends and lovers were also great people. I wanted to choose a favorite to mention here but I couldn’t do it. Too hard. It might be Graham though.
Often, when I (and many people, I imagine) read a book, I insert myself into it. What would I do if I was the main character? What would I say if I was the side character? I did do that sometimes while reading In Universes, but more often, I inserted the concept of the book into my life instead. I’ve lost so much sleep the past couple nights, lying awake thinking about the points at which my life could have split into different universes and what those universes might be like. Or thinking about the universe in which I never met someone I love, or I did, but I love them in a different way, or they are merely an acquaintance. Or, hey, what kind of animal horde my mother would have fractured into when I was born (polar bear).
When I wasn’t losing sleep over In Universes, it was affecting my dreams. I won’t go into detail because reading other people’s dreams is kind of boring and that’s not what this is anyway, but my dreams have been incredibly weird and 100% influenced by this book. I loved In Universes while I was reading it, and I love it even more because it had such a strong hold over both my dreams and waking thoughts.
If you’re looking for something thought-provoking that will take you on a multifaceted journey, this is it. This is the book.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins, from whom I received this ARC. It was a pleasure to read and review In Universes!
Anything is possible when we’re talking about infinity, so some of Raffi’s lives take place in fairly recognizable universes much like our own, while others take place in universes in which aliens inhabit animal bodies and attack humans, or, in my favorite (because it was both entertaining and absolutely brilliant), mothers fracture into hordes of animals when they give birth to daughters. What the universes all have in common though, is that they all fall within timelines in which Raffi connects with Britt, Kay, Graham, or Alice, and each of Raffi’s lives is unique in a perfect way that doesn’t make them unrecognizable as the same person. Raffi’s shifting and changing relationships with these recurring characters were fascinating, especially the one they had with Britt, who is always important no matter the universe.
Raffi is a remarkable character. They truly read as if they are a real person. They have fully fleshed out hopes, dreams, flaws, and plenty of endearing qualities. It’s easy to relate to and love a character as genuine and realistic as Raffi. Their friends and lovers were also great people. I wanted to choose a favorite to mention here but I couldn’t do it. Too hard. It might be Graham though.
Often, when I (and many people, I imagine) read a book, I insert myself into it. What would I do if I was the main character? What would I say if I was the side character? I did do that sometimes while reading In Universes, but more often, I inserted the concept of the book into my life instead. I’ve lost so much sleep the past couple nights, lying awake thinking about the points at which my life could have split into different universes and what those universes might be like. Or thinking about the universe in which I never met someone I love, or I did, but I love them in a different way, or they are merely an acquaintance. Or, hey, what kind of animal horde my mother would have fractured into when I was born (polar bear).
When I wasn’t losing sleep over In Universes, it was affecting my dreams. I won’t go into detail because reading other people’s dreams is kind of boring and that’s not what this is anyway, but my dreams have been incredibly weird and 100% influenced by this book. I loved In Universes while I was reading it, and I love it even more because it had such a strong hold over both my dreams and waking thoughts.
If you’re looking for something thought-provoking that will take you on a multifaceted journey, this is it. This is the book.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins, from whom I received this ARC. It was a pleasure to read and review In Universes!
alpal_collective's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
scuttlingclaws's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
acwhite's review
It’s very well written and a fascinating premise but I simply don’t find myself wanting to read it. Perhaps at another time I’ll revisit it.
moholub's review
5.0
Part I is a haunting exploration of emotion and motion across a multiverse, how love changes and warps, how hope and regret pull in similarly opposite directions. How things can be different but different doesn't always mean better/superior/happier. Part II is a speculative masterclass in dissection, in pulling the self apart and finding a new way to be whole. Part III made every atom of my being ache. There is an understanding in these pages that I can only express as feeling inside my bones. I would like to climb inside of North's words and cocoon myself in their prismatic poetry.
"But isn't it also true that if you dig deep enough into human matter you find stardust? And at the end of the day, what does that have to do with anything?”
"But isn't it also true that if you dig deep enough into human matter you find stardust? And at the end of the day, what does that have to do with anything?”
hanniboiii's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Each chapter a different life of Raffi's, In Universes explores themes of grief, gender and identity, the meaning of family, and the struggle to survive. Characters mix and match, bears are friends and foe, and you'll never quite know what is real or imagined.
•
This book felt like a rainy April day, somewhere between a cozy joy and dark sorrow. As characters Raffi, Brit, Graham, Kay, and Alice's fluid identities fluctuated throughout the story, I found myself relating deeply to each one. I enjoyed the exploration of the multiverse and the ways each chapter was a standalone story while being part of the larger narrative. In Universes checked so many boxes and I will not be forgetting it anytime soon!
mrs_p_reads822's review
As much as I wanted to love In Universes, I found myself struggling to fully engage with it. While I can appreciate its ambitious concept and the author's attempt to explore the complexities of the multiverse, I personally found it difficult to connect with the main character.
The constant shifting between multiverses, while initially intriguing, eventually lost my interest as the narrative progressed. However, I acknowledge that the beauty of literature lies in its subjectivity, and I'm glad that others have found enjoyment in this book.
Overall, In Universes may have a potential audience who are drawn to its unique premise, but unfortunately, it wasn't quite the right fit for me.
The constant shifting between multiverses, while initially intriguing, eventually lost my interest as the narrative progressed. However, I acknowledge that the beauty of literature lies in its subjectivity, and I'm glad that others have found enjoyment in this book.
Overall, In Universes may have a potential audience who are drawn to its unique premise, but unfortunately, it wasn't quite the right fit for me.