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The Space Between Worlds

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'The Space Between Worlds' by Micaiah Johnson is a sci-fi novel set in a world where traversers like Cara can jump between parallel universes as long as their doppelgangers are deceased in that world. Cara, a protagonist with a complicated past, is hired to collect information from different worlds. However, when she uncovers unsettling truths, she begins to question her role and the organization she works for. The book explores themes of choices, luck, and the impact of different realities on a person's life, all wrapped in a fast-paced plot with complex characters and a unique world-building concept.

The writing style of 'The Space Between Worlds' is praised for its precision and craft in world-building, creating a stunning and immersive multiverse. The novel delves into the intricacies of parallel worlds, relationships, social commentary, and character development, offering a fresh take on the concept of multiple realities and the complexities of human existence across different dimensions.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Cara representing the struggle of identity against societal constraints, while exploring complex interpersonal relationships.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by emotional depth, clever prose, and a straightforward yet nuanced approach.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on the challenges of traveling between parallel worlds, restricted to those without living counterparts, and explores overarching themes of identity and privilege.

Setting:

The setting contrasts affluent, walled cities with the harsh conditions of surrounding impoverished areas, reflecting deep societal divisions.

Pacing:

The pacing begins deliberately, focusing on world-building, and then accelerates with plot twists that maintain reader interest.
WHEN I WAS young and multiverse was just a theory, I was worthless: the brown girl-child of an addict in one of those wards outside the walls of Wiley City that people don’t get out of or go to. But t...

Notes:

The Space Between Worlds is Micaiah Johnson's debut novel.
Travel between parallel worlds is only possible if your counterpart is dead in that world.
The protagonist, Cara, has deceased versions in 372 out of 380 worlds.
The novel explores themes of identity, privilege, exclusion, and survival.
Cara is considered a 'trash person' because of her low survival odds in the multiverse.
The book features a strong, complex female lead who is a bi woman of color.
It uses multiverse travel to comment on social issues like inequality and racism.
The characters and their struggles reflect the harsh realities of societal inequities.
The title refers to both the physical space between worlds and the emotional space of feeling out of place.
The book combines science fiction with human emotions and social commentary, making it a thought-provoking read.
It has elements of action, adventure, and strong character relationships, particularly a sapphic romance.
The novel was praised for its powerful writing and complex narrative with unexpected twists.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes content warnings for topics such as trauma, domestic violence, and abuse that could be triggering for some readers.

Has Romance?

While romance is not the primary focus, it does play a significant role in the story, especially with LGBTQ representation.

From The Publisher:

NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS' CHOICE

An outsider who can travel between worlds discovers a secret that threatens the very fabric of the multiverse in this stunning debut, a powerful examination of identity, privilege, and belonging.

WINNER OF THE COMPTON CROOK AWARD

FINALIST FOR THE LOCUS AWARD

"Gorgeous writing, mind-bending world-building, razor-sharp social commentary, and a main character who demands your attention-and your allegiance."-Rob Hart, author of The Warehouse

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR

Library Journal

Book Riot

Multiverse travel is finally possible, but there's just one catch: No one can visit a world where their counterpart is still alive. Enter Cara, whose parallel selves happen to be exceptionally good at dying-from disease, turf wars, or vendettas they couldn't outrun. Cara's life has been cut short on 372 worlds in total.

On this dystopian Earth, however, Cara has survived. Identified as an outlier and therefore a perfect candidate for multiverse travel, Cara is plucked from the dirt of the wastelands. Now what once made her marginalized has finally become an unexpected source of power. She has a nice apartment on the lower levels of the wealthy and walled-off Wiley City. She works-and shamelessly flirts-with her enticing yet aloof handler, Dell, as the two women collect off-world data for the Eldridge Institute. She even occasionally leaves the city to visit her family in the wastes, though she struggles to feel at home in either place. So long as she can keep her head down and avoid trouble, Cara is on a sure path to citizenship and security.

But trouble finds Cara when one of her eight remaining doppelgängers dies under mysterious circumstances, plunging her into a new world with an old secret. What she discovers will connect her past and her future in ways she could have never imagined-and reveal her own role in a plot that endangers not just her world but the entire multiverse.

"Clever characters, surprise twists, plenty of action, and a plot that highlights social and racial inequities in astute prose."-Library Journal (starred review)

Ratings (36)

Incredible (7)
Loved It (9)
Liked It (11)
It Was OK (7)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (129):

Read It (36)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (74)
Did Not Finish (3)
Not Interested (15)

2 comment(s)

Loved It
4 months

Very exciting. An unusual story which was suspenseful and kept you guessing.

 
Loved It
6 months

This a god, wellpacedand twisty tale with some interesting worldbuilding.

 

About the Author:

Micaiah Johnson was raised in California's Mojave Desert surrounded by trees named Joshua and women who told stories. She received her bachelor of arts in creative writing from the University of California, Riverside, and her master of fine arts in…

 
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