The Premise: Crossing the Divide
This book was just okay for me. I think it had so much potential, and I really loved the premise. The concept is fascinating, traveling between parallel worlds where you can only survive if you're not alive in that particular world. If another version of you exists there, your body begins to break down as soon as you cross over. Our main character has died in a lot of these alternate worlds, and when she travels to one where things aren't quite as they should be, chaos follows. I won't say more so I don't spoil any of the big twists.
Worldbuilding: Piecing It Together
When it comes to the worldbuilding, I felt like the author left a lot for readers to piece together on their own. I actually like when books drop you in and let you figure things out along the way, but this one leaned so heavily into confusion that I thought I might've missed something. By the end I was able to piece most of it together, but I still don't think I fully understand everything, I basically filled in the gaps with what I assumed to be true.
Navigating the Parallel Worlds
As for the characters, I really liked the main character. She's a strong female lead and capable of everything she takes on in this story. A few side characters stood out to me as well and helped balance the book, though there were others whose roles in the parallel worlds felt confusing. Still, the core characters were fleshed out enough that I could understand their motivations.
The Plot: A Roller Coaster Ride
The plot itself was just okay, too. It started out intriguing and had me curious from the beginning, but by the end I was left with unanswered questions and wishing we'd seen more of the aftermath. I know there's a second book, and while it isn't necessary to read them in order, I imagine the sequel probably dives deeper into this world. I'm not sure yet if I'll pick it up, but I do think the writing might be stronger in the next installment.
Highs and Lows
Overall, I'd give this one a three-star rating. There were moments where I couldn't stop turning the pages, but there were also sections where I felt completely lost and just pushed through. It was definitely a roller coaster, some highs, some lows, but a really great concept at its core. I wouldn't recommend it to someone brand new to sci-fi since I think it would be too confusing and might reinforce the idea that the genre is hard to get into. But for seasoned sci-fi readers who don't mind filling in gaps, it could still be worth a try.
So there you have it, my thoughts on "The Space Between Worlds." Let me know if you've read it and what you thought! And as always, happy reading, fellow dreamers.
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