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by Erica O'Rourke
Published in July 2014 and July 2015
by Simon & Schuster BFYR
Source: finished copies sent by publicist
Synopsis for Dissonance: Delancy Sullivan has always known there's more to reality than what people see. Every time someone makes a choice, a new, parallel world branches off from the existing one. Eating breakfast or skipping it, turning left instead of right, sneaking out instead of staying in bed ~ all of these choices create an alternate universe in which an echo self takes the road not travelled and makes the opposite decision. As a Walker, someone who can navigate between these worlds, Del's job is to keep all of the dimensions in harmony. Normally, Del can hear the dissonant frequency that each world emits as clear as a bell. But when a training session in an off-key world goes horribly wrong, she is forbidden from Walking by the Council. But Del's not big on following the rules and she secretly starts to investigate these other worlds. Something strange connecting them and it's not just her random encounters with echo versions of the guy she likes, Simon Lane. But Del's decisions have unimaginable consequences and, as she begins to fall for the Echo Simons in each world, she draws closer to a truth that the Council of Walkers is trying to hide ~ a secret that threatens the fate of the entire multiverse.
Synopsis for Resonance:As a Walker between worlds, Del is responsible for the love of her life—and the fate of millions—in this thrilling sequel to Dissonance. Del risked everything to save Simon, and now he’s gone, off in another world with no way for Del to find him. She’s back at the Consort—training to be a Walker like everyone in her family. But the Free Walkers have other plans for her. This rebel group is trying to convince Del that the Consort is evil, and that her parents are unwittingly helping the Consort kill millions of people. The Free Walkers make Del the ultimate promise: if Del joins their fight, she will be reunited with Simon. In agreeing, Del might be endangering her family. But if she doesn’t, innocent people will die, and Simon will be lost to her forever. The fate of the multiverse depends on her choice...
My take on the series: I'll be honest -- the idea of a multiverse freaks me out quite a bit. The idea of multiple versions of me (and everyone else) running around in alternate versions of our world is pretty disturbing, to be honest. The physics/science behind the idea of the multiverse is complex and I'm sure I don't understand it at all. That, along with the huge love triangle potential, makes me a bit wary of multiverse books.
But I thought Dissonance and Resonance were stand-outs in this sci-fi/fantasy subgenre. They were beautifully written, with complex and skillful worldbulding. Just when I'd get that huh??? feeling, the narrative would explain exactly what was bothering me.
The premise of the story is that Delancey Sullivan is a Walker, someone who can travel between different worlds. She's kind of like a safety patroller -- in training to walk between worlds, making sure everything as it should be.
Of course, everything isn't as it should be. Her grandmother has been mysteriously missing for years, and she's falling for an alt version of a guy who goes to her school. Del is smart and she's curious, and before long she's figured out that certain things she's been told just can't be true, and can't be right -- and she may be the only one who can fix them.
For me, the romance in this moved at a slow burn pace, but toward the end of Dissonance, I was all on board. Yes, multiverse books do hold the possibility for sort-of love triangles, but Del stays true to the guy she falls for.
I also really liked the ethical questions that are raised in the course of the story. Del is caught between two warring factions, both of which have a different take on right on wrong, and Del has to sort it all out. And I loved the complicated relationship between Del and her sister -- very realistic!
I really enjoyed this duology. If you like multiverse stories that don't skimp on the world building and explanation, stories with a lot of action, and sweet, slow burn romances, you definitely should give these a try!
I would have NEVER read this series, because of the reasons you mentioned, but you're review has me rethinking that.
ReplyDeletePlus duology FTW!
Karen @For What It's Worth
It's a smart, complicated story. I think you'd like it!
DeleteI've never read a multiverse book. I definitely want to check these out. Good review!
ReplyDeleteGive this one a try!
DeleteI dislike multiverse books for exactly the same reason that you mentioned. But I'm reading this series this month and I'm truly excited to see such praise coming from you, Jen. I think I'd love the romance! I also love how the ethics of it all is questioned. I read one book where the whole situation was so unethical but never addressed over the course of the book and it put me off multiverse books, but I'm giving this one a try.
ReplyDeleteLovely review!
Ooh -- can't wait to see what you think!! Yes, there's a lot of discussions of ethics in this book. Very interesting!
DeleteThis book has wonderful worldbuilding. It's taking me awhile to get through it, but when I am in the mindset for it, I whip through the pages. I don't read a ton of books like this, so it's been an interesting read. I like fantasy books that have grounding in a familiar real world, but with all these other elements. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you -- I'm normally a super-fast reader but I had to slow down with this because it was taking every last scene-oriented brain cell I had to keep up :)
DeleteI'm a sucker for slow burn romance so this duology sounds promising!! Thanks for the series review :D
ReplyDeleteOften the romance in multiverse books is an issue for me, but this romance worked. It developed over the course of the first book and then really took fire :)
DeleteI had see this cover for the first book but didn't know that the other book was out and I didn't know it was a multiverse book. Goes and add this to the reading pile.
ReplyDeleteThat first cover is stunning! Can't wait to see what you think.
DeleteI was looking at Dissonance the other day, but couldn't find it on Audible. I'm definitely trying the duology, I think I will enjoy many aspects of it :) Great review!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it!
DeleteHaven't heard of this series, but glad you enjoyed it so much! And I say your reading Another Day, you've got to tell me how it goes! Been eyeing the book so much, loved the first :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading
Patrick @ The Bookshelves
I'm about to start Another Day and I'm nervous!
DeleteMultiverse worlds confuse me, so much so that I avoid them at all cost. lol.
ReplyDeleteI hear you. I have to say, this book was really clear in its explanations. The world building is definitely complicated, but I got the feeling that it was well thought through.
DeleteWonderful review, Jen! I've had my eye on this series and I'm happy to hear you enjoyed both books. I usually enjoy multi-worlds and I'm even more tempted with this being a duology, Yay! I'm very curious now about the warring factions and gray areas. :)
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping that duologies are the new trilogies :)
DeleteI hadn't heard of these yet. I also don't have a lot experience with a multiverse in my reading but this sounds like it isn't confusing. And I love a good slow burn romance. Will have to check this out - Great review!
ReplyDeleteThe premise sounds so good! It sounds so unique, definitely reading this one! Yay for no insta love as well. Thanks for the awesome review!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to read Dissonance so I'm so excited that you enjoyed it, and that my worries aren't really worries - the world building sounds fantastic and it's awesome that anytime you were a little confused it was explained. Being confused in a book like this is why I usually tend to avoid them. Plus a slow burn romance? Sign me up.
ReplyDeleteI have never read a book like this plus the characters sounds amazing!!
ReplyDeleteHaniya
booknauthors.blogspot.com
Lovely reviews! I've had the series on my radar for a while but have been hesitant to pick them up due to YA sci-fi/dystopia fatigue - so glad to hear these are stand-out and well written!
ReplyDeleteThis is fullybookedreviews, btw. The comment approval thingy won't let me sign in via wordpress.
DeleteSo sorry -- I opened up commenting to everyone so not sure why that is the case. Sometimes Blogger is just glitchy for a day or two and then gets fixed...
DeleteI'm glad to see how much you enjoyed these books, since they're not something I would normally read. Total cover love though!! :)
ReplyDeleteI have seen such positive things about these books! I must read them soon. I'm not a fan of multiverse books most of the time. I'm always hesitant to read them because I sadly don't enjoy the vast majority. I think I'll love these though. I love a slow-burn romance too. Great series review!
ReplyDeleteI love multiverse books. Some are better than others. There are some I just couldnt get into because they were too complicated. I have been wanting to read these for a while and just need to do it.
ReplyDeleteI really love sister relationships in books and I am glad to see this one has a good one. I don't have a sister but I wish i did. I do like any sibling relationships in books though. I dont think we see enough of them and they are so important if you have a sibling.
great review.
This one is really complicated but everything is explained very well!
DeleteI have considered these, and the slow burn romance sounds nice
ReplyDeleteI just read this series too! Wait, I think you know that because you recently read my review! LOL >.< I know what you mean about the idea of a multiverse freaking you out. I mean…I feel like what made it creepier was the act that people didn’t know “walkers” even existed…*looks around nervously* haha I was not on board w/the romance at first either but by the end of Dissonance I was like hells yeah…and really got into it. But the beginning of resonance was a little eh… which book didya like better?
ReplyDeleteOh and THIS >>>> "I also really liked the ethical questions that are raised in the course of the story. Del is caught between two warring factions, both of which have a different take on right on wrong, and Del has to sort it all out. And I loved the complicated relationship between Del and her sister -- very realistic!” —couldn’t have said it better ;)
Diamond @ Dee’s Reads
YES- the fact that walkers could actually be walking around really creeped me out. I think I liked the second book a little better, only because it took me a while to get into the first book and understand everything...
DeleteI really enjoyed Dissonance - it offered such a different, complex sci-fi read. I didn't get to the warring part so that must be what's in Resonance! Glad to hear you enjoyed this series Jen! Lovely review.
ReplyDeleteJeann @ Happy Indulgence
Yes, and I really liked that aspect!
DeleteThe concept behind this series has always intrigued me, and yet I have not read it. I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed this one; I will definitely need to pick this one up!
ReplyDelete