The Space Between Worlds

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Apart from that, those on Earth Zero who are white and/or rich live in a high tower whilst those who are not live in slums and shantytowns, victims to a blazing and scorching sun. This draws a lot into the themes and criticisms that Johnson makes as those with paler skin don't work and don't go outside, which draws a lot into the argument of colorism as the rich intentionally have paler, whiter skin, giving them more privilege and more power as they'll appear more conventionally beautiful to those in their society. Ahoy there me mateys! This book's premise drew me in - multiverse travel with a murder mystery and a queer protagonist. Cool. While this book was enjoyable, I did have some issues that led to it not being a favorite. The New York Times praised The Space Between Worlds, calling it "profoundly satisfying" and a metaphor for neoliberal imperialism. [2] New Scientist said it was a "witty, deep and savvy tale about traveling through the multiverse", comparing it to Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter's The Long Earth and Luiza Sauma's Everything You Ever Wanted. [3] The Nerd Daily praised the spiritual convictions of the traversers, and their belief in the "goddess Nyame who guides them across different universes, that it is she who they feel in that space between worlds". [5] Awards [ edit ]

This book felt like an unedited first draft to me, it wasn’t clear whether the author knew where the story was going or not. There is a lot going on in this journey, but the pace and movement of The Space Between Worlds are masterfully done, especially for a debut novel. The story is consistently engaging as Cara works through the various transformations and challenges of her life as a traverser and the ending, both in matters of character growth and plot development, is surprising and satisfying. The Space Between Worlds is absolutely riveting during the first 50%. It raises some really important questions. How would your life be any different if you had 374 different versions of you? Despite your best efforts, are there certain factors in your life that are always with you? My favourite part about the book were all the different relationships and the sisterhood between Cara and Esther was a delight to read about. Esther is one of the best secondary characters I’ve ever read as she is strong in her quiet way, polite and kind, but also brilliant and ruthless when the need arises. She’s the kind of person who will always be there for the people she loves, regardless of how hard it is.NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS’ CHOICE • An outsider who can travel between worlds discovers a secret that threatensthe very fabric of the multiversein this stunning debut, a powerful examination of identity, privilege, and belonging. Enter our protagonist, Cara who is one of the most prized traversers as she has died in all worlds but 8. I loved her character as she was perfectly flawed and complex. Even the secondary characters like Ester, Nik Nik and Dell were fascinating.

So look for me,” she says. “I’m only missing on a few hundred worlds, and this is just one more. I recommend Earth 83 me. She’s my favorite.” (c) This book surprised me in a multitude of ways. I initially heard about this book through randomly browsing on Goodreads and it immediately made its way onto my radar. Being one of my most anticipated sci-fi reads of the year, I went in with slightly high expectations of this novel and I certainly wasn't disappointed.Micaiah Johnson’s debut is a punk album, presenting a world where even our possibilities are colonized. I loved every twisting minute of it.” —Alex White, author of A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe

A lot of comparing oneself with other people happens (no, this is not an examination of privilege or belonging, this is an illustration of personal insecurities, lead either by social issues experience or by pretty much any other stuff): The Space Between Worlds is fascinating, complicated, compelling . . . a jewel of a novel.” — Locus Adam, he's such an interesting mind, as the man who was behind the ability to explore the multiverse, he's definitely got a lot on his plate. I found him to be extremely intelligent, calculated, and reminiscent of his other-universe counterparts, whom you meet in the story. This is one of the best sci-fi books I've ever read. Not only the premise is executed brilliantly with mind boggling plot twist but the book is so fast paced that I was completely immersed. The world building is fantastic, fresh and original. The characters are interesting and well fleshed out. The main character Cara is impossible not to love. I had the urge to hug her at least a dozen times. Recently, I have been reading Philip Pullman’s Daemon Voices which is a collection of essays on storytelling. But wait this is a review for The Space Between Words? Hold your horses. I’m getting to it. There is an essay in Daemon Voices about writing fantasy where he mentions that authors of fantasy need to focus on the path, not the worldbuilding. And I could not agree more! I don’t connect with extensive worldbuilding.

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Q: I’ve never been afraid to die, which has probably been my problem on more than one Earth. (c) Just one of the problems, I bet. All that subtle anger I’d harbored against her, thinking she thought she was better than me, did she feel it? (c)

The ending was extremely rushed and hastily put together and it left me with more questions and a need to know and read more about that world. Honestly, my first thought after finishing the book was "I need more Cara and Dell content STAT" but I was also super satisfied with how this book ended should it remain a standalone. However, I felt that this book handled it's multiverse very well and it was explained in a clear and concise way that made it easy to follow along with.

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But people have a way of dipping around Cara’s guard, of scrabbling at her armor, including Dell, Cara’s supervisor. In another version of Cara’s world, Cara’s relationship with Dell may have had the opportunity to be based on more than the resentful, grudging necessity of co-workers who navigate around each other like ships and icebergs. In another version of Cara’s world, Dell wasn’t too afraid of where Cara came from to want her, and Cara wasn’t too afraid that Dell would disappear into the dark pit that is Cara’s past to confront her about it. In this world, their moments together are drenched with a bruised, unthwarted longing, filled with endless distances. This mystical realm connects all of time and space, creating a conduit between the living and the dead. Those who control this plane would possess mastery over all of existence, but gaining access has proved an unexpected challenge." ―Darth Sidious [2] Overall, a very interesting fantasy book by Micaiah Johnson. The Space Between Worlds is her debut novel so this is one author that I am putting on my “to read again” list. Star Wars: Timelines (bonus content) places the events of " Part One: Master and Apprentice" in around 9 ABY. As Ahsoka spans a relatively short time, the events of the series must take place around the same year.