sophia_sol: photo of a 19th century ivory carving of a fat bird (Default)
soph ([personal profile] sophia_sol) wrote2019-11-23 02:33 pm

How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse, by K. Eason

This was a book that seemed going in like I was going to adore it (a book set IN SPACE with inspiration from fairy tale tropes!), so I was really disappointed to discover that I mostly found it....fine. The kind of book where I'm sure that there are people out there for whom this is the perfect book, and I only wish I were one of them.

I think my biggest problem with it is this: each chapter begins with some very deliberate infodumping. And although I can see that it was a deliberate choice and even see what the author was going for and appreciate it, the end result is that the narrative keeps on deflating its own tension over and over and over again. Which means I never felt truly drawn into the story.

Also! Spoiler! IT DOESN'T LIVE UP TO THE PROMISE IN THE TITLE. In the very last few pages of the book, the narrative tells us very briefly how the events of the book will lead to the end of the multiverse as it is known. But this is dispensed with in just a few vague sentences. I wanted to see the multiverse being destroyed! I wanted Rory to be a lot more directly responsible! I wanted the destruction of the multiverse to be plot relevant! I don't feel like this is too much to ask, when the book title makes this kind of bold statement!
sholio: sun on winter trees (Default)

[personal profile] sholio 2019-11-23 08:06 pm (UTC)(link)
I wanted the destruction of the multiverse to be plot relevant! I don't feel like this is too much to ask, when the book title makes this kind of bold statement!

This seems completely reasonable to ME!