Title: Dissonance (Dissonance #1)
Author: Erica O'Rourke
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: July 22, 2014
Acquired Via: Around the World ARC Tours
In this inventive romantic thriller, Del has the power to navigate between alternate realities—and the power to save multiple worlds.
Delancey knows for sure that there is more than one universe. Many more. Because every time someone makes a choice, a new, parallel world is spun off 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 alternate universes in which echo selves take the roads not traveled. Del knows all of this because she’s a Walker, someone who can navigate between the worlds, and whose job is to keep the dimensions in harmony.
But Del’s decisions have consequences too. Even though she’s forbidden from Walking after a training session goes horribly wrong, she secretly starts to investigate other dissonant worlds. She’s particularly intrigued by the echo versions of Simon Lane, a guy who won’t give her the time of day in the main world, but whose alternate selves are uniquely interested. But falling for Simon draws Del closer to a truth that the Council of Walkers is trying to hide—a secret that threatens the fate of the entire multiverse.
My Review
I officially have a problem with 500(ish)-page YA novels. It seems like nine times out of ten they are too long by at least a hundred pages. Dissonance is evidence of this. It had a strong enough start, an interesting world, and a likeable enough main character. However, it dragged on for so long that I am beyond proud of myself for being able to finish it.
I've always been interested in the idea of a multiverse. In fact, that's the basis for a lot of my daydreams. I like to follow my train of thought down the paths of "what might have been". It happens a lot when I'm driving without an audiobook. Anywho, Dissonance has a different set-up than my own little fantasy world, so it was fascinating to see how O'Rourke set hers up. Hell, it was even different than other multiverse-type books that I've read.
Del was a bit of a brat, but I liked her. I can understand why she'd rebel against the Powers That Be because she had so much pressure on her. I can totally understand that - I took plenty of psychology classes in college. Kids do that. She had good enough reasons (for a teenager) to do what she did.
I don't really know what went wrong.
I usually like infodumps, so I don't think Dissonance had too much information throwing me off. It was just too stretched out without enough going on. I've not read a lot of other reviews of the book, but I will after writing this review to see why other people loved it. I wanted to love it so much that I want to know why other people have.
I really doubt I continue with this series. As I said, I really liked the concept of Dissonance, but by the time I reached the end, I no longer cared. I'll probably read spoilery reviews of the other books when they come out.
Buy Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Fishpond
To satisfy FTC guidelines, I am disclosing that I received an advance copy of the book briefly for reviewing purposes through Around the World ARC Tours in exchange for an honest review. The book was likely provided to the tour by the publisher or author, which has in no way affected the outcome of my review. All opinions expressed are rambling, honest, and completely my own.
I tend to dislike overly long YA books for the same reason. Keep the plot tight so we don't get bored!
ReplyDeleteExactly! And unless it's a standalone, some of the plot and whatnot can go in other books. I really can't see the average teen staying with a book that can't hold my interest.
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