The Space Between Worlds

by Micaiah Johnson

[Quirky Cat]

I received a copy of The Space Between Worlds in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Space Between Worlds is the outstanding debut novel of Micaiah Johnson, and it is an impressive feat of science fiction.

Cara lives in a time when multiverse travel is possible – for the select few, that is. You see, it turns out than it isn't the most intelligent, or the bravest, required to travel between worlds. But the rarest.

One cannot travel to a world where they already exist. Thus, Cara, who's counterpart is dead in 372 worlds, is a commodity for her company. She's rapidly becoming more rare and valuable with time. Just not in the way she'd want.

Her position in these worlds has put her in a unique place, however. One that could result in her saving the day. Not just on her own world, but on many others. She just has to survive whatever comes next. A trait that she is apparently not known for.

“Another me is gone. As I walk into the valley, I'm a little more valuable walking down the mountain than I was walking up.”

For two days I lived and breathed The Space Between Worlds. This novel sucked me in and I simply couldn't get it out of my head. Not until I finished it. Perhaps, not even then. I can tell you that if I could read this book again for the first time, I would do it in a heartbeat.

Whew. It has been a hot minute since I got this sucked into a book about multiverses. Let me tell you, when those go bad, they go bad fast. But the reverse is also true. Thankfully, The Space Between Worlds is the former, and I loved every minute of it.

Actually, in many ways, this actually felt like two complete books. There are two distinct plots, one which got wrapped up around the halfway mark, and the other which brought about the dramatic conclusion. Am I complaining that I got to read both at once? Not one bit.

Micaiah Johnson created something wonderful – and beautiful here. She took the concept of multiverses and created something new and interesting with it. All while creating compelling characters.

There is no shortage of complexity to be found in this book. 372 worlds (that Cara can travel to), dozens of characters, and more than a fair share of hidden backstories and motivations. It makes for a lot to work through, and it was all so well done. It kept me entertained from start to finish, and then some.

I really hope that this novel ends up being part of a series. Or that we see Johnson revisiting this series of worlds in some way. I'm completely hooked, and that means I want more.

Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks