Review: Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke

Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke

Released: 14th August 2014
Series: Dissonance #1
Published by: Simon and Schuster
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Source: Publisher
Pages: 496
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars
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Delancey Sullivan knows for sure that there is more than one universe. Many more. Because every time someone makes a choice, a new, parallel world spins 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 an alternate universe in which an echo self takes the road not travelled. 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. And when she secretly starts to investigate other dissonant worlds she's 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.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Dissonance is an enjoyable YA science fiction novel that doesn't shy away from getting technical where the author has cleverly devised a world that makes travelling into parallel realities possible. With a situation that presents 'Baroque events', 'echoes' and the 'Key World' as the norm, it is clear that the worldbuilding in the story is on point and creatively executed. While there may have been a few 'information overloads' in some points, for the most part the mystery and fascination at the overarching concept is what makes this book unique and an enthralling read.

The echo looked identical, and the frequency warbled, gradually shifting away from the Key World like a violin part played by a cello. As the events here diverged from the Key World, the threads of this reality would settle into place, taking on their final resonance.

I may not be a science nerd, but I still find the idea of the 'multiverse' a very intriguing one. I have read a couple of books which deal with that notion in various ways, though in Dissonance I find it is given even greater meaning through its impact on people's lives. I love how the fact that our choices we make in our lives can create so many infinite possibilities and paths are formed which we take. In a family of Walkers who travel into the 'pivots' and fix the realities where frequencies are distorted or unstable, Delancey is fully aware of the implications of her decisions, even though she is at times quite reckless.

There's a danger in being drawn to something that's not real, in giving yourself to something you can never be a part of, instead of making your life where you are. But those infinite worlds, with their infinite potential, beckoned irresistibly.

The little passages at the beginning of each chapter which seem to be from the textbooks which cover being a 'Walker' and what it entails adds to the realistic feel of the novel, even though the premise is anything but. Even so, Delancey's feelings for Simon, the popular guy whose 'echoes' keep appearing in every reality she enters, are true. While the romance aside from the multiverse element was a tad cliched, I was glad that the ending to this book was not. It really does make you think, challenging your mind to trace back the steps of what has happened and in all, hopefully be looking forward to the sequel.

FINAL THOUGHTS

In all, Dissonance was a satisfactory read, and an excellent YA science-fiction novel which doesn't focus too heavily on the romance all the way through. The characters were well-developed, the conspiracies intriguing, and I do want to know what happens next.