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Thursday, January 19, 2017

Dark Matter

Dark Matter

Dark Matter is a trip. Literally. A trip through what if- decisions that you might have made differently, choices that take you in a different direction- the road not taken. It's fascinating and I can't say enough good things about it. Jason Dessen is a guy who gave up his dreams of being a top physicist when he married Daniela and had Charlie- now he's a professor at a small college. Daniela too has given up dreams but they're happy. Aren't they? 

One night on the way home Jason is abducted and given a drug that screws up his senses, and when he comes out of it he's somewhere... else. Same Chicago... but in a parallel universe. Turns out Jason had an idea to build something that would allow humans to access the multiverse- the infinite parallel universes that spring up every time we make a decision. Change your major? Decide not to get married? Every choice creates a new reality where a version of you lives that life. And the Jason of this reality never married Daniela, was obsessed with his work... and succeeded in building the device. 

That's about all I can say without spoilers. Suffice to say that this is a mind blowing, very thought provoking- and thrilling- read. I was on the edge of my seat pretty much all the way through. 

Jason has a hard time coming to grips with what's happening, and he makes some decisions that I disagreed with. For such a smart guy he seemed a little slow on the uptake- but then again it is kind of mindblowing. And the whole premise of it- the scientific underpinning behind alternate realities- is a little iffy to me. The book doesn't get too into the weeds but a large idea here is that observation defines reality, or affects it- you may or may not agree with it based on how it's presented. But regardless it's fascinating and there are moments when I was just like- whoah. 

I've read Blake Crouch before with his Wayward novels and this one is even better. It's fast paced, scary and hard to put down- I could barely stop reading. I had to know what was coming next, and there is a twist that blew my mind. Jason was sympathetic and went through a gut wrenching experience, there's a side character Amanda that I loved, and Daniela is awesome. Even Charlie kinda kicks ass. And it was fascinating to see Jason and Daniela come to grips with- are they really happy? What do they want? And how far will they go to get it? How far would you go? 

54 comments:

  1. I've heard a lot of good things about this title, and it definitely sounds like the kind of book you need to experience yourself. On my library wishlist. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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  2. I am waiting on the audio for this from the library. It is a little out of my comfort zone but sounds awesome and everyone has loved it.. Great review!

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    1. I think you'll like it. It almost reads more like a thriller- I mean the sF element is there but it's tense and more thriller- ish.

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  3. This is next on my to read list!!! I am so excited to be reading it.

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    1. I hope you like- I thought it was fantastic!

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  4. I love this book. I'm not a fan of parallel universe but this one somehow worked out for me.

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  5. I've heard really good things about this one. I don't read a lot of sci-fi but I'm definitely really curious about this one.

    -Lauren

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    1. You should give it a shot. Like I said above it's almost more like a thriller...

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  6. I've seen this around but never picked it up. Interesting plot as long as it isn't too technical for my tiny brain!

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    1. It's not bad technical - wise, just some discussion of alternate universe theory which you can skip over- it's like just a few lines. It mostly feels like a SF thriller and is fantastic!

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  7. I saw this one here on your blog the other day, and was intrigued. Now that I've read your EXCELLENT review, I DEFINITELY want to read it!! anything having to do with parallel universes will absolutely get my attention! I'm adding this to my GR shelves NOW. Thanks for your interesting thoughts!! <3 :)

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    1. Oh you should read it- then tell me what you think! This is a book to talk about. lol I hope you read it!!

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  8. I hope I can make time for this one this month. I honestly don't think I've ran into anyone who hasn't liked it. Great thoughts and thanks for sharing them!

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    1. Same here, and that's one of the reasons I picked it up. Seriously I think you would like it!

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  9. This book sounds good; I'll check it out.

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    1. Oh definitely read it Stephanie if you can. Good stuff!

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  10. Great review! This one is next up on my Ipod.

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  11. This sounds fantastic, Greg!! Have you read Dissonance? (It's young adult, but with a similar worldbuilding where multiverses are made with each decision made by every person ever...) I loved that one, and am pretty sure Dark Matter would work really well for me, too!
    Great review!
    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

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    1. I have not read Dissonance, but I will go check it out. After reading this one I'd love to take another parallel universe trip. :)

      I hope you like DM- it's great!

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  12. Another book I did not request because I was given wrong information. I saw a not so great review on someone's blog, actually it was a scathing review, and I mentioned that Michelle was liking it and they told me what she was reading was not this book. When Michelle posted her review and I saw the cover and it was this book it was already archived. Boo hiss. If I ever see it on special I will grab it. Heck, I might just borrow it from the library if they have it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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    1. Ergh- that's annoying. I highly think you should read this, however you can get it- it's quite good/

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  13. I think everyone's reviewed this but me. Lol!

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    1. Well you need to read it lol! I think you would like- thought provoking, exciting and a page turner!!

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  14. *happy dance* I am so happy you loved this too. I totally agree this is stronger than Wayward and that twist got me! I meet him at BEA. He was a little shy with a sense of humor.

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    1. I did. I thought it was awesome and he has a way of keeping the tension ratcheted up. I felt the same way with the Wayward books, but like x10 here. :) I'm tempted to try more of his thrillers.

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  15. Yay! I'm so glad you read this and loved it. You're right, it's a trip.

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  16. The idea that there are an infinite number of universes out there, that a new one is formed every time we make a decision, is definitely an interesting but trippy one. I had no idea that's what this book was about though. I might have to put this one on my TBR since it sounds good!

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    1. You should read this I think you would like it? It's SF set firmly in the here and now but he has a way of keeping you tense. I love the idea that each choice creates a new reality.

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    2. Obscura Burning explored this idea a bit. When he was jumping between realities, new ones started forming based on different decisions, and he started jumping around to a whole bunch of different ones. And I'm starting to get more of a taste for trippy books I think lol.

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  17. Definitely a trip! I'm glad you enjoyed the book, I had a lot of fun with it too. I remember starting it right before bed, and what a mistake that was - I was up to the late hours because I was just so addicted.

    ~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum

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    1. It is! And yes- don't start it before you have to do something, like sleep or go to work! I HAD to keep going. :)

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  18. The premise on this hurts my brain a bit but it sounds like quite a ride! I like that it sounds like the characters are fairly well fleshed out. While I don't read much science fiction a lot of what I have read has kind of flat characters. I'll have to take a chance on this book though it might make my head explode!

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    1. It is a ride- I describe it as a thriller with an SF premise. It's not too SF'ey. The characters are fleshed out and it's got a lot of tension, I was on the edge of my seat!

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  19. I knew you'd like this. I love that it used the Schrodinger Cat Theory. It's the first sci-fi book that I read that has, which is a little surprising. But dude, I kept thinking about the ending. Just think how many would end up stuck in that world, because they'll keep coming through. Creepy.

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  20. This thriller seems really fascinating. We've never heard of a premise like this before. It's not usually a genre we read, but we do love this genre when we try it. Great review!
    ~ Pendragons 

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  21. I love books with alternate realities---I just find the whole idea fascinating! I'm definitely adding this one to my TBR!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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  22. This has been on my tbr for a while. Sadly my library doesn't have a copy yet. Definitely will pick this one up soon!

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  23. Okay, I'm definitely interested in reading this now! Greg, you gotta stop doing this to my TBR! Haha. I love parallel universe stories, and the sound of not just one but two kickass female characters just makes me even more intrigued.

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  24. I recently read this, too, and loved it! I was a little skeptical at first, since I'm not a huge science fiction fan, but it really drew me in.

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  25. Wow, that sounds complicated. Interesting though. Great review, as I probably wouldn't have picked up this book but now I'm adding to my TBR list.

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  26. That sounds so interesting! Multiverse theories are fascinating. When I first saw you reviewed this, I thought it would be a book the TV show Dark Matter is based on.^^

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  27. Hmmm... I'm not sure I'd love the book but I'd love to watch this so love the idea. Perhaps I would like the book...

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  28. I love the concept and will keep a lookout for this - many thanks for your recommendation, Greg:).

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  29. So I never made it through Pines, but then watched the show and would like to try it again. So I am really curious about his new book Dark Matters. Great review! :)

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  30. This sounds pretty interesting. I'll admit to having similar thoughts about how my life would differ if I'd made different choices.

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  31. I have heard that this book is hard to put down. I am so glad to see that you liked it and felt the same way. I hope to read it before winter's end.

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  32. I remember seeing this cover somewhere and thought it was interesting. Your review is great, I am definitely going to have to pick this one up.

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  33. I am not a fan of parallel universe stories, but this one does sound intriguing. And it sure sounds like a book that makes you think about the what ifs. There was a stargate episode we watched recently with parallel universes that had the same premise with the infinite different universes based on different decisions.

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  34. Oo this sounds so good. I wasn't that interested before, but I think you have me sold on reading this one sometime!! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

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  35. I've heard nothing but good things about this book. I think I need to add it to my wish list. Great review!

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