Title: The Space Between Worlds
Author: Micaiah Johnson
First published August 4, 2020
336 pages
Rating: 3.96
Overview
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson is a gripping science fiction novel that follows Cara, an outsider who can travel between parallel worlds. But there’s a catch: Cara’s doppelgängers always seem to die young, leaving her with a limited number of worlds to travel to.
When Cara is recruited by the Eldridge Institute to collect data from other worlds, she finally finds a place where she belongs, in the wealthy and walled-off Wiley City. But her new life is put in danger when one of her remaining counterparts dies under mysterious circumstances, throwing her into a web of secrets that threaten not only her own world but the entire multiverse.
With a powerful examination of identity, privilege, and belonging, The Space Between Worlds is a thrilling and thought-provoking adventure that will leave readers breathless.
About the Author
Micaiah Johnson grew up in the Mojave Desert of California, where she spent her days surrounded by Joshua trees and listening to the women in her life share captivating stories. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in creative writing from the University of California, Riverside, she pursued a Master of Fine Arts in fiction from Rutgers-Camden.
Currently, she is furthering her studies at Vanderbilt University with a focus on American Literature and critical race theory. In addition, her interests include automatons, which she is passionate about exploring.
Editoral Review
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson is a thrilling and thought-provoking science fiction novel that explores the themes of identity, inequality, and the consequences of our choices. First published on August 4, 2020, Johnson’s debut novel has garnered widespread critical acclaim for its unique and imaginative premise, as well as its compelling characters and intricate plot.
The novel is set in a multiverse where there are infinite versions of Earth, each with its own unique history and outcomes. The protagonist, Cara, is a “traverser” who can travel between these different Earths, but only to those where her alternate selves are dead.
She works for a powerful corporation that exploits the resources and knowledge of these parallel worlds, but her loyalty is tested when she discovers a dangerous conspiracy that threatens to destroy everything she knows.
Johnson’s writing is engaging and vivid, transporting the reader to different worlds and immersing them in Cara’s struggles and triumphs. The novel’s exploration of identity and inequality is particularly poignant, as Cara confronts the ways in which her race, class, and upbringing shape her experiences and opportunities.
The world-building is also impressive, with each version of Earth offering a unique perspective on history, technology, and culture.
One of the strengths of The Space Between Worlds is its complex and nuanced characters. Cara is a flawed but relatable protagonist, struggling to reconcile her loyalty to the corporation with her desire for justice and freedom.
The supporting cast is also well-developed, with each character bringing their own motivations and perspectives to the story. The relationships between the characters are also a highlight, with Johnson exploring themes of family, love, and betrayal.
However, the novel’s pacing can be uneven at times, with some sections feeling rushed or underdeveloped. Additionally, the resolution of the conspiracy plotline may feel predictable to some readers, although it still delivers a satisfying payoff.
Overall, The Space Between Worlds is a captivating and thought-provoking science fiction novel that will appeal to fans of the genre and beyond. Johnson’s imaginative premise, engaging characters, and insightful themes make for a compelling read that will stay with readers long after they finish the book.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking adventure.
Rating: 4/5 stars.
