A Book Obsession..: Early Review: Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke

Early Review: Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke

, by Kt Clapsadl

Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke

Dissonance #1

Delancy Sullivan has always known there’s more to reality than what people see. Every time someone makes a choice, a new, parallel world branches off from 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 and makes the opposite decision. As a Walker, someone who can navigate between these worlds, Del’s job is to keep all of the dimensions in harmony.

Normally, Del can hear the dissonant frequency that each world emits as clear as a bell. But when a training session in an off-key world goes horribly wrong, she is forbidden from Walking by the Council. But Del’s not big on following the rules and she secretly starts to investigate these other worlds. Something strange is connecting them and it’s not just her random encounters with echo versions of the guy she likes, Simon Lane.

But Del’s decisions have unimaginable consequences and, as she begins to fall for the Echo Simons in each world, she draws closer to a truth that the Council of Walkers is trying to hide ~ a secret that threatens the fate of the entire multiverse.

I am absolutely in love with the possibilities of the world behind DISSONANCE. Sure, the beginning was a bit rocky for me as there was little in the way of explanation and I felt a little behind as I scrambled to catch up since we were just thrown right into things. But even so, once I got a handle on the rules of the world, I was thoroughly hooked. Just the idea of all the so many different possibilities leading to countless alternate worlds is staggering. Every single decision from every single moment of each and every person's life, well you get the picture. I can easily see why Del was so addicted to jumping between the worlds. The experience of all those worlds and possibilities was utterly exhilarating, and made for one heck of a read.

I loved Del's character. Sure, I think she had a bit of room to grow and mature as many of her decisions weren't exactly thought out too well, and she was just a bit overly rebellious for my tastes. But perhaps that's not quite what I'm trying to say. I have no problem with rebellion when it has a reason behind it, even if it's not the best of an excuse. But Del just seemed to be obstinate for no good reason other than she wanted to do what she wanted, which just didn't quite work for me. Luckily the story twisted quickly that there became motivations for her to go against orders moving the story along, and making me become really endeared to her as she fought against the chains that held her and worked to get to the bottom of things that were hidden and unraveling around her. And boy do they start to unravel. Yet she stayed strong and pushed through it all, and I couldn't have loved her more for it.

This was exactly the read I needed. It was fresh and original, with great characters and a great premise. I personally cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel. Seriously if you are looking for something new and different to read, look no further than DISSONANCE.

(Received a copy from the publisher via Edelweiss)

Rating: