Audiobook review: How the Multiverse Got Its Revenge by K. Eason
How the Multiverse Got Its Revenge is the follow up tale to one of my favorite books from last year, How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse. The books are fantastic adventures, existing somewhere in the gray areas between fantasy and science fiction. The story takes place in space, with interplanetary travel, and some cool techie things, but it’s also based in fantasy, with fairies, alchemy, and arithmancy. The multiverse behind the series is fascinating and complex, and I strongly urge readers to start with the first book as the events in How the Multiverse Got Its Revenge are a direct result from the fallout of the first book.
Taking place roughly a couple years after the conclusion of How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse, the book opens with one of the fairies sending a message to Rupert regarding a dangerous new weapon that would result in the end of humankind. Even though they haven’t seen her in many months, Rupert and Grit just know that Rory must somehow be involved. Meanwhile, Rory and her gang are living life as privateers way out on the edge of the ‘verse, when they come across a Royalist ship that was destroyed by an unknown xeno-species. They also discover sentient nanotech whose programming is to destroy worlds.
How the Multiverse Got Its Revenge is a complex political space adventure with each character serving a roll, from the diplomats and leaders to those playing the conscience and heart. But those rolls are not one-dimensional character traits. Our main characters undergo growth and development over the course of the tale. Rory realizes she may denounce her title, but she will always be a princess; the group coming to terms that while they function well as a team, that team may not always be what is best or even a possibility. Smaller voices learn to become bigger voices. New alliances and friendships are forged.
The series is relayed to listeners via an unknown historian/chronicler who sometimes shares facts with the reader that the characters did not know at that time and place, giving readers a working knowledge of the larger picture. Additionally, the narrator and several of the characters share an intelligent wit with readers, making obscure references or snide commentary on those around them.
Narration: Because the story is shared via a chronicler, listeners get a mix of third person and omniscient POVs. Ms. Poole’s performance adds much to this wonderful tale. She provides an excellent neutral narrator voice; strong and clear. She alters the dialogue of each character slightly, but more than enough to identify individual characters. She varies the voices to match gender, species, etc. and smoothly jumps from third person to third person without confusion.
As the book blurb notes this is the second book in a duology, and How the Multiverse Got Its Revenge provides a fitting end to Rory’s adventures. The historian sharing the tale gives listeners insights to what will happened down the road, providing more than adequate closure. However, I feel like there are many more tales that could come from this multiverse and would welcome future adventures should they be published.
My Ratings
Story: B+
Narration: A
Jen
About the Book:
Rory Thorne must use the fairy blessings gifted to her to change the multiverse in the second book in this space opera duology.
After avoiding an arranged marriage, thwarting a coup, and inadvertently kick-starting a revolution, Rory Thorne is no longer a princess, but a space pirate.
Her new life is interrupted when Rory and her crew–former royal bodyguards, Thorsdottir and Zhang, and co-conspirator Jaed–encounter an abandoned ship registered under a false name, seemingly fallen victim to attack. As they investigate, they find evidence of vicious technology and arithmancy, alien and far beyond known capabilities.
The only answer to all the destruction is the mysterious, and unexpected, cargo: a rose plant. One that reveals themself to be sentient–and designed as a massive biological weapon. Rose seeks to escape their intended fate, and Rory and her friends must act fast when the attackers return with their superior weaponry.
As the situation gains the attention of an increasing number of alien races, Rory finds herself acting as negotiator and diplomat, in order to save Rose and her friends–and avert an unprecedented war.
Author: K. Eason
Narrator: Nicole Poole
Series: Arithmancy and Anarchy, The Thorne Chronicles #2
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy; Space Opera
Audiobook Release Date: November 10, 2020
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Length: 14 hrs 30 min
Source: Tantor Audio
Audio Speed: 1.25x
Purchase info:
Audible/Amazon (affilate link)
Reviews in the Series:
How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse by K. Eason (Arithmancy and Anarchy, The Thorne Chronicles #1) – Audiobook Review