Sirk TV Book Review: THE SPACE BETWEEN WORLDS [Del Rey]
The idea of multiple universes separated by thin plains of reality is a concept that has been played at in different forms. In "The Space Between Worlds" [Macaiah Johnson/Del Rey/335pgs], the character of Cara comes into her role as a traverser (who travels between universes) in a unique way but not the one her cohorts think though perception in this book is the name of the game. Cara is dead on many worlds and the rule is she cannot enter a world where she already exists (as the universe will kill that which is not supposed to be there). The narrative keeps the idea confined to this one specific place and specific city area on Earth. Wiley City is a tech outpost in what survives after some kind of cataclysm which is not really explained. It savior is in a tech magnate Adam Bosch who has found the technology to breach the worlds. It is mostly used to extract and pillage resources on those worlds if possible but he plays it out as survival and exploration. Cara pulls info on these worlds with the help of her handler Dell who she may or may not have a crush on. The book unfolds in three parts. The first is getting used to what she is doing and where Cara comes from. The second is when something goes wrong and she sees a different facet and perspective (though it might have been her own short sightedness). Using her form of perspective opens us up to seeing the world through her eyes, even when a doppelgänger comes into play but that hindsight might be 20/20. The third part is here rebelling against the system and trying to correct its wrongs.
Johnson works the concept of workers in class structures and the fleeting 1% but does it within the technological construct. There are good guys with bad bents on both sides. The characters of Jean and Mr. Cheeks allow us to see different forms of support within the universes but also cracks in the system. Esther, Cara's sister of sorts, paints more to the religiosity in society which in a time of survival and turmoil is an ideal all people can turn to. Cara’s journey by comparison always has a bit of levity but the chip on her shoulder is big yet righteous. She sometimes doesn’t take her own best interests at heart or even her happiness. Even though her strategy pays off in a way, there is a bit of bittersweet in what she sees and is able to do. Cara's needs ultimately are simple though it does take worlds to move to accomplish it. The use of a couple details like the big burial and a certain weapon that has been lost to time are am interesting steampunk retro addition to the proceedings. "The Space Between Worlds" doesn’t try to go beyond its boundaries because the story is ultimayely about isolation, even surrounded by family and friends. Cara knows what she wants but often waits to ask it. The book is social commentary wrapped up in a neat sci-fi wrapper showing that the future might be just around the corner. 75% (B/B-)
By Tim Wassberg
