Review by Booklist Review
Slipping through the multiverse every few days has become standard for Aria Patel--until she gets stuck in one of the many universes not her own. Accustomed to imitating other drastically different Aria Patels for short periods of time, the teen finds herself simultaneously struggling to return to her prime universe and settling into the life of the current Aria as days stretch into weeks. Although the rapid-fire exposition initially makes sense as Aria flits between universes, it effectively stalls both the plot and character development for long enough that only patient readers will remain engaged. There are poignant moments as Aria fights to reunite with her world, capped with a rewarding epilogue, but the stretches in between display a lack of overall character depth. Still, the premise itself is ultimately portrayed with appropriate complexity, posing questions around what makes a person who they are that introspective teens will find interesting. As a whole, Aria's story is an addition to the body of recent multiverse fiction that will likely satisfy soft sf fans.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Physics-obsessed Chicago teenager Aria Patel has recently been experiencing unexplainable, painful headaches. When her widowed mother suddenly falls ill, Aria--managing another headache--rushes home. En route, Aria passes out after witnessing her mother's car collide with a truck and, upon waking, encounters her mother, who isn't acting like her usual self. Soon, Aria realizes that she's been transported to a different universe; she cycles through several more alternate realities before seemingly settling into one where her father is alive, and she has significantly better chemistry with her ex-boyfriend Rohan. But even as Aria acclimates to her new existence--and her positive yet complicated feelings about her father and Rohan--she worries for her mother back in her original world. By centering a no-nonsense protagonist who relies on data rather than emotions to navigate everyday problems, Ahmed (This Book Won't Burn) tees up a fascinating exploration of logic vs. instinct. Aria's pragmatic approach to her predicament allows for a smooth introduction of the novel's scientific concepts, while her gradual immersion into each reality's interpersonal conflicts and relationships add depth. Aria's family is Muslim and reads as Indian American. Ages 12--up. Agent: Joanna Volpe, New Leaf Literary. (May)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A Chicago teen must find her way home after being thrown into a succession of universes. Aria Patel loves physics: Unlike relationships, it's data-driven, not emotional and capricious. Aria, who constantly catastrophizes, recently dumped her boyfriend, Rohan, pre-emptively avoiding any problems before they leave for college. Racing off on her moped one day, panicking over her widowed mother's sudden health emergency, Aria sees a truck crash into the car her mother is driving to the ER. Aria blacks out and wakes up in front of a strange house, wearing different clothes. Her mom is there--but she's not her usual self. Aria experiences a series of different lives before getting stuck in one for some time. She enjoys this latest world--her dad is alive, she has an adorable little sister, and there's an undeniable attraction between her and this Rohan--but she's desperate to get back to her original life to save her mom. Aria, whose Muslim family is cued Indian American, realizes that stabbing headaches, Rohan, and a poem entitled "To Be or Not To Be 2.0" are commonalities in every existence. She uses these clues to try to bend space-time and return home. The rush of the multiple universes and scientific mystery-solving brings excitement to this well-paced story, counteracting Aria's anxious perseveration, and the romantic storyline is sweet. A heart-pounding coming-of-age story of a girl trapped in the whirl of a "multiversal tornado."(Speculative fiction. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
