Book Review: DISSONANCE by Erica O’Rourke

Delancey Sullivan is a Walker. She has the ability to Walk through pivots in this world to other worlds–worlds created by decisions. What if I hadn’t gone to the mall, but visited grandpa? What if we had turned left instead of right? Each decision makes a branch, each with its own sound that only Walkers can hear. Sometimes these other worlds go out of harmony, and left too long they can cause a chain reaction of corruption that could affect the Original world–the Key World. The only world that really matters. It’s the responsibility of Walkers to keep these other worlds in harmony, even cutting off branches that are too far gone.

Delancey’s parents work for the Consortium, the ruling body of Walkers, who oversee training and maintaining order in the multiverse. A major disturbance has them working all hours, trying to trace the problem and put it right. In the meantime, Delancey’s problems center around Simon, a non-Walker jock at school who is only interested in cheerleaders and fawners. This same Simon keeps turning up in the Echo worlds she visits, but the Echo Simons seem much deeper, and much more interested in Del. How can Del possibly get involved with an Echo–someone who isn’t real? And what damage would she do if she did…?

I enjoyed Erica’s previous trilogy (TORN, TANGLED, and BOUND), but I have to say, this first in a new series is her best yet. The whole concept of alternative universes based on what-ifs is fascinating, and makes for fun stories when handled well. Erica has really thought through the implications of the world she has created for her Walkers. Each Walker is very musically inclined, a side effect from their ability to hear the sounds of the alternative worlds. Their abilities are genetic, so relationships with non-Walkers are discouraged to make sure there are always genetically pure Walkers around to keep the multiverse in order. Different Walkers play different roles. Some are particularly gifted at mapping out the alternative universes, some are good at fixing inversions, and detangling threads in the fabric of the Echo worlds. It’s this kind of depth and thoroughness that sets the stage for an immersive reading experience.

But a great concept and a well-developed world don’t guarantee an excellent novel. It also has to be well-written, and this is where I commend Erica the most. Her first-person prose is flawless. Del’s voice is true, and she manages to explain the world through the characters without a lot of awkward exposition. It all flows naturally and effortlessly through the story. This is very hard to do, which is why I was so impressed at this.

The biggest flaw in Erica’s world I found was in the fact that the pivots are solely based around people’s decisions. There are so many other factors that play into why events occur. Our lives are not simply a series of random decisions. Other things affect the decisions we make–sometimes it’s other people’s actions, and sometimes it’s the weather, or some other natural occurrence (what if it the wind had blown this way instead of that, or the rain had fallen here not there, or that rock slide had shifted a few inches west…?). I understand, however, that for the sake of the story, and not getting too bogged down in the complexities of decision-making, it was necessary to simplify, so I’m not too bothered by this.

I rate DISSONANCE a PG-15 for light profanity (a few s-words and f-words, and some Third Commandment violations). I highly recommend this book, especially if you enjoy a good sci-fi/contemporary blend. Definitely a Goodreads 5-star book.