Ever since watching J.J Abram’s incredibly underrated show, Fringe, I became obsessed with the concept of parallel universes and butterfly effects and the works. And why shouldn’t I be? Imagine the world that you live in, and then imagine another world that is incredibly similar to the one you live in but with few distinct differences, and that in this world there is a version of you too–a person who could pass off as your twin, but a person who is you, but not quite you. Maybe, in this other world, you are the President’s daughter. Or maybe you are a rebel leader protesting against an oppressing government. Or maybe you are a rogue zombie killer attempting to survive a global zombie epidemic–okay, no, let’s not imagine a world like that. Zombies scare me.
Now imagine what it would be if you could meet these alternate versions of you, and maybe even travel to this alternate version of Earth.
Riiight? No? Oh.
Anyways, as a testimonial to my love of parallel universes, I have decided that for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly original meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish, I am going to list ten books from my TBR that feature a parallel universe.
First and foremost on my list is Anna Jarzab’s Tether, the sequel to Tandem, the first book of The Many-Worlds Trilogy. Admittedly Tandem is the only book that I have read that involves multi-verses, but it’s also the only YA Sci-fi book that can work as a substitute for Fringe. Also, did I mention that the characters and the writing and the plot is AMAZING? No? Well go read my review of this book here to find out why I am still raving about this book 3 years after reading it.
I put off reading Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Tailor Laney for two main reasons–one, is because I do not want this epic, wonderful and incredibly addictive urban fantasy series to end, and two, because I really want a re-read of the first two books Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Days of Blood and Starlight before I pick this one up. Regardless, this dearly beloved book is in this list because although being an urban fantasy book, it features parallel universes where supernatural creatures reside.
A smuggler magician who travels back and forth between alternate dimensions? Enough said. A Darker Shade of Magic definitely finds its place in this list because of the plot.
Okay, I’ll admit this one is a cover-buy for me, but this book focuses mainly on the butterfly effect, new worlds growing out of every choice we make.
A few more books with a parallel universe setting have caught my eye. Let me know if you see any that’s on your TBR too!
Remember to link me to your Top Ten Tuesday in the comments below! I’d love to know what setting you have picked. What do you think of parallel universes? And if you could escape into one, and meet your alternate version, what would you do?
I’m going to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone pretty soon and I can’t wait to get swept into the setting! And A Darker Shade of Magic definitely utilises its many Londons perfectly. <3
I love this list! I haven’t read a lot with parallel universes but this would be a great list to start.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone is AMAZING!!! Its just a bit slow paced but the plot, the characters and the world building 😍 I really hope you enjoy it!
I hope so too! I’ve been hearing super good things about it, and I don’t mind a slow pace as long as everything else works. 🙂
You’re so right, the whole idea of parallel universes is fascinating, really, and I enjoy books dealing with that kind of theme. I really liked ADSOM and A Thousand Pieces of you, need to check out some of the others on your list! 🙂
The minute I saw the title, I was thinking ADSOM should be on there and if it’s not I would definitely suggest you. Very excited that you added it here! Interesting that you put Under the Never Sky. I never thought about it as a parallel universe book. But whatever you want to call it, I really enjoyed reading it 🙂
I read the blurb and the reviews and thought it was a multi-verse book. I must have misunderstood. Oops!
ADSOM sounds so great tbh. I cant wait to be done with my CR so I can start it asap. What were your thoughts on it? Do you have a review posted?
Oh so you haven’t read Under the Never Sky yet?! You should! It was fun. It was more a futuristic/dystopian.
ADSOM is awesome! I actually have a review of the audiobook (https://yabookmonster.wordpress.com/2015/12/01/add-some-adsom-to-your-life/) because that was how I first “read” it.
Okies! I’ll read it as soon as I can tonight 😆