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mansireanna's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I think this was my favourite one of this series because at least the stakes for the dimension hopping were high leading to some good action. I never cared for any romance but I liked the characters well enough on their own, especially Paul and Theo. Overall I at least had fun with this one even though I thought the ending was a lil too neat. V 2010s YA but I do say that endearingly as someone who was very into 2010s YA lol.
faylines's review against another edition
4.0
SPOILER ALERT
I devoured A Million Worlds With You as I consumed its two predecessors A Thousand Pieces of You and Ten Thousand Skies Above You - in a single, fervorous and delighted sitting.
The series tells the story of teenaged artist Marguerite Caine, the daughter of two genius physicists, and her journey through multiple universes with her parents’ invention the firebird. The concept was a winner for me
.
As she did with the first two books, Gray paints each world with the same care as she does Marguerite’s home universe. Each version of Marguerite and those around her are fleshed out in their own right as characters rather than shallow copies. The third book explores the idea that we all have shadows and darkness in us. In the books each character has a best and worst version of themselves. The foremost being the darkest version of Marguerite who has served as a key antagonist in the series. This is brilliant for depth of character as it is impossible to write off anyone - even Triad henchwoman Romola. There is room for redemption. I will come back to this a bit later.
Now. The romance aspect. Paul Markov - the stoic Russian love interest - had me in fits. In the last book he was put back together after having his soul shattered and uses this as an excuse to be especially mopey and fatalistic as he lumbers through a solid chunk of the book. As someone who grew to love Paul Markov (a realisation that came as slowly to me as it did to Marguerite) this was an unpleasant part of the book. I am personally not a fan of the romanticism of doomed love. That said, it was well written and allowed for some great character development for both Marguerite and Paul. Don't despair if you want a dollop of sweetness with your multidimensional travel - there are plenty of sweet moments to make up for Paul’s tantrum. He does evolve towards the end of the book. As Gray has already pointed out with the dark versions of the characters, we all have the worst in us somewhere. Paul shows how we have to choose to be the best version of ourselves every moment of every day. I feel this theme was well explored through Paul’s temper and the struggle Marguerite has watching him and letting him learn control for himself.
The rival for Marguerite’s affection in just about any universe is the roguish hipster Theo Beck. In Ten Thousand Skies Above You we saw a universe in which a Marguerite chose a Theo. Sadly this fuels Paul’s moping. I swear I wanted to slap his pretty face and tell him to snap the hell out of it. Evil Triadverse Theo is fodder for seething rage and tears as his limits are tested by his bosses.
The character exploration is fantastic and the plot is tightly woven. No aspect of the previous books is conveniently forgotten and Marguerite does not blunder on ignorant of her own mistakes (ahem getting another Marguerite pregnant). The biggest let down for me was the ending. This book is primarily about introspection and redemption. Marguerite and Paul must learn about each other and themselves in order to move past Paul’s soul being splintered and the other characters either find or scorn their chances for redemption. For two primary antagonists this - I feel - was forced. A sudden snap to attention, a quick wake up call and two books of unspeakable acts are erased with the sudden proclamation that they were just being selfish. In the space of less than a dozen pages the two greatest villains have seen the error of their ways and come up with a solution to save the multiverse. I was disappointed to say the least.
That said, the ending overall was satisfying and I closed the cover with the sense of elation and sadness that comes when a good book finally releases you and you can come up for air. Despite the few grievances I have cited here, I loved this book and think that it will be enjoyed by fans of the first two.
I devoured A Million Worlds With You as I consumed its two predecessors A Thousand Pieces of You and Ten Thousand Skies Above You - in a single, fervorous and delighted sitting.
The series tells the story of teenaged artist Marguerite Caine, the daughter of two genius physicists, and her journey through multiple universes with her parents’ invention the firebird. The concept was a winner for me
.
As she did with the first two books, Gray paints each world with the same care as she does Marguerite’s home universe. Each version of Marguerite and those around her are fleshed out in their own right as characters rather than shallow copies. The third book explores the idea that we all have shadows and darkness in us. In the books each character has a best and worst version of themselves. The foremost being the darkest version of Marguerite who has served as a key antagonist in the series. This is brilliant for depth of character as it is impossible to write off anyone - even Triad henchwoman Romola. There is room for redemption. I will come back to this a bit later.
Now. The romance aspect. Paul Markov - the stoic Russian love interest - had me in fits. In the last book he was put back together after having his soul shattered and uses this as an excuse to be especially mopey and fatalistic as he lumbers through a solid chunk of the book. As someone who grew to love Paul Markov (a realisation that came as slowly to me as it did to Marguerite) this was an unpleasant part of the book. I am personally not a fan of the romanticism of doomed love. That said, it was well written and allowed for some great character development for both Marguerite and Paul. Don't despair if you want a dollop of sweetness with your multidimensional travel - there are plenty of sweet moments to make up for Paul’s tantrum. He does evolve towards the end of the book. As Gray has already pointed out with the dark versions of the characters, we all have the worst in us somewhere. Paul shows how we have to choose to be the best version of ourselves every moment of every day. I feel this theme was well explored through Paul’s temper and the struggle Marguerite has watching him and letting him learn control for himself.
The rival for Marguerite’s affection in just about any universe is the roguish hipster Theo Beck. In Ten Thousand Skies Above You we saw a universe in which a Marguerite chose a Theo. Sadly this fuels Paul’s moping. I swear I wanted to slap his pretty face and tell him to snap the hell out of it. Evil Triadverse Theo is fodder for seething rage and tears as his limits are tested by his bosses.
The character exploration is fantastic and the plot is tightly woven. No aspect of the previous books is conveniently forgotten and Marguerite does not blunder on ignorant of her own mistakes (ahem getting another Marguerite pregnant). The biggest let down for me was the ending. This book is primarily about introspection and redemption. Marguerite and Paul must learn about each other and themselves in order to move past Paul’s soul being splintered and the other characters either find or scorn their chances for redemption. For two primary antagonists this - I feel - was forced. A sudden snap to attention, a quick wake up call and two books of unspeakable acts are erased with the sudden proclamation that they were just being selfish. In the space of less than a dozen pages the two greatest villains have seen the error of their ways and come up with a solution to save the multiverse. I was disappointed to say the least.
That said, the ending overall was satisfying and I closed the cover with the sense of elation and sadness that comes when a good book finally releases you and you can come up for air. Despite the few grievances I have cited here, I loved this book and think that it will be enjoyed by fans of the first two.
chireadsandchill's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, War, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Car accident, Addiction, and Blood
smateer73's review against another edition
4.0
This book was really good. The whole series what phenomenal. I loved every single character, and the plot is fast-paced but also thoughtfully done. The science behind the multiverse is understandable (if you don’t think about it too hard) and overall the book is excellent. The ending is happy without being unrealistic. It’s a really cool series and an excellent reminder of all the important things: the people we love, the choices we make, the balance between art and science, and so much more. What a thoroughly excellent series.
carlisajc's review against another edition
4.0
This series was so good. For some reason, I wasn't expecting to like it. But in a story where people are constantly jumping dimensions, Gray had to know her characters inside and out, and I think she succeeded in that. Each character is different in the different dimensions, based on the events they've lived through and the world they live in...and it was so interesting to experience those different aspects of each of the characters. You also get glimpses of so many "genres" and settings—space, historical Russia, London, the middle of the ocean. Such a broad range, and I loved that. It worked.
I also think Gray knows how to make you think everything's doomed. That there are no ways out.....And then suddenly there's a way. I think that's a mark of a good writer. She exhausts all of the predictable, easy ways out, and so she's able to give us something we had no way of predicting. I like that a lot.
I also think Gray knows how to make you think everything's doomed. That there are no ways out.....And then suddenly there's a way. I think that's a mark of a good writer. She exhausts all of the predictable, easy ways out, and so she's able to give us something we had no way of predicting. I like that a lot.
inessova's review against another edition
5.0
I had some minor issues with this book but I loved so much that I don't want to write them or say them because it gave me everything I didn't know I needed in this last installment .
“Every moment, every day, we are all making something -- whether it's science or art, a relationship to a destiny -- building it choice by choice, moment by moment.”
“Every moment, every day, we are all making something -- whether it's science or art, a relationship to a destiny -- building it choice by choice, moment by moment.”
gabby_mitchell's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
saigealiya's review against another edition
5.0
I'm going to miss this series so much! This book really wrapped everything up well.
obanlord's review against another edition
4.0
Solid ending, great way to weave through multiverses, but halfway through the book I felt it too repetitive, to also find the last 100 pages extremely rushed. Eventhough nice book series and awesome cover art!