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InterWorld #1
InterWorld
When Newbery Medal winner Neil Gaiman and Emmy Award winner Michael Reaves teamed up, they created the bestselling YA novel InterWorld .
InterWorld tells the story of Joey Harker, a very average kid who discovers that his world is only one of a trillion alternate earths. Some of these earths are ruled by magic. Some are ruled by science. All are at war.
Joey teams up with alternate versions of himself from an array of these worlds. Together, the army of Joeys must battle evil magicians Lord Dogknife and Lady Indigo to keep the balance of power between all the earths stable. Teens—and tweens and adults—who obsessively read the His Dark Materials and Harry Potter series will be riveted by InterWorld and its sequel, The Silver Dream .
InterWorld tells the story of Joey Harker, a very average kid who discovers that his world is only one of a trillion alternate earths. Some of these earths are ruled by magic. Some are ruled by science. All are at war.
Joey teams up with alternate versions of himself from an array of these worlds. Together, the army of Joeys must battle evil magicians Lord Dogknife and Lady Indigo to keep the balance of power between all the earths stable. Teens—and tweens and adults—who obsessively read the His Dark Materials and Harry Potter series will be riveted by InterWorld and its sequel, The Silver Dream .
239 pages, Hardcover
First published June 26, 2007
853 people are currently reading
13.2k people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,348 reviews
August 15, 2020
(B+) 76% | Good
Notes: A clever concept done too cookie-cutter to be anything special, with a hero too vanilla and ill-defined to be relatable.
Notes: A clever concept done too cookie-cutter to be anything special, with a hero too vanilla and ill-defined to be relatable.
December 10, 2020
In an infinity of worlds, anything is not only possible, it's mandatory.Enter Joey Walker - armed with his extraordinarily bad sense of direction and a burning desire to pass his final exam - he manages to actually get lost on our planet and walk to another one.
Joey discovers that he's a Walker and that he's not the only one. Throughout all the multidimensional universe every conceivable possible version of Joey Walker has this potential but only a small fraction discover their abilities. After the accidental death of Jay (an older version of Joey), our Joey feels compelled to take up Jay's post to defend the universe during the great war.
The multidimensional universe contains some worlds of magic, some of technology and some with both - all of which are at war. While this concept is great, it fell a bit short. We just zip from one event to another - he's lost in an alternate reality, makes friend with a bubble creature, joins the Walker-Academy, learns theoretical physics, etc. And that's just the first third of the book. We dash between huge story arcs that I barely have time to adjust to the new scene and set of rules before we are off to the next - everything feels so rushed and nothing is fleshed out.
We are introduced to a myriad of alternate-universe Joeys - from the wolf-girl to bionic-boy. And every one of these characters were dull. Joey was more reaction-driven than a personality-driven - he was as interesting as a block of wood. The other Joeys were only interesting due to their multidimensional differences - there's the chick with wings or the Indian-floating-one - but other than that, they had absolutely nothing under their skin.
Despite that, I did enjoy reading this novel. Neil Gaiman always has such wonderful and stunning ideas.
This is a work of fiction. Still, given an infinite number of possible worlds, it must be true on one of them. And if a story set in an infinite number of possible worlds is true in one of them, then it must be true in all of them. So maybe, it's not as fictional as we think.
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August 15, 2022
3.5
Trying to catch up on my audiobook22 challenge. An interesting concept, but could have been more fleshed out.
Trying to catch up on my audiobook22 challenge. An interesting concept, but could have been more fleshed out.
June 22, 2008
I must be a real geek. I laughed my butt off at the phrase "opposition is unproductive." Only a real Star Trek geek would have been able to translate that to "resistance is futile." I'm in no way sure what "InterWorld" is. It's part science fiction, part fantasy, part allusion to all things in geekdom. Take some of "Ender's Game" and mix it up with "Neverwhere." Toss in some Star Trek, some Twilight Zone, and some Wizard of Oz for fun. I started this book at dinnertime last night and it's almost lunch time now. I stayed up too late; I overslept; and I missed church because of this book. Whatever this book is, it's terrific.n Best of all, I can hand it to my son without worrying about him asking me why I gave him a book with "adult situations" in it.
It's really hard finding books that appeal to young teen boys who are no longer into fantasy that includes dragons and wizards. I think this book fills a niche that really needs to be filled.
It's really hard finding books that appeal to young teen boys who are no longer into fantasy that includes dragons and wizards. I think this book fills a niche that really needs to be filled.
July 29, 2016
I’m always a bit shocked when a Neil Gaiman book manages to make a public release without me knowing about it. I wonder if I’m paying close enough attention to the blogs and journals that let me know about new releases. I mean, it’s Gaiman, and I didn’t know about it? What network did I miss?
InterWorld is a juvenile novel, not even a YA novel, though, and that might be how I missed it. I almost missed out on M Is for Magic, and I remember the first time I saw Coraline was long after it had been originally released. At least, that’s the story I’m telling.
InterWorld tells the story of Joey Harker, a young boy who discovers his ability to walk between similar worlds. There’s a theory in quantum physics that predicts that any time a serious enough decision is made, the world splits at that point, and creates one world that goes off in the direction where the decision goes one way, and one world where the decision goes off in another direction. Both worlds exist independently of each other, and each is equally valid and true. Of course, this doesn’t mean that a world splits off whenever you decide to eat cereal for breakfast instead of eggs, but it could mean that The Man in the High Castle may exist as nonfiction in another dimension.
Joey is a Walker, and can move between all those worlds. He’s also the most powerful Walker in existence, so he suddenly becomes the most popular guy in the InterWorlds, since the good guys, the bad guys, and the bad bad guys all want him for different reasons. It’s all a bit hokey and convoluted, and also a bit contrived and forced. It’s also awfully convenient in points, and shallow, and two-dimensional (ironically), and�.
Well, if you’re a Neil Gaiman fanboy, nothing I can say will stop you from reading this book, except maybe this: This is not a Neil Gaiman book. I say this partly because this simply doesn’t read like a Neil Gaiman novel. I haven’t read much by Michael Reaves, but I’ve read a lot of Neil Gaiman, and think I can say with certainty that this is much more a Michael Reaves book than it is a Neil Gaiman book. I think a certain part of me wants to say that it’s a Reaves novel because it’s just so bland, but that’s really not why I say that. The book lacks a certain charm that Gaiman puts into his writing, and the language used doesn’t seem to be similar to that which Gaiman uses. A footnote at the end of the book details that the story is over 10 years old, and was put together as a novel over a long weekend after existing first as a television proposal. It doesn’t specify who served as the idea man, and who did all the grunt work, but it’s pretty obvious after finishing the book.
Look, remember Lady Justice? Teknophage? Mr. Hero the Newmatic Man? They all served to prove that a Neil Gaiman idea could not turn into a Neil Gaiman story unless Gaiman himself wrote the words. Unfortunately, InterWorld proves the same point. The book isn’t a complete disaster (for the target age group, the story probably works quite well), but if you’re looking for good Gaiman fiction for kids, look for M Is for Magic or Coraline, instead.
InterWorld is a juvenile novel, not even a YA novel, though, and that might be how I missed it. I almost missed out on M Is for Magic, and I remember the first time I saw Coraline was long after it had been originally released. At least, that’s the story I’m telling.
InterWorld tells the story of Joey Harker, a young boy who discovers his ability to walk between similar worlds. There’s a theory in quantum physics that predicts that any time a serious enough decision is made, the world splits at that point, and creates one world that goes off in the direction where the decision goes one way, and one world where the decision goes off in another direction. Both worlds exist independently of each other, and each is equally valid and true. Of course, this doesn’t mean that a world splits off whenever you decide to eat cereal for breakfast instead of eggs, but it could mean that The Man in the High Castle may exist as nonfiction in another dimension.
Joey is a Walker, and can move between all those worlds. He’s also the most powerful Walker in existence, so he suddenly becomes the most popular guy in the InterWorlds, since the good guys, the bad guys, and the bad bad guys all want him for different reasons. It’s all a bit hokey and convoluted, and also a bit contrived and forced. It’s also awfully convenient in points, and shallow, and two-dimensional (ironically), and�.
Well, if you’re a Neil Gaiman fanboy, nothing I can say will stop you from reading this book, except maybe this: This is not a Neil Gaiman book. I say this partly because this simply doesn’t read like a Neil Gaiman novel. I haven’t read much by Michael Reaves, but I’ve read a lot of Neil Gaiman, and think I can say with certainty that this is much more a Michael Reaves book than it is a Neil Gaiman book. I think a certain part of me wants to say that it’s a Reaves novel because it’s just so bland, but that’s really not why I say that. The book lacks a certain charm that Gaiman puts into his writing, and the language used doesn’t seem to be similar to that which Gaiman uses. A footnote at the end of the book details that the story is over 10 years old, and was put together as a novel over a long weekend after existing first as a television proposal. It doesn’t specify who served as the idea man, and who did all the grunt work, but it’s pretty obvious after finishing the book.
Look, remember Lady Justice? Teknophage? Mr. Hero the Newmatic Man? They all served to prove that a Neil Gaiman idea could not turn into a Neil Gaiman story unless Gaiman himself wrote the words. Unfortunately, InterWorld proves the same point. The book isn’t a complete disaster (for the target age group, the story probably works quite well), but if you’re looking for good Gaiman fiction for kids, look for M Is for Magic or Coraline, instead.
April 27, 2018
Interworld is the coming-of-age story of a boy finding himself, quite literally. Joey Harker is your typical kid, whose main concern is a certain girl and popularity at school. He comes off fairly average, but the way he's written, you're never quite sure if he's smart or stupid. Whatever the case, he sure did know a lot of pop culture references through out the ages, regardless of his own age and point of reference, so I would have to guess that he spends all of his time gathering useless knowledge that a kid his age normally wouldn't know. That phenomenon isn't really touched on in the book.
Countless possibilities exist on an infinite number of planes, yet the survival of everyone and everything falls into the hands of one boy and his misfit band of buddies. Makes you wonder what everyone else is up to. Why not lend a hand? I mean, there is quite a lot at stake here, their own existence for one. Not my favorite Gaiman book by a long shot.
Countless possibilities exist on an infinite number of planes, yet the survival of everyone and everything falls into the hands of one boy and his misfit band of buddies. Makes you wonder what everyone else is up to. Why not lend a hand? I mean, there is quite a lot at stake here, their own existence for one. Not my favorite Gaiman book by a long shot.
September 22, 2015
"Opposition is unproductive." This phrase appeared in the book and cracked me up. All I could think of was: "Resistance is futile." (Trekkies out there will know what I'm talking about.)
I didn't realize that this was a Young Adult title when I requested it from the library. Since I had already downloaded it, I figured I would give it a listen anyway, and I'm glad I did.
This wasn't the usual Gaiman fare, it's a sci-fi tale about a young man named Joey Harker who discovers he's a "walker." I'm not going to get into the plot as several reviews already do so.
This narrator, Christopher Evan Welch, he's fantastic! Especially the voicing for Lady Indigo-he seriously rocked her voice and tone.(He also narrated , which I loved.)
If you enjoy YA sci-fi, which-honestly- I did NOT, before listening to this tale, you will most likely enjoy this imaginative story. I highly recommend the audio version because this narrator is fantastic! I'm off to reserve the second book now.
I didn't realize that this was a Young Adult title when I requested it from the library. Since I had already downloaded it, I figured I would give it a listen anyway, and I'm glad I did.
This wasn't the usual Gaiman fare, it's a sci-fi tale about a young man named Joey Harker who discovers he's a "walker." I'm not going to get into the plot as several reviews already do so.
This narrator, Christopher Evan Welch, he's fantastic! Especially the voicing for Lady Indigo-he seriously rocked her voice and tone.(He also narrated , which I loved.)
If you enjoy YA sci-fi, which-honestly- I did NOT, before listening to this tale, you will most likely enjoy this imaginative story. I highly recommend the audio version because this narrator is fantastic! I'm off to reserve the second book now.
April 26, 2018
A story about reality and dimensions. Every choice we make creates a new reality. Think about all those choices for all those people. It's endless. We see the choices of basically one guy and he gets to me all his other selves. Can you imagine being together with yourself from all these timelines, some boy versions and some girl versions and then none of them talking to you and you are an outcast among yourself. Isn't that weird?? I could see that happening to me. I finally have a chance to fit in and they would all think I was weird for myself. Then again, maybe that is simply self-preception and I carry that with me where ever I go.
This book got me thinking and I was surprised at how quickly Neil put Joey into trouble and it felt like there was no escape. It was well done and a lot of fun for me. I need fun reads right now. Joey needs to save the entire Altiverse from evil and he needs to save a few of his other versions who think he is a screwup.
Our choices do make up who we are, so seeing who we become with each different choice would be interesting. Interesting characters with intense situations. I look forward to more from this world. It would also be strange seeing older and younger versions of yourself all over the place and who that would be like. This book sparked my imagination.
This book got me thinking and I was surprised at how quickly Neil put Joey into trouble and it felt like there was no escape. It was well done and a lot of fun for me. I need fun reads right now. Joey needs to save the entire Altiverse from evil and he needs to save a few of his other versions who think he is a screwup.
Our choices do make up who we are, so seeing who we become with each different choice would be interesting. Interesting characters with intense situations. I look forward to more from this world. It would also be strange seeing older and younger versions of yourself all over the place and who that would be like. This book sparked my imagination.
July 1, 2013
With open heart and open mind, I set out to love this book.
I read everything 'Gaiman' at some point.
I own every copy of "Sandman" and have several signed (I waited on line, yes I did).
I own all his books.
I even own some rarities such as, "Being an Account Of The Life And Death Of The Emperor Heliogabolus" (#1927 our of 2000-signed) and his "Three-Penny Opera."
Yeah...fanboy.
This book was recommended to me as I must have missed its release somehow.
I rushed to read it and...not so much.
Perhaps it was the fact that this was co-authored (Michael Reaves)?
Perhaps that it was obviously written to be a series?
Perhaps that it was billed to be YA and follows that rote, simple formula?
I am not sure.
The main character is shallow which is really unlike anything I have ever read from Gaiman.
Bit of a spoiler, but very early on~
Joey is quick to abandon his life and move on to "bigger things."
All things left behind he becomes a master at "Walking" between parallel universes/timelines.
The concept is great.
Every time a decision is to be made a new timeline is created: One with the person having made one choice and the other a different choice. Herein lies the genius as we then have infinite timelines (as we have infinite choices).
The problem I find is that it gets a bit choppy. I am reading another book currently where the vehicle of "Time" also plays in and is overused. Not so in "Interworld," but it feels...well...odd and disjointed here and there.
The "villains" are played up and very strong (and a bit cliche), but the ending leaves one wanting as it is too neat. Too quick.
I felt as though our protagonists should have had far more difficulty escaping their predicaments.
The characters are enjoyable and (AGAIN-POSSIBLE SPOILER) they are all versions of our main "Joey" from different timelines.
The play amongst this is brilliant and great fun.
The character "Hue" is fabulous and, even as a 40+ year-old man, I found myself wanting a magical friend like her.
It is the simplicity in resolution, the lack of ties to a life left behind not explained, a certain lack of depth-these are the things missing and very 'Un-Gaiman.'
That being said, I really found my pace reading this about 50% of the way through and from that point on it soared to the end (perhaps too quickly, but it soared nonetheless).
Adding to that, I have purchased the second in the series, "The Silver Dream (An Interworld Novel)" and am looking forward to reading it though I already imagine what the evil is (much the same as the last).
If this were written by anyone else I would have given it slightly higher marks, but in that it was written (even co-written) by Gaiman I can only afford it a solid "three stars."
(Interesting back-story regarding how this book came to be having told it in short spurts, written for TV, etc. Check it out).
For Gaiman fans it is a "must-read."
Soon, on to "The Ocean at the End of the Lane."
Namaste~
I read everything 'Gaiman' at some point.
I own every copy of "Sandman" and have several signed (I waited on line, yes I did).
I own all his books.
I even own some rarities such as, "Being an Account Of The Life And Death Of The Emperor Heliogabolus" (#1927 our of 2000-signed) and his "Three-Penny Opera."
Yeah...fanboy.
This book was recommended to me as I must have missed its release somehow.
I rushed to read it and...not so much.
Perhaps it was the fact that this was co-authored (Michael Reaves)?
Perhaps that it was obviously written to be a series?
Perhaps that it was billed to be YA and follows that rote, simple formula?
I am not sure.
The main character is shallow which is really unlike anything I have ever read from Gaiman.
Bit of a spoiler, but very early on~
Joey is quick to abandon his life and move on to "bigger things."
All things left behind he becomes a master at "Walking" between parallel universes/timelines.
The concept is great.
Every time a decision is to be made a new timeline is created: One with the person having made one choice and the other a different choice. Herein lies the genius as we then have infinite timelines (as we have infinite choices).
The problem I find is that it gets a bit choppy. I am reading another book currently where the vehicle of "Time" also plays in and is overused. Not so in "Interworld," but it feels...well...odd and disjointed here and there.
The "villains" are played up and very strong (and a bit cliche), but the ending leaves one wanting as it is too neat. Too quick.
I felt as though our protagonists should have had far more difficulty escaping their predicaments.
The characters are enjoyable and (AGAIN-POSSIBLE SPOILER) they are all versions of our main "Joey" from different timelines.
The play amongst this is brilliant and great fun.
The character "Hue" is fabulous and, even as a 40+ year-old man, I found myself wanting a magical friend like her.
It is the simplicity in resolution, the lack of ties to a life left behind not explained, a certain lack of depth-these are the things missing and very 'Un-Gaiman.'
That being said, I really found my pace reading this about 50% of the way through and from that point on it soared to the end (perhaps too quickly, but it soared nonetheless).
Adding to that, I have purchased the second in the series, "The Silver Dream (An Interworld Novel)" and am looking forward to reading it though I already imagine what the evil is (much the same as the last).
If this were written by anyone else I would have given it slightly higher marks, but in that it was written (even co-written) by Gaiman I can only afford it a solid "three stars."
(Interesting back-story regarding how this book came to be having told it in short spurts, written for TV, etc. Check it out).
For Gaiman fans it is a "must-read."
Soon, on to "The Ocean at the End of the Lane."
Namaste~
May 6, 2021
It pains me to give this book three stars. Physical pain! I love Neil Gaiman and almost everything he touches. His children's books are generally just as enjoyable for me as his adult fiction. This was clearly YA. I read a lot of YA, so the three stars aren't because of that. The byline for this particular novel includes Michael Reeves. Perhaps this is the real problem. Reeves may be an excellent writer, but Gaiman he is not.
There is an explanation, framed as an author's note, explaining how this book came to be written. Gaiman and Reeves had an idea they had tossed back and forth for years. They thought it would make a great movie, but after numerous passes decided to write the novel I read. The idea of the book was terrific. There are schools of thought that believe when a big decision is made there is a branch of time for both possibilities. This results in many, many universes with small and large differences, all existing at the same time. Some on different planes of existence, some right next door.
This book is about Joey Harker who is able to travel between these different worlds. I won't rehash the plot, but Harker is not the only human able to do this. Did I say, Human? I should have said being because with this many universes (the multiverse) there is life other than human. Not only can many do this traveling, but there is an organization that trains these "Walkers" and takes it upon themselves to protect each of these varying levels and locations of worlds.
All that sounds very Gaiman-ish. I don't doubt Reeves helped flesh out this world and its ideas. What it feels like is that they created it together and then Reeves...wrote it up. Gaiman's magic is not only his ideas, which are truly magical all on their own but the very words he uses as his paintbrush and paints to show us these worlds. The words in this book do not sound like Gaiman.
There is an explanation, framed as an author's note, explaining how this book came to be written. Gaiman and Reeves had an idea they had tossed back and forth for years. They thought it would make a great movie, but after numerous passes decided to write the novel I read. The idea of the book was terrific. There are schools of thought that believe when a big decision is made there is a branch of time for both possibilities. This results in many, many universes with small and large differences, all existing at the same time. Some on different planes of existence, some right next door.
This book is about Joey Harker who is able to travel between these different worlds. I won't rehash the plot, but Harker is not the only human able to do this. Did I say, Human? I should have said being because with this many universes (the multiverse) there is life other than human. Not only can many do this traveling, but there is an organization that trains these "Walkers" and takes it upon themselves to protect each of these varying levels and locations of worlds.
All that sounds very Gaiman-ish. I don't doubt Reeves helped flesh out this world and its ideas. What it feels like is that they created it together and then Reeves...wrote it up. Gaiman's magic is not only his ideas, which are truly magical all on their own but the very words he uses as his paintbrush and paints to show us these worlds. The words in this book do not sound like Gaiman.
July 15, 2023
Симпатична история за множество алтернативни Земи, властта над които си оспорват две могъщи клики - Бинарните, управлявани от изкуствен интелект технократи и МАГ, привърженици, както си личи от името им, на магията.
Полевите агенти на МеждуСвят, на практика множество алтернативни версии на главния герой Джоуи Харкър, способни да бродят из различните светове със силата на мисълта си, се опитват да поддържат крехкото равновесие, осуетявайки плановете на гореспоменатите.
Книжката вече я бях чел, но така и не се запознах с продължението Сребърният сън, та като пуснаха новите издания през 2022 не се поколебах да ги предобия, за да поправя тая несправедливост.
Полевите агенти на МеждуСвят, на практика множество алтернативни версии на главния герой Джоуи Харкър, способни да бродят из различните светове със силата на мисълта си, се опитват да поддържат крехкото равновесие, осуетявайки плановете на гореспоменатите.
Книжката вече я бях чел, но така и не се запознах с продължението Сребърният сън, та като пуснаха новите издания през 2022 не се поколебах да ги предобия, за да поправя тая несправедливост.
January 19, 2009
The premise of this book was very inventive, but I never really felt like I was reading a Neil Gaiman book. True, it was co-authored with Michael Reeves, so perhaps his was the overriding influence of the novel. There are some Gaiman hallmarks: wonderfully strange ideas about alternate universes that are created each time a monumental decision must be made (thus creating a separate universe for the possible outcome of each alternative offered by that decision) as well as fantastic creatures inhabiting these different versions of earth. In particular, I found the idea of the Hex empire (a world ruled by magic and sorcery) at battle with the Binary empire (a world ruled by science and reason) for possession of these multiple earths to be an intriguing premise, but it's been done better in other Gaiman novels (most notably the battle between the old gods and the gods of technology in American Gods). This book will probably satisfy a young adult audience and is a good introduction to Gaiman as a writer, but those seeking more substance and conflicts without glossed over resolutions should perhaps look elsewhere). If I were 15-16 again, I would have loved it. As it is, it was a quick and entertaining read that made me want to revisit previously read Gaiman works.
January 20, 2010
Quite an enjoyable work by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves. Again while I wonder just how "youthful" the young readers this book is meant for ought to be...(as it's quite dark in a few places)...it is well plotted, written, and "characterized".
This an adventure with many familiar points placed in a science fiction world that most YA readers will like. There is adventure, daring do, misunderstood youth, homesickness, even a slight twist on the "boy and his dog".
I enjoyed it and think, being sure that the reader is old enough to deal with the slight amount of violence and emotional stress, it is a good read. For comparison, I'd say this book isn't as dark as either The Graveyard Book or Coraline.
I have (as noted elsewhere) found myself reading more and more YA type books over the last few years. While my children are grown, I suppose the increase may go back to the Harry Potter series as it came along about the time my children were out growing wanting to be "read to" and I was still keeping up on what they read. Whatever the cause I have read many wonderful books over the last few years that just happened to be considered, YA.
This an adventure with many familiar points placed in a science fiction world that most YA readers will like. There is adventure, daring do, misunderstood youth, homesickness, even a slight twist on the "boy and his dog".
I enjoyed it and think, being sure that the reader is old enough to deal with the slight amount of violence and emotional stress, it is a good read. For comparison, I'd say this book isn't as dark as either The Graveyard Book or Coraline.
I have (as noted elsewhere) found myself reading more and more YA type books over the last few years. While my children are grown, I suppose the increase may go back to the Harry Potter series as it came along about the time my children were out growing wanting to be "read to" and I was still keeping up on what they read. Whatever the cause I have read many wonderful books over the last few years that just happened to be considered, YA.
September 9, 2019
“InterWorld� is a mixed bag of a read: some of the ideas are excellent, while others are almost intolerable. It is young adult fiction distilled into its most basic form without the intrigue and world building needed to make this series unique.
It is a sci-fi fantasy with a good premise that has the ability to do just about anything with its story. The concept rests on the idea of a multi-verse all made of similar earths caught in a tug-o-war between technology and magic. It is disheartening, then, that the story follows the usual linear path of the YA hero-story without diverging or offering something new. It makes the interesting mix of sci-fi and fantasy that is sprinkled throughout the book seem impotent when it all amounts to the same thing we’ve seen time and again.
Some great characters might have saved it. Neil Gaiman can usually get by with passable to good characters. Alas, variety does not equal depth. The main character is a surface-level personality: a geeky-kid-tuns-savior-complex written with the use of a cookie-cutter. There are a few unique appearances - an inter-dimensional soap bubble being one and some what-if human designs, but the premise is seldom explored for characterization. All of the main villain’s descriptions are interesting, but their modus operandi amounts to little more than “being evil for the sake of ruling the world� and the author tells us to fear them rather than shows us why we should.
Gaiman names characters in a less than literary way. You might forgive him in his other works, eccentric as they are. But the main villains here are named Lord Dog Knife and Lady Indigo. Not only do these names set-up cartoonish images but they make no sense within the world. Everyone else has realistic names or extreme variations of common ones. These names seem misplaced and different in the worse way.
All the ingredients for a good story are here with poor execution. The idea of walking between alternate realities is great and the idea of keeping the balance of this multi-verse is workable. But it is dragged into the mediocre, lacking convincing characters and world elements. The story instead focuses on giving us over-complex jargon and pseudo-science, which is never balanced out with explanation of its magic system, though the two are supposed to be equally important. Now giving technical explanations and using jargon is fine in sci-fi. - Some of the best books have whole chapters devoted to the science, like Tao Zero. However good sci-fi uses the science to complement the story, so the reader has a better idea of the world and what is at stake. Here is feels like an excuse to not world build.
“InterWorld� is not a particularly good first novel in a series. It has all the skin of a first YA novel without any of the muscle or sinew that hold the stories together over time. If you like interesting concepts this is worth a read. If you like YA or adventure-sci-fi you could give this a try as well to get a sense of what Gaiman does in his spare time... However if can't help pointing out a book’s flaws, this might not be for you. There is a lot here that you will wish had been better to make this a stand-out title. Don't expect the typical fascinating moments to be found in Gaiman's better works, though I wouldn't lump all the blame on the collaboration either.
It is a sci-fi fantasy with a good premise that has the ability to do just about anything with its story. The concept rests on the idea of a multi-verse all made of similar earths caught in a tug-o-war between technology and magic. It is disheartening, then, that the story follows the usual linear path of the YA hero-story without diverging or offering something new. It makes the interesting mix of sci-fi and fantasy that is sprinkled throughout the book seem impotent when it all amounts to the same thing we’ve seen time and again.
Some great characters might have saved it. Neil Gaiman can usually get by with passable to good characters. Alas, variety does not equal depth. The main character is a surface-level personality: a geeky-kid-tuns-savior-complex written with the use of a cookie-cutter. There are a few unique appearances - an inter-dimensional soap bubble being one and some what-if human designs, but the premise is seldom explored for characterization. All of the main villain’s descriptions are interesting, but their modus operandi amounts to little more than “being evil for the sake of ruling the world� and the author tells us to fear them rather than shows us why we should.
Gaiman names characters in a less than literary way. You might forgive him in his other works, eccentric as they are. But the main villains here are named Lord Dog Knife and Lady Indigo. Not only do these names set-up cartoonish images but they make no sense within the world. Everyone else has realistic names or extreme variations of common ones. These names seem misplaced and different in the worse way.
All the ingredients for a good story are here with poor execution. The idea of walking between alternate realities is great and the idea of keeping the balance of this multi-verse is workable. But it is dragged into the mediocre, lacking convincing characters and world elements. The story instead focuses on giving us over-complex jargon and pseudo-science, which is never balanced out with explanation of its magic system, though the two are supposed to be equally important. Now giving technical explanations and using jargon is fine in sci-fi. - Some of the best books have whole chapters devoted to the science, like Tao Zero. However good sci-fi uses the science to complement the story, so the reader has a better idea of the world and what is at stake. Here is feels like an excuse to not world build.
“InterWorld� is not a particularly good first novel in a series. It has all the skin of a first YA novel without any of the muscle or sinew that hold the stories together over time. If you like interesting concepts this is worth a read. If you like YA or adventure-sci-fi you could give this a try as well to get a sense of what Gaiman does in his spare time... However if can't help pointing out a book’s flaws, this might not be for you. There is a lot here that you will wish had been better to make this a stand-out title. Don't expect the typical fascinating moments to be found in Gaiman's better works, though I wouldn't lump all the blame on the collaboration either.
February 23, 2021
Hayal kırıklığı...
Ortada çok güzel bir fikir var. Her evrende adı Joey, Joe, Josephine vs olan biri var ve bu kişi paralel dünyalar arasında geçiş yapabilme gücüne sahip. Onun bu gücünden faydalanmak isteyen kötü adamlar her evrende Joey'i yakalayıp güçlerini sağıyor ve büyülü aletlerini veya olağanüstü makinelerini kullanmak için faydalanıyorlar. Buna engel olmak için bütün Joey'lerin toplanıp eğitildiği ve bir nevi süper kahraman dönüştürüldüğü bir okul bulunuyor. İşte biz de bu okula yeni katılan, bizim dünyamızdan Joey'nin başından geçenleri okuyoruz kitapta.
Buraya kadar her şey güzel. Ama sorun kitabın anlatım biçiminde. Joey'nin lise ikinci sınıf öğrencisi olduğu söyleniyor. Ancak kendisi, diyalogları, hareketleri, esprileri vs tam bir ilkokul çocuğu seviyesinde. Kitap birinci şahıs bakış açısından yazıldığı için sürekli olarak Joey'nin saf, aptalca düşünceleri ve çıkarımlarıyla baş başayız. Bu da dramatik olması gereken anları bile trajikomik hâle getiriyor. Kim hayatını kurtaran bir kahramanın sakın dokunma dediği bir şeyi elleyip onun ölümüne sebep olacak, sonra da bütün kitap boyunca buna ağlayacak birinin sızlanmalarını okumak ister ki?
Kitaba bir parça Harry Potter havası verilmeye de çalışılmış. Olağanüstü yetenekleri olan çocuklar, gizli bir okul, zorlu bir eğitim, savaşılması gereken kötü adamlar... Ama Harry Potter'ın yanından bile geçemiyor, o heyecan verici ve komik anlatımı bir türlü yakalayamıyor kitap.
Sanki Neil Gaiman konsepti hazırlamış, evrenleri ve fikirleri tasarlamış da kitabı yazmayı tamamen Michael Reaves'e bırakmış gibi bir izlenim bıraktı Ara Dünya bende. Serinin devam kitaplarını okumayı düşünmüyorum.
Ortada çok güzel bir fikir var. Her evrende adı Joey, Joe, Josephine vs olan biri var ve bu kişi paralel dünyalar arasında geçiş yapabilme gücüne sahip. Onun bu gücünden faydalanmak isteyen kötü adamlar her evrende Joey'i yakalayıp güçlerini sağıyor ve büyülü aletlerini veya olağanüstü makinelerini kullanmak için faydalanıyorlar. Buna engel olmak için bütün Joey'lerin toplanıp eğitildiği ve bir nevi süper kahraman dönüştürüldüğü bir okul bulunuyor. İşte biz de bu okula yeni katılan, bizim dünyamızdan Joey'nin başından geçenleri okuyoruz kitapta.
Buraya kadar her şey güzel. Ama sorun kitabın anlatım biçiminde. Joey'nin lise ikinci sınıf öğrencisi olduğu söyleniyor. Ancak kendisi, diyalogları, hareketleri, esprileri vs tam bir ilkokul çocuğu seviyesinde. Kitap birinci şahıs bakış açısından yazıldığı için sürekli olarak Joey'nin saf, aptalca düşünceleri ve çıkarımlarıyla baş başayız. Bu da dramatik olması gereken anları bile trajikomik hâle getiriyor. Kim hayatını kurtaran bir kahramanın sakın dokunma dediği bir şeyi elleyip onun ölümüne sebep olacak, sonra da bütün kitap boyunca buna ağlayacak birinin sızlanmalarını okumak ister ki?
Kitaba bir parça Harry Potter havası verilmeye de çalışılmış. Olağanüstü yetenekleri olan çocuklar, gizli bir okul, zorlu bir eğitim, savaşılması gereken kötü adamlar... Ama Harry Potter'ın yanından bile geçemiyor, o heyecan verici ve komik anlatımı bir türlü yakalayamıyor kitap.
Sanki Neil Gaiman konsepti hazırlamış, evrenleri ve fikirleri tasarlamış da kitabı yazmayı tamamen Michael Reaves'e bırakmış gibi bir izlenim bıraktı Ara Dünya bende. Serinin devam kitaplarını okumayı düşünmüyorum.
June 29, 2010
See Ceridwen's review, but additionally: Why all the nonsensical quantum mechanical mumbo jumbo when there's magic in the book? If there's magic it's a fantasy and trying to justify it in an SF way only makes you look apologetic. Skip all that and go the Moorcock route: he had a fantasy multiverse before everybody else (I think) and he doesn't justify it at all, because none is required.
November 22, 2017
Buku ini tipe-tipe buku yang padat, bergerak cepat, banyak ketegangan, banyak teka-teki, dan banyak membahas sains yang bikin pusing, tapi (kataku) asik 😂
Aku suka Joey dan si gelembung! Lucu. Adegan favoritku selalu tiap Joey melintas ke dunia alternatif lain. Dan aku suka penyelesaian konflik di buku ini. Antara tegang dan deg-degan dan keren dan lucu~
Aku suka Joey dan si gelembung! Lucu. Adegan favoritku selalu tiap Joey melintas ke dunia alternatif lain. Dan aku suka penyelesaian konflik di buku ini. Antara tegang dan deg-degan dan keren dan lucu~
April 26, 2011
The concept is brilliant: Joey Harker finds that he's capable of walking between worlds, alternate realities of every variety, from the fully magical to the fully technological to everything in between. And every alternate version of Joey Harker is capable of doing the same. They've gathered together as a sort of paramilitary force to keep the forces of pure magic (Hex) and pure technology (the Binary) at bay. And there's the best part of the whole book: the concept.
The story itself is a bit paint-by-numbers, a fairly generic hero's journey. There's nothing wrong with this in and of itself. It's always the window dressing that makes a hero's journey worthwhile. The problem is, this book doesn't quite have that window dressing, at least for me. The target audience seems to be ages 9-12, and I have no doubt that I would have ate it up at ages 9-12, and that many other 9-12 year-olds would as well. But I'm not ages 9-12 anymore. This is only a disappointment to me because it's billed as being co-written by Neil Gaiman, who has always before been able to cross that line into cross-demographic appeal.
I don't know what the exact arrangements were when this book was written, but I have a sneaking suspicion. Neil Gaiman's voice, which I'm very familiar with, is largely absent. Compare to Good Omens, where a reader familiar with his work and the work of Terry Pratchet will find both of their voices represented in spades. In Interworld, it's Michael Reaves all the time, with the exception of one or two lines that sounded like Neil Gaiman, so rare that I remarked on them. I suspect that the concept was cooked up together, and the vast majority of the story written by Reaves. I also have the distinct impression that it may have been originally conceived as an ongoing story (book series, or even a TV show) that only panned out into a single novel. (ETA: Aha! It was indeed planned as a pitch for an ongoing series. Might have worked, actually.) Witness the sort of open ending (adventures yet to come!) and the almost complete neglect of the Binary after their introduction.
In the end, I was disappointed with this book not because it's bad. It's not. It's pretty decent, actually. But I went in expecting and hoping for a Neil Gaiman novel, and that's not exactly what I got. Instead, I got a Micheal Reaves novel. I think that's as good a summation as any I'm likely to come up with.
I listened to the audio book, read by Christopher Evan Welch, who did a pretty good job.
The story itself is a bit paint-by-numbers, a fairly generic hero's journey. There's nothing wrong with this in and of itself. It's always the window dressing that makes a hero's journey worthwhile. The problem is, this book doesn't quite have that window dressing, at least for me. The target audience seems to be ages 9-12, and I have no doubt that I would have ate it up at ages 9-12, and that many other 9-12 year-olds would as well. But I'm not ages 9-12 anymore. This is only a disappointment to me because it's billed as being co-written by Neil Gaiman, who has always before been able to cross that line into cross-demographic appeal.
I don't know what the exact arrangements were when this book was written, but I have a sneaking suspicion. Neil Gaiman's voice, which I'm very familiar with, is largely absent. Compare to Good Omens, where a reader familiar with his work and the work of Terry Pratchet will find both of their voices represented in spades. In Interworld, it's Michael Reaves all the time, with the exception of one or two lines that sounded like Neil Gaiman, so rare that I remarked on them. I suspect that the concept was cooked up together, and the vast majority of the story written by Reaves. I also have the distinct impression that it may have been originally conceived as an ongoing story (book series, or even a TV show) that only panned out into a single novel. (ETA: Aha! It was indeed planned as a pitch for an ongoing series. Might have worked, actually.) Witness the sort of open ending (adventures yet to come!) and the almost complete neglect of the Binary after their introduction.
In the end, I was disappointed with this book not because it's bad. It's not. It's pretty decent, actually. But I went in expecting and hoping for a Neil Gaiman novel, and that's not exactly what I got. Instead, I got a Micheal Reaves novel. I think that's as good a summation as any I'm likely to come up with.
I listened to the audio book, read by Christopher Evan Welch, who did a pretty good job.
November 2, 2007
INTERWORLD BY NEIL GAIMAN AND MICHAEL REAVES: Most people are familiar with Neil Gaiman, who has written such great novels as Neverwhere, American Gods, and Coraline for younger readers, but not so many know Michael Reaves. Reaves has written for Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Twilight Zone, and Batman: The Animated Series, as well as the New York Times bestseller Star Wars: Darth Maul � Shadow Hunter. Gaiman and Reaves began working on the idea for Interworld in 1995 wishing to make it a television adventure, but the idea was not received well, so they decided to write it down in novel form but was still never picked up. Recently, it was represented and has been picked up with a 2010 release, and the book finally published. It is the perfect young adult science-fiction adventure story to fill the vacuum left with the completion of the Harry Potter series.
Joey Harker is an ordinary boy with nothing special going for him. He’s stuck in high school with few friends and a girl who doesn’t even know he exists. While on a routine school field trip, Joey suddenly “Walks� into a parallel world, just like the one he is from but with subtle differences. He Walks through a couple more worlds and soon finds people on his tail. He runs and an ally soon joins him, covered in this strange silvery suit, and looking uncannily like him. Joey eventually discovers that there are thousands and thousands of alternate realities which he is able to Walk through and get to. He discovers that there are two forces vying for control of all the worlds: the HEX, who are based in science and technology, and the Binary who believe in sorcery and magic. Finally there is the Interworld, where a seemingly endless number of Joey Harkers from different worlds, with different but similar names, all looking very different, of various ages, working together to stop the HEX and the Binary.
Written in an incredibly descriptive and flamboyant style, with a pastiche of imagery styles � with the clear intention of transposing Interworld to the big screen � Interworld is a unique novel for all ages, taking you on a journey unlike any other where it requires you to stay on your “mental toes� to keep everything straight and make sure you know what’s going on in this strange universe.
Joey Harker is an ordinary boy with nothing special going for him. He’s stuck in high school with few friends and a girl who doesn’t even know he exists. While on a routine school field trip, Joey suddenly “Walks� into a parallel world, just like the one he is from but with subtle differences. He Walks through a couple more worlds and soon finds people on his tail. He runs and an ally soon joins him, covered in this strange silvery suit, and looking uncannily like him. Joey eventually discovers that there are thousands and thousands of alternate realities which he is able to Walk through and get to. He discovers that there are two forces vying for control of all the worlds: the HEX, who are based in science and technology, and the Binary who believe in sorcery and magic. Finally there is the Interworld, where a seemingly endless number of Joey Harkers from different worlds, with different but similar names, all looking very different, of various ages, working together to stop the HEX and the Binary.
Written in an incredibly descriptive and flamboyant style, with a pastiche of imagery styles � with the clear intention of transposing Interworld to the big screen � Interworld is a unique novel for all ages, taking you on a journey unlike any other where it requires you to stay on your “mental toes� to keep everything straight and make sure you know what’s going on in this strange universe.
February 25, 2016
No lo puedo continuar. Parece escrito por un joven de 15 años al que todavia no le llego el cambio hormonal ni le pego la adolescencia.
No puedo creer que Gaiman publicara esto con su nombre. El otro no tengo idea quien es y espero no volverlo a leer.
Literalmente hablando, cualquier persona del mundo puede hacer un mejor trabajo que esto. Si lo ven de esa manera, es un mensaje esperanzador en realidad. Todos tenemos la capacidad de escribir mejor que este libro de Gaiman y el otro comosellame.
No puedo creer que Gaiman publicara esto con su nombre. El otro no tengo idea quien es y espero no volverlo a leer.
Literalmente hablando, cualquier persona del mundo puede hacer un mejor trabajo que esto. Si lo ven de esa manera, es un mensaje esperanzador en realidad. Todos tenemos la capacidad de escribir mejor que este libro de Gaiman y el otro comosellame.
June 9, 2015
fantastic world and story but a little too scifi for me.
September 5, 2018
The idea of the book is great, the theory behind parallel universe and everything else is really interesting. The only thing is that it was too action-packed. I would like it explored the worlds more, different characters and logic of those worlds. Seems to me the book should have been twice as long with added content and character development. As it was conceived as a TV series, I get why it is a bit more action focused, still, I want more. Hope the sequels are better. great ideas and quotes, though. And Hue <3
May 7, 2016
Questo libro è stato una bellissima scoperta! Avevo sempre sentito parlare della bravura di Neil Gaiman e finalmente ho avuto la possibilità di leggere questo capolavoro della fantascienza che realizzó insieme a Michael Reaves. Leggendo, mi capitó svariate volte di rimanere sbalordita dall'immensa fantasia racchiusa in questo libro, mi chiedevo come avesse fatto la loro mente a dare origine a un intero "universo" formato da una miriade di mondi paralleli, all'idea che a salvare questi mondi non sarebbe stato soltanto "un" Joey Harker ma anche altre cinque sue versioni provenienti da altri mondi. Lo stile di scrittura è impeccabile e perfettamente inerente alla materia trattata, infatti all'inizio è un po' difficile capire come funziona l'IntraSpazio a causa della terminologia prettamente fisica. Tutto diventa più chiaro man mano che si legge e il nostro protagonista comincia anche lui a capirci qualcosa.
Sicuramente cercherò e leggeró altro di questi due scrittori perché ho davvero apprezzato questo romanzo che ti tiene attaccato alle pagine dall'inizio fino alla fine, stupendoti con sempre nuovi colpi di scena.
Sicuramente cercherò e leggeró altro di questi due scrittori perché ho davvero apprezzato questo romanzo che ti tiene attaccato alle pagine dall'inizio fino alla fine, stupendoti con sempre nuovi colpi di scena.
February 9, 2017
2.5 stars
It's more children's book than YA and it's probably weakest Gaiman's book I read.It's ok, rather amusing book but not outstanding in any way, it doesn't feel like something written by extraordinary writer like Gaiman.
It's more children's book than YA and it's probably weakest Gaiman's book I read.It's ok, rather amusing book but not outstanding in any way, it doesn't feel like something written by extraordinary writer like Gaiman.
April 29, 2020
Not bad but my possibly my least favorite Neil Gaiman story. I'm really surprised I hadn't heard of this before I picked it up last year at a flea market.
July 18, 2013
Interworld
Three months ago I saw that a new book by Neil Gaiman titled The Silver Dream was out and being the fangirl that I am, I ordered it without a second glance. When I held my copy in my hands a few days later, a closer look at the cover revealed that it was “A sequel to …�. A sequel? A sequel to what?!? Interworld? Hang on, that sounded familiar. And I realised that I’ve been given this for a birthday or Christmas a couple of years ago and it had been sitting on my shelves unread since, because I hadn’t been in the mood and hadn’t immediately liked it when I got it. Now that I had bought the sequel, it was time to set this right and give Interworld another try. So I started reading it hoping that the book and I would have a better chance to connect this time around.
My reading went all right, but I had to be strict with myself and tell me to finish the book and not abandon it for the sake of any of the books beckoning from the to-read pile. So, I read it quickly and was mildly entertained and dissatisfied in equal parts. Something appeared to be missing. It’s hard to put the finger on what annoyed me exactly, but there was the nagging feeling that Interworld and I didn’t click, or rather, that the hero, Joey Harker, and me were not on the best of terms. Mostly, Joey’s “specialness�.
I certainly missed the self-deprecating humour I’ve come to love in Gaiman’s characters and despite all of Joey’s proclamations to feeling guilty and his dogged acceptance of being an outsider, his steady climb to the top and establishing himself as a leader was rather counterproductive to any endearing underdog image he was trying to maintain. And it grated on my nerves. He goes on about the superiority of the knowledge he acquires at this special InterWorld academy and how much more sophisticated the education he receives is as compared to the one provided in his homeworld’s schools, where he had trouble to keep up � because he’s so special and his brain works in special ways far above the average teenager’s. Yeah, I know, I’m reading things into it that were neither said nor intended, but he came across as rather self-important and trying to hide it to keep the readers# sympathies. He also seems to be THE CHOSEN ONE, responsible for protecting and saving the multiverse from all kinds of threats and evils. He certainly isn’t alone in this enterprise, but the fact that his companions are one and all different incarnations of himself and that he’s the most-coveted Super Walker, for reasons that seem rather forced and phony, doesn’t really help in making him less self-important. Also: He continually sets himself above those other Joseph Harker versions.
The concept of parallel universes, where magic fights with science to gain the upper hand in controlling worlds was quite intriguing but the execution, sadly, rather bland. The world building was okay, but not compelling or convincing. The villains were a bit clichéd, to say it euphemistically. The ease with which Joey shed all his ties to his former life and his family made him seem shallow, superficial, and even a bit cold-hearted.
I think I light the mudluff, Hue, best of all. Joey treats it like a pet even though it saved his life on more than one occasion. Given the secrecy of the organisation/ Walker school, their laxity in determining Hues� purpose is disappointing. I understand that there are “more pressing issues� to attend to, but the authorities� proclivity to eliminate the things they don’t understand and perceive as a potential threat seems at odds with their acquiescence of Hue’s presence.
At times it felt like the authors were trying to cater to the geeks by generously including references to all kinds of geeky popular culture. I have to admit that this usually works for me, but it wasn’t enough to win me over this time.
I will give The Silver Dream a fair chance, hoping that questions will be answered, characters will be given a little bit more distinction than the simple description of their physique and particular skill set, and that Joey will become less of a special snowflake and more of a valuable , well-rounded, member of a team. But it will have to wait. First, I’ll read The Ocean at the End of the Lane, because I’m convinced that in this, Gaiman will confirm once again why I love his writing.
November 13, 2013
Щом разбрах, че е излязла нова книга на Нийл Геймън, първото нещо което направих бе да отида в книжарницата и да си я купя на мига. Е, моите почитания към Майкъл Рийвс, но честно казано хич не ми пука че присъства като съавтор - нито съм го чувал, нито нищо. Вярно, че е писал сценариите по куп сериали, немалко от тях детски и анимирани, но какво от това? Важното в случая бе човекът, от който последните две години прочетох наистина уникални заглавия и бързо-бързо се издигна в личната ми класация за любими автори до челни позиции.
"МеждуСвят" е, меко казано, страхотна книга. Е, сравнена с останалото творчество на Геймън не е така обемна и мащабно разгърната като "Американски Богове", нито чак толкова цветна и пълнокръвна като "Никога, Никъде, Никой" или пък притежаваща такъв мощен заряд по��обно на "Книга за Гробището". Сравнена обаче с други нови заглавия, които напоследък ни заливат от книжарниците подобно съдържанието на разбит лайновоз си е направо трепач отвсякъде.
Я малко от задната корица:
"Джоуи Харкър не е герой. Всъщност винаги е бил леко странен тип, който никога не се ориентира къде е и е способен да се изгуби дори в собствената си къща. И това не би било странна, ако Джоуи не беше БРОДЕЩ. Той е единственият човек на Земята, притежаващ дарбата да броди между различните измерение. Но Джоуи разбира това по трудния начин, когато вместо на мечтаната среща с момичето си се озовава в центъра на битка между две империи."
Обяснявам с прости думи.
Съществуват много светове, алтернативни на нашия, които съществуват едновременно в паралелни реалност. На всеки свят има по един-единствен Бродещ, който притежава способността да пътува между измеренията. Главният герой на нашия свят се казва Джоуи Харкър и е нормален човек, от съседния ще се казва примерно Джозеф Харк и ще е огромен як звяр, от друг ще е Джоуина Харкинсън и ще е получовек-полувълк, от трети ще е Дж. Х. и ще е киборг, и т.н., и т.н. Всички тия деца, чиито имена започват с J и H се озовават в МеждуСвят и са фракция, която поддържа баланса във Вселената.
Баланс ли казах?
Да. Във Вселената съществуват две огромни Империи, които постоянно са в единоборство. Едните са технологични, а другите - магически. Лазери и платки срещу дракони и отвари. Фантастика срещу фентъзи. Баси якото. В случая едната империя е дръпнала яко напред и има план да завладее цялата Вселена, а нашите бродещи партизани от МеждуСвят трябва да я спрат.
Да не пропусна факта, че и двете империи мразят Бродещите и до костния мозък и щом им попадне такъв го използват по специфичен гнусен начин, за да осъществят мерзките си цели. По-точно Бродещите са използвани за... гориво. Техните способности са двигател и за технократите, и за магьосниците.
Но да не задълбавам и разкривам повече. Прочетете и ще се убедите, че е повече от страхотно.
"МеждуСвят" е, меко казано, страхотна книга. Е, сравнена с останалото творчество на Геймън не е така обемна и мащабно разгърната като "Американски Богове", нито чак толкова цветна и пълнокръвна като "Никога, Никъде, Никой" или пък притежаваща такъв мощен заряд по��обно на "Книга за Гробището". Сравнена обаче с други нови заглавия, които напоследък ни заливат от книжарниците подобно съдържанието на разбит лайновоз си е направо трепач отвсякъде.
Я малко от задната корица:
"Джоуи Харкър не е герой. Всъщност винаги е бил леко странен тип, който никога не се ориентира къде е и е способен да се изгуби дори в собствената си къща. И това не би било странна, ако Джоуи не беше БРОДЕЩ. Той е единственият човек на Земята, притежаващ дарбата да броди между различните измерение. Но Джоуи разбира това по трудния начин, когато вместо на мечтаната среща с момичето си се озовава в центъра на битка между две империи."
Обяснявам с прости думи.
Съществуват много светове, алтернативни на нашия, които съществуват едновременно в паралелни реалност. На всеки свят има по един-единствен Бродещ, който притежава способността да пътува между измеренията. Главният герой на нашия свят се казва Джоуи Харкър и е нормален човек, от съседния ще се казва примерно Джозеф Харк и ще е огромен як звяр, от друг ще е Джоуина Харкинсън и ще е получовек-полувълк, от трети ще е Дж. Х. и ще е киборг, и т.н., и т.н. Всички тия деца, чиито имена започват с J и H се озовават в МеждуСвят и са фракция, която поддържа баланса във Вселената.
Баланс ли казах?
Да. Във Вселената съществуват две огромни Империи, които постоянно са в единоборство. Едните са технологични, а другите - магически. Лазери и платки срещу дракони и отвари. Фантастика срещу фентъзи. Баси якото. В случая едната империя е дръпнала яко напред и има план да завладее цялата Вселена, а нашите бродещи партизани от МеждуСвят трябва да я спрат.
Да не пропусна факта, че и двете империи мразят Бродещите и до костния мозък и щом им попадне такъв го използват по специфичен гнусен начин, за да осъществят мерзките си цели. По-точно Бродещите са използвани за... гориво. Техните способности са двигател и за технократите, и за магьосниците.
Но да не задълбавам и разкривам повече. Прочетете и ще се убедите, че е повече от страхотно.
July 10, 2015
Este, sin lugar a dudas, es uno de los libros más raros que he leído. No sólo por la trama, que por sí sola ya es bastante loca, sino también por los escenarios y las descripciones que te dejan la cabeza a un paso del cortocircuito porque es dificilísimo imaginárselos. Pero, a pesar de todo eso, InterWorld es una historia única -al menos para mí, pues no había leído nada parecido- y bastante entretenida. Aunque, claro, nada de todo eso le quita lo liosa y confusa que es por partes.
Vamos a ver, InterWorld sigue la historia de un chico bastante despistado y desubicado en la vida que se llama Joey Harker. Un día este chico va caminando por su ciudad y... se pierde, o algo así. La cosa es que no sólo se pierde, sino que Camina -con mayúscula-. En otras palabras, viaja entre dimensiones y realidades paralelas a su realidad en la Tierra. Sin embargo, este pequeño viaje interdimensional del que él ni siquiera es consciente en un principio, desata las alarmas de unos grupos -Maldecimal y Lo Binario- que quieren conquistar todos los mundos y someterlos a sus principios.
Ahora, la cosa es que estos dos grupos son malos y pronto aparecerá un tercero, algo así como los Guardianes Galácticos o de los Mundos Paralelos o yo qué sé, jajaja. El caso es que son los buenos y quienes tienen en sus filas a todos los Caminantes -quienes pueden viajar entre planos, para los más frikis: PlaneWalkers-. Joey pronto aprenderá todo sobre ellos, lo que hacen, cómo entrenan y las misiones que cumplen.
Pero bueno, eso que acabo de decirles es sólo una pequeñísima parte de la historia porque, como mencioné más arriba, este libro es demasiado loco. Hay mil dimensiones, mil reglas, mil planos y un montón de personajes con nombres demasiado parecidos, aunque todo siempre tiene una explicación. Lo bueno es que una vez te acostumbras al nivel de frikismo y complejidad descriptiva y narrativa del libro, la historia fluye facilísimo y te encuentras metido de cabeza en InterWorld.
No pensé que me enganchara tanto el libro en un primer momento, pero ahora veo que estaba equivocada y ¡menos mal tengo ya la segunda parte! Y no es que InterWorld termine en punta, sino que sencillamente quieres saber más de estos mundos y dimensiones que Gaiman y Reaves crean.
Vamos a ver, InterWorld sigue la historia de un chico bastante despistado y desubicado en la vida que se llama Joey Harker. Un día este chico va caminando por su ciudad y... se pierde, o algo así. La cosa es que no sólo se pierde, sino que Camina -con mayúscula-. En otras palabras, viaja entre dimensiones y realidades paralelas a su realidad en la Tierra. Sin embargo, este pequeño viaje interdimensional del que él ni siquiera es consciente en un principio, desata las alarmas de unos grupos -Maldecimal y Lo Binario- que quieren conquistar todos los mundos y someterlos a sus principios.
Ahora, la cosa es que estos dos grupos son malos y pronto aparecerá un tercero, algo así como los Guardianes Galácticos o de los Mundos Paralelos o yo qué sé, jajaja. El caso es que son los buenos y quienes tienen en sus filas a todos los Caminantes -quienes pueden viajar entre planos, para los más frikis: PlaneWalkers-. Joey pronto aprenderá todo sobre ellos, lo que hacen, cómo entrenan y las misiones que cumplen.
Pero bueno, eso que acabo de decirles es sólo una pequeñísima parte de la historia porque, como mencioné más arriba, este libro es demasiado loco. Hay mil dimensiones, mil reglas, mil planos y un montón de personajes con nombres demasiado parecidos, aunque todo siempre tiene una explicación. Lo bueno es que una vez te acostumbras al nivel de frikismo y complejidad descriptiva y narrativa del libro, la historia fluye facilísimo y te encuentras metido de cabeza en InterWorld.
No pensé que me enganchara tanto el libro en un primer momento, pero ahora veo que estaba equivocada y ¡menos mal tengo ya la segunda parte! Y no es que InterWorld termine en punta, sino que sencillamente quieres saber más de estos mundos y dimensiones que Gaiman y Reaves crean.
February 26, 2018
Joey Harker has no sense of direction. He has even managed to get lost in his own house.
But one day, on a social studies assignment, he outdoes himself. He wanders out of his own world into a neighboring dimension where he doesn't exist.
Beings from assorted other neighboring worlds and dimensions are now after him for his worldwalking ability. There are the people from Hex, who want to boil him down to his essence, and use him to power their ships. There's also another empire among these alternate worlds, ruled by science. Earth itself is somewhere in the middle, leaning science, not yet irrevocably committed--or conquered by either side. There is also InterWorld, an organization, backed by whom we don't know, committed to keeping balance between the opposing forces.
Joey's main adventures in this first book in the series are with Hex and InterWorld. He's believed to be the most gifted new Walker in many years, and Hex wants to, as noted above, cook him down to his essence and use that to help power their fleet of conquest.
This is obviously not a good career choice, and Joey is recruited by Jay, an InterWorld agent who is in fact an older version of Joey himself, to be an InterWorld agent.
He's got a lot to learn in a short time, and the first training mission he and his team are sent on goes very, very wrong.
This is not high literature. It does not reach the heights one might expect of a Neil Gaiman book. It's a young adult adventure in space-time and related dimensions. It's fun. It won't be for everyone, especially if you're expecting some of the really fine work Gaiman often produces, but I enjoyed it.
Recommended with the caveat noted above.
I bought this audiobook.
But one day, on a social studies assignment, he outdoes himself. He wanders out of his own world into a neighboring dimension where he doesn't exist.
Beings from assorted other neighboring worlds and dimensions are now after him for his worldwalking ability. There are the people from Hex, who want to boil him down to his essence, and use him to power their ships. There's also another empire among these alternate worlds, ruled by science. Earth itself is somewhere in the middle, leaning science, not yet irrevocably committed--or conquered by either side. There is also InterWorld, an organization, backed by whom we don't know, committed to keeping balance between the opposing forces.
Joey's main adventures in this first book in the series are with Hex and InterWorld. He's believed to be the most gifted new Walker in many years, and Hex wants to, as noted above, cook him down to his essence and use that to help power their fleet of conquest.
This is obviously not a good career choice, and Joey is recruited by Jay, an InterWorld agent who is in fact an older version of Joey himself, to be an InterWorld agent.
He's got a lot to learn in a short time, and the first training mission he and his team are sent on goes very, very wrong.
This is not high literature. It does not reach the heights one might expect of a Neil Gaiman book. It's a young adult adventure in space-time and related dimensions. It's fun. It won't be for everyone, especially if you're expecting some of the really fine work Gaiman often produces, but I enjoyed it.
Recommended with the caveat noted above.
I bought this audiobook.
May 10, 2015
Science fiction is not usually Neil Gaiman's forte, but I doubt many would suspect that after reading Interworld. Granted, he doesn't quite abandon his use of mysticism and, in my opinion, it's one more thread adding to a rich tapestry of story weaving.
Like with Coraline, Gaiman is appealing to a younger audience than the one he usually writes for. Unlike Caroline, I don't think he quite hit the mark. The general plot and some of the vocabulary might prove frustrating to someone younger than high school age since it's dealing with inter-dimensional possibilities and all the quasi-scientific terminology associated with it.
While I wouldn't say it's impossible for a 9 to 12 year old to enjoy Interworld (in fact, I think they would like it a lot), I think it's one of those books that a parent should consider their child's reading level before blindly buying. Similar to novels like A Wrinkle In Time, this might be a novel to read with your kid if they like books, but aren't yet a strong reader.
Although I'm well over the recommended reading age, I can honestly say this was an entertaining, fanciful read for me with sincere characterization and genuine suspense. Imagine how much a 9 to 12 year old would enjoy it?
Like with Coraline, Gaiman is appealing to a younger audience than the one he usually writes for. Unlike Caroline, I don't think he quite hit the mark. The general plot and some of the vocabulary might prove frustrating to someone younger than high school age since it's dealing with inter-dimensional possibilities and all the quasi-scientific terminology associated with it.
While I wouldn't say it's impossible for a 9 to 12 year old to enjoy Interworld (in fact, I think they would like it a lot), I think it's one of those books that a parent should consider their child's reading level before blindly buying. Similar to novels like A Wrinkle In Time, this might be a novel to read with your kid if they like books, but aren't yet a strong reader.
Although I'm well over the recommended reading age, I can honestly say this was an entertaining, fanciful read for me with sincere characterization and genuine suspense. Imagine how much a 9 to 12 year old would enjoy it?
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