How the Multiverse Got Its Revenge by K. Eason science fiction and fantasy book and audiobook reviewsHow the Multiverse Got Its Revenge by K. Eason science fiction and fantasy book and audiobook reviewsHow the Multiverse Got Its Revenge by K. Eason

Rory Thorne is back for another adventure in K. Eason’s How the Multiverse Got Its Revenge (2020). At the end of the first THORNE CHRONICLES novel, How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse, it looked like Rory was finished with politics. (“Does the multiverse really need more politicians?”)

Rory, Jaed, and their friends/bodyguards Zhang and Thorsdottir are currently working as privateers far away from civilization. Grytt and the Vizier are farming sheep on a remote planet.

They are all unaware of the revolutions and wars they sparked after the events of How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse. It’s been two years since then and Rory has renounced her title and position as princess.

Rory has no interest in returning to her old life, but princesses can’t just stop being princesses.

When she and her crew stumble upon a sentient bioweapon disguised as a rosebush that alien enemies are looking for, Rory is thrust back into another dangerous political adventure that could, again, have both personal- and mulitverse-shattering consequences. Fortunately, she has some loyal and competent friends, and her mom still has some influence, too.

K. Eason

K. Eason

The THORNE CHRONICLES continues to be mildly entertaining though much of this comes from its deliberately wordy style and funny figures of speech. The plot itself is uncomplicated and a bit sparse. Much of the word count is taken up by the amusingly (for a while) pompous wordiness rather than stuff actually happening.

Eason’s characters are endearing but I don’t feel attached to any of them. I might enjoy reading about them in a third THORNE CHRONICLES novel but, if it never appears, I’ll live. If I do read another THORNE story, I will definitely choose Tantor Audio’s edition. Nicole Poole gives a terrific performance.

Published in 2020. Rory Thorne must use the fairy blessings gifted to her to change the multiverse in the second book in this space opera duology. After avoiding an arranged marriage, thwarting a coup, and inadvertently kick-starting a revolution, Rory Thorne has renounced her title and embraced an unglamorous life as a privateer on the edge of human space. Her new life is interrupted when Rory and her crew — former royal bodyguards, Thorsdottir and Zhang, and co-conspirator Jaed — encounter an abandoned ship registered under a false name, seemingly fallen victim to attack. As they investigate, they find evidence of vicious technology and arithmancy, alien and far beyond known capabilities. The only answer to all the destruction is the mysterious, and unexpected, cargo: a rose plant. One that reveals themself to be sentient — and designed as a massive biological weapon. Rose seeks to escape their intended fate, but before Rory and her friends can get Rose off the derelict ship, the alien attackers return. Rory and her friends must act fast — and wisely — to save themselves, and Rose, and maybe the multiverse, too, from a war humanity cannot win.

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  • Kat Hooper

    KAT HOOPER, who started this site in June 2007, earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience and psychology at Indiana University (Bloomington) and now teaches and conducts brain research at the University of North Florida. When she reads fiction, she wants to encounter new ideas and lots of imagination. She wants to view the world in a different way. She wants to have her mind blown. She loves beautiful language and has no patience for dull prose, vapid romance, or cheesy dialogue. She prefers complex characterization, intriguing plots, and plenty of action. Favorite authors are Jack Vance, Robin Hobb, Kage Baker, William Gibson, Gene Wolfe, Richard Matheson, and C.S. Lewis.

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