Dark Matter
Author: Blake Crouch
Publisher: Crown
Genre/Themes: Thriller, Science Fiction
Release Date: July 26th 2016
Page Count: 342
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781101904220
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Chapters/Indigo | Goodreads
“Imagine you’re a fish, swimming in a pond. You can move forward and back, side to side, but never up out of the water. If someone were standing beside the pond, watching you, you’d have no idea they were there. To you, that little pond is an entire universe. Now imagine that someone reaches down and lifts you out of the pond. You see that what you thought was the entire world is only a small pool. You see other ponds. Trees. The sky above. You realize you’re a part of a much larger and more mysterious reality than you had ever dreamed of.”
Dark Matter is one of those books that makes you think. I mean seriously, it made my brain think in ways it has never had to think before while reading this complex yet fast-paced new novel by Blake Crouch.
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“Are you happy with your life?” Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the masked abductor knocks him unconscious. Before he awakens to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits. Before a man Jason’s never met smiles down at him and says, “Welcome back, my friend.”
In this world he’s woken up to, Jason’s life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college physics professor but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable–something impossible.
Is it this world or the other that’s the dream? And even if the home he remembers is real, how can Jason possibly make it back to the family he loves? The answers lie in a journey more wondrous and horrifying than anything he could’ve imagined—one that will force him to confront the darkest parts of himself even as he battles a terrifying, seemingly unbeatable foe.
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What I Liked
- I loved the science-fiction aspect of this thriller. I’ve read quite a few thrillers in the past and it is definitely one of my favourite genres, but with the added aspect of a science fiction twist on things, Dark Matter really stood out as an interesting and unique read.
- I loved how fast paced it was. Thrillers and science fiction in general have the tendency to be slightly long winded. They can be over descriptive and feel like they’re dragging on forever. However, Blake Crouch managed to write one of the most fast-paced novels within this genre that I have ever read. His writing style was so quick and to the point and while it dealt with a bit of science jargon, I was able to understand almost everything that was going on.
- I loved that it made me think. Dark Matter seriously made me consider all of the possible life choices I have ever made. It kind of freaked me out a little…but I liked it?
- The idea of multiple alternate timelines. This isn’t a unique concept per se (Community, Misfits and Back To The Future have all dealt with the idea), but it was done in such a way that was creative and original.
What I Didn’t Like
- I had a few moments of confusion, and I suppose I have been left with a few questions, but honestly, I REALLY enjoyed the heck out of this novel.
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So now I’m left with my thoughts. What if I had made a different choice at some point in my life many years ago and it completely altered the way I live my life today? What are all the other Marias doing right now? Excuse me while I go and contemplate all of the choices I have ever made throughout my entire lifetime. *existential crisis ensues*
About The Author
Great review!! I loved Crouch’s Wayward Pines trilogy (soooooo much better than what they did with the show, ew) and this one sounds awesome!
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Thank you! I’ve always wanted to read the Wayward Pines trilogy and now I’m definitely going to make it a priority!
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I highly recommend it! Not gonna lie, i started watching the first 2 episodes of the show first before I realised it was a book, then devoured all 3 within a 2 week period. Then I picked the show apart, which is prolly why I stopped reading books I haven’t read just to see their show/movie counterparts. I keep ruining them for myself!! XD
I’m still holding out hope that maybe Crouch will write a follow up to the trilogy cause man…..so so good. I hope you LOVE THEM when you get to them! They’re just as fast paced as Dark Matter sounds. ♡♡♡
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I remember hearing of the show and having no idea that it was based on a novel series until I saw it at Walmart! I’m glad I haven’t seen the show yet haha! I hope I get to read the series soon!
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Fantastic review! I’ve been seeing more and more good reviews of this, and it totally sounds like something I’d love. I need to read it!!
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Thank you! It was really really good! I loved it more than I thought I would!!
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I have to read this book! I keep seeing everyone rave about it and I love the whole alternate timeline aspect. I love how you highlighted the fact that it made you think about difference choices you’ve made and how one choice could have changed something in the present. I’ve actually thought about stuff like that before after watching/reading other alternant timeline type things and it’s definitely an interesting thing to think about haha. I’ll have to pick this one up when I get the chance. Great review! 😊
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The idea of alternate timelines really makes you think eh? I highly recommend reading it soon! Thank you for the compliments!! 😀 ❤
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You’re welcome 😊♥. It really does!
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