Book Review: Tandem (Many-Worlds #1) by Anna Jarzab

Summary: 
Everything repeats.
You. Your best friend. Every person you know.
Many worlds. Many lives--infinite possibilities.
Welcome to the multiverse.


Sixteen-year-old Sasha Lawson has only ever known one small, ordinary life. When she was young, she loved her grandfather's stories of parallel worlds inhabited by girls who looked like her but led totally different lives. Sasha never believed such worlds were real--until now, when she finds herself thrust into one against her will.

To prevent imminent war, Sasha must slip into the life of an alternate version of herself, a princess who has vanished on the eve of her arranged marriage. If Sasha succeeds in fooling everyone, she will be returned home; if she fails, she'll be trapped in another girl's life forever. As time runs out, Sasha finds herself torn between two worlds, two lives, and two young men vying for her love--one who knows her secret, and one who thinks she's someone she's not.

The first book in the Many-Worlds Trilogy, Tandem is a riveting saga of love and betrayal set in parallel universes in which nothing--and no one--is what it seems.

Release Date: October 8, 2013
Age Group: YA
Source: Review copy from publisher
Reviewed By: Kelli

Review:
I'm new to the premise of the multiverse, having read only two books in this sub-genre, but I'm really loving the concept.  Tandem was such a great read, and I can't wait for the next book in the Many-Worlds series!

Jarzab focuses Tandem on two worlds: Earth as we know it, and Aurora, an analog of earth.  Aurora is very similar to Earth but with some key differences (which is how analogs work).  Sasha herself is an analog: she has a double on Aurora.  She is kidnapped by Thomas, a member of Aurora's King's Elite Service, to stand in as Juliana, who is a princess on Aurora and who has recently gone missing.

The concept of body doubles was really neat.  I enjoyed that aspect of the story.  Jarzab's pacing was perfect: the plot moved at a great pace and there were no slow parts.  I loved watching Sasha become attached to the people on Aurora: at the end she was conflicted about going  home, not wanting to leave her friends on Aurora.  

There's a mystery element to Tandem as well, which was very well-done.  I liked the intrigue and thought the plot had a lot of depth to it.  For a first novel in the series, Tandem was full of action and was not slowed down by world-building.  

Tandem was the perfect mix of sci-fi, mystery, and love story.  It was well-written, moving, and fast-paced.  There were plenty of surprises along the way as well.  I loved this book and can't wait for the next one!




3 comments:

  1. Tandem sounds intriguing! I've never read multiverse but would love to start! <3

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  2. I have been curious about this book since I first saw the awesome cover. Love it! Thanks for sharing. :)
    ~Jess

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  3. Glad you liked this one, Kelli. I didn't like it as much as you did, mostly because I thought the parallel world was a bit boring and I didn't really understand what was so pressing about the princess missing.

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