Book Review: A Thousand Pieces of you by Claudia Gray

Rating: 5 stars

Target audience: Young adult and Adolescent

   First off, let me begin by admitting that I first took an interest in this book because of its cover. I know that’s breaking a cardinal rule but come on, just look at it. Advertising experts somewhere should really take notes!

Finishing this book was sad, because it was a really awesome ride that...well ended. The main character is Marguerite who is the very artsy daughter of two very scientifically-inclined physicists. Her parents have invented a device that allows inter-dimensional travel: The Firebird. But it looks as if their assistant, Paul has murdered her father, destroyed their research and escaped into a parallel universe to escape justice, or whatever it is that criminals do when they run away. So she does what any devoted revenge-seeking daughter would do. She uses one of the devices (which by the way have never actually been tested) to go right after him. Oh and did I mention that this girl kind of likes Paul? So she is mad! Very mad! This is where things get interesting.

I don’t particularly believe in parallel universes, but for fiction, it’s an entertaining idea. Like what would happen if she ended up in a timeline where world war two never happened, of we didn’t win it? Or what about a parallel universe where we have finally destroyed that planet and all that stuff about rising coastlines and erratic storms is a reality. The author explores such possibilities really well and I think the demographic that would really enjoy this book is pretty obvious. And the thing I’m most excited about is the sequel. Despite the fact that it doesn’t even have a title yet!

Happy reading!