Science in Fiction (#5): Resonance by Erica O'Rourke

Welcome to this month's Science in Fiction feature! Science in Fiction is a meme I created to showcase the wonderful aspects of science in Young Adult fiction novels. For more information and previous feature, check out the "Science in Fiction" tag!

This month, I'm featuring Resonance by Erica O'Rourke!

Dissonance review | Resonance review

Resonance is the sequel and conclusion to Dissonance. In this series, there are Walkers, who are able to cross from Key World to other alternate worlds. Del discovers a familiar face, Simon, in the multiverse, and converses with his Echoes. In Resonance, Del finds that the Echoes of people in Key World are just as important as the people in Key World, and that cleaving the other worlds might be detrimental to everyone and everything she knows.

Today, I'm going to talk about the multiverse!

According to Merriam-Webster, the multiverse is defined as 

a theoretical reality that includes a possibly infinite number of parallel universes

There are many multiverse hypotheses in physics, two of which are created by Max Tegmark and Brian Greene. Tegmark wrote a book, Our Mathematical Universe, that details a number of astronomical theories. Tegmark believes there could be four levels of the multiverse, whereas Greene believes there could be nine levels. There are theories that our universe came into contact and crashed into other universes. The multiverse theories are complex and diverse, and a lot of them can be mind-boggling. Check out Wikipedia's "Multiverse" page - I know, as a student, that Wikipedia isn't very accurate, but look at the various theories presented by scientists!

Brian Greene did an interview with NPR, which I found to be very interesting. As you can see from his multiverse theory, Greene is pretty convinced that parallel universes exist. To understand the evidence to his theory, you have to under string theory, which is a concept of physics that I personally haven't studied very well. I have studied quantum mechanics a little - which Greene says is important to understand on the smaller scheme of things. Einstein's theory of relativity is important too. Here's a little background:

Einstein's Theory of Relativity

a theory, formulated essentially by Albert Einstein, that all motion must be defined relative to a frame of reference and that space and time are relative, rather than absolute concepts. - Dictionary.com

String Theory

a theory in physics: all elementary particles are manifestations of the vibrations of one-dimensional strings. - Merriam-Webster

String theory kind of blows my mind a little bit, but Greene believes that the multiverse theory allows from the "strings" of string theory, as well as other surfaces. And when those surfaces collide, or break apart after collision, there is an exchange of energy. Measuring energy before and after collisions can prove that debris from collision is going somewhere - into surfaces ("membranes") of the multiverse.

Dense, I know. I'm summarizing, too. In Resonance, Del learns in Walker school all about cleaving worlds and the release of energy that cleaving a world provides. The Consort wants to cleave worlds because the Key World will be stabilized and sustained with so much energy. Energy is such a vague concept, but in Resonance, it's the reason why parallel universes are destroyed, and in our world, it's evidence of the multiverse.

There are a number of physicists that believe the multiverse is real, and that there are infinite universes out there. Personally, as a scientist and engineer, I'd need to see more concrete and proved evidence, but I'm open to the idea of parallel universes. At least, infinite universes. There is a lot about time and space that we don't understand - so, why wouldn't it be possible?

So, readers. What are your thoughts on the multiverse? Anyone interested in string theory, Einstein's Theory of Relativity, of quantum physics? :D

Swoon Thursday (#124): Resonance by Erica O'Rourke

Swoon Thursday is a hot meme hosted by the fabulous ladies at YA Bound!

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is Resonance by Erica O'Rourke!

His mouth was gentle and sweet and tentative, and then less tentative. He tasted like spiced honey, soothing and stirring all at once, his hands weaving through my hair and sliding along my neck, my skin glowing wherever he touched. I opened my eyes for the briefest second, but my vision blurred, want and tears and joy making it impossible to see. My blood sparkled, so buoyant I thought I might fly away. I pulled him onto the bed with me, anchoring myself with his weight, kissing him so deeply I lost track of where I ended and Simon began.

- eARC, 58%

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Dissonance review | Resonance review

I love this series! This particular excerpt is from a rather emotional scene, one of my favorites of the book :)

Review: Resonance by Erica O'Rourke

Resonance by Erica O'Rourke

Book Two of the Dissonance series

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

Publication Date: July 21, 2015

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from Edelweiss

Summary (from Goodreads):

As a Walker between worlds, Del is responsible for the love of her life—and the fate of millions—in this thrilling sequel to Dissonance.

Del risked everything to save Simon, and now he’s gone, off in another world with no way for Del to find him.

She’s back at the Consort—training to be a Walker like everyone in her family. But the Free Walkers have other plans for her. This rebel group is trying to convince Del that the Consort is evil, and that her parents are unwittingly helping the Consort kill millions of people. The Free Walkers make Del the ultimate promise: if Del joins their fight, she will be reunited with Simon.

In agreeing, Del might be endangering her family. But if she doesn’t, innocent people will die, and Simon will be lost to her forever. The fate of the multiverse depends on her choice...

What I Liked:

It's been a year since I read Dissonance! That book was one of my favorite books of 2014, with a gorgeous cover to match. Since then, the covers have been redesigned - I LOVE the original cover of Dissonance, but I definitely think these new covers are unique! Del's stars are great symbolism to place on the covers, and the light/dark contrast of the background throughout the series. Interesting! And I'm pleased to say that this book did not disappoint at all!

Be warned, there may/will be spoilers for BOOK ONE - Dissonance. As always, I will do my best not to spoil anything occurring in this book. Keep in mind, what I consider a spoiler or not spoiler depends on perspective! Given that I've read this book, I'll have a good feel for what I'm revealing or not revealing. So you're pretty much safe from spoilers for Resonance! But not necessarily for Dissonance. If that makes sense.

Del is still grieving from Simon's departure into a different world, but she refuses to believe that he is gone forever. When the Free Walkers reach out to Del and tell her that Simon might be safe, Del wants proof. Help the Free Walkers and see Simon - or work for the Consort. With Monty in an oubliette and Lattimer forcing Del to interrogate Monty about the "weapon" the Free Walkers have, Del knows what she will do. Worlds are at stake, lives are at stake, Del's life is at stake, but nothing will stop her from righting wrongs and stopping the destruction of the multiverse.

Ahh, it feels like just yesterday, my heart was broken over Dissonance's ending. It didn't take long, once I started reading Resonance, for O'Rourke to piece my heart back together. Del finds out that there is a chance that Simon is alive and unharmed, and she fights to know more, to find him, to bring him back. So many secrets are revealed in this book, and many surround Simon.

There were so many twists in this book, so many secrets! It felt like bombshell after bombshell was dropped, but in a good way (not overwhelming). A lot of things started to come together and make sense, which was really nice to see. I don't think readers are left with many questions by the end of the book - if any at all. I certainly didn't have any. I was too busy hugging my Kindle and squealing with giddiness.

Del continues to grow in this book, and becomes more headstrong. She's impulsive and reckless, but by the end of the book, it's clear that she has matured throughout the series, though she remains impulsive and temperamental. I liked Del in Dissonance, and I liked her in this book. She might be impulsive, but she's a determined and strong young lady who knows how to make up her mind.

I thought this was going to be one of those books where the male protagonist is absent for like, the entire book - but no so! Simon is very much present throughout the book, in one way or another. It's pretty interesting to see how O'Rourke brings him back into the story, and this occurs fairly quickly. So, fear not! Simon returns, and is a huge part of the story (not just in terms of the romance!). Simon is his usual hilarious, cocky self, and I loooooove him!

The romance... ooo, so swoony! Seriously, this OTP is probably one of my favorites, to be honest. Del and Simon are magical together! And quite steamy, too. Simon is very laid back and a bit cocky, and Del is a rule-breaker and impulsive - the combination is really good! Both of them move worlds to find each other (literally though), and both of them love with their whole hearts (and not just each other - their family, friends, etc.). This series' romance is one of my favorites - the relationship is developed, no love triangle, and sizzling chemistry!

The conflict in this book is so much more complex than the synopsis (and my own brief summary) leads on, and this is very well-written, in my opinion. As this series is only a duology, a lot of conflict and high stakes action occurs in this book. My heart was pounding in many places, and I couldn't finish fast enough! The scenes are engrossing and riveting and I was both hooked and terrified (terrified of what would happened if this happened/who might die/what if they got caught, etc.). O'Rourke did a great job with constructing the plot of this book!

The ending is very satisfying, though it is not a happy-go-lucky ending. Everyone suffers somehow, most of all Del. But the ending is a good one, people. Trust me, it's a very satisfying ending - there's no way you can close this book and feel disappointed. This is definitely a series I'll want to reread in the future - if not immediately!

What I Did Not Like:

Not much that I didn't like, which always surprises me, when I can't think of something. Every book isn't perfect, but this one was quite amazing!

Would I Recommend It:

I highly recommend this duology. For one, it's only a duology (and there is a novella, Harmonic), so no more waiting. Two, the story is very intriguing and exciting. Three, the romance is beautiful and steamy at times. Four, the concept is super unique! The terminology I've not seen used in YA novels before, nor the musical basis to the parallel world theory (parallel worlds are not new to YA). I love how unique this series is!

Rating:

4 stars. A lovely conclusion to a fabulous duology! I'm so glad I decided to give Dissonance a shot (I don't usually like parallel worlds/alternate universes types of novels). This duology is definitely one of my favorites! I'll be pushing the series on everyone, just you wait and see.

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

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Blog Tour Promo and Excerpt: Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke

WELCOME TO THE DISSONANCE BLOG TOUR!! I am so thrilled to be a part of this excerpt tour for a book that I absolutely loved! Check out the excerpt below, and then hop along to the next tour stop!

But first, if you feel so inclined, check out my glowing review of Dissonance! :D

Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke

Book One of the Dissonance series

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: July 22, 2014

Summary (from Goodreads):

Delancy Sullivan has always known there’s more to reality than what people see. Every time someone makes a choice, a new, parallel world branches off from the existing one. Eating breakfast or skipping it, turning left instead of right, sneaking out instead of staying in bed ~ all of these choices create an alternate universe in which an echo self takes the road not travelled and makes the opposite decision. As a Walker, someone who can navigate between these worlds, Del’s job is to keep all of the dimensions in harmony.

Normally, Del can hear the dissonant frequency that each world emits as clear as a bell. But when a training session in an off-key world goes horribly wrong, she is forbidden from Walking by the Council. But Del’s not big on following the rules and she secretly starts to investigate these other worlds. Something strange is connecting them and it’s not just her random encounters with echo versions of the guy she likes, Simon Lane.

But Del’s decisions have unimaginable consequences and, as she begins to fall for the Echo Simons in each world, she draws closer to a truth that the Council of Walkers is trying to hide ~ a secret that threatens the fate of the entire multiverse.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Indiebound

About the Author:

I write books about girls who make their own fate and fall for boys they shouldn't.

I live outside Chicago. I like to travel but I'll never really leave this city. 

I prefer cookies to cake (even cupcakes), television to movies, and autumn to all the other seasons.

I like sushi, naps, coffee, and driving stick shift. 

I hate fish, emoticons, bridges, and talking about myself. 

(from Goodreads)

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Missed a post of the tour? Click HERE to backtrack to the first post!

The Excerpt:

“We’re not here to troll for guys, Del.”

 “You’re not, anyway. I’m sure we could find you someone.” I pointed to a girl biking on the other side of the pond. “She’s cute.”

Playing matchmaker for Addie wasn't a bad idea. Not that the outdoorsy type was right for my her. She needed someone as effortlessly polished as herself. But if she had a girlfriend, maybe she’d be too busy to notice my mistakes.

Her green eyes took on a warning gleam. “Leave it alone, Del. Him, too.”

I shrugged. “He’s a break. I was getting a reading for my homework.”

“Some reading,” she replied.

“How long have you been spying on me?” I asked, trying to draw her attention away from Simon.

“Long enough to see you get that balloon down. There was nothing wrong with that kid. You should have left her alone.” She crossed her arms, her face taking on the pinched, fussy look that made her look older, and not in a good way. “We have rules for a reason, Del.”

“She was miserable.”

“So? She’s an Echo. It doesn't matter.”

It matters to me, I wanted to say. But Addie was right. Echoes weren't real people, only copies of Originals, no matter how alive they seemed. Still, her response, practical and dismissive, nettled me.

“Whatever.” I glanced over at Simon, roughhousing with Iggy. The discord surrounding them scraped along my nerves, growing louder the longer I watched. “Why are you here?”

“Dad asked me to help you with your homework. I left you three different messages.”

“Didn't get them,” I said airily, pulling Simon’s wallet out of my pocket. I held up the out-of-state license that claimed he was twenty-four. “This is a terrible ID. They’d totally bust him.”

“You picked his pocket? Did Monty teach you?”

“Who else?” She frowned as I continued, “Simon’s Original is the star basketball player at my school. He’d never try to sneak into a bar. What’s the harm in keeping this one out of jail, too?”

“It’s pointless,” she said, swiping at a wisp of strawberry blonde hair that dared escape the neat twist at the nape of her neck. I never understood how she was able to get her hair to behave. Mine was a perpetual mess – reddish brown, unruly as tree bark, black at the ends like they’d been dipped in a pot of India ink. “He’s not even real.”

Simon’s palm on my bare leg had felt pretty damn real, but I kept that tidbit to myself.

Ready for the next excerpt? Click HERE to keep going!


BUT WAIT! Before you go! There will be a twitter chat with Erica (@Erica_ORourke) on July 23rd at 8pm ET. Use the hashtag #DissonanceChat to follow. The chat will be moderated by Heidi at YA Bibliophile (@hmz1505)! BE THERE OR BE LOST IN AN ECHO WORLD FOREVER! ;)

Review: Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke

Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke

Book One of the Dissonance series

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: July 22, 2014

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from Edelweiss

Summary (from Goodreads):

Delancy Sullivan has always known there’s more to reality than what people see. Every time someone makes a choice, a new, parallel world branches off from the existing one. Eating breakfast or skipping it, turning left instead of right, sneaking out instead of staying in bed ~ all of these choices create an alternate universe in which an echo self takes the road not travelled and makes the opposite decision. As a Walker, someone who can navigate between these worlds, Del’s job is to keep all of the dimensions in harmony.

Normally, Del can hear the dissonant frequency that each world emits as clear as a bell. But when a training session in an off-key world goes horribly wrong, she is forbidden from Walking by the Council. But Del’s not big on following the rules and she secretly starts to investigate these other worlds. Something strange is connecting them and it’s not just her random encounters with echo versions of the guy she likes, Simon Lane.

But Del’s decisions have unimaginable consequences and, as she begins to fall for the Echo Simons in each world, she draws closer to a truth that the Council of Walkers is trying to hide ~ a secret that threatens the fate of the entire multiverse.

What I Liked:

Ooo, I liked this book a lot! I'm not sure if I was expecting to like it, before reading it, but I can say that I've been waiting to read this book for over a year, and not just because S&S released the gorgeous cover early. I'm really fascinated with the concept of parallel worlds. O'Rourke approaches the concept in an interesting (and slightly confusing) way. I'm hooked!

Del is a Walker, one who can enter and leave Echo worlds, which are like parallel worlds, but they aren't real. They're worlds that exist because of choices - they are Echo worlds, the worlds that don't technically exist, because a different choice was made. Del makes a mistake and cleaves a world (meaning, she unraveled it, made it not exist anymore), and suddenly, it seems like her actions have serious consequences. Something is very wrong with the other Echo worlds, and Del, being Del, is determined to figure it out, despite the fact that she is all but banned from Walking. 

I LOVE the awesome world (worlds?) that O'Rourke has created! I can't imagine the amount of research and imagination and creativity that must have went into perfecting the world/worlds of this book! Everything is very complex, tangled, intertwined. Keep in mind, this book is NOT a time-travel novel. Nothing Del does in the Echo worlds affects what goes in the Key world. Except for making that Echo world disappear. But that turns out not to be her fault, as readers should expect. There is something greater afoot, something bigger than just one world being cleaved by a slightly unskilled girl. I loved all of the complications of the alternate worlds, all of the quirks and risks, the simple things (like the frequencies), and the big ones (like the inversions).

Del is reckless and fearless - it's very clear in this book. In so many YA books, we see "strong" heroines who are actually girls who are terrified of making decisions. In this book, Del doesn't even think about her decisions - it seems to be intrinsic to her, to break the rules, to keep Walking, to keep seeking out Echo Simon (and real Simon). I love this fearlessness in her. It's very reckless, and sometimes foolish, but it's a wonderful quality to have, in my opinion. 

I love Simon, the male protagonist. This book is super long, and a good portion of this book is about him specifically. Del keeps seeing him everywhere in Echo worlds - and the thing is, none of the Echo should even SEE her, let alone recognize her. In real life, Simon thinks he's day-dreaming, so he doesn't think what he sees in the Echo worlds are real. But Simon is a huge part of Del's focus. Why can he see her? Why does his Echoes remember in each Echo world? And why does she care about him so much, both the Echoes and the real him (which are technically the same person)?

Simon is a cocky guy, but he is also persistent and sweet. I do love that combination, especially in a guy. We get to know more about Echo Simon (all the variations), and we get to know more about real Simon, and while I really like Doughnut Echo Simon, real Simon is my favorite. Obviously, not only is he a plot point and pivotal character in this novel, but he is also a love interest. Him and Del don't have the easiest relationship (thanks to all the Walker secrecy), but I do like them together.

Speaking of the romance... I liked the romance. I liked the chemistry between Del and Simon. I liked the on-and-off tension, the flirting, the hot-and-cold act. Usually I'd get sick of it quickly, but I loved the back-and-forth between Del and Simon. I thought there would be a love triangle, but thank goodness that "leg" of the love triangle is one-sided. Never mind that I mentioned anything about a love triangle. Think DEL AND SIMON. Because that's that.

I liked that this book focused a bit on relationships (other than romance). Del spends the book furious at her sister, who basically turned her in when she made the mistake of cleaving the Echo world (despite the fact that Del saved Addie's life, when Addie the Perfect Walker froze up). I didn't like Addie at all, but she had her merits and uses. I didn't really like Eliot, Del's best friend, though he definitely had his uses. He's a genius, but he seriously needs to get laid. There is also Del's relationship with her parents - for the duration of this book, it seems like Del is pissed at her parents for going with her punishment for cleaving the world, and pissed at them for never being there. Totally understandable. And finally, there is Del's relationship with her grandfather, Monty. I liked Monty, even until the end.

Basically, I really enjoyed this book! I don't think I need to say anymore. I'll definitely be catching the second book (thank goodness there will be a second book)!

What I Did Not Like:

I think one of the only things that I didn't really like was the amount of terms that I really didn't understand too well. Like, the Baroque world, and inversions. I can kind of figure out that inversions are sort of like ripples in the world, or wrinkles? Maybe? I'm not even sure. Because that sounds too much like a Break. And Baroque worlds? I've got nothing.

There is a lot going in this book, both directly relating to the alternate worlds and indirectly relating to the alternate worlds, so there is plenty of room for confusion in this book in general. I had a bit of trouble with the alternate words and the terms (as I mentioned), as well as some of the limitations and rules of the Echo worlds, but I think a re-read as well as the sequel might solidify my understanding of the parts of the alternate worlds that I don't currently understand.

Would I Recommend It:

If you're a science fiction person, then DEFINITELY! I'm going to give a solid maybe, if you're not a science fiction person. This book is long and very heavily involved in the alternate worlds and the science of everything. The romance definitely fills in the book though. So. There's that.

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded down to 4 stars because of the slightly confusing elements, and the slightly cliff-hanger-like ending. I'm not saying anything else about the ending though. Read the book for yourself, you'll see what I mean!

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