| Title | : | Now That Youre Here (Duplexity, Part I) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 038575390X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780385753906 |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 304 |
| Publication | : | First published December 9, 2014 |
One minute Danny was running from the cops, and the next, he jolted awake in an unfamiliar body—his own, but different. Somehow, he’s crossed into a parallel universe. Now his friends are his enemies, his parents are long dead, and studious Eevee is not the mysterious femme fatale he once kissed back home. Then again, this Eevee—a girl who’d rather land an internship at NASA than a date to the prom—may be his only hope of getting home.
Eevee tells herself she’s only helping him in the name of quantum physics, but there’s something undeniably fascinating about this boy from another dimension . . . a boy who makes her question who she is, and who she might be in another place and time.
And, coming soon, Duplexity, Part II: While You Were Gone flips this story on its head and tells the tale of the alternate Danny and the alternate Eevee, living in Danny’s parallel world.
"The perfect blend of sci-fi and swoons, Now That You're Here is like no other book I've read. Riveting, romantic and utterly original, it kept me up late!" —Amie Kaufman, author of These Broken Stars
From the Hardcover edition.
Now That Youre Here (Duplexity, Part I) Reviews
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Parallel universe books are my kryptonite these days… they are so incredibly intriguing to me on so many levels… I mean, while the science of it is interesting, so is the idea of the many different possible worlds with different versions of the same people living different lives than the one you’re currently in. It’s just a bit mind boggling when you actually think of the possibilities.
And Now That You’re Here really delves into that.
We meet Danny first… running from the cops when an explosion happens. When he wakes up, The Phoenix he was living in doesn’t even slightly resemble the Phoenix that he’s currently in, and the life he’s now in is so completely different than the one he left. In this life his parents are dead, in this life he has no real friends, and in this life the Eevee he meets in class, bears no resemblance to the one he knows back home. He now has to depend on and earn the trust of people who know him as someone completely different.
Eevee is the kind of girl I can get on board with … she’s super smart and interesting. In fact most of the characters in this book are super geeky and intelligent and they don’t apologize for it and they don’t try to change to fit in with the cool kids because they are already amazingly cool. So when Danny follows her home and explains what is going on she doesn’t really know what to think… this is a kid who isn’t quite a part of her crowd, but for some reason she feels a pull to help him. Even knowing what “Danny” did to her best friend doesn’t keep them from connecting.
So there’s some romance and swoons here my friends. This Danny is drawn to Eevee and Nichols does a really good job at getting me to swoon when these two have their moments.
“She sits on the handlebars to give her feet a rest from the pegs. Her dark hair streams toward me. I let the wheels laze to the left and then to the right, pedaling just fast enough to keep us moving forward. She grips the bar and her laughter rises up to the sky. No Spectrum. No checkpoints. Total freedom and perfect company. The sun is hot on my back and my leg muscles burn, but you couldn’t pay me to be anywhere else.”
Let me chat about the science part of the story for a second… Like I said, the science of this somewhat interests me, but I don’t know if that is what drew me to the story so it was nice to not be overwhelmed with the facts. Nichols does an amazing job of making what she does include here understandable and she weaves the fiction and the fact wonderfully.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, the pacing is well-done, the world-jumping isn’t confusing and the characters are wonderfully layered and intriguing. So intriguing that I’m super excited for the second book, the book that tells the story of the “other” Danny & Eevee living in this Danny’s life.
If you’re looking for a story from a debut author that will have you riveted and wondering about the how’s and why’s, something that has wonderful swoons & sweet romance, something with exciting twists and turns that will have you guessing what’s happening until the very end, then you’ll definitely want to grab this one when it comes out.
I’ll be over here eagerly waiting for Book 2!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. -
Ok, seriously I have tried to read this book about three times now. I first time I was not feeling it at all. So I stopped after about 5 chapters. Then I saw other people raving about this book and so I decided to try again. Nope it was not happening for me. Nothing about this other world excited me. Also, I found Danny and Eevee boring. Plus, what is with all of the talking. I need more action and adventure. Lastly, I tried this book again only this time I skipped ahead some and read some more. Nothing new had changed, There was still a lot of talking and I was still not intrigued by the characters and what was happening to them.
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Very mind-bendy! I've always been fascinated by the possibility behind multiple dimensions, and this book explores the science behind that theory while giving us a heaping dose of romance...which I also love! I wonder if a "me" in another dimension just finished reading "alternate Amy's" book. ;)
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This book was awesomesauce. GIVE ME THE SEQUEL.
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Why you should read it: I have read so many parallel universes lately and love each author's twist on the genre and the science behind it. Eevee and Danny are one of my new favorite YA couples. They are both smart, Eevee viciously so, and the way Danny describes her, how he sees her, just makes my heart melt. Watching them fall in love is a treat. Since we get to see each character in alternating chapters, it's easy to feel the pull between these two. I'm also super excited about the sequel because I hear it will be about the "other" Danny and Eevee. That's so interesting to think about. Danny's world is nothing like Eevee's, and those two will have a really cool story. I have already put it on my TBR list!
Head over to the HEA blog to see what Amy's parallel universe would look like :)
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev... -
Very Nice Book. Perfect Science Fiction.
I'm going to read the next book right away. Here I go...... -
What a fun, fascinating and absolutely delightful story Amy K. Nichols’ NOW THAT YOU’RE HERE is. The science is presented in a way that is engaging and intriguing. The characters are likable, entertaining and utterly adorable. The author’s take on the multiverse will make you wish you could travel between universes. And the ending will make you wish you had the sequel.
When Danny Ogden finds himself in a world that is completely different from his own except for a girl who looks exactly like the alluring girl he’d just met in his world, his only goal is to find a way to get back home to his family and his friends. But when he discovers that this alternate universe he landed in is not anything like the oppressive, danger-filled one he’s from and this girl is even more captivating than the girl he left behind, finding a way to stay becomes his new objective.
Eevee Solomon has always loved math and science and for things to be ordered, precise, logical, absolute. But when the boy who’d never been anything more than an unresponsive seat-filler in her English class injects himself into her life, asking for her help and looking at her as if she’s someone worth looking at, someone beautiful, she can start to see the appeal of a life that is unpredictable and uncertain. Even if it means accepting the fact that when it comes to love there are no absolutes. Especially when the boy who has the potential to change her life so completely could disappear from it at any moment, taking her heart with him.
Told in their alternating point’s of view, readers will get to know both characters, see what they’re up to when they’re not together, get peeks at Danny’s universe and learn the secrets that he’s keeping from Eevee about what’s really happening there.
NOW THAT YOU’RE HERE is a quick and thoroughly enjoyable read filled with exciting and interesting concepts, touches of humor, suspense, mystery and light romance, and a storyline that promises even more action and excitement when flipped to the characters in the alternate universe.
Amy K. Nichols’ debut brings together two unlikely characters for a completely absorbing, interdimensional love story and adventure that will appeal to readers who are intrigued by the possibility of multiple universes, who are thrilled with the idea of meeting different versions of an author’s characters, who prefer their science presented in a way that is easy to grasp, and who love their stories to continue beyond just one book.
Original GR comments:
What an amazing book. Loved the characters and the science. The ending is killer. Dying to know what happens for this Eevee and Danny and for the two in the other universe.
A total one-sit-read. Love, love, loved it!
Review TK. -
This is not a typical read for me. It is not that I have not read the occasional YA novel that I thought was interesting, either in concept or an author who interested me. In this case I met the author Amy Nichols briefly at a comic-con party. I was impressed by her knowledge of Science Fiction and clear obvious attention to science in her work. When she explained what this novel was about I knew I would want to check it out.
Now That You're Here is not written with an audience like me in mind. This YA sci-fi novel has a sub-title 'When Worlds Collide Hearts Break.' I think the target audience is nerdy hopeless romantic teenage women. I am a nerdy hopeless romantic so that was more than enough for me. Some of the romance was syrupy sweet, but I kept in mind the target audience and was about to enjoy the story telling craft of the romantic elements.
So keep in mind these romantic moments are woven into a ultra-nerdy tale of multiverses, alternate realities, Chaos Theory and super sciencey science fiction. The story follows Danny Ogden who is fighting for survival in a dystopic Phoenix Arizona when suddenly he is thrust into a reality - Maybe our reality. He wakes up in English class, and things are different. His parents are dead, he lives in a foster home, there is still a functioning democracy in america and the outsider artist he had a crush on Evee Solomon is a straight A student. Evee becomes his one hope, she is the one who believes him.
Together two souls born in separate realities come to together to solve the mystery and seek a solution for Danny. Will he go home? If he does can he ever see Evee again?
None of this works without excellently written characters. Nichols does lots of things well, she weaves a story that handles, character plot and complex science very well. The most impressive trick is doing all these things in a story that manages to make it a appealing to a young reader. I was super entertained and flew through this book in three commutes. I am looking forward to reading book two! -
"A boy shows up at my door and sets off a series of events that shatters everything I understand about the universe.
"And my place in it."
Danny has spent his entire life pushing back against the totalitarian restrictions his government has put in place to monitor citizens in the name of law and order. Sometimes that means putting up coded messages in graffiti on city walls. Danny knows that this kind of tagging is dangerous, but he's also positive that this will be the last time.
Then everything blows up.
When Danny wakes up he is still himself. But not quite. Longer hair, less muscle, and definitely not on the run. Things get even weirder when Danny realizes he recognizes the girl sitting next to him.
Eevee is calm, collected, and knows exactly what she has to do to get the best grades to get into the best college and then get the best job. She doesn't know anything about Danny or why he seems to think he knows her as anything more than a classmate. She also doesn't know why this new version of Danny is making her question everything she thought she knew about her life.
Thrown together by the most unlikely of circumstances, Danny and Eevee will have to work together to get Danny back home to his own universe before time runs out in Now that You're Here (2014) by Amy K. Nichols.
Now That You're Here is Nichol's first novel. It is also the first Duplexity book. The second novel, While You Were Gone, will be a mirror image of Now That You're Here. It is slated for a 2015 release.
Told in alternating chapters by Eevee and Danny, Now That You're Here is an interesting addition to the sub-genre of alternate universe stories. With action, romance and lots of science, this story is a great introduction to the world of YA science fiction as well as a dramatic story for anyone looking for their next impossible romance.
Nichols populates the story with quirky characters including Eevee's parents and her best friend Warren. While Nichols makes several nods to diversity with a disabled parent (not seen in this novel but perhaps they will feature more largely in book two) as well as parents who were never marries. Both points were unbelievably welcome and refreshing. Unfortunately an entirely different character is revealed to have no lower legs with no references made to any concessions needed for such a disability (to the point that no one knew this character was disabled and they didn't even use a cane) which lowered the entire effort to lip service more than actual mindful inclusion.
It's difficult to judge Now That You're Here on its own knowing that it is the first part of a duet. Ideally, many of the flaws in this novel will be smoothed over in the second volume. It seems likely that these stories are more a case of one book in two packages rather than two distinct stories. Nonetheless, readers only have one half of the story here which leaves many plot points to develop off page as Danny catches glimpses of his home universe and later explains what is happening to readers.
The development of Eevee and Danny's relationship is similarly jarring as it lacks a basic foundation and instead escalates to all-out love very quickly. This abrupt shift in both characters' feelings also makes for some very murky character motivation as the story progresses.
Set in present-day Arizona, Now That You're Here offers tantalizing hints of an alternate history and what it's like for Danny to live in his own universe. The dual-narrative structure also offers readers a very faceted view of the story that will likely expand even more when the companion novel is punished. This book is an obvious choice for readers looking for a sweet romance with a lot of action in any genre.
Possible Pairings: Little Brother by Cory Doctorow, A Crack in the Line by Michael Lawrence, Hourglass by Myra McEntire, Parallel by Lauren Miller, Fair Coin by E. C. Myers, The Shadow Society by Marie Rutkoski, Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone, All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill, Pivot Point by Kasie West
You can find this review and more on my blog
Miss Print -
I am a happy book lover lately. Not that I'm ever unhappy to be a book lover, but slumps happen, bad books in a row happen, and it can get very frustrating. Lately, with one exception, I have been having great luck. Thankfully, that streak continues with Now That You're Here. Hence, I am a happy book lover!
Eve Solomon and her best bud Warren are physics geeks. the search for geocache's, they talk physics and Star Wars and Elvish and Clingon. After school and weekends, they hang out with Mac, the physics teacher at their school, and talk physics and help him with welding projects. They live in Phoenix, Arizona. Danny Ogden is a street artist, working for Red December with his best friend Germ. Danny went to an art exhibit and was kissed by Eevee. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
One day in class, Eevee is startled when Danny bolts upright in his seat and gasps for air. He looks at her, startled, before running out of the classroom. That night, he winds up at Eevee's house, broken and bruised, begging for help because she is the only person he knows. What he tells her makes her think he is a lunatic, but then.... something is different about Danny. Could he be telling her the truth?
Now That You're Here is told in alternating POV's, Danny and Eve. Eve and Warren are trying to figure out how to get Danny home. But is that really what Danny wants? Or Eve? Does it really matter what either of them want?
This was such a fascinating story. I loved the physics lessons, and the geekery in the story. It made me smile every time Warren pulled out the Spock. It was interesting to watch Danny try to make this alternate Danny's life his own, and maybe make it better for him. I loved watching Eve and Danny getting to know each other, and seeing that friendship turn into the sweetest of romances. And it broke my heart knowing that their hearts might very well be broken. Now That You're Here was a fast-paced thrill, with seriously wonderful characters who were relate-able; who I rooted for from page one. The science was interesting and not too advanced so that everyone can understand what is happening, and what is being said. The romance was sweet and honest, and one that I can easily root for. Never once did I feel myself getting bored. As a matter of fact, I had to make myself put the book down to get something to eat or run errands. And as soon as possible, the book was back in my hands.
I loved this story of parallel worlds, parallel people. The writing was fantastic and flowed beautifully. The world-building, while maybe a little sparse, was still done extremely well. The POV switches were done perfectly. I never once had a hard time identifying who was speaking. This story was wonderful, and I loved every minute. I hope to see news about a sequel soon! The ending was heartbreaking, but perfect as the set-up for a sequel! I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone!
Quotes
" These guys are hairy and rude and they stink. I wouldn't be surprised if they started picking mites off each other and eating them" ~ Location 905, Kindle
"She flies the last few feet, falls against me, and before I can even catch my breath, my arms are full of awesome. 'I've got you.' My arms squeeze her tight as I kiss her face and hair. 'I thought you were gone.' Her cries echo off the overpass walls. 'I thought I was, too.' I look into her eyes. 'Don't let me go. Please. Don't. Let me. Go.' Then my mouth is on hers and her lips taste like saltwater tears." ~ Location 2631-2635, Kindle -
*Reviewed on Mundie Moms on 3/1/2015*
I think most of you know that I love a time travel story when it's well written and the time travel science is logical (but not overly detailed because let's remember that I cried through most of my AP Physics class). My other requirement is for characters who are truly believable because let's face it, if you end up in a time travel situation, there are some logical reactions you should experience.
Now That You're Here swaps characters in two parallel universes and presents it with dual points-of-view. That's what I liked the best, the two povs. I immediately understood geeky Eevee, but it was Danny who proved trickier to understand. I think I truly saw him through Eevee's eyes and therefore had trouble reconciling the slacker in one world with the rebellious tagger from the other world. But none of that mattered, because what I ultimately fell in love with was their chemistry, and I found myself hoping that somehow their relationship will find a way to work out.
A story like this depends on solid world-building and Amy delivers that and more. The oppressive world that Danny comes from forms a nice contrast to Eevee's world. The expected complication of Danny figuring out the world he's landed in and Eevee trying to use all the scientific answers she knows to explain why Danny is so different made the pace quick. Once all the pieces were in place, I had that can't-stop-reading-now feeling and plowed through the story in one sitting.
Without giving away any spoilers, I will say that lucky for all of us readers, there will be a Duplexity #2 (While You Were Gone) which will be released this August. Time travel buffs will zoom through this story and want to travel to parallel universes for that sequel. -
2.5 stars
the story about parallel universes is so interesting and its the only good thing about the book. first there is danny who ends up in a completely strange town then discovers its a completely different universe and he kinda freaks out?!like just a little bit?!..all he can think of is the girl he met two seconds ago?!and then he turns out to be fifteen i dont know why i hated the fact that the characters are so young but i really really did.then there is eevee the supposedly nerdy girl but all we know is that she has real smart friends and she can make art out of fractals so is she smart or what?!and the pace is so slow i died of boredom.the plot is not that good and there's alot of "convenient coinsidences"
the magor reason why i didnt like the book is that eevee and danny spend like three weeks together and now They're lovy dovy and all.. wow that escalated quickly!
i think maybe a young audience will find this novel entertaining. i mean a really young audience -
Not as good as I hoped it would be.
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Apparently Danny, a graffiti artist, has absorbed so much paint chemicals that he is like a neutron star and has traveled to a parallel universe. This was more science than I needed so it didn't appeal to me very much. I did like Warren but that was it. I will not be searching out the sequel.
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I want to thank Random House for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give an honest review. Receiving this book for free has in no way altered or influenced my opinion or review.
Review can also be seen on
The Cover Contessa
I have to say that I am all about the science fiction. So when I read the blurb for this book, and it included all kinds of science, I just had to get my hands on it! And then I read that it involved parallel universes and I just love that. I always like to watch how the author puts the paradox on the page. And this book didn't disappoint with that. And it takes a totally unique view on the parallel universe theme!
I think the best thing the author did for this book was to tell it in dual point of view. I'm pretty sure there is no way we could have really understood what was going on without watching from both Danny and Eevee's POV.
Danny is in an interesting predicament. He's actually the one who traverses parallel universes. In one world he's a total loser who hasn't made anything of himself. But at the same time has a terrible home life which probably leant to his demise. On the other hand, Danny is truly smart in the parallel universe. And his family is intact. It's interesting to watch how Nichols compares and contrasts the two worlds as Danny bounces between them (though his experience with his true world is fairly limited - I'm sure we'll get more in the second book).
Eevee is pretty much your typical nerdy teen. She's totally into science. She's super smart, able to figure things out with pretty much the blink of an eye. Geeky and intelligent hardly begin to describe Eevee and her best friend Warren. They live for science.
I loved that while Nichols included romance in this book, it's certainly not the center of everything (though in the long run it holds a very important space). You certainly feel the build up between the characters, and the tug that each of them has towards each other. But it's more subtle as opposed to full on swoon.
The plot is complex and twisty, but not so much so that you can't follow it if you aren't a geeky science nerd. Things are explained in ways that make it easy to see where the characters come up with their ideas and theories. And the plot has some great twists and turns. I love that Danny experiences more than just the universe he seems to be stranded in. I also love that although it's totally different from what he's used to, and he has loss in it, he feels a pull towards wanting to remain there.
The book is fast paces and fun. It flowed easily. I will say there were parts when I was a bit bored with it, but I pushed through because I really wanted to see what happens in the end. And what happens is a bit of a cliffhanger. So of course I'm more than ready to jump into the next book and find out what happens to the characters. Lovers of Kasie West's Pivot Point will enjoy this quick fun debut read from Nichols. -
Danny gets dumped into another Danny's body. And I had to giggle because he's so different from the stoner boy that his mind takes over. Our hero is polite, an artist, an athlete and an academic. The author unfolds it a with a lot more grace than this nauseating list of perfection and it works. I liked seeing the surprise on people's faces when new Danny is just being himself in old Danny's body. Danny does suffer a little because his new body is not as fit as his own and he can't do the things he used to.
Danny's world is much more harsher than Eevee's with curfews and restrictions.
Eevee loves science. Her passion for physics is really adorable. Even though it's a bit of tell and not show, I wasn't in the mood for science talk. This is the cutest conversation.
“Don’t you think it’s strange that you met me in your universe, and then just happened to end up next to me here in my class?”
“No,” he says, not looking up from his paper. “I think it’s awesome.”
“I’m serious. Isn’t that a bit too coincidental?” I tap my pencil on the table. Every system has an underlying order. Every microcosm is a reflection of the macro. In an ordered system, is there room for coincidence?
Unless…
“What if you’re a nonlinear complication in our deterministic system?”
He looks up. “Are you even speaking English?”
“If you’re nonlinear here, are you nonlinear in every parallel system? But if you’re consistently nonlinear, then that would make you linear.” My brain starts to cramp.
He puts his pencil down and stretches. “I have no idea what you’re saying.”
“What if Eevee and Danny meet in every universe?”
He grins. “Sounds perfect.”
I just liked that she doesn't make a big deal about it. She loves physics and it affects the little things in life like the way she spells her names.
Things started getting a little boring towards the end but I started getting interested again as Danny faces this universe Danny's problems. I liked seeing him try to make his borrowed body's life better. While it may not be realistic, I liked seeing how a little kindness can affect a ratty relationship.
Sometimes I really loved Danny and Eevee together. Other times, it feels too insta-love and makes no sense why Danny would want to stay in this parallel world. If you really think about it, it is completely retarded that after one week he would want to give up his freakin' parents and best friends for nothing else but one girl that he just met. -
At a Glance:
Okay so I immediately thought of She's All That. I love that movie! Any story with the "IT" boy falling for the geeky girl, count me in! I am such a hopeless romantic. Let's not forget the touch of science. After reading A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray alternative worlds are my new addiction.
Cover:
Just take a look at the cover! Doesn't it screams fun? With all the bright colors. Such an interesting and artistic cover.
Action:
I've come to learned that when it comes to alternative worlds, action is a requirement. The book starts with Danny running away from the cops and then BANG - an explosion occurs. He is keeping a secret from his universe. The mystery and suspense makes one wish to be jumping from one universe to the other to learn more.
Just image the possibility of having parallel universe and the many version of one human being is quite intriguing.
Heroine/Hero:
This is not a superhero type of book, but I have to say Eevee Solomon is such a sweet and loving character. She is that geeky girl that always comes with a scientific answer. To her, math and science explains everything. The reason why the world is logic and absolute. Once she realizes Danny is from an alternative world, this makes her realize that not everything is predictable or explainable. It changes her life.
Romance:
The popular boy falls in love with the geeky girl. Now That You're Here leaves readers wanting more of this romance. It sucks to fall in love with someone that does not belong in your world.
Something I loved:
Eevee is selfless. She cares so much of Danny that she put everything aside to help him find his path. I really liked this. I also loved how two unlikely characters fall for one another.
Something I didn’t like:
Though the book was fun, at times I felt the story drag here and there. Also, not a lot happens. I know this is an introduction to a series, which may be the reason why. Danny comes to Eevee for help and trying to find out how to get back to his universe. This is about how far the story goes. The biggest negative is the cliffhanger. UGH. Why do I always do this to myself? Start a series and wait for the second book to come out a year after?
Would I recommend it?
I would recommend this book to lovers of parallel universe - Now That You're Here will provide an introduction of a fun and exciting new adventure. -
ELEANOR & PARK meets Sliders.
If you're looking for a realistic, slow build romance with a sci-fi twist, NOW THAT YOU'RE HERE is the book for you. Comparing it to ELEANOR & PARK is a big claim, but in this case it's a fair one. The two protagonists (who alternate POV) are very different yet equally realistic characters. They each have family issues that they are dealing with and those families are made up of fully fleshed characters. Often with books that are as high concept as this one, the characters don't end up being as dynamic since the plot does the heavy lifting. Conversely, in character driven stories, the plot is often secondary to the character arc. What's so great about NOW THAT YOU'RE HERE is that it is high concept and character driven. In fact you could actually remove the parallel universe premise and have a solid contemporary YA with a really sweet romance with nothing insta about it.
That's not to say it's a perfect book, there are a number of things in this book that require suspension of belief--and I'm not even counting the theoretical physics. It's hard to buy into two 15 year olds figuring out how parallel universes work, believing a former bully who claims to be from one without anything close to proof, and having a teacher who used to work for the government but who now conveniently is secretly working on travel between parallel universes etc. etc. There is a lot of convenient stuff going on. But, honestly, it didn't bother me as much as it could have because of the characters and solid writing.
Parallel universes are big in YA right now from the already published TANDEM, UNRAVELING, and PARALLEL to the upcoming DISSONANCE. Not to mention the sequel to this book, WHILE YOU WERE GONE, which tells the story of the Eevvee and Danny in the other universe. Based on the tantalizing--and Big Brother esque--details revealed in this book, it promises to be another thrilling read. -
*Reviewed by Sophie for Mundie Moms
I think most of you know that I love a time travel story when it's well written and the time travel science is logical (but not overly detailed because let's remember that I cried through most of my AP Physics class). My other requirement is for characters who are truly believable because let's face it, if you end up in a time travel situation, there are some logical reactions you should experience.
Now That You're Here swaps characters in two parallel universes and presents it with dual points-of-view. That's what I liked the best, the two povs. I immediately understood geeky Eevee, but it was Danny who proved trickier to understand. I think I truly saw him through Eevee's eyes and therefore had trouble reconciling the slacker in one world with the rebellious tagger from the other world. But none of that mattered, because what I ultimately fell in love with was their chemistry, and I found myself hoping that somehow their relationship will find a way to work out.
A story like this depends on solid world-building and Amy delivers that and more. The oppressive world that Danny comes from forms a nice contrast to Eevee's world. The expected complication of Danny figuring out the world he's landed in and Eevee trying to use all the scientific answers she knows to explain why Danny is so different made the pace quick. Once all the pieces were in place, I had that can't-stop-reading-now feeling and plowed through the story in one sitting.
Without giving away any spoilers, I will say that lucky for all of us readers, there will be a Duplexity #2 (While You Were Gone) which will be released this August. Time travel buffs will zoom through this story and want to travel to parallel universes for that sequel.
Read Sophie's FULL REVIEW here
http://mundiemoms.blogspot.com.es/201... -
See this review and more on my blog,
Lilybloombooks
Quite honestly, I hadn't heard of this one until I was asked to review the second book, While You Were Gone. Which is a shame, because I would have snagged this one up right away before!
Alternate dimensions/parallel universes has always been a fascination of mine. I don't/can't follow the ALL science aspects in most of them, mainly because it goes straight over my head. So I loved how light Now That You're Here was. Meaning, she did an amazing job weaving together the story and the science without havingthe reader,ME, scratching my head in confusion.
Imagine finding yourself in a different world, where your parents are dead, your friends aren't what they seem and the world around you is completely different? That is what happens to Danny. Thrown from his universe to Eevee's.
While this was on the shorter side, it packed a thought-provoking punch and never let up on the action. Eevee questions who she is in her world and what she would/could be like in another, while Danny's thoughts are consumed with his undecided thoughts on if he wants to return to his own universe.
The romance is on the lighter side - but it drives both characters. It's enjoyable and sweet, and I loved its development. I appreciate the ending, because well.. spoiler. ha! -
This review is mainly for teachers, librarians, and parents:
I confess that I don't normally read sci-fi or Romance, which this book would fit in both genres, but I loved NOW THAT YOU'RE HERE by Amy Nichols. From the first sentence she had me hooked. The story is told in two point of view chapters--Eevee and Danny--so boys as well as girls would enjoy this book. It is heavy on STEM, and I know geeky students of both genders just like these characters, so they were fully formed to me. The author did a wonderful job explaining the physics behind the multi-verses and wormhole so even readers who do not excel in science and math would be able to follow along and buy into the premise. The language is accessible to fifth grade readers (Lexile 560) and there is no sex (sweet romance, light kissing) and practically no violence (an abuse foster father, one hit off stage/page). I can safely recommend this book for middle grade (MG) as well as YA readers. Readers of series will anticipate the next in this series.
I checked this book out of a library to read. Those who read ALIENATED by Melissa Landers would enjoy NOW THAT YOU'RE HERE by Amy Nichols, too. -
Read my full review at
http://blackwords-whitepagesteenya.bl...
Wow, what a refreshing read on time travel. This is a really cool read in a Science Fiction Nerd type setting. I loved the setting of the story and the characters were remarkably awesome. I loved how the author brought this story to life with Science being the main part of the story. It's a magical story that kept me turning each page, and craving to read more, even to the point of that I NEEDED to know what was going to happen next and how everything was going to come out. I am usually not a Sci-Fi reader but this story has changed my mind and I am a fan of it forever. It's a magical, mystical, and mysterious story all rolled into one fascinating and fantastic read that I know all ages from teen to adult will love. I highly recommend this story to all. I borrowed my copy from my local library and if you want to read it, check your library, and if they don't have it, suggest that they get it and read this awesome book. -
It's fine, a little thin in places, but that's not particularly new for short YA books. Nichols does a good job of making character voices distinct, but int some places it almost starts to feel like a formula--each character relates to the world through their interests. Eevee is symmetry and science, Danny is street art, &c. The supporting characters tend more toward "tropes" than actual characters, and the plot is pretty blah, especially as a SF&F reader like me. The second book sounds more interesting, and I'll maybe pick it up at some point, but nothing about Now That You're Here made me really want to go out and grab the second part.
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Delivering science and romance in equal doses, NOW THAT YOU'RE HERE was a fun, quick read. I would have liked to spend more (read: any) time in the alternate universe, but perhaps that's where the sequel's headed. Fringe fans should definitely check this one out.
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I need the sequel, like yesterday. Such great multi-dimensional characters AND multi-dimensions. Loved this one.
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Thanks to the pubs and a Rockstar Book Tours for letting me read this awesome title. Look for me review tomorrow @ pleasefeedthebookwormcom.com
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The Paranormal universe was interesting, the rest... Less so, boring.
