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Review: How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse by K. Eason (Thorne Chronicles #1)

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How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse by K. Eason // VBC Review

How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse (The Thorne Chronicles #1)
K. Eason
Published: Oct. 8, 2019 (DAW)
Purchase at: Amazon
Review Source: Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by: Amy

Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars

Rory Thorne is the first female born to her name in generations. Therefore, if following tradition, she must be blessed by the fairies on her naming day ceremony—because ensuring she has beauty, grace, and a talent for playing the harp is a must. Already predisposed to buck tradition, however, Rory is blessed by not just twelve fairies, but a thirteenth fairy crashes the party to impart the gift (curse) to “find no comfort in illusion or platitude, and to know truth when you hear it.” Luckily, the twelfth fairy comes to the rescue and grants Rory courage.

Which is great because several years later, after an assassination attempt, a war breaks out between the Thorne Consortium and The Free Worlds of Tadesh that lasts for years. Until it is determined that an alliance can be reached by, you guessed it, MAWAGE! Specifically between Rory and Crown Prince of the Free Worlds Ivar once they both come of age. In the meantime, as an act of goodwill, Rory takes up residence on Tadesh and what she discovers will send the Multiverse spiraling before it is ultimately, you know, Destroyed.

Rory Thorne is a wonderful twist on traditional fairy tales, yet also a lovely homage. Almost like a progression from where fairy tales originated to where they’ve gone (or are going) as we, as a society, also progresses. Turning the “traditional” women’s role waiting to be saved by the prince trope on its ear.  

The story utilizes the “Chronicler” or this kind of omnipresent narrator who is relaying Rory’s story to us, the reader. There’s often a dry tongue-in-cheek tone to the “voice” which was delightful, and I thought gave a lightness to the story. While I, overall, loved this writing device, I felt like it caused me to really need to focus on each and every word and sentence. Not a bad thing, honestly, but also doesn’t lend itself well, at least for me, if too many things were going on in the background while I was trying to read. I think that’s why it ultimately took me a little longer to finish the story. Because the story itself is engaging and relatively fast-paced. While the action is mostly relegated to political maneuvering, I don’t think it slowed it down whatsoever.

What really stood out for me were the concepts of alchemy and arithmancy and the connection between magic and science. It really encompasses the whole idea of this science fiction and fantasy world really well. I mean some could argue that the idea of science itself is a form of magic. That is, depending on your definition of magic. I was especially interested in the idea that both alchemy and arithmancy are things that can be taught, like a school subject. No one is limited by an inherent gift, everyone seemingly has the opportunity to excel at these sciences, but some people are more adept than others. I want to spend more time exploring these ideas and hopefully we’ll get that in the sequel.

Overall, Rory Thorne was a very satisfying read. I honestly wasn’t ready for it to end, and I look forward to seeing what happens next since, you know, she DESTROYED THE MULTIVERSE (not a spoiler it’s in the title)!

Sexual content: None

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