How the Multiverse Got Its Revenge

Arithmancy and Anarchy, the Thorne Chronicles Series, Book 2

By: K. Eason

Narrated by: Nicole Poole

Rory Thorne must use the fairy blessings gifted to her to change the multiverse in the second book in this space opera duology.

After avoiding an arranged marriage, thwarting a coup, and inadvertently kick-starting a revolution, Rory Thorne has renounced her title and embraced an unglamorous life as a privateer on the edge of human space.

Her new life is interrupted when Rory and her crew - former royal bodyguards, Thorsdottir and Zhang, and coconspirator Jaed - encounter an abandoned ship registered under a false name, seemingly fallen victim to attack. As they investigate, they find evidence of vicious technology and arithmancy, alien and far beyond known capabilities.

The only answer to all the destruction is the mysterious, and unexpected, cargo: a rose plant. One that reveals themself to be sentient - and designed as a massive biological weapon. Rose seeks to escape their intended fate, but before Rory and her friends can get Rose off the derelict ship, the alien attackers return.

Rory and her friends must act fast - and wisely - to save themselves, and Rose, and maybe the multiverse, too, from a war humanity cannot win.

©2020 K. Eason (P)2020 Tantor

Original and fun despite confusing narrator voicing.

Dear K.Eason,

I find your characters and story, wealth of female agency in a sexist multiverse, depictions of races and ethnic/racial attitudes and politics, and especially the fairy-tale twist original and delightful. How awesome that a fairy gift, instead of putting the poor girl to sleep for a hundred years, provided the receiving princess the agency it took to change the world, I really enjoyed that, every single time she discerned truth from lies. So fun!

That’s why I kept reading despite the fact you don’t separate the 2nd person narrator’s “historical context” function in the story from the omniscient 3rd person narration that drives the plot. That tendency of yours is maddening.

Your chronicler/historian is writing in from the far future, so how is it she’s privy to exact dialog, character thoughts, action exactly as it unfolded?

I found it frustrating that the action & conflict rises, and then the chronicler intervenes between action and audience, as if our unimpeded responses will derail the writer’s intentions. Every time, it was a break in the flow of a surprising and ripping good story.

For book 3, either commit to omniscience, or make the chronicler human. Provide us historical background with some wit, that’s fun and deepens our appreciation of the world you’ve building, AROUND the action. But when the action goes live, rather than occasionally inflicting the 2nd person on the flow, GET OUT IF THE WAY OF THE ACTION AND YOUR CHARACTERS! Might you make transitions more decisively and structurally to omniscient 3rd person, and do the story telling without outside commentary? Trust me…your audience gets it!!! (truth)

I can’t forgive you for that condescending epilogue.
We don’t need the chronicler to interpret what you, the writer made making CRYSTAL CLEAR through through strong character, crisis, plot structure and plot development!

In the 3rd book, please stop explaining, except when historical context is ABSOLUTELY NECCESSARY!!!! We want these terrific characters and this world to get on with their survival and growth, We don’t need you to say, “oh, btw, they were trying to survive.” Truly, that epilogue made me want to throw the book at a wall. ALL OF THAT WAS VERY CLEAR IN THE STORYTELLING!!!

I found myself skipping your redundancies to get straight to Rory thinking, speaking, reacting, making decisions, getting on with things.

Also enjoyed all the “meanwhile…back on the other ship” changes in locations. That’s where perspective comes from, not redundant chronicler commentary.

Let us have the pleasure of enjoying your humans and xenos, and all their politics and foibles without the ,”oh, btw, in case you didn’t see what I was doing here, this is my attempt at un-romanticizing heroism and big moments in history. Get it?”

I hope there is a third chronicle coming, and you put section breaks in to delineate 2nd person past chronicler voice from 3rd person present narrative, much as you have did with “meanwhile…” type location jumps. Forgive me if I have the terms wrong…I’m not a writer or English major. Just trying to communicate my pleasure in & frustration with your handling of Rory’s world.

Have you considered making your chronicler a human who makes mistakes just like other historians, rather than point out what’s already obvious?

Historian’s don’t write dialog: they quote letters and speeches. Might be more interesting to quote some of those, and draw false conclusions, then “meanwhile..” to the live action. However you do it, don’t rob us the pleasure of being the insider.

I would love to know more about those female-like fairies and all their fairy agency, and fairy politics regarding interference in the multiverse’s history. What’s their story?

Looking forward to more of your multiverse!

too long

I bought it because the writer is competent but found the story to be too long. The mishmash of science, magic, and steampunk is confusing. It is a weak vehicle to carry the drama that the author is trying to convey.

The story could have been covered in one Star Trek movie. So the time is pumped up with personal interactions, philosophy, and history lecture that becomes tedious.

One could imagine an old history professor pontificating this lecture, while his students sneak out for an early spring break, putting up cardboard cut-outs to hold their place.

this was tough

I really liked the freshness of the first book. you had to pay attention and it was action packed.
the same narration is here but for some reason it was a chore to get thru the first 3 hours. once the action started it felt like the first book.
because of this experience I'm not sure I'd get the 3rd book if there was one.

Ponderous

There are far too many characters. It’s political intrigue on too many levels. It had great potential and failed.

I adore the reader. She did an amazing job. She was the only reason I was able to finish the book.

Delightful!

The style of narration reminded me a bit of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - very witty and entertaining. The voice actor was very good, too. A joy to listen to.