Where Futures End

November 16, 2015
In this ambitious first novel, Peevyhouse tells five stories, each set further into the future and loosely connected to the others until, eventually, time begins to lose all meaning. Dylan is able to catch glimpses of another, fairy tale–like world, something that has caused him endless trouble. One day, he actually travels to the “Other Place,” where he spies “a distant city of glass like a gathering of soap bubbles,” ruled by a beautiful “Girl Queen.” Our world and an alternate universe have collided, he discovers, and people like Dylan can cross over, at least for a while. In the successive stories, the two worlds become increasingly entangled until disaster strikes. With each tale fitting into different subgenres of science fiction or fantasy—cyberpunk, heroic quest, mystical adventure—and new protagonists appearing every 60 pages, it’s a novel that keeps readers on their toes. Fans of adventurous, challenging fiction from the likes of A.S. King, David Mitchell, and Marcus Sedgwick should find this an exciting ride. Ages 12–up. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency.

Starred review from December 1, 2015
Five novellas weave together a possible future of a decaying world where everyone wants to find their way to the Other Place. Cunningly set in a moving future ("one year from now"; "ten years from now"), with stories that look back to one another, these novellas each portray a specific moment while also contributing to a thematic look at missed connections and toxic connections among both individuals and entire parallel worlds. From Dylan, who first finds his way across universes, to Quinn, who will need to destroy a world to save a world, Peevyhouse plays with the unspoken to hint at the larger ideas. Each teen grapples with similar issues, seeking love and purpose, and despite strange futures, the five protagonists remain recognizable and sympathetic. Each protagonist has "vorpal," a kind of will that can be imposed upon others and can bridge to the fairy-tale-like world of the Other Place (it's hinted that it may be shaped partially in response to human desire). The stories beyond the first one (Dylan's) provide a science fiction- and fantasy-imbued examination of the uncertain future of Earth (melting ice caps, rising wealth inequity, social media as collateral), parceled out with hints embedded in slices of individual lives. Strange and compelling, this won't be for every reader; the ones who love it will feel transported to another place. (Science fiction. 13 & up)

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Starred review from January 1, 2016

Gr 9 Up-In this series of interconnected novellas, Peevyhouse tackles ideas about technology, the environment, time, other worlds, and how we relate to one another. The novellas are interlocking and puzzlelike, the first set in a very near future and the final one taking place more than 100 years later. The final entry answers many questions raised by the first four, while leaving the entire book pleasantly unresolved. Readers will find much to contemplate and discuss. Those who have read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland will appreciate the layers of literary allusions. Peevyhouse does not spoon-feed her readers; instead she challenges them to bring their critical thinking skills to bear to adequately appreciate the work. While not necessarily for reluctant readers, this title has an audience. Hand this to fans of Marcus Sedgwick's Midwinterblood (Roaring Brook, 2013) or M.T. Anderson's Feed (Candlewick, 2002). VERDICT This thoughtful, idea-driven read will be appreciated by those who like their dystopian fiction to be a bit more literary.-Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2016
Grades 8-12 Since he was a boy, Dylan could sense things that others couldn't as well as influence how others perceived surroundings. This ability allows him to enter a magical world, the Other Place, where one day he vanishes without a trace. Ten years later, a girl receives a notebook from a stranger filled with Dylan's tales of the Other Place. In a world where everyone's lives are streaming on YouTube-like channels, the notebook goes viral, altering life on earth forever. The remaining three sections of the book focus on a different teen living further in the future30, 60, and 100 years outand humanity's evolving relationship with this alien world. Futuristic advances stand in sharp contrast to increasing economic disparity and environmental degradation, and the Other Place is not the enchanted sanctuary people hoped. Each story connects loosely with the one before, but the novel's sprawling scope keeps the narratives relatively thin. Still, Peevyhouse's ambitious debut offers readers plenty to ponder and will hold appeal for Marcus Sedgwick fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2016
Five interrelated stories, each set at a different point in Earth's future, explore the power of social media, economic inequity, and environmental decay over time. When the first story's protagonist discovers how to travel to a utopian alternate universe, the repercussions ripple forward into the other stories. Compelling characters, literary allusions, challenging adventures, and thought-provoking concepts make this is a smart science-fiction puzzle for tenacious readers.

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)