A river called time
Courttia Newland
Description
The Ark was built to save the lives of the many, but rapidly became a refuge for the elite, the entrance closed without warning. Years after the Ark was cut off from the world--a world much like our own, but in which slavery has never existed--a chance of survival within the Ark's confines is granted to a select few who can prove their worth. Among their number is Markriss Denny, whose path to future excellence is marred only by a closely guarded secret: without warning, his spirit leaves his body, allowing him to see and experience a world far beyond his physical limitations. Once inside the Ark, Denny learns of another with the same power, whose existence could spell catastrophe for humanity. He is forced into a desperate race to understand his abilities, and in doing so uncovers the truth about the Ark, himself, and the people he thought he once knew.
Review
This book has many controversial reviews related to it. I gave it a phrase of "The most puzzling interesting complex book I've ever read". It's divided into four sections with each section following the parallel world theory to converge fully at the final section.
The first section is more straight forward fantasy piquing interest that bleeds into the second section that would have you assuming it a continuation but will later find out is a whole new storyline with very similar characteristics (admittedly this is where I started to loose interest a bit but my habit of seeing every book to the end kept me going and I'm glad I did). The second section then bleeds to the third following the same pattern but then this all converges beautifully in the final section giving you the complete picture.
"This book is a story about four different channels in the "River of time" that rub against each other until finally deciding to mix via a particle in one channel". (Read the book and you'll understand the reference 🌚)
PS: I enjoyed the section after the epilogue where the author briefly explains his thought process and all research material, I could really feel the effort.
Review date:11th June, 2023