Book Review: A Thousand Pieces of You

A Thousand Pieces of You (Firebird #1)
Published By: HarperTeen
Publication Date: November 4, 2014
Page Count: 368
Source: ARC Kindly Provided by Publisher via Edelweiss
Audience: Young Adult - Fantasy, Science Fiction

Wow. I was blown away by this one. It's not often that Science Fiction can keep me riveted, but Claudia Gray managed that easily with A Thousand Pieces of You. I was wrapped up in these characters to the point that I didn't want to go to work; I wanted to stay immersed in this world. This novel served as a reminder that the little, mundane moments need to be savored as much as the large, extravagant moments.

I've enjoyed Gray's past works, but this one outshines the rest. In my opinion, A Thousand Pieces of You, is Gray's strongest novel. I have read other novels about parallel universes, but the background behind all of the universe jumping in this one was fascinating. Furthermore, I loved these characters. Marguerite, Theo, and Paul all captured my interest from the opening chapter and still haven't let me go. I also fell in love with Gray's writing in this one: it's inventive and filled with vibrant, lush descriptions. My Kindle highlighter certainly got its work out while I was reading this novel. I have no idea how I am supposed to be okay with the lengthy wait for the next novel. 

Aside from the characters, I also found the dimensions to be a strength of this novel. I loved that while Marguerite might be traveling to a dimension that was "right next door", things could be completely different from what she was used to in her reality. In her first jump, she lands in a futuristic London with technology that is far beyond anything that exists in 2014. I loved her time in Russia and her underwater home in some of her subsequent jumps. The description of these dimensions was superb and allowed me to experience them along with the characters.

Another element I loved about this was the notion of what drives our existence: science or fate. If I lived in another universe, would I still have the same personality traits and desires? Would I still find some way to find my husband even if I wasn't the me I am now? Does the heart know what it wants in any time or place or are we slaves to the rules of science and mathematics? I like to think that fate would intervene on my behalf to help me find my soulmate no matter what time or place I lived in. 

A Thousand Pieces of You was one of those novels that I loved losing myself in. When the stress of real life encroaches, hiding in fiction has always been my favorite means of escape. This story provides the right blend of romance, adventure, and conflict to make it one of my 2014 favorites. Absolutely beautiful.


One Last Gripe: I was a bit worried about the whole love triangle thing, but I think Gray does a nice job with handling the characters' feelings and motivations.

Favorite Thing About This Book: I loved the time in Russia.

First Sentence: My hand shakes as I brace myself against the brick wall.

Favorite Character: Paul

Least Favorite Character: The Tsar 



Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing invention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite’s father is murdered, the killer—her parent’s handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

Marguerite can’t let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul’s guilt—and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father’s death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.

A Thousand Pieces of You explores a reality where we witness the countless other lives we might lead in an amazingly intricate multiverse, and ask whether, amid infinite possibilities, one love can endure.


Comments

  1. Couldn't comment on my phone. Great review! I wanna read it!

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  2. I used to not be sure whether I wanted to read A Thousand Pieces of You or not because when it was finally released, all the reviews started pouring in and they were either all for the book or not. The mixed reviews got to me and made me wonder whether this one was worth reading. I'm glad that it is after reading this review. And I love/hate that feeling when you love a book so much you just want to keep reading! I used to get bad because I would skip meals and not care lol. n_n

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    1. I didn't skip any meals, but I didn't sleep a lot while reading this one. I just wanted to stay in this world. The Russian setting was my favorite!

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  3. LOVE how characters are the real strength even if it's a very scifi story!

    Love how it's a unique version of scifi novels and I agree, her writing rocks :)

    Lovely review :)

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    1. I feel like this is Claudia Gray's finest work!

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  4. I have this gorgeous book and still haven't read it. Great review!

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    1. I hope you love it as much as I did when you get around to reading it. I agree - it is gorgeous!

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  5. Is it bad that I wanted to read this book simply for its cover?? I'm glad to know it's so great. I suspected since it was on many people's best lists for 2014.

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    1. Not at all, I have to admit I was initially attracted to it because of the cover. It's beautiful and fits the story well.

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  6. Thanks for the review. I too am a little ify on "new" sci-fi,

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    1. I always go into sci-fi expecting the worst so I'm always surprised when I love it. I figured that Claudia Gray could write something in this genre that I would enjoy because I have liked her previous novels.

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  7. This looks really good! I'm not usually a fan of sci-fi but this looks like it's really good!

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  8. This book sounds fascinating- I love characters that I can connect to- might have to add this one to the summer reading list :)

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  9. This book looks so unique and I absolutely adore the cover!

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  10. I've had this book for a long time, but haven't read it yet. We moved and now it's packed in a box somewhere. Your review makes me want to go dig through the garage looking for it!

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  11. I haven't read any of this author's books before...but I admit to keeping this book at a distance...I recall hearing some...not so good reviews about this one...hmm...maybe I'll need to reconsider this...

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  12. This is a book that I have really wanted to read for a while but haven't yet. I love the cover and it sounds so good!

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  13. I've heard of this book before but I never really paid attention cause the cover doesn't looks like something that would interest me at the first glance (I usually skip all the romance books) but I'm glad I read this review. I didn't know there was that much science stuff in it so I think my inner nerd would quite enjoy this!

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