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October 14, 2013

Review: Tandem by Anna Jarzab

Tandem (Many-Worlds, #1)
Title: Tandem (Many-Worlds, #1)
Author: Anna Jarzab
Publisher:
 Random House Canada
Publication date: October 1, 2013
Genre(s): Young Adult (Sci-Fi/Parallel Worlds)
Source: Publisher
Format: Finished Copy
Pages: 428
Everything repeats.
You. Your best friend. Every person you know.
Many worlds. Many lives--infinite possibilities.
Welcome to the multiverse.


Sixteen-year-old Sasha Lawson has only ever known one small, ordinary life. When she was young, she loved her grandfather's stories of parallel worlds inhabited by girls who looked like her but led totally different lives. Sasha never believed such worlds were real--until now, when she finds herself thrust into one against her will.

To prevent imminent war, Sasha must slip into the life of an alternate version of herself, a princess who has vanished on the eve of her arranged marriage. If Sasha succeeds in fooling everyone, she will be returned home; if she fails, she'll be trapped in another girl's life forever. As time runs out, Sasha finds herself torn between two worlds, two lives, and two young men vying for her love--one who knows her secret, and one who thinks she's someone she's not.
I got into Tandem thinking it is a dystopian novel, however I find out it involves parallel worlds, analogs, and a politically unstable monarchy in a parallel world to earth. I've mentioned before that I haven't read much parallel world novels (other than Pivot Point by Kasie West) so this was a great book to broaden my knowledge of this genre. Tandem, while not without flaws, was a pleasant and satisfying read with a whooping 430 pages that might not have all been exciting, but the concepts behind many of the laws that govern Tandem's worlds were very fascinating, especially when explained from a physicist's perspective. 
Sasha, the main protagonist, finds herself center stage in a political and dangerous world known as Aurora. She gets kidnapped by Grant's analog; Grant being a guy in her school she's crushed on for years. Sasha however is the analog of the princess of Aurora, to be exact, the missing princess of Aurora. Which is why she has to pretend to be Juliana (even from the Queen, her step-mom) until they find the real princess. Unfortunately nothing is as it seems and clues are revealed to us that perplex Sasha as well as the readers, conspiracy theories get thrown here and there (mostly by me) and you really get involved in trying to solve this whole mystery of who is really in power and who is backstabbing who.. and yes, be prepared for a ton of backstabbing in this book. 
I have to say that I was surprised by Sasha's dilemma when she had the option to go back to earth.. I mean, family always comes first but she was willing to sacrifice that for Grant's analog, Thomas, who you should all have guessed (or bet on your life) is the main love interest in Tandem. I didn't care much for the romance initially but I have to say Jarzab portrayed Thomas in a very appealing way. I loved his POVs and wanted to know more about him. The ending isn't a cliffhanger that causes your jaw to drop, and I liked that. Tandem was definitely a unique concept and I can't wait to read more about this parallel world theory as well as the direction the author is taking with this series. 
 

11 comments:

  1. I think I am going to have to pick this up. I think it sounds great, and Sasha sounds like a fantastic character. Wonderful review.

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  2. I think I'm going to really like this book. The whole concept of parallel worlds is so fascinating! :) Great review.

    Mel@thedailyprophecy.

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  4. I really wanted this book when I first saw it, but just didn't pick it up for one reason or another. (Something else likely caught my attention more) But now I am somewhat unsure if I want to get it. I loved the concept of the parallel universe, but not sure if I would like a heavy political anarchy plot line.

    Hmmm, lots to think about with this one.

    Thanks for the review! Meagan @ Reviewing Wonderland

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  5. Haven't heard of this book before. Great review!

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  6. I love parallel concepts and this book sounds like a good one. Thanks for the review, Juhina :D

    -Dannielle

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  7. Great review :D I am glad you enjoyed this book so much. <3 I love the cover. Think the book sounds awesome. Will have to check it out :D Thank you for sharing. <3

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  8. Maybe it's wrong, but I actually am often turned off of books the names of the characters and I feel like this is something many readers feel but don't agree with! Sasha, hm, I feel it would bother me to read continually. The plot sounds great and the cover is absolutely gorgeous. Awesome review, I'll make sure to come here for recommendations more often!

    Between My Pages

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  9. Hmm I've never actually read a book about parallel worlds! I've got this one for review too but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. After reading your review, maybe I'll bump it up on my TBR list! Great review :)

    -Jessica (Peace Love Books)

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  10. I hate parallel worlds, they're so confusing!! Sasha sounds like a character who would bug me, choosing a guy over going home to her family?!? This is one I'll be passing on.

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  11. This one looks really interesting. Like you I haven't read many books that feature a parallel universe (none to be exact) but I'm interested. Great review :)

    -Mari @ The Sirenic Codex

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