Review: Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
It didn't break my brain!
My Thoughts
Since this was the 2nd time this book had been voted for the HA Group Read on my watch, I figured I'd better get it read!
I was afraid to start this, truth be told, because I read many reviews that said it was very mind-bending, confusing, and scientific. I was genuinely afraid it would break my brain. I am happy to report that now that I’ve finished my brain is no more broken than it was before I began Dark Matter. So if you’ve been hesitant to read this based on those on rumors, have no worries. It is not in any way shape or form a horror novel however so if you’re expecting that you will be disappointed. It’s more of a character based thriller and a pretty awesome one at that.
I will not go so far as to say that I understood the mechanics behind everything, especially at the turn of mind-boggling events in the last act, but I can say that it never slowed down the book for me or left me hopelessly lost in a sea of scientific jibber-jabber. I wanted to keep going because it was exciting and captivating and all of those delicious things and mostly because I grew to care about the characters so much.
I’m not saying anything about the plot because everyone else has done that already but also because I am lazy and you will enjoy this most going in cold, if you still can. Just read it. It’s good stuff!
A Bit About the Writer
Blake Crouch is a bestselling novelist and screenwriter. He is the author of the novel, Dark Matter, for which he is writing the screenplay for Sony Pictures. His international-bestselling Wayward Pines trilogy was adapted into a television series for FOX, executive produced by M. Night Shyamalan, that was Summer 2015's #1 show. With Chad Hodge, Crouch also created Good Behavior, the TNT television show starring Michelle Dockery based on his Letty Dobesh novellas. He has written more than a dozen novels that have been translated into over thirty languages and his short fiction has appeared in numerous publications including Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Crouch lives in Colorado.
The best way to stay apprised of new releases is to sign up for his newsletter, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
SciFi Thriller
Released July 2016
Amazon ♦ Goodreads
From the author of the bestselling WAYWARD PINES trilogy, a brilliantly mind-bending science-fiction thriller in which an ordinary man is kidnapped, knocked unconscious—and awakens in a world inexplicably different from the reality he thought he knew.
Jason Dessen is walking home through the chilly Chicago streets one night, looking forward to a quiet evening in front of the fireplace with his wife, Daniela, and their son, Charlie—when his reality shatters.
It starts with a man in a mask kidnapping him at gunpoint, for reasons Jason can’t begin to fathom—what would anyone want with an ordinary physics professor?—and grows even more terrifying from there, as Jason’s abductor injects him with some unknown drug and watches while he loses consciousness.
When Jason awakes, he’s in a lab, strapped to a gurney—and a man he’s never seen before is cheerily telling him “welcome back!”
Jason soon learns that in this world he’s woken up to, his house is not his house. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born.
And someone is hunting him.
Is the life Jason remembers just some crazed dream? And can he survive long enough to discover the answers he needs?
SciFi Thriller
Released July 2016
Amazon ♦ Goodreads
From the author of the bestselling WAYWARD PINES trilogy, a brilliantly mind-bending science-fiction thriller in which an ordinary man is kidnapped, knocked unconscious—and awakens in a world inexplicably different from the reality he thought he knew.
Jason Dessen is walking home through the chilly Chicago streets one night, looking forward to a quiet evening in front of the fireplace with his wife, Daniela, and their son, Charlie—when his reality shatters.
It starts with a man in a mask kidnapping him at gunpoint, for reasons Jason can’t begin to fathom—what would anyone want with an ordinary physics professor?—and grows even more terrifying from there, as Jason’s abductor injects him with some unknown drug and watches while he loses consciousness.
When Jason awakes, he’s in a lab, strapped to a gurney—and a man he’s never seen before is cheerily telling him “welcome back!”
Jason soon learns that in this world he’s woken up to, his house is not his house. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born.
And someone is hunting him.
Is the life Jason remembers just some crazed dream? And can he survive long enough to discover the answers he needs?
My Thoughts
Since this was the 2nd time this book had been voted for the HA Group Read on my watch, I figured I'd better get it read!
I was afraid to start this, truth be told, because I read many reviews that said it was very mind-bending, confusing, and scientific. I was genuinely afraid it would break my brain. I am happy to report that now that I’ve finished my brain is no more broken than it was before I began Dark Matter. So if you’ve been hesitant to read this based on those on rumors, have no worries. It is not in any way shape or form a horror novel however so if you’re expecting that you will be disappointed. It’s more of a character based thriller and a pretty awesome one at that.
I will not go so far as to say that I understood the mechanics behind everything, especially at the turn of mind-boggling events in the last act, but I can say that it never slowed down the book for me or left me hopelessly lost in a sea of scientific jibber-jabber. I wanted to keep going because it was exciting and captivating and all of those delicious things and mostly because I grew to care about the characters so much.
I’m not saying anything about the plot because everyone else has done that already but also because I am lazy and you will enjoy this most going in cold, if you still can. Just read it. It’s good stuff!
| A Book Turned TV Show That I ♥ by Blake Crouch |
Blake Crouch is a bestselling novelist and screenwriter. He is the author of the novel, Dark Matter, for which he is writing the screenplay for Sony Pictures. His international-bestselling Wayward Pines trilogy was adapted into a television series for FOX, executive produced by M. Night Shyamalan, that was Summer 2015's #1 show. With Chad Hodge, Crouch also created Good Behavior, the TNT television show starring Michelle Dockery based on his Letty Dobesh novellas. He has written more than a dozen novels that have been translated into over thirty languages and his short fiction has appeared in numerous publications including Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Crouch lives in Colorado.
The best way to stay apprised of new releases is to sign up for his newsletter, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
I haven't read this yet but hey, I do own it so I've half way there. Glad you hear you didn't break your brain - there's hope for me to read to read it yet then!
ReplyDeleteIf I survived it, anyone can :)
DeleteThis one has been on my list and off again, but after reading your thoughts on it I'm putting it back on my TBR list again. 'Cause I love a book with great characters . :D
ReplyDeleteI was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I was thoroughly planning to tune out most of it but it sucked me in.
DeleteI heard this one was good but I didn't make it through The Pine as it confused me and I just quite (though after watching some of the TV show I am a bit more curious about trying it again...lol), so just never got around to trying this one.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read The Pines, only watched the tv show (which did confuse me!) but this one wasn't too bad.
DeleteI read some of the same comments. It didn't break my brain either. Gave it a good old work out though. Glad I read it!
ReplyDeletelol, me too :)
DeleteI am happy to hear that your brain made it out of the box okay :) I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. I haven't read any of his other books yet though. Glad you enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carole. Usually a book surprises me in a bad way. It's nice to find one that does the opposite.
DeleteOh I loved this book! So awesome. I liked the Pines series too.
ReplyDeleteI might try those on audio some day whenever I get caught up. Glad you loved it too :)
DeleteI'm glad to hear your mind is not broken lol :-P But oddly enough it's the stuff I've heard about it being mind-bending that has me considering read this!
ReplyDeleteYou should love it then!
DeleteDarn! I thought it was a horror novel! I'm not sure if I'll read it.
ReplyDeleteNah, not so much horror at all but still a very fascinating read.
DeleteI have this book and so need to read it, but keep procrastinating and I don't know why!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it :)
Get going on that! I did the same thing though. I had it on my Ipod for over a year taking up space. I probably would've ended up never getting to it if it weren"t for the Horror Aficionados Group at Goodreads.
DeleteI'm glad I didn't know what kind of book this was going into it. I mistook what "Dark Matter" meant completely. It was such a fun read.
ReplyDeleteYeah, sometimes knowing even a little can put me off reading a book. I'm glad you enjoyed it too.
DeleteOh yeah, I really enjoyed this book. The ending was crazy, in a good way.
ReplyDeleteIt was so nuts, wasn't it?!
DeleteI was kind of afraid to read this one too so I passed it on to my MIL. Now I have to get it back lol
ReplyDeleteFor What It's Worth
Get that sucker back!!
Delete