ARC Review: Relativity by Cristin Bishara
23September 4, 2013 by Alice in Readerland
If Ruby Wright could have her way, her dad would never have met and married her stepmother Willow, her best friend George would be more than a friend, and her mom would still be alive. Ruby knows wishes can’t come true; some things just can’t be undone. Then she discovers a tree in the middle of an Ohio cornfield with a wormhole to nine alternative realities.
Suddenly, Ruby can access completely different realities, each containing variations of her life—if things had gone differently at key moments. The windshield wiper missing her mother’s throat…her big brother surviving his ill-fated birth…her father never having met Willow. Her ideal world—one with everything and everyone she wants most—could be within reach. But is there such a thing as a perfect world? What is Ruby willing to give up to find out?
Special thanks to Bloomsbury/Walker Childrens and Netgalley for an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Relativity will be in stores September 10th, 2013.
I love the concept of hopping from one parallel universe to the next and Relativity played that part to perfection, in my opinion. I think it really captured the excitement and wonder of stepping into a parallel universe.
What’s different in this other universe? Who’s here and who’s not?
I was so excited each time Ruby stepped out of the tree so that the both of us could discover what type universe she landed in and who “she” was in that universe. For instance, the fashion-allergic Ruby finds out that, in one universe, she loves pink; in another universe, Ruby discovers that she excels at French (which is troublesome, since our Ruby has no idea what French quote mom just told her). I also love how the family dynamics changed from universe to universe, especially the relationship between Ruby and her mom. It was so sweet and sad to watch Ruby, who lost her mom in her universe, discover that her mom is alive in other universes. There was also a very poignant scene at the end that really was a breakthrough for Ruby and held a great (yet bittersweet) message that I loved.
Cynical Cindy Says
I thought that Ruby’s stepsister Kandy was really out of control violently attacking Ruby. It’s said that parallel universe Kandys are on meds/kleptomaniacs/have had a tough past, but still, that’s no excuse for Ruby not to tell anybody about Kandy harassing her.
I’ve got to say, out of all of the parallel universe books I’ve read this year, I loved the way the concept was handled best in Relativity.
Fast paced and thought-provoking, I’d recommend all you SciFi and Action-adventure readers pick up Relativity. Who knows? Maybe you’ve already read it in a parallel universe.
What are some of your favorite parallel universe stories?
Alice in Readerland 
Reminds me somewhat of The Butterfly Effect.
I haven’t heard of that one, I’ll have to look it up!
It’s a movie in which the main character experiences alternate realities by changing single moments in his past. It’s still messing with me. :)
This sounds really good! The cover is awesome! I will have to check it out! Great review!
Thanks, I like the cover a lot too! :)
This sounds like fun!
A few of the books I’ve been reading lately have lagged in the middle, but definitely not this one, it was really fast-paced and the middle was my favorite part. :)
Wow this sounds really interesting! I can’t remember the last parallel universe book I read (though I think my next one will be 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil – so excited for that!). I hope to check this one out too.
LOVE the graphic too! In that case I will look for Rose so we can be besties. :D
I’m curious to hear what you have to say about 3:59; and let me know if you find Rose! :)
I’m really liking this new trend :D I always find this a bit difficult to understand, but I’m so intrigued by the possibility. Great review and I’ll keep an eye on this one!
Mel@thedailyprophecy.
So far, the 3 parallel universe books I’ve read have all handled the concept differently; I love seeing each new idea each book brings! :)
Relativity sounds really interesting, especially because of the varying family relationships.
Love the Doctor Who pic, by the way. :)
I really liked seeing her interact with all the different versions of her family! :) Thanks, I saw it and knew that I just had to use it!
I’ve been looking forward to this book and I am glad you enjoyed it. Your review makes it seem like its going to be a break through for me. The last two books I read that dealt with parallel universes were no good :(
Rashika @ Tangled in Pages
I hope you enjoy Relativity! I’m sorry you didn’t like the other parallel universe books you’ve read, I think a lot of books with that concept are a real hit-or-miss.
(BTW, I just visited your blog & I’ll comment back as soon as I get my Disquis trouble sorted)! :)
That’s alright! :)
So excited, just got approved for this :D I won’t make the pub date, but at least I get to read it!
Hooray! I hope you enjoy it! :D
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I don’t think I’ve read any parallel universe stories, at least not anything like this one. There are a few series I’ve read where different books involving the same characters are supposed to be in parallel universes, but there aren’t characters who travel between them. It sounds like a really interesting idea :)
Those stories sound like an interesting concept too! :) I’ve read a few parallel universe stories this year, and each author brings in new ideas and handles it differently, which I think is fun to see. :)
This sounds like an interesting read! I have not read many parallel universe stories, so I am excited to see what I think about this one! :)
I’m curious to hear your thoughts on it if you read it! :)