Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch

Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch has been on my TBR for quite a while. I love a good sci-fi thriller with a multiverse element, so I figured this one would be right up my alley.

Without giving too much away because this book is impossible to review without all the spoilers, Dark Matter is a book about a guy named Jason Dessen who’s living a normal life…until he isn’t. Married for 15 years with a loving wife and child, Jason meets up with a friend at a bar one night, is abducted when he leaves to go home, and wakes up in an alternate reality. Or is he really waking up from a 15 year dream?

Dark Matter was a mind bending, super trippy, wild, far out read.Not what I expected at all, but compelling nonetheless. It was giving a cross between The Matrix & Interstellar vibes. Definitely all sci-fi, but with a very human element, too. Mystery, suspense, thriller, and romance all wrapped into one.

For me personally, this book started out strong. Easy to fall into and kept me wanting more. It sort of fell flat for me and dragged a bit in the middle (I think it was more my mood than it was the story), but finished SO strong. The last quarter of the book redeemed everything that was amiss for me around the mid-mark.

Lots of big science ideas and talk throughout this story (think quantum physics), but balanced with a heavy dose of romance and self-reflection. The science-y stuff felt a little heavy for me at times which is maybe why parts fell a bit flat. I loved the heart behind the story…lots of moments where Jason reflects on his life choices…and the idea of a multiverse always fascinates me.

If you’re a fan of sci-fi (think, “The Martian” kind of sci-fi), but you also love a good romance mixed in with a life lesson here and there, I genuinely think you’ll enjoy Dark Matter. I didn’t love it, but didn’t dislike it either. Overall, a very enjoyable read…I’m glad I finally picked it up.

3.5 out of 5 stars