Dark Matter by Blake Crouch -- Restarting August 5th 2024

[Wolf (Alpha)]

Planning on joining yall for this one! I'm starting today

[Aneta]

I'm going to start tomorrow at least I hope so. I have to finish my current read first.

[Kikijanika]

I got the book and started right after midnight. Now I have just finished chapter 5.

(view spoiler)[ The story is quite interesting so far. I'm not sure what's happening to Jason, but I have a feeling it has something to do with his own research/experiment. It seems like there are some parallel worlds and the Jasons of these worlds traded places. However, it could just be all happening in his head, considering he apparently worked with Ryan Holder, who is a neuroscientist. Maybe they're just manipulating Jason's brain allowing him to live different possible futures.
I find it a little annoying how he keeps running away from the people in the lab. The lab seems to me the most obvious place to get answers, but of course, people do illogical things when they're scared. I don't think those people would have been a threat to him if he stayed and worked with them. I still don't think they are a threat, even if they killed Daniela. I don't think they would kill Jason because apparently they need him. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I'll be late to this one too haha surprise

[Kikijanika]

I'm trying to read ahead. The next days will be extremely busy for me, so I probably won't have much time to read anything. So, Chapter 10.

(view spoiler)[ I suspected the other Jason was the one abducting Jason, but I never even thought to wonder why he sent Jason back to his own world (I mean the other Jason's world) instead of just killing him. It only occurred to me to wonder when Jason and Amanda started talking about it.

I guess I'm abandoning my theory that everything's just happening in Jason's head. He might actually be traveling between worlds. Turns out I was also wrong about the lab people not being a threat. It seems the "wrong Jason" was useless to them after all.

I wonder if the rest of the book is just Jason and Amanda entering different worlds trying to find Jason's home. Probably there will be some kind of confrontation with the other Jason in the end. I'm curious where Amanda will end up. There's really no place for her as all the worlds supposedly already either have her or had her. As she can't go back to her own world she'd have to coexist with another version of herself or live in a world where she's already dead. (hide spoiler)]

This all sounds very confusing when written out like this. Luckily you'll be familiar with the storyline, so maybe you'll get what I'm talking about :D

[Maddie]

Haha I'm worried now that I'll be confused.. If I am they'll be easy unhauls then

[Eesh]

At the end of chapter 4 and have no clue what could be going on, but also very intrigued. (view spoiler)[The fourth chapter is giving me hope that this whole fiasco will at least end with Jason happy with his family again. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Oh noa hahah I hate being confused in books. I'll get to it soon!

[Kikijanika]

It's not that confusing actually :D But I think the way I wrote my comments make it sound more confusing than it actually is. There are some quantum physics things I don't really get, though. Not really my area of expertise :D

[Maddie]

Yeah neither haha I'll be skipping those bits

[Aneta]

Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[It feels like Jason just kidnapped himself. It would mean that these are alternative realities, right? (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Aneta wrote: "Chapter 4
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I had two theories at that point. I wasn't sure whether there really were multiple realities or if things were just happening in Jason's head. I also suspected he kidnapped himself. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Finished.

(view spoiler)[ I must say I was a bit lost for a while with what happened in the gun store and afterwards. I didn't exactly understand why all those Jasons ended up in this specific world and how they could all think they belonged there and deserved to be there. But in a way, it makes sense if you think about it....like those Jasons probably made different choices from the ones Jason 1 made, but only after they were abducted. So basically, they left this world just like Jason 1, but as Jason 1 went on and made his choices, each choice produced new Jasons who made a different choice.
So in the end, how can we say Jason 1 deserved to have that life more than those other Jasons. There really is no good guys and bad guys here...except maybe Jason 2. But even he turned out to be the one to help Jason 1 find a happy ending.
One thing I don't get is, why did all those Jasons act as if Daniella and Charlie were in danger when none of them wanted to hurt them. It seems to me they should have been more than safe with all those Jasons wanting to protect them. (hide spoiler)]

Anyway, this was not the type of book I usually read, but it was quite interesting and fast to read. Can't wait to hear your thoughts as you read on.

[Wolf (Alpha)]

25%: (view spoiler)[ This picked up pretty fast. I’m so confused as to what is going on. I really wanna know if it’s actually been 18 months or if it’s the same day like he thinks it is. I’m leaning more towards 18 months. (hide spoiler)]

[Wolf (Alpha)]

Aneta wrote: "Chapter 4
[spoilers removed]"

Technically that is what happened. Just a different reality.

[Wolf (Alpha)]

50%: (view spoiler)[ This is starting to make more sense. Quantum physics should technically allow us to time travel in a sense. And that's precisely what Jason from another world did. He figured it out, and now there are several people stuck in different dimensions. I would have to be terrifying to try to figure out which dimension you actually belonged to. (hide spoiler)]

[Wolf (Alpha)]

75%: (view spoiler)[I'm so glad he was reunited with his wife and son and that he finally found his world. I hate that there are multiple of him trying to kill him and get to his family. Hopefully, everything works out. (hide spoiler)]

[Wolf (Alpha)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[This book was amazing! I hated Jason2 since he tried to kill the original Jason, but I love that he helped them escape. I found it interesting that they chose to go into the box and find a new world. Hopefully, everything works out for them. (hide spoiler)]

[Wolf (Alpha)]

Kikijanika wrote: "Finished.

I must say I was a bit lost for a while with what happened in the gun store and afterwards. I didn't exactly understand why all those Jasons ended up in this specific world and how they..."

I was lost when there were like 75 different Jasons. And did they not all know that wasn't their world? Cause only one Jason could have come from that world.

[Kikijanika]

Wolf (Alpha) wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah, it was a nice twist that Jason 2 helped them. I was also surprised they went into the box, but what other options did they actually have? Kill all the other Jasons or convince them to let them be. Although, most of the Jasons let them pass, I think there were still some willing to hurt Jason 1 to be in his place. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Wolf (Alpha) wrote: "Kikijanika wrote: "Finished.

I must say I was a bit lost for a while with what happened in the gun store and afterwards. I didn't exactly understand why all those Jasons ended up in this specific..."

Yeah, that got me lost as well :D

[Aneta]

Chapter 9
I don't know why but I have trouble to just sit down and read this. It just doesn't hold my attention for very long time.
(view spoiler)[I didn't expect to kill them to Daniela in front of him. I kind of like this hallway full of doors. I curious to see how long it will take them to figure it out. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Aneta wrote: "Chapter 9
I don't know why but I have trouble to just sit down and read this. It just doesn't hold my attention for very long time.
[spoilers removed]"

Yeah, that somehow happens to me for no obvious reasons. Guess it has to do with the book, the timing, and my general state of mind. Hope you'll enjoy the story in the end, after all.

(view spoiler)[ The corridor was an interesting concept, indeed. At some point, I wondered if they'll just keep entering different worlds for the rest of the book and that idea felt a bit tedious. The story turned out to have more than that, though. (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[Okay, I'm kind of upset Amanda left him without saying anything. She was pissed when she thought he left her but it's okay to it to him? I know it was best for her but she shouldn't just left when he was sleeping. (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Kikijanika wrote: "Aneta wrote: "Chapter 9
I don't know why but I have trouble to just sit down and read this. It just doesn't hold my attention for very long time.
[spoilers removed]"

Yeah, that somehow happens to ..."

Yeah, I think it might be part timing and part I thouht I would like this way more.

(view spoiler)[
If that was whole story it wouldn't be that interesting but it just part of it so it's nice. I just don't get how the other Jasone (the bloody one) got into that corridor yet. I hope it gets explained. (hide spoiler)]

[Eesh]

Aneta wrote: "Chapter 12
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I know, right? You tell at the guy because you think he left and do the same to him. If she wanted to leave, she could've talked to him about it. (hide spoiler)]

[Eesh]

Wolf (Alpha) wrote: "Kikijanika wrote: "Finished.

Spoilers Removed"

(view spoiler)[That's the thing though, this world was the real world for all the Jasons who showed up. Basically, in every world that Jason went, every time he made a choice, it creates another world and another Jason. They're all still Jason1 from the first/our/original world. So our Jason isn't the only "original", he's just one of the possibilities. And you could say we're following the Jason who makes choices that lead to "winning". That's what's so sad about this. Every Jason started as the guy who lived life with his wife and son and was then attacked by Jason2. But the more choices he made outside of the box in other worlds, the more version of him there are. And only one of them gets to be happy. It's a tad heartbreaking actually. (hide spoiler)]

[Eesh]

Finished
(view spoiler)[This book was so much fun. I kinda wanted a bit more of the science stuff but I'm very happy with it. I love the container nature of the story. It's not a out a multiversal event, but about Jason wanting to get back to his family. (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Finished
(view spoiler)[I think this book has a great idea but unfortunately I wasn't a big fan of any of these characters. Which kind of suck because I'm supposed to like Jason and want him to get back with his family. I just didn't care. Don't get me wrong I really like some parts of this story and ideas but it didn't hold my attention long enough. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Aneta wrote: "Kikijanika wrote: "Aneta wrote: "Chapter 9
I don't know why but I have trouble to just sit down and read this. It just doesn't hold my attention for very long time.
[spoilers removed]"

Yeah, that ..."

(view spoiler)[ I think it got explained..at least to some extent. But I'm not sure I completely understood everything. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Quirks wrote: "Wolf (Alpha) wrote: "Kikijanika wrote: "Finished.

Spoilers Removed"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yes exactly! It is really kind of sad and probably extremely weird for Daniella. She wants to be with her husband, but she knows there are other versions of him, who are basically the same person. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Aneta wrote: "Finished
[spoilers removed]"

I get it. I didn't form a strong bond with the characters either, not like in some other books.

[Aneta]

Kikijanika wrote: "Aneta wrote: "Kikijanika wrote: "Aneta wrote: "Chapter 9
I don't know why but I have trouble to just sit down and read this. It just doesn't hold my attention for very long time.
[spoilers removed]..."

Yes, it got explained. (view spoiler)[ But I still don't get how they met him in their corridor. I thought it's unique for them. (hide spoiler)]

[Eesh]

I don't think it's unique. It's just so big that it's unlikely to run into someone.

[Shannara]

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Date changed. Restarting August 5th 2024. Happy Reading ☺

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[Karen]

First quarter. The book opens in what seems to be atypical thriller style. Being abducted at gunpoint is terrifying, but the weirdness once he comes to would totally destroy you. Can’t imagine going to what you think of as your family home only to find nothing is as you left it, and people claim you’ve been missing for months.

[Karen]

Second quarter. The thought of any of this being possible is hurting my brain! Could he really be able to solve what’s got him to this point so he can return to his previous life?

[Shannara]

This is a reread for me, but I’ve totally forgotten all of this… Up to chapter 6 (view spoiler)[ holy crap!!! He just up a shot Daniela?!?! How could he do that?!?! I cannot believe that just happened!!! I’m so upset!!! And now he’s probably taking Jason back to that place where everyone thinks they know him, but totally don’t. Wtf?!?! (hide spoiler)]

[Shannara]

Karen wrote: "First quarter. The book opens in what seems to be atypical thriller style. Being abducted at gunpoint is terrifying, but the weirdness once he comes to would totally destroy you. Can’t imagine goin..."

(view spoiler)[ right?!?! This is nuts!! I can’t even begin to think of what that would feel like!! I was so glad he found Daniela… until… 😭😭😭 (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Third quarter. Increasingly tense…the number of ampoules is going down and he’s now coming across other versions of himself.

[Karen]

Finished. Review on home page. My brain aches with the possibilities offered here, but the focus on relationships kept it eminently readable.

[Karen]

Shannara wrote: "This is a reread for me, but I’ve totally forgotten all of this… Up to chapter 6 [spoilers removed]"

I think this is one of those books I'd like to reread some time in the future and actually appreciate the crafting. The firs time round I was so busy trying to keep my head on what was actually happening!

[Shannara]

Up to chapter eleven (view spoiler)[ I totally lost track of time and read more than halfway through. This is terrifying. I would hate to be faced with an infinity of choices that could lead to terrible, awful things like watching your family die. I just don’t see how he’s going to find his way back home. They better crack this code of imagining the right world quickly. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannara]

Karen wrote: "Second quarter. The thought of any of this being possible is hurting my brain! Could he really be able to solve what’s got him to this point so he can return to his previous life?"

(view spoiler)[ omg I know!!! It’s so much to take in!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

I'm an android girly and i wish i could watch the show, but i will say i read this back in 2017 and gave it 4.5 stars, so clearly i have good taste XD

5%
(view spoiler)[ The kidnapper knew his pass code to his phone.


I just saw a tiktok about this, instead of family crest, we now pass down pass codes. My pass code is me misremembering a number so good luck guessing it 😅😅😅😅

Whole Foods mentioned! (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

14%
(view spoiler)[ Dude just locked the BATHROOM door, why are you calling security?? he just wants to shit in peace.

i feel like this possibility should have been consider (the idea that he wouldn't be the same dude) so idk why they're all freaking out about him being not him. (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

26%
(view spoiler)[ Dude don't fuck this other dude's wife, even if you're the same dude


MC: "where's Charlie?"
Wife: "who is Charlie?"

stab right into the heart (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

32%
(view spoiler)[ And again I say; dude don't fuck the other dudes wife! XD

is this cheating? (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

Karen wrote: "Third quarter. Increasingly tense…the number of ampoules is going down and he’s now coming across other versions of himself."

i loved the countdown, makes your heart pump a bit while reading

[Brooke]

Shannara wrote: "This is a reread for me, but I’ve totally forgotten all of this… Up to chapter 6 [spoilers removed]"

idk how he compartmentalize so well that he could shot redacted