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| InterWorld | 
 enlarge | Author: Neil Gaiman
Creator: Michael Reaves
Publisher: Eos
Category: Book
List Price: $16.99
Buy New: $6.49
You Save: $10.50 (62%)
New (7) Used (13) from $6.48
Avg. Customer Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 9068
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.2
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.1
ASIN: B0018T0XZY
Publication Date: July 1, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: New....may have a remainder mark. FAST SHIPPING! All addresses welcome..
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| Customer Reviews:
A story with a lot of possibilities July 10, 2007
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
Science fiction is not usually Neil Gaiman's forte, but I doubt many would suspect that after reading Interworld. Granted, he doesn't quite abandon his use of mysticism and, in my opinion, it's one more thread adding to a rich tapestry of story weaving.
Like with Coraline, Gaiman is appealing to a younger audience than the one he usually writes for. Unlike Caroline, I don't think he quite hit the mark. The general plot and some of the vocabulary might prove frustrating to someone younger than high school age since it's dealing with inter-dimensional possibilities and all the quasi-scientific terminology associated with it.
While I wouldn't say it's impossible for a 9 to 12 year old to enjoy Interworld (in fact, I think they would like it a lot), I think it's one of those books that a parent should consider their child's reading level before blindly buying. Similar to novels like A Wrinkle In Time, this might be a novel to read with your kid if they like books, but aren't yet a strong reader.
Although I'm twice the recommended reading age, I can honestly say this was an entertaining, fanciful read for me with sincere characterization and genuine suspense. Imagine how much a 9 to 12 year old would enjoy it?
 Enjoyable but not great October 11, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Gaiman is one of my favorite writers. This middle-grade level book was good, but not as interesting as others he has done such as Coraline.
The premise is fine - a series of parallel worlds with two warring societies, one magical and one technical, working their way from opposite ends of the "arc" of worlds, each trying to take control. The protagonist and his counterparts from the parallel worlds are in the middle, trying to maintain the balance.
It is never explained why or how the protagonist and his ilk have the power to walk between these worlds. The protagonist resolves most of the issues through last minute aid from other sources or by accident, not his own efforts, which doesn't seem to be a good example in this reading age level.
The other main problem I had is the whole theme is balance, yet other than a minor skirmish the only real conflict comes from the magical side, not the technical side. And in their efforts to stop the magical side, it seems to me that would have tipped the scales far toward the technical society.
It was an easy, enjoyable read, but lacking some of the plot intricacies that I expect from Gaimain, and even at this age level the audience should also expect.
Fun read, good world, not much more. July 26, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
InterWorld is the new book by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves. At first, I was surprised to see a collaboration with Neil, as other than comics, he seems to prefer to work alone. As I read it, I found that it moved quickly, but seemed to lack the multiple layers of meaning that Neil's work usually has.
Ironic since it's about multidimensional universes and the travels therein.
I've read Michael's work before, and enjoyed it, but it didn't leave a lasting impression. However, what I find extremely interesting about this collaboration is that, like many excellent authors, Neil seems to have problems writing believable children (Coraline was excellent, but she didn't seem like a child to me) but it seemed to work here. In some ways, it feels like Neil and Michael had this idea of a multidimensional multiverse, in which there is an arc of probabilities in which different Earths exist, which vary increasingly as they deviate from "normal". Then (and I'm guessing here), Michael wrote the plot (feels more like a Reaves plot than a Gaiman plot), and Neil sparked up the dialog a bit. There are definite lines that sit on the page and say "Hi, by the way, you're reading a Neil Gaiman book. Now, on with the story.".
With the exception of the over-used dichotomy (why would a multidimensional universe divide itself into only two opposing forces?), the concept worked and was written well. It ended before a resolution, and feels much like "Books of Magic" did, and it would not surprise me to see other authors pick up the idea and turn it into a series that is good for a while before it spirals into mediocrity.
Pretty par for the course for a book that was written because they couldn't make it work as a TV pilot. Which is the case (per the afterward). It's a good read and a fun world. But it's no Anansi Boys.
 Neal Gaiman almost never fails August 1, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Great, this is for children of course but is also enjoyable for adults anyway. I read the whole thing in an afternoon, would have loved to see it as a TV show or movie, maybe an anime would be the best medium.
Anything from Gaiman has great quality - sorry, never heard of the other author before - and almost always is just what I like.
Amazing story, leaves me wanting more. October 20, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Great story. The book reads fast and quick. Good solid Gaiman story smithing. I want to experience more of this world.... the teaser 'pilot' nature of the book has functioned as intended on this guy.... PLEASE!! MORE!
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