As soon as I saw this book, I was drawn to it. The short description hinted at a void filled with life. How did people live there? What could the story possibly be about? I was immediately intrigued and I wasn’t sure exactly why. It seemed the void beckoned to me and I heeded that call.

As I read, I noticed how it built upon itself multiplicatively with each new perspective. The differences in their beliefs made me wonder which one would turn out to be the truth in the end. It parallels real life in the way it portrays the different mythologies of the world and pits them against one another. Some take their faith and oppress or even kill others, while some take the pacifist route and worship in isolation. Meanwhile, no one knows which ideology is correct, if there even is such a thing. Faith is what keeps a lot of people going. The idea that their actions will be justified in the end is worth it in the pursuit of their goals. Because many of their actions are more reactions to the fear that the Sink exudes, it makes them understandable, if somewhat despicable.

The Sink is a world of floating rocks in constant descent in an endless void. Sinkers use the friction to move through the Sink downwards to other rocks while Risers move upwards. Each rock has their own mythology to explain their existence, giving each a distinct vibe. One such society being the Slant which consists of seven different rocks in perfect alignment with, what is known as, the bottommost rock in the Sink. They believe in an immortal sword wielder who aligned the Slant and will return someday. This is but one belief system, but already it has such a compelling tale that I’ll leave the rest to your discovery. Though you may wonder how the people live on these “rocks,” well some do have fertile soil or bodies of water and they trade with others. The Friction of the Sink is also harnessed for electricity and other such mechanical devices, showcasing how much thought went into the world itself. I absolutely love it. Ober does such a great job of designing a believable world in an extraordinary setting. Each tidbit of information only increased my appetite for more, never satiating my craving and pulling me along wholeheartedly to the conclusion.

There are so many layers to this novel that I think it would be beneficial to read a second time. It’s so smart and gripping without being explanatory or generic. The time I spent sitting with the ending contemplating it made me realize how much I enjoyed it. It holds up a funhouse mirror to society that reflects back every part in a new, more interesting light. This is a strong recommendation for anyone that enjoys a sci-fi tale that creates a unique world and peels back the layers one at a time, treating the reader with respect for their intelligence and intuition. You don’t want to miss Voidverse.