HOW RORY THORNE DESTROYED THE MULTIVERSE by K. Eason

"Likely to be a cult classic"

How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse

Genres: Fiction Adventure | Science Fiction Space Opera

Posted: November 9, 2019

Rory Thorne wasn’t supposed to be a princess. Her parents were expecting a prince but, despite a history of two hundred years of male heirs, Rory is born female. Her naming ceremony even has the fairies (who were believed to be mythical till then) appearing. Twelve fairies come to offer blessings, but it is the thirteenth fairy who bestows her offering first- and it’s a curse, the curse to see through all platitudes and flattery and to know truth when she sees it. Fortunately, the littlest fairy sees fit to offer a gift to counteract her sister’s curse, giving Rory the ability to always see a path through the difficulties and to have the courage to take that path. Rory needs these gifts later when her world turns upside down and she finds herself mired in political schemes in which dying is a real possibility. Can Rory survive when her own existence is a bargaining chip for peace between worlds?

HOW RORY THORNE DESTROYED THE MULTIVERSE is a complex, multilayered tale full of intrigue, danger, and humor. I really like Rory as a main character, but the secondary characters are a lot of fun too. Heck, I liked the Vizier as soon as he used his arithmancy to not only conceal his emotions but to present to the observer what he or she wished to see. The cleverness of the characters kept me engaged even as the omniscient narrator sometimes seemed to ramble a bit more than I would have preferred.

HOW RORY THORNE DESTROYED THE MULTIVERSE is one of those tales that people are either going to love or hate. It’s purposely overblown and grandiose, somewhat like the movie The Princess Bride. However, that’s the unique charm of HOW RORY THORNE DESTROYED THE MULTIVERSE. Some readers may find it off-putting, but I suspect that HOW RORY THORNE DESTROYED THE MULTIVERSE will find its place among other cult classics.

Book Summary

First in a duology that reimagines fairy tale tropes within a space opera--The Princess Bride meets Princess Leia.

Rory Thorne is a princess with thirteen fairy blessings, the most important of which is to see through flattery and platitudes. As the eldest daughter, she always imagined she’d inherit her father’s throne and govern the interplanetary Thorne Consortium.

Then her father is assassinated, her mother gives birth to a son, and Rory is betrothed to the prince of a distant world.

When Rory arrives in her new home, she uncovers a treacherous plot to unseat her newly betrothed and usurp his throne. An unscrupulous minister has conspired to name himself Regent to the minor (and somewhat foolish) prince. With only her wits and a small team of allies, Rory must outmaneuver the Regent and rescue the prince.

How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse is a feminist reimagining of familiar fairytale tropes and a story of resistance and self-determination--how small acts of rebellion can lead a princess to not just save herself, but change the course of history.