I Contain Multitudes

by Christopher Hawkins

Hunted through an ever-shifting patchwork of worlds, one woman must rediscover her own past to restore reality before it's too late.

Unstuck from reality, Trina Bell never wakes up in the same world twice. Lost and alone, she crosses paths with an old librarian who is the only person who remembers her when everything else changes around them. When an encounter with a sadistic doctor makes Trina question whether she herself might be the cause of the shifting realities that are escalating out of control, she sets out to stop them.

As each successive world becomes more unstable and dangerous than the last—and with the librarian lost and descending into madness—Trina must confront the secrets rooted deep in her own past in order to find a way to repair her world before it collapses for good.

From the award-winning author of Downpour comes a mind-bending multiversal thriller of betrayal, discovery, and the will to reshape destiny.

Genres: Science Fiction, Horror, Mental Health, Fantasy

327 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2025

About the author

Born and raised near the shores of Lake Michigan, Christopher Hawkins has been writing and telling stories for as long as he can remember. A dyed-in-the-wool geek, he is an avid collector of books, roleplaying games and curiosities. When he's not writing, he spends his time exploring old cemeteries, lurking in museums, and searching for a decent cup of tea.

Christopher is an award-winning author and the former editor of the One Buck Horror anthology series. His works of short fiction have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Cosmic Horror Monthly, Fusion Fragment, Underland Arcana and The Big Book of New Short Horror. He is a member of the Chicago Writers Association and the Chicagoland chapter of the Horror Writers Association.

An expatriate Hoosier, Christopher currently lives in a suburb of Chicago with his wife and two sons.

Reviews

[Leilin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read - I don't know whether I feel entirely satisfied by the ending, but I can't fault it either. I think it did what it intended to do well, but the first part might have focused the reader's curiosity on an aspect of the story that, by the very nature of the ending, ends up being a tad irrelevant. I think that's where the feeling of incompleteness I can't entirely shake comes from.

In any case, this was an engaging ride, with characters I liked and cared about, even if some inhabited very few pages. The author has a way of writing relationships (or the beginnings of those, in any case) that is very tender and touching, which was crucial for this book to work: the world keeps changing, something needs to anchor the reader. And it does!

The ending was surprising, and, as mentioned, switched the focus in a bit of a jarring way. Nevertheless, I do think it worked: looking back at the story with those revelations in mind, it all still holds up pretty well. The idea of shifting realities echoes the mental gymnastics victims of abuse sometimes do to try and justify their abuser's actions, the Shadows seemed to be the edges of a memory she was trying to run away from but kept coming back, the ironically named Dr. Sweet keeps finding her because, by then, the Shadows are getting closer and with her memory surfacing, there's a will to punish herself, as well as, maybe, an awareness that she needs to be stopped (albeit not in that manner, of course). Colin is an adult because she mourns him as well as the life of possibilities he had ahead of him, all he won't grow up to become. Maybe his love of books was also an allusion to all those experiences he'll never live himself. As for getting to the particule accelerator, it's a false goal, something to do, fulfilling her need to keep moving, to distract herself. As she progresses, it morphs and dissolves into something closer to reality: getting to Mrs Dixon's house, echoing her actual destination, when she got into the accident. Finally, over the course of the story, she starts to accept others and their help again, first from Colin and then from new faces, initiating a slow journey toward forgiving herself. Steadily, she also garners the courage to stop fleeing from her abuser, until she can turn around, confront him and ultimately prevail. Then she can finally make it back and have a second chance at life.
So while it works, it also renders the mystery aspect of what's happening and of Trina's powers a bit of a moot point: those elements become quasi irrelevant as a result. This is why I can't stop feeling a bit divided, despite recognizing it was both engaging and holding up.

[Rachel the Page-Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was offered the ARC for this book, and I accepted without even reading the synopsis. Being from this author, I knew it would be good, but I had no idea how deep this one would get. I also have no idea how to write a review for this, because it’s not going to make sense. Still, I’ll try…

Trina Bell is having a problem with the Turnings, which is a short period of time where the world changes and she ends up in different places, at different times. The Shadows are always there, watching, waiting and wanting to get her. Soon, she meets an elderly librarian named Colin Williams, and while having a conversation, there was a Turning. After it happened, Colin was still there, and he remembered her. For the first time in Trina’s memory, someone stayed after a Turning. From then on, she tries to keep herself with Colin as this book takes you through a complete mind-fuck full of flowers, floods, a past and a future, cobblestone roads and flying cars.

See? It makes no sense when I write it, but somehow Christopher Hawkins made this work…yet I still didn’t know where it was going. What is all this for? Is this some cosmic punishment? Does Trina have a power that she hasn’t been able to control? Why does this keep happening? Then I got to the end, and my mind was utterly blown. To say I was shocked is an understatement; I wasn’t just shocked. I was dumbfounded. I was heartbroken. I was astonished. But most surprising of all, I was happy. This was a suspenseful science-fiction horror/thriller story that very few minds could have pulled off. It’s a must-read for fans of the author, and in my opinion, his best work yet. Five stars, because, THAT ENDING.

(Thank you to Coronis Publishing, Christopher Hawkins and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on April 30, 2025.)

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christopher Hawkins' "I Contain Multitudes" is a solid science-fictional tale with very strong horror elements - from a demented doctor practicing lobotomies to soldiers being hunted by mysterious alien horrors. Figuring centrally (after all, this will turn out to be her story, and hers alone) is Trina, a woman on the run from a group of shadow people she calls "Shadows" (well, duh); apparently, that's the sole fixed feature in her life, since everything else (literally: the whole world) changes every time she wakes up. And each time, noone remembers her.

The story starts right in the middle, with Trina going through worlds the way girls in young adult romance TV series go through clothes. The variety is mind-boggling, ranging from primitive worlds to futuristic but weird places. Trina's exhaustion also boggles the mind, since she's been experiencing these "Turnings" continuously for decades. Imagine her surprise, then, when she stumbles upon Colin, an old, nerdy-type of guy, who remembers her even after the world changes. From this unexpected turn of events, the entire story unfolds quickly, suspensefully, with several twists and surprises along the way.

Perhaps this sounds too simple a premise for an author to build an entire book upon, but Hawkins' skilfull storytelling, masterful plotting, and interesting characters made the book a page-turner for me. Sure, there are a couple of places (what follows when Trina meets Colin for the first time, for example) where the author makes things too easy on himself, and some bits feel repetitive (especially the shenanigans with the mad doctor chasing Trina, and she keeping losing Colin) - and maybe Trina isn't an entirely consistent character (sometimes, she comes across as a woman with a purpose, most often however she's just as lost as the reader -and yet other times, she's portrayed as too clever and knowledgeable for her own good); but these are all secondary to the great mystery in the center of the novel: what is happening to Trina, and why? I couldn't make head or tail of it! Till the very end, that is (and that was a VERY non-science-fictional, weird, and surprisingly long ending!), when finally everything makes sense.

This is a book for fans of multiverse thrillers, grief horror, and apocalyptic fiction; it reads easily, despite its very intricate and dense plot; and it's both entertaining and haunting (especially the long ending). An easy 5-stars from me!

[Gatorman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic effort from Hawkins about a woman named Trina who keeps creating new worlds every time she wakes up. These "Turnings" have no explanation and Trina travels along each world trying to put a stop to the changes. She meets various characters along the way who are either trying to help her or stop her in her efforts. Just when it seemed like the book was losing its way, Hawkins brought everything home in a gradual, eye-opening way, revealing just how inventive his story really was. I am duly impressed. Hawkins has become a go-to author, and I look forward to each new effort. If you haven't read anything by him yet, start with his short story collection Suburban Nightmares and go from there. You won't be disappointed. 4.5 stars. Highly recommended. Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[annie cusack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jaw? On the floor. Heart? Palpitating. Mind? Blown.

If you like Stephen King and Blake Crouch, and are wondering what a book baby of theirs would be like, do yourself a favor and pick this one up when it publishes on the 30th.

Thanks to Netgalley, Hawkins, and Coronis Publishing for a free ARC of this book.

[Lexxi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book throws you right into the story. We meet Trina Bell, who's living in a world where approximately each day (?), there is a "turning" and the world completely changes. Instead of coins, money becomes slips of paper. She went to sleep in a dingy hotel, but wakes up in a nice hotel. She was at a cafe but now is at a coffee house, things like that. Whomever she met in the prior world, doesn't remember her in this world. She's not sure what's happening to cause each turning and why she's the only one to remember them. And, of course, she's being chased by these mysterious shadow people.

During one of these situations, she meets Colin, an old librarian who's the only one who remembers her. At this point, I was getting serious "Addie LaRue" vibes. However, this story takes a turn and becomes completely different.

From there, the story ramps up as Trina tries to figure out what's going on and how to get out of these loops. The final ending was not what I was expecting and, similar to how "Downpour" ended, really stays with you. I don't want to give anything away, but it was not what I expected at all.

Towards the middle, the story felt like it was dragging. I had to force myself to pick up the book, but then once I did, I would read later into the night than I meant to.

Overall, a great and unexpected story.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this advance review copy.

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had my ups and downs with this story: at times not a huge fan of the characters and plots, other times amazed by the different realities/worlds they’d become part of. The pacing ebbed and flowed as well, so some parts were a bit more dry, and others very thrilling.

Overall more of a scifi adventure story than a straight up horror in my opinion. Definitely pick this one up if you like multiverse/ alternate reality tales, cat and mouse thrillers, and complex character dynamics.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Coronis Publishing for a copy!

[Graisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Christopher Hawkins, Netgalley and Coronis Publishing for this free ARC in exchange for a review.

I really enjoyed this psychological and multiple universes thriller for it's engaging story-line and good characterization.

[Michael J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The back cover text summarizes I CONTAIN MULTITUDES as a "mind-bending multiversal thriller of betrayal, discovery, and the will to reshape destiny."

If that is a mission statement, then consider this mission accomplished. Without writing in the second person, Hawkins managed to make this reader feel that he was the character, just as puzzled and confused as Trina Bell. Neither of us have any idea of how or why the world around her keeps ever-shifting but come to realize that she is at the center of it, and in control if she could only figure out the steps. Wouldn't it be a miraculous thing if one could actually re-shape destiny?

There is no lengthy set-up to this novel. It plunges right into the action, introducing Trina as a woman on the run, from what is uncertain. The only certainty is that at some point she may wake up in different surroundings with only a slight similarity to where she once was. Or, dangerous circumstances may cause a "Turning" to occur in mid-day. Dark, void-like shadows seem to be following her. These Turnings become stranger and wilder as the story moves forward, and Hawkins employs all his highly imaginative skills on the settings.

Somewhere during the final third of this novel I began to suspect what was occurring and why. It brought back memories of a famous episode from the first iteration of The Twilight Zone television series. I won't detail it because it could serve as a potential spoiler. Remembering that episode, I envisioned a dark ending to I CONTAIN MULTITUDES. Hawkins took things in a different direction, with a satisfying and more upbeat ending.

Thanks to author Christopher Hawkins for an advanced reader's edition, provided without obligation.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Contain Multitudes by Christopher Hawking is about Trina Bell who hopps through universes and never meets the same person twice until she does. She lives in the 31st century in one day she may pay in cash while the next day she’s paying in strips of paper She has learned to be a survivor from dodging the shadow people to learning how to live in a New World almost every day. She is trying to get to a certain place where she believes she can hopefully stop it and soon she will meet two men one will try to help her stop the universal jumps and the other blames her for it. I won’t pretend to understand every nuance of this story but what I did get from it was truly original entertaining and definitely worth a read. There is nothing more exciting than getting a book that you know is unlike any other book you’ve read and this book definitely belongs to that group. I have never read a book by Christopher Hawkins before but he will definitely be on my list of authors to look for. #NetGalley,#CoronisPublishing, #TheBlindReviewer, #ChristopherHawkins, #IContainMultitudes,

[Caitlin Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
A multiverse thriller; this one gave me whiplash and then slapped me right in the feels at the end.

[Mimsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Coronis Publishing for the e-ARC of I Contain Multitudes!
4 / 5 ⭐
Multiverse thrillers are normally not my genre, but I found I Contain Multitudes to be very digestible and engaging. I enjoyed it from start to finish, and I would read more by Hawkins in the future.

[Rhiannon Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐, rounded up

A scifi novel with elements of horror… or a grief-horror novel with scifi elements… regardless of how you look at it, this story grabs you right from the start with its mystery, pulling you in with the wild action and terrifying shadow creatures, and keeps you grounded with its emotional foundation of regret and grief.

It's a wild story of a woman skipping through a chaotic and unnerving multiverse existence without any knowledge of why or how to make it stop. Every time Trina Bell wakes up something is different, but she is always the same. As she is involuntarily pulled through the Turnings of reality, the dissolution of order begins to accelerate, and her attempt to decipher the meaning of her circumstances becomes desperate. She is haunted by images she can’t piece together, flashes of maybe memories that she doesn’t trust to be real… because everything can be taken away in the space of a couple of heartbeats…

“…memory isn’t a permanent thing, like you’re taking it out of a box and looking at it and putting it back just like you found it. Every time we remember something, it’s like we’re putting it back together again. Sometimes we add things.”

Hawkins manages to create an unnerving world that pulls you into the urgency, futility, and frustration of Trina, as she tries to make a difference, knowing that it will all be different somehow but without any idea of just what those differences will look like for her. Underlying this harrowing existence she’s carrying an unidentifiable grief that she’s unable to place in her memories. As things spiral further into chaos and destruction she’s forced to confront what haunts her very existence as the world literally falls apart around her.

Thank you Christopher Hawkins, Netgalley and Coronis Publishing for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book that jumps semi-genres without being too obvious. The plot twist was well designed and the characters were compelling and interesting. Really enjoyed this novel and recommend it to all.

[David Agranoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review and podcast coverage coming...

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

A book that builds to a credendo, I Contain Multitudes is a nuanced novel that transforms a rocky start into a fantastic climax.

I will admit I had to push through the book for the first little bit (maybe 10%). Not because I didn’t find the concept very interesting, but because Trina is really hard to get to know as her personality is a little blank (as she doesn’t have a lot of memories of her “real” world) and it’s one of those mimetic texts where the character doesn’t know anything about what it going on, and thus the reader doesn’t either.

The brilliant thing about this book, though, is that it all makes sense. There is a really great twist (or perhaps development is a better word) in the last quarter that ties everything together. It also includes a very specific one of my greatest fears, so when that came about my heart was in my damn throat, and the ending also made me tear up.

And when I say it takes a bit to get into, I don’t mean it was a slog (as the pacing is great); it just didn’t grab my interest in a vice. This is because a lot needs explanation - in every world Trina encounters, she has to describe it to us so we understand what has changed. Once you understand the mechanics of how the multiverse works, the book gains a lot of momentum. This is also because Trina is not only lost in these worlds where it will shift to another (sometimes overnight, sometimes at random), but she’s being hunted by strange beings, and later, another person. And the entire time she’s not really sure what the hell is going on. She has the vaguest idea of getting to the hadron collider for whatever reason, but as the story progresses, the worlds start getting more and more degraded and strange that her goal becomes survival. It reminded me of The Long Earth a bit. Yet, the worlds are not so strange it becomes fantastical - why it doesn’t get wacky relates to the development I mentioned - and there are recurring characters and places so trying to spot what stays and same (and trying to figure out why this is) is a big part of what keeps it engrossing.

The book carries a sombre yet urgent atmosphere, and this is another one of its strengths. It never lets itself go nuts with the multiverse stuff, never gives us a world where everyone is a banana or something, so the tone and tension remain at a tipping point and the entire time I was trying to figure out where it was going, but in a good way. It’s like a mystery puzzle - you don’t know what the image is supposed to be but you need to put it together.

It’s a tightly wrought book that gets tighter and tighter as the story moves along. If you enjoy contemplative sci-fi with a psychological bent, you should check this out.

[Rin Hoshigumo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book that crosses all sorts of boundaries! Initially, Trina, the main character, seems to be barely a woman. From the way she dresses, I’d probably take her to be a teenager. However, she’s been through far more than one might expect and is more experienced than she might appear to be.
This story could be classified as science fiction or new adult fiction, but actually, it’s a story about reality, a multi-faceted, multidimensional, infinite expanse, with countless nuances, that is continually shifting, never still. It’s about how interconnected things are, and how many hidden parallels there are to everything, and how many of these facets of reality may be affected by ONE occurrence.
It’s a story about losing, forgetting, reinventing and reclaiming oneself and one’s power, with the sobering reminder that there are real vampires waiting to drain you of your life force, who will do whatever they can to get close to you in order to purchase a hold on you and take everything from you.

[Clover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book expecting a confusionary beginning, based on some reviews I had read online, but it wasn’t so for me: the story begins with a high paced rhythm as the protagonist, Trina, seems to unexplicably jump different realities, forgotten by everyone she meets in previous worlds, all not so much different than one another. That is until someone actually remembers her, the worlds she stumbles upon gets crazier and crazier, and she’s not alone anymore in her quest to find an explanation as to what and why is happening to her.
I’m usually not fond of sci-fi stories that end up with a “rational” explanation, turning the paranormal elements into tricks of the mind, but the key topic in this book hit me emotionally, making the reading experience engaging and me wanting to know more.
The particle accelerator thing left me confused as to “where does this come from” when I finished the book, but overall it was well constructed, well written, and I’ll definitely recommend it to anyone who likes multiverses, sci-fi doing what it does best (mingling with the reality of humanity), and a good cry at the last page.

[queenofgotham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise of this book is intriguing and it had my interest piqued from the start. The story is layered and moves along with steady medium-pacing, giving both tense action heavy scenes as well as character-driven moments that allow us a chance to just breathe. As I was reading, I was consistently hovering around a 4 to 4.5 rating. However, once I hit a part when the layers all started weaving together, it easily jumped up to 5 and stayed there through the end. It's definitely one of those books that I think will look entirely new during a reread.

The exact genre is difficult to pinpoint, and I recommend going in with an open mind and not if you're in the mood for something specific. Expect a story first and the genre to flow mostly between elements of scifi, horror, and thriller. This is a beautiful, intricately crafted book, and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Christopher Hawkins for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a way to start off my 2025 reading adventure. I absolutely loved this mind-bending sci-fi thriller and was totally immersed in the story from the very first page.

Synopsis:

Trina is experiencing the Turning and never wakes up in the same world twice. No one remembers her and in each world, she faces new dangers. She meets a librarian named Colin and is shocked when he remembers their conversation after a Turning. Trina is hopeful that maybe he is the key to figuring out what is happening and how she can get back to her own reality. An encounter with a cruel doctor leads Trina to believe that she might be the cause of all this madness and she starts to question herself. Trina must look deep inside herself to find the courage to move forward before she is lost in the multiverse.

My Thoughts:

Everything about this book is phenomenal: the writing, the narrative and the characters. Christopher Hawkins's writing flows from the pages and creates such a deep atmosphere for the story. The worlds created in this book are imaginative and unlike anything I have ever read before. I felt so many emotions while reading this book. I was anxious, claustrophobic (especially in the water scenes), infuriated, heartbroken and delighted. I cried while reading the last five chapters. With 50 pages left, I found myself reading slower and slower both to absorb every word but also because I didn't want to leave Trina.

You absolutely need to read this book!

Thank you Christopher Hawkins and Coronis Publishing for the ARC.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of science fiction, as I prefer it on the big or small screen. But this book appealed to me, as a woman seems to traverse different worlds/dimensions. Each one is unique and interesting and begs to be explored further, and yet she's on the run and can't stay too long in one spot. And the tension builds as does my wonder at what direction we're really headed. Not many books surprise me anymore, but this one got me pretty good, with an ending I only grasped near the end. Great characters, action and heart. Highly recommend!

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for an advanced copy to review.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 Rounded down.

I had the opportunity to ARC read Christopher Hawkins book Downpour and I loved it, so when I saw that he had another out on Netgalley I jumped at the opportunity.

I can honestly say I am so glad that I did.

Where Downpour leans heavily towards horror and suspense, I Contain Multitudes leans into science fiction.

This one wastes no time getting into the thick of it. Normally, I prefer a bit of a back story, but the synopsis really does an excellent job of getting you started. The book jumps right into the fray and although it's jarring at first it really helps put you in the shoes of our protagonist, Trina Bell, as she is thrown into these alternate worlds over and over again completely helpless to it.

I really think I love this so much because it reminds me of the Zack Snyder film, Sucker Punch and I won't go into any more detail as to why because honestly, it could give too much away.

The only other thing I want to talk about is the title. I Contain Multitudes although has a literal meaning in the way to jumping through multiple universes, once you read the full book it has such a deeper and more emotional meaning and I love that.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to @netgalley and @hawkinswrites for the ARC of "I Contain Multitudes".

Hunted through an ever-shifting patchwork of worlds, one woman must rediscover her own past to restore reality before it's too late.

This has to be one of the most unique stories that I have read in recent memory. FMC Trina is trapped in an endlessly shifting reality where she is stalked by mysterious figures.
Her reality shifts from a desert wasteland to steampunk Victorian city, where she's the only one that knows what is going on.
Think something like Quantum Leap mixed with creatures from Stranger Things.
I don't want to give any spoilers, but there were a few parts where I audibly gasped.
All I can say is go and get this book.

[Caroline Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed "Downpour" so I was eager to give this new novel a go. The Sci Fi elements were impressive and there was plenty of mystery and suspense. The world changing was interesting in itself, but as the story moved forward, it became more and more evident that there was not a simple reason for the changes, but something deeper, with an emotional impact for the main character and the reader alike.

It was easy to like the main character and have empathy for her and the author created just the right amount of importance to side characters, considering their respective roles in the story as a whole.

If you love Sci Fi but need something with heart and soul, this is for you.

I received this arc from netgalley and the author in exchange for my honest review.

[SteeleHookedonBooks Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

**"I Contain Multitudes" by Christopher Hawkins** is a gripping exploration of identity, the human experience, and the complexity of relationships, all framed within a unique narrative. The book follows a protagonist navigating through personal struggles, messy friendships, and a world that seems to be constantly shifting. With elements of fantasy and intrigue, Hawkins invites readers into a world of emotional depth where nothing is quite as it seems. The themes of self-discovery, inner conflict, and the need for connection resonate throughout the story.

The pacing of the novel is solid, steadily drawing the reader into the unfolding mystery. Hawkins skillfully builds tension, balancing moments of introspection with action and suspense. The characters are rich and layered, with complex dynamics between them that keep the story engaging. Themes of identity and navigating life’s struggles are explored in a way that feels both relatable and profound. The exploration of human relationships, especially messy friendships and the search for personal clarity, is compelling and relatable.

While the novel is engaging and thought-provoking, there are moments where the story feels slightly abstract, which might not resonate with all readers. The twists and turns in the narrative are interesting, though some may find certain aspects predictable by the end. Nonetheless, *I Contain Multitudes* leaves you pondering deeper questions about life and self, making it a compelling read with a unique approach.

**Rating:** ★★★★ (4/5)

*I Contain Multitudes* is an enjoyable, thoughtful read, blending fantasy with deeply human themes. Though a bit abstract at times, the story’s exploration of identity, relationships, and self-discovery make it a rewarding experience for readers who enjoy reflective, multi-layered narratives.

Thank you to NetGalley and Coronis Publishing for an eArc in exchange for a honest, unbiased review!

[Ann (Ann.otatedBooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another really enthralling read from Christopher Hawkins, an author who has proven he knows how to bring the action to multiple genres. I had previously devoured Hawkins' nature-horror book, Downpour, and was very excited to read his next book seeing as it was branching into another one of my favorite genres, sci-fi. Hawkins' does not disappoint!

This is a very quick, delightful read about Trina Bell- a woman whose world changes around her each day and who has never had an interaction with someone who remembered her. The changing of worlds daily was the most fascinating element of this book today. We are introduced to one world early on where Trina wakes up in a hotel room and finds money she does not even understand. What starts as small changes in a mostly-recognizable world turn into big changes as each day goes by. Early on in the book, Trina meets and older man who DOES remember her and their interaction, even though her world shifted mid-conversation. This is really where the action takes off and Trina finally has an ally to help her sort out what exactly is happening to her and how to fix it.

There are some twists and turns, including a truly mean yet confused antagonist and an ending I did not at all expect. The only complaint I had about this book was that I wanted more depth- more about each character, and more about the ending. This was such a complex novel that it could have easily been double the length and just as enthralling, but perhaps at the expense of Hawkins' addictive, break-neck pace. Because of this, I would give in 4.5 stars and I am rounding up to 5 stars. I would recommend this book for lovers of Dark Matter by Blake Crouch or The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for the ARC! This is definitely a book that sci-fi readers should get when it comes out on April 30th of 2025!

[TheADHDreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Objective review:

Let's be honest, I completely misread what this book was about because of my stupid brain. This book is first and foremost a thriller, a very effective one. With a veneer of scifi and multiverse theory. I thought I was in for something quite different and did not finish the book, BUT, not because it's bad, it is actually very good. Trina Bell is a lonely young woman stuck in an endless loop of worlds, constantly changing around her and leaving her lonely, with no one remembering who she is. She is pursued by mysterious entities and must stay ahead of them constantly. But all is about to change when one man remembers.

Simple premise, and a very effective one. Christopher Hawkins transports us on a fast-paced thriller filled with interesting characters and delivering hooks whenever the story threatens to slow down too much. It is a wonderful exploration of loneliness, the complexity of the mind and how it relates to reality. While I may not have gotten everything from it, I encourage those who love thrillers and multiverse stories to pick it up.

The ADHD review:

Triggers Warnings!: Creepy, Shadow Daddies that aren't there for your pleasures, a dad figure, Victorian badonkadonks, multiverse shenanigans and the strongest water sprinklers known to man!

The world keeps changing on Trina faster than a baby can change diapers. She is more lost than a toddler at the mall when a random old dude recognizes her. Things start going sideways real fast and the shadow gang come out of the real shadows to be shady as hell. Get ready for thriller multiverse time, but not the convoluted MCU kind that makes little sense. No, this one has particle accelerators, or at least I think so.

[Scott Whitmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting at a breakneck pace and only occasionally slowing down, I Contain Multitudes by Christopher Hawkins is a beautifully crafted puzzle-box that eschews info dumping background in favor of hiding it in plain sight. In less capable hands this approach can be off-putting or even annoying enough to earn a Did Not Finish result. Instead, I thoroughly enjoyed being pulled along on this thrill ride of a story.

This review is based on an advance copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley. The book will be available on April 30, 2025.

Trina Bell never wakes to the same reality twice. She’s endured countless Turnings – her term for the world shifts – but doesn’t know why they happen or when they began. Trina has an indistinct memory of her grandfather, and flowers, but not who or what she was … before. Even though the worlds before and after a Turning are often similar, no one knows or remembers her.

Well, except the Shadows – black outlines in reality that resemble people and a dog – that’re searching for Trina. The touch of a Shadow is cold and unsettling, and she’s been fortunate to avoid capture as she leads a nomadic, lonely existence, vaguely heading in the direction of a place that may hold some answers. Trina has gotten close to this location before only to find herself hundreds of miles away after the next Turning.

But then a chance encounter with an older gentleman in a coffee shop is like having a bucket of ice water splashed in her face. Against all odds, he remembers Trina after the next Turning, setting in motion a series of twists and turns (and Turnings) building to a wholly unexpected and satisfying conclusion.

[Elli (Kindig Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had previously enjoyed Christopher Hawkins horror novel – Downpour, so I was excited to receive the ARC for his latest sci-fi – I Contain Multitudes.

Trina Bell wakes up in a new reality every morning – the world shifting around her and people forgetting her. Until one day, she meets a librarian who remembers who she is – can she break the cycle?

The premise for this book is unusual – every day, the world around Trina resets, and it isn’t just the people that change, but the entire world - skipping backwards and forwards in time and also introducing parallel worlds. This kept the story engaging and the pace high throughout. Trina is our anchor in the story, and we hold on to her as we progress through the worlds she inhabits - Hawkins ensures that she feels real and believable throughout.

The book starts to pick up the pace as Trina and librarian Colin move through the realities together, being chased by a mysterious doctor and the shadows. There’s a lot of action in these sequences and I raced ahead to work out what was happening and how all the various threads would come together. The ending blew me away – I was not expecting it at all, and it instantly made it a five star read for me (but no spoilers, I’m afraid!).

Overall, I Contain Multitudes is engaging and unusual sci-fi with a fantastic plot progression. Thank you to NetGalley & Coronis Publishing for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For more of my reviews check out Kindig Blog

[Jessica Burchett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: April 30, 2025
Five. Stars.
5.
Cinco. Cinque.

Go into this book without any spoilers. I can't even warn the people who need to be warned about the emotional wreckage this will scatter all around you.



Video Review: https://youtu.be/vZijLn4RY6s

There's something certain people fear above all else. It's anxiety-inducing, the kind that makes your palms sweat and your ears ring and your head feel cottony. But you won't realize it until late in the book, then you'll look askance at the possibility of that world being the "real" world, hoping it's not, but if it is, hoping there's a chance that it won't end up like it could...

I know! That's a terrible review. But I'm trying to tell you nothing because I'm afraid I might inadvertently ruin the book for you, and it is so good.

How to compare this? Let me see if I can do that "this" meets "this" thing that publishers are so fricking fond of...

It's Blake Crouch's Dark Matter meets.... Nope. Can't do that. It will give too much away.