I enjoyed this book!
I’m thinking closer to 4.5 stars but rounded up.

The opening letter in the book got my intention immediately. It set the tone that this book would be sad and tender at times while exploring emotional themes in the backdrop of the Salvadoran civil war.

The jump to present day Ana and Luis universe caught my attention as well. I enjoyed the pop-culture/humor elements incorporated in the defractor scenes.

Some of Ana and Luis’s scenes lost my interest a bit around 30% of the way through the book, I think that’s because I was impatient and wanting to see how their worlds and family histories connected.
Towards the end of their trip, my interest picked up again, maybe the lull was a mirror of their relationship.

Neto & Rafael’s scenes kept my attention the whole time. I enjoyed all aspects of their stories, how the war affected their lives and their tumultuous relationships with their families. The dialogue and details of their lives, surroundings, inner thoughts, really brought the story to life.

I was really drawn to the alternate universes, and how their stories played out for them. I wish those universes were the true ones because there was more hope for happy endings there. I wanted more time in that universe, but for the sake of the story, I see how that amount of time had served its purpose.

I wish there was a bit more on Elena’s history, it was tragic and I really felt for given the limited amount of insight we got. I do understand though, that the focus was mostly on Luis and Neto- so that’s probably why there wasn’t more time spent there.

Overall, I found myself really wanting to know how the story resolved and being invested in the characters despite their flaws. I’m back and forth on whether I wanted more from the ending or not. I think the wrap up, though solemn, was perfectly satisfactory for the characters, and realistic. I think part of my issue is that I ended up liking some of the characters so much that I wanted them to have a happy ending because they deserve one after everything. But I think the ending we got for Ana and Luis just made sense and was for the best.

All of Neto’s letters at the ending though…. Phew they were a lot and just thinking about them makes me a bit teary-eyed. I think that was a the emotional heart-felt ending the book needed.

Dare I say I liked this book even more than his debut- though I did enjoy that as well. I think the long form novel really pairs well with his writing and storytelling style, I’m already looking forward to his next novel after this. His work just feels new and refreshing, unlike anything I’ve read recently, and something I want to read more of.

Thanks again to NetGalley, Mariner Books and Ruben Reyes Jr for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book drew me in from the very first page with its engaging plot and well-developed characters. The writing was beautiful and easy to follow, making it hard to put down. I especially loved the emotional depth and the way the story unfolded naturally. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a thoughtful and satisfying read!

this book was so good. I loved seeing the parallels and stark differences between the 2 possibilities of what could happen with one small change. It was a very well written book, it had some good learning moments, and it flowed well

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

Reyes' debut novel (after short story collection There Is a Rio Grande in Heaven) explores the Salvadoran Civil War on those who lived it and those who came after. Two families affected by the war in alternate timelines show what might have been had the revolution succeeded in overthrowing the Salvadorian government, or if the revolution been stomped out decisively, backlit by a tech device called a defractor that lets the characters take peeks at alternate timelines of their own lives. A device and two realities that did not happen in our current timeline. History, family silences, and immigration play a major role, but the destabilizing power of love and love letters written by star-crossed lovers Neto and Raphael tie both families and alternate timelines together to create a mix of historical fiction and sci-fi that leaves the reader reassured that the choices we make in this life are the ones that matter, and that love can cross generations and timelines.

VERDICT Recommended for those interested in political revolutions, alternate history, and family dramas. For readers of Gina María Balibrera and Colson Whitehead who are ready to view the meaning of a romance from many angles.

This is a beautiful, introspective book that explores what could have been. The Archive of Unknown Universes reimagines characters’ lives among the backdrop of the Salvadoran Civil War and the decades that follow. While the technology that allows characters to access alternate timelines was interesting, much of reimagining occurs within the characters’ minds. It is a grounded story, and the “sci fi” element is minimal.

The strongest part of this novel is the relationship between Neto and Rafael. I loved how their relationship builds, and appreciated how their love ultimately affects a web of people in its wake. I wanted to learn more about Ana and Luis’s mothers - much was alluded to about their war experiences, but the reader doesn’t get their story directly.

Looking forward to reading more from Ruben Reyes Jr. in future!