I'd like to thank NetGalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for this review.

A rogue planet called Malachite is passing near the Earth, and NASA says everything is going to be okay. But Crosby, who was raised to be a free thinker has been visiting a psychic and chatting with others on the dark web about OTHER possibilities concerning Malachite. The more time and energy she spends on the internet and with Shannon the psychic, the more out of touch with reality Crosby becomes.

This is a book in verse, and I loved that. What I didn't love was the lack of concern over our main character Crosby. I will admit that the lack of concern for her, and her lack of touch with reality caused me to DNF this book at the 62% mark. I could no longer handle her clear loss of reality. I may pick this one back up a little later, after I've had some distance from it--but for right now, it feels much too like listening to propaganda and misinformation.

Definitely an interesting first read for the year. I struggled to get through it for the first like 60%. The "victim-of-misinformation" arc of the whole narrative felt a little half baked to me. The author says in the author's note in the end (which seems way too explanatory) that she wanted to show equally the perspectives of a new age mystic and a science-based thinker (or something like that), but I felt like you really needed to read between the lines for the first like 80% of the book to understand that the author thought conspiratorial thinking was bad. It really reads for most of it like it's going to be in favor of misinformation tactics, and I didn't know if it was going to end with the asteroid hitting earth or Crosby being wrong. I definitely this complex topic could have and should have been executed more clearly. Explainer notes at the end just kinda feel lazy.

I was so excited for this one, and I think it ended up being... just not exactly what I thought it would be? That cover though, guys. She's a beaut. Anyway, I have some mixed feelings about it, but let me tell you a bit about the book. It's a novel in verse about Crosby, who is finishing high school and heading to college around the same time that NASA announces there is a planet heading close-ish to Earth, but it will probably be fine. Crosby does not think it will be fine. She thinks it will be the End of Days. I was kind of assuming this would be more apocalypse, less angsty poetry, but that one is probably on me.

What Worked For Me:

Obviously, the commentary about the messiness of society in terms of people believing absurd things with no scientific proof is important. Figuring out how people become susceptible to such things are likely the only way to try to lessen it, so that is a plus. I also love when characters are shown to be going through the transition from home to college, and all the upheaval that it entails. I certainly did empathize with Crosby on that front, because it is no easy task. There is also some character growth, but it is more alluded to than actually on-page.

What I Struggled With:

I'm sorry, but Crosby is wildly annoying. She’s very “I’m not like other people” in a way that seems very condescending and judgmental. Like- I kind of hoped that I'd at least be able to kind of understand how people end up falling for these Q-type ways of thinking, but in the end I still had no idea what Crosby's issue was. For awhile I wondered if she was mentally ill, frankly, which I could have at least had empathy for. But that did not seem to be the case. She spends a large portion of the book pining after her friend Shannon, who has gone away to school and is distancing herself from Crosby. In fairness, I also wanted to distance myself from Crosby, so I understood the appeal.

Interestingly, Crosby finds a lot of people who want to be her friend when she goes to college. She is awful to them most of the time, but they keep coming back and trying with her. She has little empathy for what others may be dealing with, and it made me... almost mad, I guess, that these people kept trying with her. Because in fact, that is just not how the world operates for most of us. Friendships are hard to come by, and showing that people kept trying over and over with Crosby felt almost unrealistic. Oh and speaking of college, there is quite a bit of casual drug use included.

Ultimately, had we seen more growth from Crosby, I may have been less annoyed. As it stood, she was overbearing and self-centered, and never really even thought about why her friend might be distancing herself. The world, quite literally, was apparently supposed to revolve around Crosby. Even the end of it, I guess.

Bottom Line: A lot of people liked this far more than I did, so check out their reviews, maybe it will work for you!

I got an ARC of this book.

I tried, I really did. The writing wasn't for me. When I realized I couldn't tell if one of the characters was a teddy bear or a human, I sort of gave up. I read for another twenty pages or so. I just couldn't get into it.

I am not the biggest fan of books in verse, but usually I can at least follow the plot. So this might just be me.

Thank you Netgalley and Page Street Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Meet Me in the Fourth Dimension" is a very interesting upper YA novel-in-verse that looks into convictions and conspiracies, which can sometimes blur the lines between reality and belief. Set against the backdrop of an impending apocalypse, the story follows Crosby, a protagonist teetering on the edge of sanity, as she navigates the murky waters of her deeply held convictions amidst the chaos of a world rife with misinformation. You can definitely tell that this book was inspired by all the events that followed the explosion of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically with false information and how quickly people begin to believe the misinformation spread everywhere.

My favorite part of the book was Feinstein's lyrical prose. The novel-in-verse format of this book is extremely beautiful and it just immerses you in Crosby's journey, infusing each line with rich imagery and raw emotion. The verse format lends itself perfectly to the atmospheric and fast-paced nature of the story, capturing the dreamy, disconnected feeling that fits this book perfectly as Crosby grapples with her beliefs and fears. I absolutely love novels-in-verse, and I will definitely be picking up a physical version of this book to add to my collection.

At the heart of the novel is the theme of blind faith and its consequences, as Crosby becomes increasingly entangled in her apocalyptic convictions. As stated earlier, "Meet Me in the Fourth Dimension" definitely serves as a timely reflection on the dangers of misinformation and the fragility of belief. This book will definitely have a bigger impact right now due to how recent the COVID-19 pandemic was, but I believe that these themes are timeless and readers will still be affected by these themes in the future. I think older YA readers, though, will get the most out of this book.

I enjoyed all the different characters in the book; I think they added a lot of depth and dimension (pun) to the narrative. They really helped lighten up the plot at times and keeping the story from being too dark in certain areas. Some scenes were a bit repetitive though, and I found myself stopping a few times due to this.

Overall, "Meet Me in the Fourth Dimension" I did really enjoy this book, especially due to the prevalence of misinformation right now in today’s society as well as all the different unhinged conspiracies circulating on the news.

‘Not everything is an omen, Crosby.
Not everything means something.’

Meet Me in the Fourth Dimension is a unique upper YA story told in verse about convictions so strong that they eventually lead to family and friends turning against each other and, in this case, believing in the end of the world. It reminded me sometimes of We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson (one of my favorite YA books ever), even though both stories are way different.
 
Crosby is an anxious, shaky mess, distrustful, and balancing on the edge of reality and deeply held convictions. She believes firmly in witchcraft, and when her best friend Shannon buys earrings she likes (from Malachite), and Crosby tries to convince her those earrings are not the right match for her, they fall apart. Then, she’s in college and watches at a party through a telescope. When she sees the rogue dwarf planet Malachite, Colby is convinced Sharon’s earrings are a warning and that the planet is a message for something bad to happen.
 
The writing is beautiful and poetic and so fitting for a story like this. The characters are fully developed, and the descriptions are so vivid, I felt I was there, but even without them, I could read this book only for the writing, immersing myself in the words and the sentences, the cadence, and the rhythm. It’s soft and atmospheric while Crosby’s anxiety and the eeriness of her beliefs bubble under the surface but emerge more and more.
 
Meet Me in the Fourth Dimension is a fantastic debut, and I can’t thank Rita Feinstein enough for asking me if I wanted to read an ARC. And thank you, Pagestreet YA, for sending me this ARC!

4.5 rounded up to 5/5.

Rita Feinstein's "Meet Me in the Fourth Dimension" invites readers into a world where belief teeters on the edge of reality, exploring the danger and humanity of conspiracy in a post-truth era. Set against the backdrop of impending apocalypse, this novel in verse weaves together themes of friendship, empathy, and the search for truth in a world inundated with misinformation.

At the center of the narrative is Crosby, a protagonist grappling with the weight of impending doom as rogue planet Malachite hurtles towards Earth. Convinced that salvation lies in ascending to the fourth dimension, Crosby embarks on a mission to prepare her friends and family for the inevitable cosmic event. However, as she delves deeper into her apocalyptic beliefs, Crosby is forced to confront the cracks in her convictions and the consequences of blind faith.

Feinstein's storytelling is both unique and enchanting, drawing readers into Crosby's world with rich imagery and visceral emotions. The verse format of the novel lends itself perfectly to the atmospheric and fast-paced nature of the story, immersing readers in Crosby's journey of self-discovery and disillusionment.

Throughout the narrative, Feinstein expertly navigates the complexities of belief and conspiracy, shining a light on how easily individuals can fall prey to misinformation and false promises. Inspired by the events of 2020 and the conspiracies that followed in its wake, "Meet Me in the Fourth Dimension" offers a poignant reflection on the power of belief and the consequences of unchecked paranoia.

The novel's ensemble cast of characters, including Crosby's roommate Bailey and her quirky friends, adds depth and dimension to the narrative, providing moments of levity amidst the looming apocalypse. However, unresolved storylines, such as that of Shannon, leave readers yearning for closure, detracting slightly from the overall satisfaction of the ending.

Yet, despite its flaws, "Meet Me in the Fourth Dimension" remains a must-read for those seeking a thought-provoking exploration of belief and humanity in a world fraught with uncertainty. Feinstein's fresh take on the theme of blind faith offers a timely reminder of the importance of critical thinking and empathy in the face of conspiracy.

In conclusion, "Meet Me in the Fourth Dimension" is a powerful and evocative novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page. With its compelling characters, rich imagery, and thought-provoking themes, it is sure to captivate readers seeking an immersive and introspective literary experience.

"The world is such a fucking mess," he continues.
"Can't trust the media, can't trust big pharma,
can't trust a single word out of the president's mouth.

We're all just looking for answers, right?
And when we hear one that clicks—" he snaps
his fingers, "—boom. A silver bullet to all our problems.


Finding this book out in the wilderness of publishing industries is like finding a cool oasis that my reader soul has been craving for so long; an upper YA novel-in-verse with Another Earth kind of premise i.e. taking sci-fi elements as the vehicle for character development. It's brilliant, unique, honest, and thought-provoking. The poems are gorgeous, a perfect blend of voice and plot so you'll get both beautiful writing style and a clear story. The cover and page break illustrations perfectly sums up the reading experience and aesthetic of the book.

Crosby, the main character, starts relatable but once she gets into college it feels like I needed to put up with her irritating behavior. But I get it, and honestly the poetic delivery of her frustration and annoyance is what got me through the first half. In the second half, I spotted repetitive scene (waking up in the morning), the unclear boundaries and status between Crosby and Bailey (is he the love interest?), and half-baked resolution with Shannon (she ghosted her bestie!). In the end, it only begged for more question and left me wanting more—what happens between Bailey and Crosby? Is Crosby and Shannon's friendship salvageable? What happens after Malachite?

I like this, I really do, especially the writing style and the fresh theme about escaping blind faith. Maybe because I'm used to YA that's clear cut, neatly-tied, un-cliffhanger unless it's a series, I feel there are still gaps waiting to be filled, especially when there's no plan for a sequel. It's perfect for a 'just vibes' kind of reading mood and those who are looking for atmospheric + fast-paced read.

The digital advance copy is kindly provided by Page Street Publishing and NetGalley.

This is such a beautiful, heartwarming, heartbreaking read!! The reader follows the story of witchy "Malachite-truther" Crosby as she tries to prep her friends for the end of the world. Crosby's perspective provides a unique lens into the world of conspiracy theories and natural medicine--it's so well-rounded and richly crafted that I wasn't at all surprised to learn in the Author's Note that much of this is drawn from Feinstein's own life.

Some specific things I loved:

How Crosby's challenged to think critically about her beliefs

The agony of friendship loss with Shannon!

The arc with Deva

Low-vibration vs. high vibration emotions

Shrooms

90/100 or 4.50 stars

The vibes and atmosphere created by writing this story as a novel in verse was amazing. I don't think prose would have elevated the story like it did. I think this was an overall better version of "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson, which I did not like whatsoever. I think it did what Hutchinson failed to do with this kind of story.

I'm not usually someone who likes an open ended story, but somehow this book pulls it off. I would love to get my hands on physical copy when it comes out and put it in my library.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I’m always a sucker for novels in verse, and this one set in the Pacific Northwest is as lush as the landscape up there. This tale follows Crosby post high school graduation into her first semester at college. A self proclaimed witch, she experiences a slow falling out with her best friend as the embark on different paths at different colleges. She copes by becoming obsessed with Malachite, a rogue planet that is coming dangerously close to earth. This book is heartbreaking and uplifting all at once, and I strongly encourage you to read the author’s note at the end just so you have any doubts cast away about feelings on this story. It was raw, poetic and basically perfect.

i love books in verse and this was honestly so powerful! i loved the malachite aspect and this was a great apocalyptic read

This book blew me away. A gorgeous exploration of self, religion, beliefs, and finding your own path. It was raw, vulnerable, and generous with character growth and empathy. All the characters felt complex and engaging, and with every line, you can tell what's well-thought-out and heartfelt.

MEET ME constantly had me thinking about the ways we engage with information, the world, and even ourselves when everything seems to be crumbling down.

I desperately wanted to hug Crosby while reading this and also hug my teenage/young adult self.

A must-read!