Wild Massive

November 7, 2022
Moore (Battle of the Linguist Mages) delivers a gonzo adventure set in a transdimensional skyscraper whose tens of thousands of floors encompass a vast cross-section of alternate realities. Carissa, last survivor of a psychic race massacred by the authoritarian Association that rules much of the Building, has laid low in an elevator for many years. Then one of the shape-shifting Shai-Manak lands atop her home. The Shai-Manak people have been at war with the Association for decades, but this particular shape-shifter (who uses the pronouns ze and zir) is on the run from zir own kind even as ze embarks on a desperate mission of sabotage. Together, the two seek refuge in the Wild Massive chain of amusement parks, which dominate entire floors of the Building. Their subsequent escapades transcend both time and space as political schemes centuries in the making come to fruition. Throughout this sprawling, ambitious romp, Moore draws from numerous perspectives and gleefully embraces the inherent absurdity of both setting and premise, especially as metatextual aspects become increasingly blatant. With a centuries-long intermedia series that both reflects and shapes the history of the Association, unbelievably large theme roller coasters, and semi-sentient elevators, there’s no shortage of wild ideas here. Readers are in for a rollicking trip through the fun house.

November 1, 2022

At the heart of the multiverse, entire worlds are compressed into the Building, a colossal skyscraper and media empire that is ruled by the all-powerful Association. The endless floors are accessed by elevators. Carissa, an unsociable survivor, has seized one for herself, and she aimlessly explores until a shapeshifter drops atop her elevator. Andasir is Shai-Manak, an enemy of the Association, and ze seeks to prevent an apocalyptic attack. Unexpectedly swept up into an interdimensional war, they flee to the Wild Massive, a futuristic theme park that thrives on the lies that paint over the genocide of Carissa's people. While a bit heavy with info-dumping at times, this is an immersive and unique sci-fi fantasy adventure. It's compelling in a sociological sense, featuring a society that is blinded by its own complacency and overindulgence. Carissa and Andasir are relatable characters with murky motivations, but the vast theme park setting really drives the story with a good blend of magic and science. VERDICT The latest from Moore (Battle of the Linguist Mages) is perfect for those who enjoy offbeat sci-fi where the weak stand up to the strong.--Andrea Dyba

Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2022
Carissa minds her own business, living in an elevator in the Building, a structure tens of thousands of stories tall, with entire pocket universes contained on individual floors. One day, an alien shape-shifter lands on top of her elevator, pulling her into a crisis of politics, betrayal, and the looming threat of war. Thus begins a complex tale featuring fractious governments, deep mythological history, a centuries-long soap opera, and gargantuan theme parks. There are aliens, robots, artificially intelligent cloudlet computers, mind control, exploration, magic, and art. Wild Massive is one of the most singular and difficult to summarize books of the year. Moore's characters are well rendered, and his style is a heady mixture of propulsive plot, sideways humor, and expository asides, with a healthy dose of the proudly bizarre. World building takes undisputed center stage. The Building is compelling, imaginative, expansive, and ridiculous, with a history and creation mythology as unique as the structure itself. Exploring this place is irresistible and deeply rewarding. It will leave readers hoping for more stories set in this world.

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