Archive of Unknown Universes

So much more than just historical, romance, or speculative fiction--it truly is genre-defying.

I’ve seen mixed reviews of this, which surprises me because I think it’s really something special! This book offers a thoughtful exploration of technology, the very human side of revolution and war, and what is left out of the archives or dominant historical narrative. 

We follow two families’ experiences of the Salvadoran war and the impacts it left generations later. In 2018, Ana and Luis, a young couple, are trying to piece together their intertwined family histories despite the many gaps and silences that haunt them.

What’s already an interesting story is complicated by Ana’s use of The Defractor, an experimental technology that allows users to see glimpses of alternate versions of their lives. This sends Ana and Luis on a journey through San Salvador and Havana to understand what could have been--not just for them, but for the generations that came before.

Reyes uses multiple perspectives (including alternate realities and flashbacks), which can be a bit confusing at times, but it’s really a worthwhile, powerful, and wholly human story. It’s a great pick for Hispanic Heritage Month! I’m looking forward to reading his short story collection next: There Is a Rio Grande in Heaven!