My first book by this author was Sea of Tranquility, which I loved. I didn’t like the next two I read by her quite as much, but with Exit Party, we have a return to form—or at least the form that most appeals to me. It features Mandel’s signature time- and perspective-hopping, as well as a return to mysterious happenings and overt science fiction elements.
We start with Ari, recently released from a lengthy prison stint. The United States has broken by civil war into numerous small countries and city-states, with many territories still in contention. She and her roommate attend a party in Los Angeles to celebrate its now being secure enough that the government lifted the curfew. Weird things happen at the party, events that ripple through the rest of the novel in various ways.
Ari is one of the consistent POVs that we follow, allowing readers a sense of connection, but admittedly I was first drawn in by the mystery. How did the events at the party come about? By the time we had answers, I was hooked on the book anyway. There was one particular POV that I didn’t care for, but otherwise I was engaged with the slow unfolding of information and experiences across worlds and time.
This is not an action-packed or plot-heavy novel, although it’s far from plotless. It’s focused on how particular characters respond to their circumstances, how their choices affect the lives of those around them, and how to make a life worth living when sometimes it seems like choices are limited. It was an absorbing read and a reminder that I still have some back catalogue books by Mandel to get to. 4.5 stars rounded up.
