Invertiverse by Derrick Davis book review

“Piles of debris littered the entire shoreline, as far as he could see: several cars, pieces of buildings, uprooted trees, and limitless wreckage. Sprawled out among it all were dozens of motionless people and various creatures, none appearing to be alive…David put his hand to his mouth. “My God,” he said. “It’s the Invertiverse, isn’t it?”

Derrick Davis’s debut fiction novel Invertiverse plunges readers into the lives of two compelling protagonists: David Andrews and Carol Harper, two people who feel left behind in their small town. David is returning home after years away, having fled following a traumatic incident that made it impossible to stay. Meanwhile, Carol finds herself trapped in a toxic relationship, unsure how to move forward. Their paths become inextricably linked when, while exploring the depths of a former government research facility, they discover a mysterious, engraved wooden box etched with cryptic symbols.

After the box suddenly vanishes and they resurface, everything above ground has changed. Their town is transformed, and they are thrust into a strange and dangerous new version of reality — one filled with dinosaurs, spider-bats, and mind-bendingly viscous monsters.

I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of Invertiverse from Derrick to read and review, and let me say this upfront: this book takes you on a wild ride. While it introduces some big ideas about the multiverse and the fate of those dislodged from their own realities, what truly kept me hooked were the characters — especially Carol. She’s loudmouthed, quick-witted, and the perfect sort-of-friend to David, asking the right questions with a sharp mix of sarcasm and fear. Their relationship, and the emotional depth Davis gives to both of them, grounds the story beautifully.

Once the narrative kicks into gear, the pace is relentless — but never overwhelming. Each new twist and turn feels earned, and the bizarre creatures, shifting realities, and inventive vehicles that populate the journey are all richly imagined. The book channels the spirit of classic childhood adventure films — it gave me strong Back to the Future and The NeverEnding Story vibes — while still feeling fresh and original.

A special mention has to go to the stunning artwork featured throughout the book, created by a range of talented illustrators. The visuals add an extra layer of immersion, helping to bring the Invertiverse to life in vivid, sometimes haunting detail.

Best of all, Invertiverse sticks the landing. The climax is one of the most satisfying and clever parts of the novel, where Davis weaves his fantastical world into a powerful metaphor for grief, regret, and emotional healing. The multiverse here isn’t just a gimmick — it’s central to the themes of the story, giving weight and purpose to the action.

When I interviewed Derrick for my podcast, Road to Rebirth, he shared that some of the story beats had been developing in his mind for nearly two decades. That passion and dedication shines through. Invertiverse is a bold, imaginative, and emotionally resonant debut from a writer who clearly has many more stories to tell.

To find out more about the book and pre-order it then head to Derrick’s website here