Great foundation for a TV adaptation, bumping this up my TBR in anticipation for the upcoming Apple TV series. While I don't think it quite lived up to my high expectation (after having read and really enjoyed Blake Crouch's subsequent novels, particularly Recursion), it was still an emotionally engaging sci-fi drama, with sequences I'm looking forward to seeing visualized. (Side note: I thought the casting of Joel Edgerton as the lead was spot on!)

There were some minor, but obvious plot shortcomings that prevented me from rating Dark Matter higher, such as the surface level explanation with its sci-fi element (part of it felt a little cartoony and under-cooked), and the odd narrative choice of abandoning a critical secondary character halfway through without much of a proper send off. Even though I really appreciate how the novel ended—its openness might leave some readers wanting. Lastly, in today's popular culture, the 'multiverse' concept is not as fresh as it was back in 2016, so the plot progression probably doesn't feel as innovative as it once was (I personally didn't see the 'twist' coming, but looking at other reviews I might be the minority).

My reversed reading order definitely wasn't in Dark Matter's favor, as evidently Blake Crouch has refined his craft throughout his subsequent work, so it was easy to spot the flaws in this initial breakout hit. However, the core elements are all present, and it has undeniable mainstream appeal. I'm pretty sure Blake Crouch is involved in this adaptation, so I'm looking forward to see how he will expand and improve upon his old work in a different medium!