Hit chapter 42 and the main character just walked into a different dimension via a vending machine

I was reading this sci-fi novel that felt pretty grounded for 41 chapters. Then suddenly the hero buys a soda from a random machine and gets sucked into a parallel universe where everyone communicates through interpretive dance. No explanation, no foreshadowing, just wham. Has anyone else run into an ending that came completely out of left field like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

finleythomas1d ago

You ever had a buddy who loaned you a book and swore it was amazing? My friend Dave handed me this fantasy series. For two books it was all about medieval politics and siege warfare. Then in book three the main character literally stopped mid-battle to have a lengthy tea ceremony with a talking badger that explained the REAL magic system was actually based on proper tea leaf placement. Dave just shrugged and said the author "found his voice." I never trusted his recommendations again.

beth_mitchell1d ago

Oh no @finleythomas, that badger betrayal, your trust in Dave is gone forever.