Book Review: Shades of Earth by Beth Revis

Published January 15th, 2013
Razorbill
369 pages (Hardcover)

Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They're ready to start life afresh--to build a home--on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience.

But this new Earth isn't the paradise Amy had been hoping for. There are giant pterodactyl-like birds, purple flowers with mind-numbing toxins, and mysterious, unexplained ruins that hold more secrets than their stone walls first let on. The biggest secret of all? Godspeed's former passengers aren't alone on this planet. And if they're going to stay, they'll have to fight.

Amy and Elder must race to discover who--or what--else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. They will have to look inward to the very core of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed--friends, family, life on Earth--will have been for nothing.

FUELED BY LIES.
RULED BY CHAOS.ALMOST HOME. (From Goodreads)

I WANT MORE!  I'm 100% in denial that this series is over.  Shades of Earth is a great conclusion to Beth Revis' trilogy.

If you haven't started this trilogy  yet, you have no idea what you're missing.  This series mixes science fiction with murder and mystery, with a dash of pure awesomeness, leaving a delicious treat.  I've been hooked since I started Across the Universe.

My only issue with this book was that the ending felt a bit rushed.  A lot was jammed into the last quarter of the book.  I know there were a lot of loose ends to tie up, but I think it should have been drawn out a bit more (or maybe I'm in denial that it's over?).

What I want now is more.  Perhaps another saga with new characters set further in the future?  Or maybe same characters in a few years?  Maybe?  Please?

Much love, Samantha

Waiting On Shades of Earth

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating!

This week I am excited for...

Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship, Godspeed behind. They're ready to start life afresh--to build a home--on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience.

But this new Earth isn't the paradise Amy had been hoping for. There are giant pterodactyl-like birds, purple flowers with mind-numbing toxins, and mysterious, unexplained ruins that hold more secrets than their stone walls first let on. The biggest secret of all? Godspeed's former passengers aren't alone on this planet. And if they're going to stay, they'll have to fight.

Amy and Elder must race to discover who--or what--else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. They will have to look inward to the very core of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed--friends, family, life on Earth--will have been for nothing.

FUELED BY LIES.
RULED BY CHAOS.ALMOST HOME. (From Goodreads)

I'm so exciting for the conclusion to Beth Revis' trilogy.  I really like the mixture of science fiction and mystery, and can't wait to see what Elder and Amy get themselves into next.  If you haven't read Across The Universe (review) and A Million Suns (review) yet, I recommend checking them out.

Shades of Earth is out January 15th, 2013.

Much love, Samantha

Book Review: A Million Suns by Beth Revis

Published January 10th, 2012
Razorbill
386 pages (Hardcover)

Godspeed was once fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos. It’s been three months. In that time, Amy has learned to hide who she is. Elder is trying to be the leader he’s always wanted to be. But as the ship gets more and more out of control, only one thing is certain: They have to get off the ship. (From Goodreads)

I actually flew through this book in a few short hours.  Another frexing good book!  More lies revealed!

If you read my review of Across The Universe, you know wasn't a fan of Amy.  I am happy to say she grew on me, but still...  I understand that Amy is alone, on a spaceship where everyone else is monoethnic and doesn't understand how trapped they are, but geez.  She's annoying and refuses to understand their perspective.  I just want her to grow up a little.

I also still love Elder.  Not only is he now the youngest person on the ship, but he's in charge.  Poor guy.  I wouldn't wish that upon anyone.

My problem with this book... the lack of romance.  Yeah, there are a few roadblocks and conflicting emotions, but come on.  Seriously kids, you've proven you need each other, and all the feelings seem to be there. I understood the lack in Across The Universe, but I would have liked to see more on the romance front from this book.

Book 3, Shades of Earth, is due out January 2013.  I'm excited to see where the story is headed, given the ending of A Million Suns.

Much love, Samantha

Across The Universe Trilogy Has New Covers!

I love them!  Like love LOVE them.  Not just like-love.  Love-love.

These new covers were released yesterday on wired.com.  This is also the first reveal (that I know of) for Shades of Earth, which is to be released January 2013.

I have read and reviewed both Across the Universe and A Million Suns (not yet posted), and truly enjoyed both books, but I completely agree with the Wired article.  These new covers will definitely increase the number of readers.  My brother read Across the Universe and liked it as well.  I decided to ask him which book he would pick up, if he saw both copies of Across the Universe in the bookstore.  He said he would rather pick up the original, but he's nuts, so we're going to ignore his opinion.  So I tried again with A Million Suns, which he hasn't read yet, and he liked the new cover better.

As much as I hate to admit it, I do tend to judge a book by it's cover, and I know I'm not the only one.  A cover won't make me not read a book, but we tend to pick up books that catch our eye.

All in all, I love the new covers, and I think more guys will be tempted to check out the new series.  Now I am even more excited for January to come, and for me to get my greedy hands on Shades of Earth!

Much love, Samantha

Book Review: Across The Universe by Beth Revis

Published January 11th, 2011
Razorbill
398 pages (Paperback)

Amy is a cryogenically frozen passenger aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed. She expects to awaken on a new planet, 300 years in the future. But fifty years before Godspeed's scheduled landing, Amy's cryo chamber is unplugged, and she is nearly killed.

Now, Amy is caught inside an enclosed world where nothing makes sense.Godspeed's passengers have forfeited all control to Eldest, a tyrannical and frightening leader, and Elder, his rebellious and brilliant teenage heir.

Amy desperately wants to trust Elder. But should she? All she knows is that she must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets before whoever woke her tries to kill again. (From Goodreads)

You know you're in for a good read when all it takes is the first chapter to make you shed a few tears.

Yes, chapter one of Across The Universe is likely one of the best first chapters ever.  It sets up the whole crazy story perfectly.  And from that point on, I had serious trouble setting this book down.

I ate a Clif bar at one point.  I don't know if energy bars are meant to keep you awake because you want to read, but it worked.

I enjoyed Elder's narration more than Amy's.  I'm a huge fan of books that switch perspective like this.  It works particularly well here.  I loved watching Elder develop throughout the book, seeing beyond the world he grew up in.  Can you imagine never encountering another person your own age?  I can't either, but I'd likely want to bang them too.  Amy kind of annoyed me.  Something about her just didn't click with me.

I usually don't like Science Fiction, but I really frexing liked this book!  I will definitely be checking out the sequel, A Million Suns.

"So one man, the strongest leader, stood up and became the first Eldest.  He worked with the survivors.  They developed the lie"

Much love, Samantha
P.S.  I gave this book to my younger brother to read.  He likes Science Fiction, and has been digging this book too!