The Body Electric by Beth Revis - Paul's Review

*I received this book as an eARC from Scripturient Books on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: The Body Electric
Author: Beth Revis
Publication Year: 2014

My Pre Reading

Synopsis: 

The future world is at peace.

Ella Shepherd has dedicated her life to using her unique gift—the ability to enter people’s dreams and memories using technology developed by her mother—to help others relive their happy memories.

But not all is at it seems.

Ella starts seeing impossible things—images of her dead father, warnings of who she cannot trust. Her government recruits her to spy on a rebel group, using her ability to experience—and influence—the memories of traitors. But the leader of the rebels claims they used to be in love—even though Ella’s never met him before in her life. Which can only mean one thing…

Someone’s altered her memory.

Ella’s gift is enough to overthrow a corrupt government or crush a growing rebel group. She is the key to stopping a war she didn’t even know was happening. But if someone else has been inside Ella’s head, she cannot trust her own memories, thoughts, or feelings.

So who can she trust?

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: Beth Revis delivers another excellent YA science-fiction novel. The technological concepts in this novel are very interesting. This is definitely sci-fi, not space fantasy like many sci-fi out there (which I really enjoy as well). 

The way going into others' dreams is done reminds me of the 90's version of Johnny Quest. The way it is used throughout the story changes in an interesting turn of events.

Like Revis's prior trilogy, The Body Electric excellently blends mystery with science-fiction. This book had me questioning everything and with good reasons. 

The future world is renewed world, coming back from a damaging past. The politics in this novel are subtle, but take a major role in the plot. I liked that the story takes place in Malta. 

Although there aren't many connections, this book does take place in the same world as Across the Universe. I liked the Godspeed reference. 

This was a great science-fiction YA. I definitely recommend it. I give it a 4/5. Some of the pacing was a little off for me, but overall I really liked this novel. I will continue to consume anything Beth Revis I can find!
--PAUL

The Body Electric by Beth Revis - Paul's Pre-reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Scripturient Books on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: The Body Electric
Author: Beth Revis
Publication Year: 2014


Synopsis: 

The future world is at peace.

Ella Shepherd has dedicated her life to using her unique gift—the ability to enter people’s dreams and memories using technology developed by her mother—to help others relive their happy memories.

But not all is at it seems.

Ella starts seeing impossible things—images of her dead father, warnings of who she cannot trust. Her government recruits her to spy on a rebel group, using her ability to experience—and influence—the memories of traitors. But the leader of the rebels claims they used to be in love—even though Ella’s never met him before in her life. Which can only mean one thing…

Someone’s altered her memory.

Ella’s gift is enough to overthrow a corrupt government or crush a growing rebel group. She is the key to stopping a war she didn’t even know was happening. But if someone else has been inside Ella’s head, she cannot trust her own memories, thoughts, or feelings.

So who can she trust?

------------------------------------------------------------

Why?: I really enjoyed Beth Revis's Across the Universe trilogy. It's a great sci-fi generation ship adventure with mystery in each book. I've heard that this book takes place in the same world, but back on Earth. I like Revis's style of writing, so I am looking forward to reading this book. 

Expectations: I'm expecting some really cool sci-fi elements in a coming-of-age YA story. I know Revis is big into NASA and all things futuristic so I want to see what tech comes into this story.   

Judging a book by its cover: This cover is really cool. I like the colors and the outline of the girl. I'm intrigued by the insects. Te swarm reminds me of a hive or nest technology like the Borg or something. 


--PAUL

Shades of Earth (Across the Universe #3) by Beth Revis - Ashley's Review

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Shades of Earth
Author: Beth Revis
Year Published: 2013

My Pre-ReadingPaul's Review
My A Million Suns Review
My Across the Universe Review

Synopsis: 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.

Review: I'm pretty sure that this book was the perfect ending to this series. It was really cool to FINALLY be able to see Centauri-Earth, after spending two books aboard the Godspeed and only hearing about this new planet. Not that this new Earth doesn't have its own problems and dangers and mysteries... I mean, there are these huge pterodactyls for crying out loud. Which, as scary as they are, are totally awesome. I love dinosaurs. And I think it's completely fitting to have an ancient creature on a new world. 

Amy and Elder still have an incredible relationship, and it just grows and becomes better as they try to figure things out. I'm glad that Amy has finally decided that she loves Elder, regardless of if she has a choice or not... and that they still remain close friends even as their romantic interest in each other develops. It just seems very really, and I like when relationships don't come off as forced or unbelievable. 

Meeting all of the frozens is pretty neat too. And all of our favorite characters (well, the ones who haven't died yet anyway) are back, and just as awesome as ever. Even better, some of them. Plus, I feel like there's a message in there somewhere about being accepting of people even if they're strange or different. It's all really nice, and I think it's good to be reminded of every so often.

As always, Revis' writing is fantastic, and the plot moves along quickly so that I never wanted to put this book down and go to sleep. And her world building is phenomenal. I mean, we've learned a lot about what the world is like on Godspeed, and how everyone ended up there, but now we get a completely new world. Introduced and developed in the conclusion to a trilogy. I mean, who does that? I was just blown away by how Revis manages to pack so much detail into the story without it feeling overwhelming.

And of course, she manages to make you love her characters and then kill them. Like in the rest of her books in this series, your heart will be ripped out by all of the people who die. I didn't even think it was possible to kill so many people in one book, but Revis manages to do it, and do it well. And even though I usually think people should stay dead, I think Revis handles everything very well. I'm pretty sure there's nothing she can't write about, because she's pretty much got all of it covered in this series.

I would totally recommend this book to anyone who has read any of the other Across the Universe books, and to any lover of YA Sci-Fi. Actually, if you just like stories about space, new worlds, adventure, mystery, and lots of cool technology, you should definitely read this series. And especially stick it out until you make it to Shade of Earth. You won't be disappointed. I would rate this 5/5, even though I'm so sad to see this series end. 

--Ashley

Shades of Earth (Across the Universe #3) by Beth Revis - Ashley's Pre-Reading

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Shades of Earth
Author: Beth Revis
Year Published: 2013

Paul's Review
Paul's Pre-Reading

Synopsis: 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.

Why?: I read the first two books in this series, and loved them. I'm really looking forward to find out how Amy and Elder's story ends, and to see what Centuri-Earth is like. Also, what else is living on this planet.

Expectations: I expect an epic adventure, full of secrets and mysteries. Also, I expect a lot of people to die, and I'm pretty sure some of them will be people very close to Amy, Elder, or both. Since people just keep dying in this series as soon as you get to know them and like them. 

Judging a book by its cover: So this cover is completely different from the other two original covers... and I'm not really the biggest fan. It looks really steampunk to me, and that's not what this series is about. I'm not sure why they got away from the original artwork, but oh well. I might pick this up in a bookstore based on the cover alone, but I'm honestly not sure. 


--Ashley

As They Slip Away by Beth Revis - Ashley's Review

Title: As They Slip Away
Author: Beth Revis
Published: 2013

Synopsis: Taking place on the spaceship Godspeed before Amy Martin wakes up and Elder takes leadership, this novella describes life at the Hospital during Eldest's reign. Focusing primarily on background characters, readers will see fan-favorite characters Harley, Orion, Victria, and more.

Selene is a singer on a spaceship that only values people who can provide important skills that enhance survival. As her friends--fellow "loons" in the Hospital--start to join apprenticeships to turn their skills into valuable labor, Selene is sent with a handful of other students to learn about the importance of art from the Recorder, Orion. The assignment pairs her with a young sculptor, Luthor, and their dangerous romance proves just how terrifying living trapped on a spaceship under the rule of a heartless dictator could be.

This tragic tale explores the background of a previously unknown character, linking the history of the ship and its residents to Amy and Elder, giving depth to the world of Godspeed.

Available for free here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/119788927/As-They-Slip-Away 


I love when authors are able to write short stories as companions to their series. Especially when it uses known characters to introduce new ones and gives more depth to minor characters. Revis does an exceptional job of introducing a new character, Selene, and growing the world of the Across the Universe series without giving away too much. Plus, we get to see Kayleigh before she dies, which is really cool. I've always thought she would have been an interesting character in life, and I really enjoyed seeing her and Harley interacting.

Selene might be one of my favorite characters in the series, and I was so sad that she isn't in any of the other books. She's different from the rest of the people on the Godspeed in that she's artistic, but she's also different from the other "loons" in the Hospital. Whereas her friends have useful talents, like painting and sculpting, all Selene can do is sing. I love when music is incorporated into stories, and it's done so well here. 

I also loved that we got to see more of the minor characters. Although most of them help Amy and Elder in their quest to solve the mysteries aboard the Godspeed, it's so hard to get to know them through their short interactions. But now, after reading this, it's so much easier to imagine what they all would have been like and why they are all so willing to help Elder and Amy. Plus, it answers some of the minor mysteries and questions surrounding the Hospital that I had completely forgotten I had.  

I almost wish that this had been a whole prequel novel instead of a novella, but Selene's story is so beautifully told in such a limited space that I really can't complain. I would definitely recommend this to fans of the Across the Universe series. A fantastic novella! 5/5. Plus, it's free! 


--Ashley

Shades of Earth(Across the Universe #3) by Beth Revis - Paul's Review

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

My SHADES OF EARTH Pre-Reading
My A MILLION SUNS Review
Ashley's A MILLION SUNS Review

Title: Shades of Earth (Across the Universe #3)
Author: Beth Revis
Year Published: 2013

Review: This book was another great sci-fi mystery from Beth Revis. She did an excellent job with this trilogy. Each story is unique and different while still remaining true to the big picture. Many trilogies now are just a really long book broken up twice.

The dynamic brought by the Earthborn Frozens was very interesting. So many new characters were introduced this way. It was great to actually meet Amy's parents whom we have heard so much about. Options are also introduced for Amy. Elder isn't the only male her age any more.

Revis does an excellent job of continuing the growth of her main characters from book to book. Amy and Elder continued to grow when they were met with new challenges.

The science and technology in this book is really fun to think about. Godspeed was in transit to Centauri-Earth for hundreds of years. What advancements in technology have taken place back home on Sol-Earth?

The mystery of this book wasn't as clean cut as the first two, but Revis still did an excellent job placing clues, both misleading and true ones, throughout the book.

Godspeed itself is such an integral character in this trilogy. It reminds me of the way Hogwarts becomes a character throughout the Harry Potter series.

I give this novel a 4/5. I suggest this to sci-fi, mystery, and YA fans. All the books in this trilogy were excellent reads. If you haven't read Across the Universe, go pick it up now!

-PAUL

Shades of Earth(Across the Universe #3) by Beth Revis - Paul's Pre Reading

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

My A MILLION SUNS Review
Ashley's A MILLION SUNS Review

Title: Shades of Earth (Across the Universe #3)
Author: Beth Revis
Year Published: 2013

Synopsis: 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.

Why?: I enjoyed both of the books already in this series. They each were well written sci-fi mysteries. They were different styles of mysteries and I am hoping for a unique mystery in this one. Generation ships. Space Travel. Human Hibernation Technology. An Alien planet. What is there not to be excited about?

Expectations: I expect a fun mystery with characters that will grow even more when tested in new and different ways. I am intrigued to see how the Frozen people will interact with the residents of the ship. I am ready for my mind to be blown by some crazy revolution. 

Judging a book by its cover: I have expressed this opinion before via social medias and I will express it again here. WHY!?! Why change the cover of the whole trilogy? I liked the other two. I have them in hardback and now this third in a trilogy does not match. I may be okay with new covers for a series if it is complete and new editions are being sold, but there is no match for my lonely, incomplete Across the Universe and A Million Suns. From this cover, I can see that we will be down on the planet in a jungle. 

-PAUL

"Sometimes home is a person."

Paul's Pre-Reading
Paul's Review
My Pre-Reading

This book was absolutely fantastic. I really enjoyed Across the Universe, but A Million Suns exceeded all my expectations for it. I like how Beth Revis made the plot line of this novel so different from that of the first. Although both had mysteries to be solved, and both had murders as part of them, I think that the path Orion sent Amy on was much more interesting. Having her find clues to determine what his secret was was very creative, and also made her think more about what her decision would be.
Although the clues were tampered with, I think it made it even more exciting when Amy would figure out what Orion was trying to tell her, or where to find the next clue after she hit a dead end. Plus, *spoiler alert*, even though I kind of figured that they were at the planet, I really enjoyed how Revis made me want to keep reading just to be sure. Although she drops hints, she doesn't make it so obvious that the rest of the book isn't worth reading.
Amy did kind of annoy me at times, but I could definitely understand why she didn't want to love Elder simply because he was the only one she had to love. Her internal conflict concerning Elder was very well done, and while I was glad when it was finally (mostly) resolved, I'm also glad that she doesn't give up her beliefs simply because she loves Elder. For example, when Elder decides to bring Orion to the planet, Amy doesn't just agree with his decision because she loves him - she fights with him because her standpoint is important to her.
I'm very interested in finding out what sort of dangers await them on Centuri-Earth. Will they be dinosaurs? Giants? Humans like themselves, only very violent? Or will the danger be a natural one, like a huge volcano or lakes made of sulfuric acid?
I can't wait for Shades of Earth to come out! I would definitely give this novel a 4/5, and would recommend it to everyone who enjoyed Across the Universe. And if you haven't read Across the Universe, go read both of them right now!

--Ashley

Paul's March Book - A Million Suns

Title: A Million Suns
Author: Beth Revis
Year Published: 2012

Synopsis: Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.

It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.

Why?: Paul and I both read Across the Universe, the prequel to this book, a while ago as one of his monthly picks. We both really enjoyed it, and have been looking forward to the sequel ever since. Paul finally got it, so now I get to read it too!

Expectations: I expect quite a bit from this novel. I expect to find out more about Amy, Elder, and Godspeed, and I hope that some of their problems introduced in Across the Universe are dealt with and solved. i also expect other issues to arise, and I hope they're just as intriguing as the previous ones.

Judging a book by its cover: The cover has what seems to be Amy and elder looking out of Godspeed at the endlessness of the universe. And the stars. I assume that means they finally get to see all of the stars and are drifting through space trying to find their way to the planet.


--Ashley

"Time passes... It must pass."

I'm a failure at blogging. I finished Across the Universe like 2 weeks ago and still haven't posted about it. And read three more books and started a fourth in that time that I haven't even thought about blogging for. I might as well get started though... Otherwise it will never get done.


Here are the previous posts about the book:
Paul's first post
Paul's mid-way post
Paul's final post
My first post


*SPOILER ALERT*


Like Paul, I really like the way the book was written, going back and forth between Amy & Elder. Especially when they were in two different places on the ship and learning the same information from a different source. I like that Amy and Elder are different from everyone on the ship, and have individual thought. Even if it is the "third cause of dischord."


I did not like Eldest at all. I thought he was pushy, overbearing, two-faced, and manipulative. I know he's supposed to be like that, but it seems like anyone who could even barely think for themselves should be able to see how terrible a leader Eldest is. I mean, seriously, he needs to drug the water to make sure people obey him. 


I definitely did NOT see it coming that Eldest/Elder/all of the Eldests and Elders before were just clones of each other. I figured maybe Elder's parents died or just gave him away so he wouldn't know them or something... but the cloning thing does make sense. Even though they wouldn't have the same leadership skills or thought processes, that can (apparently) be fixed before he's born with a simple shot. Although it obviously didn't work for Elder. I think it's the whole "Nurture vs. Nature" argument at work here, to a certain extent.


It also explains why Elder couldn't figure out who was unplugging the cryos, since the "dead" Elder had the same exact DNA. And why the screens always say "Eldest/Elder" even though they're DNA scanners. Totally should have picked up on all those hints... my bad haha.


I like that Elder helps defeat Eldest because he doesn't believe in what Eldest is trying to do, but I also like that he didn't just take Orion's side either. Although shoving him in a cryo freezer just so he wouldn't tell Amy who really unplugged her was a little extreme I think. And yet if he hadn't, Orion would have the whole ship in a total uproar and everyone would probably kill each other. I'm glad Elder did finally tell Amy that he was the one who unplugged her, and I think it speaks a lot for Amy's character that she wants to forgive him even though she was upset about it. At least he told her the truth, unlike everyone else. Even her father.


Who didn't think Amy was actually going to go with them. I liked that he gave her the choice even though her mother didn't want her to have it. And that Amy chose to go with them. Even though it didn't really matter in the end, at least it seems, because she won't be alive when they're woken up. 


Overall, I enjoyed the book, and the issues that were dealt with. I thought it had a nice ending, and could have been a standalone book... Even though apparently standalone books are a thing of the past and trilogies are the new cool thing to do. I'll probably read the sequel when it comes out and Paul buys it though, so I guess that's saying something. 


And now, on to writing more blogs! 

Across the Universe

I'm currently made of huge fail when it comes to finishing books. In addition to People of Sparks and Wizard's First Rule, I'm in the middle of like five other books. But I'm going to start another one! I think I have literary ADD or something.


This book is going to be Paul's August pick, so that I can catch up with our "mandatory" reading for this thing. Here's his first post, in case you missed it: Paul's Across the Universe original post

Title: Across the Universe

Author: Beth Revis

Year Published: 2011

Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents in a cryogenic state as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules. Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone—one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship—tried to kill her. It doesn't stop with her, someone is pulling the cryo units out early, intentionally attempting to suffocate them. And if Amy doesn’t do something soon, her parents will be next. Now, Amy must race to unlock Godspeed’s hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there’s only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

Amy comes into the knowledge that this ship was not run on fuel, but on lies. Is there anyone she can trust? What will happen to her, so far away from Earth-as-she-knew-it?

Why?: Paul picked it and now I'm reading it because that's what the rules are.

Expectations: Well, since Paul liked it and we tend the like the same books usually, I assume that it's a pretty good book that will keep me entertained and such. I guess fairly high expectations for this one.

Judging a book by its cover: Based on the cover alone, I'm not sure I would have picked this book out. Especially with the title. It's all Beatles-y, and makes me think of the film of the same name. The colors are pretty though, and spacey, and the two people who are very close and look like they are about to kiss makes me think it's about a romance. And space. 

I'm hoping to actually finish this one and not just leave it on my "Currently Reading" shelf forever. Apparently August is not my month for reading books...

--Ashley

Across the Universe REVIEW

I finished the book last night! Not even 5 days into the month and one novel down. I think this month may be a good one for reading.

Here are links to my other posts about this novel:
Before Reading
Midway Through


I really enjoyed this novel. Like most YA books that I enjoy, so much was revealed in the last hundred pages or so. I thought the characters were developed enough and the world was interesting. Amy's relationship with her parents was different. It made me think what I would do when put in that situation. Would you go willingly, leaving your home and everyone you know to be an unneeded member of a deep space mission? Her father didn't think she would. At Amy's age, friends and your social life are so important. 


SPOILERS follow.


So, Orion was the prior Elder. It didn't surprise me, but I think it may have been a little too obvious. How did he avoid being noticed all that time? Did Eldest not notice that the Recorder didn't show up on his ship diagram showing everyone on the ship? The Feeders were a creepy, especially when they were all horny. Their regular behaviors reminded me of the adults' behaviors in Delirium. Thy had faded eyes and didn't care or feel. Both books had the idea that to truly live you must experience the good and the bad of emotions. 


One of my favorite characters was Harley. I just wish he would have stayed on his meds for his obsessive behaviors. The rape scene was hard to read. It was almost like zombies with a thirst for sex were attacking her. The idea that Luthe was "normal" and he truly wanted her was also scary. 


I thought the ending left the novel in a good place. I didn't feel any plot-worthy questions were left unanswered, although the future of the Godspeed is left unknown. Well it looks like we will find out what happens to the Godspeed. A sequel, A Million Suns, is expected to be released January of 2012. I will most likely read it, although this new every-book-is-a-start-to-a-trilogy-thing is kind of getting annoying. 


Before I see Ashley and am able to exchange books, I will most likely be starting A Game of Thrones, to match her start of Wizard's First Rule.


-PAUL

Godspeed!!!

Godspeed is not only the name of the starship in Revis's Across the Universe, but also an accurate descritption of my monthly reading progress this month compared to last.


This is my midway through the book post. I am currently on page 214 of 398.


Continuing reading if you have read up to here:


I am really enjoying this novel. I like the alternating points of view of Amy and Elder. They both are different from everyone else and think differently. The ship itself is well thought out. I'm interested in the Plague. Was it a disease that ravaged the population? Or possibly something more man made? The Eldest system overhaul seems like it was a move to control. Were the people monoethnic before the Plague?


Who is the mysterious killer? Or saboteur? I'm thinking it has something to do with the last Elder. We have no idea how he died or if his death was finite. He may be hidden somewhere. He may have also had followers or reprogrammed the ship to do something at a certain time. I do not like Eldest. I think his intentions are good, but he admires Hitler so that's pretty self explanatory. What's up with Orion? I think I like him, but there's something up there. I had an inkling early on that he is the old Elder, but I don't think that's true. Maybe he was a sympathizer? 


Well, I'm off to continue reading. I may not have work for the rest of the summer...unrealiable mechanics...but it seems I will have plenty of reading time before school starts. If i procrastinate some cleaning and other responsibilities that is.


-PAUL

Paul's August Pick: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Title: Across the Universe
Author: Beth Revis
Year Published: 2011
Synopsis: "As the spaceship Godspeed travels toward a new earth, the lives of 100 cryogenically frozen settlers hang in the balance after someone endeavors to quietly murder them. The other passengers aboard the ship have never known life outside its walls and are enslaved by the machinations of Eldest, their tyrannical leader, who divides them into three distinct classes. When Amy, a frozen settler from earth, survives being thawed in a murder attempt, she immediately bonds with Elder, Godspeed's lone teen and future leader. Amy’s individuality, her rebellion, and her fierce desire for freedom, inspire Elder to act on his own doubts and defy Eldest--his mentor and keeper--with shocking results. Eldest’s methods of twisting history and altering the lives of this captive community are a frightening echo of tyrants in our own history, and Across the Universe challenges readers to consider the impact of unchecked power, blind trust, and the ability of one dissenting voice to make a difference."  (Amazon)

Why?: I like spaceships. I like dystopias. I will probably like a dystopia on a spaceship. 

Expectations: I really don't know if this is a dystopian novel or possibly the leader is just very evil. I have heard that this novel is like small town living, but in a huge spaceship. I am interested in the science of it. Why are these people cryogenically  frozen? What do the operators if the the ship do?

Judging a book by its cover: The cover shows a boy and a girl almost touching lips in front of a space scene. Maybe there is some Spiderman-style kissing on this novel. Or many some interesting zero-g encounters.The relationship between the protagonist and Elder will probably be a big part of this novel. What I like even more about the cover is that when I took it off I noticed that it is "reversible". All the folding would be messed up, but there is a complete other image. This is of the blueprints of their ship. It seems the ship may be another major character of this novel.

Here goes Month 2. Hopefully we each get both our books read this month!

-PAUL