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*

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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?

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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 Pre-Reading

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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

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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