Monday, December 13, 2010

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

AMY has left the life she loves for a world 300 years away

Trapped in space and frozen in time, Amy is bound for a new planet. But fifty years before she's due to arrive, she is violently woken, the victim of an attempted murder. Now Amy's lost on board and nothing makes sense - she's never felt so alone.
Yet someone is waiting for her. He wants to protect her; and more if she'll let him.
But who can she trust amidst the secrets and lies? A killer is out there – and Amy has nowhere to hide . . . (from publishers site)
I'm just going to come right out and say it: This book was BRILLIANT and I absolutely LOVED every moment of it. I devoured it all through the night and have been thinking about it ever since (3 weeks ago).

Where to begin with my rave-on review?

It's epic, dystopian, has an impossible romance, mystery, creativity and lots of heart and soul. 

The prose: Gorgeous and evocative. For a sci-fi it was so not complicated to follow - it flowed seamlessly. 

The whole concept: Mate, it's so well explored. The world building felt flawless. It's in depth but so accessible. I can only imagine the immense thought and creativity involved in producing such a book. Exceptional stuff. It was so easy to imagine myself on board the Godspeed - a beautifully painted world. I loved being a part of it.

The characters: Loved them. Particularly Amy - I really felt for her, nothing was easy for her - (Revis does not suffer from the whole being kind to your characters syndrome :). There's  some genuine moments where I was so moved with compassion and emotion. Also, the villains - ahh, complex with shades of good and bad, making the moral ambiguity so conflicting to read. Really well drawn.

The plotting: WOW. There's a lot to admire. As in, HOLY COW, it's just brilliantly plotted.

Twists and turns and mysteries and conspiracies. The stakes are continually raised and then something happens that you don't see coming and they are raised again. I thought I had things figured out but then Revis would throw a new spanner in the works and I'd be all whirling about again. Which is why I read it all through the night... unputdownable kinda stuff. Plus, she juggled all the world building, flashbacks, outer space, mystery, history and multi-POV. 

Recommended: Absolutely one of my favourite reads this year. I am completely in awe of it. This is a book to suck in non-readers, males, fans of any genre. It's one my dad would enjoy as well as my teen niece. Even more - I recommend SNATCHING it up as a high school text. The themes in this book would be brilliantly explored in class discussion. A first class book from a talented new author. Just wow.

*note: there are some mature themes regarding, ahh, human mating :) 

Yes: there's a sequel. CANNOT wait.

Available in Australia January 4 


Here's my casting call :) 


Karen Gillan as Amy
(just imagine her a tad younger. PERFECT :) 

Beth Revis' Site (which is so snazzy - check it out!) 



A huge grinning thanks to Penguin Australia for sending my this review copy. 

31 comments:

  1. Wow. Your is the first review I've read and I must admit, it sounds brilliant. Thanks for the amazing review. I just won this online and I can not wait to read it now.

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  2. I have an ARC of this and can't wait to finish finals to read it. It sounds absolutely amazing.

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  3. Sigh. I'm dying to read this book and I can't wait for it once it comes out!

    Loved your review<3

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  4. Wow--I was already looking forward to this one, but your review has me really eager to read it now!

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  5. can't wait to read it. ever since i heard about it on between the lines i've been dying to read it. i loved the first chapter that i got to read.
    good review as well.

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  6. It looks absolutely brilliant. Ahh...January 5th!

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  7. Yeah, I can't wait! It looks amazing!!

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  8. Man..I cannot wait to read this book! X3 Loved the review!

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  9. AH! You make it sound SO good! Hopefully I can get this for Christmas. I'm loving how it sounds, sci-fi and romance is my thinnnng :]

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  10. Hi,
    I just waned to say "Hello!" and to let you know that I think your blog looks awesome and I am following it!
    Toodles,
    Romi.x

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  11. I can totally see Karen Gillan as Amy! You also did a listing kind of review for this one. Um, amazing review as always Nomes! :D

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  12. eeeee i can't wait to read this book! thanks for the wonderful review, it makes me even more excited :) January come faster!

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  13. Your review definitely deserve five stars. All your reviews do,in fact. I don't know if I've said this before, but there's so much of your personality in every review, and I love that. I've yet to read this, but I'll definitely come back to read your review after I've read the book, just so I can agree with everything you've said.

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  14. Hi Nomes, I love how clearly and enthusiastically you set out your book reviews. This sounds like a must read!

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  15. I am hoping to red this one next. This is the second review HI Ave read and both have raved about the book.

    Can't wait to start it

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  17. Great review!!! This is moving to the top of my list. I really need a book to suck me deep. I haven't had a book like that in a while and I'm finding it a bit frustrating as it's taking me WEEKS to get through a book because I opt to do anything and everything else instead of read. When I get my iBook (from daddy for xmas) I'm going to download this as my first book. Yay! So excited. Thanks :-)

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  18. This is totally on my list of must-reads! Great review!

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  19. Ahhh I can't wait for this one! Flawless world building? Fabulous characters? Brilliant plot? Sign me up, I need this book immediately! So glad you enjoyed this one so much, I love when the book is worth all the hype:)

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  20. Oh stop it! Your review has me DYING to read this now! Cannot wait. Like Jenny said, sign me up!

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  21. Wow, sounds great. How am I ever going to choose what to read next with all these fabulous recommendations you keep making?? When will I find the time??

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  22. That good huh? Man, this one is going on my TBR list for sure. Thanks Nomes!

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  23. Woah! I've been looking forward to this one for *forever*, and I wasn't sure what to expect from your review, but it sounds like we're in for a treat. Your enthuasiasm rocks, frankly. :D

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  24. Ahhh! I'm SO jealous you got to read this early! I seriously can't wait to buy my copy!

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  25. Wonderful review! I think that this book sounds absolutely amazing (and your confirmed it) and the cover is gorgeous. I really like books in which the authors aren't afraid to test their characters.

    I am off to watch the book trailer! :)

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  26. Oops **YOU** confirmed it. :) Silly typos!

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  27. This book sounds ridiculously good! Everyone who has read it raves about it (almost like Anna and the French Kiss, but not contemp, haha).

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  28. *SQUEE*

    You are so lucky Nomes! I am so excited about this book. I knew Beth a little before the book was bought, and loved the story then, and can't wait to read it now.

    Thanks for sharing the book trailer. Love it.

    -Mandy

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  29. Fabulous review! I can't wait for the book and your review really makes me want to read it even more. A sci-fi with lots of heart and soul is totally up my alley.

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  30. *waves hello!*

    I just had to add--I love your casting call. I actually picture Molly Quinn when I was writing, but once I got hold of the new Doctor Who and saw Karen Gillan, I nearly died--not only was she red-head, and with an attitude, but she was named Amy as well!

    Thank you so much for the lovely review!

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Thanks for the commenty love :)