Review: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Across the Universe

Author: Beth Revis

Publisher: Razorbill

Series: ??

Pages: 398

Genre: Science Fiction

Release Date: January 11, 2011

How Received: Publisher

Summary: A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder.

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents 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. 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.

My Thoughts:

The science part of the book was absolutely fascinating and riveting. I’ve watched a ton of movies and read tons of books dealing with space travel, so I decided that I had to read this book.

Across the Universe is a slow book. By slow, I mean pacing-wise. The first 250 pages or so are pretty much leading up to the conclusion (which is about 50 pages or so). There was no intensity or action from start to finish. It was just slow, which isn’t a totally bad thing – the pacing left a lot of room open for development and for the reader to get to know Godspeed.

As far as predictability goes, I had guessed everything from the moment we were presented with the facts. From the murderer to the big reveal, I already knew what was going to happen. I’m actually pretty pleased with myself that I guessed correctly. But at the same time, while I had guessed what was going to happen, Beth would sort of lean the story a different way and I kept second-guessing myself. So even though I knew what happened, I was still a bit unsure and that’s why I wasn’t so disappointed by the easy predictability.

The narrative switches from Amy’s point-of-view to Elder’s point-of-view. I have never been so upset with this point-of-view style until this book. All the scenes that would have involved feelings or more insight to a situation were in the other person’s perspective.

Amy was not really a pleasure to read about. Her character seemed stagnant throughout the entire book – she doesn’t grow, she doesn’t change, she’s just Amy. She came off as really dependent and whiny. I realize that it’s a scary thing to wake up completely alone after however many centuries, but it’s something that already happened and that she can’t change. Instead of having attitude and being petulant, she could have worked to at least assimilate into her new situation. Elder was a bit more fascinating to read about than Amy because he’s learning that he basically lived an entire lie. He at least strives to better himself, for the good of his ship and his people. He realizes how tyrannical Eldest and decides that’s not how he wants to rule. And while Elder remained somewhat stagnant as well, his perspective was more interesting.

For being a proclaimed love story, I came into this book expecting a sweet romance or at least development of feelings. However, I didn’t feel any chemistry between Elder and Amy. Besides the fact that Elder was obsessing over Amy’s difference, I just didn’t see it. There was more romance involving Amy and the boyfriend she left behind on Earth, Jason. In the middle of the book, there was one scene where the two kiss. But I couldn’t see why Amy would kiss Elder – she hadn’t had any prior feelings for him.

I’m not entirely sure if this is a standalone or a series – I’ve heard differing sources say one thing or the other – but if it were a standalone, then I’d have to say the ending disappointed me. I had expected the ending to feel more conclusive, but I was just left feeling empty.

Cover Musings: It’s really, really pretty. I absolutely adore astronomy, so I was more interested in the stars than on the models.

Memorable Quotes:

My eyes slid to the exit, past all the cyro equipment on the other side of the room. Beyond that door were my aunt and uncle, who I loved, who I could be happy living with. And beyond them was Jason. And Rebecca and Heather and Robyn and all my friends. And the mountains, the flowers, the sky. Beyond that door was Earth. And life.

But my eyes drifted to the little doors on the wall. Beyond those doors were my momma and daddy. (pg. 8)

“The builders of the ship knew this; that’s why they named her Godspeed.”

I mouth the name with him, tasting it like metal on my tongue.

“It’s an old Sol-Earth expression for good luck.” Eldest snorts. “They shot our ancestors into the sky, wished them all good luck, and forgot about us. They can’t help us. We lost com with Sol-Earth during the Plague, and have never been able to regain communication. We can’t go back. All the people on Sol-Earth could give us was Godspeed.” (pg. 29)

I have been frozen in ice for centuries. And yet, I never have felt more alone than I do right now, at this moment when I realize that I am alive and aware and awake, and they [her parents] are not. (pg. 90)

She starts crying. Not soft, sad tears, but the angry sort, like she hates the whole world, at at least the ship that’s now her world. So, I do what any reasonable person would do when faced with a crying girl.

I get the frex out of there. (pg. 91)

I don’t realize I’m crying until the tears splash on the coffin. “Daddy, I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t get up, Daddy. They were too strong. If it wasn’t for Harley—” My voice cracks. “Daddy, you said you’d protect me! You said you’d always be there for me! I need you now, Daddy, I need you!”

I pound my fists against the cold hard glass surrounding the ice. My hands crack and bleed, smearing crimson across the glass. (pg. 234)

And even though there are so many stars and they look so close together, I know they are light years apart. The glitter in the sky looks as if I could scoop it all up in my hands and let the stars swirl and touch one another, but they are so distant, so very far apart, that they cannot feel the warmth of each other, even though they are made of burning.

This is the secret of the stars, I tell myself. In the end, we are alone. No matter how close you seem, no one else can touch you. (pg. 390)

Overall Thoughts/Final Comments: Across the Universe was a good, decent read. It satisfied my love for the science fiction genre. If this were a series, I could easily see myself becoming to like it more than I did. As it is, though, it was a bit too predictable and had stagnant characters with a flat romance. It’s saving point is the intrigue it inspired in me. I love science and I love astronomy, and I found myself wanting to unlock more and more of Godspeeds secrets. I would definitely recommend this book, especially to young adult lovers, but it wasn’t OMGamazing.

Rating: 4/5

*This review was submitted in the 2011 Debut Author Challenge!
**This book was provided for review by the publisher, Razorbill, in exchange of an honest review. 

Review: Lodestone: The Sea of Storms by Mark Whiteway

Lodestone Book One: The Sea of Storms

Author: Mark Whiteway

Publisher: Virtualbookworm.com

Series: Lodestone #1

Pages: 278

Genre: Science fiction

Release Date: April 12, 2010

How Received: Author

Summary: Shann, an orphan with a fiery disposition, witnesses a battle between a Keltar and a stranger bearing a similar flying cloak. She tracks down the stranger, learning of the technology behind the Keltars’ power and joining him on a mission to free the slaves and cut off their supply of lodestones.

Meanwhile, Keris, a Keltar is sent on a mission to track down the rebels. She is attacked by a flying creature and saved by the enigmatic Chandara. At their Great Tree, she learns that a mysterious “Prophet” is out to destroy the Kelanni people. Their only hope is a powerful instrument hidden in the distant past.

Pursued by the Keltar, the party will encounter bizarre creatures, ancient technologies and terrifying dangers. Finally, they must seek to cross a massive storm barrier in order to reach the other side of their world, where a world-shaking revelation awaits.

My Thoughts:

Initially, it was very difficult for me to get into this book. I felt like I was being bombarded with new customs and everyday life, and it was very slow (despite its action-packed pacing). In fact, despite all the action that was in the beginning, the book didn’t really pick up for me until about ¼ of the way in. The beginning was pretty much getting introductions to the characters done, and weaving a plot to get them together. However, when all of the members of the “team” joined forces with one another, the book picked up the pace considerably. Once this happened, I was done – I was totally hooked.

I never anticipated how absorbed I would become into the novel due to the initial slowness of the book. But the world of the Kelanni was so intriguing. There’s unknown terrain and a lot of land to explore, as well as new creatures (like the Chandara and graylesh). There were so many customs and society norms to get accustomed too. The Kelanni themselves were an enigma we had to figure out – they are the “alien” race of the planet Kelanni, with animal-like tails and ears. (I kept picturing them as a scaled down version of Viera from Final Fantasy). They worship the 3 suns (yes, three suns!), Ail-Mazzorth, Ail-Gan, and Ail-Kar, and never see nighttime (or at least, the nighttime that we know of).

All of these customs are a bit overwhelming, actually, which happens to be one of the downfalls I found with this book. With any fantasy or science fiction novel, the authors need to ease their audience into the new world – explain things, hold their hand, etc. With this book, only a few things were explained (like the suns and their “religion”). I suppose that gave me a lot of leeway with my imagination, but I would have liked to have more things explained to me.

The characters were mostly enjoyable. I wasn’t able to connect with any of them, with the exception of Keris, but they were very fun to read about. Alondo was the “comedian” of the group, and I absolutely loved every time he spoke. Keris was a Keltar (one who is sworn an oath to the Prophet), but renounced her ways after an incident (vagueness is vague!). She had never been one to form close bonds to others, ever since she was a kid, and preferred to working alone than in a team. Lyall is haunted by his past and strives to actively change Kelanni for the greater good.

Shann is a young rebellious spirit that annoyed the crap out of me. I can appreciate her braveness and her spirit, but she had this unfounded vendetta against Keris that I saw was stemmed from jealousy and pettiness. Shann hated being treated like a child, but her actions and mistrust of Keris was the very epitome of childish. I can appreciate the doubt she had with Keris (since the group wasn’t sure of where Keris’s allegiance lay), but she doubted Keris too much. So much that it was unbelievable. And annoying. Time and time again, the “evidence” on Keris would be cleared, yet Shann remained doubtful. Ugh! Lastly, Boxx, the Chandara, is the last of the group, and my personal favorite. Chandara don’t have names or genders, but Boxx was called Boxx (“The Key”), and I always associated it as a him. He (in my mind, at least) was a cross between a centipede and a pillbug (roly poly) and had a different way of speaking that was adorable.

Despite my few misgivings with characters, inconsistencies, and lack of detail, this book was so entertaining after the beginning. The book is pitched as science fiction, and while it does retain a lot of sci-fi elements, I felt it had a more fantasy vibe to it.

Cover Musings: I love the colors on the cover. The cover almost seems like a painting, with a lot of colors merging with one another. It’s exactly how I depicted Kelanni in my head: colorful.

Memorable Quotes:

Once you understand the source of a tyrant’s power, you can use it against them. (pg 46)

Alondo turned to lead the morgren forward and Shann noticed his instrument was slung over his shoulder. She turned to Lyall, speaking in low tones.

“If we meet up with any dangerous beasts what does Alondo intend to do—serenade them to death?” (pg. 50)

“Keris?” it asked again in its odd accent.

“What is it?”

“Your People. Kelanni. They Do Not Like Me.”

“It’s not that exactly...” She struggled to find the words. “People are sometimes afraid of things that are unfamiliar, things that they do not understand.”

There was a pause as if Boxx were digesting this. He added, “Does Keris Like Me?”

She found herself unexpectedly flustered. “I will be back as soon as I can.” For the first time in as long as she could remember, Keris retreated. (pg. 75)

 She raised the makeshift club, and brought it down o nthe back of the Keltar’s neck. [...] Crack! The Keltar staggered forward from the impact. He turned, his left hand clutching the nape of his neck, and her eyes widened in disbelief. “Lyall! What are you doing here?”
His face was screwed up in pain. “Trying to rescue you. Although right now, it feels more like I need to be rescued from you.” As if to emphasize the point, he massaged his neck. “Oww!” (pg. 88)

 “I don’t have any answers for you, Shann. I hold myself responsible for a lot of things that happened. But I cannot change the past. I can only try and work for a better future—and to change the person I used to be.” (pg 260)

Overall Thoughts/Final Comments: A very well-done science-fiction and fantasy novel! The beginning is slow, but the pace began to pick up after all of the characters joined forces. There is tons of adventure and action packed into this book, as well as new creatures and lands. Kelanni was an interesting place to read about, and I found myself constantly wanting more! I was almost outraged at where Mark decided to cut the book off – I can’t wait to see what happens in book two!

Rating: 4/5

**This book was provided for review by the author in exchange of an honest review. (Thank you so much, Mark!)

Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic
Series: Hunger Games #1
Pages: 374
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: October 1, 2008
How Received: Library

Summary: Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? 

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

My Thoughts: 

At first, I had my reserves about this series. I had heard about it from reviews, but the entire concept of the Hunger Games repulsed me enough to not really want to read. But when I actually sat down to read The Hunger Games? It did not disappoint. At all. It was full of such epic epicness! Within the first few chapters – the first, actually – I was hooked. I couldn’t put the book down, even if I had tried to.

I loved Katniss. She’s my newest favorite character. She’s strong, level-headed (most of the time), and will stop at nothing to protect those she loves. I was easily won over when she placed herself in front of Prim despite the certain death that would consequently await her. If there was a definition of epic, it would be Katniss.

Peeta was a lovely counterpart to Katniss. He had such charisma that he won me over with the littlest of promptings. He was comic relief and just plain funny despite the grim situation. I loved how he was the “weak” one, when men are usually portrayed as the big, macho protectors of our weak female heroines. The roles were definitely reversed in this book.

The plot was just... epic. The concept of the Hunger Games is repulsive, yet it reels you in, all the same. I found myself wanting to know what happened, to see which kid died, and how. Katniss’s predicament in the arena is so raw, and real, and I found my heart quickening with each page turn. It was so intense that I had to fight myself from not jumping ahead a few pages. I couldn’t take the suspense! There were a few times, I have to admit, that my eyes wandered ahead. I couldn’t help it! The one thing that totally got me was the scene where District 11 gave her the bread, and the scene preceding it. I was bawling.

The ending was just as awesome as everything else. Katniss is even more in danger than she was before. I love it.

I’ve seen all the Team Gale vs Tale Peeta buttons out there, and I have to say (for now, at least) I’m Team Peeta all the way.

Cover Musings: I wasn’t too impressed with the cover for The Hunger Games. That’s probably why I didn’t pick it up sooner. But after reading it? I looooove the cover, for all it symbolizes, and the Mockingjay pin!

Memorable Quotes:

[I had a hard time with quotes, because they either spoiled something or had to be taken in context, so.. I apologize for my meager amount of quotes D: ]

“At first one, then another, then almost every member of the crowd touches the three middle fingers of their left hand to their lips and holds it out to me. It is an old and rarely used gesture of our district, occasionally seen at funerals. It means thanks, it means admiration, it means goodbye to someone you love.” 24

“I guess all those hours decorating cakes paid off.”

Peeta smiles. “Yes, frosting. The final defense of the dying.” (252)

Overall Thoughts/Final Comments: I freaking LOVED The Hunger Games. I don’t know what else I can say besides that. I said epic about a gazillion times in this review -- that's how darn good this book was! I felt like each page turn was like crack. It was sooo good; I’m dang addicted now! If you had the same reservations about this series as I had... FORGET THEM. Just pick this book up right now! Go Peeta! <3

Rating: 5/5

Extras:
Book Trailer! :3 I was going to post another video, but it was a bit spoilerish, so I decided on this instead.

** This post is a challenge entry in the September Spectacular Challenge #5. 

Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner

Author: James Dashner

Publisher: Random House

Series: Maze Runner #1

Pages: 374

Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction

Release: October 6, 2009

How Received: Library

Summary: When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is black. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as they could remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, they’ve closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the maze after dark.

The Gladers were expecting Thomas’s arrival. But the next day, a girl arrives in the lift—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might be able to find their way home... wherever that may be. But it’s looking more and more as if the maze is unsolvable.

And something about the girl’s arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers—if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.

My Thoughts:

I’m not new to dystopian novels, but I didn’t know what I was getting into when I picked up this book. I honestly picked it up because there were no other titles that piqued my interest on the “new releases” on my libraries shelves. So I didn’t know it was dystopian.

Let me tell you, I felt as confused as Thomas did when he got to the Glade. I had no idea what was going on, and I wanted answers. The speech was weird—off—because the Gladers have separate words for things, like “klunk” for “poop”. I almost gave up because I hated the way the Gladers spoke. But like Thomas, after a few pages, I was pretty much used to it.

I didn’t think much of the novel at all in the beginning. I just kept going to see if something would get answered. Before I knew it, I was sucked into the book. Hook, line, and sinker.

Dashner posed us with more questions than answers throughout the entire novel, and I felt compelled to find out what was going on with the Glade. Through the quest for answers, Thomas encounters the fear that engulfs the Gladers: Grievers. Grievers are monstrous things with needle like things that prick you; if you don’t get the Grief Serum, you die. The only thing keeping the Grievers out is the walls surrounding the Glade.

I was downright paralyzed with fear for 3/4^th’s of the novel. My heart pounded every time Thomas encountered a Griever (especially the night in the maze) – imagine how he felt, actually living it! He was so grounded, so fearless. He was also a bit whiny at the beginning, but I can sympathize for why. My only gripe about him was that he seemed too perfect. The fact that he’s smart was reiterated at least five times. It seemed almost like everything was falling into Thomas’s lap: he was the one who needed to save Minho and Alby, he figured out the key to the maze, he helped find the Griever hole. He found out all the answers without really trying to.  

This book reminded me a lot of Lord of the Flies – the premise of it was survival of the fittest.

Cover Musings: It’s lovely, for a dystopian science fiction book. The spikes between the walls just screams ominous!

Memorable Quotes:

“The creature was a horrific mix of animal and machine, and seemed to realize it was being observed, seemed to know what lay inside the walls of the Glade, seemed to want to get inside and feast on human flesh.” (pg. 39)

“‘Think about it. Our memories are wiped. We live inside a place that seems to have no way out, surrounded by bloodthirsty monster-guards. Doesn’t that sound like prison to you?’ As he said it out loud, it sounded more and more possible. Nausea trickled into his chest.

‘I’m probably twelve years old, dude.’ Chuck pointed to his chest. ‘At the most, thirteen. You really think I did something that would send me to prison for the rest of my life?’” (pg. 64)

“‘Shouldn’t someone give a pep talk or something?’ Minho asked, pulling Thomas’s attention away from Alby.

‘Go ahead,’ Newt replied.

Minho nodded and faced the crowd. ‘Be careful,’ he said dryly. ‘Don’t die.’” (pg. 329)

Overall Thoughts/Final Comments: The Maze Runner was so action packed, suspenseful, and fast-paced, I didn’t have to worry about being bored. Event after event after event unfolded almost one right after the other and kept me hooked. The emotional connections with the characters could use development, because I only ever really worried about two characters in the novel (Minho and Chuck). But really, the suspense made up for any other area that lacked development. I really can’t wait for The Scorch Trials, and I’m so glad I don’t have to even wait that long!

Rating: 4/5

Extras: This book trailer freaked me oooout, and made me realize I probably can’t watch this series if it became a movie, haha. But check it out: it’s pretty cool.

Also, don’t miss out on the release of the second novel of the Maze Runner series: The Scorch Trials! http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7631105-the-scorch-trials It comes out on October 12, 2010!