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reginas_books's review against another edition
2.0
Beautiful concept and some really good ideas in here, very thought-provoking, but the writing was rather mediocre in my opinion and too obvious a plot.
emleemay's review against another edition
4.0
As science-fiction, or as a dystopian space mystery this book was pretty much awesome. I loved the idea behind it: frozen people being transported on a spaceship to a new planet, destined to arrive in 300 years from take-off... but, uh-oh, not everything goes to plan. Someone is reviving the frozen people in their containers with the intention of letting them drown.
I really liked this whole aspect of it, and I've never been a space story fan. I never cared for Star Wars, Star Trek... or anything like that. My problem was how the book was sold to the audience. It should have been shown like this:
But instead it was marketed as a romance story, which it just wasn't. A few lustful imaginings of a teenage boy is hardly a romance novel, the publishers obviously thought that was all young adult readers want. But, let's face it, very few guys are going to be interested in reading this book just by looking at the cover (yeah, I know, guys are silly and what's not to love about pink sparkles?). This is much more sci-fi or mystery than it is romance. In fact, there is hardly any romantic suggestion at all - and most of what there is happens to be one-sided. Does Amy even like Elder that way? She seemed to do an awful lot of pining for her ex-boyfriend, Jason, rather that showing much interest in Elder.
Not that I mind that much, the story wasn't lacking without the sweet-nothings and teen love (perhaps a refreshing change actually), plus I loved the sci-fi. Will definitely read the next book.
I really liked this whole aspect of it, and I've never been a space story fan. I never cared for Star Wars, Star Trek... or anything like that. My problem was how the book was sold to the audience. It should have been shown like this:
But instead it was marketed as a romance story, which it just wasn't. A few lustful imaginings of a teenage boy is hardly a romance novel, the publishers obviously thought that was all young adult readers want. But, let's face it, very few guys are going to be interested in reading this book just by looking at the cover (yeah, I know, guys are silly and what's not to love about pink sparkles?). This is much more sci-fi or mystery than it is romance. In fact, there is hardly any romantic suggestion at all - and most of what there is happens to be one-sided. Does Amy even like Elder that way? She seemed to do an awful lot of pining for her ex-boyfriend, Jason, rather that showing much interest in Elder.
Not that I mind that much, the story wasn't lacking without the sweet-nothings and teen love (perhaps a refreshing change actually), plus I loved the sci-fi. Will definitely read the next book.
other_worlds_than_these's review against another edition
4.0
I really was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. There were small things that I didn't like though, but thats to be expected with young adult books.. At first I was annoyed that the people of the ship and Elder weren't described until a few chapters in and I personally like to know a bit more about a character's appearance early on. (I tend to fancast characters because it helps me understand and imagine the plot).
I also thought the chapters changing points of view was helpful.
I also thought the society created was very unique and very well thought of.
I think what some readers are forgetting is that Elder is in fact a young teenage boy who grows up in a society where emotions are subdued. I never got the impression that he was a typical, horny teenage boy but rather a boy whose feelings are accurate to a character who is the youngest person in the society and of course he would be acting like a typical teenage boy when it came to meeting a 17 year old girl. I think its expected of a young teenager to display emotions like Elder did.
My opinion of this book was going back and forth however. I liked it at most parts, and at others I thought it was cliche or unoriginal but then something else would happen which would make it more original and so thats why I decided to rate it 4/5 stars instead of the 3.5 stars I tended to lean towards up until the last 15 or so chapters.
I also thought the chapters changing points of view was helpful.
I also thought the society created was very unique and very well thought of.
I think what some readers are forgetting is that Elder is in fact a young teenage boy who grows up in a society where emotions are subdued. I never got the impression that he was a typical, horny teenage boy but rather a boy whose feelings are accurate to a character who is the youngest person in the society and of course he would be acting like a typical teenage boy when it came to meeting a 17 year old girl. I think its expected of a young teenager to display emotions like Elder did.
My opinion of this book was going back and forth however. I liked it at most parts, and at others I thought it was cliche or unoriginal but then something else would happen which would make it more original and so thats why I decided to rate it 4/5 stars instead of the 3.5 stars I tended to lean towards up until the last 15 or so chapters.
thelizzybe's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting premise, but when you think the protagonists are stupid and the "evil" character has it right, the book clearly doesn't live up to its potential.
vassilikipap's review against another edition
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
thegreenserpent's review against another edition
2.0
There where so many things that i loved about this book, the plot was good and the writing was spot on
however there where time when i had to put it down due to the slow pace, but if your someone that loves sci-fi mystery books with a little twist then you will like this one...
however there where time when i had to put it down due to the slow pace, but if your someone that loves sci-fi mystery books with a little twist then you will like this one...
pragreads's review against another edition
2.0
Human clones, a spaceship to another planet, a drug, a girl, a boy? Nope, I don't think so.
This book was an attempt to put something different out there. Emphasis on attempt. The plot was extremely poor. Freezing your body with tubes in your throat to preserve it? Nope. Just no. A drug that makes people emotionless, still makes sense. But everything else about this book just makes me want to bang my head in the wall. Repeatedly.
It pains me to give a book harsh ratings, it really does. But this was beyond stupid. The only thing good about it was the metaphors used, but I grew bored of them after a while. They became to star obsessed. Still, I'd give it some points for putting across something remotely beautiful.
"And in her eyes I see something more beautiful than the stars."
"And I look at Harley, and the billions of stars are in his eyes, and he's drinking them up, pouring them into his soul.
"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.
"The stars are abbreviated white dashes in the sky with streaks of faint color-mostly reds and yellows, but sometimes blues or greens." Wait, I think that one was a description of the fake stars. Ugh.
See what I mean?
There are a few more paragraphs/phrases/parts of the story I liked:
"He couldn't live with that truth."
"I take three steps behind me, almost stumble, turn around, and run faster than I've ever run. This is not my measured run form before. I am not pacing myself, conscious of my strides. I race like a monster is chasing me; I race as if they were chasing me. I cannot go fast enough. I tear through the tall grass of the field, the thin blades slicing my skin like paper cuts. I break corn stalks as I pound through the field. I run and run and run. And that's when I realise the most important truth. There is nowhere to run."
"Run. Run harder. When I reach that moment-when everything in my body is focused only on racing forward-that is when my mind is finally silent, when I don't have to remember all that I've lose and will never have again. It's the zone. It's why I run. That feeling of being nothing but movement"
Hmmm, or maybe not. They're too focused on running.
Across the Universe, by Beth Revis, deserves nothing more than 2/5 stars
This book was an attempt to put something different out there. Emphasis on attempt. The plot was extremely poor. Freezing your body with tubes in your throat to preserve it? Nope. Just no. A drug that makes people emotionless, still makes sense. But everything else about this book just makes me want to bang my head in the wall. Repeatedly.
It pains me to give a book harsh ratings, it really does. But this was beyond stupid. The only thing good about it was the metaphors used, but I grew bored of them after a while. They became to star obsessed. Still, I'd give it some points for putting across something remotely beautiful.
"And in her eyes I see something more beautiful than the stars."
"And I look at Harley, and the billions of stars are in his eyes, and he's drinking them up, pouring them into his soul.
"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.
"The stars are abbreviated white dashes in the sky with streaks of faint color-mostly reds and yellows, but sometimes blues or greens." Wait, I think that one was a description of the fake stars. Ugh.
See what I mean?
There are a few more paragraphs/phrases/parts of the story I liked:
"He couldn't live with that truth."
"I take three steps behind me, almost stumble, turn around, and run faster than I've ever run. This is not my measured run form before. I am not pacing myself, conscious of my strides. I race like a monster is chasing me; I race as if they were chasing me. I cannot go fast enough. I tear through the tall grass of the field, the thin blades slicing my skin like paper cuts. I break corn stalks as I pound through the field. I run and run and run. And that's when I realise the most important truth. There is nowhere to run."
"Run. Run harder. When I reach that moment-when everything in my body is focused only on racing forward-that is when my mind is finally silent, when I don't have to remember all that I've lose and will never have again. It's the zone. It's why I run. That feeling of being nothing but movement"
Hmmm, or maybe not. They're too focused on running.
Across the Universe, by Beth Revis, deserves nothing more than 2/5 stars
mrsdebbiequeue's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.75
I think I might have enjoyed this book as a child (even though there are some adult-ish scenes that wouldn’t have been appropriate.) There just wasn’t enough depth for me and it lacked much of the science fiction that I was personally hoping for.
rae_in_my_katniss_era's review against another edition
4.0
What a great book! Can't wait to continue the series! Sad that the last book doesn't match the stunning covers of the first two...
samau25x's review against another edition
5.0
I've never really read a science fiction novel before but was surprised to find I really liked it. Space is a fascinating place but I, like most people I think, fear it's big emptiness which is shared by the main character Amy. I really felt connected to the characters and grew to like them a lot and the dual perspective writing helped with this.
Throughout the book, mystery builds which makes a very exciting read. Although some of the story seemed a little predictable at times, most of the twists and turns were unexpected and thrilling!
Can't wait to read the next book A Million Suns and see what mysteries may occur next. Also I'm glad to see Elder as Eldest, I sure he will make a much better leader than his predecessors.
Throughout the book, mystery builds which makes a very exciting read. Although some of the story seemed a little predictable at times, most of the twists and turns were unexpected and thrilling!
Can't wait to read the next book A Million Suns and see what mysteries may occur next. Also I'm glad to see Elder as Eldest, I sure he will make a much better leader than his predecessors.