Tuesday, April 30, 2013

May Giveaway

It's May 1st, the beginning of another month of shiny new YA releases and coincidentally I have a few books on my shelves looking for a new home. So this is your chance to win your choice of one of these six YA novels.


Aces Up by Lauren Barnholdt
Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti
Something Like Normal by Trish Doller
The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa


a Rafflecopter giveaway

* You enter for a chance to win one of the books pictured above
* INTERNATIONAL
* The giveaway starts on May 1st and will end on May 31st
* Enter the rafflecopter form!
* Good luck :)

Monday, April 29, 2013

Book Review: The Madness Underneath (Shades of London # 2) by Maureen Johnson


Title: The Madness Underneath (Shades of London #2)
Author: Maureen Johnson
Publisher: Harper Collins Childrens
Publishing Date: March 28th 2013
Length: 290 pages
Keywords: YA, fiction, London, crime, ghosts, romance, mystery
Source: Publisher

When madness stalks the streets of London, no one is safe…

There's a creepy new terror haunting modern-day London.
Fresh from defeating a Jack the Ripper killer, Rory must put her new-found hunting skills to the test before all hell breaks loose…

But enemies are not always who you expect them to be and crazy times call for crazy solutions. A thrilling teen mystery.


Summary by Goodreads


 


If you read my review of THE NAME OF THE STAR then it surely doesn't surprise you that I didn't want to wait a second to start its sequel right after turning the last page. From the beginning THE MADNESS UNDERNEATH sets a slightly different tone than THE NAME OF THE STAR. For instance this second part of Rory's story is not as gruesome and bloody as the Jack the Ripper muderer that had his claws terrifingly close around Rory's neck in the first book. 
With Rory uncovering the origin of new ghost occurrences around Wexford, a new kind of psychological tension slowly seeps into the story and through the cracks that once contained the restless patients of a psychiatric unit.

Rory is a character that I could easily imagine being friends with. She's very independent, got a great sense of humour, keeps on babbling about funny things that come to her mind and she's got a strong intuition for what is right and wrong.
I found myself enjoying and soaking up all the interesting little facts Rory researches in relation to the mysterious death in a bar near Wexford. The story wasn't as profoundly supported by such curious details as the first book's case which I guess has to be owed to the popular and widely discussed phenomenon that's immanent to Jack the Ripper.
Rory's life has not nearly returned to normal and she's still trying to deal with her newfound gift, a gift she was left with after a Ripper imitating ghost failed to kill her. But the ghosts are as present as ever and suddenly Rory is of high interest for the group behind the ghost hunting unit of our friends Stephen, Callum and Boo. Facing new missions and mysteries around all kinds of ghosts, the four grow together and form an unbeatable team. I also really appreciated and savoured the time Maureen reserved for Rory and Stephen to get to know each other better and learn to love the little quirks about the other. I rooted for Stephen since the middle of THE NAME OF THE STAR and was hoping for Rory to fall for him, so you can imagine the grin on my face every time these two got some quiet investigative time together.

Life would be too easy if we all could be just friends, so of course there is another group interested in Rory's talents. I wouldn't have minded if the story had countinued with ever new ghostly murder cases and no additional hostile group suddenly appearing and wanting Rory to join their cult.

I thought THE MADNESS UNDERNEATH didn't house as many surprising turns as its predecessor and I mostly guessed what was going to happen until I came to the last thirty pages or so...and the final chapters became a major mood killer! I was so ecstatic one moment, and royally pissed the other! Readers will probably be wondering, how Maureen Johnson could let happen something like that. Right now I can't think of a statisfiable outcome or solution to what we all had to witness!

At one point someone in THE MADNESS UNDERNEATH tells a story and Rory says that she feels like her absorption into the story was total. When she wrote this book Maureen Johnson surely knew that her stories had the very same effect on its readers. And as always the frequently asked question: Why do we have to wait another year for the next book in the series?





1) of a new batch of disturbed ghosts
2) of a punchy first scene
3) we just can't refuse to fall in love with this glum portrait of London
4) of being in bedrooms with boys
5) (love & hate I might add) of its very unforseeable and tormenting ending






4,5/5 ****/* THE MADNESS UNDERNEATH – A terrific and dazzling new shade of YA!

The new crime cases of this sequel might not have fascinated me as much as the original Jack the Ripper murders of THE NAME OF THE STAR, still I couldn't resist the psychologically strong pull of this new SHADES OF LONDON. I fear this series will continue to have me in its killer grip. And doesn't the third book, THE SHADOW CABINET, sound too spooky and nightmarishly good to be true?







* Watch out for THE SHADOW CABINET coming 2014!

* You might also be interested in reading Maureen's YA contemporary, 13 Little Blue Envelopes.

* Read an excerpt of THE MADNESS UNDERNEATH here

* You can find the book trailer here

* For further information about Maureen Johnson and her books visit www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com

* Thanks to Harper Collins UK for sending me a copy of THE MADNESS UNDENEATH for review!


Sunday, April 28, 2013

New Books On My Shelf #63

The best book quartet! Do I need to say more? Just have a look at the books I received in the past weeks.



Truly, Madly, Deadly by Hannah Jayne (Edelweiss, thanks to Sourcebooks Fire)
Boundless by Cynthia Hand (Bought, Kindle - read)



Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting ( For Review, thanks to Headline)
The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson (For Review, thanks to Harper Collins UK - read)


Sunday, April 21, 2013

Book Review: The Name of the Star (Shades of London #1) by Maureen Johnson


Title: The Name of the Star (Shades of London #1)
Author: Maureen Johnson
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books
Publishing Date: September 29th 2011
Length: 374 pages
Keywords: YA, thriller, mystery, ghosts, boarding school, London, Rippermania
Source: Bought

The day that Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London to start a new life at boarding school is also the day a series of brutal murders breaks out over the city, killings mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper spree of more than a century ago. Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him--the only one who can see him. And now Rory has become his next target. In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

Summary by Goodreads  






I have finally joined in the modern Rippermania - took me long enough! The Jack the Ripper story Maureen Johnson created is one of a kind. It's not directly a retelling of the most famous murdering phantom of our history, but a new kind of  paranormal, mysterious, yet romantic, boarding-school story with a ghostly chill and thrilling modern day crime case. Maureen really did consider most of my favourite YA elements, man she's good!

The story begins with a murder comitted in frank sight of a CCTV camera, with the murderer remaining absent on the screen, invisible, like a ghost. And ghosts are definitely a major part of this very unconventional ghost story. I really liked the way Maureen Johnson rolled up the new Ripper’s story and how he came to commit all those murders, his methods and his motifs.
Maureen drew a pretty realistic picture of what such a thing as a new Ripper would mean to a city like London.

Of course THE NAME OF THE STAR wouldn’t be as intriguing and gripping as it is, if Maureen Johnson hadn’t processed the original Jack the Ripper cases and embedded them into Aurora's story in small and scary portions. I actually had to look up the crime scene picture of the Mary Kelly murder and a shudder went down my spine. I’m glad that Maureen wasn’t too reluctant on holding back the gory details for the modern day murders in London.

THE NAME OF THE STAR resembles a brilliant combination of wise chosen YA elements. The boarding school setting means a new start and an adventurous year abroad for Rory. Boarding schools are a symbol of romantic escapades, cat fights and the beginning of new friendships.
So Wexford as Rory’s new home for the next months was a perfect choice to set up the story. It’s located in London and with that makes it the center of public attention during the ongoing murder series. The crime and mystery factor of THE NAME OF THE STAR are pretty high set, although I wasn’t as scared as I hoped to be.
The 1st person point of view by Rory is supplemented by a few scenes from a 3rd person perspective on a witness or victim getting in contact with the new Ripper. They add to the overall touch of the murderer's creepy everpresence in the entire city of London.

The secondary characters are to some extend just as peculiar and amiable as Rory. We even get some romantic sparks. Can you believe it? A boarding school romance in London, hooray! I have to admit though, that I hoped for Rory to run off with a different guy out of her circle of new friends. Something about Stephen made me instantly feel drawn to him and I’m convinced Rory should feel that pull, too! The secret organization of ghost hunters he's a part of visibly enrichens the whole story.
I always imagined Rory to be like Maureen herself. Slightly eccentric, smart and jumping in front of a killer to safe her friends before even thinking about it for a second. She was exactly the right character choice for the story of the name of the star and I’m looking forward to new revelations about ghosts, her abilities, the organization behind the ghost hunter Team of Boo, Stephen and Callum and more crime cases.






1) it doesn't stint on ghastly details
2) of a suspenseful Rippermania revival
3) of peculiar Louisiana anecdotes
4) of a mysteriously alluring police officer
5) sometimes libraries become our new home


 



 5/5 ***** THE NAME OF THE STAR – Supremely satisfying and delightfully spooky!

This book gives you the creeps, but not in a bad way. Maureen Johnson invented some kind of pleasant creeps, that make you want to read on and on for the entire night, regardless the gory details and machinations of a crazy murderer mastermind. I could read a whole shelf full of these kind of books.






* You read THE NAME OF THE STAR and can't get enough of Maureen's ghostly London? Then don't miss the sequel, THE MADNESS UNDERNEATH released March 28th 2013.

* Read an excerpt of THE NAME OF THE STAR.

* Book trailer

* For further information about Maureen Johnson and her books, visit www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Sunday Book Quiz

Happy Sunday. You've probably moved over to the couch with a new book, some tea and cookies. I have to admit I spent the day in my PJs reading Maureen Johnson's THE NAME OF THE STAR (it's really good). To give you a break from reading - I know, who would want that?! -  I've thrown together a small quiz - of course book related - for you guys. 5 different categories, 12 questions. Try to get the right answers and share in the comments. I've linked to the books for those who don't want to wait for the answers. Hope you enjoy it!


Who said it? 


[1]

“You get confused by crying women, I get confused by walks with princes”  ― p. 145

 [2]

I've risked my life for you. I've walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I'd do it again and again and again just to be with you, just to starve with you and freeze with you and hear you complain about hard cheese every day. So don't tell me we don't belong together.
p. 298


[3]

You look famished. Sit. Eat. And please don't be so rude as to think the food glamoured or enchanted. What kind of host do you think I am?´“  p. 175 

[4]

You're delightfully screwy, and I wouldn't have you any other way. Drink your tea.“  p. 17






Cover Darling -  On what YA covers can these items be found?

[5]
Blue dress & red high heels



Globe, bird & apples




5 Facts - What book am I?



[7]
  • My maincharacter has an usual hair color. 
  • I'll take you to many exotic locations. 
  • I'm telling you things about the past and the present.
  • One of my characters' name could as well be 'Sulfur'.
  • I want your teeth!



[8]
  • I'm no fairy tale.
  • My people don't like strangers. 
  • Children begin to disappear. 
  • The wind has a voice. 
  • I was published by Disney Hyperion. 








Title Definitions - Name book and author! 


[9]

" noun

a timing device with two connected glass bulbs containing sand that takes an hour to pass from the upper to the lower bulb."*  

[10] 

" noun

  • 1 (plural ... -di/) Music a gradual increase in loudness in a piece of music: each time the key changes, there is a gradual ...
  • Music a passage of music marked or performed with a ...
  • 2a progressive increase in intensity:a ... of misery
  • the most intense point reached:the hysteria reached a ... around the spring festival "* 

* Definitions found @ www.oxforddictionaries.com
**Pictures found on Pinterest




 First Meetings - Guess the couple!















[11] These two literally ran into each other at the beach.

[12] She sat in a café and was started at by him.  



Tell me if you liked the quiz! Hope you had fun:)


Saturday, April 13, 2013

Book Review: Reboot (Reboot #1) by Amy Tintera


Title: Reboot (Reboot #1)
Author: Amy Tintera
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publishing Date: May 7th 2013
Length: 352 pages
Keywords: YA, fiction, dystopian, sci-fi, romance, Texas
Source: Edelweiss

Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).

Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.

The perfect soldier is done taking orders.

Summary by Goodreads 



REBOOT is a 2013 debut with a very intriguing concept functioning as potent YA readers' bait.
The entire Reboot idea proved to be pretty interesting, human teenagers dying and rebooting after their death to become stronger and more resilient versions of their former selves.
Amy Tintera described them to look like humans just with transformed shiny eyes and stronger body features. But they weren't always a tangible concept for me. Sometimes the Reboots gave off an almost cyborg-like vibe, their characters seeming to shift between human, machine and zombie attributes.

High appeal had the fact that, after rebooting, Wren has almost zero emotions left and she would be confronted with feelings that should be non-existent by now. Callum, her announced love interest remains almost human after his death. I was very excited for their love story, as I imagined it to be very fierce and troublesome, with bickering and an emotional chaos for Wren. The imbalance between them was what promised to make their love story something to look forward to.
In the end the relationship between 178 and 22 came along too manageable and without any major doubts on Wren's part. As she is always described as a calculating heartless being she should at least spend some time struggling, and I just didn't see that.
Wren's character was strong otherwise and everyone respected her. It was Callum's character who could have used to appear edgier.

Some time around the middle of the book, something happened that resulted in my discontentment. And after that I felt my attention being gradually diverted. I hoped for Wren's and Callum's training phase to be more intense and more emphasis put on Wren's life in the HARC complex. The strong enthusiasm I held for Amy Tintera's  Reboots in the first few chapters of the book, couldn't make it to the end.

The story's overall feel was inherently consistent and attractive with its dystopian and sci-fi elements. There are Reboots, rebels and the ominous HARC organisation. Everything the Reboots do, is controlled and observed by guards and scientists.
REBOOT is set in Texas, but not the Texas we know today. Cities were destroyed in uproars, most of the population killed. Pretty scary!

Sadly the explanation - stories with these kind of fatal developments in general - behind the Reboot procedure just didn't seem to work for me. Even though their stories are based on different basic set-ups, to some extent REBOOT reminded me of the reading impression I got from WITHER by Lauren DeStefano and EVE by Anna Carey.





1) of an inventive Reboot idea
2) of a chance to feel again
3) of being brave enough to change things
4) of its scary dystopian Texas setting
5) of unexpected help





3,5/5 ***/* REBOOT - Extremely inventive Reboot concept with a weaker story line towards the end.

Epic Reads tea time. That's where I first heard about Amy Tintera's debut and it was clear this was a 2013 debut I wouldn't put on hold for too long. I recommend you to pick it up as soon as possible, I'm sure it will find a place on many readers' favourites shelves. REBOOT could be a good read for people who enjoyed WITHER by Lauren DeStefano and EVE by Anna Carey.





* Don't forget to add the sequel to REBOOT to your Goodreads shelf! 

* Want to meet Amy Tintera? Check out the Dark Days Tour schedule

* For further information about Amy Tintera and her books, visit www.amytintera.com

* Thanks to Harper Teen and Edelweiss for the chance to review REBOOT! 

Monday, April 8, 2013

New Books On My Shelf #62

I noticed that I haven't done a New Books post in ages and thought I should share what I received in the past two months. Here's what I got:


She's So Dead To Us by Kieran Scott (Bought - Read)
This Is So Not Happening by Kieran Scott (Bought - Read)
The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa (Netgalley)
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (Bought)
Reboot by Amy Tintera (Edelweiss - Currently reading)
Let The Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger (Pulseit)



This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith (Publisher - Read)
Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally (Bought - Read)
Requiem by Lauren Oliver (Bought - Read)
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare (Bought - Read)



Sunday, April 7, 2013

Book Review: This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith


Title: This Is What Happy Looks Like
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Publisher: Headline
Publishing Date: April 4th 2013
Length: 416 pages
Keywords: YA, fiction, contemporary romance, happiness, small town, Hollywood
Source: Publisher

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

In This is What Happy Looks Like, Jennifer E. Smith's new YA novel, perfect strangers Graham Larkin and Ellie O'Neill meet—albeit virtually—when Graham accidentally sends Ellie an email about his pet pig, Wilbur. In the tradition of romantic movies like "You've Got Mail" and "Sleepless in Seattle," the two 17-year-olds strike up an email relationship, even though they live on opposite sides of the country and don't even know each other's first names.

Through a series of funny and poignant messages, Graham and Ellie make a true connection, sharing intimate details about their lives, hopes and fears. But they don't tell each other everything; Graham doesn't know the major secret hidden in Ellie's family tree, and Ellie is innocently unaware that Graham is actually a world-famous teen actor living in Los Angeles.

When the location for the shoot of Graham's new film falls through, he sees an opportunity to take their relationship from online to in-person, managing to get the production relocated to picturesque Henley, Maine, where Ellie lives. But can a star as famous as Graham have a real relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie's mom want her to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?


Summary by Goodreads
  

 


First I have to say that I can't guarantee the absence of imaginary smiley faces in this review (sorry, Ellie)! 

Jennifer E. Smith's books are mostly about the things in life we cannot grasp. In THE STATISTICAL PROBABLITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT, she booked a flight for two teens to explore the ways of fate. And now with THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE, readers all around the world are invited to join the search for true happiness.

Finding answers to the question of happiness wasn't always easy for Ellie. She's living a quite and very guarded life with her mother in a coast small town until one day she gets an e-mail by a stranger.
That stranger would be Hollywood beau Graham Larkin. And Graham, too, doesn't feel like his life is on perfect course. Always on the move, making movies, pretending to be someone he will never be and missing his parents. When he comes to  Ellie's town to make a new movie, things start to look brighter than before. Both characters complement each other in the best ways possible. Thankfully Graham isn't, as some might assume, a spoiled or arrogant brat. He is very down-to-earth and receptive for other people's sentiments or problems. Just as Ellie is a very honest person who cares very much for the people she loves.

Jennifer E. Smith explores the chances of a relationship between an ordinary girl with a secret and a big actor, the differences between Hollywood versus small-town life and the difficulties in drawing a line between public and private interests.
And all along she gives Ellie and Graham a lot of time to get to know each other in a setting that felt very cozy and atmospheric.

The chapters alternate between Ellie and Graham and that was just perfect! I had feared they would  stay in e-mail contact for a long time wondering who the other person might be and was relieved and happy to see that they met very early in the story so that there was enough room to develop their non-online relationship. But I also loved that their actual conversations were still supplemented with their e-mail contact even after they had met. And the e-mails in general, receiving an e-mail by a stranger and falling for him? Totally loved that!

The story as a whole didn’t meet all of my expectations. It's hard to explain what was lacking, because I did like THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE very much. I might have imagined the romance to be more intense and conflict-laden and the pace to be a bit more explosive. The story wasn't as over the top as some YA contemporary novels feel the need to be today, which was totally okay with me, but some tiny spark was just missing.

So I only had to read the e-mail teaser on the back of my proof copy to know that this book would be a keeper! Ice cream, sunrises and flip flops, swimming, dogs and pyjama pants are things meaning happiness for me, too. After reading Jennifer's book I will hopefully learn to pay more attention to the things that make me happy every day. Happiness is keeping the best memories and most beloved people close to you. THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE is cuddly and sweet, but despite its high cuteness factor, it should still be taken as a seriously good and meaningful read.





1) of Wilbur, the match-maker
2) every quote deserves its very own frame
3) of its fuzzy feeling of happiness
4) of fun e-mail snippets
5) of a cute, down-to-earth and not over the top love story






4/5 **** THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE – Uplifting, heartfelt and charming! 

This book is like all sunrises, sunsets and puppies combined, really cute. Jennifer E. Smith is a safe bet should you ever be in need of YA books that raise your spirits, provide you with lovely romance and put you in a summery cheerful mood. 





 
* Enjoyed THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE? Don't forget to read THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

* Read an excerpt of THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE
* Want to meet Jennifer E. Smith? Check out her event calendar!

* For further information about Jennifer E. Smith and her books, visit www.jenniferesmith.com 

* Thanks to Sam Eades and Headline for sending me a copy for review!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Book Review: Shades of Earth (Across the Universe #3) by Beth Revis



Title: Shades of Earth (Across the Universe #3)
Author: Beth Revis
Publisher: Razorbill
Publishing Date: 369 pages
Length: January 15th 2013
Keywords: YA, science fiction, romance, adventures, new planet, death
Source: Bought

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.


Summary by Goodreads 




please note that this review contains spoilers for people who haven't read A MILLION SUNS!

You haven't yet recovered from the adrenaline rush named A MILLION SUNS and you need a break? That's something the thrilling last book in the ACROSS THE UNIVERSE series can't serve with. SHADES OF EARTH continues the strong and action-packed storyline you've surely come to love in the previous books. 

Here's a short reminder how the second book ended: 

'"It's worth it." I move to touch him, but he grabs my hand first, squeezes my fingers, then let's me go.
"What was it you said to Doc?" Elder asks. "About faith?"
"I don't remember," I say with a dry laugh. "I was too busy trying not to get killed."
"Well, whatever it was - you were right." His hands rests over the auto-pilot launch button.


"Ready?" he asks.
"Ready."'

And I was SO ready for the next book then! Fine, you know that Amy and Elder are alive, but what about the fact that the new planet has been there all along? I wante to scream! And then they didn't push that launch button in the end of book two? That was just mean, because anything would be possible after that. So, you can imagine my outburst of joy when I finally held my copy of SHADES OF EARTH in my hands.

With the new planet within reach, Beth Revis' possibilities to continue the story seemed endless. Isn't the idea of a new world scary and exciting all at once? Amy, Elder and their group could build an entire new world or be attacked any time. Beth made sure that this planet wouldn't be a snooze.
After the landing, our group is surrounded by unknown land and after only a few hours on their new planet, they know that they are not alone. Always knowing about the dangers out there, but  never being entirely sure about their origins or how to protect yourself from them. There are hostile animal-like creatures, unpredictable plants, abandoned ruins looking like houses built for humans. It is not 100 % alien-free either. The tension was tangible! There are scary things happening in SHADES OF EARTH and you should definitly be prepared for DEATH (yes, capital letters. Beth Revis is THAT evil).
And the mystery behind the beings responsible for all that misery and harm, is an entirely different category. It is as brilliant as it is disgusting and contemptible. Beth Revis never reveals too much at a time, she keeps the reader constantly charged up, always athirst for answers, to learn more about the intrigues and complots sourrounding Godspeed.

With all the new-found land, animals and dangers one could think that there wouldn't be time for love. But Beth was kind enough to guarantee us some quality time with our lovely Godspeed couple Amy and Elder. I was so relieved the new planet didn't have a no-kiss policy. These scenes of affection and care gave hope and lightened up the dark mood the consequent uncertainty caused.  

Amy and Elder continue to be awesome and well-rounded characters. Amy grows stronger every day and I've always seen the leader potential in her that she's showing in SHADES OF EARTH. I'm glad they both are critical in nature, and ask questions first before they follow any commands. And that is even more important in this very difficult situation caused by the differences between ship-born and earth-born people in the colony. The clash of beliefs and attitudes between sol-earth military and Godspeed inhabitants is a very prominant issue in this part of the story.
Advanced technologies and highly interesting scientific research make SHADES OF EARTH a diversified and intelligent read, presenting us with numerous inventive ideas that could affect our future at some point, too.

SHADES OF EARTH is a science-fiction book through and through. Spaceships, new plants, aliens and the task to master life in an entirely foreign and new environment. It is the conclusion to a thourougly well-written trilogy.





1) of its dual narrative
2) of an unforgettable character cast
3) of its extremely adventurous nature
4) of all the countless mysteries surrounding Godspeed
5) of a perfect ending





5/5 ***** SHADES OF EARTH - The beauty lies in the stars. Beth Revis caught them and spun them into a powerfully written and adventurous space mission tale.

When I started with this series I was very reluctant to give a story with a space adventure a chance to sweep me off my feet. Right now I can't imagine not reading more science-fiction and set in space YA books! I'm counting on many more books by talented author Beth Revis! SHADES OF EARTH is the last book in the ACROSS THE UNIVERSE trilogy, that's how it's advertised, but I really do hope that there is still room for more books in the series. And so I'm having my fingers crossed for a spin-off series, who doesn't?!





* Want to read more about the AtU books? Beth Revis wrote a novella, titled AS THEY SLIP AWAY which offers background information about some characters. You can read it here.

* Read an excerpt of SHADES OF EARTH here.

* Watch the ACROSS THE UNIVERSE book trailer!

* Explore Godspeed on the official ACROSS THE UNIVERSE book page.

* For further information about Beth Revis and her books, visit www.bethrevis.com