Review - Shades of Earth (Across the Universe 03) by Beth Revis

Title and Author: Shades of Earth (Across the Universe 03) by Beth Revis

Publisher: Razor Bill

Publication Date: January 15th, 2013

Paperback/Hardcover: 369

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia

Find it at: Goodreads / Bookdepository

Summary: 

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.

Review:

I really enjoyed Across the Universe and A Million Suns, of course I had to read Shades of Earth and find out what would happen to Amy and Elder.

Amy and Elder have finally reached the new planet. This planet is not exactly what they thought it would be. Monsters and unknown enemies already inhabit the place and if Amy and Elder want to keep their people alive they’ll have to embark on a new adventure.

I think Amy is a good character. She can definitely be impulsive but I like how strong and brave she is. Her decisions might not always be the best but, in the end, her intentions are good and all she wants is to discover the truth.

Elder is still my favorite character. He’s sweet, smart and adventurous. I really liked how he was always trying to do the best for his people and how he never wanted to leave anyone behind. He’s a great, different character.

From the beginning I had the feeling I knew where Beth Revis was going with a certain character and, even though I was mostly right I still enjoyed the little twist there. I really can’t say more about this because I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone but once you read the book you’ll understand what I mean. J

The relationship between Amy and Elder develops nicely in this in this book.  We all know Elder really likes Amy but in Across the Universe or A Million Suns (I’m not entirely sure which right now) she says that if her only choice is Elder than that’s not really a choice so she doesn’t want to be with him. In Shades of Earth I think she starts to realize things are not exactly like that and that Elder is definitely right for her. There are some sweet moments between the two of them and I think they’re a good match for each other.

When it comes to the plot I enjoyed how Beth Revis was able to create a fun mystery involving the new planet and its possible inhabitants. The action kept me interested and entertained and so did all the twists and turns and the interaction between all the characters.

Beth Revis also did a great job creating this new world that is both similar and different to earth at the same time. It was easy to believe the new planet really did exist.

All in all, I really enjoyed Shades of Earth and think it’s a nice ending to the series. The book is well-written, imaginative and fast-paced. There’s action, mystery and a bit of romance.         

Rating: Between Worth Your Time and Must Read (4 ½ Stars) 

 

Review - Insurgent by Veronica Roth (Divergent 02)

Title and Author: Insurgent by Veronica Roth (Divergent 02)

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: May 1st, 2012

Paperback/Hardcover: 525

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia

Summary:

One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

  

Review:

Like a lot of people I was eagerly waiting for Insurgent to be released. I really enjoyed Divergent and was quite excited for Insurgent. Gladly, the book did not disappoint me.

Insurgent picks up exactly where Divergent left off. Tris and the others are still on that same train they were on the end of Divergent and Erudite is still trying to dominate the other factions. The full scope of Tris’ Divergence is exposed as she and Tobias are faced with several decisions and events that might change everything, including their society as they know it.

The characters we came to know and love (or hate) in Divergent are back.  Tris is still as strong and determined as in the first book. A lot happens to her and she faces tough decisions and suffering but she’s always able to put herself back together and keep fighting. Some of her decisions and actions drove me a little crazy because they would so obviously put her in grave danger but, at the same time, I could understand where she was coming from. Plus, I liked the fact all the decisions she made changed her somehow and made her an even better character.

Now, when it comes to Four, or Tobias, I really liked him in Divergent but I think that in Insurgent he’s an even better character. I loved the moments of insight into his past and the person he really is. He has his own issues and problems and there’s a lot he needs to deal with. His decisions are as important and Tris’s and might change everything.

The relationship between Tris and Tobias is a very interesting one. It’s obvious they love each other but there are many obstacles they need to overcome to be able to be together. The moments they spend together are great and they make an awesome couple but, as the book develops, they find themselves at odds more than once.

All the secondary characters like Uriah, Ch.ristina and Marcus are back and all of them have something to add to the story

There’s not a slow moment in Insurgence and all the action, and twist and turns kept me completely interested in the story. I couldn’t put this book down, I just had to know what would happen next! It’s not all action and drama, though, there’s some humor in Insurgent as well, which I think added to the story.

Another thing I really enjoyed in this book was the fact we get to know a little bit more about the other factions, the way they work and what their members believe in. We also learn more about the factionless and some of their plans.

All in all, Insurgent didn’t disappoint me at all. The book is well-written, fast-paced and full of great characters, action and unexpected moments.

The book ends in a cliffhanger and now I can’t, once more, wait to find out what will happen next.

If you like Young Adult and Dystopia books with an interesting plot and well-developed characters you definitely need to start reading this series!

Rating: Somewhere Between Worth Your Time and Must Read (4 ½ Stars)

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