A Million Suns (Across the Universe, #2)

Aug 06, 2012 Steph Sinclair rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of Across the Universe

Shelves: sci-fi, pretty-covers, i-own-it, 2012-reads, 2012-release, alternating-povs, could-have-been-better, dystopian, heroines-i-want-to-shake, original-and-creative, what-kind-of-ending-was-that, young-adult, i-really-enjoyed-it

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

I've been really eager to read A Million Suns for a while now. I'm a Sci-Fi geek and I'm not afraid to admit that. (Hear that, Kennedy?! I'm owning that!) So I think, in a way, I am prone to getting swept away with this series. And just as with Across the Universe, I was immediately sucked into the story, walking around my house with my face glued to the book, sitting on the edge of my seat trying to figure out the mysteries surrounding Godspeed. Because if there is one t...more

47 likes · like · see review

Jan 30, 2012 Diane ϟ [ Lestrange ] rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, paranormal, i-have, dystopian-post-apocalyptic, 2012-reads, fantasy, to-review, wish-list, sci-fi

Luthe and Orion here they come!!!

From http://www.bethrevis.com/

Q: Can you tell us anything about the sequels?
Beth Revis: I can say this much about Book 2:

It’s called A MILLION SUNS
It takes place soon after ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
It does still focus on Amy & Elder -END

Nice detail about the book isn't it? lol
I LOVE THE TITLE thought!

29 likes · like · see review

Jan 22, 2012 Melannie :) is currently reading it

Shelves: most-anticipated

I can't wait to read about Elder taking the role of The Eldest,
and ohhh man! I don't think they should relax with Orion still alive,
and that Luthe guy has to be watched closely.

______________________

“Will you stay with me?” I whisper.
“Always.”

Elder & Amy ♥

26 likes · like · see review

Mar 05, 2012 Ariana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: can-t-wait, 2012, series

"And here we are, in the middle, surrounded by a sea of stars.
A million stars."

What an intriguing story.. in a way, even intriguingly sad.
This book finds us right where the first one left us. Somewhere between Sol-Earth and Centauri-Earth, suspended in time and space.

There is no more Phydus to control the people around the ship and they are quite out of control. People don’t work, people start to fight, they suffer from depression.
They start having feelings, they start thinking for themselves a...more

28 likes · like · see review

May 23, 2012 Emily May rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-na, sci-fi, 2012, coverly-love

It's been a while since I finished Across the Universe and gave it a mostly positive review. Since then, I have changed a lot, read many more books, and my expectations and standards have become higher. As more and more time has been put between my finishing Across the Universe and starting A Million Suns, I've been wondering if I would be quite so forgiving of some of the issues I had in the first book if I were to read it again now. You see, despite the pretty sparkly covers, it is the charac...more

It's been a while since I finished Across the Universe and gave it a mostly positive review. Since then, I have changed a lot, read many more books, and my expectations and standards have become higher. As more and more time has been put between my finishing Across the Universe and starting A Million Suns, I've been wondering if I would be quite so forgiving of some of the issues I had in the first book if I were to read it again now. You see, despite the pretty sparkly covers, it is the characters and relationships that are lacking for me. In terms of sci-fi, I actually think these books are really good.

When it comes to proper science fiction - space, aliens, etc. - I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with it. I'm fascinated by the idea of life on other planets, of exploring the universe and discovering all its secrets... but most of it feels a little cold and emotionless. Forgive me, but one theory I have is that a large portion of it is written by men - as two sci-fi authors I do love are Margaret Atwood and Ursula K. Le Guin - and quite a few of them (yes, I know, not all of them) tend to write your typical boy sci-fi: scary aliens, big guns, and intergalactic battles. There's not enough exploration of ideas that could happen in humanity's future.

This is the side of Revis' series that I love. Imagine being a part of the human race a few centuries into the future, imagine that we've discovered a planet that could sustain life, and imagine that there's a plan to get there on a huge ship where certain individuals will be frozen until arrival, and others will live on the ship and reproduce for the several hundred years it would take to get there. Imagine that things don't go quite to plan and those living on the ship start to find the dark secrets locked away behind hidden doors. This is the story being told here and I love love love this idea. There's mysteries that kept me guessing, moral and ethical dilemmas that tear friendships apart, and there is hardly any romance. I know, it's hard to believe. Look at the covers, look at the taglines, the blurb describing how Amy is torn between her feelings for Elder and the chaos that's pulling everything apart - this is such bad marketing when these books are 100% sci-fi with the barest suggestion of romance between the two main characters.

And yes, the characters. They are what stops this book and the one before it from being excellent. Elder and Amy have flat, drab personalities that I can't even find words to describe - because how do you describe nothing? Okay, maybe that's a slight exaggeration. But I should be inside Elder's head feeling his frustration over what's happening to the ship, his anger, his worry... he has so much going on his life that it's impossible for him not to be experiencing some severe emotional turmoil, and yet I never got that. Same with Amy - she is battling between the desire to wake her frozen parents up and the knowledge that if she does they won't have a chance of getting to the planet and starting a new life. I should feel her sadness, but I don't. It's really bad when a novel is written in 1st person from two points of view and I feel disconnected from both of them.

If you're wondering whether you should read this series or not, you need to ask yourself what's most important - good characters or an action-packed and thought-provoking plot? If you said the latter, you'll probably love it. If you need a strong connection to the characters, you may struggle with this.(less)

38 likes · like · see review

Apr 30, 2012 Reynje rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2012, sci-fi, young-adult

3.5 stars

**Note: Review contains spoilers for Across the Universe**

If you’ve read Across the Universe, you’ll be familiar with its intense and chilling first chapter – a powerful piece of writing that opened this YA sci-fi trilogy with a bang. While I enjoyed Across the Universe, for me, that claustrophobic induction into Amy’s point of view was its highest point. That said, I wanted to see where Revis was going to take the story next. Having left her characters and the Godspeed in something of...more

18 likes · like · see review

Apr 09, 2012 Anita added it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own

It has a title! It didn't have one before! How I look forward to A Million Suns! I love how it says:

“The plot of this book is currently a secret...”

And now it's not a secret and I adore the cover--even if it doesn't match the first, ohmygoodness. I am excited for this release just about as much as I am for Cynthia Hand's Hallowed.

9 likes · like · see review

Aug 03, 2012 Colleen Houck added it

I just finished A MILLION SUNS on the plane from Boston to Portland and I wish there was more! Very much looking forward to the next and final book in the trilogy. Beth is awesome and her books are too. Love the slang! This book is so brilly!

11 likes · like · see review

Nov 23, 2011 Lindsay Cummings rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: myarcs

OH...MY...GOSH. This book...you guys... I am over the top excited to be able to review this book. I had no idea it would be heading to me in the mail, and when I got a package from Razorbill, I made myself SWEAR not to get too excited as I opened up the envelope. But there it was. A shiny, brand new copy of Across the Universe's sequel, for me, who probably tormented Beth Revis by sending her so many pictures and "holy crap Beth you're amazing" tweets. This was absolutely one of my most anticipa...more OH...MY...GOSH. This book...you guys... I am over the top excited to be able to review this book. I had no idea it would be heading to me in the mail, and when I got a package from Razorbill, I made myself SWEAR not to get too excited as I opened up the envelope. But there it was. A shiny, brand new copy of Across the Universe's sequel, for me, who probably tormented Beth Revis by sending her so many pictures and "holy crap Beth you're amazing" tweets. This was absolutely one of my most anticipated reads in a loooong time, and I have nothing but praise for it :)

I'll start with the Cover. I love it. So, SO much. It is perfect for this book, and I can't say why exactly, but this cover just fits so well.

When I first started reading, I had to go slow, because so much happened in ATU, and that was so long ago, that it was a little hard to remember every little detail. But Revis does a good job of recapping everythinga nd reeling you back in lightning fast. The book starts out instantly...withing the first few pages, by dealing the characters a HUGE game-changer (which of course, I cannot reveal!! The mystery is so good in this one! Who is doing everything?! Who is the bad guy?! Are they really bad, or are they good?! OH MY STARS, the frexing drama! Oh, the frexing amazing plotting skills, Beth! Oh, the ability to curse in Godspeed lingo without really cursing on Sol-Earth. FREX!) and you are instantly flipping pages to figure out what happens next. I'll just go through a few bullet points, because SO much happens in this book, and I can't reveal a single thing without giving it all away!!

-The Mystery-
the cool thing about this book is that the mystery is even bigger- the stakes are WAY higher than what happened in book one, with the frozens. This time, it's everyone's life on the ship that's in danger... including Godspeed itself.
-The Characters-
I feel for Amy so much in this one. She's struggling to fit into a world where she completely stands out, and now that everyone on the ship is off of Phydus, it is even more dangerous for her. Including her problems with Luthor, one of the most hate-worthy characters in all of YA lit for the way he treats women! So awesome job on making his character super believable, Beth! Beth throws in another Harley-type character named Victria, and it allows the reader to see that these people on the ship have real problems, the same kind that we wish we could run away from. Even in space, they are there.
-Godspeed is seriously in distress, and it really gives the reader a chance to see just how hard it is for Elder to lead. He has to make a ton of hard decisions, and the way his chapters are written leave you feeling just as anxious and distressed as he is.
-The romance between Amy and Elder. It is so perfectly written, the struggles, the confusion between them, the moments where you are just screaming "COME ON ALREADY!" in their scenes.
-The Plot-
Overall, it's hard sometimes for a book to capture me from beginning to end. But this one did exactly that, and I actually ended up staying up until 3am last night so that I could finish the mystery. And I'm up just a few hours later to review it. THAT'S HOW AMAZING IT WAS!! I needed to know what the end would be, because the mystery..oh, the mystery. You guys, it is so SO good, all of the clues, the confusion, the fact that you get to see Amy being so strong despite her situation...The stakes were so high that I was afraid if I left the book and came back...everything would change, and I'd miss out on something huge! It felt so realistic, from the scientific explanations, to all of the new technology you see, to the feeling of being trapped, and the crazy distress that comes from thousands of people finally realizing the danger of their situation and questioning their leader. It's scary. It's real. It's everything I ever hoped book 2 would be.

I don't give starred reviews for my books. But for this one....I'm going to have to give it A MILLION SUNS. That's just how good it was, and I am beyond excited for the rest of the world to read it! :)

:::Faces Camera::: Beth, if you're out there....if you can see this, Beth. You are amazing. :::Looks over shoulder. Lights flicker::: You have a choice to make, Beth. And it's that you have to write book three. Can you do it? You have to. Because if you dont... :::Eyes go wide:::: ....If you don't, Beth...I will probably die. ---End of Video---
(less)

11 likes · like · see review

May 09, 2012 Kristi (The Story Siren) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-arc, sophomore-challenge, books-i-own, signed-books

Whew…. this book is so good! SO GOOD people! Now this is a second in a series, so I’m not going to get into much of the details of the story. Basically it’s a story about a girl and a boy and they are living on a humungous space ship. Oh, and the girl, Amy…. was FROZEN and she was woken up, er thawed out, before she was supposed to be. Thus mystery and intrigue happen, among a few other things. And that is book one. Then in book two, I thought for sure that Beth Revis wouldn’t be able to surpris...more Whew…. this book is so good! SO GOOD people! Now this is a second in a series, so I’m not going to get into much of the details of the story. Basically it’s a story about a girl and a boy and they are living on a humungous space ship. Oh, and the girl, Amy…. was FROZEN and she was woken up, er thawed out, before she was supposed to be. Thus mystery and intrigue happen, among a few other things. And that is book one. Then in book two, I thought for sure that Beth Revis wouldn’t be able to surprise me. I mean we learned so much in book one, how could there possibly be more to this story. That Beth Revis she is so sneaky and tricky! Whatever you think you “discovered” and “know” from book one, you don’t know anything! And that sort of made me LOVE this book.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect from A Million Suns. I thought we figured everything out in book one and there wasn’t anything that could possibly happen in book two that I wouldn’t figure out or anticipate. Let me just say that there was PLENTY that I didn’t anticipate and even more that I didn’t figure out until it was staring at me in the face. And I absolutely LOVED that. I loved the complication and the dynamic of Amy and Elder’s relationship. I love that she questioned it, because I did too. The concerns that she felt were something that I did as well. There relationship was more out of convenience than anything else, or so I thought!

Elder’s character development in this novel is fabulous. It was hard to watch him take on this responsibility and struggle with his decisions and the decisions of those before him.

Collecting and solving clues with Amy was the most fun I’ve had with a book in what seemed like ages! The anticipation of it all! It was just killer! No pun intended.

If you like sci-fi with some mystery thrown in, and on top of that an intense plot… A Million Suns may be just the book for you. And after that ending, I can’t WAIT to see what happens next!(less)

6 likes · like · see review

Jan 19, 2012 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Oh FREX that was amazing! I just love the way they say frex throughout the book!

Elder has been trying so hard to lead the ship. The people are off phydus and finally know the truth. They are rebelling, not working, suicidal, and fighting him every decision he makes. They are learning about war and rebellions and want a chance to elect a leader. Then some people start showing up dead, with the words follow the leader written on them. Elder must find a way to fix the engines, control the people, a...more

11 likes · like · see review

Jan 21, 2012 Isamlq rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5/5

It kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. I definitely enjoyed it more than I did Across the Universe. That the first book was one of my first reads into what would be YA sci fi slanted toward space, might explain my lukewarm reception of it. And while I did like the idea of a world prior to something like A Knife of Never Letting Go, (which is what I thought it would be,) perhaps I was underwhelmed by the Elder-Amy connection that was thrown in. Except, I must admit I was thrilled *r...more

6 likes · like · see review

Dec 15, 2012 Domčo rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Celé Univerzum je jedno veľké klamstvo. Keď sa to jeho obyvatelia dozvedeli, rozpútal sa chaos.

Sú to už tri mesiace, čo Amy odpojili. Všade, kam sa pozrie, sú samé steny. Syn sa ujal velenia lode a rozhodol sa skoncovať s Phydusom a prestať ľuďom klamať. Bola to ale tá správna voľba?

Pocity z prvej knihy, Naprieč vesmírom alebo Lodi medzi hviezdami (v českom preklade), mi dokonale utkveli v pamäti a sú len ťažko opísateľné slovami. Štýl, ktorým sa Beth Revis hrala so svojím čitateľom, celková a...more Celé Univerzum je jedno veľké klamstvo. Keď sa to jeho obyvatelia dozvedeli, rozpútal sa chaos.

Sú to už tri mesiace, čo Amy odpojili. Všade, kam sa pozrie, sú samé steny. Syn sa ujal velenia lode a rozhodol sa skoncovať s Phydusom a prestať ľuďom klamať. Bola to ale tá správna voľba?

Pocity z prvej knihy, Naprieč vesmírom alebo Lodi medzi hviezdami (v českom preklade), mi dokonale utkveli v pamäti a sú len ťažko opísateľné slovami. Štýl, ktorým sa Beth Revis hrala so svojím čitateľom, celková atmosféra a zápletka príbehu, bola jednoducho jedinečná a úplne pohltila. Aj preto som sa druhého dielu nevedel dočkať. Aj keď som čakal celý jeden rok, vedel som, že nečakám márne. A nemýlil som sa.

Cesta za pravdou je dlhá a vo chvíli, keď si Amy so Synom mysleli, že záhada je rozlúštená a loď môže o chvíľu pristáť, zistili, že vlastne nič nevedia. Amy nasleduje Orionove indície k nájdeniu pravdy, no vyzerá to tak, že pristátie posádky bude oveľa komplikovanejšie, než by si ktokoľvek myslel. V zápätí sa však rodí nová otázka. Naozaj chce posádka pristáť?

Mohlo by sa zdať, že Beth všetky nápady pre svoju sériu už použila v prvej knihe a čitateľov už nemožno ničím prekvapiť. Príbeh sa však v druhej časti zamotáva takým smerom, že nie je možné predpovedať, čo má autorka s postavami v úmysle. Práve tie sa v druhej časti podstatne vyvinuli a zmenilo sa taktiež ich správanie. Zo Syna sa stáva svedomitý Otec, a preto zodpovedne preberá úlohu vládcu lode. Zmenila sa aj loď Universum. Bez Phydusu, ktorý udržoval posádku lode v pokoji a bez sporov, sa veci začínajú komplikovať.

Keďže Orion zanechal pre Amy tajný odkaz, kniha naberá na napätí a stáva sa z nej hotová detektívka. No aj v prílive tajomstiev Beth dokázala do príbehu vložiť slabé chvíľky v podobe romantiky medzi Amy a Synom. Ako to medzi nimi nakoniec skončí, však musíte zistiť sami... Trochu som sa obával prekladu, keďže prvú časť som čítal po slovensky, no druhá v slovenčine nie je a ani nebude. Preto som siahol po českej verzii, no obával som sa úplne zbytočne. Preklad sa mi páčil a ani čeština ma pri čítaní nerušila (čo u mňa nebývalo zvykom). Povestná "chucpe" neobišla ani druhú čas a veľmi dobre osviežila celý príbeh.

Som naozaj veľmi zvedavý, čo prinesie tretia časť (ktorá sa v preklade objaví už na jar), keďže Beth je majsterkou v zvratoch a druhá kniha je toho dobrým svedkom. Práve tá ma vo veľa smeroch prekvapila - autorkiným stále sa vyvíjajúcim štýlom, zvratmi a v neposlednom rade myšlienkou celej druhej knihy, ktorú Beth naozaj "vychytala". Aj preto táto séria už druhý rok patrí medzi moju najobľúbenejšiu.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Jul 23, 2012 Sarah (saz101) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-releases, science-fiction, dystopia, young-adult

4.5 stars

From the very first chapter of Across The Universe, I was hooked, and months later I was still haunted by the gorgeous writing, eerie stillness and quiet menace onboard Godspeed. So to say I had high expectations for A Million Suns would be a tiny bit of an understatement. As if I expected anything else from the brilliant Beth Revis--A Million Suns delivers without missing a beat.

While the first chapter of A Million Suns lacks the abject horror Across The Universe inspired in me, it's e...more 4.5 stars

From the very first chapter of Across The Universe, I was hooked, and months later I was still haunted by the gorgeous writing, eerie stillness and quiet menace onboard Godspeed. So to say I had high expectations for A Million Suns would be a tiny bit of an understatement. As if I expected anything else from the brilliant Beth Revis--A Million Suns delivers without missing a beat.

While the first chapter of A Million Suns lacks the abject horror Across The Universe inspired in me, it's equally as shocking in an entirely different way. The quiet menace I mentioned from Across The Universe? It's gone, replaced with panic and unrest verging on chaos. Revis throws the reader right back in the deep end and doesn't miss a beat. Things on Godspeed are not as they seem, and tensions are high. With the removal of Phydus to control the ship's population, there are whispers of revolution, and Elder, while growing into a leader, is out of his depth and not in control. It doesn't help that the people he relies on to run the ship are keeping secrets, and this added to the confusion and mystery, while simultaneously frightening me. There's this scary idea that with each generation of leadership to pass, more and more of the ships purpose and history are lost. If something happens to Elder, what will happen to the ship? If something happens to Doc, who will provide medical care, and who will know the secrets of the Frozens and how to care for them? With the loss of Eldest, how much knowledge has been lost? Elder is struggling to maintain control... Meanwhile, Amy is tracing a series of cryptic clues across the ship that unlock secrets far more terrifying than the current political climate for Godspeed.

Across The Universe left Amy and Elder in a rather ambiguous place, and A Million Suns picks up from there. Amy is trying to forgive Elder. She has no one else on the ship in whom to confide or turn, but she desperately misses her parents, her life as she understood it, and she's in constant danger as the resident Freak. Rather than attaching herself to Elder, she considers her future and considers her options. Despite it being an easy choice, she refuses to jump into something 'more' with Elder. She asks herself what she wants and what she needs. She thinks, she considers, and I loved her for this. She truly examines what it means to love someone, and as the brilliant Braiden points out, there's a major theme of love going on here. What is love? What does it mean? Is it a choice?

I loved the shifting POV in Across The Universe, and I loved it again here. Both for the contrasting outsider/insider views of the workings of Godspeed, and watching Amy and Elder grow closer. The concern Elder feels for Amy is touching, but it's at odds with the responsibility and obligations he has to the whole population of Godspeed. Meanwhile, the reluctance Amy feels towards something more with Elder is beautifully done. Neither Amy or Elder are entirely forthright with each other, but despite hurt, complications, and a far bigger picture, Revis shows a slow, beautiful unthawing of each to the other, and when they start to work together, it's a beautiful thing... Before it all spirals back out of control. Both Amy and Elder grow in A Million Suns, and we saw more of themselves shining through. Both are very imperfect beings, and make more than their fair share of mistakes, and I found myself at turns loving and hating them. Amy's stubborn and headstrong, but this can turn to selfishness at times. Meanwhile, Elder is impulsive, and this gets him in hot water on more than one occasion.

The Verdict:
Things onboard Godspeed get ugly in A Million Suns. And messy. And stay as beautiful, twisty and frightening as they always were, while only increasing in menace and intensity. I didn't think it was possible to up the ante any further following Across The Universe, but Revis pilots her ship with the effortless ease of a pro. She gives us this brilliant balance between human emotion and fallibility, sweet romance and action and mystery.

Just as beautifully written, frightening and atmospheric as it's predecessor, A Million Suns ratchets up the mystery and intrigue to almost unbearable levels. Revis delivers a sci-fi-come-Dystopian masterpiece that will thrill fans and leave them desperate for more. Now... To figure out how cryogenically freeze myself so I can survive the year-long wait for Shades Of Earth...(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Apr 29, 2012 Trinity rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, covers-i-love, fantasy, intense, e-book, lets-hear-it-for-the-boys, poetic-prose, sawoon, what-the-what, young-adult, read-in-2012

This review and other such fun can be found on my blog Trin In The Wind

4.5 stars
Frexing awesome

You guys I realised something while reading this book, space scares the dickens out of me. And I love it.
Like it's predecessor A Million Suns sucked me into its claustrophobic world and didn't let me go. At times I felt that I was the one running to the walls of Godspeed and trying to claw my way out. I felt tapped, uncomfortable, I needed more air, I needed the sky, I needed to run, oh wait that was A...more

10 likes · like · see review

Sep 18, 2012 Michael rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A year ago i had the pleasure of reading Across The Universe by Beth Revis wich was an excellent read and was thrilled to find the new one. Following on from were we left of with the spaceship Godspeed's population no longer having there minds altered by the drug Phydus. People left now to there own free will find it hard to cope and anarchy slowly begins. Elder finds himself struggling to control the people while Amy is torn between whats happening on the ship and her feeling for Elder.

Amounst...more

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 24, 2012 Tina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, un-fucking-believable-awesome

A Million Suns starts just where Across the Universe left off. Elder is struggling to control the ship without Phydus and the feeders are ready to break out in revolt. The book delves further into the mysteries surrounding Godspeed and Amy has to follow a trail of clues left by Orion before he was frozen.

One thing I love about AMS is the relationship between Elder and Amy. They have both grown and matured over the three months since her awakening. Their feelings for each other are somewhat push...more

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 02, 2012 Adelina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, oh-no-she-didnt

A Million Suns is the sequel to Across the Universe, and the second book in a 3 part series. The story in AMS starts off close to where AtU let off, with Elder stepping into his new role as leader of Godspeed while Amy still has to come to terms with how she may never live to see her parents unplugged or start a new life with them on Centauri-Earth. Add to that the budding romance between Elder and Amy, the threat of mutiny, and the unravelling of more shocking secrets that some on Godspeed woul...more A Million Suns is the sequel to Across the Universe, and the second book in a 3 part series. The story in AMS starts off close to where AtU let off, with Elder stepping into his new role as leader of Godspeed while Amy still has to come to terms with how she may never live to see her parents unplugged or start a new life with them on Centauri-Earth. Add to that the budding romance between Elder and Amy, the threat of mutiny, and the unravelling of more shocking secrets that some on Godspeed would rather kill than to reveal, and you've got a tantalisingly promising read on hand.

The one thing I really enjoy about the AtU series (apart from the lush book covers!) is the way Beth Revis masterfully crafts a complex plot that pulls you in, with twists and turns aplenty to keep you wanting more; the books make you feel as if you're aboard Godspeed with Amy and Elder, rushing against time to push past the lies and deceit to get to the truth behind the ship's mission. Once again, as with AtU, I'd find my thoughts occasionally drifting back to life on Godspeed, pondering the difficult and oft painful decisions that the characters had to make. Even after turning over the last page.

But, I just couldn't bring myself to feel more favourable towards Elder or Amy, which really kills quite a bit of the joy in reading AMS. Let's just say if I could knock their heads together, oh boy would I do that with a HUGE grin. I think it's great to have flawed characters -who likes Mary Sues anyway?- but at least make them easier to like, especially when they're your main characters. And it's not that I can't sympathise and empathise. I understand why Amy acts and reacts the way she does -her age, loneliness, the tough situation she's in- but that doesn't mean I agree (or have to agree) with her decisions.

(view spoiler)

So as with AtU, love the concept and plot direction, not so loving the characters here.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 25, 2012 Anja rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: in-love-with

update August 2012: deutsche rezi hier: Beth Revis – Godspeed: Die Suche

4.5 stars to be exact
the time has come. today i will put a million suns on my "in love with" shelf ^^ yeah, i love this book so ~~frakking~~ frexing much. it's even better than Across the Universe, but still i had to subtract a modicum of starshine.

but first things first. i feel the urgent need to heap some praise on Beth Revis. she's just freaking brilliant. she knows how to construct a striking plot. and the writing, oh the wr...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jan 15, 2012 Julianna Helms rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: EVERYONE, especially those who despite Sci-fi

Recommended to Julianna by: Myself

Shelves: best-boys, recent-favorites, re-read-status, favorites-all-time, starred-reviews, mind-boggling-brilliant

Quick Reaction: THIS BOOK WAS SO. FREXIN'. GOOD. I can't even-
Goodness, this book, I-
I mean, I-
Well, I-
The thing is, this-
I CAN'T DO THIS. THIS IS TOO HARD. I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH I WANT TO HUG THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE RIGHT NOW. I CANNOT TALK COHERENTLY.

A masterpiece.

There.

Starred Review

Actual, full review: Original is here. (Note: Due to copy-and-paste, most formatting and links have been lost.)

Reading A Million Suns was like hugging the entire universe in its aggregated starry glory. Like soari...more

20 likes · like · see review

Aug 07, 2012 Seth rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm not sure why I'm so ridiculously excited about reading this book. I really, really liked Across the Universe, but it's not the BEST first book I've read this year. But A Million Suns is pretty much my most-anticipated book!

I want to read it SO FREAKEN BAD!

Ahem. Anyways!

So yeah. I wanna read it.

*EDIT*

AHHH. THE COVER!!! BLEKSFASFIKSDFSF!

**AFTER I'VE READ REVIEW**

Oh. Wow. Well. That was amazing. It was so fast-paced, so intense, and kept me on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE book. Read it all...more

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 13, 2012 ◕ ◡ ◕ Arooj rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: covers-to-die-for, favorites, books-i-fell-hard-for

Pre-Review: Eh...slightly disappointed by the cover. It doesn't have that "BAM" effect as the cover for Across The Universe.

(Update) OHMYGOSH. It has a synopsis. "It all boils down to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship." *jaw drops*

Review:
Across the Universe was about CONTROL.
A Million Suns is about CHOICES.

The Good
- Just like the first book, I LOOOOOOVED the mystery! I don't like mystery novels and shows because I'm a very impatient person and can't stand not knowing...more

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 24, 2012 Caitlin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: eagerly-waiting-release

I have mixed feelings about this book.

The Good

1. The characters all have their flaws. No one comes off as heroic, nor does anyone come off as evil. Everyone struggles with who and where they are. No one is satisfied, yet no one is entirely unhappy. It's a realistic feel to it.

2. The plot was interesting and satisfying as a sequel (but predictable). Unlike Across the Universe it wasn't as blantantly obvious who was behind the chaos, but it doesn't take much effort to figure it out (Well who's lef...more

8 likes · like · see review

Jul 25, 2012 Laurel rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, ebooks

Finally finished it! I stayed up until 4 in the morning just so I could reach the ending of A million Suns. It was so good! Definitely not a disappointment, as I was worried it might be, since its hard to top across the universe. But a million suns definitely pulled through! I love how there's still excitement and drama, the character are awesome, and the plotline was not at all what I expected (ok, I guessed right about some things, but they were very, very minor)
Can't wait for the next book!

SP...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 18, 2012 Ferdy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: whiny-annoying-blah-heroine, boring-crap-hero

2.5 stars
Amy and Elder are adjusting to their new lives onboard Godspeed. With the death of Eldest, Elder has now taken the reigns and assumed leadership. Elder's decision to stop using Phydus - the drug that calms people down and makes them subservient - has awoken the people onborad on Godspeed. People have stopped working, resources are running low, there's violence, death and chaos. Elder spends much of his time trying to maintain order, keep the peace and diminish the flames of rebellion.
A...more 2.5 stars
Amy and Elder are adjusting to their new lives onboard Godspeed. With the death of Eldest, Elder has now taken the reigns and assumed leadership. Elder's decision to stop using Phydus - the drug that calms people down and makes them subservient - has awoken the people onborad on Godspeed. People have stopped working, resources are running low, there's violence, death and chaos. Elder spends much of his time trying to maintain order, keep the peace and diminish the flames of rebellion.
Amy is struggling to some to terms with her new life on the ship, the loss of her parents and Elder's betrayl. She is still treated with contempt and dislike by her fellow passengers. Orion has left Amy clues about why he did what he did in the first book. Amy's attempts to solve Orion's riddles leads to an astonishing discovery - I was quite suprised to find out the truth.
A Million Suns has a great premise and the mysteries about the origins of the Eldest system, the inception and use of Phydus, Orion's 'death' and Godspeed's engine and whearabouts is what kept me engrossed. The protagonists however failed to capture me, Amy and Elder's characters let down the story. Elder did not come across as the natural born leader he was designed to be - he was nervous, whiny and when he didn't get his way, he lost his temper and shouted until he was heard.. making him difficult to like. Amy was no better - she ran away when things got tough, she was petulant and self pitying for much of the book. Her hatred for Orion and her desire for him to die at the end made no sense - she hated him because he killed people and hid the truth but when she finds out someone else did the same thing she can't bring herself to kill that person but yet she's more than willing to destroy Orion. I don't know what Amy and Elder saw in each other..after Elder's betrayl in the first book..it's hard to understand Amy's sudden turn around on the whole thing. Amy and Elders voices were difficult to distinguish.. they both read like the same person for the most part.
The repetitive slang that was used - frex, frexing, brilly, chutz and loons - was awkward and annoying.
I am looking forward to the next book, even though I'm not fond of Amy and Elder.. I'm excited to find out what awaits them. (less)

9 likes · like · see review

Dec 21, 2012 Maya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-liked-the-book

I really enjoyed reading this book. And frex I can't wait for next year. The ending was good. It wasn't a total cliffhanger I'm satisfied how it ended. And I wonder what's going to happen when they arrive. I wonder if they will ever get contact with sol-earth lol

I FREXING LOVED IT . IT WAS SO FREXING BRILLY!! LOL

Update:

Ok again FREX FREX THIS WAS FREXING DAM BRILLY!!! LOL Yea u heard that CHUTZ! Ha I said love the people of Godspeed accent.

Godspeed is no longer a controlled society, Elder and...more I really enjoyed reading this book. And frex I can't wait for next year. The ending was good. It wasn't a total cliffhanger I'm satisfied how it ended. And I wonder what's going to happen when they arrive. I wonder if they will ever get contact with sol-earth lol

I FREXING LOVED IT . IT WAS SO FREXING BRILLY!! LOL

Update:

Ok again FREX FREX THIS WAS FREXING DAM BRILLY!!! LOL Yea u heard that CHUTZ! Ha I said love the people of Godspeed accent.

Godspeed is no longer a controlled society, Elder and with Amy's help and influence has stopped the drug phydus running through the water and being given to the people. Seems like a good start for people to have freedom.. But with freedom for all comes a struggle for Elder to stand as leader. The people on Godspeed are dropping dead with notes of "follow the leader. A rebellion is rising, but is Elder really to blame? The people can't trust him, nor can they look up at him as a great leader. Will Elder be a better leader, or just like Eldest. Had Eldest had a point in controlling the people with phydus because now without it people are refusing in contributing to their work?

Honestly, I was beginning to question my own inner humanity and felt at a moment the people should be put be back on the drug because crops and food were reducing and people begun to starve.

While Elder is struggling to balance leadership and his feelings for Amy which keep growing strong, Amy is conflicted in her own mystery to solve that Orion has left for her to follow the clues. Amy knows the ship was built on secrets, but had they discovered them all in Across The Universe??? More mystery, suspense, thrill journey is yet to be unleashed in Through A Million Suns.

I honestly LOVED this book, second books either set the bar or ruin a trilogy, and my fellow book lovers, if you enjoyed AtU I guarantee you will love this book. In this book, Elder grows to be a true leader, and Amy is now more emotionally stronger than she was before. Although some of the people treat her as a "freak" yet she still tries her best to not let that get to her, and continues in seeking the truth.

Revis has beautifully written the alternative pov book, you grow with both Amy and Elder, and just crave more to read. I even have returned to read my favorite parts. The ending is a cliffhanger, but one that doesn't have your heart ripped out and torn to pieces. It's an ending that has you more excited and builds anticipation of what's to come.

A Million Suns has reminded to stay grateful for our natural world, and now when I look at the stars, I feel like I'm sharing Elder's experience. ENOUGH, I WILL NOT SPOIL anything else...

GO READ THIS BOOK!
(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 23, 2013 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: action, adventure, dystopia, ive-got-a-book-crush, loved-it, romance, tear-jerker, sci-fi, library-books, favorite-covers, sequels

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. WHAT THE FREX. That book was amazing. Beth Revis WHY ARE YOU SO FREXING INCREDIBLE? I could not put that book down. The whole plot and the characters and the setting all just worked together to make an outstanding book. I don't know how that author does it but I actually felt like I was on that ship and when the bridge blew up I felt just like Amy did, trapped and helpless. I had to sit there and convince myself it is fine and I am not trapped on a spaceship. Oh and I cannot forget the whole thi...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 26, 2013 ♥ Spring 22 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, sci-fi, dystopian-post-apocalyptic, totally-kickass-series

If "A Million Suns" were told from the perspective of any other person on board of the spaceship, Elder would be the villain of the story.
And how interesting is that? It makes you wonder about all the other villains in dystopian novels- what if they're just trying to make things better? What if they're just trying to do what they think is right?

Like, I know Phydus is wrong, and people should never be put into that mindless state, but I actually found myself thinking that maybe Elder should just...more

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 09, 2012 Idunsses rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: covergasm, fantasy, pretty-good

I am so glad I didn’t give up on this series, because A Million Suns was exciting, interesting and good! The writing is still slightly bugging me, but there were a lot fewer "WTF, has this even been to an editor"-moments in this one than in Across the Universe.

description

The plot was really good, even though I had already kind of figured out the biggest plot twist ((view spoiler)) long before the characters. I loved the whole Orion-...more

4 likes · like · see review

Oct 10, 2012 Rachel rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: badass-heroine, covergasm, couples-i-fangirled-over, dystopian-utopian, five-stars, heinous-villains, went-psycho-fangirl-over, unputdownable-pageturners, male-povs, made-me-cry, crippled-me-with-feels, resistances, head-exploded-with-revelations, strange-but-creative, beautiful-poetic-prose, made-my-heart-ache, exploded-with-action, swoon-worthy-boys

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. *This review contains spoilers. Deal with it.*

I last read Across the Universe way back in March, but I only liked it. Not full-blown, hysterically or insanely in love with it.

But, however, I am indeed full-blown, hysterically AND insanely in love with A Million Suns.

The last time we saw Elder, he was just some wimpy little leader-to-be who was always following the evil previous Eldest's orders and having some sort of crush on Amy.

Well, I'm glad to see that Elder is now the Eldest and not near...more *This review contains spoilers. Deal with it.*

I last read Across the Universe way back in March, but I only liked it. Not full-blown, hysterically or insanely in love with it.

But, however, I am indeed full-blown, hysterically AND insanely in love with A Million Suns.

The last time we saw Elder, he was just some wimpy little leader-to-be who was always following the evil previous Eldest's orders and having some sort of crush on Amy.

Well, I'm glad to see that Elder is now the Eldest and not nearly as wimpy as he was in AtU and much more likable. I felt pretty sorry for him, having a mob thrown at him like every chapter and did anyone remember he's just sixteen?

Meanwhile, Amy is relatively the same headstrong, fiery redhead we saw back in AtU, and the big mystery Orion left for her to unriddle kept me flipping the pages late into the night, trying to uncover the big Godspeed secret. Though, the ending was rather predictable. I knew there could only be Doc who was behind it all, since he was the one closest to Eldest and hid Orion and all.

And gawd, did I mention I hate, hate, HATE Luthor, perhaps even more than I hate Eldest or Doc. Augh. I hated him so much for knocking up poor (and rather psychotic) Victria. Serves him right to die in that hatch thing. Grr.

And back to Amy & Elder. *Cue fangirling* This is pretty lame, but I've rooted for them since AtU, even when Elder was a little creepy with his crush on her. And, true to her headstrong character, Amy always does a Katniss Everdeen - You know, trying to push away the boy who loves her so much even though deep down she knows she loves him too, even in shitty situations that dystopia often offers? But bottom line, I'm just glad that she realizes she returns Elder's feelings near the end of the book. Bring on the Amy/Elder.

Overall, this is a fanfuggtasically brilliant (Or should I say frexing brilly? The borderline annoying Godspeed slang is kind of growing on me!) sci-fi read, and probably the best out-in-space dystopian (I'm unsure how to categorize this genre...) read out there. Do keep in mind that I didn't like sci-fi reads before ATU!

Le sigh. How am I going to live out the next six months until Shades of Earth comes out?! I neeeeeeeed more ATU. And more Amy/Elder of course. Aughhhhh.

P.S. I'm sorry. I just have a lot of feelings. LOL.(less)

1 like · like · see review

topics	posts	views	last activity
Across the Univer...: Was AMS better than ATU?	2	16	Apr 26, 2013 11:24am
Read-along: A million suns	152	50	Mar 26, 2013 04:52pm
Could NOT stop laughing...	1	45	Mar 25, 2013 12:53am
The Filipino Group: [Buddy Reads] A Million Suns by Beth Revis (Leigh & Maria) Start Date: Feb. 2	19	26	Feb 07, 2013 06:00pm
Crazy for Young A...: A Million Suns by Beth Revis → Start Date: December 17, 2012	47	36	Dec 21, 2012 02:38pm
♥!The Young Adult...: Across the Universe #2: A Million Suns by Beth Revis	4	18	Sep 13, 2012 02:05am

title link	preview: A Million Suns
avg rating	preview: A Million Suns Goodreads rating: 4.13 (14666 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10345927-a-million-suns?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1330214586l/10345927.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10345927-a-million-suns?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]A Million Suns by Beth Revis[/url]

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (16)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Beth Revis

Books by Beth Revis

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About A Million Suns

Quotes from A Million Suns