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Across the Galaxy

by Heather Hildenbrand (Goodreads Author)

4.12 of 5 stars 4.12 · rating details · 49 ratings · 22 reviews

Orphaned as a young girl, Alina Leone has spent the last few years in dusty Arizona, being raised by her guardian, Peter, and wishing for a friendship that isn’t filled with lies and deception about exactly what she really is. Just before she can begin senior year she meets someone from her past – a talking wolf from another galaxy who won’t stop calling her ‘Empress’ - an...more

Paperback, 362 pages

Published March 9th 2011 by Accendo Press (first published January 22nd 2011)

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Jun 25, 2012 Hmr28 marked it as to-read

I am not sure why authors' don't take advantage of every single avenue of publication open to them. I know that if I come across a recommendation from goodreads or a friend I check the book out right away, if it is available and is interesting to me, I buy it. If it is not available for me to buy on the Nook, I don't and then...I forget about it. Essentially the author has lost the chance at a sale, because I am not going to remember that I wanted a particular book 1 week from now much less 3 mo...more

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Oct 27, 2012 LeAnn rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a really enjoyable read filled with action and plot twists that will keep you on your toes. The plot was really original and I applaud Ms. Hildenbrand for the worlds she created.

I loved the main character, Alina. She was a very strong protagonist and brave in the face of danger. She has an independent spirit that doesn't stop her from going for what she believes is right.

I did have one issue with this book, the reason why I didn't give it 5 stars, is because of the ending. I felt it w...more

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Mar 25, 2011 Heather from NightlyReading rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Review located at http://www.nightlyreading.wordpress.com

Heather Hildenbrand wrote a unique novel full of drama, romance and action. I cannot wait to read more of her work.

Alina is different from the other kids in Arizona. She is from another planet called Gliese. She is what is considered a “glow”. Her chest can illuminate a light brighter than the sun.

Alina is the daughter of the Emporer and Empress of her planet. They were killed trying to protect her from the shadows. Peter, her guardian,...more Review located at http://www.nightlyreading.wordpress.com

Heather Hildenbrand wrote a unique novel full of drama, romance and action. I cannot wait to read more of her work.

Alina is different from the other kids in Arizona. She is from another planet called Gliese. She is what is considered a “glow”. Her chest can illuminate a light brighter than the sun.

Alina is the daughter of the Emporer and Empress of her planet. They were killed trying to protect her from the shadows. Peter, her guardian, is very protective and moves them around a lot to keep them safe. The shadows were always trying to find them. Peter tells Alina that she is special, her mother had powers greater than any other glow he had known.

Alina loved Arizona. She loved the heat and the beautiful scenery. She lived peacefully, wishing she could just be herself and not have to lie to everyone about who she really was. One day, she gets her wish when she is followed by a shadow. Soon, she is swept away to another planet and saying goodbye to the only life she has ever known.

As Alina learns more about her past, she meets a lot of her people that remember her, but she just cannot place them. She has to come to terms with her powers and figure out how to get them and then use them, she needs to piece together her past and lastly, she is falling in love with someone everyone thinks is wrong for her.

There were several parts of this book that I loved. I loved the descriptions of the other planets and thought how cool it would be to actually be there myself. I loved the conversations between Alina and her horse, Nightingale. Nightingale had been Alina’s best friend, the only one who really knew the real Alina. And, Lastly, I loved the relationship between Alina and Ander.

I thought this was a great action packed book. Once I got started, I could not stop reading and could not wait to find out what happens in the end. Across the Galaxy was released in January, 2011. So far, it is only available on ebook edition, but hopefully, soon we can get a copy in hard print.

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Feb 27, 2012 Amber I. (AwesomeSauce Book Club) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads

Giveaway and New Cover Reveal Going on NOW on Blog!

I really loved Heathers Dirty Blood series so I jumped on the chance to read this book without reading the description. When I first started this book, I got really nervous once I noticed it was about aliens and other galaxies (I really should have figured this out before reading.) Anyways I kept reading because it was so far so good. And before the middle came around, well I was totally totally HOOKED! I never would have thought I would be in l...more

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Apr 08, 2011 Andrea rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Across the Galaxy is a beautifully descriptive book. Author Heather Hildenbrand does a terrific job of placing the reader into the scenery. While reading of Arizona, I felt myself visualizing the terrain, the orange and red of the sky, the heat. As I was taken 'across the galaxy' into each ensuing world, the imagery given made each planet feel real. The animals, trees, grass, water; every detail was given its due. True escapism at its best.

Each character in the story, beginning with Alina, is...more Across the Galaxy is a beautifully descriptive book. Author Heather Hildenbrand does a terrific job of placing the reader into the scenery. While reading of Arizona, I felt myself visualizing the terrain, the orange and red of the sky, the heat. As I was taken 'across the galaxy' into each ensuing world, the imagery given made each planet feel real. The animals, trees, grass, water; every detail was given its due. True escapism at its best.

Each character in the story, beginning with Alina, is set up in a realistic way. Their emotions, reactions, the conversations were all believable. I felt as if I got to be a part of the characters getting to know one another. There wasn't any of the "insta love" I've read in a lot of books. When Alina meets Ander, also a native to her home planet, they actually take the time to get to know one another in a real way. That was very, very refreshing. But as they do get to know each other, that chemistry is smoking hot!

The plot of Across the Galaxy had an excellent pace. I never felt as if it was rushed. The story was layered. Each new turn of events was a nice, new piece to add to the puzzle. The plot kept building, bit by bit, throughout the book. I felt as if Hildenbrand was constantly weaving the threads of the story together. Little things that I didn't note as tremendously important throughout the story would wrap back into it later. I constantly found myself saying "Oh, that's why she/he said or did that!" I love that the author didn't just lay everything out in a neat row.

The editing of Across the Galaxy was excellent. I'm a bit of a "grammar freak", driven insane by poor spelling or word usage. The writing was clean and conversational, never redundant.

What I loved the most about Across the Galaxy is that I never guessed exactly what was going to happen. I was just going along for the journey and where that would take me. I hope each of you take that journey, as well. You won't regret it.

"But sitting here in the daylight, staring at the most gorgeous guy I had ever seen, I thought two things. First, I was kidding myself to even think the whole 'never left alone' rule would just wear off with Peter, and second, if my babysitter looked like this, maybe I didn't mind so much."
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Feb 28, 2011 Mary Beeson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Accompany Alina on her quest to unleash her natural born power. This book starts of on Earth but with a short series of events takes you far form this solar system. You quickly learn what kind of mental state Alina is in as you are put in her shoes. Throughout the book she is left with so many questions to answer and decisions to make.
she is not one for doing as shes is told, she prefers to do what she feels is right. Journey with her as she meets friends along her journey, throughout the galax...more

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Jul 01, 2011 Krystal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Alina is not the average main character. She is from a different planet and labeled a "glow" or someone who can make her chest illuminate brighter than the sun. She is protected by Peter, her guardian, and moved around constantly in attempts to ensure her safety. Alina is powerful and hunted by the evil shadows. Good things can't last forever...Alina is captured and taken to her home planet by a shadow. This is where the novel picks up pace and Alina is forced to learn to utilize her powers and...more

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Sep 02, 2011 Rachael Grossi rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is a really good book, and its a great price. I'm not big into books featuring aliens but I did enjoys this book. I didn't like how everything on the different planet was the same on earth including the language and the names. It didn't seem very alien also the book was written for young adults but was writing is suitably for middle schoolers. I did enjoy the story line and heroine Alina. I also enjoyed the relationship betweem Alina and Anders. I would recommend this book to someone w...more

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Apr 21, 2012 Alexandrea Hills rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

I won this book through Goodreads First Reads.

I'm not a huge fan of books featuring aliens but I really enjoyed this book. The dialogue was 'human', the emotions were 'human' so it made it for an easy and good read.

I loved the descriptions of the other planets. They were very vivid and it was easy to picture what it would be like to travel to these places. Heather did not make them seem to unrealistic. She changed colours around and made the size of some of the animals bigger but nothing she de...more

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Jun 04, 2012 Cathy Keaton rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, i-own, arcs-rcs, read-in-2012, reviewed

I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway....

Plot: I had a feeling as I read Across the Galaxy that the plot was a bit off to my natural senses. It seemed some key plot points were arrived at either too early, too late, more than one time, or not at all. It made it hard to get into a good flow of reading. The inciting incident/catalyst happened perhaps too early, although that's my own opinion. I don't even remember what happened at the halfway point, and the ending had two different climaxes. V...more I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway....

Plot: I had a feeling as I read Across the Galaxy that the plot was a bit off to my natural senses. It seemed some key plot points were arrived at either too early, too late, more than one time, or not at all. It made it hard to get into a good flow of reading. The inciting incident/catalyst happened perhaps too early, although that's my own opinion. I don't even remember what happened at the halfway point, and the ending had two different climaxes. Very confusing. I found myself wondering why the book still had 60 pages to go after reading the first climax, only to discover the second one at, appropriately, the end.

Characters: Main character Alina is an Ilya, a being from a world called Gliese, but she spent several years of her childhood in Arizona in order to hide out from Tharos and his evil shadow minions that had taken over her world. She had lost her memory of ever being on Gliese, but her caretaker, Peter, raised her informed of her identity as the heir to the throne of Gliese. She was a pretty good female character and brave enough to respect, but I didn't find her all that interesting. None of the characters really stood out to me and made me take notice of them. They felt like they were all just there to play their parts and then “exit stage left” when the final curtain fell.

Writing: The writing left something to be desired, not counting the lack of proofreading. Not that it was altogether fail, but there were times I felt like it was weak in how it conveyed simple events that occurred. Also, there were quite a few little scenes and conversations that were unnecessary. A lot of those moments and exchanges were pointless and probably should have been cut out because they made the story drag.

Story: First of all, Alina and her people were called “Glows” because they could generate a glow from the cores of their bodies. Not sure why this was, although it was a pretty good set up for them being the natural enemy of alien shadow people. And, there were large talking wolves for no apparent reason. Why not cows or ferrets? It seemed like a very random animal to use when there was no organic need for any anthropomorphic characters at all. Not that I'm against that sort of thing, but I like the author to make sense of why they are in the story. Otherwise, I found all the other characters' behavior annoying because they constantly restricted Alina from doing anything and everything in an effort to protect her “Royal Highness.” It got super old really fast. “Alina, are you okay? Are you all right?” Multiply this by 1,000 and that's about how many times she gets asked this by various characters. Not to mention she just happened to be the most powerful of her kind. A little too convenient if you ask me.

Overall Quality: It's inferior to a lot of YA fiction in this genre, but overall not entirely awful. I just have very high standards for my favorite genre (sci-fi/fantasy). It's enjoyable to plenty of people out there, so get a second opinion, but it lacked way too much for me.

Favorite Moment/Scene: Unfortunately, I can't say I have a favorite scene.

My Score: 2.5 stars out of 5.(less)

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May 14, 2012 Isabelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book definitely didn't lack origininality in the story. One bonus point for that. I didn't feel bored at all and finished the book quite fast. There were some things that bothered me though. I did not get that sparky- aching feeling reading the love parts. I guess it was because the characters seemed too transparent to me.
Other than that, the whole book was written in a first person narrator, out of Alina's view. This is not bad, don't get me wrong. What the author did was, she inserted on...more

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Sep 24, 2011 ABookVacation rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Originally, I thought this book was going to be like I Am Number Four, but it’s not. It’s better. Hildenbrand has created a great novel for all ages, and I was captivated from the very beginning. It is obvious that a lot of time and energy went into creating this novel, and it flows so perfectly that it’s impossible to put down.

I really liked the character of Alina; I highly enjoyed watching her come into herself, finally able to make friends and fully discover her potential as the empress of he...more

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Nov 21, 2012 Jane rated it 4 of 5 stars

I won this eBook from a give-away hosted by A Book Vacation. I enjoyed this science fiction adventure story filled romance and fantasy. A great heroine, who almost single handedly overcomes the enemy. We see Alina, the teenager growing into a young woman who takes and accepts her responsibility. It can't be easy having to be on the move, looking over your shoulder for the next danger. Great characterisation, a sound plot, and set at a pace that keeps its audience enthralled.

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Mar 28, 2012 Mauna rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was nothing like I expected. I really enjoyed it. The story line was good and I liked all the characters and how they reacted with each other. What I loved about the book was Alina and Anders relationship. When you love somebody you love them. No second guessing or triangles. I loved how Alina just said how she felt, asked what she wanted to know, did what she needed to do.

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Mar 04, 2012 Talk Supe Blogspot rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the perfect showcase to Heather's imagination. Her other series, Dirty Blood and The Specials, were well written and thought of but this one really wowed me. Sure we all have our moments where we imagine distant places but to put it into writing and make it convincing is a skill not a lot of people have. Fortunately Heather has that.

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May 28, 2012 Jackie -Sated Faery rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, sci-fi

Man, I loved this book! It was a totally new & different alien kind of story. An epic battle of dark versus light. You have Alina, the brave but unsure heroine who gets her life turned upside down when she has to leave earth to venture to an unknown planet & begin to uncover her hidden talents. Then you have the big beautiful, yet extremely dangerous, wolf warriors who are sworn to protect her and the others from her planet. And most important, Ander, the jerk with the deep penetrating e...more

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Apr 04, 2012 Andrea Wilmot rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am a fan of Heather's Dirty Blood series but when I read the description of Across the Galaxy I just didn't feel that interested. But... as it kept popping up as a recommendation, I slowly gave in. I am so disappointed in myself for having not read this sooner. I finished it in 2 days and when I wasn't reading it I was hoping I'd get a chance to pick it up again to read just one more chapter. This is an amazing book. The storyline is original and the writing is fantastic. There is a perfect ba...more

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Jun 01, 2011 Katja rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: as-ebook, favorites, indie, ya, sci-fi, books-you-should-read, gisrg

Review can be found here: http://coffeemugged.net/2011/06/01/ac...

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Jul 10, 2011 Ann Marie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I received "Across the Galaxy" for free via Goodreads. I enjoyed this book and looked forward to reading it every night. I fell in love with the characters and still find myself thinking about them even after I've moved on to a new book. I'm excited to pass this book along to my 14 yr. old daughter as I know she will enjoy reading it. I'm hoping Ms. Hildenbrand will continue the journey as I am not yet ready to give up Alina and Ander and the rest of the crew!

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Apr 28, 2012 J.F. Jenkins rated it 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyed this a lot. It's great for an indie. :)

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Oct 30, 2011 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

WOW! LOVE IT! READ IT!

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Jun 07, 2012 Emmanuelle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Amazing book! I thought Heather's Dirty Blood series was amazing and this was 10 times better! So intriguing and fascinating and original. I'd give it a 10 stars if I could. This is definitely a book you won't want to put down. Each chapter is more intriguing then the last. When I got to the last page I couldn't believe it was done! Amazing read and definitely worth your time.

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About Heather Hildenbrand

Author of Across the Galaxy, Whisper, and the Dirty Blood series. I write, read, and fuss at my kids. Oh, and I do laundry, lots of laundry. I'm pretty good at it, too. Sometimes I even read WHILE doing laundry - and fussing at my kids. I'm a multi-tasker.

For more information on my books, release dates, or just general stalker material, um, I mean FAN material, visit my website. www.heatherhilden ...more

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