Shades of Earth (Across the Universe, #3) in End of the Series Reading Challenge

Nov 18, 2016 Darlene rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, audiobook, books-i-own, bought, young-adult, read-in-2016

Revis carries the momentum from the second book of the series, A Million Suns, into the third book of the trilogy. I was riveted from start to finish!

I listened to A Million Suns back in 2012, and I bought Shades of Earth from Audible when it was released in 2013. However, I’ve been putting it off for so long. One of the reasons for that is because I absolutely loved A Million Suns, and I was worried that Revis wouldn’t deliver and that there was no way that the third book could be as good as th Revis carries the momentum from the second book of the series, A Million Suns, into the third book of the trilogy. I was riveted from start to finish!

I listened to A Million Suns back in 2012, and I bought Shades of Earth from Audible when it was released in 2013. However, I’ve been putting it off for so long. One of the reasons for that is because I absolutely loved A Million Suns, and I was worried that Revis wouldn’t deliver and that there was no way that the third book could be as good as the second. Well, I was wrong!! It was thrilling ride from start to finish. Finally, we find out what Orion was trying to warn Amy and Elder about with all those clues and the secrets about Centauri-Earth and its inhabitants.

Elder really shined in this installment. He embodies the qualities of a true leader, sacrificing himself for the sake of his people time and again. When the military personnel are brought out of their cryogenically frozen state, Amy’s father tries to take over as leader and he soon finds out that he is not in control of the shipbornes. Elder doesn’t let Amy’s father push him around, which creates a bit of tension. When the newcomers are attacked, Amy’s father and Elder realize that they must work together if they have any hope of survival. However, it appears that Colonel Martin is keeping secrets from even his own daughter which makes Elder even more wary.

Amy is so adaptable, almost TOO adaptable! She was able to make Godspeed her home relatively quickly and identify with the shipbornes, and then is able to think of Centauri-Earth as her new home almost immediately. I suppose that is a good quality to have, when you have to give up the life that you knew on Sol-Earth. When she said this, it all fell into place for me: “Sometimes home is a person.” Now I know why she was able to do that!

Here is another memorable quote:

“I learned that life is so, so fragile. I learned that you can know someone for just days and never forget the impression he left on you. I learned that art can be beautiful and sad at the same time. I learned that if someone loves you, he'll wait for you to love him back. I learned that how much you want something doesn't determine whether you get it or not, that "no" might not be enough, that life isn't fair, that my parents can't save me, that maybe no one can.”

I love dystopian novels, but I have to admit that books involving “space” don’t typically interest me. I am so glad that I gave this series a try, because I absolutely loved it!!

Tara Carrozza and Lucas Salvagno continued as dual narrators, and I love how Revis told the story from different points of view. I thought both narrators did a great job. Lucas’ characterization of Amy made her slightly whiney. I don’t know if that was intentional or not, but it made me cringe slightly.

This review was posted on my book blog:
http://darlenesbooknook.blogspot.ca/2... ...more

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Aug 22, 2012 Jen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mindblowingly-amazing-books, reviewed

Loved it! Review to come! :)

Update- Here's the review!

Oh wow. In spite of a few flaws, Shades of Earth was frexing brilly!

Shades of Earth picked up directly after A Million Suns ended. Amy and Elder have landed in Centauri-Earth, but things aren't perfect yet. Yes, they might be free of the walls of Godspeed, but now, they're facing new problems. First, the monsters. Pteros, solar bombs, deadly beautiful flowers... And aliens. Not to mention Elder finally meets Amy's parents. But worse? It lo Loved it! Review to come! :)

Update- Here's the review!

Oh wow. In spite of a few flaws, Shades of Earth was frexing brilly!

Shades of Earth picked up directly after A Million Suns ended. Amy and Elder have landed in Centauri-Earth, but things aren't perfect yet. Yes, they might be free of the walls of Godspeed, but now, they're facing new problems. First, the monsters. Pteros, solar bombs, deadly beautiful flowers... And aliens. Not to mention Elder finally meets Amy's parents. But worse? It looks like even in Centauri-Earth, Phydus seems to be everywhere...

Plotwise, Shades of Earth was brilliant. It was really fast paced, and there were so many mindblowing events, right after the other. I love how Beth Revis stuck to her usual trademark writing. Shades of Earth had so much action and adventure, romance, and my personal favorite, the mystery. Finally, all of our questions, about Godspeed's past, the Eldest system, Centauri-Earth's history, are finally answered. The book was written so that key points are revealed at crucial moments, keeping readers hanging onto each page.

The world she created was another of my favorite. I, personally, would love to go to Centauri-Earth, pteros and hybrids and all. I love how imaginative Revis is, and her world building was really fantastic. She includes descriptions, right to the tiniest details, making it all the more believable and realistic. Who knows, with all that I've read, I might just be the leader of the next Godspeed! (Highly unlikely, but a girl can dream!)

The characters and the romance were pretty well done as well. Amy's a pretty solid heroine, and she clearly grew throughout the series. I really like Elder too, though he was pretty stubborn and pettily jealous at times... And his name too. Yeah, I've kinda grown used to it... While I might not be a personal fan of each character, I liked their romance. While it was a bit awkward for me during the first book, I like the way it developed. The two of them are pretty sweet together. The little love triangle with Chris though was such a total fail that it was adorable. Not that it sucked- it was just it was so clear he had no chance, and I almost felt bad for the poor boy. Almost.

The ending was terrible. It ripped my poor little heart into pieces. Wait, did I make you think it sucked? Don't get me wrong, it was an awesome ending. Everything was wrapped up nicely. All questions are answered. There's an epic battle. A bazillion other characters are killed. And I suffered so much reading it. And those last few pages nearly killed me- (view spoiler)

And the only downside of the book was that it was a tad bit predictable. Hey, I've read both Across the Universe and A Million Suns- I kinda know how Beth Revis writes now. I was totally right on who the bad guy was, and it was pretty predictable anyway. My guess about the "aliens" was right too- I didn't exactly guess the entire extent of it, but I did guess the basic question of who they were, but not the how part.

The Rating
Somewhere between 4 and 5 stars. This has been the only science fiction series I've enjoyed. (And okay, I'll be honest, the only one I've read.) I'm not a fan of this genre- tried to watch Star Wars, and failed miserably. I never thought the series would be this unique or this good, and I totally got sucked in! So, I totally recommend this book to you guys- even me, a fan of paranormal, enjoyed this, so you might too! (Although Patricia didn't really like it though, so it's really just up to you!)
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Apr 21, 2013 Shannon rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2013

I thought this was the best book out of the three. The pacing was good and we finally got away from the "Scooby Doo in Space" clues and mystery. But Amy is still annoying. She grows a teeny tiny bit on me, but most of the time I just wanted to slap her. ...more

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Aug 13, 2013 Rachel rated it it was amazing

Wow, wow, wow, wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best line- "You think I care if your eyes are blue or green? I just care about you." pg. 369 Awwwwwwwwwwwe! ...more

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May 28, 2011 Louisa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: re-reads

Man, so great to read the whole series, just so freaking great, and now I can read The Body Electric! I can't wait!

*First read February 27th 2013*
This was a really great book, though a bit sad, and yeah, really, really good! Really enjoyed it, and Amy really takes charge when she talks back to the bad guys with all the changes she went through (And if you've read the book, I mean the extreme ones as in who were thought to be the bad guys changes that she went through) So I don't think that spoi ...more

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