Across the Universe by Beth Revis

17/08/2011

4
Across the Universe by Beth Revis was a dystopia I’ve wanted to read since its release back in spring, but never got around to buying. I had high expectations and, frankly, I didn’t expect them to be fulfilled. But I did think the book was excellent in most areas and my biggest problem would be that it felt jumpy on occasion.

The plot itself is a mix between dystopia, science-fiction and murder mystery. Though I guessed at how things would turn out (I was right) it didn’t make the journey to that conclusion any less enjoyable. In fact, I found myself doubting my prediction numerous times as I thought it too farfetched and unlikely. Reading it wasn’t difficult and I could quite easily picture what I read without trying so I respect the work that must have gone in to achieve such a thing. It was relatively un-put-down-able for me and, being short-ish, I finished it in a few hours. I probably haven’t taken everything in, but too bad; I was too drawn in.

The romance was, for me, a little too sudden and ‘love at first sight’ originally but I do think this sort of corrected itself when past, influential loyalties came into play. Amy’s reluctance, due to Jason, made it so she could actually develop feelings for Elder rather than embarrassing swooning and tiresome make-out sessions. I actually got an idea of how this relationship blossomed.

Godspeed, and the county-like atmosphere it represented, was easily the best thing for me. I enjoy reading world-building, and it didn’t take long until I was completely absorbed in Beth’s. That may have been because there are always secrets in a mystery sort of novel so I unwittingly was solving it, but I genuinely believe that the ship and its inhabitants became (fittingly) one organism and influence I read with glee. I had the hardback, too, which included a map of the ship- making visualisation just that bit easier.

My dislike was, as I mentioned, a feeling of jumpiness. I felt that some parts of the plot felt abrupt and that they came about merely because that was the plot; I didn’t acknowledge any evidence or development that I felt pointed in that direction. I don’t believe in spontaneous inspiration so abruptness in the story jarred me a little. Thankfully, in this case, pros easily outweigh cons. The ending, I might add, felt a little sudden too; but not so much as earlier. In fact, one could put it down to the “surprise!” at the end of the book. I mean, aren’t surprises supposed to seem uncomfortably abrupt?

I genuinely cannot think of someone who wouldn’t like this book. Sure some would say it wasn’t their favourite, but it is easily a well written and enjoyable book that is easy and safe to recommend. Except, of course, if you hate science fiction or murder mystery. Honestly though, I loved it and the only reason I don’t give it a 5 is that that doesn’t feel right for everyone. Truth is, I empathised with most characters to a fault. This doesn’t happen often, therefore I am suitably awed. Don’t miss this or it’s sequel, A Million Suns.

Apart from the review, I also have two personal little enjoyments in the book. One is that I follow Beth’s blog and twitter so I knew a bit of the book’s lore and the origin of some things before reading so I felt that gave me insight and, dare I say, a connection with the book. I guess that shows how effective author blogging can be. The second thing is that I happened to read this when two topics mentioned in the book were on my own mind (the idea that ‘ignorance is bliss’ and the endlessness of space) so it felt as if I was getting another’s views.

Friday Hop Quatre

This week, we aren’t answering a question. We are spotlighting our fellow bloggers. Find your favorite(s) author interview(s), guest post(s), book review(s), or bookish article(s) that ANOTHER BOOK BLOGGER featured on their site recently and tell us why you love it/them! As an additional challenge, find your favorite one of EACH of the categories above and spotlight all 4 (interview, guest post, review, article). (Here)

Argh! I hate things like this. I'm going to have to break the rules a bit because I can't comfortably say what I are my favourite reviews and all that. I have preferred reviewers i.e. Tiger at All Consuming Books, Karen at For What It's Worth, Kathy at  I am a Reader not a Writer, Adam at RoofBeamReader, Hannah at Once Upon A Time. But they only encompass the ones I read everything by (and I mean that)! If you look at every blog I follow (here), I swear to you I read all of them at least once a week because they post interesting things. I forgot Allie at Literary Odyssey. See. That's how bad it is. I'm at a point where I try to read so many it is hard not to forget some. And they are only the book bloggers. I love author blogs and general comment/thought blogs too.

Life is hard as a blog reader.

Q. If you could pick one character in a book, movie or television show to swap places with, who would it be?

I think I'd like to swap with Garion (Belgarion) in the Belgariad since they are my favourite books. And I'd like the cool powers. And the amazing sword. Oh- and that other thing I can't say since it is a HUGE spoiler (that you'd guess if you read it anyway). I kind of agree with most people on the hop.

I mean: who wouldn't want to travel with the the Doctor in the TARDIS? To go to Hogwarts? To shapeshift and all that in paranormal? To get super powers in general fantasy? To see dragons in High Fantasy? To truly see what life is like in a dystopian society? Reading is mainly about escapism for me, so I tend to want dive into my books and try out every character.

 To-Be-Read's: How big is your pile? Which book keeps getting pushed down the stack, but you keep meaning to read it?

My physical pile of books is only about twenty or so, but I'm convinced that I must have some around that I haven't read and will curse myself for forgetting soon enough. I think I'm quite good at reading my books since I try to read YA, then Classic, then Contempory, then Other. It doesn't happen (ever) but I at least have it in mind of what I read last. I'll never read the same genre in a row, for example. 

In terms of my list of books that I want to buy and read... I could be here all night. It is somewhere in the hundreds. This is because, let's face it, as a reader, all I want to do is read and read and read some more. I never want to stop reading, so even if it's a genre I don't particularly like, I will read it because I know I'll enjoy being drawn into the story though I might be dubious about the contest.

Friday hop, over. 

Everyone enjoy their weekend now and try to not read too much!

Top Ten Books I've Read Because of Another Blogger

I don't even know if I have ten books to say but I'll give it a go.

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week bloggers all over the blogosphere create a top ten list based on that week's theme.

Enclave by Ann Aguire I only read this because Karen, at fwiwreviews.net, sent to me after I won a giveaway. Though I am sure (since I follow her blog and have heard rave reviews since) that I would have read it, it wouldn't have been for a while. I was lucky enough to be involved in the original hype around it, and I am extremely grateful.

The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien These are books I always considered, but always thought were too big and too out of date. Recently though, I found more bloggers who read epic fantasy, I've found they're well read and well reviewed. There is no one in particular, since it is an agglomeration of reviewers, but everyone who read it probably had some far-reaching indiscernible influence so I am grateful.

The Magician's Guild by Trudi Canavan would have been another one that I left for ages because I was dubious about starting a series only for it to end in disappointment. As it happened, a book blogger, who spoke to me on twitter, said they were actually okay, verging on good. I am distraught that I cannot find this person, and I have just examined as many mentions as I was allowed and she was not there. I think he Twitter name began @Sas something and I am desperate to find her again.

Across the Universe by Beth Revis This a book, I hasten to admit, that I wasn't originally keen on reading. It seemed fine and I was sure I would enjoy it but I said "Meh" and just made a note of it. However, thanks to reviews and Beth's Blog I decided I absolutely had to read it. She began referencing books I liked and I realised I liked her and wanted to read her book. When other people actually compared her book with these other books, this book was soon bumped up my to-buy list.

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting would never have been read by me had the writer in question not taken part in an event (I think it was iClue or something like that) with other writers (including Beth above) that introduced me to her style of writing. I was mesmerised and loved everything about it. Because of this I went out and bought the book. And because of that I found a truly amazing, well-written book.

Divergent by Veronica Roth was introduced to me at some point during by explorations of the blog-osphere and I immediately liked the premise when I discovered the author blog and then the extract I could read, I wanted to read the book as second only to seeing the new Harry Potter film. I was hooked like no other and this ended up being one of my best books of 2011 and will probably be one of my favourite books of all time.

And that is where I must stop.

I bought books that bloggers have recommended (Northanger Abbey for example) and have many books on my wishlist that bloggers have also recommended. It just so happens that I don't have 10. I have six, and if I'd read every book I own, I would have 10 easy. But, as it happens, book blogging is still a relatively new discovery for me (if you can call a year new) and I don't have a huge expendable income. But I try and if this topic comes again, I'm sure I'll be better suited