“I never thought about how important the sky was until I didn’t have one…â€
I was captivated by the premise of Across The Universe by Beth Revis from the first time I picked it up while book shopping at a soon-to-be closing local bookstore. The two quotes on the back cover of the hardcover edition just seemed to pull me in and I knew that whenever I decided to read Across The Universe, I was going to be going on an adventure. It actually didn’t take me very long to decide to read it either. I bought Across The Universe in mid-January and started reading it in mid-February. As April will tell you, this is a record for me, as I have piles of books that are currently in my TBR pile. Many of which have been there for more time than they ever deserved to be.
Across The Universe
Anyway, enough about me, let’s talk about Across The Universe by Beth Revis. The basic premise of Across The Universe is that Amy Martin and her parents are bound for a new planet in cryo tanks on the spaceship Godspeed. They are supposed to be frozen for the entire three hundred year journey to the new planet however; she is prematurely awakened in a murder attempt, and is forced to enter a new world where nothing is as she remembered it on earth. The world within the spaceship is ruled by manipulation and deception and those in power will do whatever it takes to keep their secrets hidden and a constant level of ‘peace’ upon the ship, including removing the ‘problem’ of Amy herself. Struggling to survive and keep her sanity in this new place, Amy befriends the ships future leader, Elder, and together they work at discovering the hidden secrets of the ship, and the hidden agenda of those running it. But can Amy really trust Elder? Or is he just like the others in power on the ship?
Frex.  I love Across The Universe by Beth Revis. The main character, Amy, kicks ass. Even though, she’s scared about so many things that are occurring on the ship after the wakes up, she still attempts to be strong and does her best to hold her own against people who want to destroy her.  Another reason that I love her beyond her strength as a character is her connection to Earth, and how she has a character makes you realize and feel that the monotheistic and complacent attitude aboard the ship is just so wrong. I also adore Elder. The ship is the only place he’s ever known but, he is drawn to the world outside it, and there is something within him telling him that the world that he has been living in is wrong. Meeting Amy helps push those internal concerns to the forefront of Elder’s mind, and reading what he does with them and how he interacts with her and the others around him because of them, is simply page-turning goodness!
Besides the characters, another thing that made Across The Universe a page turner is the beautiful imagery and creative scenery that is presented by Beth Revis.  The spaceship Godspeed does not actually exist but when you are reading Across The Universe, it almost feels as if it does. The manipulation of the Earth scenery aboard the ship is both compelling and thought provoking as it does make you question the things that you actually take for granted here on Earth. The isolated society aboard the ship also makes you question what one may be willing to sacrifice in order to just simply survive. With my background in psychology (and a bit of sociology), I love books that make you think while allowing you still enjoy coming alone for the ride.  Simply put, I cannot say enough about Across The Universe by Beth Revis and I cannot wait to read the sequel A Million Suns very, very, soon!
Disclosure: Purchased Copy
Other reviews of Across The Universe by Beth Revis:
Gone With The Words
YA Bibliophile
Hitting On Girls In Bookstores
For Love And Books
Stay tuned for April’s recap of the Breathless Reads signing posting later today with a chance to win a signed copy of Across The Universe!
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Yes! So much love this! I was amazed by the way the Godspeed was portrayed. I want to tour it 🙂
Thank you! I wanted to tour Godspeed too. Especially all the hidden and secret levels. I also wanted to go through the archives and see more about how they had rewritten Earth’s history. Can’t wait to see what A Million Suns has in store for us!
Nicely written recap!
I was actually really excited for this one too, I read it as soon as I could get my hands on a copy. Despite the awesome premise though, I never really felt that connected to the characters so the book didn’t do much for me.
Your review makes me feel like I’m missing out on something though! I hope you love the sequel just as much 🙂
Aww! I’m glad you enjoyed my review! I can’t wait to read A Million Suns and I plan on reviewing it so maybe I’ll be able to convince you pick it up and give it a chance! 😉
I adore that paperback cover. Good review to start off your career here. I’ve been intrigued by this one, and had it sitting on my shelf for awhile, but your mention of imagery has made it my next read!
Awesome! I’m so glad my review was able to help push you over the edge and want to pick it up. I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 🙂
I’m so like you with the TBR piles! In fact, THIS VERY BOOK is sitting in one of them as we speak! I need to read it because I’ve heard awesome things about it AND the sequel, too. I hope I love it as much as you did, Allison! Great review 🙂
My TBR piles are legendary, I swear. Just when I think I have them under control, they grow a little bit bigger! Or they get switched around because someone makes a suggestion about a book to read. For example, maybe you should push Across The Universe up higher on your TBR list? 😉
I LOVE this series so much. I understand the TBR pile thing. I ditched mine to read A Million Suns recently. I couldn’t even wait for it to be out here in the UK so I ordered the US edition from Book depository (besides, I like the HB and these are definitely keepers) BTW…A Million Suns is EVEN better.
I cannot wait to read A Million Suns! Something tells that my TBR pile will definitely be switched around in order to accommodate it … very soon! 😉
glad u loved as i did
Glad you liked my review!
This has been on my to read list FOREVAH.
I mean, it’s a sci-fi ya read. What the hell am I waiting for? For someone ELSE to tell me that it’s awesome and a great book that makes you think while along for the ride? Apparently so!
Well done.
Thank you! I do hope that my review was the final one to push you in the right direction to pick up Across The Universe, put your feet up, and enjoy the ride!
I love Amy so much because she is not afraid to point out injustice. That aspect of her personality really made me love her. There are a lot of interesting moral dilemmas in this book that are explored even more in A Million Suns. Great review!
I love that aspect of Amy’s personality too. I can’t wait to see what kind of moral dilemmas are explored in A Million Suns and to see how Amy and Elder handle each and every one of them. 🙂
Great first review Allison! The book doesn’t seem like it’s really up my alley, but I keep hearing amazing things about it and Beth Revis seems awesome! So friendly & fun. Maybe I WILL have to just try it. Can’t hurt, right?
I’m glad you enjoyed my review. I hope you do give Across The Universe a chance. Like you said, it can’t hurt … and it might even surprise you! 😉
Nice job on your first Good Books review! And great choice of books, too. I’m amazed at Revis’s world-building skills, especially within a relatively small place like Goodspeed. You definitely need to read the next book, which I liked even better!
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed my review. I’m really excited to see how Beth Revis continues to build the world of Godspeed in the next book. 🙂
Dude, I freaking loved this book. And A Million Suns is one of those second-books that is better than the first. Like, Holy Batman WAY BETTER. There are so many times you’ll say things out loud like WHAT and OH MY GOSH and things like that in book two. I hope you push it up on your TBR. It’s that good. I had a FIT and read it in like one day.
I want to get in my car and drive to you and place A Million Suns in your hands to read right now. Sigh. But I’ll be patient.
Oh my goodness! You’re making me really want to read A Million Suns … like right now! I don’t actually have a physical copy in my hand yet but, I do have a physical copy in waiting you could say. April was wonderful enough to get me a copy from the Breathless Reads tour, and I’ve been told I should be able to have it in my hands when we see each other on Friday. I can’t wait! 😉
Have you picked up A Million Suns? Have you? Have you? I’m so anxious to see your thoughts on that one! (And did you ever find yourself saying “Frexing” outloud? That one got me some eye rolls from my husband!
I haven’t picked it up yet but, I will SOON. I’m really looking forward to reading it and writing a review!
I loved this book… I have to say I’m torn on what cover I like the most. The HC or the PB. I love how beautiful the Hard Cover is, however, I love how the Paper back kinda shows you what it might look like on the ship.
Anything sci fy-ish usually wins me over as long as it’s not too technical. this had just the right amount, enough to keep me thinking, but not too much to confuse the crap out of me. I felt the exact same way about Godspeed. It felt so real to me, and not anytime soon, but I could really see our technology advancing enough some day to do this.
Welcome to the blog.. I was so excited when I saw Aprils post saying you were joining her. 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you will think of A Million Suns.. Oh my gosh, it’s so good.
Thank you! I’m glad I liked my review! I can’t wait to read A Million Suns and I completely agree with your sentiments regarding sci-fy material. As long as it’s not WAY over my head it’s usually alright with me. 😉