Across the Universe (Across The Universe #1)

Across the Universe is awesome, much better than the other book that I read recently that is very similar to this, Glow. When I picked this book of the bookshelf I thought it was the next book to Glow, as it seemed so alike, but I was wrong, and this book out shined that book by miles.

I must say I liked the mystery aboard this massive ship. How Amy woke up and was launched into a problem that the people of the ship lived with everyday. It was so sad to know that Amy couldn't go back to sleep and wake up with her parents, her awakening destroyed that possibility. I like the whole 'murder' mystery, and the way that Amy drew over her wall with the black paint, I thought that was super creative.

I was disgusted by the 'Feeders'. I thought at the beginning that they were just born like that, simple minded, uneducated peasants. But after a while, the book started describing the people as having no emotion, and that was made me think harder. And finally the season, now that was disgusting. Normal people wouldn't be like that, in the streets like that. It was disgusting!!

The cover of the book implies romance between Amy and Elder. And there was, but not the obsessive type that a lot of books are about now days. I though that this was great, the fire between them wasn't there, and there were a few kisses shared, but it wasn't a to major part.

Across the Universe is an amazing book, a tale that is built on lies that have been so intertwined it is impossible to tell if it is really the truth. I reckon if you had to pick a science fiction book about this sort of futuristic traveling, This is the one to pick. It is brilliant.

I started this book because my best friend, Lindsay, said that it was worth a look. I saw it on her bookshelf during a sleepover and was totally captivated by the beautiful cover. I decided to read it as soon as I finished the list of books that I had to read already. A few weeks later after I finished with The Maze Runner Series, The Lorien Legacies books, Divergent, and Hourglass I bought Across the Universe via E-reader. I would recommend reading the book with an E-reader because you really feel like someone in the story using a futuristic device. I honestly thought at one point that I was using a sort of floppy! It took me four days to read because at the time I was working on a project of some sort but I sat awake at night reading this book because it was AMAZING! I could feel every bit of emotion leaking from the pages and whirlwind of drama came to light after only a few chapters. I don't want to spoil anything but let me just say that YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK. Honestly, It's worth your time.

Previously published on my blog: http://fictionfervor.wordpress.com/2011/04/13/review-across-the-universe-by-beth-revis/

I love books that aren't constrained to just one genre. I like mythological creatures with romance. I like dystopia with the supernatural. I like a little murder mystery tinged with love. I like that. So you can imagine that I was very pleased with the mixture of science fiction, dystopia, mystery, and romance in this novel. The science fiction? Represented through the futuristic feel of this book and the space journey. The dystopia? Represented in how Godspeed was run, under an all-powerful (or almost all-powerful) Eldest. The mystery? Represented in the mystery of who woke Amy from her cryo chamber. And the romance? Ah. Well. Amy and Elder.

In addition to the mixture of genres, the plot was very well developed. I could easily follow along and imagine what it's like to live in a ship with 2312 inhabitants, some of which are Feeders, who provide for the food of the ship, the Shippers, who run the ship, and Elder and Eldest, who control the people. And then add in the new technological developments–the wi-coms that let you communicate with anyone anywhere in the ship, the grav tubes that transport you through the ship, the floppies with huge screens that can hold enormous amounts of information ... You'd think all of that would be overwhelming. But in Across the Universe, you can just fall right into the book.

I loved the characters in this book. Loved. Amy, one of our protagonists, is such a strong female character yet still has that tenderness inside of her that wants to cry for her parents when she realizes that she is alone with strangers. Her passion in trying to find out who is killing the passengers in the cryo chambers and her determination in being accepted in the ship make her one of my favorite heroines. Elder, our other protagonist, is another of our strong characters. Elder has the leadership and courage and heroism that is required of him (he is, after all, the future leader of the ship), yet he still has the average thoughts of the average teenage boy. Also, originally he is obedient and submissive to Eldest; but I loved when he finally stood up to the leader of the ship.

And I haven't even talked about the romance yet. I love Amy and Elder's relationship; though at first, you wouldn't believe that the two could be together, you gradually realize that they're made for each other. I loved how Elder was always honest to Amy. And he always tried to stand up for her and protect her. Now that's the kind of guy I'd like.

The only problem I had with this book was the way the workers were practically brainwashed — so much that they would have sex on command. And the few who weren't brainwashed could pretty much rape someone else, who couldn't even cry out to help because everyone else was brainwashed. It's just a sad, sad world when something like that can happen with no one to stop it.

There were few problems that I could find with this book. Almost everything was written beautifully, developed wonderfully, depicted fantastically ... Practically perfect.

Source: copy borrowed from library

Why did I wait so long to read this? This was amazing, and it easily became one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. I guess the reason I kept putting it off was because I’m not really a Sci-Fi reader. Generally, I dislike Sci-Fi books. I’ve only found a couple ones from this genre that I enjoy. This is one of them.

Beth Revis is a talented author. The story was smooth, the descriptions so vivid I could almost swear I was there. You could feel everything the character was feeling: all the pain, the happiness, the frustration, that eerie feeling that something’s gone horribly wrong, everything. The plot was about as realistic as a fictional plot can get, filled with twists, unexpected turns, and startling uncovered truths that kept you reading, never wanting to put the book down. Honestly, I thought I had the suspect figured out. I thought I knew what was going to happen. But you know what? I was wrong. The ending was unexpected and satisfying, and I can’t wait to read the sequel.

I love how it was told from the POV of two very different characters – one character from Earth, and one who was born on the ship. It was interesting, and a nice touch. Unlike some books, the characters don’t just sit there and do nothing. They look around for answers. They don’t whine. They deal. If I had to choose something I liked most about this book, that’d be it. The character’s independence.

Although, if my friend hadn’t shoved her copy at me and literally locked me in a room until I finished reading it, I probably wouldn’t have bothered picking this up. However, once I did, I’m actually a little glad I read it. I can’t stress how amazing this book is, and I wish for more books like this one. Add it to your to-read shelf if you haven’t already, because this book is a must read. Pure amazing-ness. And the cover? Gorgeous as well. A must have addition to your bookshelf

It’s hard to say what I liked most about this book. Let me start by praising the author. Beth Revis has a beautiful writing style. It’s poetic at times without being wordy or flowery. It’s simple and dramatic. Poignant.



I also love authors that include subtle clues in their novels. Everything in this book has a purpose, even the name of the ship Godspeed. I did a little research (based on a comment from Amy, the MC in the book) about what Godspeed actually means. No surprise that it has hidden meanings. The Old English etymology of the word “speed” has nothing to do with actual velocity. Instead, it refers to prosperity and good fortune. Adding God was an acknowledgment of God’s generosity and blessing to an endeavor. Thus, speed in that sense became the acquisition of wealth and prosperity through a divine blessing. The irony of the name of the ship was not lost on me. It was interesting that she ship was named Godspeed by the original builders, but yet the current inhabitants look at religion as “fairy tales” and myths. There is no God on Godspeed. I also noted that Dante’s Inferno was referenced in the book as well when the crypto chambers were described as the final level of Hell: icy and cold. Oh, Ms. Revis you are a genius!



The plot of this book is also a tightly written piece of literary genius. There are many twists and turns and lies. Oh, so many secrets and lies. The three causes of discord were described as difference, lack of leadership, and individual thought. But really, the main cause of discord is lack of trust. Imagine living on a ship for centuries without ever knowing what was going on. History has been erased and rewritten, but no one knows the real truth because the secret has been preserved for generations. Imagine the chaos that would stem from such leadership. Or maybe there is no chaos because the people on the ship are so heavily drugged that they have no sense of reality? Only the “crazy” people can see reality for what it is. Imagine…



The characters are also perfectly written. Believable. Damaged. And some are evil beyond words. Eldest, the tyrannical leader of the ship, enjoys being compared to Hitler. He views Hitler as a leader worthy of admiration. Whoa. Then there is Luthe. To me is the worst of the characters in the book. Eldest has a reason for his crazy beliefs, and at times I could side with his rationale. But Luthe… oh gosh. When the rest of the ship is acting out its animal instincts during “the Season,” he is in perfect control. He is not influenced by hormones and drugged water. His cruel actions are 100% his own and intentional. That makes him far worse than any other antagonist in my opinion. I was a little disappointed how quickly he disappeared from the plot after his horrible act. But I don’t think that was an accident. I have a feeling Luthe will reappear in the future book in a way that can not bode well.



It is so hard to talk about this book without giving away too much. It reminded me of the C.S. Lewis Space Trilogy that I read as a teenager. (C.S. Lewis is one of my favorite authors that I do not compare others to often because his writing is perfection in my eyes). I enjoyed reading Across the Universe. In fact, once I made it to page 30 or so, I couldn’t put it down. I stayed up until 4 a.m. to finish reading it. So many unanswered questions leave me begging for the next book (which I hear is fabulous). If you still aren’t sold on this book, let me leave you with this: My dad (in his mid-50s) hijacked my copy of Across the Universe before I could read it. I had to endure listening to him laugh and make noises of contemplation as he read my book (another reason I finished it in one sitting). To understand the irony and importance of this situation, you have to understand my father. He is a reader. His choice reading material: military tactics, biographies, and the classics. Not YA reading material. So, for him to say, “This is a pretty good book” is HUGE. Monumental even.



This book is worth reading, even if you don’t like science fiction, you will find something to appreciate in this book.

a review by Lindz

After reading the novel, I thought it was very interesting. The novel itself is an adventerous sci-fi plotline with a twist of romance. It also is very futurtistic, even though in the story the dont know if the world has "ended" yet. Overall, this book was a good read and i woulfd roecommend it to anyone with an interest in this genre. :)