Across the Universe is the absolutely amazing debut Young Adult novel by Beth Revis and I can already tell that it is going to be one of my favourite books of the year.
The story starts with Amy who, along with her parents, is being prepared to be cryogenically frozen for the next 300 years as they travel to a new planet. Her parents and the other adults on the ship all have special skills that will help to colonise this new planet, while Amy is a nonessential, just there because of her parents. There are also others on board the ship, Godspeed, who are not frozen but keeping the ship moving on it’s course. Elder is one of these people. He is the youngest person on the ship and the one chosen to lead the next generation. When Amy is violently woken 50 years before they are due to arrive on the new planet, she creates tension in Elder’s carefully ordered society. On a ship in the middle of space where everyone has the same skin and hair colour, similar features, and never questions the rules, Amy is not welcomed.Amy’s questions and Elder’s own discoveries lead them to uncover the lies that Eldest has been telling them all about the ship and their quest for Centauri-Earth.
Beth Revis leads you on a rollercoaster ride, with lots of unexpected twists and turns. Across the Universe has something for just about every reader – a dystopian society, science fiction, mystery, murder, and a touch of romance. It’s the first book in a new trilogy and I really can’t wait to read more. Get your hands on what is going to be one of the most talked about YA novels of 2011.
You can also check out Beth’s website and read her very entertaining blog.
8 January 2011 at 10:10 am
zackids, you’ve just cost me $23.95. I couldn’t find a copy at my own library and went on-line. At first I couldn’t believe the prices, but eventually I found it at Whitcoulls, no postal charge. If you liked this, do try Exodus by Julie Bertagna. I’ve been reading adult SF/Fantasy lately and I’m fed up with finding myself not caring about any of the characters. There are often too many characters and too much wandering from the protagonist’s POV. I get to wishing they’d all get fried by a dragon or killed in a spaceship crash … or something equally nasty.
8 January 2011 at 11:05 am
I’ve heard of Exodus but never picked it up. It’s now on my holds list though
I agree about adult SF/Fantasy, that’s why I stick to children’s and young adult books most of the time.
I’ve been reading a YA book by Paolo Bacigalupi called Ship Breaker which is also really good, so I had to pick up his adult sci-fi, The Windup Girl. I’ve read lots of good reviews of it so that’s next on my reading pile.
10 January 2011 at 5:51 pm
Terrific cover too – will I be tempted to read it, probably not, but will bear it in mind for recommendations to customers.