“Shades of Earth” – Book Review: WHAT??? NO MORE?! *sad face*

August 1, 2013 by Hyunnie 1 Comment

Hi guys!! Once again, sorry for the unexpected hiatus. Uni has started this week and so I’ve been trying to get back into the cycle once again. I have to admit, it still isn’t easy however I am so glad to be back. This way, my mum will stop asking me “What are you doing now?” because I have the perfect answer now: “Uni stuff”.

Anyway, enough of excuses, let’s begin the review!

A really pretty cover. It’s a shame that it isn’t mine though 😦

Today, I had finished reading “Shades of Earth”, the third and final instalment in the “Across the Universe” trilogy by Beth Revis. And what an ending. Wow. Just wow.

I can’t say that it was unexpected however, the events prior to the ending was quite a shock. I had to literally give myself a moment before I could continue reading the book when I was 3/4 in.

Ever since I started reading the trilogy back in 2011, I had never expected the story to lead to this last one. When I picked up the book from the library (due to it being both visually brilliant and a dystopia text) I definitely had no high expectations for it. Nope, not even a bit. But now, I’m so sad that it is over, forever :”'(

OH BY THE WAY! THERE WILL BE SPOILERS!!! There, I said it. But don’t worry, I’ll try to not give too much away.

Here below is the blurb on the back of the book:

Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They’re ready to start life afresh–to build a home–on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has travelled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience.

But this new Earth isn’t the paradise Amy had been hoping for. There are giant pterodactyl-like birds, purple flowers with mind-numbing toxins, and mysterious, unexplained ruins that hold more secrets than their stone walls first let on. The biggest secret of all? Godspeed‘s former passengers aren’t alone on this planet. And if they’re going to stay, they’ll have to fight.

Amy and Elder must race to discover who–or what–else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. They will have to look inward to the very core of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed–friends, family, life on Earth–will have been for nothing.

FUELED BY LIES.
RULED BY CHAOS.
ALMOST HOME.

One thing that I absolutely love about Beth Revis’ series is the fact that I would have never been about to imagine what it would have been like to live on a different planet, thousands of years from today. And, to show it through the eyes of Amy and Elder  really touches me because I wouldn’t ever be able to comprehend the pressures they would have to go through in order to just simply survive.

An I liked the fact that many questions that had been left throughout the series were answered by the last book. Some authors really do fail to do it in a sophisticated and enjoyable way so, a thumbs up for that!! The entire plot is solid from start to finish, and always convinces me to say “one more chapter?” and, before I knew it, I had the finished the book…that always seems to happen ><

One thing however that I can’t really get over is  the last three-four chapters with Amy’s character. She seemed almost…not herself? It’s really hard to express for me but what I can say is this. This Amy, who I grew to love and respect throughout the trilogy, suddenly seemed like someone else. Someone more immature; not understanding. It almost made me believe that she had returned to her old self back at the beginning of “Across the Universe” (which I absolutely detested! *Groan*)  It made me truly wonder “Has she even grown as a person, or was she still that sulky child back in the beginning?” Yes, many would argue that certain circumstances, grief, loss etc. is making her feel this way. However, the problem here is the fact that Amy isn’t Amy anymore. It is not in her nature to go and act like that, and it bugged me during and after reading the book. For those who have read it will understand what I mean. And for those who haven’t, I won’t give anymore away, promise!

Overall, Beth Revis has done a magnificent job with this trilogy, despite “Across the Universe” being her debut book. Forever will these three books stay on my bookshelf for years to come. I highly recommend those who are into sci-fi/dystopic worlds/romance/thriller. And, despite the protagonists being teenagers, mature readers will enjoy it too since the trilogy covers a lot of themes dealing with much more than just “teenage problems”.

Love, love LOVE this series, and I am really sad for it to go. It definitely is once of my favourite trilogies thus far. I still need to catch up with the novella for this series called “As They Slip Away” which is apparently only 40 pages long.

Thank you guys so much for reading and I will be back quite soon with more reviews. See you all soon~~

❤ Yami Hyunnie ^^~

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