Thursday 12 September 2013

Review: Shades of Earth by Beth Revis


Title: Shades of Earth
Author: Beth Revis
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: 2nd May 2013
Source: Bought
Rating: 5 out of 5

Description: 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 traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience. But this new Earth isn't the paradise that Amy had been hoping for. Amy and Elder must race to uncover who--or what--else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. But each new discovery brings more danger. And if their colony collapses then everything they have sacrificed--friends, family, life on Earth--will have been meaningless...


The colonisation of a new planet is bound to be full of challenges.  Who knew it could be downright disastrous, filled with pain, suffering and tension. Shades of Earth is downright torturous for both its characters and the reader. Beth Revis managed to shatter my heart into a thousand pieces and put them back together very slowly. I don’t think I will ever think of space adventures the same way again. I absolutely adore the Across the Universe Series. It’s a series that keeps me on my toes and always keeping giving.  The story constantly surprises me and the twists and turns keep coming. The detail and depth Revis has incorporated into this story is amazing. Shades of Earth is a brilly read. It’s intense and filled with even more murder and mysteries than the last two books combined. Revis definitely ups the ante.

The last book in the Across the Universe trilogy is steeped in more mysteries that link back to the spaceship Godspeed. Centauri Earth is not what I expected it to be and it held secrets of its own. I loved the unpredictability of this story and the brutal twists it deals its characters. Amy and Elder leave Godspeed with the frozens and the shipborns to land on the new plant. Once they land the military and the shipborns have to make a home for themselves on the new plant. But it’s not easy. As soon as they land, new creatures attack them and people are being murdered.  The planet is not what anyone expected. Amy and Elder need to find answers before they all end up dead. There was a part of me while I was reading the trilogy that never expected Godspeed to land. So I was very happy that we got to explore the new planet along with the new colony. The plot is just as fast as previous instalments. There is always something vital happening and every single scene Revis writes is filled with either action, suspense or emotion.  There were moments in this book where I was exclaiming: what the hell is going on? The book just pulled me in with its tension filled story. 

Shades of Earth answers all of the lingering questions in the series. I absolutely loved that the previous events onboard Godspeed are tied in with the events on the planet. Amy and Elder could not shake the secrets of the ship. These secrets still haunt them in Shades of Earth. It was a great way to tie the entire story together. The conclusion of the trilogy was beautiful. It was heartbreaking, touching and uplifting at the same time.

Revis world building has always been exceptional. Centauri Earth is no exception. This new world is similar enough to Earth but different at the same time. I love all the small details Revis incorporated into the tapestry of the book, to make the world vivid and dangerous at the same time. From the tree, purple flowers, ruins, soil, animals and two suns, Centarui Earth is breathtaking. The landscape of the new planet as plays a vital role in the plot.

Amy is finally free of the metal walls of Godspeed. The frozens are woken up and we get to see Amy’s touching reunion with her parents. We get to meet new characters from the military. Amy grows so much in this book. I respect her for all the hope she carries with her. The hope for a new life on a new planet. Ever since she woke up early she hasn’t had an easy go of things, and Shades of Earth definitely destroys her.  She has to make life-changing decisions and she steps up to make be a leader in the bleakest of situations. My heart just broke for her so many times.  Elder has finally embraced his role as leader of the shipborn. He is willing to do anything to protect those who depend on him. He goes up against Amy’s father to make sure his people are being taken care of.  The romance is a little more prominent in this book. I love the relationship Amy and Elder have.  They are both distinct individuals apart and together.  They realise that there are bigger things than their love, and never take their relationship for granted.

Simply amazing, heart breaking and phenomenal.  Go read this right now.

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