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Sunday, March 17, 2013

Review: Shades of Earth (Across the Universe #3) by Beth Revis

Publisher: Penguin
Published: January 15, 2013
Pages: 369
Source: Bought
Rating: 5 Stars


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 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.

This review is spoiler-free

In short: Shades of Earth by Beth Revis was an intense and thrilling finale to an incredibly exciting and entertaining series.
FREX, Shades of Earth was INTENSE. The action picks up right where it left off in A Million Suns and does not let up. As with Across the Universe and A Million Suns, Shades of Earth is very fast paced and that, along with short chapters that all end in mini cliffhangers, will ensure that you speed through the story quickly. Shades of Earth is a fantastic conclusion to an incredibly fun and entertaining series. The stakes are raised to a seemingly impossibly high amount. I've come to care for Elder and Amy so much that I was all the more tense while reading, just hoping they would make it through the series okay. Chaos, lies, and murder abound in this absolutely thrilling finale.

Probably one of my favourite things about the Across the Universe Trilogy is the frequency of surprising and shocking twists in the plot. I'm not exactly sure how she does it, but just when you think there couldn't possibly be any secrets left to reveal in this world - BAM - Beth Revis hits you with a whopper that leaves you reeling and in need of a moment to gather your wits about you in the wake of all that craziness. Seemingly in the next moment - BAM - comes another blow, another crazy surprise twist that had never occurred to you and has you literally gasping out loud. Again and again and again. This is what makes this series so FUN and I LOVE it.

Those who have read Across the Universe and A Million Suns know that Beth Revis is a master of world building and Shades of Earth is no exception - it is always intriguing and never bogged down with too many details that would bore. What's more, she's set up an amazing base for if she ever chose to continue writing books set in this world. She could write a whole new trilogy with how much is left to discover! And it would be just as exciting and intriguing as the world building in this trilogy, I'm sure! And I would absolutely need to be first in line to get it.

Now, I can't say that Shades of Earth is absolutely perfect - I noticed a number of plot holes and scientific inaccuracies - but I could really care less. In my mind, those minor mistakes take a back seat to the real meat of the novel. Shades of Earth, and indeed the entire trilogy on a whole, is exciting, surprising, and entertaining. It is an awesome sci fi, and insane thriller, and a deep felt romance. If you haven't read this trilogy yet, then what the heck are you waiting for?

Previously, my reviews of Across the Universe and A Million Suns.

Other Reviews:
Alice Marvels
Mad Musings of Masters Mind
Nori's Closet

Authors Links:
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17 comments :

  1. While I must admit that I didn't really enjoy Across the Universe and that I never continued the series, the fact that it keeps surprising you over and over again makes me question my decision, Aylee.
    I understand how you wouldn't mind a few inaccuracies since you cared about the characters so much. I'm like that too, willing to forgive a lot when I get attached.
    Great review, Aylee!

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  2. I have only read the first, but I enjoyed it and want to finish the series one of these days and it is great to know that it ended awesomely.
    Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  3. INTENSE is really the perfect word to describe SHADES OF EARTH, Aylee! My only problem was the whole... waste, I felt at the end. But ah, I did enjoy it.

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  4. This really was a great series! I'm kind of happy with how it ended, but I think it was just a little too neat. And there were some definite things that bugged me about the last book! But I still love Beth Revis and this was definitely one of my favourite series to pine for. :)

    Great review!

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  5. Awesome honest review. I must get back to this series.

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  6. I didn't read your review too closely because I still need to read this series. I checked it out from the library once, but I just wasn't in the right mood so I put it down after a chapter. another time.

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  7. "Seemingly in the next moment - BAM - comes another blow, another crazy surprise twist that had never occurred to you and has you literally gasping out loud. Again and again and again."

    THIS SOUNDS AWESOME AYLEE! I love when an author continuously surprises me throughout the book, that always keeps me on the edge of my seat. I'm behind on this series, I've only read book one, but it looks like it will be more than worth my time to get caught up!

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  8. honestly, I've read the first two books in this series but don't really have a desire to read the last one. I wasn't shocked by any of the twists so far but maybe Shades of Earth would change my mind? I'm glad you loved the finale so much though! Wonderful review. :)

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  9. I want to read these even more now! I love when surprises are revealed like that! Yeah, if a book is essentially GOOD, I don't usually mind inaccuracies because they generally have no real bearing on the story. Awesome review, I'm glad you were so positive about it! :)

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  10. I honestly can NOT wait to get into this series. I remember hearing so many amazing things about the first book when it came out initially, but I wasn't really into sci-fi back then as much as I am now! I've definitely added book 1 to my wishlist after reading this review, especially considering how the series as a whole just continued to impress you :) I can deal with minor flaws when there's a brilliant world & tons of surprises! Sweet review.

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  11. I love when an author constantly catches a reader off-guard. I find far too many books are predictable these days. Really pleased you enjoyed this overall! I could forgive a few plot holes if the rest is engaging enough. :) Great review, Aylee! I need to hurry up and catch up with this series.

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  12. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much, Aylee!
    I think I'm finally going to read this series now - I was waiting for it to be over and to see if it ended in a good note, from your review it sounds like it did!

    :D thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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  13. I have yet to read any of these because I'm scared I won't like them, but your review is convincing. Maybe I'll give them a try. Especially since all three of them are out now and I wouldn't have to wait for any of them! :D Great review, Aylee! I'm glad you loved this series!

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  14. OMG I honestly don't know why I haven't read this series yet it sounds freaking awesome, exciting, and plot twists that might actually catch me off guard for once! :D I actually thought of getting this one on audio so I might get to it very soon! I listen to audiobooks while I work so I get through them pretty fast! :D

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  15. Intense is the correct word. My boyfriend and I took turns reading the whole series and I loved every minute of it. Beth Revis is an Auto-Buy author for me from now on. Have you read her short story about Orion in Shards & Ashes??
    If not you totally need to. Glad you enjoyed this trilogy.

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  16. Another series I'm yet to start! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one. I mean, 5 stars is plain awesomeness! :D I'll try to read this soon.

    Sarika @ The Readdicts

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  17. I've yet to freaking start this series and I have books 1&2. I keep thinking that I won't be something that I would like, but I'm thinking about getting the audio book from the library since I tend to read those better if I'm contemplating the book. Glad you thought the book was amazing! I seriously might give these books go :)

    regards,
    marlene of Fishing Westport

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