Book Review - Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Synopsis: The narrative is split between the two protagonists; Amy who decided to follow the path of her parents and freeze her body which would then be placed on the spaceship, Godspeed, which is to then travel for 300 years to another planet similar to that of Earth. The second narrator is Elder who will succeed his superior, Eldest, in the running and control of Godspeed. Basically one day Amy's body is mysteriously unfrozen, she turns out to be the first of many and the hunt soon begins for the perpetrator. Not only is the ship and its residents under absolute control, the whole ship itself is a lie. Amy and Elder's relationship slowly blossoms amongst mindless, horny rabbits, a corrupt leader and a Doctor who believes throwing drugs at a problem will eliminate it.  

SPOILERS

This was possibly the strangest book I have ever read. It is based on the most abstract concept, read the synopsis above to find out exactly what it is about but basically it does take a few chapters to get into it. Overall I thought it was a really good read, the structure is really interesting and adds to the suspense really well because often one chapter will end on a cliff-hanger and you have to read through the next chapter before things are revealed by which point another cliff-hanger has emerged!

I love the kind of detective-story aspect of this novel; I was pulling my hair out at points trying desperately not to look to the back page to just find out who was pulling out the ice tray things or whatever they're called! All this suspense made me turn the pages so quickly I finished the book in a matter of days (which is rare for me because normally I drag out books I enjoy because I don't want them to end!). I won't give away who the murderer is because if you're reading this and haven't read the books then please go read it now and guess for yourself who you think it is. All I'll say is the answer isn't as straightforward as you may think and I was so surprised by all the twists at the end of this book.

The book took a really dark turn at one point, the bit where Luthe and the feeders tried to rape Amy left me gaping in shock, this is definitely a more mature Young Adult novel. The description of the period called 'the Season' basically consisted of loads of couples having sex on any surface they could find. It actually made me feel really uncomfortable reading it which is obviously the effect but I;m not sure it was worth it! The Season could have been described in another way if you ask me but that's just my opinion. Amy's feelings after the rape were sort of glazed over, she didn't seem too upset about it but at the same time I suppose I'm glad this event didn't pervade the narrative. Generally though I don't think the rape added much to the storyline, Luthe's characterisation wasn't developed, he wasn't mentioned again and Elder never found out... was it really necessary?

My favourite character was probably Harley, at first I thought it might turn into a love triangle between him, Amy and Elder but I was relieved when the plot didn't head in this direction!

If I did have one more little criticism (little I swear!) it would be that some things weren't explained. For example, we never really find out what happened to Earth to make this mission even necessary or if anything happened at all. At first I thought there was some kind of apocalypse but then as the story went on I realised that might not have been the case. Also, we never really find out why the ship left a year later than planned, something that was revealed in Chapter 1. Hopefully these little details will be explained in the next book but it was just something I was waiting to be revealed throughout this first one.

All the numbers and terminology do get slightly icky sometimes and I'm not a big fan of Maths myself so calculating the number of years left or the number of years travelled made my brain hurt so I just sort of went with the flow which I recommend for a more relaxing read! The concept of the novel is abstract to say the least but after a while you find yourself so absorbed in the storyline you forget that the characters are actually floating in the middle of space with no escape.

The Elite by Kiera Cass - Fan Fiction

This is the first Fan Fiction I've ever published so please be easy on it! It's linked to my previous post which was a review of the same book but even if you haven't read the book, I hope you can still follow where I'm going with this. 

Kriss and I have been bickering all day over plans for the visits from the Italian royal family. We're finally getting somewhere but we disagree over everything, mainly because both of us are so inexperienced at this, talk about being thrown into the deep end. It reassured me that Kriss knew as little as I did about how to be a good Princess; this stuff came as naturally to her as walking came to a fish. I forced my body up the two staircases towards my room and almost as soon as I found the door I had collapsed on my bed, my heavy eyelids willing themselves open no longer. My maids were gone; this I thought was strange but no stranger than what had just that moment captured my attention. The jar. In the jar I had kept Aspens coins rested a folded up note, I suddenly found a sharp burst of energy and unscrewed the lid as quickly as possible. I recognised the scruffy handwriting straight away and as I read I became too excited to sit still, you wouldn't know the same girl was physically dragging one foot in front of the other 2 minutes ago through the palace. Aspen wants to meet tonight at exactly 9:48, this must be the time the guards are changing stations. I glanced at the clock; I have one and a half hours to kill.

I lay on my bed piecing together Aspen's vague instructions in my head, drawing maps in my mind making quiet sounds of frustration when I looked at the clock and only 10 minutes had passed. Almost as if on cue, two of my maids came bustling in, Lucy made a small shriek of surprise when she saw me and looked to Anne pleadingly as if for help, her eyes were puffy but I didn't mention anything.

"We're ever so sorry we weren't here when you returned from dinner Miss America" Anne quickly retorted, she looked almost ashamed.

"Oh don't worry about it I only just got back" I lied, I was grateful they were gone or else Aspen wouldn't have been able to deliver me my note. I briefly wondered where Mary was, but there was little space for thinking with these maids around.

"Are you ready for bed then Miss?" Lucy asked, her fingertips were already fumbling with the clips in my hair.

"No its fine" I said more sternly than I meant to, "I mean no honestly I'm not that tired and I have to um..." I was stumped, I had no responsibility here apart from on the rare occasions Silvia gave us homework, I was free to be pampered and laze around all I wanted. "I think I'll just practise my piano playing maybe, I would hate to go home not having learnt any of the new beautiful sheet music you have here".

Anne and Lucy gave each other a sideways glance, obviously thinking the same thing but not quite sure whether to pursue their thoughts. Anne caved, "Do you really think you're going to be eliminated Miss?" she looked disappointed, defeated even; I was so proud I had these girls on my team. They had a point though; I just admitted the possibility of me going home out loud without even realising, had I truly lost hope now that Kriss was in the picture? Had my heart finally decided that Aspen was the one?

The maids kept me busy enough, I didn't really need to practise the new sheet music, I knew if I asked they'd let me take it home with me if it came down to that. I found myself actually quite enjoying myself though; occasionally I'd ask Lucy to help me out by pressing a key or pushing the pedal for me. Most of the time she got it wrong but I didn't mind, it had us all in hysterics of laughter whenever she tried to recite what I'd just played for her. I was so preoccupied I forgot what time it was, I glanced at the clock and saw I had a mere 6 minutes to decode Aspen's instructions and meet him, if I was too late he'd surely think I'd not gotten his note or didn't want to see him. The thought of him thinking I'd abandoned him made me sick to my stomach.

"I think I'm going to go and get some air" I said moving towards the door.

"But Miss, I don't think Maxon will approve of you going outside what with all the recent rebel attacks" Anne pleaded. Her face looked genuinely concerned, I remembered what Kriss said about wanting my maids if she was to win, I wondered how long it would take them to warm to Kriss the way them seemed to care for me.

"You're right" I admitted, "Perhaps I'll go find him and see if he would like to accompany me".

They visibly relaxed and smiled, I was excused. I shut the door calmly and could hear them chuckling just before I began jogging down the hall. I took the instructions out of my pocket and moved into a corner to make out where he wanted me to go next.

I was 15 minutes late by the time I finally got my bearings and knew which door I was supposed to open. The door was already ajar and I pushed it open slowly and quietly, the room was dark, made even more so once I'd closed the door again behind me cutting off the light supply coming from the hallway.

"Aspen?" I whispered.

I felt him before I could see him, his fingers laced in between mine and he pulled me towards the back of the room. He took me under an archway which apparently led into another smaller room.

"I was beginning to give up hope" he chuckled, we were standing so close I could feel his breath tickle behind my ear, smell that familiar scent which had provided me comfort for two years, the smell which guaranteed hope and passion. Aspen was stronger now, his muscles were firmer and his face was clean of any stubble, his job at the palace had changed him but we were still the same somehow, he still made me feel important and excited when he touched me.

"I would never abandon you Aspen", I looked up at him, he looked sad.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"You would never abandon me Mer, but that's exactly what I did to you... I don't deserve you".

I looked away, feeling hurt at the reminder but I gave his hand a squeeze to let him know I was recovering, my wounds were slowly healing. We stood like this for a while, hand in hand pressed up against each other, kissing each other lightly; his lips were soft against my neck, his kiss felt familiar, his touch reassuring.

"We haven't got much time" he said, breaking the silence.

"There's never enough time" I thought aloud, I remembered the promise I made to Maxon that I simply needed more time, I just had no idea how much time exactly.

My reverie was broken by the faint sound of a doorknob clicking open, I looked up at Aspen alarmed, his face reflected the panic going on in my head and he rushed me to the corner of the small room to conceal me from the moonlight streaming in through the windows. If anyone caught us here, Aspen would lose his job, my family would lose their income and we'd both be demoted to the lowest caste possible. I slowed my breath and listened out for any sounds of the visitor. I could just make out the sound of a woman's voice, it was shrill and familiar. There was a man in here with her, their voices were getting louder as I assumed they moved towards the back of the first room we entered, then it hit me, the woman's voice, it was Mary. I could make out their conversation now,

"What's wrong? You looked so worried earlier on" the man asked.

"I'm worried that Anne knows about us, she took me aside today and told me I should remember my place... Gavril what if she tells someone!" Mary cried.

"If she does then so what? I'm tired of hiding, I love you and maybe if you get kicked out of this place we can finally be together?" Gavril said, Mary was crying I could hear her sniffles, "Calm down honey, things will sort themselves out soon enough. Look I have to go and speak to the Prince about this week's Report, go straight to your quarters and don't tell Anne anything just yet, I'm going to think of a plan I promise."

I heard him kiss her and then the door opened again, after a short few moments I was sure both of them had left. I glanced up at Aspen and saw him smiling down at me, I had a sudden urge to burst out laughing, this was not how I thought this evening would pan out. I admired them both; they were risking so much, the comfort of the palace and their reputations just for a few lingering moments in a dark room. It reminded me of how Aspen and I used to take risks to see each other in the tree house; love is never easy I've learnt, it's most satisfying when you have to fight for it.

The Elite by Kiera Cass - Book Review

Synopsis: This novel is a Bachelor-style dystopian set in the future in a society known as Illea. Citizens of Illea are separated into castes which determine their overall quality of life, with the upper castes, such as the royal family known as 'Ones' enjoying the most privileges.

 This novel was preceded with 'The Selection' which enlightened us to the ultimate contest for Prince Maxon's heart. In the first instalment, 35 girls were chosen at 'random' from all of the castes to take part in the national competition which is held at the palace in a bid to win a marriage with Prince Maxon and in turn become a Princess.

 'The Elite' is the second instalment during which only 6 girls remain, and the protagonist of the series, America Singer, is amongst these elite. Her heart is torn between her first love, Aspen, who has followed her to the palace to win her back, and Prince Maxon whose kindness and personality has made America feel completely different about the Selection process. Amongst the love triangles and expensive parties, the society is in turmoil, with rebels attacking the palace on a regular basis, some threatening to kill if necessary to end the contest. America wants things to change but doesn't feel strong enough yet to bring about those changes herself, will we see her gain a new perspective in this novel, will she be Illea's new princess?

SPOILERS

Review: Two stars are harsh I admit. If someone asked me to rate the novel say 100 pages in, I probably would have given it a 3 or maybe even 4 star rating because when reading the novel, I couldn't put it down; it was definitely a page turner. I finished the book last night and had to sleep on it to help me gather my thoughts and on reflection, 2 stars is probably more accurate.

I am a sucker for a good romance novel which is what attracted me to this trilogy (I think it's a trilogy) but the love triangle in this however was verging on ridiculous at some points. In one Chapter, the protagonist Lady America would be promising her life away to Aspen and then she'd run off to Maxon and tell him basically the same thing. All America wanted is time and I felt she spent a lot of this novel stringing both boys along waiting for someone to make the decision for her. I was relieved when Maxon finally grew a backbone and gave her an ultimatum because I couldn't have dealt with the constant back and forth between these two for much longer. In the end, it looked like America's bold presentation was her way of showing she'd chosen a life of comfort with Aspen over her whirlwind romance with Maxon however she then declared she needed space from Aspen to mend her broken heart. Apparently after the constant monologues and meetings with Aspen, it had only just hit her that she had changed and was no longer right for him, personally I think she forgave him way too quickly to begin with anyway. America then said goodbye to her maids in a parting which admittedly made me cry and then on her way out, after a 5 minute conversation with Maxon decided that, actually maybe she did want to be a Princess. Fair enough it took losing Maxon to realise how much she wanted him but ultimately, the end of 'The Elite' was pretty much the same as the end of the first instalment, Maxon still hadn't chosen a winner and readers were once again left tearing their hair out as we have to wait until MAY 2014 to find out who becomes Princess ARGHHHH.

I don't mean to slate the book as much as this but the Marlee plot twist was slightly predicatble. I was fully aware that she was having an affair with a guard before it was revealed however what did suprise me was the spontaneous caning expedition. In my opinion, this was the first time we truely saw how corrupt the whole Selection process was and how corrupt the royal family are for allowing such treatment to take place. Any faith I lost in Maxon as a character however was restored when he invited America to the Princess' suite and Marlee was waiting for her. The characterisation of Maxon was done considerably better than some of the other characters; Kiera Cass took us on a journey with him, through his first kiss and through his heartbreak at having to wait for his one true love. I was actually surprisingly glad when Cass spiced up the competition with Kriss' character, up to this point; I thought America would undoubtedly win so there was little in terms of suspense for the final decision. Kriss could very well steal Maxon's heart away from America and this will certainly be an interesting addition to the love triangle in the next instalment.

There was little action in this book, the rebel attacks were generally in occurrence in the backdrop whilst America was hiding out in the safe rooms. The only time I felt truly hopeful for an alternative setting and possible action was when America ran into the forest away from the Northern rebels, this however came to nothing and she was tucked up in bed back at the palace in a matter of pages.

It might seem like I didn't enjoy this book but I wouldn't have given it any stars at all if that were the case. I think the concept of this trilogy is an interesting twist on traditional romance novels and a clever spin on the Bachelor TV series. Most girls including myself have dreamt of becoming a Princess someday and this novel brings back all those feelings, the glamorous lifestyle and handsome Prince is certainly appealing and is a great escape from the stresses of exams and work. In the next book I just hope we see some of the story unfold in a setting other than the Palace, as much as I long to live in such quarters, it would be nice to get a taste for perhaps where the rebels live or even where the lowest castes such as Eights are forced to stay. I also hope that Kriss doesn't replace Aspen in terms of the love triangle; I am praying Maxon makes his decision early on so that I don't feel tempted to take a quick peek at the last page just to find out who becomes Princess.

So there you go, I'd definitely recommend this trilogy and I promise not all reviews will be so negative, but I do promise to be honest.

P.S. I know they say don't judge a book by its cover but isn't this just the most beautiful cover you have ever seen?!