Review: A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis
Author: Beth Revis
Series: Across the Universe #2
Publisher: Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication Date: January 10, 2012
Pages: 386
Format/Source: Hardback/Purchased
Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.
It’s been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He’s finally free to enact his vision – no more Phydus, no more lies.
But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that’s growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.
In book two of the Across the Universe trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis mesmerizes us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship. (From Goodreads)
*Warning: This is the second book in a series. While I really don’t like spoilers, you might find some slight Book 1 spoilers in this review.*
The Awesome…
Wow! Twists and turns left and right in this one! There’s one twist right in the first few pages! I love when books do this! Then, later on, there was another big twist that I didn’t necessarily see coming, but I hoped it would happen. In Across the Universe, there was one “mystery” where everyone who read the book instantly knew who the culprit was. But like I said in my review of AtU, I think Revis did this intentionally so that we were all thrown at the subsequent bombshells. In A Million Suns, the mystery is much more unknown, and while I suspected the eventual culprit, I wasn’t as sure – it was more of an educated guess. But Revis continued to weave action, romance, and suspense into this novel. The twists and reveals occurred throughout the novel, rather than just at the end like so many other mysteries.
One of my favorite lines was from one of Elder’s chapters:
Also something I loved about Across the Universe that is also present here, are the cliff-hanger chapter endings. I’m not one to pause reading when I come to the end of a chapter – I just pause whenever I need to pause and slip in my bookmark. But with the way Revis ends these chapters, I don’t know how anyone could set the book down after finishing a chapter and not keep going!
The Not-So Awesome…
I had a few issues with the story, but they were things that ultimately didn’t keep me from loving the book. I found a few minor inconsistencies in the first pages of the book, and there were some repetitive lines that made me feel like I was having a bit of deja vu. But I can overlook these things, because the story was so complex and intricate that I had actually forgotten about these minor issues until I looked back at my notes.
I also didn’t like the situation that Elder is in throughout most of the book: the rebellion that is keeping him from fully becoming the leader that he has been trained (somewhat) to be. But it was conflict, which is needed in any story, and it was a realistic conflict, so I understood it. I was also frustrated with some of the inhabitants of the Godspeed, like Amy and Bartie, because they seemed a bit out of character. Amy’s personality seemed a bit more passive than in the first book, even though she was constantly running from place to place, trying to solve a mystery. She just didn’t seem to be the same strong-willed Amy at times. And Bartie was someone I really didn’t understand. I mean, I understand why he did some of the things he did, but he flip-flopped a lot and it made his character seem inconsistent at times.
On a Lighter Note…
At one point while reading this book, I used one of the curse words used by the residents of the Godspeed! I was sitting down and reading, and my son was taking a nap. The garbage truck was moving down the street and as it pulled up outside my house I thought to myself, “Does it have to be so frexing loud?” I couldn’t help but giggle.
Overall, I love this ride that Beth Revis has taken me on. I really enjoy the characters, but I LOVE the action and suspense and twists and turns that are laced within the pages. I can’t wait to read the next book, Shades of Earth, although I’ll have to wait a year.
My rating for A Million Suns by Beth Revis:
Five giant stars. The issues I had with this book didn’t keep me from absolutely loving it!
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Shortskie
February 12, 2012 at 6:02 pmWonderful review. I had finished AtU the other day with a smile perched on my face. The captivation the characters had on me was strong through the entire novel and I am dying to get my hands on A Million Suns. Thank you for the review!
Andrea @ The Overstuffed Bookcase
February 13, 2012 at 7:30 pmAww, thank you for the sweet comment! I LOVED AtU and this one, while not perfect, was still really great! I hope you get to read it soon! Thanks for stopping by! ;)
Andrea @ Cozy Up
February 13, 2012 at 4:03 amI'm really glad you enjoyed this one despite the issues you found with it. I had the same problems especially with Amy and it kept me from really getting into the story. Great review!
Andrea @ The Overstuffed Bookcase
February 13, 2012 at 7:32 pmThanks! Yeah, Amy really wasn't the same as she was in AtU, was she? She didn't really stand up for her beliefs until the very end, and even then she kind of conceded to Elder. But yeah, I still really enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by! ;)
Jac
February 13, 2012 at 4:07 pmI have to laugh – I also used Frex at one point while reading! Beth Revis does such a great job of pulling us in like that!
(And the big twist? I didn't necessarily see it coming, but I was wondering. KWIM?) Either way? I loved it!
Great review!!
-Jac @ For Love and Books
Andrea @ The Overstuffed Bookcase
February 13, 2012 at 7:35 pmThanks, Jac! You and I seem to have a lot in common – getting songs stuck in our head, using curse words from books… ;)
Yeah, I know what you mean about the twist. I kinda thought something like that might happen in AtU, and when it didn't, I was disappointed. So I was glad when it happened in AMS!
Thanks for stopping by! ;)
Bittner
February 13, 2012 at 4:16 pmOkay, I love your review, and I do want to read this one. But I'm still not sold on reading Across the Universe. And I have a sneaking suspicion that I will have to do that before jumping into this one.
Andrea @ The Overstuffed Bookcase
February 13, 2012 at 7:36 pmYeah, I think you might have to read Across the Universe before picking up this one. You might be a little lost otherwise. ;)
Jen Ryland/YA Romantics
February 14, 2012 at 1:29 amThanks for visiting the blog and for your kind words :)
I also enjoyed ATU and AMS — frexing cliffhangers!!
Andrea @ The Overstuffed Bookcase
February 14, 2012 at 5:25 amYou're welcome! And thanks for stopping by here! ;)