Vouched Books: "Shades of Earth" by Beth Revis

Shades of Earth
Beth Revis
Publication: January 15th 2013 by Razorbill
Genre: YA Science Fiction, Dystopia

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The final book in the New York Times bestselling trilogy, perfect for fans of Battlestar Galactica and Prometheus!

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.

Fueled by lies. Ruled by chaoes. Almost home.

**Spoiler-free review**

Wow. Now Shades of Earth  is conclusion to a trilogy! I usually start the last book of a series with trepidation, not wanting that world to come to an end and because the final book rarely, if ever, lives up to my expectations. Beth Revis surpassed them in Shades of Earth. It's my favorite book of the series, by far, and that's saying a lot since I floved the first two books, Across the Universe  and A Million Suns.

There isn't much I can say without spoiling it or the series for you, and I think knowing as little possible when you go into either one would be best, so here's what you should know.

There's non-stop action—and deaths. Lots of death. My heart thudded with every chapter. My hands were sweaty at every turn, and my eyes devoured every page, every word, in less than six hours. Be prepared to be consumed, to ignore your friends and family and call for takeout (or ignore food completely).

Amy, Elder, and the citizens of Godspeed finally land on Centauri-Earth, and it was everything I was hoping for. More, actually. Beth Revis created a believable world reflecting home that is elementally advanced and pure, archaic in habit and habitat, and deeply rooted in what it means to be human. To not simply want to survive—that's animal instinct—but to thrive. To want and love something so much you'll won't let it go, whether it be freedom from metal walls, a mind-numbing drug, or an oppressive body of people.

I love how the author captured that idea from multiple facets in the series and within each book. No matter the location, the decade, or type of person, faction, or "species," people just want to live, really live. The intentions and desires were so clear. The emotions were palpable, and the character growth was fantastic! Even more, Beth Revis arcs the whole series around to the previous books. Nothing was superfluous or left unchecked and unresolved.

While I would've liked more mystery, less predictability, I couldn't be happier with how this series ended. When I closed the book, instead of feeling a little sad or even just satisfied, I felt what a rarely ever do when one says goodbye: Hope.

I highly recommend reading the Across the Universe series if you haven't already. And if you have, what are you waiting for? Pick up Shades of Earth ! You won't be disappointed. You'll get an example of the best conclusions to a series.

Oh, and if you have read the series, you might understand what this means (it's from Across the Universe, I believe). My favorite line that made me laugh and whoop for Beth Revis's brilly writing: "Have some water," I say, handing him another glass. "It'll make you feel better."

Across the Universe series	Alternate covers

Novella (PDF available for free download here)