While there are hints of romance, they are not the main focus or driver of this story.Īs far as the mystery element of the story, Across the Universe kept me guessing. But if you are among the group hoping for an epic space love story, prepare to alter your expectations. I wasn't really in this group, because I was more intrigued by the mystery element (AND THE SPACESHIP) than the potential romance. I've heard some people disappointed that there wasn't much of a romance in Across the Universe. Her slow acceptance of her unfortunate circumstance almost mirrors the stages of grief (in many ways, she is grieving), and her progression through the story was fascinating. She's a bit of a reluctant heroine in the story, as she wasn't even sure she wanted to go on this mission, and definitely didn't want to be awakened early. She questions the society that has evolved on the Godspeed, she questions the leadership of Eldest, she questions the way Elder has been conditioned to a different set of moral standards than what she believes. And by grasping those few threads, he slowly became a character I could relate to, in spite of his differences.Īmy almost acts as the voice of the reader, since she comes from a world very much like ours and wakes up in one very much not like ours.

He wants to understand everything about this ship he's supposed to run, even though he's been told it's not necessary. And he's curious, even though he's not supposed to be. He longs for connection, for understanding. He's been raised to lead his society, and it seems perfectly reasonable to him when Eldest insists that Hitler had it right. He doesn't wonder about Eldest's harsh treatment of anyone who might be a bit different. He doesn't question that most people are confined to one area of the ship.

He's been raised on a mono-ethnic society where everyone fills the role they were born into, and nothing more.

And from the first few pages describing Amy's internal conflict as she undergoes the (cringe-inducingly painful) cryogenic freezing process, I was swept up in this book.Īcross the Universe alternates narrators between Amy and Elder, and at first it took me a little while to get used to Elder's POV, because he's just so different from Amy. So I was excited for this book, which takes place in a more realistic near-future, where the technology is advanced, but not so advanced that it's almost magical. Everything has been dystopian with sci-fi elements, or fantasy with sci-fi elements. I haven't actually read a lot of YA that was purely sci-fi.

Godspeed beth revis