A Million Suns by Beth Revis [Review]

3.5 out of 5 Robots!

 

A Million Suns by Beth Revis
Series: Across the Universe #2

Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi

Release:  January 10, 2012

Hardcover: 386 Pages

Publisher: Razorbill

My Copy: Purchased

Reviewer: Shannon

Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:
Godspeed was once 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. Everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed.

But there may be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to act on his vision—no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder learns shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a mystery that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier. Their success—or failure—will determine the fate of the 2,298 passengers aboard Godspeed. But with each step, the journey becomes more perilous, the ship more chaotic, and the love between them more impossible to fight.

Beth Revis catapulted readers into the far reaches of space with her New York Times bestselling debut, Across the Universe. In A Million Suns, Beth deepens the mystery 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. (Courtesy of the Publisher)

 
Shannon's Thoughts:

I'm trying to come up with a tactful way to say what I want to say, but I think there is no help for it:  I did not understand the plot.  At all.  I could follow what was happening just fine, but I couldn't help but ask, why?  The plot hinges around a secret.  Orion knows the secret.  But the once-future-leader-who-was-assumed-dead-but-wasn't-really-but-is-now-frozen-in-cryo-sleep isn't given it up easily.  He leaves Amy video clues.  He literally leads her on an scavenger hunt with video clues.  WHY?!  Why couldn't he just tell her?  What was the point of making her run around the ship, looking for clues and trying to put it all together.  I don't understand it at all.  And unfortunately, this plot device drives the entire story, which was also reminiscent of the plot of the first book.  Also, it really doesn't help that I did not like Amy at all.  I thought she was whiny and selfish. 

I did enjoy the Elder parts of the story.  He had a huge uphill battle in trying to protect the ship and always wanted to do the right thing.  For Amy, for his shipmates, for the ship itself.  But his actions have decidedly mixed results.  I was very sympathetic towards Elder.  Especially when he had to deal with Amy - haha. 

Revis is a big fan of Dramatic! Plot! Reveals!  Each one tops the last.  Sometimes I was genuinely shocked, but other times I felt like twist was stretching a bit.  Especially when a new reveal negated an earlier reveal.  I'm learning never to take anything or anyone for granted.

Over all, I didn't think this was the strongest sequel, but there were some moments that make me excited for the final book to see how it all ties together. 

Books in the series in the order they should be read:
1. Across the Universe
2. A Million Suns
3. Shades of Earth