Thrilling Finale: SHADES OF EARTH by Beth Revis

SHADES OF EARTH (Across the Universe #3) by Beth Revis
YA Science Fiction
369 pages, hardcover
Available now (January 2013)
Publisher: Razorbill
Review copy purchased

Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship 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 CHAOS.
ALMOST HOME.

Positive: Amy and Elder. This relationship has survived racism, revolt, murder, betrayal and more but instead of crumbling, its foundations are stronger than ever, sunk deep into this new planet of theirs. Despite the introduction of the parental units as well as the military and people "like" Amy, Elder and Amy find a way to be together, to support and reassure one another.

Positive: Centauri-Earth. Close to Earth in many ways, this new planet has distinctions that set it apart. And challenges. Many, many challenges including two suns (extra radiation), "monsters" who seem unstoppable and crave human flesh and a strange glow that emanates from the very surface of the planet itself.

Positive: The ongoing mystery. Throughout this novel, multiple mysteries have engulfed Amy and Elder's attention. They've solved some but uncovered more. After the revolt and the decision of nearly 2,000 people to abandon ship for an unknown planet filled with monsters, the mysteries have only multiplied. And, oooh, there are some seriously good mysteries...that I can't tell you about without spoiling things.

Question: Why do the earthborn come out of their little sleep chambers hating the shipborn? I'm confused by this immediate racism. Just because the shipborn look different (or all the same, as the case may be) than the earthborn...there seems to be no other reason fo the earthborn to immediately look down on them as lesser. Sure, their job was to run the spaceship while it flew through the stars to their new planet, making sure the earthborn popsicles remained frozen until they reached the planet but they're still people. 

Overall: A most excellent ending to a fascinating and well-written series. I can't wait to see what Revis cooks up next!

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