The Body Electric

I stumbled onto this standalone Sci-Fi thriller by Beth Revis, and found myself hooked from the first page to the very last, uncovering the mysteries it held.First thing that jumps out to me is the super fast pacing of this book: the chapters are short (usually 3-4 pages on my e-reader) and intriguing end of chapter cliffhangers and hooks had me reading ‘one more chapter’ quite a bit and kept the plot moving through it’s many twists and turns (and there are a lot, nothing is what it first seems). There’s a bunch of foreshadowing and even though I had hunches, I was blown away by some of the reveals and felt rewarding when I got to them.For the setting, it takes place in Malta, several centuries in the future and two decades after the Secessionary War, the bloodiest war in history. Malta and New Venice are vivid futuristic settings (for the most part, some of the setting in the second half was muddled here and there) and I could feel like I was in both the real life New Venice and the reveries, experiencing what the protagonist, Ella, was feeling. At first, New Venice seems like a dream come true, but slowly reveals the wool over your eyes and was well done. Though I thought it was interesting to have Ella talk about the Azure Window being destroyed in the war, since it got destroyed in 2017 (2 1/2 years after release). The science and technology was complex and developed, yet simple enough for me to follow along. It dealt with nanobots and androids and reverie dream worlds, all to answer the question of what makes someone human. It also deals with the concept of war and peace, and where the line blurs between the two.I connected to the characters; all of them were fleshed out and I felt differently about almost all of them by the end as their motives revealed themselves. Ella was easy to connect to as she’s trying to take care of her mother after her father was killed by terrorists, and she’s plunged into the plot after trying to help her mother a bit more. Ella takes an active role in what’s going on around her, and trying to discover what’s the truth and what’s a lie. I especially felt her in the second half of the story.The romance feels a bit under baked; it could have been slowed down a bit more, though I understand in the small time frame and other factors, it sorta works. Though I was a bit disappointed that the narrative included the “romance=proof of life” cliche. The ending to me, while fitting and satisfying, felt incomplete to me. I wish there was a little more to it.If you’re looking for some fast paced Sci-Fi, this is a must! And I’ll take a look at Revis’ other works, including the Across the Universe series.

Sliding into Revis' new book, The Body Electric, was as smooth and easy as her previous novels (and indeed, this is set in the same universe). Adults will likely recognize the "Stepford Wives" inspired story as well as the numerous Philip K. Dick influences (Bladerunner, Total Recall). But those not old enough to see a movie in the 1970s-1980s will find this a fun novel with enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested. Revis stays true to her trademark strong female protagonist and gentle romance.Story: Several hundred years in the future, Ella lives on Malta in a City grown from the ashes of a devastating war. Her parents are brilliant scientists but one died in an accident and the other is succumbing to a disease staved off only by the use of nanobots. She spends her day working at a spa that helps people recreate their favorite memories through dreams. When she enters a person's dream, something no one has been able to do before, her world will be thrown into chaos as everything she has ever known about herself will become a lie.Revis has a beautiful writing style that draws a reader in from page one. The story moves nicely and the reveals allowed to happen organically. There are enough twists and turns to make the book distinct, though admittedly quite a few were obvious and predictable. But it made for a compelling read. I do still wish we didn't have to have the cackling 'evil' unmasked at the end so he/she can tell us all about her evil plans.I did like most of the characters. Ella is a strong minded/willed lead who will have to navigate quite a few hardships as she finds out more about herself. Love interest Jack is bland and predictable but likeable. He honestly doesn't factor much into the story, though, despite being in many scenes.There are several somewhat annoying logic holes but not enough to deter reading. Readers of Revis' previous series will appreciate the reference in The Body Electric to the "Titanic of the Stars" ship called Godspeed. And since this is in the same style, this is a good fit for those that liked the Across the Universe books.This is a stand alone story. I look forward to her next book and hope it will be set in the same world.Reviewed from an E-copy provided by the publisher.

Very Nice!Actual Rating- A whooping 3.5 Stars!Welcome to New Venice, the first good thing to come of the Secessionary War!A war decimated the world. The survivors came together and thus began the formation of The Unified Countries.There is One government. There is a new civilization hub, New Venice.New Venice is where all the great scientific advancements are made, they are in essence the utopian society...on the outside.On the Inside, Treachery abounds and Terrorist arise...or so it seems.Can War ever really end?"The thing you have to remember." [she] continues with a far-distant look in her eyes, "Is that in the end, all war does is kill people.""It reminds me; the war is never over. We can't stop fighting."Except, what is a utopian society fighting?Ella one day, visits the groveyard (A sort of Graveyard, personally this idea to me was brilliant! Read to find out what I mean.)In the Groveyard, she meets a young man, she does not recognize him, but he recognizes her and warns her against the very people she trusts with her life. Why should she listen to him?"Someone's made you forget me, Ella" [he] says sadly.But who could possibly exert such power to wipe a single person from her mind?You guessed my answer- Read to find out :POkay my opinion- I actually enjoyed this book quiet a bit.I love a futuristic dystopia and this author has one superb imagination,I mean Reverie Mental Spa? Hebb's Disease? CuffLINK?That's awesome!It lost a few points to me because i felt like it was a bit repetitive in terms of the character's actions. Also, while I know technically she couldn't help it, but treating a person who continually saves your life like crap, isn't going to make you very liked! *clears throat*There is a bit of a romance, I don't know why...I fully expected this to be a full blown romantic love fest. It wasn't. The Romance while it's there, it's actually pretty minimal and I actually felt slightly disappointed that there wasn't more of it...I know. Me saying that? that's crazy!However, I think this is worth a read, the world-building is stunning and its just a very creative book.Plot twists are continuous and not easy to guess! So that's great!Stay awesome!-The Book HeraldTweet me @thebookherald

Love the way Ms Bevis explores interesting delimas re government and power in the midst of a teen romance. This book had me reading day and night as did her previous books, but the ideas she explored have been rolling around in my head ever since. Do yourself a favour and read it.

Que c'est agréable de retrouver l'écriture de Beth Revis ! La trilogie across the universe est une de mes préférées et j'ai vraiment aimé l'histoire d'Ella ! Un personnage avec un caractère fort et beaucoup d'impulsivité, ce qui m'a parfois agacé, mais les plot twist et l'intrigue sont au top !Encore j'en fois, un très bon moment de lecture.

The Cover is stunning and that's what captured me first...Well, I have to say that this is the very first time that I'm completely in love with the flawless perfection of a book cover and, at the same time, I'm utterly in love with the story behind that beautiful cover...Thanks, Beth Revis. This is the first book of yours that I've ever read but certainly it will be the start of a series...Okay, I was really intrigued by the set of this novel. I mean the city of New Venice as a reconstruction of the real Venice in Italy because it happens that I'm Italian and I live in Padua, a town near Venice and I know the ancient city pretty well and it was nice to read how the author described it. Anyway, I was completely captured by the plot of the story and I think this is a very good material for a great movie... and as an hopeless romantic I loved the way the author pictured Jack and his undefeated love for Ella.

The First half was amazing but later it became confused. Ella is often too frantic and androids with a soul and individuality ?? I prefer Data in Star Trek