The Body Electric by Beth Revis Published by Scripturient Books (10.6.2014)
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Format: Paperback, 482 pages
Source: I own it
The future world is at peace.
Ella Shepherd has dedicated her life to using her unique gift—the ability to enter people’s dreams and memories using technology developed by her mother—to help others relive their happy memories.
But not all is at it seems.
Ella starts seeing impossible things—images of her dead father, warnings of who she cannot trust. Her government recruits her to spy on a rebel group, using her ability to experience—and influence—the memories of traitors. But the leader of the rebels claims they used to be in love—even though Ella’s never met him before in her life. Which can only mean one thing…
Someone’s altered her memory.
Ella’s gift is enough to overthrow a corrupt government or crush a growing rebel group. She is the key to stopping a war she didn’t even know was happening. But if someone else has been inside Ella’s head, she cannot trust her own memories, thoughts, or feelings.
So who can she trust?
My thoughts
“Every hero I know is soaked in blood.”
WOW, Beth Revis sure is a pro at science fiction! I was utterly blown away by the world Beth created. As far as world building goes, I think this book is one of the best I’ve read! Beth had me convinced that New Venice was a real place, it was SO vivid and realistic! This movie absolutely NEEDS to be a movie asap. I was so freaking impressed with everything – the cuffLINKs, the kinetic walkway (think horizontal escalator!), the Groveyard (a graveyard made of trees where ashes are buried instead of graves and bodies!), the robots, OMG! It was amazing, guys! There aren’t enough words to explain how epic the world was. I want it to be a real place so I can visit it!
Oh, and did I mention there’s a year?! I have this really strange hangup on years. If it’s a future world and there’s no year, it drives me CRAZY. But in this book, it’s 2341! Holy crap, right? The world was so complex, and Beth explained everything with small snippets, so it was never confusing. I had a complete grasp on the world, I was able to picture it perfectly. Like I said, it was like it was a real place! There’s also a little history lesson in the back, explaining FRX (FRX! Godspeed! FANGIRLING!), the Secessionary States, and the Secessionary War. It’s incredible how much thought Beth put into New Venice and her story!
Also, I was pleasantly surprised at the random gory scenes! I didn’t expect that from a Sci-fi novel. (Well, I guess I should have – I’ve seen Beth’s panels and I know she loves blowing things up and killing her characters!) It was delightful :D *rubs hands together*
Oh, and secrets! Twists! DANGER! I loved the mystery aspect of this book too. Who is this Jack person? Why can’t Ella remember him? Who altered her memories?! And there were plenty of surprises that I didn’t see coming! View Spoiler »
There’s only one complaint I have about this book. You’ll notice in my Assessment section that my feels were fairly low. I didn’t connect to the characters quite the way I’d hoped, and I didn’t have much feeling while I was reading. (There was plenty of excitement over the world at least!) I wasn’t really on board with the romance, but thankfully it wasn’t front and center. The world took the spotlight in this book!
If you love Sci-fi, I definitely recommend you pick this one up!
Overall Assessment
Plot: 5/5
Premise: 5/5
Writing style: 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
World-building: 5/5
Pace: 4.5/5
Feels: 3.5/5
Cover: 3.5/5
Overall rating: 4.5/5
I felt the same about this book. The world and the plot where mind-blowing for me, but I wanted a lot more from the characters, and maybe a little more romance.
Oooh this book is going on my TBR. I love well-done world building!!
Uh oh, this sounds like another book for my wishlist! I don’t often read sci-fi but I’m trying to branch out more, and this sounds like just the think to help with that :)
WOOHOO! I’m so glad you loved this one too :D I also adored all the secrets and twists. Trying to figure them out was so much fun!
I agree with what you said about the feels though. I loved the plot, but I never really connected with the characters (especially on a romantic level).
OMG JESSI YOUR BLOG LOOKS AMAAAAAAZING I LOVE THE NEW LOOK SO MUCH SERIOUSLY!!
Anyhoo, I really want to read this one! I have it on my kindle but I just haven’t had the time yet–I’m so glad that you loved this book despite not fully connecting with the characters.
Loved the review! <33
THANK YOU!!! <333
I hope you love it as much as I did when you do get a chance to read it :D