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Across the Universe #2.5
As They Slip Away
Taking place on the spaceship Godspeed before Amy Martin wakes up and Elder takes leadership, this novella describes life at the Hospital during Eldest's reign. Focusing primarily on background characters, readers will see fan-favorite characters Harley, Orion, Victria, and more.
Selene is a singer on a spaceship that only values people who can provide important skills that enhance survival. As her friends—fellow "loons" in the Hospital—start to join apprenticeships to turn their skills into valuable labor, Selene is sent with a handful of other students to learn about the importance of art from the Recorder, Orion. The assignment pairs her with a young sculptor, Luthor, and their dangerous romance proves just how terrifying living trapped on a spaceship under the rule of a heartless dictator could be.
This tragic tale explores the background of a previously unknown character, linking the history of the ship and its residents to Amy and Elder, giving depth to the world of Godspeed.
Selene is a singer on a spaceship that only values people who can provide important skills that enhance survival. As her friends—fellow "loons" in the Hospital—start to join apprenticeships to turn their skills into valuable labor, Selene is sent with a handful of other students to learn about the importance of art from the Recorder, Orion. The assignment pairs her with a young sculptor, Luthor, and their dangerous romance proves just how terrifying living trapped on a spaceship under the rule of a heartless dictator could be.
This tragic tale explores the background of a previously unknown character, linking the history of the ship and its residents to Amy and Elder, giving depth to the world of Godspeed.
48 pages, ebook
First published January 11, 2013
26 people are currently reading
6800 people want to read
About the author
Beth Revis
63 books6,751 followersBeth Revis writes books. She also eats too much chocolate, wishes she could travel more, and prefers puppies to people. Beth lives in rural NC with her boys: one husband, one son, two very large puppies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 340 reviews
March 20, 2017
This was so sad... and i hate Luthor. So much.
January 19, 2013
Spoilers
This was pretty sad. It focuses on Selene and the story behind her death. I really wanted her to have a HEA because she had such a rubbish life — she wasn't close with her parents, she was classed as mental so she had to live at the hospital, her friends left her out of everything, the boy she was in love with was obsessed with someone else and the boy (Luthor) that started paying her attention was an evil creep. I didn't expect to like Selene so much, she was far more relatable than Amy, who I've never been a fan of.
When Selene and the other 'loons' were given an opportunity to work on their art, I thought at least Selene would get some happy memories getting to create and perform songs but she didn't even get that. Instead her singing was tainted by Luthor acting like a sadistic bastard. I'd forgotten that Luthor was the evil rapey fucker in Across the Universe, and I was actually shipping Luthor/Selene until he turned into a psycho. I hated that Luthor destroyed Selene so much that she stopped singing and decided to stop taking her meds and leave the hospital, so she wouldn't have to feel anything or remember what Luthor did to her. I really hated him.
Selene was a far more endearing heroine than Amy, I wish she hadn't died and had instead been the heroine of the series rather than boring Amy.
All in all, a depressing but also interesting read.
This was pretty sad. It focuses on Selene and the story behind her death. I really wanted her to have a HEA because she had such a rubbish life — she wasn't close with her parents, she was classed as mental so she had to live at the hospital, her friends left her out of everything, the boy she was in love with was obsessed with someone else and the boy (Luthor) that started paying her attention was an evil creep. I didn't expect to like Selene so much, she was far more relatable than Amy, who I've never been a fan of.
When Selene and the other 'loons' were given an opportunity to work on their art, I thought at least Selene would get some happy memories getting to create and perform songs but she didn't even get that. Instead her singing was tainted by Luthor acting like a sadistic bastard. I'd forgotten that Luthor was the evil rapey fucker in Across the Universe, and I was actually shipping Luthor/Selene until he turned into a psycho. I hated that Luthor destroyed Selene so much that she stopped singing and decided to stop taking her meds and leave the hospital, so she wouldn't have to feel anything or remember what Luthor did to her. I really hated him.
Selene was a far more endearing heroine than Amy, I wish she hadn't died and had instead been the heroine of the series rather than boring Amy.
All in all, a depressing but also interesting read.
March 5, 2013
Dočteno! A je to vážně povedené. Absolutní must-read pro všechny fanoušky téhle vesmírné trilogie. Beth Revisová se zase trošku přiblížila stylu prvního dílu, který se mi líbil nejvíc. Je to chytré, střízlivé, zajímavé... od pátku do středy si to taky budete moci přečíst česky :)
http://www.cooboo.cz/doporucujeme/a-t...
http://www.cooboo.cz/doporucujeme/a-t...
May 4, 2017
2.75/5
It was OK. I did really like knowing the background on the characters we get to know, but not quite, on the previous books. And also meeting new characters that we didn't know were so involved in the story.
At the beginning I was like: Is this person really Luthor?
And by the end I was like: Yes, that's Luthor.
Interesting, but I could live without reading it.
It was OK. I did really like knowing the background on the characters we get to know, but not quite, on the previous books. And also meeting new characters that we didn't know were so involved in the story.
At the beginning I was like: Is this person really Luthor?
And by the end I was like: Yes, that's Luthor.
Interesting, but I could live without reading it.
July 29, 2013
Asi to bude znít divně, ale líbilo se mi to mnohem víc než Loď mezi hvězdami. rozhodně zajímavý náhled na život lidi v nemocnici. rozhodně bych se chtěla dozvědět víc...
April 9, 2020
3,5.
January 20, 2021
This was interesting and as a Greek mythology nerd, the references and analogies were really cool to see in a sci-fi world. Though it does add more to the characters (especially Luthor who I hate), the side characters were ones I didn't connect with much in A Million Suns anyways and so it was hard to care much for them.
January 23, 2013
Free Novella and teasers from SHADES OF EARTH on Beth Revis's blog
Day One: Making the Grade
- Part One of The Novella
Day Two: Hypable!
- Part Two of The Novella
Day Three: YA Book Center
- Part Three of The Novella
Day Four: Secret of the Stars
- Part Four of The Novella
Day Five: Alice Marvels
- Part Five of The Novella
THE FULL VERSION: here
Day One: Making the Grade
- Part One of The Novella
Day Two: Hypable!
- Part Two of The Novella
Day Three: YA Book Center
- Part Three of The Novella
Day Four: Secret of the Stars
- Part Four of The Novella
Day Five: Alice Marvels
- Part Five of The Novella
THE FULL VERSION: here
July 16, 2014
I didn't LOVE this mini side story. But I did like learning about the sprouting of Harley's and Kayleighs relationship. It was heartbreaking to read more about Harley since his death hit me so hard. I didn't really care about the others, and that's probably why I didn't really find this short story amazing.
Still, I cried in the end. I loved how Revis ended the story.
The whole time with Luther I was like
and then when he showed his true colors
"At least I died in a song"
HARLEY AND KAYLEIGH
Still, I cried in the end. I loved how Revis ended the story.
The whole time with Luther I was like
and then when he showed his true colors
"At least I died in a song"
HARLEY AND KAYLEIGH
January 18, 2013
This was beautifully-written and sad... but wasn't long enough to have the full effect that it should have done.
February 7, 2017
Saben por un segundo creí que dirían que Luthor no siempre fue un monstruo.
February 26, 2013
This is set before the main series starts, but is definitely one for the fans. It features characters that we meet in the background of Across the Universe. Of course Harley plays a part but this mainly focuses on Selene.
Selene lives in the hospital wing where they are all classed as 'loons' those with artistic talents get put there, they are now being given a chance to enhance their skills, some may serve a purpose on the ship later, as a singer Selene knows she is pretty useless but when Luthor starts paying her attention she feels special until she sees another side of him.
I think we do meet Selene briefly in the main book when Amy goes running in the field, it was interesting to see a background story to the characters we have heard about before, it gives a whole other dimension to the book.
This story is quite sad, Selene doesn't have the best of lives and Luthor is horrible to her, we know he is dangerous but this gives a whole other angle to it.
As I love the series this is an essential read, definitely one for fans.
Selene lives in the hospital wing where they are all classed as 'loons' those with artistic talents get put there, they are now being given a chance to enhance their skills, some may serve a purpose on the ship later, as a singer Selene knows she is pretty useless but when Luthor starts paying her attention she feels special until she sees another side of him.
I think we do meet Selene briefly in the main book when Amy goes running in the field, it was interesting to see a background story to the characters we have heard about before, it gives a whole other dimension to the book.
This story is quite sad, Selene doesn't have the best of lives and Luthor is horrible to her, we know he is dangerous but this gives a whole other angle to it.
As I love the series this is an essential read, definitely one for fans.
January 19, 2013
This was a neat idea. The author of one of my favorite series released a chapter of a day of her bonus novella the week before the release of the 3rd book in the Across the Universe series. You just had to bounce around the web where she was guest-blogging to get a new chapter each day.
However ...
I hate to say ...
This read like horrible fan fiction revisiting some of the lesser characters from previous books. And of all characters I might have wanted to revisit, the insane rapist was not one of them. And I didn't care for all the teenage lovey lovey gibberish. I have to say that this book reads as if it were written by a 13-year-old fan rather than the author.
Do yourself a favor and skip this one if you're a fan of the series. But, what do I know? The 13-year-olds seem to love this one. Luckily, the 3rd book of the series is absolutely riveting no matter your age!
However ...
I hate to say ...
This read like horrible fan fiction revisiting some of the lesser characters from previous books. And of all characters I might have wanted to revisit, the insane rapist was not one of them. And I didn't care for all the teenage lovey lovey gibberish. I have to say that this book reads as if it were written by a 13-year-old fan rather than the author.
Do yourself a favor and skip this one if you're a fan of the series. But, what do I know? The 13-year-olds seem to love this one. Luckily, the 3rd book of the series is absolutely riveting no matter your age!
March 14, 2013
Z toho konce mě úplně mrazilo...
September 3, 2016
Really hated what happened to Selene and the way it ended.
September 4, 2019
Before Amy and Elder, the protagonists from the Across the Universe trilogy, there was Selene and Luthor. If you’ve read the wider series, this novella sits well between books two and three, and looks at some of the key secondary characters feeding into these stories. Godspeed is a ship whose people value a person for what they can do to enhance survival, anyone without a talent which can feed into this mindset is considered useless, perhaps even mad. Selene is a singer, a less desirable talent, and whilst all of her friends are being sent to learn new skills and ehance their usefulness, Selene is left behind with talented sculptor Luthor. If you remember Luthor from the wider series then it will come as no surprise to you that he’s a deplorable character, and we see the full extent of this in Selene’s tragic relationship with him.
The story is far too short to have any real impact, but does showcase well the lengths people will go to in order to psychologically guard themselves from abuse. Luthor’s attempted rape and the elders dismissive view of this are too much for Selene and, as she continues to decline and withdrawn further into herself she chooses to take matters into her own hands. Rather than continue on being mistreated and ignored, she stops taking the medication which prevents passengers from going mad, opting for madness instead of memory.
As They Slip Away has a consistently depressive tone, with the stark reality of Selene’s situation remaining abundantly clear throughout; it’s actually quite a difficult narrative to progress through, largely because Luthor is enough to spur on unsolicited rage in even the best of people. Equally, the plot is noticeably slower paced for a novella, but fans of Across the Universe will likely enjoy unpicking the history leading up to Amy and Elder’s story regardless.
The story is far too short to have any real impact, but does showcase well the lengths people will go to in order to psychologically guard themselves from abuse. Luthor’s attempted rape and the elders dismissive view of this are too much for Selene and, as she continues to decline and withdrawn further into herself she chooses to take matters into her own hands. Rather than continue on being mistreated and ignored, she stops taking the medication which prevents passengers from going mad, opting for madness instead of memory.
As They Slip Away has a consistently depressive tone, with the stark reality of Selene’s situation remaining abundantly clear throughout; it’s actually quite a difficult narrative to progress through, largely because Luthor is enough to spur on unsolicited rage in even the best of people. Equally, the plot is noticeably slower paced for a novella, but fans of Across the Universe will likely enjoy unpicking the history leading up to Amy and Elder’s story regardless.
May 9, 2013
Bonusová novelka, kterou jste si mohli přečíst na speciální blogtour a která je také k dostání přímo na stránkách nakladatelství CooBoo. Já se k ní pořádně dostala teprve teď, protože v době probíhající blogtour jsem nebyla v dosahu počítače a později na to čtení nějak nebyl čas. Ale protože jsem si dala předsevzetí, že dočtu všechny započaté knižní série, abych si mohla udělat konečně zářez na posteli a protože nesnáším nedokončené série, vrhla jsem se na Vesmír.
Anotace v podstatě říká vše, o co v novele jde. Podíváme se na dobu, kdy Syn ještě nepobýval s blázny v Nemocnici, ale zatím se zaučoval na polích. Potkáme tak Kayleigh, jejíž vztah s Harleym byl teprve v plenkách, ale také Bartieho, jemuž do oka padla Victrie, či podivínského Luthora. Hlavní vypravěčkou svého smutného příběhu je ovšem Seléné.
Abych pravdu řekla, novela na mě zapůsobila daleko víc než celý druhý díl, který se autorce opravdu nepovedl. Možná je to i dáno stylem vyprávění a konečným dopadem a osudovostí. Pořádně sympatizovat tak můžete akorát se Seléné, která okolí vnímá po svém a také po svém popisuje, co se děje.
Velká škoda, že se Revis rozhodla zbavit takové Kayleigh, mohla být v samotné trilogii velice zajímavou postavou, totéž platí i o Harleym, jehož čas také nadešel mnohem dřív, než měl. Tak trochu jsem očekávala, že se autorka spíše rozhodne sepsat novelu o Orionovi, aby nám tak osvětlila hromadu nevysvětlených a hloupě "tajemných" věcí, ale místo toto si vybrala dívku, jejíž život skončil dřív, než vůbec pořádně začal.
Celkově jde o poměrně příjemnou jednohubku, která ve vás zanechá mírný smutek, ale nijak extra vás neovlivní. Sama jsem zvědavá, jak celá trilogie skončí, jelikož se mi zdá, že Revis v některých věcech nemůže být průhlednější. A to je i u young adult žánru docela problém. Jako by si ukousla větší scifi dystopické sousto, než dokáže zvládnout a na příběhu je to citelně poznat.
-------------Reakce po dočtení knihy------------
Mnohem lepší, procítěnější a poutavější, než celý druhý díl (protože ten byl hodně nepovedený). Uvidíme, jak nakonec celá série dopadne. I když jestli se mi potvrdí můj předpoklad, je Revis docela mizerná vypravěčka.
Anotace v podstatě říká vše, o co v novele jde. Podíváme se na dobu, kdy Syn ještě nepobýval s blázny v Nemocnici, ale zatím se zaučoval na polích. Potkáme tak Kayleigh, jejíž vztah s Harleym byl teprve v plenkách, ale také Bartieho, jemuž do oka padla Victrie, či podivínského Luthora. Hlavní vypravěčkou svého smutného příběhu je ovšem Seléné.
Abych pravdu řekla, novela na mě zapůsobila daleko víc než celý druhý díl, který se autorce opravdu nepovedl. Možná je to i dáno stylem vyprávění a konečným dopadem a osudovostí. Pořádně sympatizovat tak můžete akorát se Seléné, která okolí vnímá po svém a také po svém popisuje, co se děje.
Velká škoda, že se Revis rozhodla zbavit takové Kayleigh, mohla být v samotné trilogii velice zajímavou postavou, totéž platí i o Harleym, jehož čas také nadešel mnohem dřív, než měl. Tak trochu jsem očekávala, že se autorka spíše rozhodne sepsat novelu o Orionovi, aby nám tak osvětlila hromadu nevysvětlených a hloupě "tajemných" věcí, ale místo toto si vybrala dívku, jejíž život skončil dřív, než vůbec pořádně začal.
Celkově jde o poměrně příjemnou jednohubku, která ve vás zanechá mírný smutek, ale nijak extra vás neovlivní. Sama jsem zvědavá, jak celá trilogie skončí, jelikož se mi zdá, že Revis v některých věcech nemůže být průhlednější. A to je i u young adult žánru docela problém. Jako by si ukousla větší scifi dystopické sousto, než dokáže zvládnout a na příběhu je to citelně poznat.
-------------Reakce po dočtení knihy------------
Mnohem lepší, procítěnější a poutavější, než celý druhý díl (protože ten byl hodně nepovedený). Uvidíme, jak nakonec celá série dopadne. I když jestli se mi potvrdí můj předpoklad, je Revis docela mizerná vypravěčka.
January 13, 2013
It was so great to get to read this and step back into this world for just a moment. It was also really interesting to see the world from Selene's perspective - and see a different side of Harley and to meet some of the characters of the the story we didn't know.
Luther. That guy STILL sucks, though.
Luther. That guy STILL sucks, though.
February 5, 2016
A great little extra addition to the series. It's Selene's story for the most part but also provides a bit of background on Elder's other friends as well. (Would recommend reading after A MILLION SUNS.)
July 24, 2015
BETH REVIS IS THE BEST!
I need a re-read!
I need a re-read!
January 23, 2013
So sad, and so effective. Mournful, and lonely. Beth Revis, why must you tear my heart out?
August 7, 2013
As They Slip Away (Across the Universe, #0.5) So creepy I don't even know if I want to read the rest of the series...
January 17, 2014
Read the review on my blog:
http://thaliasbooks.tumblr.com/post/7...
http://thaliasbooks.tumblr.com/post/7...
August 17, 2017
Después de tanto tiempo he decidido cerrar ciclos y es tiempo de terminar con la trilogía de Across the universe y que mejor que con esta pequeña historia que se centra en el personaje de Selene antes de que despertara nuestra protagonista principal, Amy, y a pesar de que no quiero decir mucho ya que sería spoiler, me ha gustado bastante volver a encontrarme con esta distopía tan genial que ha creado la autora, en especial este libro me lleno de ternura y cariño hacia algunos personajes pero sobre todo por Selene pero sobre todo me dejo lleno de miedo y temor al conocer su fatídico destino y la causa del mismo, espero no me decepcione la última parte porque estoy con el hype a todo lo que da, así que aquí vamos…
February 2, 2019
Żałuję, że tak długo zwlekałam z przeczytaniem tej książki. Jest to naprawdę świetny dodatek do trylogii, którą przeczytałam kilka miesięcy temu, więc nie mogłam wychwycić wszystkich nawiązań.
Nowelka jest napisana lekkim językiem, więc śmiało można ją czytać w oryginale, nawet jeśli nie jesteśmy jakoś super obyci z tym językiem.
Nowelka jest napisana lekkim językiem, więc śmiało można ją czytać w oryginale, nawet jeśli nie jesteśmy jakoś super obyci z tym językiem.
February 12, 2019
This was a nice story but it didn't add much to the story, just confirmed how crazy Luthor was.
May 18, 2021
Reading this made me aware of how much I missed this series. It was a pleasure to see Harley again, what a precious character.
Selene's story was sad, and I hated Luthor.
Selene's story was sad, and I hated Luthor.
February 23, 2013
I recommend As They Slip Away.
...poor Selene. Although this e-novella proved just how deranged Luthor is.
And I did learn something about Victria, Bartie, Kayleigh, and Harley. Why they acted the way they did in Across the Universe and A Million Suns. It made me realized how Elder's friends are still human regardless of the effects of Godspeed and Eldest's rule among them.
I saw how their friendships were before it fell apart, through Selene's eyes, who felt like an outsider among them. I miss Harley. :( I kind of liked Kayleigh. And Bartie is not that bad, he's actually cool back then. Victria is a little bit complicated. Luthor... what a waste of talent and friendship, but deranged is deranged.
Now I'm excited on how Shades of Earth will be after reading this. I hope it will be phenomenal. :D
...poor Selene. Although this e-novella proved just how deranged Luthor is.
And I did learn something about Victria, Bartie, Kayleigh, and Harley. Why they acted the way they did in Across the Universe and A Million Suns. It made me realized how Elder's friends are still human regardless of the effects of Godspeed and Eldest's rule among them.
I saw how their friendships were before it fell apart, through Selene's eyes, who felt like an outsider among them. I miss Harley. :( I kind of liked Kayleigh. And Bartie is not that bad, he's actually cool back then. Victria is a little bit complicated. Luthor... what a waste of talent and friendship, but deranged is deranged.
Now I'm excited on how Shades of Earth will be after reading this. I hope it will be phenomenal. :D
Read
May 28, 2013was pretty good, had some nice insight into characters i'm seeing in A Million Suns....i didn't remember much from the first one.....more of it came back to me when i started reading the second book....
there were some MAJOR formatting issues....and throughout the book, the wall food is referred to as a meast pasty.....i thought that was a paste-like meat substance, but in the seconf book, it's a meat pastRy....pastry makes much more sense....there was a line break every 2 lines, whether it was a new paragraph or not, spaces before apostrophes and spaces before and after quote marks...i have a feeling that i somehow got an arc or rough draft.....my friend let me read hers, so i didn't have to pay for it...but if i had, payed for it, i would have asked for my money back. i'm REALLy hoping that this was a first draft of the book!
also, throughout the book, the author uses further, and all but 2 instances should have been fArther! -which she gets right in the second book....so maybe there was no copy editor on this book? do novellas have copy editors?
anyone else that has read this, and purchased it yourself, was it normal, or were there line breaks every 2 lines? did you have meat pasties, or meat pastries?
there were some MAJOR formatting issues....and throughout the book, the wall food is referred to as a meast pasty.....i thought that was a paste-like meat substance, but in the seconf book, it's a meat pastRy....pastry makes much more sense....there was a line break every 2 lines, whether it was a new paragraph or not, spaces before apostrophes and spaces before and after quote marks...i have a feeling that i somehow got an arc or rough draft.....my friend let me read hers, so i didn't have to pay for it...but if i had, payed for it, i would have asked for my money back. i'm REALLy hoping that this was a first draft of the book!
also, throughout the book, the author uses further, and all but 2 instances should have been fArther! -which she gets right in the second book....so maybe there was no copy editor on this book? do novellas have copy editors?
anyone else that has read this, and purchased it yourself, was it normal, or were there line breaks every 2 lines? did you have meat pasties, or meat pastries?
June 27, 2015
I recently read Across the Universe and although I really like it one of my critiques was that it didn't really explore the society. So I was hoping that this book would address that and give us more layers to work it. Now I must say that even though I liked this book I don’t think that it was up to the job in that aspect.
This book tells us the story us Selena, a singer that lived on the Hospital before Elder and that Amy met briefly in Across the Universe. It was a sad story because from the very first line you knew that she would die.
Through her eyes we get to know a little more about the characters that live in the Hospital, inclusive Harley’s girlfriend that by the time of the first book was already dead.
I really don’t have much to say about this one. It doesn't tell you anything of importance to the plot it just show you how Harley was before he lost his girlfriend, how mental Luther is (not a big surprise there) and it tells you the really, really sad story of Selena.
I think that the book although engaging and able to make you fell for the character didn’t took the chance to try to make more connections to the main plotline nor assumed the risk of trying to take a stand on its one.
This book tells us the story us Selena, a singer that lived on the Hospital before Elder and that Amy met briefly in Across the Universe. It was a sad story because from the very first line you knew that she would die.
Through her eyes we get to know a little more about the characters that live in the Hospital, inclusive Harley’s girlfriend that by the time of the first book was already dead.
I really don’t have much to say about this one. It doesn't tell you anything of importance to the plot it just show you how Harley was before he lost his girlfriend, how mental Luther is (not a big surprise there) and it tells you the really, really sad story of Selena.
I think that the book although engaging and able to make you fell for the character didn’t took the chance to try to make more connections to the main plotline nor assumed the risk of trying to take a stand on its one.
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