Book review: As They Slip Away

As They Slip Away by Beth Revis

Goodreads synopsis

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.

Review

This novella was a short story that shed some light on how it was before Elder got to the Ward, before Amy woke up and back when Harley was still happily in love. It has a third POV, this time Selene's, and it's a completely different feeling. It's so normal yet so different, slightly scary but still great, and I really enjoyed reading it. It was fast and intriguing and also a little eerie and mysterious.

It shows another aspect of how people live on Godspeed, what's it like to be a Ward patient, how does it look to have school and 'sane' friends. It's so innocent yet slightly dark, and I have a feeling this will develop further. It shows Luthe in a 'new' light and it made my hair stand on edge knowing what kind of person he is.

I cannot wait to start the second book in the series. 

I really enjoyed the short interlude, showing us how the life is from a non-special view, not of a future leader or a foreigner and a freak, but rather a 'normal' inhabitant of the ship. I'd love to read more stories like this.

A great read!