Review: The Body Electric by Beth Revis

The Body Electric
by Beth Revis
Published by Scripturient Books
Ebook (received from publisher via NetGalley)
YA, sci-fi

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?  

The Body Electric was one of the books I just had to have and I was so excited about it. However, it turned out to be quite different from what I had imagined it to be from various snippets Revis has given. It's not neccessarily a bad thing, especially since I did enjoy the story greatly. It took me some time to warm up to the story and I struggled little while doing it. Although when the plot and action really kicked in, I was thrilled and devoured the story. There was some slow points but mostly after the beginning the story was fast paced and I was into it.

 

When it comes to characters, I didn't really connect with the main character, Ella, even though I really wanted to. She was smart and intriguing and I liked how much she cared for her parents, and how independent she was. However, for all that she was smart, her actions were quite foolish at times. When it seemed like she would do something - mostly the thing that would be smart thing to do - she went and did the opposit, especially when it didn't even make any sense! Her character developement was slow and almost nonexisted until the very end, and that's when I really started liking her. Other characters were intriguing and I connected better with them - well, with Jack and even Ms. White. The character dynamic between them was also one thing I liked and made the story even better. The mystery in the story was captivating and kept me guessing during the whole story. It was surprising what truly had happened, and I was glad that the suspension lasted through the book.

The world building was one of the things I absolutely loved. And the setting! Blurb didn't give the setting away and I expected it to be somewhere in America where most YA sci-fi/dystopia books takes place. The Body Electric takes place in Malta. I was so glad when it came up and Revis did good descriping the colourful island - I've been there before and it felt just as magical as when I was there. Also I can't give large enough shoutout for the book taking place somewhere outside of America. It was so perfect. The world building was the best thing in the book, I think. There was history, the current situation, some politics and hints of future. It was so good! Definitely worth to read just based on the world building (and setting).

Overall, I enjoyed the story, and even though Ella and I didn't get along a lot, I liked other characters. I confess that some of the science part in this book went so over my head that I just accepted what was given. The last part of the story felt a little hurried and some things weren't explained as well as I would have liked them, but overall it was very good, enjoyable story. I do recommend to everyone who likes young adult science fiction (and amazing world building and setting that's not America).

4 of 5 stars.

The Body Electric on Goodreads.

Thank you, Scripturient Books, for giving me a chance to read and review The Body Electric!

(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)