Book Novella Review - As They Slip Away

Title: As They Slip Away
Author: Beth Revis
Series: Across the Universe (book 0.5)
Release Date: 11th January 2013


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.  

My Review
I got this from Beth Revis' blog on a free download. If you go to Goodreads it has a link to where you can download this too.
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. 

My Rating