Synopsis
Centuries after wars nearly destroyed civilization, the islands of Galatea and Albion stand alone, a paradise where even the Reduction- the devastation brain disorder that sparked the wars- is a distant memory. Yet on Galatea, an uprising against the aristocracy has turned deadly, and the only hope is a mysterious spy known as the Wild Poppy.
On neighboring Albion, no on suspects that the Wild Poppy is actually famously frivolous teenage aristocrat Persis Blake. Her gossipy flutternotes are encrypted plans, her pampered sea mink is genetically engineered for spying, and her well-publicized new romance with handsome Galatean medic Justen Helo . . . is her most dangerous mission ever. but when Persis discovers that Justen is keeping a secret that could plunge New Pacifica into another dark age, she realizes she's not just risking her heart, she's risking the world she's sworn to protect.
Inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel, Across a Star-Swept Sea is a thrilling adventure in which nothing is as it seems and two teens must fight for a future only they dare to imagine.
Centuries after wars nearly destroyed civilization, the islands of Galatea and Albion stand alone, a paradise where even the Reduction- the devastation brain disorder that sparked the wars- is a distant memory. Yet on Galatea, an uprising against the aristocracy has turned deadly, and the only hope is a mysterious spy known as the Wild Poppy.
On neighboring Albion, no on suspects that the Wild Poppy is actually famously frivolous teenage aristocrat Persis Blake. Her gossipy flutternotes are encrypted plans, her pampered sea mink is genetically engineered for spying, and her well-publicized new romance with handsome Galatean medic Justen Helo . . . is her most dangerous mission ever. but when Persis discovers that Justen is keeping a secret that could plunge New Pacifica into another dark age, she realizes she's not just risking her heart, she's risking the world she's sworn to protect.
Inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel, Across a Star-Swept Sea is a thrilling adventure in which nothing is as it seems and two teens must fight for a future only they dare to imagine.
Loved
Loved
- The Scarlet Pimpernel vibes! Okay, I was very nervous and intrigued by this book because The Scarlet Pimpernel is literally my number one favorite book of all time. This is the first retelling of it I've ever seen, so I was very interested and very much hoping it didn't crash and burn. But it did not disappoint! It wasn't quite as witty, intense, or classically romantic as its original, but I was still impressed with how well it followed the story and its feel.
- Persis. Again, I was skeptical because Percy Blakeney is my FAVORITE. But I loved how Persis handled being a super high-tech daring spy genius while acting like she didn't have a single care in the world apart from her next incoming shipment of fabrics and gossip. Her spunk and brains at the end of the book was perfect and had me laughing outloud. I'm positive even Sir Percy Blakeney himself would have been impressed by her performance.
- The romance. I didn't like this romance nearly as much as Percy and Marguerite's, but I still really enjoyed Persis and Justen's relationship. Watching Justen see Persis as a girl with no brains or backbone was SO frustrating, but that's how it should be to stay true to The Scarlet Pimpernel. It was so satisfying how their relationship reconciles and Justen realizes she is the intelligent and brave Wild Poppy, who he so admires.
- The world. As with For Darkness Shows the Stars, I loved this dystopian world. Sometimes I avoid science fiction because I end up drowning in the science part and I'm hoping for a little more fiction- if you know what I mean. But this world has the perfect blend of original technology and science that's not overwhelming or distracting from the plot. Peterfreund's world building is thorough and creative, which creates the perfect setting for a familiar and well-loved story. **And we get cameo appearances from Kai and Elliot, which was just about the happiest thing that ever happened :)
Didn't Love
- I didn't completely fall in love with Justen like I was hoping, but I still enjoyed his character and his relationship with Persis. I do wish he had been a little more witty.
Content
- Language:
- No swearing in this story.
- Sexual content:
- A few fairly passionate kisses. In one kiss she is in a bikini sitting on his lap in the water, he holds on to her thighs, and tongue is mentioned.
- Violence:
- Since there is a revolution happening on Albion, there is much talk of physical abuse and mistreatment of aristos and others. Many mentions of people being given a drug to cause Reduction, or a brain disease that takes away much of the functioning in the brain.
- Lots of physical fights with minor injuries.
- Quite a few fights involving guns, but no one is killed.
- No swearing in this story.
- A few fairly passionate kisses. In one kiss she is in a bikini sitting on his lap in the water, he holds on to her thighs, and tongue is mentioned.
- Since there is a revolution happening on Albion, there is much talk of physical abuse and mistreatment of aristos and others. Many mentions of people being given a drug to cause Reduction, or a brain disease that takes away much of the functioning in the brain.
- Lots of physical fights with minor injuries.
- Quite a few fights involving guns, but no one is killed.
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