Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff | Book Review
Okay so I just LOVE the Illuminae files SO SO MUCH! I had Obsidio all ready to go, then I realised that I hadn’t actually reviewed Illuminae and Gemina – the horror! I read them before I got back into my book blogging so that’s my excuse… and this way I get to re-read them!
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 20th 2015
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 599
Goodreads
This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.
The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.
But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.
BRIEFING NOTE: Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.
So the Illuminae files are not your usual type of book. They are comprised of text chat records, email correspondence, surveillance transcripts, interview transcripts and data pulled from the AI, AIDAN’s, core. It is utterly brilliant. It adds a depth to the novel that you don’t usually get. There are diagrams of the ship and little hints and tidbits throughout. You can read a lot into what you get presented with on the page if you look.
Don’t be put off by the mention of Kady’s and Ezra’s relationship – I mean it is kind of prevalent throughout but it’s an amazing story and it’s not all about the love… hah.
There’s a virus (IN SPACE. VIRUS. IN SPACE. MY JAM RIGHT THERE), and there’s space… uhhhh need I say more?!
It’s fast paced – thrilling and full of twists and turns that keep you guessing throughout!
As I’ve already said, the story it’s pieced together using testimony and documents collected by the Illuminae Group on the attack on Kerenza. It’s so clever how things are hinted at and we’re left guessing. If I’d been told before I read it how much depth could be had with a novel put together like this I wouldn’t have believed it but honestly, SO GOOD. It’s even a bit scary at times, edge of your seat stuff!
Ah the characters. Without these amazingly well developed characters I don’t think this style of story telling would have worked at all.
I love Kady so much. She’s all sass, clever as a fox, but still has qualms about doing some things. She’s not perfect – far from it. I really liked that about her. She is determined. And her and Ezra are just – sickening but amazing. I love Ezra because I think I’d hate him IRL! He’s the kind of guy I’d avoid – I’m not into guys with bravado and all that… but I do love him. He’s such a well rounded character.
AIDAN. Ah, Aidan. The AI. I don’t want to say too much as I don’t want to post any spoilers – but honestly I LOVE how AIDAN is portrayed. Very well developed!
Even the minor characters I felt attached to. Great stuff!
Okay so I think I got across my love for this book right?! Have you read it? Let me know your thoughts below! Gemina review coming soon!
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8 Comments
Illuminae is definitely a book that gets better the more you read it. I re-read it recently to psyche myself up for Obsidio and I loved it the second time around. For me, I think it helped that I listened to the audiobook because the production quality was phenomenal and it added so many extra dimensions to the story. I didn’t listen to the audiobook for Gemina but I have the one for Obsidio and I cannot wait to listen to it. It will be just as amazing!
Ohhh see I was tempted to try the audiobook but I wanted to reread it quickly. I think I’m gonna have to one day!
I was the opposite and re-read it more quickly with the audiobook.
Illuminae is such an amazing book! I love Kady and Ezra’s relationship, but my favorite character was AIDAN. For being an AI, he was so real and well-developed. He was just great! (I wanted to say more but then realized it would be spoilery so I didn’t haha.) Great review! I can’t wait to read Gemina and Obsidio! 🙂
Same! AIDAN is fascinating and I love Kady and Ezra soooo much!
I want to read this book! It sounds amazing.
It really is!! You have to pick it up <3
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