I received this book for free from BookExpo in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff Series: The Illuminae Files #1
Published by Knopf on October 20, 2015
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 599
Format: ARC
Source: BookExpo
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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.
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.
If there was a bigger hype monster in 2015 than ILLUMINAE by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, I don’t know of it. A quick scan of my Goodreads feed was bursting with 5-star ratings. I’m not normally one for hard-core sci-fi, but I also think I’m one of those people who DOESN’T get wary when something is super hyped. I get CURIOUS. Thankfully I was able to grab an (awesomely made) ARC at BookExpo, so that when I finally dove into it, I could hold a copy on my hands. Once I got it in my hands, I could hardly put it down for anything, even showering. I got mad that I had to go to work (kind of the norm, tbh, so EXTRA mad). I just basically had to devour it and its insane twists and clever graphics. I am all in with this series, guys. I loved ILLUMINAE.
To just look at ILLUMINAE is to maybe be a little intimidated because it’s huge. But guys. One of the BEST things about this book that’s full of the best is the structure and layout. I know, super boring place to start right? Except NO. The way this book uses chat transcripts, documents, images–it’s all amazing. There are a few times when you actually need to TURN THE BOOK to read the words. I got such a kick out of this because it was so different and interactive. LOVE.
But now to the meaty stuff: Kady, Ezra, and the computer of one of the spaceships that rescues them from their home planet of Kerenza when it’s attacked under pretty random circumstances. AIDEN, the acronym/name of the AI computer system on the Alexander. Yes. The computer is a character. Don’t mess with the AI, legit.
Kady and Ezra have a very complicated relationship, mostly because they break up within the first few pages of ILLUMINAE. I loved the tension between them that’s marked with some residual feelings that fluctuate. They each wind up on two different spaceships–Kady as a rebellious computer genius aboard the Hypatia (I think…I read this book in October) and Ezra as a pilot aboard the Alexander (or the Copernicus…see previous parenthetical disclaimer)–but learn to communicate as their situation grows more dire: Spaceships are trailing them to finish what they started in Kerenza and the ships are running out of time to escape them and they know that if they get caught everyone will die and LIVES ARE IN THE BALANCE AND IT’S SO TENSE.
Adding to the tension? A biological weapon that the bad guys–a company called BeiTech–released into the ships that causes people to gradually flip out and become paranoid and maniacal and deadly. It’s not pretty. When one of the ships becomes hopelessly contaminated with the disease, it’s AIDEN that DECIDES (YES I KNOW) to BLOW THE SHIP TO SMITHEREENS. *emoji of the eyes bugging out of your head* As much as I loved Kady and Ezra–and I loved them so much–what really made the drama for me was AIDEN. When the computer starts acting independently from its commanders is when things REALLY get bonkers. It’s the actions of AIDEN that wind up pulling your heartstrings and making you gasp, and that happens more than once.
ILLUMINAE is one of the most engrossing page-turners I can recall reading in a long time. I was on the edge of my seat reading it. I was nervous and scared and sad and angry and all the feelings. And the way it ended? DANG, AMIE AND JAY! The whole thing just, like, blows open and I’m dying for GEMINA now. Can’t recommend ILLUMINAE enough, guys. Don’t stress the hype. BUY INTO IT. THE HYPE IS REAL.
Ugh I LOVE AI that become an essential character. I really do. Something about Artificial Intelligence becoming a personality is really fun to me. Also immersive reading? Hell to the yeah. I need to pick this book up now, because all of these little things are making me excited.
This is one of the most unique reading experiences I’ve ever had! I also immersion read this monster and I love it! Hearing the different voices AND seeing the awesome graphics on the books…..priceless!
I still need to read this book! I’ve been meaning to, really, but I’ve been trying to let the hype die down just a wee bit 😉 So glad that you enjoyed it! And so intrigued (still) by the unique format they used to tell this story. I hope I enjoy it as much as you did!
I really enjoyed seeing AIDEN go rouge, as it were… it was great because people thought they had programmed this supercomputer to protect them, but didn’t understand that the way it understood protection was not “try to save everyone on the ship” but “save the maximum people possible, and maintain computer function.” It was really interesting to see the consequences of that, and watching the AI change.
Hype monster indeed! This is definitely on my wishlist. I’ve not read that many books in this genre, but it sounds so freaking good! I love the idea that it is so interactive! Thanks for the review!
I loved this one too! The hype actually got me intrigued – I would have passed it up otherwise. Really glad it lived up to it’s reputation 🙂
This sounds really interesting! It’s sitting on my shelf just waiting to be read, but like you said: the size can be intimidating. But I am excited to read it and your review made me more hyped to do so.