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sssunny's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I first read Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff's magnificent trilogy The Illuminae Files, and judging on how much I loved the story and characters of that trilogy, I was afraid I would compare Aurora Rising to that. Safe to say, they were incomparable and both were such good reads that once I got started it was hard to put it down.
I'm a sucker for a good sci-fi read so I was automatically dazzled by the world built by Kaufman and Kristoff, but never had I read a book with such loveable characters. The characters were definitely the defining factor that lead me to giving this novel a 5 star review, the plot itself (while still exciting) was typical to any adventure novel. I love the relationships the characters develop with each other throughout the novel and how they overcome all of their biases and self-centeredness as they bonded with the misfits they were stuck running from the galaxy with.
Overall, this book was so much fun to read and was exactly what I needed after reading thought provoking, I-should-probably-wake-up-before-I-read-this kind of novels. I needed that YA mind break and after loving Illuminae Files and reading those books three times over, Aurora Rising didn't miss. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loved Illuminae Files, and any of my fellow YA-novel-enjoyers. I definitely will read this one again!
This is just my extra little tidbit **SPOILERS**
My favorite character was Cat. Who Kaufman and Kristoff so rudely killed off right at the last 30 pages of the book and absolutely crushed me. I, myself, am a pilot and have been looking keenly into Airforce or test pilot, so I related a lot to her hot headedness and connection to the thrill of flying.
Finian was probably my second favorite character, I loved how for the longest time all you saw was his sarcastic, asshole-ness and as soon as you were able to read from his perspective you immediately felt for him and felt for his struggles.
Tyler, at first, seemed like a pretty basic and straight up character, but as the novel progressed I was invested in his transformation and I needed him to realize his love for Cat sooner!
As soon as Kal came into play when we first met him in a fight with other Aurora Legionnaires I knew I had to know more, and anytime a chapter in his POV came up I was like hell YEAH!!
While she didn't say much, Kila was so entertaining to read. She reminded me of the Bennett sister from Pride and Prejudice that didn't speak much but when she did it kind of caught everyone off guard. Also towards the end of the book when Tyler told her that while she was incredibly smart she had no social skills and Kal looked over to see Kila tearing up slightly it made my heart hurt and I was invested with the direction her character went from that point forward.
Scarlett was a total badass, and I love the way that she cared for the team in her own subtle ways making sure everyone felt recognized. I feel that she was a vital character in making the team that seemed not to fit together at all, come together in the end.
For most of the book I found myself pitying Aurora. She came off so helpless and came off as a damsel in distress and annoyed me quite a bit. In that final few chapters of the novel and Aurora finally seemed to be attempting to get control over whatever is going on with her she finally got to be an entertaining character to read and not just Kal's one-true-love.
I'm a sucker for a good sci-fi read so I was automatically dazzled by the world built by Kaufman and Kristoff, but never had I read a book with such loveable characters. The characters were definitely the defining factor that lead me to giving this novel a 5 star review, the plot itself (while still exciting) was typical to any adventure novel. I love the relationships the characters develop with each other throughout the novel and how they overcome all of their biases and self-centeredness as they bonded with the misfits they were stuck running from the galaxy with.
Overall, this book was so much fun to read and was exactly what I needed after reading thought provoking, I-should-probably-wake-up-before-I-read-this kind of novels. I needed that YA mind break and after loving Illuminae Files and reading those books three times over, Aurora Rising didn't miss. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loved Illuminae Files, and any of my fellow YA-novel-enjoyers. I definitely will read this one again!
This is just my extra little tidbit **SPOILERS**
Finian was probably my second favorite character, I loved how for the longest time all you saw was his sarcastic, asshole-ness and as soon as you were able to read from his perspective you immediately felt for him and felt for his struggles.
Tyler, at first, seemed like a pretty basic and straight up character, but as the novel progressed I was invested in his transformation and I needed him to realize his love for Cat sooner!
As soon as Kal came into play when we first met him in a fight with other Aurora Legionnaires I knew I had to know more, and anytime a chapter in his POV came up I was like hell YEAH!!
While she didn't say much, Kila was so entertaining to read. She reminded me of the Bennett sister from Pride and Prejudice that didn't speak much but when she did it kind of caught everyone off guard. Also towards the end of the book when Tyler told her that while she was incredibly smart she had no social skills and Kal looked over to see Kila tearing up slightly it made my heart hurt and I was invested with the direction her character went from that point forward.
Scarlett was a total badass, and I love the way that she cared for the team in her own subtle ways making sure everyone felt recognized. I feel that she was a vital character in making the team that seemed not to fit together at all, come together in the end.
For most of the book I found myself pitying Aurora. She came off so helpless and came off as a damsel in distress and annoyed me quite a bit. In that final few chapters of the novel and Aurora finally seemed to be attempting to get control over whatever is going on with her she finally got to be an entertaining character to read and not just Kal's one-true-love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Chronic illness, Violence, and Gun violence
Minor: Grief and Genocide
fishfinngers's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and War
rkreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Overall I enjoyed the reading experience but the plot didn't really draw me in as much as I was expecting it to. I found most of the characters interesting and enjoyable but some of the characterization felt a little overdone or forced.
I dont think everyone who like illuminae will like this also since this is much more scifi heavy and in your face but this book is great for some looking for a fun scifi with a found family / friend group/ group of misfits banding together against the odds kind of a story.
I dont think everyone who like illuminae will like this also since this is much more scifi heavy and in your face but this book is great for some looking for a fun scifi with a found family / friend group/ group of misfits banding together against the odds kind of a story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror
gonnachangethislater's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
I cringe every time the two siblings interact, I am convinced both authors are only children.
It feels like all the characters talk or think about is how hot everyone is.
There is an element of the writing style that feels like a wattpad book, that might be with how the characters speak or that scarlet adds little quips and answers questions that are completely irrelevant and I don't care about.
I was so looking forward to this book after seeing only positives about it and I like the concept and the idea of the characters but I dislike the execution.
I think had I read this at 14 I might have enjoyed it, but I am not and I didn't.
It feels like all the characters talk or think about is how hot everyone is.
There is an element of the writing style that feels like a wattpad book, that might be with how the characters speak or that scarlet adds little quips and answers questions that are completely irrelevant and I don't care about.
I was so looking forward to this book after seeing only positives about it and I like the concept and the idea of the characters but I dislike the execution.
I think had I read this at 14 I might have enjoyed it, but I am not and I didn't.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, and Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Gun violence, and Medical trauma
Minor: Alcohol, Genocide, and Gun violence
claudiamacpherson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m not usually a big fan of sci-fi, but I kept seeing this recommended on booktok so I decided to give it a try. It took me a while to get into—the writing style is very YA—but around the halfway mark I was interested. I love a good found family trope, and this book is starting to have it...though there’s definitely room for more bonding in the next books. In terms of the romantic subplots, I liked Aurora and Kal and want to see their relationship progress, but I just could not bring myself to care about Tyler and Kat. It’s not that it’s friends-to-lovers (which I’ve seen criticized on booktok), because I’ve never minded that trope...I just didn’t feel their chemistry. Maybe in the next book(s)? I wasn’t hooked enough by the book to immediately put the sequel on hold at my library, but a few months after finishing I’m still curious about what’s going to happen, so I may pick it up again.
Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the vibe of the ending): Cliffhanger! Fortunately the next one is already out, so you won’t have to wait for what happens next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Grief, Gun violence, Violence, and Vomit
Minor: Genocide
waffles's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Death of parent
whatellisreadnext's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Death, Torture, and Violence
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