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dembury's review against another edition
5.0
After reading this?
“I am not what I once was.”
I was expecting a LOT from this finale, given how utterly thrilling and heart-pounding the first two books were. The characters have come a long way, the stakes are high, and it all comes down to this final story. Did it deliver? Almost totally. While I don't think "Obsidio" was quite as creatively twisty as its predecessors, it does bring those familiar emotional punches and fast-paced action scenes. I think its biggest flaw is the introduction of Rhys and Asha, the new "duo". Because their POVs are split between a fairly big cast of older characters, I just don't feel like readers got enough time to get to know (and therefore care) about them. Don't get me wrong, they're likeable characters but their development, both personally and their relationship, is kind of shoved to the side as bigger actions take place.
All that being said, I had a BLAST reading this! I was on the verge of giving this 4-stars but changed my mind because it was so difficult to tear myself away from it. I think because I was so invested in the story at this point, Kaufman and Kristoff could have written the finale on a napkin and I would still have loved reading it. There were a lot of serious moments discussing war and what war does to people, and I'm glad those conversations weren't glossed over. Additionally, I really enjoyed seeing the Files come together- thought that formatting was super creative.
I will undoubtedly be rereading this trilogy in the future. It is one of the smartest, funniest, and most creative sci-fi series I've read, and I can't wait for more from these authors.
“I am not what I once was.”
I was expecting a LOT from this finale, given how utterly thrilling and heart-pounding the first two books were. The characters have come a long way, the stakes are high, and it all comes down to this final story. Did it deliver? Almost totally. While I don't think "Obsidio" was quite as creatively twisty as its predecessors, it does bring those familiar emotional punches and fast-paced action scenes. I think its biggest flaw is the introduction of Rhys and Asha, the new "duo". Because their POVs are split between a fairly big cast of older characters, I just don't feel like readers got enough time to get to know (and therefore care) about them. Don't get me wrong, they're likeable characters but their development, both personally and their relationship, is kind of shoved to the side as bigger actions take place.
All that being said, I had a BLAST reading this! I was on the verge of giving this 4-stars but changed my mind because it was so difficult to tear myself away from it. I think because I was so invested in the story at this point, Kaufman and Kristoff could have written the finale on a napkin and I would still have loved reading it. There were a lot of serious moments discussing war and what war does to people, and I'm glad those conversations weren't glossed over. Additionally, I really enjoyed seeing the Files come together- thought that formatting was super creative.
I will undoubtedly be rereading this trilogy in the future. It is one of the smartest, funniest, and most creative sci-fi series I've read, and I can't wait for more from these authors.
fatimareadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The Illuminae Files will forever go down as one of my all-time favorite trilogies! Seriously, no series has ever put my heart under this much stress. It had everything — from the best ensemble of characters to an exhilarating, action-packed plot riddled with twists and turns. Words aren’t enough to explain how much I loved these books! <3 I’m sad that this ride has come to an end, but it sure was an unforgettable one.
dani_lozano's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
mllejoyeuxnoel's review against another edition
5.0
(I was gifted with an ARC from a friend who simply thought I would enjoy it.)
Oh, wow. If you're a fan of the first two, you're going to absolutely love this one. It was my favorite of the three. I laughed out loud more times than I could count, and I definitely cried at the end. So many twists, as usual with Kaufman and Kristoff! Couldn't have asked for a more satisfying conclusion to the most uniquely-told story I've ever read. Five stars and then some. Golly gee, I hope they write more books together in this same style. I would be hella on board.
PS. I'm a little devastated that we won't get any more books featuring one of my favorite characters ever, AIDEN. Guess I'll just have to reread the entire series again! :D
Oh, wow. If you're a fan of the first two, you're going to absolutely love this one. It was my favorite of the three. I laughed out loud more times than I could count, and I definitely cried at the end. So many twists, as usual with Kaufman and Kristoff! Couldn't have asked for a more satisfying conclusion to the most uniquely-told story I've ever read. Five stars and then some. Golly gee, I hope they write more books together in this same style. I would be hella on board.
PS. I'm a little devastated that we won't get any more books featuring one of my favorite characters ever, AIDEN. Guess I'll just have to reread the entire series again! :D
drridareads's review against another edition
3.0
Miracles are statistical improbabilities.
So I read this book two months ago but didn't write a review... And now I don't remember much. I remember this book being exciting yet repetitive. And I didn't like the new hetrerosexual duo much. I do however still love AIDAN, the most original character from this series.
EVERY STORY NEEDS ITS VILLAIN. AND ITS HERO. AND ITS MONSTER.
Overall I'm glad I read this series; it was exciting, I loved the format and the art. And AIDAN
--------------------------------------
When stupid uni work makes you read slow
So I read this book two months ago but didn't write a review... And now I don't remember much. I remember this book being exciting yet repetitive. And I didn't like the new hetrerosexual duo much. I do however still love AIDAN, the most original character from this series.
EVERY STORY NEEDS ITS VILLAIN. AND ITS HERO. AND ITS MONSTER.
Overall I'm glad I read this series; it was exciting, I loved the format and the art. And AIDAN
--------------------------------------
When stupid uni work makes you read slow
courtney_saba's review against another edition
4.0
Oh, damn this was good! Overall: 4.4 stars.
What a finale! Again, these authors know what they're doing. I was never bored, and I was entertained as all hell.
The final chapter of this series was written well. The characters had their jobs and fulfilled them well. The plot and progression were graceful. I was very satisfied with the ending and the tying up of loose ends.
I never thought I would absolutely love an insane AI, but that's exactly what happened. And they brought him back in style and further questionable madness. So good!
I have to say though that the first book was the best overall. I loved that our characters finally came together on the same page and interacted with each other, but there was something intensely terrifying and anxiety-inducing about the first book that made me love it more than the others. This was a solid and outstanding addition and finale, but sometimes it dragged just a little.
Would I re-read this? Probably not. But it's definitely on a favorites shelf.
Would I recommend this book/trilogy? Absolutely!! It was non-stop action and fast-paced, and I couldn't put the book down.
Was I entertained? So much. Finally, a YA book to cut through my jaded attitude on the YA genre. Well done.
Happy reading, Goodreads fiends!
What a finale! Again, these authors know what they're doing. I was never bored, and I was entertained as all hell.
The final chapter of this series was written well. The characters had their jobs and fulfilled them well. The plot and progression were graceful. I was very satisfied with the ending and the tying up of loose ends.
I never thought I would absolutely love an insane AI, but that's exactly what happened. And they brought him back in style and further questionable madness. So good!
I have to say though that the first book was the best overall. I loved that our characters finally came together on the same page and interacted with each other, but there was something intensely terrifying and anxiety-inducing about the first book that made me love it more than the others. This was a solid and outstanding addition and finale, but sometimes it dragged just a little.
Would I re-read this? Probably not. But it's definitely on a favorites shelf.
Would I recommend this book/trilogy? Absolutely!! It was non-stop action and fast-paced, and I couldn't put the book down.
Was I entertained? So much. Finally, a YA book to cut through my jaded attitude on the YA genre. Well done.
Happy reading, Goodreads fiends!
aftaerglows's review against another edition
4.0
so i became emotionally attached to all of them, and what about it?
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
5.0
I want to write this review now, with the tears still rolling down my cheeks and my heart still racing in my chest. This last book gave me something I didn't know I would get, but that also left a very deep impact on me: It showed how ugly, inhuman, harsh and brutal war is, on both sides. Because most of the armies always consist of innocent people who are just trying to stay alive.
The last book in the series wraps up everything rather nicely. It fills in the gaps, it really finishes the story and it delivers a very satisfying conclusion. Once again the book proves how smart it is, how intelligent the plot is, how clever everything is thought out. Hints that were dropped in the first books, are finally unfolded in this one. Everything comes together and everything is explained.
And once again, the plot proves to be very smart and clever in general. Even though, after the first two books, it was not that unexpected and surprising anymore. I wasn't expecting anything less but the smartest possible strategies from our heroes.
Because those books, those three stories, were more than just a story about a war and how it ends. It's a story about the strength of humans whenever it's needed. It's a story about ordinary humans, like you an me, rising up to be more than they ever thought they could be. It's about people beating the odds, about fighting judgement, about fighting resistance. It's a book about living a life worth dying for.
And it's a book about an AI that I love and hate at the same time, that makes me laugh and makes me cry. An AI that can't touch, or love, but does so anyway. An AI that makes that much of an impression that he will stay with me, for ever. Because what's not alive, can never die.
The last book in the series wraps up everything rather nicely. It fills in the gaps, it really finishes the story and it delivers a very satisfying conclusion. Once again the book proves how smart it is, how intelligent the plot is, how clever everything is thought out. Hints that were dropped in the first books, are finally unfolded in this one. Everything comes together and everything is explained.
And once again, the plot proves to be very smart and clever in general. Even though, after the first two books, it was not that unexpected and surprising anymore. I wasn't expecting anything less but the smartest possible strategies from our heroes.
Because those books, those three stories, were more than just a story about a war and how it ends. It's a story about the strength of humans whenever it's needed. It's a story about ordinary humans, like you an me, rising up to be more than they ever thought they could be. It's about people beating the odds, about fighting judgement, about fighting resistance. It's a book about living a life worth dying for.
And it's a book about an AI that I love and hate at the same time, that makes me laugh and makes me cry. An AI that can't touch, or love, but does so anyway. An AI that makes that much of an impression that he will stay with me, for ever. Because what's not alive, can never die.