Scan barcode
alexa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Death, and Child death
kathrynleereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Obsidio, by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, is nothing less than an insane, never-ending, occasionally deadly emotional rollercoaster that you never want to get off.
I read this book in a little under 48 (stressful) hours.
Not only are you introduced to a third cast of lovable characters led by Asha, Rhys, Katya, and Oshiro, but you also have to worry about the original squad from the Alexander/Hypatia/Heimdall/Mao.
This book (as well as the two preceding it) had me laughing, crying, cursing, and just about everything else you can imagine.
The plot raced by, the parallel storylines on Kerenza and on the Mao fitting together seamlessly. There were plenty of twists, some of which were surprising, others that weren't (but that usually covered for bigger twists).
The characters, both old and new, kicked-ass like never before.
Isaac Grant became an unexpected favorite of mine. I love the found family trope, and I think this is the first book where that found family included an actual parent.
I loved how effortlessly he swished them all under his parental wing, while still making sure each of them knew that he recognized and was proud of their specific strengths.
My ultimate favorite character, not just in Obsidio, but throughout the entire Illuminae Files trilogy, is still AIDAN.
There's morally grey, and then there's logically evil. Each and every time he commits genocide (because, yes, there are multiple times), he lays out the logic behind it, plain and simple.
And he's not wrong. Does that justify killing thousands of people? Of course not. But watching him learn and grow from "it" to "him" was amazingly interesting to read.
Plus, evil or not, without AIDAN's actions, this series would have ended a loooong time ago.
If you haven't read the Illuminae Files, do yourself a favor and go get them now. You won't be sorry.
I read this book in a little under 48 (stressful) hours.
Not only are you introduced to a third cast of lovable characters led by Asha, Rhys, Katya, and Oshiro, but you also have to worry about the original squad from the Alexander/Hypatia/Heimdall/Mao.
This book (as well as the two preceding it) had me laughing, crying, cursing, and just about everything else you can imagine.
The plot raced by, the parallel storylines on Kerenza and on the Mao fitting together seamlessly. There were plenty of twists, some of which were surprising, others that weren't (but that usually covered for bigger twists).
The characters, both old and new, kicked-ass like never before.
Isaac Grant became an unexpected favorite of mine. I love the found family trope, and I think this is the first book where that found family included an actual parent.
I loved how effortlessly he swished them all under his parental wing, while still making sure each of them knew that he recognized and was proud of their specific strengths.
My ultimate favorite character, not just in Obsidio, but throughout the entire Illuminae Files trilogy, is still AIDAN.
There's morally grey, and then there's logically evil. Each and every time he commits genocide (because, yes, there are multiple times), he lays out the logic behind it, plain and simple.
And he's not wrong. Does that justify killing thousands of people? Of course not. But watching him learn and grow from "it" to "him" was amazingly interesting to read.
Plus, evil or not, without AIDAN's actions, this series would have ended a loooong time ago.
If you haven't read the Illuminae Files, do yourself a favor and go get them now. You won't be sorry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Gun violence, Slavery, Child death, Gore, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Death, Torture, and Genocide
Moderate: Body horror and Blood
Minor: Alcohol, Cursing, Mental illness, and Ableism
itsbumley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Slavery, Suicide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, War, Confinement, Child death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Murder, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Death, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, and Genocide
jessi_c's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Just like AIDAN, story began to stretch wide btwn all the existing and new players in the war. Was initially concerned how much of the present day would be interwoven, but was relieved that the last installment largely remained true to the files format. Largest found family I have grown fond of to date.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Gun violence, Police brutality, Blood, Murder, Violence, Death, Genocide, War, and Suicide
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Minor: Terminal illness and Bullying
sup3r_xn0va_maya's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
Obsidio is the third book in the illuminae Files series by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. I really enjoyed the journey that we went on to uncover the rest of the story with the Betech corporation attacking the mining planet Kerenza IV and the Heimdal jump station.
One thing that really bothered me was the argument that kept getting used by the soldiers to justify their actions. Various soldiers and even characters who weren't planet side were basically saying that the citizens of Kerenza IV deserved what was happening to them (they were being starved, murdered, and sexually harassed by the soldiers) because they were there on the planet holding an illegal mining operation in the first place. That' is a BS argument and justification and I wanted to scratch my eyes out every time I heard someone say "but the citizens were here illegally anyways."
The book is long ending at 615 pages and there were some parts that seemed to drag on and on. I honestly don't think the story could have been any shorter because we would have ended up not getting certain information that was vital to the story. I understand why it was as long as it was, I just needed the boring parts to not be so boring.
Overall this book did not disappoint. This was an action packed sci fi and I'm happy I read the series. I give this 5 out of 5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I listened to this audiobook for free on Libbyapp.com
One thing that really bothered me was the argument that kept getting used by the soldiers to justify their actions. Various soldiers and even characters who weren't planet side were basically saying that the citizens of Kerenza IV deserved what was happening to them (they were being starved, murdered, and sexually harassed by the soldiers) because they were there on the planet holding an illegal mining operation in the first place. That' is a BS argument and justification and I wanted to scratch my eyes out every time I heard someone say "but the citizens were here illegally anyways."
The book is long ending at 615 pages and there were some parts that seemed to drag on and on. I honestly don't think the story could have been any shorter because we would have ended up not getting certain information that was vital to the story. I understand why it was as long as it was, I just needed the boring parts to not be so boring.
Overall this book did not disappoint. This was an action packed sci fi and I'm happy I read the series. I give this 5 out of 5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I listened to this audiobook for free on Libbyapp.com
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Colonisation, Gore, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Suicide, Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Violence, War, Death, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, and Injury/Injury detail
huntress's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Suicide, Murder, Gun violence, War, Violence, Genocide, Grief, and Blood
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Death of parent, Medical content, and Stalking
erkietheturkey's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Gun violence, Blood, Child death, Chronic illness, Genocide, Slavery, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, Medical trauma, Murder, and War
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Suicide, Confinement, and Drug use
journeythroughthechapters's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
*Please don't read unless you've read Gemina
Thoughts
An epic conclusion to an epic series.
If you like action, found family, questioning of good vs evil, strong female characters you may enjoy this series.
Things I Loved
- The Characters: I feel like I've said this for all the books. I love sassy characters. And since the characters from the first two books come back we get a whole lot of sass. We have the introduction of Asha who has experienced A LOT but has big heart. Issac Grant is underrated and in the background in this story. There are a lot of teenagers in these books and having him as an adult figure was such a joy to read. I just love the cast of characters and I liked the dynamics between them.
- The Plot: Honestly I loved how it all came together. I love that Illuminae and Gemina have story arcs of their own but this final books brings it all together and I thought it was done in a really clever way. I also never felt bored. So this kept me engaged.
- The Dilemma: Illuminae touched on this also but this book delves into what is good, what is evil, what is a monster and while there is no straight forward answer to this it just makes you think. And I like that.
Things I Didn't Like
- If I'm being very very picky the are aspects of the writing I don't like but it was nothing detrimental to the story. Yes this book does use the same tropes as the first two books there are some people who will enjoy that and some who won't. I did. But I can see why people wouldn't be a fan of this 3rd book. I am but I thought I'd include it as a "con".
So overall. Loved this series. Loved this finally. So glad I gave this series a try.
Representation
Lesbian (side characters), POC (side characters)
Content Warning
Death, Suicide, Blood, Pedophilia (not on page), Genocide, Grief
Thoughts
An epic conclusion to an epic series.
If you like action, found family, questioning of good vs evil, strong female characters you may enjoy this series.
Things I Loved
- The Characters: I feel like I've said this for all the books. I love sassy characters. And since the characters from the first two books come back we get a whole lot of sass. We have the introduction of Asha who has experienced A LOT but has big heart. Issac Grant is underrated and in the background in this story. There are a lot of teenagers in these books and having him as an adult figure was such a joy to read. I just love the cast of characters and I liked the dynamics between them.
- The Plot: Honestly I loved how it all came together. I love that Illuminae and Gemina have story arcs of their own but this final books brings it all together and I thought it was done in a really clever way. I also never felt bored. So this kept me engaged.
- The Dilemma: Illuminae touched on this also but this book delves into what is good, what is evil, what is a monster and while there is no straight forward answer to this it just makes you think. And I like that.
Things I Didn't Like
- If I'm being very very picky the are aspects of the writing I don't like but it was nothing detrimental to the story. Yes this book does use the same tropes as the first two books there are some people who will enjoy that and some who won't. I did. But I can see why people wouldn't be a fan of this 3rd book. I am but I thought I'd include it as a "con".
So overall. Loved this series. Loved this finally. So glad I gave this series a try.
Representation
Lesbian (side characters), POC (side characters)
Content Warning
Death, Suicide, Blood, Pedophilia (not on page), Genocide, Grief
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Grief, Suicide, and Blood
Minor: Pedophilia
booksteaandchocolate's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I will be honest.. This review and rating is a completely biased review due to triggers.
I loooooved the first two books. Like loved loved. I was so excited to read Obsidio and for a good portion of the book I was pretty happy trucking along and then bam.... I had to stop reading. I know that all the books are pretty harrowing and I expected lots of rough topics in this one and maybe the writing was on the wall for where this book might go. In any case, I spent a lot of time trying to skim the next few pages to try to just get through to different conflict scenarios in the book.
I will say this though the book/series has a lot at stake, but not. The authors have real attachment to their main cast of characters and nothing ever really puts them at risk. Yes there are a few fake out moments but all the risk and horror mainly lays outside of the main casting group. There is a security from the end of the first book knowing who is the Illuminae Group lets you know that even though everything is terrible in the books the cast you like make it through it all.
With that said. The book is still impeccably written. It's fun and engaging and reading it to the end was still so great. The only reason I have to rate it a 3.5 is because of my reading experience. I struggled to get through to the end because of everything the Kerenza colony had/has to go through. It physically hurt me. I would still highly recommend this book to just about anyone since its such a good series, the only reason I struggled was due to my own triggers.
I loooooved the first two books. Like loved loved. I was so excited to read Obsidio and for a good portion of the book I was pretty happy trucking along and then bam.... I had to stop reading. I know that all the books are pretty harrowing and I expected lots of rough topics in this one and maybe the writing was on the wall for where this book might go. In any case, I spent a lot of time trying to skim the next few pages to try to just get through to different conflict scenarios in the book.
I will say this though the book/series has a lot at stake, but not. The authors have real attachment to their main cast of characters and nothing ever really puts them at risk. Yes there are a few fake out moments but all the risk and horror mainly lays outside of the main casting group. There is a security from the end of the first book knowing who is the Illuminae Group lets you know that even though everything is terrible in the books the cast you like make it through it all.
With that said. The book is still impeccably written. It's fun and engaging and reading it to the end was still so great. The only reason I have to rate it a 3.5 is because of my reading experience. I struggled to get through to the end because of everything the Kerenza colony had/has to go through. It physically hurt me. I would still highly recommend this book to just about anyone since its such a good series, the only reason I struggled was due to my own triggers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Violence, Gun violence, and Suicide
nuin_giliath's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I thought I understood the hype after reading Illuminae, but I really, really get it now. When I started this series, I had no idea just how much of a ride it would be. Overall, it was an incredible story with endearing characters, well-developed plots, and crazy twists that made my jaw drop and head spin. I may not have always been a fan of every character at first, but I ultimately found them to be both engaging and admirable over the course of the story. They had unique personalities, backstories, and manners of demonstrating their individual strengths. I truly enjoyed following them on their journeys. The various plots, while convoluted at times, were often captivating and the writing tended to keep me on the edge of my seat. The audio recording is also fantastic - although I would still recommend flipping through a physical copy at some point due to the designs and artwork featured.
Looking back, I can't help but compare my experiences with each of the three books. Although they share many similarities in their compositions (and even plots), they achieved different levels of success. Unfortunately, I found Obsidio to be the weakest due to a couple of issues:
1) Even though I highly enjoyed Illuminae and then absolutely loved Gemina, I found it hard to become as excited about Obsidio. I struggled to care about these new characters and situations throughout much of the first half. It didn't help that the overall tone was more somber and the main threat didn't seem as present or dangerous as the past ones had been. While it was nice having the characters from the previous books join forces, there really wasn't much for them to do until the last 25% or so. The lack of connection to the new characters and a less thrilling plot resulted in the pacing feeling much slower in comparison to the previous books.
2) From the very start, I noticed that this last book had less of a sci-fi feel when comparing it to its predecessors. Whereas Illuminae and Gemina involved threats such as spaceship chases, a deadly airborne virus, space parasites, a malfunctioning wormhole, and collapsing parallel universes, Obsidio had genocide, starvation, curfew, suicide, detention centers, Nazi-esque brutes, and a small resistance force. None of these aspects felt unique to this genre and they comprised the main focus for the first 60% or so before the final space battle began. Even though the first two books featured tragic moments and huge losses, they didn't feel as depressing due to the sci-fi elements which caused them. Here, I had to stop reading a few times because things became too emotionally heavy for me to handle. I realize this might not be the case for everyone, but after two books which focused on sci-fi action, I didn't expect to see such realistic misfortunes depicted.
A final (and more minor) complaint… I wish the characters that we had come to know and love from the previous book(s) weren't so frequently sidelined in favor of the newcomers. I would have preferred to have a greater awareness of all of them from the start. Then we could have learned a little more about them and their experiences from book to book instead of dedicating one novel to them and neglecting further development beyond that.
Even with its occasional clunkiness, this finale was satisfying and the entire series was quite entertaining. If you don't mind some sci-fi and haven't checked this out yet, you should -- if for no other reason than to admire the originality behind its design. If Obsidio had been told using only traditional prose, I'd probably rate it a 3.5. However, the sheer creativity and effort it must have taken to tell a cohesive three-book story through unconventional methods is astonishing and impressive. So 4-stars it is.
Looking back, I can't help but compare my experiences with each of the three books. Although they share many similarities in their compositions (and even plots), they achieved different levels of success. Unfortunately, I found Obsidio to be the weakest due to a couple of issues:
1) Even though I highly enjoyed Illuminae and then absolutely loved Gemina, I found it hard to become as excited about Obsidio. I struggled to care about these new characters and situations throughout much of the first half. It didn't help that the overall tone was more somber and the main threat didn't seem as present or dangerous as the past ones had been. While it was nice having the characters from the previous books join forces, there really wasn't much for them to do until the last 25% or so. The lack of connection to the new characters and a less thrilling plot resulted in the pacing feeling much slower in comparison to the previous books.
2) From the very start, I noticed that this last book had less of a sci-fi feel when comparing it to its predecessors. Whereas Illuminae and Gemina involved threats such as spaceship chases, a deadly airborne virus, space parasites, a malfunctioning wormhole, and collapsing parallel universes, Obsidio had genocide, starvation, curfew, suicide, detention centers, Nazi-esque brutes, and a small resistance force. None of these aspects felt unique to this genre and they comprised the main focus for the first 60% or so before the final space battle began. Even though the first two books featured tragic moments and huge losses, they didn't feel as depressing due to the sci-fi elements which caused them. Here, I had to stop reading a few times because things became too emotionally heavy for me to handle. I realize this might not be the case for everyone, but after two books which focused on sci-fi action, I didn't expect to see such realistic misfortunes depicted.
A final (and more minor) complaint… I wish the characters that we had come to know and love from the previous book(s) weren't so frequently sidelined in favor of the newcomers. I would have preferred to have a greater awareness of all of them from the start. Then we could have learned a little more about them and their experiences from book to book instead of dedicating one novel to them and neglecting further development beyond that.
Even with its occasional clunkiness, this finale was satisfying and the entire series was quite entertaining. If you don't mind some sci-fi and haven't checked this out yet, you should -- if for no other reason than to admire the originality behind its design. If Obsidio had been told using only traditional prose, I'd probably rate it a 3.5. However, the sheer creativity and effort it must have taken to tell a cohesive three-book story through unconventional methods is astonishing and impressive. So 4-stars it is.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Suicide, Violence, and Police brutality
More...