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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Read this review and more on my blog, uncovered-books.
Obsidio is the third book in the Illuminae Trilogy. I actually did not know that this book existed, I was going through my bookshelf and saw that I still had the first book. I went online to see if there was a second book only to find out that not only had I already read the second one back when it came out (amazing memory right?), but a third book had been released a few years ago. So I very quickly skimmed the first book to remind myself what happened, and how unusual the way this trilogy has been written, then I got the third and final book out from the library.
Now before I say about what I enjoyed and did not enjoy about Obsidio, if you have not read either of the first 2 books in the trilogy, then picking up this one will probably be a tad of a shock to you. It is not written like a novel, instead it a ‘dossier of hacked documents — including emails, maps, files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more‘. Even if science fiction is not you genre of choice, give the first (or any of the books in the trilogy) a flick through to see why it is a unique read.
Now onto the actual book. I enjoyed it. Considering that I had almost completely forgotten the second book (and only had a vague recollection of the first), that did not stop me from understanding or enjoying this story one bit. It did take me a while to get into the way that it is written, but once I got over the initial change it was a very easy read. Where all of the documents started and ended made sense, and cutting from one to another worked very well. There were some revelations in here that were completely unexpected, but they were not done for shock factor. All of the plot twists were all justified, and made sense for what was occurring.
While the previous books in this trilogy each wrapped up and could have very easily been a self contained book, it was nice to have a continuation and conclusion as to the invasion. A good end to this trilogy that I am happy I found.
Obsidio is the third book in the Illuminae Trilogy. I actually did not know that this book existed, I was going through my bookshelf and saw that I still had the first book. I went online to see if there was a second book only to find out that not only had I already read the second one back when it came out (amazing memory right?), but a third book had been released a few years ago. So I very quickly skimmed the first book to remind myself what happened, and how unusual the way this trilogy has been written, then I got the third and final book out from the library.
Now before I say about what I enjoyed and did not enjoy about Obsidio, if you have not read either of the first 2 books in the trilogy, then picking up this one will probably be a tad of a shock to you. It is not written like a novel, instead it a ‘dossier of hacked documents — including emails, maps, files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more‘. Even if science fiction is not you genre of choice, give the first (or any of the books in the trilogy) a flick through to see why it is a unique read.
Now onto the actual book. I enjoyed it. Considering that I had almost completely forgotten the second book (and only had a vague recollection of the first), that did not stop me from understanding or enjoying this story one bit. It did take me a while to get into the way that it is written, but once I got over the initial change it was a very easy read. Where all of the documents started and ended made sense, and cutting from one to another worked very well. There were some revelations in here that were completely unexpected, but they were not done for shock factor. All of the plot twists were all justified, and made sense for what was occurring.
While the previous books in this trilogy each wrapped up and could have very easily been a self contained book, it was nice to have a continuation and conclusion as to the invasion. A good end to this trilogy that I am happy I found.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought the format of this series was really unique and engaging, and the plot was great. I do feel like the writing was poor and the format took away some aspects of books that I often really enjoy though, such as character development. The writing felt like it was written by a gen X or millennial trying to appeal to a gen Z audience, and it felt kind of inauthentic
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, War
adventurous
medium-paced
Umm, the way I absolutely loved this?? Very unexpected tbh xD When I read it last, I was so disappointed as I felt it lacked SOMETHING. I couldn’t really put my finger on it, and it fell so far behind Illuminae and Gemina that I left it behind at my moms house for YEARS before I brought it home to be reunited with its predecessors.
But chum, this time it was completely the other way. When I read this trilogy the first time, Illuminae came out on top, with Gemina super super close behind and Obsidio on the floor, like not even on the same scale. Now Obsidio and Gemina have switched places imo. Gemina is good, but was too goofy and “lighthearted” (an insane word to use I know xD), and Obsidio was good but oh Illuminae is SO much better, untouchable at the top.
I loved that we got to see the people on Kerenza through Rhys and Ashas POVs, and all that was going on onboard the Mao through the rest.REALLY appreciated the fact that the threat onboard the Mao was human this time, it would’ve been too repetitive if it was another plague or alien thing (in my reread of Gemina even the alien aspect seemed repetitive after Illuminae tbh xD), so loved that in this book it was Garver and his crew of mutineers, a human factor, which we haven’t had in the previous books. Ahora, do I find it plausible that this situation would actually happen, that Cptn Syra Boll would actually ignore Garver to that extent? No, absolutely not, even specially him being HEAD OF SECURITY, like dude might not hålla med dig, but he has experience and important knowledge in the field sabes, AND he represents q large group on people aboard the ship you’re commanding. But oh well.
Also, the whole Aidan being in love with Kady, ósea wtf??! I absolutely hated it the first time I read this book, and I absolutely hate it now as well. SO unnecessary. Like it could’ve had respect for Kady for being strong, for going through everything she did, a 1000 other things which made it not kill her and want to protect her, but to LOVE her?? C’mon man. I don’t like what that does to Aidan, who is SUCH a great villain, one of my absolute tops across the board - as in, other books/tv etc endlessly.
Also, I know this is a teen book, but at the end, during the trial/verdict or whatever, all the main characters being in there while McCall (aka CAPTAIN of the Mao) and Garver and Isaac and all adults were outside waiting while the kids are inside speaking up for themselves, like yeah right xD omg I sound like such a bitter adult I swear, and it’s such a silly little thing, but that whole element bothered me - and there were more nitpicky things like that throughout this book but oh well xD
I know I’m mostly complaining right now, but these were the things that bothered me. The pacing also was a bit slow the first half, although I was super engaged throughout.
The rest I really enjoyed and had a lot of fun with. Great ending to a great trilogy.
Better than Gemina, doesn’t quite reach Illuminae, but again, who could? xD Super solid 4
But chum, this time it was completely the other way. When I read this trilogy the first time, Illuminae came out on top, with Gemina super super close behind and Obsidio on the floor, like not even on the same scale. Now Obsidio and Gemina have switched places imo. Gemina is good, but was too goofy and “lighthearted” (an insane word to use I know xD), and Obsidio was good but oh Illuminae is SO much better, untouchable at the top.
I loved that we got to see the people on Kerenza through Rhys and Ashas POVs, and all that was going on onboard the Mao through the rest.
Also, the whole Aidan being in love with Kady, ósea wtf??! I absolutely hated it the first time I read this book, and I absolutely hate it now as well. SO unnecessary. Like it could’ve had respect for Kady for being strong, for going through everything she did, a 1000 other things which made it not kill her and want to protect her, but to LOVE her?? C’mon man. I don’t like what that does to Aidan, who is SUCH a great villain, one of my absolute tops across the board - as in, other books/tv etc endlessly.
Also, I know this is a teen book, but at the end, during the trial/verdict or whatever, all the main characters being in there while McCall (aka CAPTAIN of the Mao) and Garver and Isaac and all adults were outside waiting while the kids are inside speaking up for themselves, like yeah right xD omg I sound like such a bitter adult I swear, and it’s such a silly little thing, but that whole element bothered me - and there were more nitpicky things like that throughout this book but oh well xD
I know I’m mostly complaining right now, but these were the things that bothered me. The pacing also was a bit slow the first half, although I was super engaged throughout.
The rest I really enjoyed and had a lot of fun with. Great ending to a great trilogy.
Better than Gemina, doesn’t quite reach Illuminae, but again, who could? xD Super solid 4
adventurous
dark
funny
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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
funny
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