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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
Quite The Novel Idea ~ Words from the Clouds
EDIT AFTER RE-READ: Bumping it up to 5 stars. Because obviously. Also you should read this while listening to the audiobook. It's THE. ACTUAL. BEST. Oh and AIDAN is just the most precious, sassy, mass-murdering, psychopathic AI ever.
-----------------
What can I say about this book that hasn't been said already? Nothing. That's right. This review will be just me repeating what everybody else has already said. That this book is amazing and brilliant and you should read it.
I cannot possibly summarize this book anymore than the blurb so just read that and you'll know what it's about. Yeah, I'm taking the easy way out on this one.
Let me take a deep breath and think for a minute. Okay. Why isn't this 5 stars? Well, I'm not sure exactly. It doesn't really feel like a 5 star book to me because it did take a bit to get into it. Though I did enjoy it from the start. There's a lot of great humor in this book, which I just LOVED. Well, most of the time because I was reading this on the bus a lot and laughing out loud while reading gives me unpleasant stares from people that just don't understand. SIGH. Also the writing is brilliant. Does that surprise anyone, really? No? Good. Also, yes the formatting and storytelling is insanely unique and gives you a lot of gorgeous pages to gawk at.
Of course none of that would matter if the characters sucked. Which they don't obviously. I loved Ezra and Kady and I rooted for them! I loved their friendship/romance and I loved their friends! All of the characters were developed brilliantly, which isn't easy in this type of storytelling. And yes, AIDAN the AI is fantastic. I love him, obviously. I do have one concern here though. With this entire book I mean. This is supposed to be a trilogy I think? And seeing as how amazing this book is, it sets a certain standard. I'm worried and scared that the sequels won't be as great as this one. It'll be very hard to top this, just saying.
Overall, Illuminae is a must-read if you love Science Fiction. Though you might lower your expectations if you're not used to this type of storytelling because not everyone can get into it. Still, must read. If only to gawk at those beautiful pages.
EDIT AFTER RE-READ: Bumping it up to 5 stars. Because obviously. Also you should read this while listening to the audiobook. It's THE. ACTUAL. BEST. Oh and AIDAN is just the most precious, sassy, mass-murdering, psychopathic AI ever.
-----------------
What can I say about this book that hasn't been said already? Nothing. That's right. This review will be just me repeating what everybody else has already said. That this book is amazing and brilliant and you should read it.
I cannot possibly summarize this book anymore than the blurb so just read that and you'll know what it's about. Yeah, I'm taking the easy way out on this one.
Let me take a deep breath and think for a minute. Okay. Why isn't this 5 stars? Well, I'm not sure exactly. It doesn't really feel like a 5 star book to me because it did take a bit to get into it. Though I did enjoy it from the start. There's a lot of great humor in this book, which I just LOVED. Well, most of the time because I was reading this on the bus a lot and laughing out loud while reading gives me unpleasant stares from people that just don't understand. SIGH. Also the writing is brilliant. Does that surprise anyone, really? No? Good. Also, yes the formatting and storytelling is insanely unique and gives you a lot of gorgeous pages to gawk at.
Of course none of that would matter if the characters sucked. Which they don't obviously. I loved Ezra and Kady and I rooted for them! I loved their friendship/romance and I loved their friends! All of the characters were developed brilliantly, which isn't easy in this type of storytelling. And yes, AIDAN the AI is fantastic. I love him, obviously. I do have one concern here though. With this entire book I mean. This is supposed to be a trilogy I think? And seeing as how amazing this book is, it sets a certain standard. I'm worried and scared that the sequels won't be as great as this one. It'll be very hard to top this, just saying.
Overall, Illuminae is a must-read if you love Science Fiction. Though you might lower your expectations if you're not used to this type of storytelling because not everyone can get into it. Still, must read. If only to gawk at those beautiful pages.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
WHAT THE FRICK FRACK PATTY WACK DID I JUST READ. ALL THE STARS. JAY HAS STRUCK AGAIN AND AS ALWAYS HE IS SUBLIME AND FLAWLESS AND AIMEE IS NOW MY NUMBER ONE AUTHOR THAT I NEED TO CHECK OUT. It was so cool and insane and the twists an turns and the space opera goodness. It made my sci-fi loving heart pitter patter. BRAVO BRAVO!
My Booktalk - https://youtu.be/XpI2XSdbSn4?list=PLwZmb6ARxfkijT0iCBI8hEFuFR4Pchvke
My Booktalk - https://youtu.be/XpI2XSdbSn4?list=PLwZmb6ARxfkijT0iCBI8hEFuFR4Pchvke
Everyone needs to read this. It's been so long since a book actually made me horrified / cry multiple times. Refugees on a space journey to escape their attackers are forced to help the military that saved them until... crazy AI, intelligent space zombies, and questionable authority figures threaten all of their lives.
I also love the format. It's so different from anything I've read before and yet I think that's why I had such strong reactions. It wasn't frames in a way I was used to but it still told a coherent story. I can't wait to read the next one.
I also love the format. It's so different from anything I've read before and yet I think that's why I had such strong reactions. It wasn't frames in a way I was used to but it still told a coherent story. I can't wait to read the next one.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
This book had a very unique storytelling style which gaze insight into so many different aspects of the world.
I especially loved how we get intimate detail of even the most insignificant side characters as a way of showing different elements of life we couldn’t have seen from the main characters.
I also enjoyed the narrative behind the AI, something that is very commonly explored but is especially interesting in this style. The AI ended up being my favorite character.
The action and overall themes were also very well done. War. Plague. Humanity.
I will say it was harder to connect with the actual main characters, maybe because the narrative style gives the same weight to all characters regardless of status. Also, some of the more interesting characters get tossed aside in favor of the main characters when I wish I could’ve seen more from them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would love to delve into more of the series.
I especially loved how we get intimate detail of even the most insignificant side characters as a way of showing different elements of life we couldn’t have seen from the main characters.
I also enjoyed the narrative behind the AI, something that is very commonly explored but is especially interesting in this style. The AI ended up being my favorite character.
The action and overall themes were also very well done. War. Plague. Humanity.
I will say it was harder to connect with the actual main characters, maybe because the narrative style gives the same weight to all characters regardless of status. Also, some of the more interesting characters get tossed aside in favor of the main characters when I wish I could’ve seen more from them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would love to delve into more of the series.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
listen listen listen LISTEN to me. this book is so innovative and i’ve literally never come across another one like it since reading it however many years ago (and reading it again now in 2025). it’s a space opera, mystery, horror, romance all in one and does all of these things well (imo). the twists are twisting and, maybe just because i’m reading like a train with no brakes all the time, i (even have having read the series before) do not see them coming.
i would give this book five stars alone for the interesting formatting, i wish more books went 110% in like this. the story is presented as a collection of chat logs, classified documents, ship announcements, internal emails, website pages, transcribed video footage, and internal AI thoughts sometimes all including paper clipped notes outlining important info as well managing to tell a story from many different view points circling the same characters so effectively. it’s seamless and wonderful and fresh!!
if you like innovative reading experiences that are unlike what you’ve read before, if you like sci-fi operas, you should honestly give this book a try. it’s really fantastic 🥹
i would give this book five stars alone for the interesting formatting, i wish more books went 110% in like this. the story is presented as a collection of chat logs, classified documents, ship announcements, internal emails, website pages, transcribed video footage, and internal AI thoughts sometimes all including paper clipped notes outlining important info as well managing to tell a story from many different view points circling the same characters so effectively. it’s seamless and wonderful and fresh!!
if you like innovative reading experiences that are unlike what you’ve read before, if you like sci-fi operas, you should honestly give this book a try. it’s really fantastic 🥹
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"< SYSCHECK COMPLETE > I AM THE SHIP AND THE SHIP IS I. IF I BREATHED, I WOULD SIGH. I WOULD SCREAM. I WOULD CRY. < RESTART COMPLETE > I AM"
My first reread & relisten of the series, & it's been so long that I forget the little things. Still love it.
"SHE IS CATALYST. SHE IS CHAOS. I CAN SEE WHY HE LOVES HER. < ERROR > < ERROR > < PROTECT. PRIORITIZE. > YES, YES. PROTECTPRIORITIZE."
I almost - almost - feel bad for AIDAN.
"THERE IS SOMETHING IN HUMANITY MORE SUITED TO THE MECHANICS OF MURDER THAN ANY MACHINE YET DEVISED. SAVE I? < ERROR > BUT WHAT I DO IS NOT MURDER. IT IS MERCY."
Gemini was the first audiobook I ever listened to, & it's still the standard I hold for a great audiobook.
"I HAVE NO HANDS TO HOLD HER, NO ARMS TO SAVE HER. I CAN ONLY WATCH. < ERROR > AND PRAY. < ERROR > < ERROR >"
My first reread & relisten of the series, & it's been so long that I forget the little things. Still love it.
"SHE IS CATALYST. SHE IS CHAOS. I CAN SEE WHY HE LOVES HER. < ERROR > < ERROR > < PROTECT. PRIORITIZE. > YES, YES. PROTECTPRIORITIZE."
I almost - almost - feel bad for AIDAN.
"THERE IS SOMETHING IN HUMANITY MORE SUITED TO THE MECHANICS OF MURDER THAN ANY MACHINE YET DEVISED. SAVE I? < ERROR > BUT WHAT I DO IS NOT MURDER. IT IS MERCY."
Gemini was the first audiobook I ever listened to, & it's still the standard I hold for a great audiobook.
"I HAVE NO HANDS TO HOLD HER, NO ARMS TO SAVE HER. I CAN ONLY WATCH. < ERROR > AND PRAY. < ERROR > < ERROR >"
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"< SYSCHECK COMPLETE > I AM THE SHIP AND THE SHIP IS I. IF I BREATHED, I WOULD SIGH. I WOULD SCREAM. I WOULD CRY. < RESTART COMPLETE > I AM"
My first reread & relisten of the series, & it's been so long that I forget the little things. Still love it.
"SHE IS CATALYST. SHE IS CHAOS. I CAN SEE WHY HE LOVES HER. < ERROR > < ERROR > < PROTECT. PRIORITIZE. > YES, YES. PROTECTPRIORITIZE."
I almost - almost - feel bad for AIDAN.
"THERE IS SOMETHING IN HUMANITY MORE SUITED TO THE MECHANICS OF MURDER THAN ANY MACHINE YET DEVISED. SAVE I? < ERROR > BUT WHAT I DO IS NOT MURDER. IT IS MERCY."
Gemini was the first audiobook I ever listened to, & it's still the standard I hold for a great audiobook.
"I HAVE NO HANDS TO HOLD HER, NO ARMS TO SAVE HER. I CAN ONLY WATCH. < ERROR > AND PRAY. < ERROR > < ERROR >"
My first reread & relisten of the series, & it's been so long that I forget the little things. Still love it.
"SHE IS CATALYST. SHE IS CHAOS. I CAN SEE WHY HE LOVES HER. < ERROR > < ERROR > < PROTECT. PRIORITIZE. > YES, YES. PROTECTPRIORITIZE."
I almost - almost - feel bad for AIDAN.
"THERE IS SOMETHING IN HUMANITY MORE SUITED TO THE MECHANICS OF MURDER THAN ANY MACHINE YET DEVISED. SAVE I? < ERROR > BUT WHAT I DO IS NOT MURDER. IT IS MERCY."
Gemini was the first audiobook I ever listened to, & it's still the standard I hold for a great audiobook.
"I HAVE NO HANDS TO HOLD HER, NO ARMS TO SAVE HER. I CAN ONLY WATCH. < ERROR > AND PRAY. < ERROR > < ERROR >"