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adoereading's review
5.0
Wowzers! That was a ride to be on! I had not expected much from Illuminae simply because I struggle to read sci-fi, but in this format it was understandable and brought on a tale far different than typical novels I’ve come across.
mllejoyeuxnoel's review
5.0
Literally the most original book I've ever read. Absolutely enthralled by it from start to finish. Cannot wait for the next installment!
megancperry's review against another edition
5.0
Read this last month, but Goodreads glitched over this, so I've had to rewrite this review, here it is:
This was just such a unique read! The different format drew me in to this book, and I didn't really know much about the story going into it, but it was such a good and unpredictable story !
This was just such a unique read! The different format drew me in to this book, and I didn't really know much about the story going into it, but it was such a good and unpredictable story !
estrela_starpower's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
„Das Ihnen vorliegende Dossier enthält sämtliche Infos, die wir zur Kerenza-Katastrophe auftreiben konnten. Nach Möglichkeit haben wir Scans der Originaldokumente beigefügt. Der Spaß beginnt mit der Vernichtung der Kolonie auf Kerenza (genau heute vor einem Jahr). Danach folgen chronologisch die Vorfälle auf dem Schlachtkreuzer Alexander und dem Forschungsschiff Hypatia, so gut wir sie rekonstruieren konnten.“
Ein Weltraumabenteuer in Berichten, Chats und Verhören. Die Form des Romans ist originell, allerdings ist er sprachlich nicht überzeugend umgesetzt, weil fast ausschließlich Umgangssprache verwendet (und dann wiederum bei den ständigen Flüchen in der Akte geschwärzt) wird.
unicorn1408's review
5.0
I. Loved. This. Book. Period.
I read this after I read Aurora Rising by the same authors, and that book left me feeling nothing but frustration at the lack of science I found in a supposedly sci-fi story. But that doesn't matter now.
I started Illuminae a little wary of what I might find but this book took me entirely by surprise.
If you didn't already know, Illuminae is not written in the usual book format, but rather as an archive of files (audio transcripts, interviews, surveillance camera footage, you name it). All the same, I had no problem in connecting to the characters and rooting for them (go Kady, Astro-Princess of hacking ;)!)
This books tells the beginning of a war between two massive corporations in the year 2575 and the chaos that ensues in the lives of people caught in the blast fire. It raises questions of morality through malfunctioning AI, the most interesting part of this awesome book for me. It also shows you some emoji designs that I personally haven't seen before like 0_o or T_T !
I couldn't recommend this enough! Although, I guess people that have some interest in technology and science-y stuff are more likely to enjoy it. And if you read it, remember to mind the time stamps of all transcripts!! :)
I read this after I read Aurora Rising by the same authors, and that book left me feeling nothing but frustration at the lack of science I found in a supposedly sci-fi story. But that doesn't matter now.
I started Illuminae a little wary of what I might find but this book took me entirely by surprise.
If you didn't already know, Illuminae is not written in the usual book format, but rather as an archive of files (audio transcripts, interviews, surveillance camera footage, you name it). All the same, I had no problem in connecting to the characters and rooting for them (go Kady, Astro-Princess of hacking ;)!)
This books tells the beginning of a war between two massive corporations in the year 2575 and the chaos that ensues in the lives of people caught in the blast fire. It raises questions of morality through malfunctioning AI, the most interesting part of this awesome book for me. It also shows you some emoji designs that I personally haven't seen before like 0_o or T_T !
I couldn't recommend this enough! Although, I guess people that have some interest in technology and science-y stuff are more likely to enjoy it. And if you read it, remember to mind the time stamps of all transcripts!! :)
bhammond0976's review
inspiring
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
drridareads's review
4.0
Ezra Mason: ….... The world is ending all around us and we’re screaming about college applications and commitment and ****. I mean, can you believe that?
Interviewer: You’re seventeen, right?
Ezra Mason: Almost eighteen.
Interviewer: Then yes, I believe it.
In case you don't already know; this book follows Kady (mostly) and Ezra in middle of a break up when all hell breaks loose i.e They live on an illegal settlement in a planet which is being invaded by an Evil Corp. (BeiTech Industries). BeiTech also uses a bioweapon, so there's a viral outbreak. The story is revealed to us in documents and journal entries etc.
I was really fascinated by the unique format. Though those Unipidea tidbits and Scientific description made me feel like this was homework.. And while I thought the format was cool, I did find it to be a bit emotionally detached. I have to mention though, this book is absolutely beautiful!
Kady Grant
SHE IS CATALYST. SHE IS CHAOS.
She is beautiful. And strong. I'm 21 and I'm very intimidated by this amazing 17 year old fictional character. She was so freaking brave and cool. You knows those movies and tv shows where the cool hacker dude never gets to see action, she does! She is the very definition of badass.
Ezra Mason
I was not very very fond of this character. I mean he's okay. But his love for Kady is just so real I can't even.. Can something be a little cringey along with very precious?
"You have me. Until the last star in the galaxy dies, you have me.”
Aidan
I feel like the best AI depictions I've seen are in Person of Interest. And this compares to that. This AI of Alexander was my favourite character. If a book has such a well crafted artificial character they're obviously doing something right. He's so messed up and complex and basically AWESOME.
Other Characters
Byron Zhang just a secondary character was pretty fucking amazing. That guy can talk back to authority. Is the most cleverperson fictional character I've met.
Jimmy has my heart.
Plot and Worldbuilding
The worldbuilding was on point man. It was just incredible. I should read more books by these authors. However I felt like plot followed a more predictable course, which is not necessarily bad just you know I like to suprised. The whole Phobos virus really reminded me of Reavers from Firefly (which you should really watch if you like this) and this to was set in space.
I'm really late to the party, but I really enjoyed this book. So if you like me still haven't picked it up, go do it!
------------------------------------------------
If you've ever watched Firefly and Person of Interest, this is their baby...
RTC.
Interviewer: You’re seventeen, right?
Ezra Mason: Almost eighteen.
Interviewer: Then yes, I believe it.
In case you don't already know; this book follows Kady (mostly) and Ezra in middle of a break up when all hell breaks loose i.e They live on an illegal settlement in a planet which is being invaded by an Evil Corp. (BeiTech Industries). BeiTech also uses a bioweapon, so there's a viral outbreak. The story is revealed to us in documents and journal entries etc.
I was really fascinated by the unique format. Though those Unipidea tidbits and Scientific description made me feel like this was homework.. And while I thought the format was cool, I did find it to be a bit emotionally detached. I have to mention though, this book is absolutely beautiful!
Kady Grant
SHE IS CATALYST. SHE IS CHAOS.
She is beautiful. And strong. I'm 21 and I'm very intimidated by this amazing 17 year old fictional character. She was so freaking brave and cool. You knows those movies and tv shows where the cool hacker dude never gets to see action, she does! She is the very definition of badass.
Ezra Mason
I was not very very fond of this character. I mean he's okay. But his love for Kady is just so real I can't even.. Can something be a little cringey along with very precious?
"You have me. Until the last star in the galaxy dies, you have me.”
Aidan
I feel like the best AI depictions I've seen are in Person of Interest. And this compares to that. This AI of Alexander was my favourite character. If a book has such a well crafted artificial character they're obviously doing something right. He's so messed up and complex and basically AWESOME.
Other Characters
Byron Zhang just a secondary character was pretty fucking amazing. That guy can talk back to authority. Is the most clever
Jimmy has my heart.
Spoiler
That scene where he kills himself so that he doesn't change just kills mePlot and Worldbuilding
The worldbuilding was on point man. It was just incredible. I should read more books by these authors. However I felt like plot followed a more predictable course, which is not necessarily bad just you know I like to suprised.
Spoiler
I really wanted Kady to catch on that this is probably not Ezra, but I guess then the ending would be very different. I was really surprised to see Ezra alive in the end though.I'm really late to the party, but I really enjoyed this book. So if you like me still haven't picked it up, go do it!
------------------------------------------------
If you've ever watched Firefly and Person of Interest, this is their baby...
RTC.
tatyanavogt's review
4.0
Okay, I loved the book! I don't read much/any sci-fi novels so I don't have anything really to compare it too. But in general I thought it was awesome. I loved the format, piecing together the story through documents was a fun and interesting experience and even though it was set up in an easy to follow way it made me feel like I was a part of it.
Spoilers:
I also really liked the AI and Katy relationship and the fact that the story was about this girl basically kicking ass and saving the day with her smarts and determination!
Admittedly not a fan of the boyfriends mother problems. I didn't really feel like it had the kind of emotional impact that I wanted but I realize this is a series of some sort so I'm assuming its just setup for the next big thing.
Spoilers:
Spoiler
I also really liked the AI and Katy relationship and the fact that the story was about this girl basically kicking ass and saving the day with her smarts and determination!
Admittedly not a fan of the boyfriends mother problems. I didn't really feel like it had the kind of emotional impact that I wanted but I realize this is a series of some sort so I'm assuming its just setup for the next big thing.
courtney_saba's review
5.0
Wowowowowowowowowowow. I haven't been this excited about a book in MONTHS, maybe years. I can't remember the last series that entertained me this much. A+++++ to the authors.
The worldbuilding, character development, romance, friendships, plot, collection of information, pathogen causing psychosis, and everything else was superb. Excellent.
An intriguingly beautiful and madness-filled AI that asked and challenged me about morality and humanity was brilliant. He was my favorite.
The intense atmosphere and suspense were spine chilling. The space setting was awesome.
I cried. Like sobbing cried at a scene. That's talent, in my opinion.
I have zero complaints. Shocking, I know.
I can't wait for what's to come in book 2 and 3.
Would I re-read this? Possibly. It was so dense that I may just skim certain parts that I loved.
Would I recommend this? If you don't have a problem with space settings or a weak stomach, absolutely. And even if you do, I would still sing its praises.
Was I entertained? You don't even have to ask.
Happy reading, Goodreads fiends.
The worldbuilding, character development, romance, friendships, plot, collection of information, pathogen causing psychosis, and everything else was superb. Excellent.
An intriguingly beautiful and madness-filled AI that asked and challenged me about morality and humanity was brilliant. He was my favorite.
The intense atmosphere and suspense were spine chilling. The space setting was awesome.
I cried. Like sobbing cried at a scene. That's talent, in my opinion.
I have zero complaints. Shocking, I know.
I can't wait for what's to come in book 2 and 3.
Would I re-read this? Possibly. It was so dense that I may just skim certain parts that I loved.
Would I recommend this? If you don't have a problem with space settings or a weak stomach, absolutely. And even if you do, I would still sing its praises.
Was I entertained? You don't even have to ask.
Happy reading, Goodreads fiends.