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verosnotebook 's review for:
Illuminae
by Jay Kristoff, Amie Kaufman
Re-read 2017 audiobook
To be truthful, I really couldn't fathom how this novel could be adapted into an audiobook, especially due to its close connection to its format, which I loved. And still. I am pleased to say that they nailed it!
Using a full cast with special effects and music, this is one amazing feat and totally true to the story. I couldn't stop listening, on the 'edge of my seat', and I knew already what was going to happen! It also allowed me to appreciate the beauty of the narrative that the authors created. This is one hell of a great story! And don't let the YA label stop you. Kaufman and Kristoff give us complex characters, and not just the 'main' ones, faced with horrible events, fighting for survival and having to make unbearable decisions.
"What you do when stuff like this happens is you LIVE, you survive it, that's how you honour the ones you lost"
Which version should you go for? Well, if you feel overwhelmed by the 'written' one, then by all means go for the audio, but I'd recommend to have both since each brings a different experience :0)
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Brilliant!
I can remember being puzzled when I bought this book. The format is not your usual thing (quite thick and oh my, made up of a plethora of documents!). I personally love classic epistolary novels, but I did ponder about this modern/scifi take on the form. Shouldn't have worried a bit. I got into the story very quickly and couldn't stop reading. The authors create an engrossing world populated by fascinating and strong characters (Kady and Ezra of course, but also all the others too - AIDAN, Byron, Winifred, Torrence, Jimmy, etc.). And the plot! Yes, you could describe it as a YA take on Battlestar Galactica and 28 days later, and expect this story to fall flat trying to be too many things at the same time, BUT it is so much more than that, and it works! And I do think this is because of the symbiosis between the content and the format. The narrative you get from all these 'documents' conveys a lot more than just the typed words. The layout, metadata, and design all work to flesh out the content. I obviously loved this, and cannot wait for the next one, but I can see that some people might not. Give it a go, just try, and you might be pleasantly surprised :O)
To be truthful, I really couldn't fathom how this novel could be adapted into an audiobook, especially due to its close connection to its format, which I loved. And still. I am pleased to say that they nailed it!
Using a full cast with special effects and music, this is one amazing feat and totally true to the story. I couldn't stop listening, on the 'edge of my seat', and I knew already what was going to happen! It also allowed me to appreciate the beauty of the narrative that the authors created. This is one hell of a great story! And don't let the YA label stop you. Kaufman and Kristoff give us complex characters, and not just the 'main' ones, faced with horrible events, fighting for survival and having to make unbearable decisions.
"What you do when stuff like this happens is you LIVE, you survive it, that's how you honour the ones you lost"
Which version should you go for? Well, if you feel overwhelmed by the 'written' one, then by all means go for the audio, but I'd recommend to have both since each brings a different experience :0)
--------------
Brilliant!
I can remember being puzzled when I bought this book. The format is not your usual thing (quite thick and oh my, made up of a plethora of documents!). I personally love classic epistolary novels, but I did ponder about this modern/scifi take on the form. Shouldn't have worried a bit. I got into the story very quickly and couldn't stop reading. The authors create an engrossing world populated by fascinating and strong characters (Kady and Ezra of course, but also all the others too - AIDAN, Byron, Winifred, Torrence, Jimmy, etc.). And the plot! Yes, you could describe it as a YA take on Battlestar Galactica and 28 days later, and expect this story to fall flat trying to be too many things at the same time, BUT it is so much more than that, and it works! And I do think this is because of the symbiosis between the content and the format. The narrative you get from all these 'documents' conveys a lot more than just the typed words. The layout, metadata, and design all work to flesh out the content. I obviously loved this, and cannot wait for the next one, but I can see that some people might not. Give it a go, just try, and you might be pleasantly surprised :O)