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A review by readinginthegarden
Illuminae by Jay Kristoff, Amie Kaufman
3.0
3.5 Stars out of Five!
Now don't get me wrong I actually really liked this book! I honestly couldn't put it down and I would of read it in one sitting if I wasn't busy yesterday. I picked up the third book 'Obsidio' in Waterstones and opened it up and it looked really interesting. I went on an absolute manhunt to try and find this book about town and most of the bookshops had the first one sold out. I was so intrigued by the format. It's something I've never really seen before especially in this genre. The only thing is that it is really hard to get into.
This is my personal opinion but I'm not overwhelmed by diary formatted books. Even though this book isn't a diary it is very similar. It isn't in the characters point of view it is sets of e-mails and audios. I would much prefer a book with just its normal format because I'm boring. I love seeing the way the character speaks and feels and everything is in real time. I love description and what they can see around them I struggled with my imagination with it because it wasn't really left to the imagination. I think it is really neat and interesting that you get to see pictures but I'm not a fan. I like to imagine things as I read it because whats the point in reading? I may as well watch a film. It sort of takes away what I really like about reading is the pure imagination and the escapism. I couldn't really escape with this book I couldn't quite connect ( even though the ending is powerful and I have to admit I did shed tears.)
I guess this format isn't for me which is a shame because I really am interested in Ezra and Kady. That is also the problem is that they were the only characters that were fleshed out. Every other character was just a username. I didn't connect with anyone else and that's what I found so difficult was because how I am supposed to cry over a death/deaths if I don't know the character? It's just so hard to connect when you're observing not emerging in a story.
There also were a couple of things in the book which I found rather confusing as well was your basically in danger you're in a war how do you find the time to e-mail/IM each other? Like I understand that it isn't real and maybe I'm being too picky but really? Your facing imminent death and your e-mailing? I just imagined the whole time they have a computer beside them at all times. Even if they went to the bathroom I can imagine them having a computer strapped to them. It was a little ridiculous.
But apart from my nitpicking, I did really enjoy the book I liked Ezra and Kady and the ending I felt like I was holding my breath through it. It was adrenaline filled and it ended perfectly. I was so unsure about how it was going to end and the twists I did not see coming which is always a bonus! It was a unique reading experience that I have not experienced before but I do recommend people read this as a lot of people would enjoy it! Some of the imagery was just amazing! I'm just boring and like the normal reading format. But I'm so glad I read it as I did get a good reading experience from it. I'm not sure if I will read the sequel but never say never!
Now don't get me wrong I actually really liked this book! I honestly couldn't put it down and I would of read it in one sitting if I wasn't busy yesterday. I picked up the third book 'Obsidio' in Waterstones and opened it up and it looked really interesting. I went on an absolute manhunt to try and find this book about town and most of the bookshops had the first one sold out. I was so intrigued by the format. It's something I've never really seen before especially in this genre. The only thing is that it is really hard to get into.
This is my personal opinion but I'm not overwhelmed by diary formatted books. Even though this book isn't a diary it is very similar. It isn't in the characters point of view it is sets of e-mails and audios. I would much prefer a book with just its normal format because I'm boring. I love seeing the way the character speaks and feels and everything is in real time. I love description and what they can see around them I struggled with my imagination with it because it wasn't really left to the imagination. I think it is really neat and interesting that you get to see pictures but I'm not a fan. I like to imagine things as I read it because whats the point in reading? I may as well watch a film. It sort of takes away what I really like about reading is the pure imagination and the escapism. I couldn't really escape with this book I couldn't quite connect ( even though the ending is powerful and I have to admit I did shed tears.)
I guess this format isn't for me which is a shame because I really am interested in Ezra and Kady. That is also the problem is that they were the only characters that were fleshed out. Every other character was just a username. I didn't connect with anyone else and that's what I found so difficult was because how I am supposed to cry over a death/deaths if I don't know the character? It's just so hard to connect when you're observing not emerging in a story.
There also were a couple of things in the book which I found rather confusing as well was your basically in danger you're in a war how do you find the time to e-mail/IM each other? Like I understand that it isn't real and maybe I'm being too picky but really? Your facing imminent death and your e-mailing? I just imagined the whole time they have a computer beside them at all times. Even if they went to the bathroom I can imagine them having a computer strapped to them. It was a little ridiculous.
But apart from my nitpicking, I did really enjoy the book I liked Ezra and Kady and the ending I felt like I was holding my breath through it. It was adrenaline filled and it ended perfectly. I was so unsure about how it was going to end and the twists I did not see coming which is always a bonus! It was a unique reading experience that I have not experienced before but I do recommend people read this as a lot of people would enjoy it! Some of the imagery was just amazing! I'm just boring and like the normal reading format. But I'm so glad I read it as I did get a good reading experience from it. I'm not sure if I will read the sequel but never say never!