This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.
The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.
But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it’s clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.
Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult, Science-Fiction
Publication Date: October 20th, 2015
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐½
You have me. Until every last star in the galaxy dies.
You have me.
Illuminae is less a book, than it is a work of art. How do I even begin to write a review for it? Honestly. I don’t have the words in me.
🛰
I was hesitant about reading Illuminae for the longest time, because I was pretty sure I wouldn’t particularly enjoy the epistolary format—nothing melts my heart like beautiful (and descriptive, if done well) prose—but even so, I ended up enjoying it very much.
My favorite parts were the beginning and the ending; the beginning, because the comedic timing was so on point, and had me smiling throughout Kady and Ezra’s preciousness and snark, and the ending, because my heart stopped several times, and went “?!?”.
🛰
I can safely say that Illuminae is the most unique book I have ever read, and not just because of its format. I’m not the biggest fan of the science-fiction genre, or stories that take place in space, but Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff won me over, nevertheless.
I only wish I hadn’t emotionally disengaged from the story a few times during the middle part—hence the slightly lowered rating.
🛰
Let me just gush over my two favorite characters, though.
Kady is such a badass female heroine; she is smart, she is bold, she’s sassy, and have I mentioned utterly heroic? I want to possess only a fraction of her valour, and hacking skills—and I desperately need more female characters like her in my literary and real life.
James (aka Jimmy). Gosh, only thinking of him makes my heart grow. I just wanted the universe to bestow all the best things upon him. He was pretty much my favorite character in this book, and a tiny part of my heart died, reading about what he had to endure in the course of this book.
Honestly, if nothing else, read Illuminae for James McNulty.
You’re interested in this book?
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Have you read Illuminae? Did you like it?
Have you read any other books from Amie Kaufmann or Jay Kristoff?
What are your favorite books in the Sci-Fi genre?
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xx, Lily
wonderful review Lily!
I have this on my shelves but super scared to start it since it’s not a genre that I normally read.
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Thanks, Kayla! ☺️
I felt the exact same way! I’m not a fan of the science-fiction genre, so I was really surprised that I liked it. I hope you do, too! I’d love to hear how it works out for you. 💛
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Lovely review! I have this one staring about me from my shelf, and am hoping to start on it soon! ❤
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Thanks, Kelly! 💕
I hope you enjoy it, I’m keeping my fingers crossed!! 🤞🏻✨
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Great review love! I was struggling to read this book at first but then I’m obsessed. James Mc.Nulty is such a good person and OMG I think I’m gonna cry now 😭
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Thank you so much, Carolina! 🌷
I actually really liked it right away (I loved Kady and Ezra’s banter!), but then slowly lost interest during the “technical” parts. 🙉 James is the BEST, I love him so much. 😭💞
Have you read the other books as well?
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I haven’t, they have been sitting on my shelf for months and I somehow lost interest LOL. I should pick them up soon!! Have you read them?
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Ohh you should! I have, and I actually liked book two a bit more than book one (it had more “action” scenes, and a better pace, imo), and the trilogy has a pretty satisfying, albeit slightly formulaic conclusion.
Oh, and lots and lots of plot twists, of which some are more predictable than others. 🙂
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Ughhh you made me want to read it immediately!! I guess it’s my next read then after Sleeping Giants, hopefully 😂
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I hope it doesn’t disappoint!
I’ve been meaning to get to Sleeping Giants (or anything by Neil Gaiman, really), are you enjoying it?
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I’m halfway through it and enjoying it so far!!
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Nice!! I’m looking forward to hearing what you think once you’re done with it. 🙂
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Wonderful review, Lily! I’m glad you enjoyed Illuminae. I definitely want to check it out now 😍
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Thank you so much, Dezzy! 💗
I hope you love it!! And the entire trilogy is already published, so you won’t have to wait ages to read the next book(s). 😊
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All I can say is: “What the heck are you waiting for? Go read the next one!!”. If you enjoyed this one and felt like “?!?!?” at the ending, you’re going to love Gemina 🙂 These books just keep getting better!
xoxo
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I have, actually! And I had much more fun reading Gemina than Illuminae! 🙂
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that’s a beautiful review ❤❤
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Thanks so much, Pri!! 💞💞
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I loved these books!! If you liked Illuminae you should definitely read Gemina, it is really great and I love that they include so many badass women it’s inspiring😂
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Yay, I’m so happy you loved them, María!! 😊
I actually have, and I agree! I love how all the girls in this series are so inspiring, and assertive. ❤ Have you finished the series? 🙂
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Great review! I hope you enjoy the rest of the series – Obsidio was by far my favourite one!
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Thanks so much, Rose! ❤
That's great to hear! I think I like them all about the same? I had a lot of fun reading Gemina, though. 🙂
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Ahh I am so happy to hear you enjoyed that one, Lily! I was so nervous to read it at first, just as well, because science-fiction is not my favorite genre, nor is it one I am used to read. I was SO happy that I did though – the formatting and the story as a whole were so unique and the characters really won my heart. I didn’t expect to be so engaged in that story and to enjoy it this much. I’m happy you did and I can’t wait for you to continue on with the series 😀
Lovely review! ❤
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Thank you so much, Marie! ❤
I felt exactly the same way! My interest did wane a bit during the technical parts, but overall, I definitely had a good time reading it, it was such a breath of fresh air. Have you finished the series already? 🙂
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I haven’t, I have read Gemina -it was much darker and a bit harder to get through for me, because… I’m a marshmallow haha, but it was still really, really good!. I have yet to read Obsidio, I am SO nervous about it haha 🙂
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Aww, I remember it being pretty gruesome, especially compared to Illuminae, but it was also so fast-paced, and addictive. I really think you’ll like Obsidio! It has a lot of plot twists, and I think you’ll enjoy how the story wraps up. 🙂
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I hope I will – I’ll get to it before the end of the year haha 🙂 ❤
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Wonderful review, Lily! This is a book I want to read but am lowkey terrified of because of how beloved it is.
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Thanks so much, Kaleena! ☺️
Ahh I feel you!! I was so nervous to start on this series as well, but I’m almost positive you’ll enjoy it. And just in case you don’t, I’ll fight all the haters who aren’t okay with it, hehe. ❤
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That means a lot, and I definitely will fight any haters you come across as well!
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💗💗
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Yay! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this book 🙂 I’ve been wanting to read it for a long time, and science fiction isn’t my favorite. This makes me more excited for it being on my TBR!
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Thanks so much, Tiffany! 😊
I don’t read science-fiction at all, usually! But the hype (and certain friends) made me read it, and I’m glad I did. I hope you have a great time with it, when you get to it!! I’d love to hear what you think. 🙂
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[…] | Bree | Kay | Emma | Lily | Candyce & Isabelle | And anyone who has time to do the tag. […]
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I LOVE THIS REVIEW. I’ve seen this book around (the cover looks incredibly familiar, and I think I’ve read a few reviews of it), but I haven’t actually read it. You’ve convinced me to do so as soon as possible! 😉
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Ahh that means so much to me, thank you!! I hope you love it, when you get to it, Olivia! ❤
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READ ILLUMINAE FOR JIMMY is the best selling point you could have ever given this book
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He’s so underrated & I wish we’d seen more of him. 😭
(Also, I Love when we agree on things. 😍)
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you must be in a lovey mood all the time then because we almost always agree on things >:)))
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T r u e
I guess I was lying
Or I’m just a moody person
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JAMES MCNULTY MY HEART 😭😭 I love this book (and James) with all my heart and I think this whole trilogy is so fantastic
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HE’S SO PRECIOUS AHHH SAME
I would love to see a screen adaption of the series!!
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me too I think they’d make incredible movies!
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