Expected publication: October 20, 2015
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
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.
Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.
My Thoughts
Pretty awesome! I read Illuminae in one short sitting, which is sort of rare as of late. If I had to categorize this novel, it would fall under futuristic sci-fi at its finest!
The narrative is both unique and captivating, as the story is told through a collection of memorandums, debrief interviews, unipedia entries, intra-ship messages, personal emails, surveillance summaries and computer generated discussions.
It takes place in 2575, when Kady and Ezra’s planet of Kerenza is invaded. They each flee to two different battle carriers, the Alexander and Hypatia, and find themselves in the middle of an intergalactic war that includes feuding carriers, rampant viruses and a faulty computer system AIDAN that is no longer controlled by humans. Kady and Ezra must work together to get their airships to safety, while battling the elements against them.
Illuminae is definitely one of its kind! I’ve never experienced an adventure such as this that was told in an absolutely engaging and creative way. There were certain formats I enjoyed reading more than others. I was absolutely drawn by the inter-ship messages between Kady and Ezra. Having witnessed their shaky start at the beginning of the novel, where is wasn’t quite clear why Kady broke-up with her boyfriend, I was curious how these two would ultimately come together at the end. The inter-messages between these two, were both heartfelt, funny and sarcastic adding a bit of levity to their situation.
Surprisingly, my opinion of AIDAN shifted quite a bit toward the end. I really like how this computer system became so real and ultimately developed its own unique character through her… his… its interactions with Kady.
I understand Illuminae is the first installment in a series, but rest assured, it can stand quite nicely on its own if you're not in the mood for a drawn out series. I, for one, will keep the subsequent installments on my radar. Also, I can comfortably anticipate this book will make a significant splash when it hits the shelves in October. Definitely worth keeping your eye out for it!
Pretty awesome! I read Illuminae in one short sitting, which is sort of rare as of late. If I had to categorize this novel, it would fall under futuristic sci-fi at its finest!
The narrative is both unique and captivating, as the story is told through a collection of memorandums, debrief interviews, unipedia entries, intra-ship messages, personal emails, surveillance summaries and computer generated discussions.
It takes place in 2575, when Kady and Ezra’s planet of Kerenza is invaded. They each flee to two different battle carriers, the Alexander and Hypatia, and find themselves in the middle of an intergalactic war that includes feuding carriers, rampant viruses and a faulty computer system AIDAN that is no longer controlled by humans. Kady and Ezra must work together to get their airships to safety, while battling the elements against them.
Illuminae is definitely one of its kind! I’ve never experienced an adventure such as this that was told in an absolutely engaging and creative way. There were certain formats I enjoyed reading more than others. I was absolutely drawn by the inter-ship messages between Kady and Ezra. Having witnessed their shaky start at the beginning of the novel, where is wasn’t quite clear why Kady broke-up with her boyfriend, I was curious how these two would ultimately come together at the end. The inter-messages between these two, were both heartfelt, funny and sarcastic adding a bit of levity to their situation.
Surprisingly, my opinion of AIDAN shifted quite a bit toward the end. I really like how this computer system became so real and ultimately developed its own unique character through her… his… its interactions with Kady.
I understand Illuminae is the first installment in a series, but rest assured, it can stand quite nicely on its own if you're not in the mood for a drawn out series. I, for one, will keep the subsequent installments on my radar. Also, I can comfortably anticipate this book will make a significant splash when it hits the shelves in October. Definitely worth keeping your eye out for it!
4 Snowflakes
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The Prom Goer's Interstellar Excursion by Chris McCoy!
ReplyDeleteI need to check that one out!
DeleteI don't read a lot of Sci-Fi, but I love the Lunar Chronicles! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the Lunar Chronicles, so I'll look into that! You're welcome. :)
DeleteI absolutely love the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld!
ReplyDeleteI've had that series on my TBR forever! Good rec!
DeleteI definitely suggest Ready Player One and Armada! Ernest Cline is the best author.
ReplyDeleteI love the Lunar Chronicles, and thanks for this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the Avalon duology by Mindee Arnett, the starbound trilogy, and of course the Lunar Chronicles :D
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the giveaway!
I apologize, but I don't.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but no. My husband reads them.
ReplyDeleteI hope i get the book illuminae, so in science fiction right now
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you liked this one! I loved These Broken Stars and it's a great sci-fi read.
ReplyDeleteI guess picking my favorite Sc-fi books is pretty hard, so ill name a few.
ReplyDeleteThe lunar chronicles, divergent, shatter me.
I really enjoyed These Broken Stars :)
ReplyDeleteUnraveling, Across a Star-Swept Sea, The Lunar Chronicles :)
ReplyDeleteIlluminae was absolutely STUNNING! That will be my go-to Sci-Fi recommendation for a long time to come, unless something even better comes along... which I find very hard to believe!
ReplyDelete(Alisha Sienkiel in rafflecopter)
ReplyDeleteI recommend Burn Out by Kristi Helvig. Thanks for the giveaway!! :)