Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Series: The Illuminae Files #1
Published by: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pub Date: October 20, 2015
Pages: 608
Format: arc | Source: publisher
Genres: young adult, science fiction
Rating: 

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.

BRIEFING NOTE: 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.

This book was [see above gif] in every way. Illuminae is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read- it wasn’t as difficult to read as I imagined either so I’m glad I finally gave it a chance. I was pulled in almost immediately! I like that it was framed by a document talking about an incident that had previously occurred; it was a cool perspective. Even though the various narration pulls you away from the characters in some ways, it allows you to be closer to them in others. It was a perfect mixture that lent SO much tension to the story!

I didn’t know anything about the plague beforehand, even though it’s mentioned in the blurb- that was a terrifying surprise! Illuminae was mysterious and sad and tense and action-packed throughout, and AIDAN was so creeeeeepy and fascinating. The way the authors were able to rationalize its behavior within its POV was disturbing but believable. I kept picturing Littlefinger from Game of Thrones in my head which was distracting and maybe added to the creep factor haha! I think it’s because the actor’s name is Aiden…

Kady was a fantastic MC- brave even when she was afraid, big heart, extremely crafty and intelligent. I loved her. All the characters were great, even the secondary and background players. I even liked the narrator who walked through the security footage, his commentary was pretty funny. I got confused a couple times with the BeiTech stuff (motives, etc) and I didn’t like the pages where I had to keep turning the book sideways to read them but otherwise it was fantastic and shocking. I loved the various documents! Such a cool, devastating book.

Have you given in to the hype and read Illuminae yet? What did you think of the format? I can’t wait to read the next book now!