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A review by forevermorepages
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
5.0
Wow, so Illuminae is unlike any other book I have ever read before. First, it's in epistolary format, which means that instead of chapters with dialogue and description, this book is told entirely through documentation. I went into this expecting that, and worried that I wouldn't love it. But I did. It didn't seem like either of the authors (and there are two) were just purely trying out a new type of story--it actually felt as though this formatting was the only way to tell this story. It was creative, it was hooking, and it was fantastic. Sure, I found some of the informational documents boring, but the chat room conversations (especially between Kady and Ezra) and the inner-thoughts (though, I think this was more like a log of description) of AIDAN were my favorite.
Not to mention, I loved the characters. Kady and Ezra are both realistic, use a plausible amount of curse words for their age (which is a lot, mind you, but it's all blacked out), and oh-so romantic. I mean, there's lines like this: "You have me. Until every last star in the galaxy dies. You have me". How do you not fall in love with someone who says that? How do you not ship it until "every star in the galaxy dies"?
Also, even though I thought I wouldn't, I loved AIDAN. A lot of reviews are saying he's less of an antagonist and more of an anti-hero. At first, I didn't see that, but as the story progresses and you are more enveloped in AIDAN's thoughts, you begin to see him as less of a villain and more someone who's deeply afraid of the world. So, of course, I fell in love with him too.
“Part of being alive is having life change us. The people around us, the events we live through, all of them shape us. And that’s what I think you’re afraid of. Maybe not dying. But of this you, the you you’ve become, ceasing to exist.” -page 491, Kady
I don't read science fiction that often, but because of this book, I think I'm going to try more. I loved the plot; it was captivating and unique. I highly recommend you try Illuminae, but I will warn you that it isn't for everyone. The style takes a little getting used to in the beginning, but I'm lucky that I loved every second of it. I read Illuminae in a few sittings because I was that hooked by it. I hope you enjoy it too.
-Book Hugger
For more reviews like this, check out my blog at http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com
Not to mention, I loved the characters. Kady and Ezra are both realistic, use a plausible amount of curse words for their age (which is a lot, mind you, but it's all blacked out), and oh-so romantic. I mean, there's lines like this: "You have me. Until every last star in the galaxy dies. You have me". How do you not fall in love with someone who says that? How do you not ship it until "every star in the galaxy dies"?
Also, even though I thought I wouldn't, I loved AIDAN. A lot of reviews are saying he's less of an antagonist and more of an anti-hero. At first, I didn't see that, but as the story progresses and you are more enveloped in AIDAN's thoughts, you begin to see him as less of a villain and more someone who's deeply afraid of the world. So, of course, I fell in love with him too.
“Part of being alive is having life change us. The people around us, the events we live through, all of them shape us. And that’s what I think you’re afraid of. Maybe not dying. But of this you, the you you’ve become, ceasing to exist.” -page 491, Kady
I don't read science fiction that often, but because of this book, I think I'm going to try more. I loved the plot; it was captivating and unique. I highly recommend you try Illuminae, but I will warn you that it isn't for everyone. The style takes a little getting used to in the beginning, but I'm lucky that I loved every second of it. I read Illuminae in a few sittings because I was that hooked by it. I hope you enjoy it too.
-Book Hugger
For more reviews like this, check out my blog at http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com