Rate: 3/5
Medium: Kindle
Overview (No Spoilers):
I had such high expectations for Illuminae after seeing so many wonderful book reviews by fellow bloggers, as well as, it being the last book on the list I’d been working through that I’d been thoroughly enjoying, e.g., Robopocalypse, Sleeping Giants, The Historian, all of which employ memos, interviews, diaries, etc. to relay the story. Alas, I believe the lofty anticipation might have led this book to fall a bit flat for me. This space opera jumps immediately into the action, leaving the reader to piece together, both the futuristic world and the key players. After treading water for what seems like the first third of the book, the plot slowly comes into focus, although heavy laden with melodramatic, teenage love anguish. And perhaps, therein lies my key issue with this novel, which revolves around my overall distain for the main female character. Toward the end of the novel I realized that I was perhaps holding Kady to unrealistic expectations as she was only 18 and thrown into a terrible, heartbreaking situation, ultimately working to softened my general frustration toward her dialogue. Overall, the multiple plot twists toward the end of the book significantly improved my disposition regarding Illuminae, however time will tell if I’ll continue on in the series.
Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound):
- The ending was so clean with AIDAN, Kady, and Ezra all surviving. I loved the twist that AIDAN was pretending to be Ezra to lure Kady over the Alexander, with Ezra having been killed. However it was too YA that everyone survived.
- Also, I enjoyed the maturation of AIDAN throughout this novel. I couldn’t believe by the end I was feeling sympathetic to the AI system.
- The zombie creatures were terrifying, especially once they took over the speakers to torment Kady.
- I knew Ezra’s mom was going to come into play at some point but I didn’t see her being the head of the enemy company. If she wanted her son, what was the point of attacking and potentially killing him?
The Critiquing Chemist 
Great review! I’ve been debating whether or not to read this book for a while since I’m not too fond of epistolary stories, but maybe it’s time to take it off the old TBR.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Annie! Have you read Sleeping Giants? Similar format but so well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No I haven’t yet but I’ll check it out–thanks for the recommendation 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry you didn’t love this one. I adored it but I still liked Gemina better … though there is a bit more of the teenage melodrama in that one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad to hear Gemina is better! 😀 Would you recommend continuing with the series?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well … Gemina reads closer to a traditional YA sci fi would … Not sure I can go into it without spoiling. It has more story in my opinion and more … romance. But less science. So if you don’t like those elements … then you probably won’t like it. It’s different characters too … which I expected because that’s how Kaufman seems to write then brings her characters all together in the last installment.
I don’t know … maybe give it a try just to see … its a quick read?
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks for this review! 🙂 i liked it when i read it at the beginning of the year but it wasn’t that good as it was hyped! i haven’t read “gemina” yet, because i want to wait for “obsidio” first and then i’ll reread “illuminae”. i’m curious if i will like it again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!! I’m glad you agreed with me on me hyped vs. reality aspect. You’re right, maybe a reread would make it a more enjoyable read. 😀
LikeLike
I read this book earlier this year (I buddyread this with my Twitter friend) and remember totally exhausted when I finished the book. The style for narration, the formats, graphics are pretty impressive, but having to piece together the story by my head rather than hand-fed the information to chew on was pretty mentally draining lol
I agree with AIDAN; I never thought I would feel sympathetic and even affection toward the AI system!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Noriko! How would you rate this book? Have you read the sequel?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I would go for 3.5 out of 5 stars. Enjoyed, but not blown away and more than anything, exhausting lol I have Gemina on my bookshelf, but I haven’t read it – I’m taking a break from the format! lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was also a little disappointed with this book. I read it a few weeks ago and ended up giving it 3 stars as well. I have yet to read Gemina, but I’ll get to that eventually… I just hope it will be better!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Em! I’m so glad you agree with me! I feel like I will eventually read Gemina too. Fingers crossed it will be better.
LikeLike
I read the first chapter in the bookstore and felt it didn’t live up to the hype. I think the unusual format of a sci-fi/YA/epistolary novel has people more excited than they would be otherwise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True!
LikeLike
Agreed! Personally I found Sleeping Giants a much more satisfying read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting to see a different perception of this book, thanks for the review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! That is one of the wonderful things about literature! Readers can consume the same material and draw different conclusions! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aidan was by far my favorite part of Illuminae!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to agree with you Erika!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve wondered a lot about this book because I’ve seen it so much on Bookstagram. The cover reminds me of The Martian? So I keep associating it with that book. I have no idea if they’re similar, though.
And like you said about “time will tell” if you read the rest of the series… I totally won’t keep reading a series if I didn’t love the first book. For me, series never get better if I don’t like the first one!
LikeLiked by 1 person