Review: Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

[Mimi Jazman]

The story is being told in a bunch of files. You will see recorded chats, posters, announcements, plans, pictures and also, some amazing pages that I'm not even sure what type of document it is. Basically, the story uses three major characters throughout the book. First one is Kady Grant and then her boyfriend, Ezra Mason. Last but not least, AIDAN, the artificial intelligence who controls one of the battleships in the story. Kady and Ezra just broke up when suddenly, Kerenza (the planet they live) was attacked by a company called BeiTech. So, Kady and Ezra made it to safety into two separate battleships, named Alexander and Hypatia. However, it seems like the invasion does not just end there. BeiTech used a battleship named Lincoln to attack both Alexander and Hypatia. The story evolved on how Kady and Ezra survived through the war. Well.. Not just that. There's a lot of stories besides Kady and Ezra but of course, you have to read it on your own to find out the other stories.

No one would ever expect to fall in love with Illuminae as much as they do. No one. Everyone knows how unique it is, yet, not everyone have high expectation for this one. But, after a few months of being released, you now know how great is Illuminae. SUPERB! If you ask me. So beautiful, so great inside and out. It surely makes its way to my '2015 favorite read' list.

The way the story is being told is just so good. Although I was reading a collection of files, amazingly, I can still have a good emotional attachment to all the characters. I can still grab the storyline and although I have some difficulties to understand some parts, I still enjoyed it.

You will be frustrated at some parts because the terms are a bit hard for some of us. Like me, since I'm not a science student anymore, some of the sentences are really frustrating because you can't understand it well. But again, amazingly, throughout the book, with all the parts that I can't truly understand, I can still get the idea. Maybe I let go some of the minor details, but that will not distract you at all.

Illuminae is the kind of book that you can barely put down. I found myself enjoying the 'less wordy' element in the book. You see, there are pages where you will be reading only a word, literally just a word. That actually makes me feel good because I think it just motivates me to turn to the next pages. The story is about space war and I believe it is heavy if it is being told in the usual tone thus, the idea to use conversations and camera analysis are great. The humor is there. It's not just there but it feels like you are being included in the whole story. You can imagine yourself being there, watching all the characters all by yourself. Personally, I think myself as a CCTV that follows the characters around. That's how great it is.

Some of my friends are afraid to read Illuminae because they afraid they can't imagine it. Before I get into this book, that's exactly my thought as well. But, apparently, it is not a problem at all. It is going to take about 10 pages or less before you can embrace the new writing style. Pick this up, I know you won't regret it, especially, if you are a sci-fi fan. You will love this dearly. And do not afraid if you think this book is not going to be great enough in terms of writing. Again, Kaufman and Kristoff make a good job in creating amazing sentences that will relate to you very much.

The storyline is to die for. The plot twist killed me. I feel very much betrayed. I was furious. I cursed. That's how good the plot twist is. But, the conflict is very well-resolved and it is so beautiful. Literally. I believe the authors know so much on how to play with your heart. They know how to upset you, how to make you stress and they also know how to make you feel fine again, which is great. I'm telling you, this book is nothing but greatness.

Now, let's talk about the characters. THEY ARE SO AWESOME! All of them are baes. I love them all. They are very real, close to your heart and very relatable. They succeed to make me cry and laugh like hell. Yes. They are that good. Everyone gonna find them very funny and you know what, all of them feels like your friends. They speak their thoughts to you, but somehow, they conceal it from other characters, which is AWESOME! I have never known anything like this. You will fully understand these characters and their actions and their feelings and their fear. You will totally get them. All of them. Especially Ezra, Kady and AIDAN. I know I will remember them all since, well, it's going to be a trilogy! Of course I will remember the three of them for a very long time. I think about them all the time I'm not reading the book. I have to talk about it desperately to people around me. That's why I'm suggesting a lot of my close friends to read this so that I can have someone to talk about it.

Obviously, I am suggesting everyone to read this. Like, just everyone! First of all because I would like everyone to experience the awesomeness of the new writing style of this book. IT'S A GENIUS WORK! Although it's just a compilation of files, you will still be able to grasp the whole idea. Then, I also recommend this to all sci-fi fans because the story itself is so fantastic. Everyone is going to love it. EVERYONE!

[BookNerdEmily]

Illuminae was so amazing. Nice review!

[Mimi Jazman]

Illuminae was so amazing. Nice review!

Thanks! Truly appreciated that!