meagan_kay's review against another edition
5.0
It took me a while to get used to this book and the way that the story was told, but once I did, it was fantastic! The storytelling through documents and digital conversations was so unique and interesting. I especially loved the parts of the story told through AIDAN's (the AI program) "memory". It was intriguing, though-provoking, and a bit haunting.
I don't normally enjoy sci-fi books very much, but Illuminae not only had an excellent plot, but also well-developed characters. This surprised me since I didn't expect to get very attached to the characters due to the way the story is told. Oh man, was I wrong. I was more engrossed in these characters' stories than I have been in several other books. I'm not sure what it was about the writing that made the characters so compelling, but I found myself on the edge of my seat, hoping that nothing happened to any of them.
The one downside to this book was that it's a bit gruesome at times. There was one particular description, around the middle of the story, of a mass murder that was pretty disturbing. Though this was undoubtedly the intention of the authors, it was hard to read at times. I guess, in some ways, that's a good thing, because it accurately portrayed the tragedy of the situation rather than just glossing over the deaths.
Overall, this book was unique and fantastic, if a bit gruesome at times. I would definitely recommend it!
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
I don't normally enjoy sci-fi books very much, but Illuminae not only had an excellent plot, but also well-developed characters. This surprised me since I didn't expect to get very attached to the characters due to the way the story is told. Oh man, was I wrong. I was more engrossed in these characters' stories than I have been in several other books. I'm not sure what it was about the writing that made the characters so compelling, but I found myself on the edge of my seat, hoping that nothing happened to any of them.
The one downside to this book was that it's a bit gruesome at times. There was one particular description, around the middle of the story, of a mass murder that was pretty disturbing. Though this was undoubtedly the intention of the authors, it was hard to read at times. I guess, in some ways, that's a good thing, because it accurately portrayed the tragedy of the situation rather than just glossing over the deaths.
Overall, this book was unique and fantastic, if a bit gruesome at times. I would definitely recommend it!
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
chloeberg's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kassimesserly's review against another edition
5.0
WOW.... this book was hands down amazing... The writing style is unlike anything I have come across before. I highly recommend following along with the audio book. It has a full cast and along with sound effects. It felt like I was just watching a movie. Very fun experience. 10/10
kfrogpath's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
I had a bit of a hard time reading the smaller text with this one on the Kindle (old style) so if that's your only digital option, go for the book! Other than that I would say that if you're initially put off by the format, reports and technical drawings, it's worth sticking with. There is plenty of easier to read bits as it gets going, chats, diary entries etc.
It's brilliant, tense, desperate, the tale of a girl, a boy and a pretty advanced AI. If you're at all into sci-fi and stories with strong female characters, read this.
I had a bit of a hard time reading the smaller text with this one on the Kindle (old style) so if that's your only digital option, go for the book! Other than that I would say that if you're initially put off by the format, reports and technical drawings, it's worth sticking with. There is plenty of easier to read bits as it gets going, chats, diary entries etc.
It's brilliant, tense, desperate, the tale of a girl, a boy and a pretty advanced AI. If you're at all into sci-fi and stories with strong female characters, read this.
saluki's review against another edition
4.0
Not an original sci-fi tale yet it kept me interested throughout... especially when AIDEN, the AI on the battlecarrier, was promising to go all HAL on top of the catastrophic effects of biological weaponry. After watching a Star Wars movie marathon I was in the right frame of mind to enjoy the insanity of Illuminae even if I had to suspend my disbelief a few times. Plus the climax was nail-biting worthy and unexpected.
Some readers may be put off by the epistolary format and creative typography but I felt it was a fun complement to the story.
Kady and Ezra's rocky romance didn't move me much at the beginning but that changed as events unfolded. I was hooked from the first page and I'll be reading Gemina next.
kkenzie53's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Reading this book was an EXPERIENCE. The different page formats took some getting used to, but I was hooked once I understood the different formats of pages. With no clear chapters, it was difficult to put this book down. I loved seeing the characters be their own age at the beginning. These are kids, they're not heros. They will complain and fight with each other. Seeing the growth in them throughout the book was encouraging and exciting. I would read this book again!
aaron_j136's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book and I only didn’t give it 5 starts because it took a lot getting into and I don’t agree with Kady and Ezra’s romance.
lydiabutson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0