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Illuminae
(The Illuminae Files #1)
by
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 mega-corporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than a speck at the edge of the universe. Now with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra — who are barely even talking to each other—are forced ...more
The year is 2575, and two rival mega-corporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than a speck at the edge of the universe. Now with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra — who are barely even talking to each other—are forced ...more
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Hardcover, First Edition, 602 pages
Published
October 20th 2015
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
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Rachel
Plan B destroyed the book for World War-Z. It was an incredible book and an awful movie.
Tracey Schindler
Not a book for the ereader! You will miss out on so much. Invest in the real paper version!
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1)
DNF at 30%
This book is written in epistolary format, and it has the honor of being the most annoying book I've read this year. Some people love that stuff. I ain't one of them. I love space shit. Firefly. Star Wars (yes, EVEN THE NEWER ONES). Star Trek (I loved Enterprise and I don't care who knows it). This book was just terrible and terribly formatted.
The first few chapters are entirely interviews. It was annoying as shit. It didn't endear me to the main characters, and it explain nothing. Int ...more
This book is written in epistolary format, and it has the honor of being the most annoying book I've read this year. Some people love that stuff. I ain't one of them. I love space shit. Firefly. Star Wars (yes, EVEN THE NEWER ONES). Star Trek (I loved Enterprise and I don't care who knows it). This book was just terrible and terribly formatted.
The first few chapters are entirely interviews. It was annoying as shit. It didn't endear me to the main characters, and it explain nothing. Int ...more
Visually, Illuminae is an extremely fun and unique kind of book. It's a romantic space opera told through a collection of interview transcripts, diary entries, emails and gorgeous space images like this:
Sounds amazing, no? If I was rating solely based on cool ideas, this would get a bajillion stars.
A book this attractive should not be boring and yet the most exciting things about it - by far - were the unusual style and graphics. The story itself - of a planet being invaded in 2575 - simply didn ...more
Sounds amazing, no? If I was rating solely based on cool ideas, this would get a bajillion stars.
A book this attractive should not be boring and yet the most exciting things about it - by far - were the unusual style and graphics. The story itself - of a planet being invaded in 2575 - simply didn ...more
WOW. THIS WAS GOOD. It took me quite some time to really get into the story, but after around the 200 page mark I was hooked!
ILLUMINAE WAS SUCH A SPECTACULAR RIDE. FANTASTICALLY UNIQUE STORY TELLING TECHNIQUE, CAPTIVATING STORY. LOVED IT! Here's my full discussion/review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgtey...
...more
HOLY CRAP.
There is no way in hell that I could possibly describe what's going through my head right now. I don't think I'll be functional for a little while.
I'll get back to you on this, but just know it blew me away. Far, far away.
Review coming closer to August, MWAHAHAHH! Wait, October now? Sucks for you that publication was pushed back :P) ...more
I'll get back to you on this, but just know it blew me away. Far, far away.
Review coming closer to August, MWAHAHAHH! Wait, October now? Sucks for you that publication was pushed back :P) ...more
Feb 01, 2019
Virginia Ronan ♥ Herondale ♥
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites,
science-fiction
”You picked a hell of a day to dump me, Kades.”
I swear the interviews with those two at the beginning of the book are certainly among the best introductions to a new series I ever read. I mean OMG!!!
THIS BOOK!!!
I’m still not over it!! I swear when I started to read it I really didn’t know a lot about “Illuminae”. There were only three things I knew and I had absolutely no idea how it would work out for me.
1.) It’s a sci-fi series.
2.) The format is kinda weird and apparently the audio book is ...more
I swear the interviews with those two at the beginning of the book are certainly among the best introductions to a new series I ever read. I mean OMG!!!
THIS BOOK!!!
I’m still not over it!! I swear when I started to read it I really didn’t know a lot about “Illuminae”. There were only three things I knew and I had absolutely no idea how it would work out for me.
1.) It’s a sci-fi series.
2.) The format is kinda weird and apparently the audio book is ...more
im not a fan of audiobooks, but re-reading this while listening to the audio was such a cool experience. it just added another layer to an already immersive book. 10/10 would recommend.
____________________________
this is, hands down, one of the most unique and exciting books i have ever read. like, how cool is the format?! hacked emails, court marshal documents, security surveillance, case files, and stunning artwork. i am absolutely blown away by the level of detail in this work of genius! i ca ...more
____________________________
this is, hands down, one of the most unique and exciting books i have ever read. like, how cool is the format?! hacked emails, court marshal documents, security surveillance, case files, and stunning artwork. i am absolutely blown away by the level of detail in this work of genius! i ca ...more
Not to be dramatic but I feel like I've just went through 9 different emotions within the last two minutes and at any given moment now, I'm going to explode and become an entire fucking solar system.
Anyway, I'm sorry this review is a mess but since I can't even write bad poetry in an attempt to get my feelings outside of myself and until the universe sends me my next favorite person so I can unload all my emotional baggage on them...this hellsite will have to do.
Anyway, I'm sorry this review is a mess but since I can't even write bad poetry in an attempt to get my feelings outside of myself and until the universe sends me my next favorite person so I can unload all my emotional baggage on them...this hellsite will have to do.
“The universe owes you nothing...more
I
{ERROR}
AM
IN
LOVE
{ERROR}
I hereby award one MILLION stars to Illuminae!!!
Seriously, ALL THE STARS go to this absolute gem of YA Science Fiction!!!
I sort of feel like I was the last person in the universe to experience Illuminae. I call it an experience because, oh my stars, is it ever.
I wasn't sure going in whether or not I would be able to handle the format. Scanning through the book prior to starting, it seemed chaotic and potentially difficult to follow.
In the end, it really worked for me. S ...more
{ERROR}
AM
IN
LOVE
{ERROR}
I hereby award one MILLION stars to Illuminae!!!
Seriously, ALL THE STARS go to this absolute gem of YA Science Fiction!!!
I sort of feel like I was the last person in the universe to experience Illuminae. I call it an experience because, oh my stars, is it ever.
I wasn't sure going in whether or not I would be able to handle the format. Scanning through the book prior to starting, it seemed chaotic and potentially difficult to follow.
In the end, it really worked for me. S ...more
UPDATED THOUGHTS:
Ok, so I've calmed down a bit and am feeling better about this. It's amazing how many different forms this book took; in the beginning I was intrigued but felt it was a little slow moving, partially due to so many "technical sci-fi (ish)" terms and the choppy format. Amazing how it could feel so hindering yet unique at the same time. Once the stage was set though, I had a really hard time putting this down. I had no idea how many twists and turns I was in for, and I REALLY had n ...more
Ok, so I've calmed down a bit and am feeling better about this. It's amazing how many different forms this book took; in the beginning I was intrigued but felt it was a little slow moving, partially due to so many "technical sci-fi (ish)" terms and the choppy format. Amazing how it could feel so hindering yet unique at the same time. Once the stage was set though, I had a really hard time putting this down. I had no idea how many twists and turns I was in for, and I REALLY had n ...more
holy ████████ what a ████████ fantastically fun book!
i have never read anything by these authors before. i was aware of kristoff's books, having put them on channels back when i was doing that sort of thing, and i knew about kaufman, but her books had never called out to me. no disrespect, but i see a cover like this:
and my first thought is "not for me." i know my own tastes, and i know that this kind of story is not likely to speak to me.
but this book was getting pushed so hard at BEA, i was c ...more
i have never read anything by these authors before. i was aware of kristoff's books, having put them on channels back when i was doing that sort of thing, and i knew about kaufman, but her books had never called out to me. no disrespect, but i see a cover like this:
and my first thought is "not for me." i know my own tastes, and i know that this kind of story is not likely to speak to me.
but this book was getting pushed so hard at BEA, i was c ...more
Wow is all I can really say
Re-read on audible and OMG! It has a full cast of characters! What fun!
Right from the start this book grabbed me! When I got it in the mail I had to put it aside for a bit until I could get to it. I HAD NO IDEA HOW MUCH I WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK!
I picked said book up, took of the plastic over because I thought, "I can't read it with this on!" Then... I just sat there... looking.. I could quit touching and petting the book! Yes, I touch and pet my books.. get over it :) And I opened it and saw how ...more
Right from the start this book grabbed me! When I got it in the mail I had to put it aside for a bit until I could get to it. I HAD NO IDEA HOW MUCH I WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK!
I picked said book up, took of the plastic over because I thought, "I can't read it with this on!" Then... I just sat there... looking.. I could quit touching and petting the book! Yes, I touch and pet my books.. get over it :) And I opened it and saw how ...more
Mind boggled.
1: due to confusion.
2: it was damn good!
This’ll take a while for me to process. For now what I can say though as much as I loved the format, it made a little difficult for me to completely connect with it. It would through me off at times as there wasn’t your typically well-known flow and I had to try and grasp the story each time. And quite often.
It was quite technical. I mean, I loved it since everything was so fascinating, but some things I just couldn’t grasp.
The best part w ...more
1: due to confusion.
2: it was damn good!
This’ll take a while for me to process. For now what I can say though as much as I loved the format, it made a little difficult for me to completely connect with it. It would through me off at times as there wasn’t your typically well-known flow and I had to try and grasp the story each time. And quite often.
It was quite technical. I mean, I loved it since everything was so fascinating, but some things I just couldn’t grasp.
The best part w ...more
me: *wakes up* OHHH today I start Illuminae!!
my anxiety: are you picking up another stressful series wtf is wrong with you have mercy!
me: shut up I'm picking it up deal with it
my anxiety:
5/5 ⭐
This one started off with a panic attack. Which wasn’t great (of course, who thinks panic attacks are great?) but it also was great because it caught my attention and got me interested to the point where I was so emotionally invested that I couldn’t stop reading.
The main focus in this book was on Kady Grant ...more
my anxiety: are you picking up another stressful series wtf is wrong with you have mercy!
me: shut up I'm picking it up deal with it
my anxiety:
5/5 ⭐
This one started off with a panic attack. Which wasn’t great (of course, who thinks panic attacks are great?) but it also was great because it caught my attention and got me interested to the point where I was so emotionally invested that I couldn’t stop reading.
The main focus in this book was on Kady Grant ...more
Holy shit. That was a wild ride.
4.5 stars
This book is incredible! Definitely the most unique reading experience i've never had. It felt like you were in a video game, or watching a sci-fi movie. I absolutely love the way it was written and all the cool page designs and the way that the world is established is very immersive and you feel like you're a hacker reading into life on this spaceship. I love how the authors were able to write such a variety of different scenes and voices, for example how the Artificial Intelligence u ...more
This book is incredible! Definitely the most unique reading experience i've never had. It felt like you were in a video game, or watching a sci-fi movie. I absolutely love the way it was written and all the cool page designs and the way that the world is established is very immersive and you feel like you're a hacker reading into life on this spaceship. I love how the authors were able to write such a variety of different scenes and voices, for example how the Artificial Intelligence u ...more
There is so much hype surrounding this book, but after seeing Gemina make so many of my friends' "Favorite Books Published in 2016" lists, I couldn't ignore this series any longer. I also knew that it was told in a multimedia format, filled with interviews and IM conversations, and that made me a little apprehensive. This book was so unexpectedly addictive.
This story starts off in a much further progressed world, in both years and technology, than ours, on a hidden and secluded planet far, far a ...more
This story starts off in a much further progressed world, in both years and technology, than ours, on a hidden and secluded planet far, far a ...more
Actual final rating: 4.5/5 stars
Buddy (re)read with my girls:
Jenn, Luna, Em (Kazzexual), Sana, and Mayflower
"AM I NOT MERCIFUL?"
This book was epic. Epic, I tell you!
I'm a huge sci-fi fan. As I've mentioned a hundred times over, that stuff is my shit. (Which is why I have filled this review with completely irrelevant Doctor Who gifs, and only Doctor Who gifs. You're welcome.)
I think you know the drill by now: I warn the reader of the sheer multitude of gifs and fangirling coming their way, st ...more
Buddy (re)read with my girls:
Jenn, Luna, Em (Kazzexual), Sana, and Mayflower
"AM I NOT MERCIFUL?"
This book was epic. Epic, I tell you!
I'm a huge sci-fi fan. As I've mentioned a hundred times over, that stuff is my shit. (Which is why I have filled this review with completely irrelevant Doctor Who gifs, and only Doctor Who gifs. You're welcome.)
I think you know the drill by now: I warn the reader of the sheer multitude of gifs and fangirling coming their way, st ...more
1.) Illuminae ★★★★★
2.) Gemina ★★★★★
3.) Obsidio ★★★★★
--------------------------------------------------
9/3/18
Still a masterpiece.
2015
THAT. WAS. EPIC.
Video Review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHd83... ...more
2.) Gemina ★★★★★
3.) Obsidio ★★★★★
--------------------------------------------------
9/3/18
Still a masterpiece.
2015
THAT. WAS. EPIC.
Video Review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHd83... ...more
I actually ended up liking this a lot more than I expected!
my heart.
is going to.
E X P L O D E.
Since my brain is still a cacophony of 1's and 0's and !!!!!!'s and fUCK's, I thought I'd walk you through it in gif form:
And that about sums up what Illuminae will do to you. Are you ready? Probably not. It's amotherfucking zombie apocalypse in outer space.
Do it anyway.
Even if the wikipedia-like texts and dossier narrative style turns you off. Especially if they do, because believe me you, I was in that same boat as you and now my mind's been blown in two ...more
is going to.
E X P L O D E.
Since my brain is still a cacophony of 1's and 0's and !!!!!!'s and fUCK's, I thought I'd walk you through it in gif form:
And that about sums up what Illuminae will do to you. Are you ready? Probably not. It's a
Do it anyway.
Even if the wikipedia-like texts and dossier narrative style turns you off. Especially if they do, because believe me you, I was in that same boat as you and now my mind's been blown in two ...more
wow wow wow wow wow wow wow. My brain can't keep up with my emotions!
There are very few times when I actually wish I could give a book more than 5 stars. VERY FEW.
And yet, this is one of those times. I am blown away.
Amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing. Review to come. ...more
There are very few times when I actually wish I could give a book more than 5 stars. VERY FEW.
And yet, this is one of those times. I am blown away.
Amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing. Review to come. ...more
Epic motherfucker of a book, excuse the language.
Surveillance footage summary,
prepared by
Analyst ID 8759-6294-DN
Subject known as 'Mary' is experiencing high levels of emotional distress while reading. Her demeanor is rapidly shifting from joy & mirth to shock & indignation and then back again. Facial expressions accordingly. Thirty minutes ago she slammed the book closed and tossed it away from her with the purest look of terror I have ever witnessed, but now she's back with her nose buried between the pages.Seriously, what the ███ is wrong w
...more
prepared by
Analyst ID 8759-6294-DN
Subject known as 'Mary' is experiencing high levels of emotional distress while reading. Her demeanor is rapidly shifting from joy & mirth to shock & indignation and then back again. Facial expressions accordingly. Thirty minutes ago she slammed the book closed and tossed it away from her with the purest look of terror I have ever witnessed, but now she's back with her nose buried between the pages.
More like 4.5 stars, I really enjoyed this one!
Jun 02, 2016
Nat
marked it as dnf
I tried picking this up and continuing multiple times, but I just can't do it. I think I'm going to have to put it down for now.
The whole Unipedia sections were not working for me, it felt too much like homework?? And I started skipping a lot and then not understanding anything...
Maybe (hopefully) I'll pick it up closer to Gemina's release and somehow enjoy it more then?
This review and more can be found on my blog. ...more
This was probably the best book I've read all year! Such an amazing story! I am speechless when it comes to this book
...more
“Am I not merciful?”
^^ This was a real HOLLY-MOTHER-NO-FUCKING-WAY moment. <3
AIDAN, Winifred, Byron, James and Dorian were great!! Unfortunately, i DID NOT like Kady, she was a little too overdone. Ezra on the other hand was hilarious, but too cheesy for my taste.
"IF I BREATH, I WOULD SIGH.
I WOULD SCREAM, I WOULD CRY.
___《RESTART COMPLETE》___
__________I__________
_________AM__________
AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN
AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN
AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN
AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN ...more
^^ This was a real HOLLY-MOTHER-NO-FUCKING-WAY moment. <3
AIDAN, Winifred, Byron, James and Dorian were great!! Unfortunately, i DID NOT like Kady, she was a little too overdone. Ezra on the other hand was hilarious, but too cheesy for my taste.
"IF I BREATH, I WOULD SIGH.
I WOULD SCREAM, I WOULD CRY.
___《RESTART COMPLETE》___
__________I__________
_________AM__________
AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN
AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN
AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN
AIDAN AIDAN AIDAN ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Adult Sci-Fi - Couple break up before being split onto two large ships to escape a planetary takeover. [s] | 6 | 37 | Mar 22, 2022 03:09PM | |
| Challenge Corner: Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1), by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff - Restarting February 15th, 2022 | 51 | 29 | Feb 28, 2022 06:15AM | |
| YA Buddy Readers'...: Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) by Amie Kaufman, and Jay Kristoff - Restarting July 1st 2021 | 551 | 667 | Jan 04, 2022 07:47PM | |
| Series to Finish ...: Illuminae discussion: Part 1 (25%) | 21 | 10 | Sep 13, 2021 02:27PM | |
| Series to Finish ...: Illuminae discussion: Part 2 (50%) | 5 | 5 | Sep 13, 2021 02:21PM | |
| Series to Finish ...: Illuminae discussion: Part 3 (75%) | 1 | 3 | Aug 14, 2021 07:39AM | |
The Bookworm Society:
May 2021 BOTM~ Illuminae
|
2 | 17 | May 08, 2021 05:24AM |
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Amie Kaufman is a New York Times and internationally bestselling author of young adult fiction. Her multi-award winning work is slated for publication in over 30 countries, and is in development for film and TV. Raised in Australia and occasionally Ireland, Amie has degrees in history, literature, law and conflict resolution. She lives in Melbourne with her husband and daughter, their rescue dog,
...more
Other books in the series
The Illuminae Files
(3 books)
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Audiobooks are an incredible way to experience stories—a great narrator can use their voice bring the narrative to life in a way that the...
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13 trivia questions
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“You have me. Until the last star in the galaxy dies, you have me.”
—
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“You deserve every star in the galaxy laid out at your feet and a thousand diamonds in your hair. You deserve someone who'll run with you as far and as fast as you want to. Holding your hand, not holding you back.”
—
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