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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)

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

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

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

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

RE-READ REVIEW:
Yes yes I am officially 100% Illuminae trash and I COULD CRY BECAUSE I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH. I literally....afjkdlasfd. What am I even supposed to say here? OKAY. Just a few like "reread" thoughts in list format because that's who I am.
• First off the audiobook is freaking amazing and I CANNOT RECOMMEND IT ENOUGH. It's got tons of voices, it's basically dramatised, there is MUSIC and like beep-booping (shh, technical term there) of machines and I lovelovelovelovelove it.
• The em ...more
Yes yes I am officially 100% Illuminae trash and I COULD CRY BECAUSE I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH. I literally....afjkdlasfd. What am I even supposed to say here? OKAY. Just a few like "reread" thoughts in list format because that's who I am.
• First off the audiobook is freaking amazing and I CANNOT RECOMMEND IT ENOUGH. It's got tons of voices, it's basically dramatised, there is MUSIC and like beep-booping (shh, technical term there) of machines and I lovelovelovelovelove it.
• The em ...more

I
{ERROR}
AM
IN
LOVE
{ERROR}

I 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.
How would I ever keep track of it all?

In the end, it really worked for me. Someth ...more
{ERROR}
AM
IN
LOVE
{ERROR}

I 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.
How would I ever keep track of it all?

In the end, it really worked for me. Someth ...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

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

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

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

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

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

This is one of the most hyped up books EVER so I was actually kinda hesitant to pick it up. BUT WOW. This book was absolutely wonderful. It took me a while to get into the first 100 pages or so, but after that, I absolutely flew threw it.
Illuminae (sorry, Illumin-YAY) consists entirely of pictures, diagrams, transcripts of recordings, interviews, instant messages, and the like. IT MADE A 600 PAGE BOOK (which I think very FEW books get away with that length) FEEL SO SHORT.
This is the story of a ...more
Illuminae (sorry, Illumin-YAY) consists entirely of pictures, diagrams, transcripts of recordings, interviews, instant messages, and the like. IT MADE A 600 PAGE BOOK (which I think very FEW books get away with that length) FEEL SO SHORT.
This is the story of a ...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

Dec 12, 2017
Nadhira Satria
rated it
did not like it
Recommends it for:
people who can actually stand reading books in a weird ass stupid format
Recommended to Nadhira by:
may ❀
DNF 60%
I can't fucking read this anymore
I hate this book.
I hate this format.
I hate the characters.
I hate the "humor"
I hate the stupid ass fucking sarcastic unfunny humor
I hate the fact that the humor makes me so angry. fuck
I hate the fact that the "humor" seemed like it was written by a 50 year old trying to write as a seventeen year old
I hate the plot.
I hate the story.
I hate the stupid fucking fORMAT.
I hate the weird-ass sci-fi words.
I hate that I don't know what the fuck is going.
I hate that I ...more
I can't fucking read this anymore
I hate this book.
I hate this format.
I hate the characters.
I hate the "humor"
I hate the stupid ass fucking sarcastic unfunny humor
I hate the fact that the humor makes me so angry. fuck
I hate the fact that the "humor" seemed like it was written by a 50 year old trying to write as a seventeen year old
I hate the plot.
I hate the story.
I hate the stupid fucking fORMAT.
I hate the weird-ass sci-fi words.
I hate that I don't know what the fuck is going.
I hate that I ...more

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.
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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The Bookworm Soci...: Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) by Amie Kaufman - Starting February 13th | 25 | 19 | Feb 24, 2021 08:28PM | |
2021 Reading Chal...:
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19 | 53 | Jan 09, 2021 10:31AM | |
Play Book Tag: [Poll Ballot] Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff - 4 stars | 1 | 5 | Oct 31, 2020 10:44AM | |
Need help | 3 | 46 | Oct 12, 2020 07:26AM | |
FLASHLIGHT READERS: September 2020 Sci-Fi BOTM- Illuminae | 9 | 20 | Sep 16, 2020 03:22PM | |
BarringtonLibrary...: Illuminae - July/August 2020 | 5 | 10 | Aug 18, 2020 07:00PM |
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, their rescue dog, and an extrem
...more
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“You have me. Until the last star in the galaxy dies, you have me.”
—
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She is chaos.
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She is chaos.
I can see why he loves her.”