From the Bookshelf of The Reading Challenge Group…

Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1)

Amie Kaufman,

Jay Kristoff

Start date: July 1, 2016

Finish date: July 31, 2016

Discussion: Group Read Archive 2014-16

Why we're reading this: Genre Group Read (Science Fiction/Dystopian) - July 2016
[close] Genre Group Read (Science Fiction/Dystopian) - July 2016

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Showing 2 of 139 topics — 2,834 comments total

Group Read Archive 2014-16

Genre Group Read (Humour) - December 2016 - You Are Not So Smart
By Allison , Quest Hound · 11 posts · 30 views

last updated Dec 28, 2016 04:05PM

Alternate Group Read (Classics) - December 2016 - Mansfield Park
By Allison , Quest Hound · 5 posts · 18 views

last updated Dec 04, 2016 09:34AM

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What Members Thought

Sep 16, 2017 AshleyA (MamaNeedsBooks) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: library-reads-series

Wow. Wow, wow, wow. This book is so out of my norm, my comfort zone. However, I LOVED it!

This book was such a quick, fun, so fast paced read. Do I completely understand all that happened? Probably not. haha However, I don't care. I am hooked. I am ready to pick up book two now.

Read this book. Now. ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Feb 11, 2022 Eileen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2022-ng-group-challenge, teen-young-adult, science-fiction, audiobook, dystopian, 2022, fantasy, 2022genrechallenge, romance

This is is a review of the audiobook, since that was the method I chose to read this unusually constructed book. I did look up pages of this book, and I think I really enjoyed doing the audio and will likely continue with this mode for books 2 and 3. However, I might request the books from the library just so I can see how it's put together. That said, they did a great job with the audio and I am glad I decided to give it a try.

The story is told through a series of logs, transmissions, and reco This is is a review of the audiobook, since that was the method I chose to read this unusually constructed book. I did look up pages of this book, and I think I really enjoyed doing the audio and will likely continue with this mode for books 2 and 3. However, I might request the books from the library just so I can see how it's put together. That said, they did a great job with the audio and I am glad I decided to give it a try.

The story is told through a series of logs, transmissions, and records as authorities work to piece together what happened when a corporation's ship attacked an illegal mining company and then tried to cover it up by going after any survivors. The majority of the story describes the three surviving ships (that also picked up refugees) as they race away from the juggernaut coming after them. At the same time, a bioweapon is released and a virus starts to mutate and spread amongst the survivors. At this point, things get a little hazy and that's the story that's being told. The story centers around two teenage survivors, Kady, and her (ex) boyfriend Ezra, but the POV switches around pretty easily, depending on where the log is coming from. Aidan, the AI of one of the fleeing ships is one of the most interesting characters and he also has some of the best lines.

There were so many times as I listened when I would stop short because of a line or chosen phrase, or the name of a character, all nods to pop culture, literature, movies, books, etc. Many of them made me laugh out loud and I wished I had listened to the book with someone so that we could laugh about them together. I'm sure I missed many of these "Easter Eggs" but the ones I caught were a lot of fun. And of course, one can't help but draw comparisons between Aidan and HAL, especially when Aidan started talking to one of the officers, Dave. The narrator who did his voice definitely reminded me of HAL, which I'm sure was deliberate. I really wish there was someplace online I could see a list of these Easter Eggs just to see how many there actually are. I've just started the second book and I'm barely into it and have already caught at least one reference. The only reason I did not give this 5 stars is that it took me some time to get into the rhythm of the book and to adjust to the unusual way of telling the story. But I was about a third of the way when things just really clicked for me and I ended up having a total blast. The last third of the book was fantastic, and as I have implied, I am already starting the second book.

There was definitely some teenage romance, but that was really just a minor part of this story, even if Kady's love is what motivated her to do many of the things she did. But overall, this book didn't feel all that YA to me, which leads me to believe that a wide range of ages would enjoy this book. If you're a fan of sci-fi adventures, you would probably enjoy this book, even though YA is not your jam. I'd say this is a series worth giving a try. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 09, 2021 Danielle rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 10, 2016 Karla rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, sci-fi, audio

Go out and buy this book now! It starts a bit slow, but the action picks up quickly. I switched back and forth from the audio version, which is incredibly well done, and the print version. I recommend at least viewing the print version, as it has a cool layout that adds to the story. Can't wait for book two. ...more

1 like · Like · see review