The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff -> Restarting July 14th, 2025

[Aly]

Felicia wrote: "Illuminae
Chapter 1-54So I’m listening to this at work. And I feel like I definitely need to follow along with the physical book. But at the same time I don’t think that? I just think it’s be easie..."

@Chapter 1-54 Yeah I'm glad I read the physical before I listened to the audiobook. It's such a cool format

[Aly]

Chapter 58 (view spoiler)[ Things are getting crazy! A guy murdered his family because he thought they were looking at him! I love books with contagions.
Also the audiobook is the best! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Chapter 65 (view spoiler)[ I cry every time I read the McNulty part. It's so horrible (hide spoiler)]

[Felicia]

Aly wrote: "Chapter 65 [spoilers removed]"

Right! So sad. 😭😭😭

[Aly]

Chapter 106 (view spoiler)[ We found out what happened to Kady's mom, so terrible. All these people dying! (hide spoiler)]

[Felicia]

Aly wrote: "Chapter 106 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[All cause AIDAN is crazyyyyyyyy. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

AIDAN gets all the best lines. "Am I not merciful?"

[Aly]

Felicia wrote: "Illuminae
Chapter 1-54So I’m listening to this at work. And I feel like I definitely need to follow along with the physical book. But at the same time I don’t think that? I just think it’s be easie..."

@55-95 I know, I love them so much

[Aly]

To your thought about that same section (view spoiler)[ Yeah I forget that Ezra is actually AIDAN. Makes me so sad for Kady (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Chapter 141 (view spoiler)[ Fuck, make me cry again. If I could save anyone from these books, it would be Jimmy (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Felicia wrote: "Illuminae
Chapter 1-54So I’m listening to this at work. And I feel like I definitely need to follow along with the physical book. But at the same time I don’t think that? I just think it’s be easie..."

@96-144 (view spoiler)[ Yeah that's a huge twist and I love it! These authors are geniuses, seriously (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Felicia wrote: "Illuminae
Chapter 1-54So I’m listening to this at work. And I feel like I definitely need to follow along with the physical book. But at the same time I don’t think that? I just think it’s be easie..."

@145-162 (view spoiler)[ I know! All on her own (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Chapter 164 (view spoiler)[ Everything is on Kady now, poor girl. I'm so glad AIDAN is helping her because she couldn't do it otherwise (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Felicia wrote: "Illuminae
Chapter 1-54So I’m listening to this at work. And I feel like I definitely need to follow along with the physical book. But at the same time I don’t think that? I just think it’s be easie..."

@Finished Yes, so many things coming together!

[Aly]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I hate when you think Ezra is dead and then that Kady is dying. Thank goodness they survived. I love the ending that makes you want to dive into the sequel immediately (hide spoiler)]

[Felicia]

Aly wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

Right! I wanted to get right into it as soon as I finished! But I had to restrain myself. Lol.

[Felicia]

Gemina
Chapter 1-51(view spoiler)[POOR COWIES! 😩😩😩😭😭😭 I forgot how good this was! (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 52-86(view spoiler)[omg. Poor doggie. I forgot about that part. I’m not crying. You’re crying. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 87-146(view spoiler)[I REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENS. OMG. 😭😭😭 (hide spoiler)]
Finished(view spoiler)[Ugh, this series is just so good. I can't handle it. Literally going to die. Lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Yay! I'll try to start this tomorrow

[Felicia]

Aly wrote: "Yay! I'll try to start this tomorrow"

Okay! I'm gonna listen to Obsidio this weekend I think.

[Aly]

Ooh yes!

[Aly]

Chapter 1-50 (view spoiler)[ I feel so bad for Ella and Hannah that they lost their dads. Poor girls. Yet they still fight back like badasses (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Felicia wrote: "Gemina
Chapter 1-51[spoilers removed]
Chapter 52-86[spoilers removed]
Chapter 87-146[spoilers removed]
Finished[spoilers removed]"

@1-51 Yeah, pretty gross. Also, this is my favorite book of the series! So many great parts

[Aly]

51-78 (view spoiler)[ I love Nik's story of his grandma. It's so great, go lady for getting your revenge. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Felicia wrote: "Gemina
Chapter 1-51[spoilers removed]
Chapter 52-86[spoilers removed]
Chapter 87-146[spoilers removed]
Finished[spoilers removed]"

@52-86 (view spoiler)[ Yeah, that part is so terrible. Nik really has had a shitty childhood. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Chapter 78-106 (view spoiler)[ Ooh Merrick is Rapier! I'm so glad Hannah found out and didn't fall for the trap.

Poor Nik. Let him tell you what happened Hannah! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Felicia wrote: "Gemina
Chapter 1-51[spoilers removed]
Chapter 52-86[spoilers removed]
Chapter 87-146[spoilers removed]
Finished[spoilers removed]"

@87-146 (view spoiler)[ Yeah, much sadness is coming! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Chapter 107-151 (view spoiler)[ Oh man things are about to get horrible. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Chapter 152-end (view spoiler)[ I'm so happy that Nik and Hannah were reunited and they all lived! The ending where Hannah talks to the council and says 'Want to know how it ends?' always makes me want to dive into the next book (hide spoiler)]

[Felicia]

Aly wrote: "Chapter 152-end [spoilers removed]"

RIGHT! I started Obsidio but I haven't had a chance to listen to the audio in a few days. Maybe I'll do some diamond painting when I get home from work so I can listen.

But I started reading Flock and it's pretty good so far.

[Aly]

Ooh good to know! I'm going to finish Breakbattle first, then I can start Flock

[Felicia]

Aly wrote: "Ooh good to know! I'm going to finish Breakbattle first, then I can start Flock"

You're joining!?!?! YAYAYAYAYAY.

[Aly]

Yes! Unless you tell me it isn't good lol

[Felicia]

Aly wrote: "Yes! Unless you tell me it isn't good lol"

It got weird for me, a little bit. But I've finished book one and it was okay. Good enough to go onto the next book. Lol.

[Aly]

Okay good to know

[Felicia]

Obsidio
Chapter 50(view spoiler)[everything is so damn intense! I can’t even deal! 😫 (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 100(view spoiler)[OMGGGGGG. Poor Boll. 😭😭 (hide spoiler)]
chapter 155(view spoiler)[oh shizzzzz. I forgot about that little trick Asha and Rhys play. This is so damn good. (hide spoiler)]
Finished(view spoiler)[SO FREAKING GOOD. I'm so sad it's over! I need to make sure I don't wait three years before I listen to this series again. Because hot damn I need these characters in my life like at least once a year. Lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Whoo! Such a great ending right?

[Felicia]

Aly wrote: "Whoo! Such a great ending right?"

Yes! I restarted this series a while ago. And only read the first book. I never finished my reread. I'm so happy I stuck it out because I totally forgot a lot of what happened.

[Jessica]

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RESTARTING JULY 14th, 2025

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[Jessie (Saffity)]

So excited! I read the first two years ago but never finished. Thrilled to be getting back to this one.

[Betsy]

Jessie (Saffity) wrote: "So excited! I read the first two years ago but never finished. Thrilled to be getting back to this one."

I'm excited too! I haven't read them yet, but enjoyed Aurora Rising by Kaufman!

[Betsy]

This was such a good first book!!!

Illuminae (Book 1)

23%
(view spoiler)[ I really like this format! I'm listening to the audio book and it is such a good version of the story!
Ezra is such a simp for Kady and I love it! James seems like such a nice friend for Ezra - probably something he needs as he’s now out as a pilot. (hide spoiler)]

44%
(view spoiler)[ I feel so bad for Kady. Her mom ghosted her… even if it was to keep her safe, I think she owed Kady some kind of explanation. Her mom probably wants to think that everything will eventually go back to normal, but what is "normal" anyway when the whole colony blows up? (hide spoiler)]

89%
(view spoiler)[ Is AIDAN saving Kady because he needs her, or because he cares for her? I can't tell if it's giving socially-awkward-but-means-well vibes, or if it's giving creepy uncle vibes... (hide spoiler)]

Finished!!
(view spoiler)[ I was not anticipating that ending!! So Kady and Ezra are working together as the Illuminae group?? So Ezra’s mom is with Bay Tech?? The plot thickens! I wonder how all of that is going to play through in the next book... (hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Memento

31%
(view spoiler)[ AIDAN really seems to have a thing for the young adult girls. How he is constantly analyzing her and her love life is really creepy… (hide spoiler)]

55%
(view spoiler)[ Liv praying and AIDAN observing reminds me of when he asked Captain Sarah in Illuminae why she called to God - I wonder if he was recalling back to this moment with Liv. (hide spoiler)]

70%
(view spoiler)[ Yay: the old crew is back at it! Shows how people started questioning AIDAN early on.
Nay: why did Ethan have to die?! (hide spoiler)]

Finished!
(view spoiler)[ Ughhhh “she taught me that well”/ “lesson I’ll remember”... like, yes that was what she was hired to do was to teach you to think critically. This series makes me so suspicious of AI. Not to sound like an old lady, but give me back paper and pen versus this iRobot AIDAN lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Gemina

35%
(view spoiler)[ I love a kick ass preppy girl character - there’s so much more to her than what’s just on the surface! Though, I’ve got to say that Nik and his cousin are my favorites so far. Sarcasm is a love language for me lol. (hide spoiler)]

42%
(view spoiler)[ I was wondering when AIDAN was going to show up! (hide spoiler)]

74%
(view spoiler)[ Oh Nik… Why in the world did he have to die?? I’m learning that this series is the YA Game of Thrones - geez, I really need to not get close to these characters. Hopefully Nik has a Jesus moment like Ezra in book one and he doesn’t really die… (hide spoiler)]

Finished!!
(view spoiler)[ What a cliffhanger!! I’m so glad that, like in book one, our main male character pulls a Jesus and resurrects from the dead! Which, I wonder why it’s always the male character that dies? Maybe the authors know that us readers would have stopped had Kady and Hanna been the ones dying, lol. In any case, Ella survives, the ex pulls a heroic move and everyone lives to tell their tale. And it’s all being used to prosecute Bay Tech Industries. It’s scary to think that this kind of future could eventually be a reality. I could see people acting like this, even in the future. This book, to me, was even better than the first book or its prequel novella. Maybe it’s because the dual universe scenes back to back just scratched that brain itch juuusssttt riggghhhhttt. Maybe it’s because I know the world better, or maybe it’s because AIDAN was helpful and this time it was the human beings and time wormhole that was the issue. (Which, why did we bring AIDAN back online? Maybe he isn’t so bad, he’s just like the creepy uncle with no social skills that really means well?) I wonder if bringing him back is going to bite our characters in the butt in the future… (hide spoiler)]

[Jessie (Saffity)]

HOLY CRAP Betsy! You are a speed demon!

Illuminae 10%

(view spoiler)[ I read this back when it first came out and am realizing how much I forgot. The horror of the attack, going into the horror of the illness and what seems to be an AI on the fritz. It's really well written!

I also absolutely adore the little sarcastic snippets from the third party who's collecting all of the interviews and documents. It really helps keep the horror to a manageable level, you know someone comes out the otherside ok because the sarcasm wouldn't be there if not.

I'm just at the part where AIDAN blows up the Carpathia, and all hell breaks loose. (hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Jessie (Saffity) wrote: "HOLY CRAP Betsy! You are a speed demon!

Illuminae 10%

I read this back when it first came out and am realizing how much I forgot. The horror of the attack, going into the horror of the illness a..."

Omg no hahaha just a teacher on summer vacation with a whole house to finish painting! I've literally just been bingeing the series!

[Betsy]

Jessie (Saffity) wrote: "HOLY CRAP Betsy! You are a speed demon!

Illuminae 10%

I read this back when it first came out and am realizing how much I forgot. The horror of the attack, going into the horror of the illness a..."

Yes!! Those sarcastic snippets were the much needed comedic relief - otherwise, that would have been a heavvyyy first few chapters!!

[Jessie (Saffity)]

I'm not sure that my e-reader is showing percent properly due to all the images, but I'm at the point where the big attack begins.

(view spoiler)[There's a heart in your throat feeling with this book. You're holding your breath through the whole thing. The captain is clearly off his rocker with the need to control, the fact that he shot the two leaders of Ez's group is just insane.

Jimmy making the decision to stay in the air lock is heartbreaking.

The whole situation of whether or not Kady's mom is still alive I remember being heart tugging too.

And AIDAN is back...

(hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Obsidio (Book 3)

38%
(view spoiler)[ I really hope something doesn’t happen to Ezra, whom AIDAN is trying to emulate “as you wish”, or Ella, who doesn’t trust AIDAN at all and makes that point very clear to it. I have a feeling that AIDAN is going to be the villain yet again… (hide spoiler)]

67%
(view spoiler)[ Knew it!! AIDAN comes back as the creepy guy obsessed with Kady. I mean, he is helping, but at what cost? This is why the whole man vs. bear discussion always ends with girls choosing the bear (even when the “man” is AI). (hide spoiler)]

77%
(view spoiler)[ Captain Grant’s letters to everyone, and how gentle he is with Ella, reminds me so much of my dad. I can imagine my own dad being gentle and making sure everyone is taken care of - it makes me love this character so much! (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ AIDAN, though still kinda creepy, ended up being a better AI than I was giving him credit for. I was definitely on Team Ella: keep an eye on that AI guy. I was so relieved that everybody survived and won the war/ won the case! It’s corny, but I really love how everybody became good friends at the end of the book. 10/10 would recommend this series! (hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Jessie (Saffity) wrote: "I'm not sure that my e-reader is showing percent properly due to all the images, but I'm at the point where the big attack begins.

There's a heart in your throat feeling with this book. You're hol..."

Jimmy!!! Gosh, my heart!!!

[Jessie (Saffity)]

So, full admission here, I was originally listening to MoonBooks+ version of Siri read the Mobi version of this book, and it was... ok, but not great, and I think I missed some pages.

HOWEVER, I had been on hold at the library for the audio version of this book and it just came up today, so I have restarted (on 2x speed) listening with the full cast.

(view spoiler)[ Drunk Ezra "not" messaging Kady is amazing, this is SO much better. I will be back up to 50% and beyond soon (hide spoiler)]