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

[Betsy]

Jessie (Saffity) wrote: "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 h..."

The audio version was soooo good!!

[Jessie (Saffity)]

Oh wow... 53%

(view spoiler)[ You're right, the audio version is amazing! When I last read it I enjoyed following the various images and such of the cyclone fight, I thought it was so cool how it was written out and trying to follow it. Listening to it, I almost had to pull over driving because I was getting emotional.

The cast did a phenomenal job of this book.

The infected are now being herded to the bridge by AIDAN... dun dun dun. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessie (Saffity)]

100%

(view spoiler)[ My heart! I remember so much of this from reading it years ago, but hear it is such a different experience. I really think you need to read it, then listen to it to really get the full experience of the story. SO GOOD! (hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Jessie (Saffity) wrote: "100%

[spoilers removed]"

I've seen a few different people mention how it is to read the physical/ ebook copy... I've got to give that a try!

(view spoiler)[ When I thought Ezra had died I crieeeedddd!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Jessie (Saffity)]

In addendum

(view spoiler)[ Oh definitely. The first time I read this book, I got the suspicion that it wasn't Ezra talking to her at the end, but it broke my heart when it was 'confirmed'. Second time through I really enjoyed spotting where AIDAN didn't quite have the cadence.

I had forgotten that the snarky commentor was Kady and it makes it SO MUCH BETTER, especially with the last conversation with Linda.

It took me a bit to decompress after reading/listening to it this time. If you have the chance to see the actual book, whether you get it from the library or elsewhere, it's worth it. There's schematics, and text files, and all the AIDAN stuff is done with really cool images, especially the cyclone fight. It's well worth it to see the layout. Definitely a series I want to get hard copies of for my shelf.

I read this and Gemina at least a decade ago and I think I got those two mixed up with stuff that happens, so it's going to be really interesting to get through the next book. Sadly my library only has Gemina in ebook format so that's going to take me a bit longer to get through. (hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Jessie (Saffity) wrote: "In addendum

Oh definitely. The first time I read this book, I got the suspicion that it wasn't Ezra talking to her at the end, but it broke my heart when it was 'confirmed'. Second time through I..."

It's a series I'd love to get for myself as well! I really liked the Aurora Cycle series by these two also!!

[Jessie (Saffity)]

Gemina 13%

(view spoiler)[I'm remembering this one as I read it, and yes I did think the ending to this one was part of the first book. Reading rather than listening is so much slower, but once I get through this part I can blast through the last full book and the novela.

Oh the poor cow cows... such a weird drug, but an interesting one. I'm starting to think Ezra is the guy who transcribes the videos.

Also, that first conversation between Linda and Sam, you can tell she doesn't realize Ezra was on Kerenza. Especially not with the audit coming.

Also, also, I have a feeling Sam's last name was named after Wil Wheaton. Which makes me giggle.

I didn't realize now many other series she'd been a part of, my TBR grew by quite a bit last week... (hide spoiler)]

[Jessie (Saffity)]

18%

(view spoiler)[Audit team just got here and Commander Donnelly is a smear on the floor. The thing these books do a fantastic job of is just giving a sense of dread. It's one of those "crash you can't look away from", the plot is in motion and there is nothing that will stop it.

I don't recall if Wheaton also becomes a smear, but I definitely hope he does.

In addition, I love the little sci fi nods... Wheaton, talk of a fashion designer with 7 hairless corgis named Jean Luc... they make me laugh. (hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Jessie (Saffity) wrote: "18%

Audit team just got here and Commander Donnelly is a smear on the floor. The thing these books do a fantastic job of is just giving a sense of dread. It's one of those "crash you can't look aw..."

yesssss "crash you can't look away from" so accurately describes this series!!

[Betsy]

Betsy wrote: "Jessie (Saffity) wrote: "18%

Audit team just got here and Commander Donnelly is a smear on the floor. The thing these books do a fantastic job of is just giving a sense of dread. It's one of those..."

so I took a look at the physical copy at my library- I definitely have to reread with the physical copy some time! audio was fantastic, but I think the physical copy is such a cool way to see the story in a different way too!

[Jessie (Saffity)]

ARGH! I wanted to be done Gemina by now but my dad came in from across the country (expected) and stayed with us which ate into my very small reading time. I will hopefully complete this very soon.

[Betsy]

It's all good Jessie!! I still love reading your updates -- I really lucked out getting all of the audiobooks from the library and a whole week of listening and painting!

[Jessie (Saffity)]

And I'm back! Yeah so my library has book 1, 3 and 0.5 in audio format but book 2 only in ebook.... go figure.

So I'm now at 24% in Gemina

(view spoiler)[Go Hanna! I love the fact that these books have teenagers, who actually do have the skill and ability with logistical training for it, absolutely demolishing the grown ups. She outsmarted and tossed out the first 4, and the cows have birthed the parasites.

The feeling of dread is 100% on point, even though I've read this one before and I know how things ultimately end, I find myself holding my breath sometimes. It's just written so well!

I'm definitely going to be checking out their other series in the future. (hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Jessie (Saffity) wrote: "And I'm back! Yeah so my library has book 1, 3 and 0.5 in audio format but book 2 only in ebook.... go figure.

So I'm now at 24% in Gemina

Go Hanna! I love the fact that these books have teenager..."

Ugh - I'm in that in another series I'm reading right now. I love reading, but my ADHD loves that I can listen to audiobooks while doing stuff around the house lol

Yes!! The constant impending doom wove its way through the whole series. I love how these two authors write together!!

[Jessie (Saffity)]

Oh! Also, another difference between audio and ebook

(view spoiler)[ I don't know how they say it in the audio book but every time Ella protects herself against CAPS she make a unicode space ship, sometimes it's the enterprise, sometimes it's an X-wing. It's very cute. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessie (Saffity)]

41 %

(view spoiler)[ Oh the first book has me so messed up. I can't remember enough if this one has a double cross like what AIDAN did, and now I'm not 100% sure if Jax is actually Jax talking to Hanna. I just love how well the suspense is in this book. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessie (Saffity)]

48%

(view spoiler)[ AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA now I remember why Jax was flagging for me... f'in Rapier! (hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Jessie (Saffity) wrote: "Oh! Also, another difference between audio and ebook

[spoilers removed]"

I don't think she did in the audio book!! Awww I love that! Ella was one of my favorite characters :)

[Jessie (Saffity)]

67%

(view spoiler)[ And now I am back to remembering from the last time I read it... the jasmine, the first sign that something isn't right in wormhole land!! (hide spoiler)]

[Jessie (Saffity)]

100%

(view spoiler)[SO GOOD! I remember how much that last scene with Rapier killed me the first time because I didn't know about the switchout, it killed me again this time because I forgot!! As I'm reading it I was like... no... this isn't how it ends... but I couldn't remember entirely and thought there was just no way.

I'm so excited to get into Obsidio, but I'm going to do Memento first since it's shorter and I know for a fact I can get it done today. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessie (Saffity)]

Memento 34 %

(view spoiler)[ oh ho! Olivia showing him the trolley scenario totally lines up with what his busted program figures for dealing with the disease!! What is the solution to save the most lives, but he's busted so he goes scorched earth rather than looking for other options! (hide spoiler)]

100%
Just realized I didn't give my full thoughts.

(view spoiler)[ You're right, AIDAN does like to creep on girls. I think to start he was just an emotionless learning program, but once he was injured his wires got crossed with the trolley scenario and he truly believes (as he's learning his own identity) that he's doing the right thing. All told I thought this was a GREAT prequel for this series and really gave a bit of insight into what's going on. Though definitely one to read after Illuminae so that you get a bit more out of the references (hey Ezra, didn't see you there). (hide spoiler)]

[Jessie (Saffity)]

Obsidio 5%

(view spoiler)[ YAY ASHA LIVES! The horror of being one of those left behind really hits hard. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessie (Saffity)]

Obsidio 30%

(view spoiler)[Oh the star crossed lovers. I wonder which way this story will go.

Oh AIDAN, you and your new sense of humour need a good head smack. Poor Nik. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessie (Saffity)]

60%

(view spoiler)[No AIDAN NO!!!! Also, I get everyone's stressed and freaking out, but why are the adults all being shoot first ask later, two separate captains from Hypathia being shot because of trigger happy idiots.

Also, Hanna's report was freaking hilarious "stop looking at my butt".

Ella reactivating AIDAN is interesting. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessie (Saffity)]

85%

(view spoiler)[ I had to take stock of who I know makes it to the trial, so who survives this battle. I was so mad at Asha's bf at first, then I remembered what book I was listening to.

Ezra realizing this was his mother's work was good.

AIDAN realizing he's the monster is also interesting. I'm wondering how this is going to end. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessie (Saffity)]

100% ow my heart, it's been a long time since I blasted through a book like this in one day. Thank you audiobooks for allowing me to speed things up.

(view spoiler)[AIDAN LIVES!!! I was near tears, he lives but he's alone. I almost want another follow up just to know where he ends up. It's such a good ending to him.

The rest of them, just... thank goodness Katiya lived, thank goodness Kady has one more family member alive. Ezra staring down his mom was perfection. Just.... I have a book hangover and need to come down from it. I'll probably have more thoughts tomorrow.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH (hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Jessie (Saffity) wrote: "100% ow my heart, it's been a long time since I blasted through a book like this in one day. Thank you audiobooks for allowing me to speed things up.

AIDAN LIVES!!! I was near tears, he lives but ..."

RIGHT?! This world was so good!! It totally wrapped me up in it for a few days and it took me a second to come down.

I love how these two authors write their characters. They all have their faults, sure, but all the mains are so lovable... and they like to play with our heartstrings on how long we'll have the characters with us.

[Betsy]

Would you want to dive into another Amie Kaufman series later on in the year? I've got quite a few BR's the next few weeks, but would be good starting in September.

[Jessie (Saffity)]

Sure! I'm going to take August to get caught up on my ARCs but I'd be happy to do another one of their series.

[Betsy]

Awesome!! Want to schedule something, or I can reach back out later this month and we can get something on the books :)

[Jessie (Saffity)]

I mean, we can set it up for beginning of September if that works.

[Betsy]

Jessie (Saffity) wrote: "I mean, we can set it up for beginning of September if that works."

Great! Which series sounds good to you?

[Jessie (Saffity)]

I had a whole post saying "Betsy is asking for aurora rising, maybe she wants to join"... only to realize... you are Betsy..... I am now face palming. XD

Aurora Rising is good since you were looking to read that last month :D

[Betsy]

Jessie (Saffity) wrote: "I had a whole post saying "Betsy is asking for aurora rising, maybe she wants to join"... only to realize... you are Betsy..... I am now face palming. XD

Aurora Rising is good since you were looki..."

Hahaha all good! I'll request the thread for us!

[Betsy]

Betsy wrote: "Jessie (Saffity) wrote: "I had a whole post saying "Betsy is asking for aurora rising, maybe she wants to join"... only to realize... you are Betsy..... I am now face palming. XD

Aurora Rising is ..."

Here we are!
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...