Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle #1) by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman -- Restarting August 2nd 2023

[Maddie]

I'm still giving this 5 stars :D I finished! (view spoiler)[The audio is the way to go for the emotional sections 3 But one thing that bugged me so much for the audio was the TERRIBLE Aussie accents for Cat. At least her narrator got it right. So Auri's the Trigger for the Weapon? She can use the Weapon? It's something that confused me the first time. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

On Chapter 2 of Burning

[Jenn]

End of part 2: (view spoiler)[ love the escape from the world ship. I remember the first time i read it thinking that Cat really gave them up in her anger. But the misdirection was fantastic. This group just works so well together (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Jenn wrote: "End of part 2: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah! I almost got caught by it again, it still confused me a little. But it was so well done!

[Jenn]

Maddie wrote: "Jenn wrote: "End of part 2: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah! I almost got caught by it again, it still confused me a little. But it was so well done!"

Same!

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ I think I liked it better the second time around. Cat's "death" really hit me hard. For some reason the first time I read it, I think I was more like what is happening then really getting the emotional impact of it. This time I was like noooooo. Also when Auri sees her father, just gut wrenching. Can't wait to reread the second! (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Jenn wrote: "Maddie wrote: "Jenn wrote: "End of part 2: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah! I almost got caught by it again, it still confused me a little. But it was so well done!"

Same!"

Me too!! I also forgot about that!!!

[Katie]

Chapter 29- (view spoiler)[ I so love that Kal told Auri about his feelings and how he has a pull towards her!! (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Finished- (view spoiler)[ I'm glad I re-read this one! So much happened in those last few chapters! The Ra'haam is trying to take over, but the Eshvaren sent Auri to fight it this time around!! I can't wait for the finale of this series! (hide spoiler)] I'm also really excited to re-read the next one!

[Maddie]

Anyone reading Burning yet?

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

22%

(view spoiler)[I am really loving this so far. I loved how Tyler saved Auri. That was a really exciting first chapter. I love how it got right into the thick of things, so to speak. It sucks that he missed out on picking his team, but I feel that in the end it will be for the best. I love stories with ragtag groups that become a found family.

If I were Auri I would be scared as shit. I can't imagine being cryogenically frozen, sent into space, and then your ship getting lost for 220 years. Everyone else on the ship, it said there were 10,000 people, died and she was the only survivor. I wonder why she survived.

I am really liking all of the characters so far. Their first meeting was a little tense but it really put a smile on my face. I can't wait to get to know them better.

Okay, that was ominous. The leader of their space port thing told Auri that someone from Terra was coming to get her and it was safe but that was a load of crap. She gave Auri that note discreetly so she obviously feels differently. It would suck to be Auri because she is thrust into this strange new environment and doesn't know who she can trust. Though, by that lady's reaction, I would be spooked and would definitely want to exit that place ASAP. And I also think that it was really odd that Magellan told her that there was no record of her father and that the colony that he had been a part of never existed. That is some serious creepiness.

Aww, poor Kat. She clearly has a thing for Tyler and I am not sure that he returns her feelings. At least, not in the way she would like.

There seems to different factions of Syldrathi and they don't all get along. Kal seems to be from the warband faction of this race and the others do not like him. I wonder what their war was about?

Oh, look who Kal found stowing away. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Maddie wrote: "9% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I'm sorry that you didn't like the audio. I am listening to it and I am enjoying it. So far I'm not having any problem with the accents. There are an awful lot of narrators though. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Katie wrote: "End of Chapter 6- [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah, that was a little strange. Kind of ominous. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 8: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I'm listening to the audiobook and I am liking the different narrators so far for the different characters. And Kal just found Auri stowing away so things will probably get interesting really quickly. =P (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Starting tomorrow. I've heard so many good things about this series. I don't read a lot of SciFi, but I am excited about this one.

[Maddie]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "Maddie wrote: "9% [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

I ended up going back to the audios haha I do prefer them!

[Jenn]

Maddie wrote: "Anyone reading Burning yet?"

I'm waiting for mine to come in the mail, then I'll be all over that lol

[Maddie]

Yay! I'm 35% into End :D

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

44%

(view spoiler)[Wow, so Auri's vision is coming to life. But what did she just do to save Kal?

What the heck is the Global Intelligence Agency (GIA)? Apparently not folks you want to mess with. And it's super weird how Auri can see things before they happen now. And what happened to her eye?

Who is this Princeps? These GIA people are too creepy and suspish.

Well, I think that Zila definitely had the right idea. Those people killed all the innocent Syldrathi people and Auri's words before they showed up were grim. They were definitely going to kill them. I am glad that they escaped but now they are fugitives and they don't even really understand anything that is going on. They have no idea why Auri is so special to the GIA or why they would kill any witnesses to her existence. I'm also really concerned about what Auri said about her father's colony being wiped from all records. So many suspish things!

Well, Auri's sleepwalking or whatever happened to her was pretty creepy.

Haha, interstellar entrepreneurs. =P

Now that fight that Kal had with the other Syldrathi in the bar was interesting. When Tyler called Kal by his last name the other Syldrathi reacted, I think in a shocked way. And I am not sure what Kal called Auri when he spoke to her in Syldrathi, but the other Syldrathi woman seemed offended that he would call a Terran girl that. Maybe a term of endearment? (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Ashley wrote: "Starting tomorrow. I've heard so many good things about this series. I don't read a lot of SciFi, but I am excited about this one."

It's so good! I am loving this so much. =D

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Maddie wrote: "♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "Maddie wrote: "9% [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

I ended up going back to the audios haha I do prefer them!"

Haha, I get you. I have been listening to them like mad lately.

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Maddie wrote: "26% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[For real. I had no clue what was going on but I was so intrigued. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Jenn wrote: "End of part 1: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes, I am loving all the action. It's never dull. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

I don't read a lot of scifi, but I really like this one so far.
Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[ The characters are much more relatable than what I thought they would be. Ty and Auri have real life problems along with everything else. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ I really like all the characters at this point and love how different they are. Watching them work together is going to be great. I feel so bad for Auri. It's bad enough to learn that everyone you knew is dead, but to find out how long it's been is so sad.
I love their technology and how personal it is. Magellan sounds kind of cute. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 8: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Right! And I was so wrapped up in the mission, I'd completely forgotten about Auri until she just popped out. Really put Kal in an even worse position. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Part 1
(view spoiler)[ I am so hooked. I felt so bad for Kal, because he doesn't fit in anywhere. At least he and Ty seem to be coming to some sort of respect, even if they don't like each other. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Ashley wrote: "I don't read a lot of scifi, but I really like this one so far.
Chapter 2
[spoilers removed]"

I don't either but these make me think I should!

[Ashley W]

Chapter 18
(view spoiler)[ Cat is obviously jealous and she and Ty really need to address their feelings if they will admit them. It's going to tear the group apart. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 22
(view spoiler)[ That was amazing! Her powers may not be ideal but they are certainly helpful. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Part 2
(view spoiler)[ That was crazy! I'm surprised they escaped honestly. And they are working together even if they don't all like each other. Really ready for more answers about Auri. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 30
(view spoiler)[ Chimps, even if they are a little violent lol :) Zila comforting Auri is one of the most unexpected and still natural thing so far. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Katie wrote: "Chapter 29- [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Me too. They would be a freaking power couple. I know she said she was just going to try, because she didn't have the pull like he does, but I think it will work out with them. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ OMG that ending! I liked this way more than I thought I would. That twist at the end did it for me. of all the possible endings, I didn't think that Auri was a trigger for a weapon. I thought maybe she was saying trigger because someone was triggering her when she went unconscious. They definitely have the odds against them, with even their own government against them and without Cat. I wasn't even sure I really liked her until she made that sacrifice. I'll miss her. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

The ends of all of this series is so goood!

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

67%

(view spoiler)[Kat has a real attitude towards Auri. She totally lacks compassion.

Oh how juicy! Tyler asked Kal about what he called Auri in front of those bloodthirsty Syldrathi. The Pull is some kind of true mates thing for Syldrathi? Tyler said that he had never heard of the Pull happening with a human. And then Kal had to mention that he sees the way Kat looks at him, which riled Tyler up a bit.

Haha, OMG, that was great! So keep from getting caught Tyler kisses Kal to make it look like they are lovers making out in the closet. It was so perfect. Poor shocked Kal.

Wow, an ultrasaur sounds pretty badass.

Ooh, a heist now? Yes, please.

Oh, I sure hope that Kat doesn't betray them thinking that she is doing the right thing. I think her jealousy of Auri and how Tyler is doing so much for her when he wouldn't give a relationship a chance with her is grating under her skin. It will probably cloud her judgement.

I think that Finn and Scarlet are going to be a thing. And I am here for it.

Well, Auri took out that ultrasaur like it was nothing. The ultrasaur is officially extinct. Not that I think that Auri was conscious when she did it. I really want to know what exactly her powers are and how she got them. Being in the fold for 220 years, I guess? But why? (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Maddie wrote: "57% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[OMG, that kiss was epic! (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Ashley wrote: "Chapter 5"

(view spoiler)[Yes, I really love the dynamic between all the characters. And I feel bad for Auri too. It would be devastating to wake up after being frozen for 220 years to find out that everyone you know is dead and the world, or universe, isn't the same as when you left. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Ashley wrote: "I don't read a lot of scifi, but I really like this one so far.
Chapter 2
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I felt the same. I think that all of the characters are written well. They are very relatable. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Ashley wrote: "Part 1
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah, there is definitely something in his past that he seems to be hiding or running from. It makes him feel so alone. And because of his cabal he isn't accepted anywhere, but I don't think that he really had a choice in that. But he did choose to be at Aurora Academy so that really shows a lot about his character. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Ashley wrote: "Chapter 18
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes, this. Cat is clearly not over what happened between them in the past and she is bitter about it. She seems to think that Tyler taking a chance on Auri belittles their friendship because in the end he chose not to pursue a relationship with her because he was a higher rank and blah blah. Like maybe he didn't fight hard enough to be with her but he is going out of his way for this girl he doesn't even know. But I think that Tyler is just hiding from his feelings too. He clearly cares about her so maybe Cat is right in being bitter about the whole situation. He needs to man up. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Ashley wrote: "Chapter 22
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Her powers are definitely useful but they seem so random. Like, when she uses them she isn't even herself. It's like she's unconscious and something else inside her is directing the powers. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Maddie wrote: "The ends of all of this series is so goood!"

Can't wait to get there! I'm trudging along. Almost finished with the first book then I'll be moving on to the next.

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

88%

(view spoiler)[Oh shit! Cat revealed the deal she made with the GIA in front of Tyler. Apparently, not shockingly, they lied about them getting immunity. Cat punches Tyler when he tells her to get over what happened between them and they fight. Cat is clearly hung up on Tyler paying so much attention to Auri.

Yay, Scarlett and Zila saved Tyler and Cat.

Oh, snap! It was a set up! Cat had told Tyler and they faked the fight. I am actually so happy right now that Cat didn't really sell them out.

Okay, those GIA agents bodies were creepy. Dead and filled with plants that were coming out of their eyes. How were they walking and talking in the suits then? Super suspish! And one of them was Patrice, which was the woman that Auri's dad had started a relationship with on Octavia that has apparently been wiped from all record. Even more suspish.

Well, Kal's mate bond thing with Auri is making him go all protective.

Was Auri just possessed by an ancient being? An ancient being that has something to do with the fold? They discovered it? I may be getting that wrong. But wow, that's just crazy. Maybe being in the fold for so long made it possible? And what she was trying to tell them with the star map. Like something is trying to take over the galaxy. It was like a warning.

Whoa, so what happened to Zila when she was six years old?

So Kal explains to Auri that she is his life mate. The way that he explained it was technical yet still beautiful. Auri didn't really react to it and I don't know if that is good or bad.

Cat really kicked ass with that flying and landing.

Okay, the state of Octavia is creepy. Covered in moss and weird fauna that is like the plants that were hanging out of the GIA bodies. Things are not boding well for them. And even stranger is that Fin had a dream about the moss that they see falling from the sky, only he saw it falling on his homeworld and not Octavia. Perhaps there is an evil plantlife trying to take over the universe.

Haha, Auri explaining chimps to them was hilarious. Fin and Kal's reactions were great.

Attacked by a plant zombified chimpanzee.

Aww, the word that Kal had called Auri roughly translates to "beloved". My heart hurts now, 'kay thanks. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Ashley wrote: "Part 2
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah, that mission was pretty impossible. The fact that they escaped is astounding. But the way they played the GIA and used them to secure their escape was pretty genius. I am also super curious about Auri and her powers. The fold doesn't seem to do that to other people. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Ashley wrote: "Chapter 30
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[The chimp attack was crazy. Plant zombified chimps is creepy as all hell. Even creepier than the GIA agents. I was surprised at Zila as well. I think that many of them are realizing what a found family they are becoming. That they fit well with each other. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[Aww, I am glad that Auri talked to Kal. They are the cutest. At first, I wondered if there would be a love triangle with them and Tyler or even a menage thing after that kiss the Tyler and Kal shared. Which would have been fine by me, though I don't think that's the case anymore.

The spawning? Creeeepy.

Oh shit, Princeps is Auri's dad. Poor Auri.

OMG, I am so emotional right now. Cat's ending was just intense and so sad.

So Auri is the trigger of the weapon that is supposed to end the Raaham. The ancient race had defeated it before but now it is back and about to strike on the galaxy. The thing that I want to know is how the ancient race knew Auri would be the trigger for this weapon, how they intigated her being at the right place at the right time when their race had been extinct for eons, why she is the trigger, and what that even means. There's just so much we still don't know that it's driving me mad. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Ashley wrote: "Finished
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I know! This was plotted out so great. The way that everything fit together was amazing. There is still a lot we don't know but it is all so intriguing. The ending was amazing. And I'll miss Cat too. Her ending was so sad. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Jenn wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I thought both of those things were very emotional as well. I listened to this on audio so it felt even more intense and emotional. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Maddie wrote: "I'm still giving this 5 stars :D I finished! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I find it a little confusing as well, but I am sure that we will get more info in the second and third books. I get the idea but I just want to know the specifics of her being a trigger for a weapon. (hide spoiler)]