The Aurora Cycle by Amie Kaufman -> Restarting November 14th, 2022

[Monika]

Oh I know that feeling I will sometime this weekend look at it and update how far I am in it

[Ellen-Arwen]

I'm not sure if anyone is actually going to read this series with me anymore, but here are my thoughts on rereading Book One! (or listening actually this time). Hope someone joins in!

Chaps 1-10 (view spoiler)[ so much fun getting to know everyone again! I've been recommended the audiobook so many times for this (and the Illuminae Cycle) that I was SUPER excited but... I don't know. They just don't sound like I expected them to! Particularly Cat if I'm honest - to me it sounds like a sadly poor cockney accent. If it were any good, I wouldn't mind, but it's really bugging me! Zila, Finiaan and Tyler's voices are on point though :) (hide spoiler)]

Chaps 11-20 (view spoiler)[
I forgot about playing Auri's voice backwards! There's lots of bits I've forgotten - which is always fun. I know Auri is freaked out but I would be a LOT LOT more if I woke up and everyone I knew was dead and suddenly contact with aliens was normal etc. She copes incredibly well.
Also forgotten about the details of the Syldrathi and the war class and stuff, fun to be reminded.

Bah-hah, I forgot Kal and Tyler's distraction, that actually made me lol. And I love Finiaan's whole family structure thing, just a lot of fun and thought gone into the world-building (hide spoiler)]

Chap 21-end (view spoiler)[ I did remember the ending (how could I not?? I feel like I was scarred and in mourning for ages even though Cat wasn't my favourite character) but it still flipping HURT. Flipping LOVE the creepy-ass planet and how Cat has become one with it - horrible, but - again - amazing world building. I wish that Tyler and her had it out properly before everything :( So sad.

I'd also forgotten how Kal and Auri start getting on together so early! I like how the insta-love is dealt with - because it isn't insta-love. It's more complicated and nuanced and far more fun. Kal has no choice but to love her; it's a biological response. Auri deciding to give him a chance, and Kal risking the fact that she might not end up loving him back but trying anyway.... oh! I love it! Love love love.

I also love Finian and Tyler. Zila is fun, but then I liked how Tyler said something that actually proved she's not emotionally fossilised. And how could I not love Tyler? Golden boy is golden. And Fin's sarcasm and stubbornness to 'be-strong-etc' all the time is adorable.

Oh, I just want to wrap them all up in my arms and give them a huge hug!! I feel mean for not really warming to Cat that much, but it was hard to. I'd forgotten that her betrayal wasn't a real betrayal - very pleased, but the time spent believing she was going against Auri makes her kind of hard to like I guess? I'm sad about Cat but because of the others, not her - if that makes sense. (hide spoiler)]

Sorry for the rambling!! Love them all, looking forward to continuing :)

[Monika]

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "I'm not sure if anyone is actually going to read this series with me anymore, but here are my thoughts on rereading Book One! (or listening actually this time). Hope someone joins in!

Chaps 1-10 [..."
yes ! been super busy still working on book one realized its better to read it more so then listen to audio book

[Kira]

Chapter 1 - 4 : (view spoiler)[I am loving this so far! I didn't know there'd be so many POVs and such snarky characters lol, this is way too much fun. I am still at the introduction part so there's not much to say but the girl being rescued is named Auri/Aurora and they are at Aurora Academy - seems like there could be a connection here (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[Phew, that sure was a lot of action and I absolutely loved every moment of it. I am loving the POVs switch in this one although it gets a bit difficult at times to keep track of everything but honestly the author has done a brilliant job with giving every character their own voice. AND now I am curious to find out what the whole conspiracy is all about. TDF and GIA are no doubt hiding things. Aurora's abilities are badass! (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 13 - 20: (view spoiler)[Oh boy, the level of details this book goes into has me amazed honestly. Not only Terrans but also all the alien species, I wonder what level of talent is required to think up such a storm. I am still loving all of the characters, they are such a quirky bunch but surprisingly fit very well together. Aurora's powers are super cool yet so very scary! I was shocked when she attacked Scar. And Finnian - he's a DELIGHT!!!! Plus Kal with his serious aura and chemistry with Tyler argh I am so confused about who to ship with whom here lol they all are aamazing. I am sure the upcoming chapters are going to me full of action and more mindblowing stuff and I can't wait for it all! :D (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[Oh my god, that plan was ingenious, I am in awe of these characters, they work so well together and by no means look like the misfits they thought they'd be. Tyler's thoughts in that last chapter is exactly how I am feeling reading this book lol and I just am so curious to find out what's to follow (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 25-29: (view spoiler)[Whaaaaat??? This chase is getting so dangerous and the squad is doing extraordinarily well. I am ashamed to say I really thought Finian was about to eject but his humor has me chuckling all the time. I am loving Zila's one page chapters, she's the most mysterious of them all and I like the little snippets into her mind. It would surely be interesting to see what exactly is on Octavia that GIA is so desperate to hide (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Finished: (view spoiler)[No way!!!! I loved Cat!! I did not fathom at all that a squad member could actually die..I just saw them all as invincible, this hurt my heart. The whole story though...literally blowing my mind out moment. The spawning and the Ra'haam, it's all such an intelligent plot. I can't at all wait to start the next book, I wanna see how these people are going to save the humanity! GIA not being GIA at all was the most shocking. I could not even comprehend the insane twists this book had. Loved it absolutely (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 1 - 4 : (view spoiler)[I was still hoping for Cat to be with the squad by some miracle but she really is gone, that's sad :( Atleast the rest of the team is as strong as ever and now Kal's sister is in the picture! I liked how Aurora got jealous lol (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[How did Adams even know about the squad, that truly is the biggest question rn... (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 7 - 10: (view spoiler)[Does this book have time travel!!!??? That's the only explanation I can come up with for the strange things the squad is encountering on their way! I sincerely hope we do not lose Kal as well, he is PRECIOUS! I wonder what the truth is mentioned in the note Finian got.... (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[NO WAYY! I am hating that the squad is getting all split up, first Cat and now Tyler too. Zila's progress is tremendous though and I can't wait for the day she is able to share about her past with everyone. I am hoping that Saedii and Tyler would team up as the last resort and plan a master escape from the GIA, that truly would be the best. (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Part 3: (view spoiler)[This gave me probably the biggest wtf moment I have had in this series so far. REALLY KAL??!!? REALLY? Why couldn't you be honest with her from the start!!?? Now my brain is coming up with theories and it looks like their mission last time could have failed for the exact same reason which is how the Starslayer got the weapon and so the note was placed to urge Kal to tell her the truth, but he failed, again (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Finished: (view spoiler)[I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THIS!!!!! Kal, oh Kal you fool😭 what did you even do that for. I hope he isn’t gone. And that ending with everyone’s POV switching so frequently just made it so much more interesting I absolutely loved it. Everyone is in such a pickle in this ending, i cant wait to pick up the next book and find out how everyone survives! (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[AAAAHHHH Zila, Finian and Scar traveled back into the past, I was so damn frustrated during their time loop tbh but Finian and Scar kissing absolutely made my day. They deserve it. Also seems like Zila and that Terran pilot might get together. Kal and Auri look like have traveled into the future while Tyler is in the present with Saedii, this is all so confusing yet so very epic. I just want them to reunite already (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[The comment about Lieutenant Kim being of East Asian descent reminded me of Aurora's sister, I wonder if there is a connection there. Tyler and Saedii are so good together but she let him go and him popping up in the future with Aurora and Kal atleast confirms that he survives but then why was Ra'haam able to destroy everything and take over the planets. I am so confused yet so very curious about it all (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[The time loop shortening has me scared for Zila, Scar and Fin...I hope they figure out how to escape this soon. Fin and Scar are adorable together but they definitely need to focus more at the mission at hand lol. Tyler being wary of Auri and Kal in the future makes sense, he looks so defeated always on the run from Ra'haam, too bad about Saedii being dead though. The weapon is taking such a heavy toll on Auri, I am afraid would she even survive to go back in time (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 27: (view spoiler)[It got confusing for a minute with the past, the present and the future chapters all going back and forth and especially with all the technicalities with time loop escape but that last chapter has me bawling my eyes out WHY ARE THEY ALL SPLITTING UP! I hate this so much but Zila is going to send Scar and Fin back to the present and I also can't wait for that ngl (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Part 3: (view spoiler)[This is all making me so sad, Tyler having to kill Cat like that must have been so difficult. We finally know what the pen and the earrings were for which made me really satisfied honestly. I am so confused about what is happening with Auri and Kal, i just wish they are able to return with the weapon soon. Also where the hell are Fin and Scar and why can't Aurora people sense them ugh! (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Finished: (view spoiler)[WHAT EVEN WAS THAT???!! They didn't even fire the weapon, the way to conquering Ra'haam was so damn shocking. For a second, I really thought we were going to lose Auri but I am so happy that she returned to Kal and everyone else by giving up her power. The whole video message by Zila was the perfect way to end this book and remembering Cat by the way of a scholarship is a brilliant idea. I felt so happy that atleast all the remaining members of Squad 312 were together at the end (hide spoiler)]

[Ellen-Arwen]

Kira wrote: "



Chapter 1 - 4 : [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I was rereading so I knew there no chance of that this time round but I do remember the feeling last time *cries* Although, it's funny - now I've listened to the audible version, I kinda like Cat a lot less. She was nicer in my head.Feeling kind of resentful towards the audio book now (my stupid fault; I just had more time for listening than reading this month). (hide spoiler)]

[Ellen-Arwen]

Kira wrote: "Chapter 7 - 10: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ OMG, why didn't I think of that until now??? I've just been puzzling away at it and coming up with nothing but that makes SO MUCH SENSE. I guess we should find out in book 3? You're an actual genius. (hide spoiler)]

[Ellen-Arwen]

Kira wrote: "Part 2: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[
I hated the splitting of the squad so much - it kind of makes me think of the Fellowship in LotR. Squad 312 is only right in its entirety and with Tyler captured, Kal ostracised, Cat dead... But they were breaking before then. I found the parts in The Echo kind of hard because Kal and Auri were experiencing this totally different reality to the others and that has to affect squad dynamics - I mean, more than the fact that they're soul mates. I've got used to that one.

When Auri turned on Kal and said she was finally ready to 'burn it all away', I think I cried first time round. (hide spoiler)]

[Ellen-Arwen]

Kira wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

I WAS NOT PREPARED EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME *cries* (view spoiler)[

I had also forgotten what a MASSIVE cliffhanger it is and how flipping angry I was lol. I think there won't be any more deaths - but I don't know! Oh Kal! I agree the change of pace with the POV changes really quickly was SUCH an excellent ending. (hide spoiler)]

Can't wait to start book 3, first read of 2023 :D

[Ellen-Arwen]

Okay, sorry for lateness (even though everyone else has finished lol). Don't you hate it when all you want to do is read and people keep wanting to TALK to you?? *shudders*

These were my main questions and thoughts starting (view spoiler)[
- I don't think anyone else is going to die. Not MCs. Just because we had Cat in book 1 and in The Illuminae Files they were pretty kind to us readers... I may be mistaken of course.

- Can't flipping wait to work out what the significance of Scar's necklace being Eshvaren crystal is. And what about Finn's pen?? And Zila's earrings? Also, is there something significant about her always having the 'right' hoops on for the situation? Seems mighty coincidental...

- Shipping Finn and Scarlett. So cute!

- I hope Zila continues to 'not be feeling nothing'. I have a real soft spot for her.

- I think they're all going to stay. relatively separated for the whole book and only convene in the epic finale

- IF there is a death, it'll be Auri, Kal or Auri and Kal in a self-sacrificing tragic way saving the galaxy.

- After Kira's prediction, I'm hoping for some timey-whimey stuff! yay!
(hide spoiler)] Wrote those before starting, wish I'd posted them earlier as proof lol. Anyone haven't got far but enjoying it so far.

[Ellen-Arwen]

Kira wrote: "

Part 1: [spoilers removed]"

PART 1

(view spoiler)[ YES! Time travel/time loop - you are a genius!! I wouldn't have predicted it without your insight there, very much obliged. I'm glad they didn't actually do every ten times or whatever it was, that would've got tedious. Scar and Finn are <3 just so cute!

So yeah, those guys in the past (i hadn't thought about Zila and the pilot getting together, but now you mention it...); Tyler and Saeedi in the present; and Auri and Kal and the starslayer in the future?? Couldn't be more DISunited. I really want them to return to each other soon, but stand by my earlier guess that it's going to be most of the book before we see them together :( (hide spoiler)]

[Ellen-Arwen]

Kira wrote: "Chapter 12: [spoilers removed]"

To end of chapter 12 (view spoiler)[

Say what?!?!? Tyler went into the past and now Auri and co have met him as an adult in the future? But hundreds of years have passed surely, not forty? I am so confused. I mean, yeah, you're right at least they survive...? But how? My mind is boggled. How could they be the one ship in, potentially, the galaxy that hasn't been taken over by the Ra'haam?

Also, Tyler and Saeedi are a good fit. I didn't see that she had the pull for him, but in retrospect it's sort of obvious.

And Tyler's prophetic dreams? Does this mean that Scar will have them too, or is it just because he's around so much, er, waywalker mind-bending stuff? That would confuse those guys situation even MORE!

And, nicely spotted about the Kim being East Asian descent - it would be cool if she was Auri's sister! But she'd be hundreds of years old... Well. Who knows? All the times are screwed up. And Kal said that the Eshvaren don't experience time in the same way? CONFUSED. (hide spoiler)]

[Ellen-Arwen]

To end of Part 2 (sorry for the gap lol - if anyone is reading this!)

(view spoiler)[

OMG, I do not like old and cynical Ty *cries* it's so sad and horrible and EVERYBODY is going to die. The way he's so suspicious and has just lost... himself. Unless Auri manages to do her magic and get back and change things (with the Starslayer grrrr).

The time loop shortening is fricking terrifying - I agree, Kira! There was Fin (finally spelling it right this time lol) and Scar thinking they could just, y'know, have some play time ;) - but NOPE. Nobody gets a break. And they're all dead in the future. I know I already said that.

EEEEEEEE

Looking forward to finding out what Fin's pen is for! I'm trying to remember all the objects, and I think it's just his left? Unless there is more to Zila's earrings than them indicating she should trust the pilot because their callsign is 'Hawk'? That seems a bit week tbh. (hide spoiler)]

[Ellen-Arwen]

Kira wrote: "Part 3: [spoilers removed]"

To end of part 3 (ugh, I have been so occupied by PEOPLE and things to be DONE when all I want to do is read and I'm tempted to read late into the night now but I have so much to do tomorrow and why oh WHY can't the world just pause so I can read my flipping book?) (view spoiler)[

Oh my god. They can't all be gone. They just can't be. Because - no. This is a YA book - it can't be a tragedy. Not THIS much of a tragedy. I mean, in the large scale of things they're going to save the galaxy from the Ra'haam (I mean they HAVE to at least to do that, right??) but everything else is... gone. No Squad 312. Finian and Scarlett dead, Zila 200 years back, Cat taken by the Ra'haam, Auri and Kal... I don't know! I don't know! I need to go back to reading.

Gah, this is so emotional. And we know how Tyler lost his eye and we saw that in the future and this is the only timeline that can't really be changed and I'm so confused and and and and

But I'm satisfied with the pen and the earrings now; all those ends are rounded up. But... Fin, Scar, Auri, Kal? Are they just not detecting them or they really not going to come back?

I'm just so sad. Poor Tyler having to kill Cat as well like you said Kira. Gah, it's all tragic and i think I'd better keep reading until it untragifies itself. (hide spoiler)]

[Ellen-Arwen]

Kira wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

Finished also. Umm... (view spoiler)[

Okay, so I am super confused and glad it wasn't just me! How could they conquer the Ra'haam without firing the weapon? And I was very doom and gloom last night, felt like it was all going to go wrong, but I should have remembered it IS YA at the end of the day, and it's not going to be unbearable.

I loved the messages from Zila too! And yes, I was definitely convinced we were going to lose Auri. And basically all the characters at various points lol.

And yay - the pen came in useful!

What I don't get is why there were so much later than they were expected? I'm not very good with time travel/physics/anything that requires thinking - rofl.

I'm pleased with the ending to this but it was such a race for the whole book that I feel a bit bereft of some character time with Kal particularly. Also would have liked a bit more Zila PoV. Love that girl. (hide spoiler)]