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On My Bookshelf // Illuminae by Aime Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

February 5, 2016February 5, 2016 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 14 comments
On My Bookshelf // Illuminae by Aime Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

A review of ILLUMINAE by Aime Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. // dreams-etc.com

Where to start with this book?

Illuminae focuses on a young couple–Kady and Ezra–who break up right before their planet is invaded. There’s a plague that’s mutating and they’re being attacked by an outside source and even their own AI. And not everything is as it seems with the leadership. Oh, it also takes place in the future. That’s probably an important detail to add about this book.

If you’re interested in reading this book, my suggestion is to definitely get a physical copy of the book, whether you buy it or get it from the library.

With Illuminae you’ve basically been given a bunch of hacked documents–instant messages, emails, reports, etc.–that you go through to find out what happened. I absolutely loved that about this book! If you’ve read my book reviews for awhile, you know that I love books that have unique methods of storytelling and include things like articles/emails/texts, etc. So I loved that this book was told using these different formats.

That being said, because of that I don’t this book will be as easy to read and enjoyable on an ereader. In my experience, print works best. (The hardcover copy is also incredibly beautiful. #booklover) Also, because of the different formats, it took me a little while to feel like I really knew what was happening in the book. This is probably also due to the fact that I read it in little snippets at the beginning. But it held my attention and had me asking questions, so it didn’t turn me away from the book at all. I just didn’t connect as quickly to it as I usually do with a book.

I also had a hard time following some of the action scenes at times because of the way the story was told.

The characters… Ezra, I loved him so much! Right from the start he was a character that I knew I’d enjoy spending time with. It took me a little while to grow to love Kady, but I had a feeling I would and I did. She’s an awesome character and I really enjoyed reading about her adventures in this book.

The world was so unique! At least for me. I really haven’t read as many space/different planet-themed books as I’d like to, considering they always catch my eye when I read descriptions, so this was a really unique book to read. I found the world to be well thought out and I found everything to be plausible and believable. You know, for a book that takes place on a different planet over 500 years in the future.

The ending was absolutely perfect. I loved it so much that I went back a few pages so that I could reread the end again.

This book has some really beautiful page spreads and there were some beautifully written passages. This is definitely a book to experience and I highly recommend it if the plot or the storytelling… or both!… sound interesting to you.

I’m excited for book two!

WHAT HAVE YOU READ RECENTLY?

[Tweet “A story told through hacked documents? Sign me up for ILLUMINAE! #amreading #bookreviews”]

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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14 comments

  1. Hannah says:
    February 5, 2016 at 2:26 pm

    This sounds so interesting!! I’ve never even heard of it before so I’m looking into it now!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      February 17, 2016 at 9:17 pm

      Let me know what you think if you read it!

      Reply
  2. Amanda says:
    February 5, 2016 at 2:28 pm

    It’s been a long time since I picked up a good fiction book. I need the mental break… going to order this one right now!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      February 17, 2016 at 9:19 pm

      This is a great one to escape into! Let me know what you think when you read it. šŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. Alanna @ Alanna & Company says:
    February 5, 2016 at 2:32 pm

    I’ll have to check it out. I haven’t read a good Sci-Fi book in a while!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      February 17, 2016 at 9:19 pm

      This one is fun! Let me know what you think if you read it.

      Reply
  4. Christina Rambo says:
    February 5, 2016 at 4:55 pm

    You had me at the inclusion of the documents and emails etc. I LOVE that stuff!!!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      February 17, 2016 at 9:20 pm

      Me too! You’ll probably enjoy this one if you like that kind of stuff in a story. Let me know what you think!

      Reply
  5. Dominique says:
    February 5, 2016 at 4:56 pm

    Sound good. I am the latest book I read was Trust your Melody by Lana Mays and I loved it. It’s a mom book. Haha.

    http://www.writingmotherfashionista.com

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      February 17, 2016 at 9:21 pm

      If you’re looking for something a little different, this one is definitely fun. šŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. Alix Maza says:
    February 5, 2016 at 7:26 pm

    I just finished “A Career of Evil” by Robert Galbraith! I’m definitely adding this to my list!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      February 17, 2016 at 9:22 pm

      Did you like the Gailbraith book? I haven’t started that series yet but it’s on my TBR!

      Reply
  7. Kusum says:
    February 6, 2016 at 1:42 am

    Its been a ages since I read any Sci-Fi, about time, right? Definitely going to check out this book.
    xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      February 17, 2016 at 9:22 pm

      Definitely! This one should be a lot of fun. šŸ™‚ Let me know what you think if you read it!

      Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. šŸ’™
Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. ā€œThe water looks cold,ā€ I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. šŸ˜‚)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. šŸ˜ PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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