Hello guys!!
This is a scheduled post because right now I'm in Copenhagen on a rather improptu trip with Paula Stokes! I've no clue what I'll be doing but probably wandering around, seeing the sights and frowning at the signs written in Danish!
But I really wanted to set up this week's Friday Reads so I could have my review before publishing date, because I read this one so early on (I have no bloody self control at all...) and I didn't want to end up getting tangled up with something else and post my review after release date!
I have read many great books this year, MANY five stars but this one for sure will be in my TOP TEN list of the year!!
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Yup, loved this one to pieces!! I was supremely excited for this one and was one of my BEA priorities (it was the second ARC I grabbed, right after Truthwitch) but at the same time I had no idea this format of storytelling was gonna work as brilliantly as it did for me!
As you might have already heard before, Illuminae is not your usual kind of book. There's not regular narrative here, because it's all comprised my memos, e-mails, internal communications, IMs, transcriptions of camera footage and some lists and many many amazing graphics all over the place!
It's quite an unique way of telling a story, but one that works beyond brilliantly, and I think that a science fiction story lends itself to it perfectly!
I feared I wouldn't connect with the main characters with this format of storytelling but that fear was quickly dispel as I simply came to adore Kady and Ezra within the first few pages! I was rooting for them to get back together (not a spoiler), to see what will happen with the ships, how will they survive a confrontation with the pursuing ships (that had a certain BSG feel to it, the only survivors fleeing and trying to stay alive).
Illuminae simply felt like classic brilliant science fiction to me: with humour, tension, a bigger world that we can see at first but that it's there and seeps through the pages, strong human relationships and characters, small and big questions being presented for our consideration, full of food for thought and plenty of action and tension!
It IS a big book, but I devoured it in one sitting with barely any stops for food & bathroom breaks, and those only when I couldn't ignore my bladder or my stomach any longer! A big word of warning: this book WILL BE LIKE THE BIGGEST ROLLERCOASTER IN EXISTENCE FOR YOUR EMOTIONS. You have been warned!!
Now I need the finished copy, the next book and I'm gonna suffer the crushing book hangover this one is sure to give me! Well played Mrs Kaufman & Mr Kristoff, well played!! All the supernovas for this book!! Yeah, stars are not enough for Illumiane, it needs to be rated in supernovas!!
View all my reviews
This is a scheduled post because right now I'm in Copenhagen on a rather improptu trip with Paula Stokes! I've no clue what I'll be doing but probably wandering around, seeing the sights and frowning at the signs written in Danish!
But I really wanted to set up this week's Friday Reads so I could have my review before publishing date, because I read this one so early on (I have no bloody self control at all...) and I didn't want to end up getting tangled up with something else and post my review after release date!
I have read many great books this year, MANY five stars but this one for sure will be in my TOP TEN list of the year!!
Illuminae by Amie KaufmanMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Yup, loved this one to pieces!! I was supremely excited for this one and was one of my BEA priorities (it was the second ARC I grabbed, right after Truthwitch) but at the same time I had no idea this format of storytelling was gonna work as brilliantly as it did for me!
As you might have already heard before, Illuminae is not your usual kind of book. There's not regular narrative here, because it's all comprised my memos, e-mails, internal communications, IMs, transcriptions of camera footage and some lists and many many amazing graphics all over the place!
It's quite an unique way of telling a story, but one that works beyond brilliantly, and I think that a science fiction story lends itself to it perfectly!
I feared I wouldn't connect with the main characters with this format of storytelling but that fear was quickly dispel as I simply came to adore Kady and Ezra within the first few pages! I was rooting for them to get back together (not a spoiler), to see what will happen with the ships, how will they survive a confrontation with the pursuing ships (that had a certain BSG feel to it, the only survivors fleeing and trying to stay alive).
Illuminae simply felt like classic brilliant science fiction to me: with humour, tension, a bigger world that we can see at first but that it's there and seeps through the pages, strong human relationships and characters, small and big questions being presented for our consideration, full of food for thought and plenty of action and tension!
It IS a big book, but I devoured it in one sitting with barely any stops for food & bathroom breaks, and those only when I couldn't ignore my bladder or my stomach any longer! A big word of warning: this book WILL BE LIKE THE BIGGEST ROLLERCOASTER IN EXISTENCE FOR YOUR EMOTIONS. You have been warned!!
Now I need the finished copy, the next book and I'm gonna suffer the crushing book hangover this one is sure to give me! Well played Mrs Kaufman & Mr Kristoff, well played!! All the supernovas for this book!! Yeah, stars are not enough for Illumiane, it needs to be rated in supernovas!!
View all my reviews
I was lucky enough to snag this one at BEA as well Pili (though I failed miserably with Truthwitch - lucky you!!!!) but the format made me a little nervous. I wasn't sure I'd be able to settle into the story with the case-file setup, but all the reviews I've read for this one so far have been hugely positive. I think maybe I need to give it a try after all! Anything that gets a supernova rating from you is something I need to read:)
ReplyDeleteYES! Do read it Jenny! I hope you'll love it once you do!
DeleteWow supernova rating! I so need this book in my hands! Thank god it's almost here. I'm ready for that rollercoaster XP
ReplyDeleteI hope you're having fun on your trip!! *waves to you and Paula*
It was quite awesome Eileen dear! *squishes* I hope you'll love Illuminae as much as I did!
DeleteYes yes yes. <3 This book was just perfection. Sigh. So so thrilled that you loved it lots too :D Gorgeous review Pili. <3 Hugs. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about it :) And yaaay for being in Denmark :D Hope you are having the most amazing time.
ReplyDeleteThank you sweetie! Wasn't this book just the most amazing??
DeleteYaasss, so glad this book was such a hit for you, I enjoyed watching you flail about it! And then I read it and joined the flailing. Meta-fiction for the win! I can't wait to see how Kaufman and Kristoff construct the next books. Lovely review, Pili!
ReplyDeleteAlyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Agreed!! I'm super curious (and anxious) to see what the sequel will be like!!
DeleteFlailing for the win!!
Oh!! I hope you're having a wonderful time. I loved this book too. So beautifully done. Next book please!! My HC shipped so I'm sooooo excited for it to arrive Tuesday. Come to me my pretty.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to wait a bit cause I'm getting a signed copy from Books of Wonder, but it'll be worth it for sure!!
DeleteYES! Great review. The format was amazing, the characters were fantastic, the plot was creative and full of action. It wrecked me emotionally but I loved it for that.
ReplyDeleteCassi @ My Thoughts Literally
We are crazy and we love it when books cripple us emotionally like this! WHAT A BOOK!!
DeleteEmotional roller coaster is 100% correct!!! I loved it, though!
ReplyDeleteYup, it was brilliant and amazing if very very painful!!
DeleteI hope the ebook goes on sale at some point because I finally broke down and was going to read my Netgally copy on my laptop, but I could not get it to open in Adobe, so bah, I gave up. I was realty disappointed. The page designs look tremendous..:)
ReplyDeleteOigh, that sucks! I do hope it'll go on sale so you can check it out, because it is quite awesome!
DeleteGreat review, Pili! I'm about to finish it and I'm loving it so much!! It's such a wonderful read!
ReplyDelete