ILLUMINAE - Review

Book Review:
Title: ILLUMINAE
Author: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Publisher: Rock the boat (Oneworld publishing)

“The universe owes you nothing, Kady. It has already given you everything, after all. It was here long before you, and it will go on long after you. The only way it will remember you is to do something worth remembrance.”

The year is 2575 and two mega-corporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice covered speck. With enemy fire raining down on them Ezra and Kady have to make their escape on the evacuating fleet. But their troubles are just beginning. A deadly plague has broken out on one of the space ships and it is mutating with terrifying results. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth its clear only one person can help her. Ezra. And the only problem with that is they split up before all this trouble started and she isn’t supposed to be talking to him.

I want to first off praise this book and the authors for creating what is probably the most uniquely written book I have EVER read. Many would say that reading a book is an experience and I agree. However, this book encompasses the true meaning of an experience. It was visually pleasing, the story was awesome and the formatting was original. Instant messaging. Surveillance cameras. Interviews. Documents. These are some of the ways in which we are told the story, and let me tell you, it was brilliant.

Although, since it is such a uniquely written book I must admit it did take some time to really get into the story and adjust to the layout. But that was inevitable. You can't jump into a book so differently written and become immersed straightaway, it takes time to wrap your head around it all. Or maybe that's just me.

I think it was about a third of the way through where I found myself completely hooked. I grew to love all the characters, especially their interactions with one another. They were witty and relatable to any teenager (the characters, not the situation.) Even in the most tense of times I found myself laughing out loud (mostly because of Ezra. I loved Ezra!) But then at the same time, there were many parts where my emotions were at a high and I felt my heart breaking. And those twists placed throughout the story? Did not see them coming at all! Let's just say that my emotions were messed with once or twice (more like a dozen times.)

I'm actually finding it quite difficult to put into words how cool this book truly was. All I can really say is, if you haven't read this book yet, I highly suggest you do. There's a reason why this book is so hyped. I'm not the biggest fan of sci-fi books, but this book is an exception. So whether you are a sci-fi fan or not, this book will capture you in some way or another. The second book in the series Gemina is set to release in October of 2016, which I am now highly anticipating, and is going to follow some of the old characters as well as some new ones.

Overall, a truly all encompassing unique experience.

4 Stars
Goodreads