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

Favourite Book Quotes

*These aren't necessarily inspirational quotes, but they are quotes that give me all the feels.

“Meeting your soul mate is like walking into a house you've been in before - you will recognise the furniture, the pictures on the wall, the books on the shelves, the contents of drawers: You could find your way around in the dark if you had to.” 

 

“Question everything. Your love, your religion, your passion. If you don't have questions, you'll never find answers.”

“They were infinite. They were the beginning and the ending; they were eternity. The king standing before them gaped as the shield of flame died out to reveal Aelin and Dorian, hand in hand, glowing like newborn gods as their magic entwined.”

“You were the sun, and I was crashing into you.”

  

“Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there's no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.”

“Books are easily destroyed. But words will live as long as people can remember them.”

“While I'm gone," Gansey said, pausing, "dream me the world. Something new for every night.”

“Life is made of so many moments that mean nothing. Then one day, a single moment comes along to define every second that comes after. Such moments are tests of courage, of strength.”

“Sometimes in life, we need a few bad days in order to keep the good ones in perspective.”

“We accept the love we think we deserve.”

So, there are some of my favourite quotes from some of my favourite books. Obviously I have favourite quotes beyond these 10, so maybe some time in the future I will do a part 2. 

What are some of your favourite book quotes? Leave them in the comments below!

Blue Lily, Lily Blue - Review

Book Review:
Title: Blue Lily, Lily Blue
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic

"Blue was perfectly aware that it was possible to have a friendship that wasn't all-encompassing, that wasn't blinding, deafening, maddening, quickening. It was just that now that she'd had this kind, she didn't want the other.”

 Read my review for the The Raven Boys (1st in series) HERE and my review for The Dream Thieves (2nd in series) HERE

Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs. The trick with found things, though, is how easily they can be lost. Friends can betray. Mothers can disappear. Visions can mislead. Certainties can unravel.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue has definitely topped the series for me (though that could change after The Raven King.) It was a great fast-paced read which I was pleasantly surprised to find, as if you have read my reviews for the previous books I stated that I found the story to drag in some places. But not in this book! I literally flew through this book and even read about half of the book in one sitting. Then unfortunately real life caught up to me and I had to wait until the next day to finish it.

But anyways, back to the point, I loved this book! It had everything I wanted and more. We got more Noah. We got more swoon-worthy Bue & Gansey scenes. And something I didn't think I wanted but now crave more of, Ronan & Adam. At the end of the second book we get a little hint that Ronan may have feelings for Adam, so whenever those two were together in this book I found myself becoming more and more invested in their relationship. I'm not ashamed to say, I SHIP IT!

Also although this book is the shortest of the series, it's definitely the most action packed. There was never a dull moment, every new chapter held a new adventure whether it was with the core Raven gang or the ladies of 300 fox way or even Greenmantle and the Gray man. Every perspective was fun and enjoyable to read. Though I must admit, there were some parts that really hit me emotionally, so much so I think I may have shed a tear or two. But it was definitely worth the tears and it's preparing me for the sob fest that I know is going to come in the finale (please don't let Gansey die! I'm too emotionally invested.)

My favourite part of the story was pretty much the last 100 or so pages. Everything was building up, major plot points were revealed and my anxiety levels were through the roof. I didn't know if I was going to make it.

I think the book ended perfectly, it leaves you with some questions answered but mostly just anticipation for the finale, The Raven King, to wrap everything up. (Once again, please don't let Gansey die!)

4.5 Stars
Goodreads

The Dream Theives - Review

Book Review:
Title: The Dream Thieves
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic

“In that moment, Blue was a little in love with all of them.
Their magic. Their quest. Their awfulness and strangeness.
Her raven boys.”

Read my review for the first book in the series, The Raven Boys HERE

Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Blue and Gansey will be the same. Ronan is falling more and more deeply into his dreams ... and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Gansey is needed at home, and is struggling to stay in Aglionby. And Adam? He's made some new friends. Friends that are looking for some of the same pieces of the puzzle that Gansey, Blue, and Ronan are after. Great power is at stake, and someone must be willing to wield it.

This book was such a great follow up to what is becoming possibly one of my favourite series! I loved how we focus mostly of Ronan and his strange but fascinating gift of retrieving things out of his dreams. As I mentioned in my review for The Raven Boys, Ronan is my favourite character in the series (though he may now have to share that spot with Gansey) so I really enjoyed learning more about the complexity of his character.

The only problem I had with the first book was the pacing of the story. Certain parts seemed to drag on longer than others and it was hard to stay fully invested. Though I had the same problem with this book, it wasn't as frequent. There was possibly one or two points in the book that I found to drag (the parts where the gang were split up), but for the majority I was completely engrossed and loving what I was reading. 

I especially loved how naturally all the relationships in this book evolve. There's no insta-love or a complete one-eighty in a person's feelings. It all progresses very smoothly, making it a very believable read. I also really enjoyed how my perspective and feelings towards the characters changed throughout the story. My view of the Gray man at the start of the novel was incredibly different to my view of him at the end. My view of Kavinsky, another new character introduced, changed constantly. One minute I loved him and the next, I hated him. I think by the end, I couldn't commit to one feeling so I both love and hate him at the same time. You know what they say, there's a thin line between love and hate. 

Another thing that needs to be addressed is my admiration for Blue. She is quickly becoming a favourite protagonist of mine. She doesn't take (mind my language) shit from anyone and I love that. Whenever anyone is rude to her (usually Ronan), she doesn't sit back and endure it, she fights to ensure that she is treated with respect by everyone. And even though she is one feisty character, she has this adorable side that pops up a couple of times during the book. Namely that one scene with Noah and that other scene with Gansey. *Swoon* 

There wasn't as much Noah in this story as I would have liked to have, so I'm hoping that we see a lot more of him in the next books. To be honest, I want to see more of everyone. There is not one character that I don't enjoy reading about, they all have such different personalities that I never get bored of them and I just want to know more them and their thoughts and feelings.

But yeah, all in all I really enjoyed this follow up to The Raven Boys and I can't wait to see how the story continues in both Blue Lily, Lily Blue and the finale, The Raven King. (Wishing that we get to see some more Bluesy action)


4/4.5 Stars
Goodreads