Tag Archives: Jay Kristoff

Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

July 28, 2025Book ReviewAmie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff, Science Fiction, Space, Young Adultskyebjenner

Title: Aurora Rising
Author: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Series: Aurora Cycle #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Science fiction, Space, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

I just can’t even with this story, in the best way possible. I forget just how much I love Kaufman and Kristoff as a writing duo, and reading this was just a great reminder of why that is the case. They are the most amazing writing duo and I can never put their books down. Aurora Rising was no different – but, unlike the Illuminae Files, I had the most trashed heart after this book ended. In fact, I kept repeating that “this book ruined me” and drove my partner a little bit nuts. Without giving spoilers, there was a fair amount of heartbreaking activity in this.

I really enjoy well-written stories with an ensemble cast, and Kaufman and Kristoff manage to pull this off seamlessly. I love that each character has a really distinct voice, so that even if the chapters didn’t start with the name of the character you are currently following, you’d probably be able to guess within a few paragraphs. The diversity and strength of their characters made me fall in love even more with this story, and also made that point of heartbreak even more potent and harmful. Because I fell in love with each and every member of this unlikely band of heroes.

Opening this, I was expecting a bit more of the style of the Illuminae Files, I thought that there would be a multitude of moments throughout which had the graphic appeal of the first Kaufman / Kristoff series that I read. Instead, it was pretty much entirely prose, with very little of the structure of the previous books. Although I loved that in the past, I really wasn’t disappointed. Again, the language, the style, and the journey were represented perfectly within this structure and made me smile again and again and again throughout. So much love for not just the story and the voices, but the style of writing in this.

Aurora Rising is a story about outcasts, Found Family, heists and so many damn conspiracies. There was nothing predictable about any of the storyline, and this is part of what made it completely impossible to put down. I loved every moment of this story, and I can’t wait to read Aurora Burning. There are so many loose threads just flapping in the wind. Aurora Rising was about discovering the battle ahead, and bonding as a team in their outcast bunch. But now I can’t wait to see where the universe will take them next.

<- More Amie Kaufman

Aurora Burning ->

Image source: Pages of Julia

Praying for Rain by Jay Kristoff

October 10, 2023Book ReviewDystopia, Jay Kristoff, Paranormal Fantasy, Science Fiction, The Lotus Warsskyebjenner

Title: Praying for Rain
Author: Jay Kristoff
Series: The Lotus Wars #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Paranormal fantasy, Science fiction
Pace: Slow
Format: Free online short story
Year: 2013

This was a very intense and emotional short story. A little slow to get going, but once it picked up speed… it was hard to put it down. Kristoff does a great job of world building and bringing you into the intrigue that is to be The Lotus Wars series.

Kristoff’s world building is absolutely phenomenal in this short story. I was expecting good world building, but this was of a totally different calibre. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of this series. I mean, this is a steampunk, dystopia feeling world. Full of politics, conflict and magic.

I absolutely adored this short story, and now I can’t wait to read the first book in The Lotus Wars series. I mean, I kind of expected that from Kristoff, but it was nice to have the confirmation.

<- More Jay Kristoff

The Last Stormdancer ->

Image source: Novel Heartbeat

Obsidio by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

October 25, 2022Book ReviewAmie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff, Science Fiction, Space, The Illuminae Files, Young Adultskyebjenner

Title: Obsidio
Author: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Series: The Illuminae Files #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Science fiction, Space, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2018

Holy wow. This is a FANTASTIC ending to a seriously amazing series. I’m honestly seriously disappointed that this is over and still kind of in shock. But it was totally worth it. Definitely one of those series that I’m going to read again and again and recommend to all my friends and family and total strangers on the street…

I really wasn’t expecting a few things in this – particularly the ending with AIDAN. I’m still really confused about my emotions towards him (it?) I mean, some seriously disgusting and horrible choices. But also some really good moments. I’m not used to feeling so conflicted about my emotions towards a character. And even if AIDAN is a machine, it’s (he’s) still a pretty phenomenal character throughout the series.

I love that throughout Obsidio it actually shows how the Illuminae Files came to be and how they were compiled. It’s a great way for you to look back (particularly at the video transcripts). And I like the idea of rereading this series with that context in mind. It also tied out the different romances in a way that made you smile with happiness. Not going to lie, there were a few of these moments that bought a tear to my eye.

Although Asha and Rhys aren’t necessarily my favourite couple from the series, they’re still pretty cute. I probably just didn’t connect as much to them because they get the least time on the page. But, they still work, particularly for the little surprising twists and turns that they take throughout.

At its heart the Illuminae Files are based around a mass genocide. I love that of all the books, it’s Obsidio that shows the casualties of war. Not those on either side of the conflict. But all of the innocent lives that are lost for no damn good reason. It was probably this that truly bought those tears to my eyes and a soaring to my heart. Truly an amazing finish to an amazing series.

<- Gemina

More Jay Kristoff ->

Image source: Goodreads

Gemina by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

October 24, 2022Book ReviewAmie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff, Science Fiction, Space, The Illuminae Files, Young Adultskyebjenner

Title: Gemina
Author: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Series: The Illuminae Files #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Science fiction, Space, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2016

Its been way too long since I read Illuminae. I know this because, from the very first moment of opening this book, I was completely hooked. Which makes me wonder why it took me so damn long to pick up this book now I can’t wait to get into Obsidio and see how this phenomenal trilogy will end.

Hanna is such an awesome female lead. I mean, a 17-year-old girl who is a master of war strategy? Heck yes! That, and the fact that she is a realistic teenager. She’s filled with angst and insecurities. That first blossom of love and the reliance on a parent. Don’t get me wrong, pretty much all of this is ripped away from her very quickly in this book. But she’s not a teenager who somehow has everything together – that’s a trope that just feels unrealistic.

Then there’s Nik. I have a bit of a thing for bad boys and the morally grey. He is just adorable and I’m honestly in love with him from pretty much the very beginning. Nik and his cousin are that perfect level of chaotic good, again, something that I tend to love in my characters. Ella in particular is just wonderful. I love how she is constantly ribbing Nik and there were many moments throughout that had me laughing out loud.

Not only is Gemina a fantastic story, one that was impossible to put down and forget about. But just also love how it is written. I love how you piece together the tale from dossiers. Different pieces of information, that, as with Illuminae tell a wonderful story for a space battle. But also have a few misleading moments in it that set up many conspiracies. Now I can’t wait to find out how the rest of the tale unfolds…

<- Illuminae

Obsidio ->

Image source: Amie Kaufman

Memento by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

October 23, 2022Book ReviewAmie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff, Science Fiction, Space, The Illuminae Files, Young Adultskyebjenner

Title: Memento
Author: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Series: The Illuminae Files #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Science fiction, Space, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2020

I read the first book in The Illuminae Files a while ago, and then I got distracted from continuing with the series. Which, as I’m figuring out now was a fair bit of a mistake. So, shortly after reading Gemina, I blitzed through Memento. And it was understandably fantastic, as all these books are.

Whilst Aidan is a little chilling in Illuminae, I didn’t quite feel that holy crap, evil being thing from him. Maybe because there is a lot of humour in all of the dossiers provided by this. That ambivalent feeling was completely removed by this novella.

I was kind of heartbroken by this to be honest, I really loved Ethan and Olivia. And their romance was just too damn cute for words. There is something great about how Kaufman and Kristoff are able to write in the romance to the main story. And the realism of HOW people gush over instant messaging… be still my beating heart.

<- More Amie Kaufman

Illuminae ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

October 18, 2019Book ReviewAmie Kaufman, Easy Reading, Jay Kristoff, Science Fiction, The Illuminae Files, Young Adultskyebjenner

Title: Illuminae
Author: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Series: The Illuminae Files #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Science fiction, Young adult
Dates read: 15th July – 22nd September 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: What’s it like to be a hero?

The year is 2575, and two rival mega-corporations – are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra are forced to escape on the evacuating fleet.

But their troubles are just beginning. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it’s clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.

This is one of the most unique, intense and fun books I’ve read in a long time. Actually, it’s the only book like this that I’ve ever read. Rather than being a traditional prose, it is full of snippets and dossiers, information that you have to put together yourself as the story unfolds in front of you. When I first opened the pages of this, I wasn’t really sure that I’d like this style of writing. After all, it is completely different to what I normally read. But I found that I actually loved it. The difference in flavour and taste of the story was a great departure from what I usually read.

Most stories I read with a little romance start with a couple meeting each other. Illuminae on the other hand starts with the main couple breaking up with each other. Arguing and yelling at one another as they air their differences. It was kind of fun to have a different start to what is considered a bit of a romance. The fact that Ezra and Kady are obviously going to realise that they still care about each other. That they are actually meant to be together. The arguing and questioning each other is exactly what a healthy relationship means to me… so it was nice to see a couple that constantly pushed at each other and challenged their preconceptions.

I’m not a huge conspiracy buff. Not someone who tends to get drawn into some of these discussions like many of my friends do. But this story, the way it was written and the structure of the tale made me completely believe that some of them may even be plausible. After all, this is a tale about a rival company literally destroying an entire world and killing everyone they possibly can just to wipe out the competition. It was written in a completely plausible manner, one that made me feel a little uncomfortable and concerned about what their modern day counterparts would do.

Illuminae is an amazing adventure. It makes you feel emotional, drives home the fact that life is fleeting and is also full of fun and sass. Kady is driven, intelligent and completely loyal. She’s the kind of heroine I love, and she has enough gumption and independence to leave me laughing out loud. Multiple times. Ah. The innocence of youth.

<- Memento

Gemina ->

Image source: Amazon

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.