Illuminae (The Illuminae Files)
For fans of Marie Lu comes the first book in an epic series that bends the sci-fi genre into a new dimension.
“A truly beautiful novel that redefines the form." —Victoria Aveyard, bestselling author of Red Queen
This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.
The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than a speck at the edge of the universe. Now with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to evacuate with a hostile warship in hot pursuit.
But their problems are just getting started. A 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 web of data to find the truth, it’s clear the only person who can help her is the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.
Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, maps, files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.
“Prepare yourselves for Illuminae.” —EW.com
“[Y]ou’re not in for an ordinary novel experience. . . .” —Bustle.com
“A truly interactive experience. . . . A fantastically fun ride.” —MTV.com
★ “[O]ut-of-this-world awesome.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred
★ “…stylistically mesmerizing.” —Publishers Weekly, starred
★ “[A]n arresting visual experience.”—Booklist, starred
★ “[A] game-changer.” —Shelf Awareness, starred
“Brace yourself. You're about to be immersed in a mindscape that you'll never want to leave.” —Marie Lu, bestselling author of the Legend trilogy
"Genre: Undefinable. Novel: Unforgettable." —Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of Beautiful Creatures & author of Unbreakable
“An exuberant mix of space opera, romance, zombies, hackers, and political thrills.” —Scott Westerfeld, bestselling author of Zeroes and Uglies
“Stunningly creative. Smart, funny, and romantic.” —Veronica Rossi, bestselling author of Under the Never Sky
“This is one of those rare books that will truly keep your heart pounding.” —Beth Revis, bestselling author of Across the Universe
“This book is xxxxing awesome.”
—Laini Taylor, bestselling author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone
“A truly beautiful novel that redefines the form." —Victoria Aveyard, bestselling author of Red Queen
This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.
The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than a speck at the edge of the universe. Now with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to evacuate with a hostile warship in hot pursuit.
But their problems are just getting started. A 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 web of data to find the truth, it’s clear the only person who can help her is the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.
Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, maps, files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.
“Prepare yourselves for Illuminae.” —EW.com
“[Y]ou’re not in for an ordinary novel experience. . . .” —Bustle.com
“A truly interactive experience. . . . A fantastically fun ride.” —MTV.com
★ “[O]ut-of-this-world awesome.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred
★ “…stylistically mesmerizing.” —Publishers Weekly, starred
★ “[A]n arresting visual experience.”—Booklist, starred
★ “[A] game-changer.” —Shelf Awareness, starred
“Brace yourself. You're about to be immersed in a mindscape that you'll never want to leave.” —Marie Lu, bestselling author of the Legend trilogy
"Genre: Undefinable. Novel: Unforgettable." —Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of Beautiful Creatures & author of Unbreakable
“An exuberant mix of space opera, romance, zombies, hackers, and political thrills.” —Scott Westerfeld, bestselling author of Zeroes and Uglies
“Stunningly creative. Smart, funny, and romantic.” —Veronica Rossi, bestselling author of Under the Never Sky
“This is one of those rare books that will truly keep your heart pounding.” —Beth Revis, bestselling author of Across the Universe
“This book is xxxxing awesome.”
—Laini Taylor, bestselling author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
Updated (3/21/18)* 2.5 To say I'm not a Sci-Fi fan is an understatement. I've seen one Star Wars movie and that was because my fiancé had to tie me up and pry my eyes open after years (and I mean years) of constant begging to watch it... Ok, maybe that was a tad dramatic but needless to say I did not want to watch it. Although to get me to watch the new Star Trek movies, all that had to happen was cast Chris Pine, for obvious reasons.
As I'm sure I've so vividly explained, Sci-Fi- is not my go to genre, but given that I did enjoy "reading" this book. (I put the word "reading" in quotes because I did not technically read it, I listened to it on Audible.) If I were to just have read the book, opposed to listening to while reading the book I can confidently say I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much. It honestly probably would've been a DNF. But I did, and therefore am writing this hyperbolic review that could've been summed up in a few short sentences: "I enjoyed it but only kept continuing for Ezra, because I love me some Ezra. Oh, and Kady's cool too I guess." There, review done. But what would be a review by me if I didn't drench it with the dramatics?
*After giving this book more thought, I'm even less of a fan. I just can't get myself to read the second book. Don't mind me. I'm just over here adding this to my "unpopular opinion" shelf.
As I'm sure I've so vividly explained, Sci-Fi- is not my go to genre, but given that I did enjoy "reading" this book. (I put the word "reading" in quotes because I did not technically read it, I listened to it on Audible.) If I were to just have read the book, opposed to listening to while reading the book I can confidently say I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much. It honestly probably would've been a DNF. But I did, and therefore am writing this hyperbolic review that could've been summed up in a few short sentences: "I enjoyed it but only kept continuing for Ezra, because I love me some Ezra. Oh, and Kady's cool too I guess." There, review done. But what would be a review by me if I didn't drench it with the dramatics?
*After giving this book more thought, I'm even less of a fan. I just can't get myself to read the second book. Don't mind me. I'm just over here adding this to my "unpopular opinion" shelf.
"Am I not merciful?"
Every single moment of this book kept me on edge.
Well not really, I didn't really get truly invested until about a hundred pages in but after that I couldn't stop reading. This book grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go.
Things I loved about this book:
-Characters
-Plot
-Writing Style
-Visuals
-Basically the entire thing
-Oh yeah, and the cover was amazing.
Our two main characters, Ezra Mason and Kady Grant are great. The two start the story with a breakup, a typical one where Kady refuses to speak to Ezra ever again. But as the story progresses and Ezra is the only person Kady has left, the two begin to speak again through a series of text-like messaging. I will never get tired of seeing chemistry between these two, they're hilarious and entertaining together but they can also be adorable when they want to. If I had one complaint about this book, it's that we didn't get to see much of the two together. But they're not the only characters. There's James McNulty, a favorite of mine, AIDAN, the Artificial Intelligence aboard the ship which grows a mind of its own and ends up beck get a fleshed out, well developed character, and more. I loved every character in this thing and I hope we get to see more of the ones that survived in the sequels.
Speaking of those who survived, this book will make you feel things. If you want a book that will make you laugh, cry, worry, and feel for fictional characters, here's the book for you. This book will rip out your heart and drag it across the floor like some kind of teddy bear. I legitamently wanted to cry when I finished this thing and I almost did. Books never make me cry.
I also loved the fact that it was written in just files and things like that. I found it to be a little weird at the beginning and I thought that was going to ruin the story for me, but it actually made it better. I loved it by the end and I have to say that the art in this book was beautiful. I particularly loved the picture of Kady made of letters, it was amazing.
I feel like this book was a super memorable story, which is an improvement from the last book that I read, which I totally enjoyed, but I probably couldn't tell you half the characters names because it was quite forgettable in my opinion. I do not think I will be forgetting this one any time soon.
Overall, a nearly flawless story with an amazing style and characters. Gripping and intense at points and cute at others, this book was a rollercoaster of a story that I recommend to literally everyone who's 15+(it gets quite dark at points).
Every single moment of this book kept me on edge.
Well not really, I didn't really get truly invested until about a hundred pages in but after that I couldn't stop reading. This book grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go.
Things I loved about this book:
-Characters
-Plot
-Writing Style
-Visuals
-Basically the entire thing
-Oh yeah, and the cover was amazing.
Our two main characters, Ezra Mason and Kady Grant are great. The two start the story with a breakup, a typical one where Kady refuses to speak to Ezra ever again. But as the story progresses and Ezra is the only person Kady has left, the two begin to speak again through a series of text-like messaging. I will never get tired of seeing chemistry between these two, they're hilarious and entertaining together but they can also be adorable when they want to. If I had one complaint about this book, it's that we didn't get to see much of the two together. But they're not the only characters. There's James McNulty, a favorite of mine, AIDAN, the Artificial Intelligence aboard the ship which grows a mind of its own and ends up beck get a fleshed out, well developed character, and more. I loved every character in this thing and I hope we get to see more of the ones that survived in the sequels.
Speaking of those who survived, this book will make you feel things. If you want a book that will make you laugh, cry, worry, and feel for fictional characters, here's the book for you. This book will rip out your heart and drag it across the floor like some kind of teddy bear. I legitamently wanted to cry when I finished this thing and I almost did. Books never make me cry.
I also loved the fact that it was written in just files and things like that. I found it to be a little weird at the beginning and I thought that was going to ruin the story for me, but it actually made it better. I loved it by the end and I have to say that the art in this book was beautiful. I particularly loved the picture of Kady made of letters, it was amazing.
I feel like this book was a super memorable story, which is an improvement from the last book that I read, which I totally enjoyed, but I probably couldn't tell you half the characters names because it was quite forgettable in my opinion. I do not think I will be forgetting this one any time soon.
Overall, a nearly flawless story with an amazing style and characters. Gripping and intense at points and cute at others, this book was a rollercoaster of a story that I recommend to literally everyone who's 15+(it gets quite dark at points).
gah! All the feels.
I bought into the gimmick and I'm glad I did. shit son.
I was almost in tears near the end. she worked so hard goddamit.
Can't wait for the next one.
I bought into the gimmick and I'm glad I did. shit son.
I was almost in tears near the end. she worked so hard goddamit.
Can't wait for the next one.
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