About


My name is Ardis and I am an avid reader and budding writer. I want to share my love of books with others. I work with kids and am interested in finding and creating books that will ignite the reader in everyone. Contact me at: ardis.atkins@gmail.com

Follow Me

Follow

Followers

Powered by Blogger.

Blog Archive

MsArdychan's bookshelf: read

I Owe You One
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Love, Hate & Other Filters
The Wartime Sisters
The Belles
The Gilded Wolves
Hey, Kiddo
Blackberry and Wild Rose
Queen of Air and Darkness
Firestarter
The Retribution of Mara Dyer
The Evolution of Mara Dyer


MsArdychan's favorite books »

Total Views

Showing posts with label Amie Kaufman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amie Kaufman. Show all posts
Monday, October 19, 2020

Audio ARC Review: Memento by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff


  

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this Audiobook from Listening Library in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.


Synopsis (from Goodreads):


From New York Times bestselling authors Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff comes an Illuminae prequel digital novella that gives readers a hair-raising glimpse into the calamity that befell the invincible AI system known as AIDAN–and the daring young programmer who would risk her life to keep it from crashing.

AIDAN is the AI you’ll love to hate.

The advanced AI system was supposed to protect a fleet of survivors who’d escaped the deadly attack on Kerenza IV. AIDAN was supposed to be infallible. But in the chaotic weeks and months that followed, it became clear that something was terribly, terribly wrong with AIDAN…

 

Review:

This novella, by one of my favorite writing duos, Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, is a VERY short story, coming in at a listening total of just over ninety minutes.  But, it quickly packs a powerful punch.  But be warned, true to their signature style, the authors created a story that will rip your heart to shreds.

                              

via GIPHY

 

What I Liked:

Narration: 

This novella may be short, but it keeps the strong production values of the other books in the series.  There is a full cast, with sound effects, and music, all of which bring this story to life.  I particularly liked the voice of AIDAN, the computer who is developing a sense of self.  Lincoln Hoppe does a masterful job of making AIDAN both child-like and disturbing.

 

Story:

This short story is a terrific introduction to the Illuminae book series.  I shows the origins of one of the main conflict in the series.   AIDAN, the AI that runs the Kerenza spaceship is developing a sense of self.  But, due to the damage he sustains in the attack (that occurs in this book),  his decision making skills are flawed.  Or are his actions self-preservation?  

This story works for fans of the series as well, as we get more backstory on the members of the crew of the Kerenza, and an achingly beautiful love story to boot.  I LOVED Ethan and Liv.  But, knowing how these author roll, I knew their story was headed for...  I'm not going to spoil it!  But have your tissues ready.

                                   

via GIPHY


Rating: 



 

Release Date:  October 20th, 2020

Authors: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Genre:  Science Fiction

Audiobook Publisher:  Listening Library

Audiobook Length:  93 Minutes

Narrators:   

Olivia Klein, read by India Dupré
Ethan Wolf, read by James Fouhey
AIDAN, read by Lincoln Hoppe
Stephanie LeFevre, read by Emma Bering
Ezra Mason, read by Johnathan McClain
Narrator, read by Ryan Gesell
 
Featuring additional performances by Danny Campbell, Frankie Corzo, Chris Cuilla, Deepti Gupta, John Lee, Sarah Mollo-Christensen, Donabella Mortel, Austin Rising, Erin Spencer, and Nancy Wu.

Print Publisher:  Knopf

Page Length:  84 Pages

Source:  Publisher

Format:  Audiobook

Recommendation:  A must read for fans of The Illuminae series, and a great introduction to this series if you haven't read it. 

SHARE ON: Share to Pinterest
Labels: , , , , , , , , | 0 comments
Thursday, May 21, 2020

Audio ARC Review: Aurora Burning by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40516960-aurora-burning?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=7FOCX8348Q&rank=1
Please Note:  I received an advance audiobook of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
First, the bad news: an ancient evil—you know, your standard consume-all-life-in-the-galaxy deal—is about to be unleashed. The good news? Squad 312 is standing by to save the day. They’ve just got to take care of a few small distractions first.

Like the clan of gremps who’d like to rearrange their favorite faces.

And the cadre of illegit GIA agents with creepy flowers where their eyes used to be, who’ll stop at nothing to get their hands on Auri.

Then there’s Kal’s long-lost sister, who’s not exactly happy to see her baby brother, and has a Syldrathi army at her back. With half the known galaxy on their tails, Squad 312 has never felt so wanted.

When they learn the Hadfield has been found, it’s time to come out of hiding. Two centuries ago, the colony ship vanished, leaving Auri as its sole survivor. Now, its black box might be what saves them. But time is short, and if Auri can’t learn to master her powers as a Trigger, the squad and all their admirers are going to be deader than the Great Ultrasaur of Abraaxis IV.

Shocking revelations, bank heists, mysterious gifts, inappropriately tight bodysuits, and an epic firefight will determine the fate of the Aurora Legion’s most unforgettable heroes—and maybe the rest of the galaxy as well.

Review:
I am a huge fan of the writing duo of Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff.  Their books are always creative and entertaining.  Aurora Burning is a fine addition that brings adventure, humor, and even tender relationships into a space chase romp.  My only complaint is the cliff-hanger ending. 

What I Liked:

 Setting:
We, once again, get to travel with this motley crew through space!  I loved all the details of living on a space ship such as what the crew ate, and how the ships were laid out.  Small details really brought the setting to life.

Characters:
What can I say, I still love all the characters, particularly Kal and Aurora.  Their love story moves beyond physical attraction and show them connecting intellectually. 

I also liked that the newer emphasis on Finian and and Scarlett.  Finian goes from simply being the annoying know-it-all, to showing Scarlett that he cares about her and the other crew members.  Scarlett begins to see Fin as a whole person.  Thankfully, this did not automatically mean that Scarlett and Fin will end up as a couple.  I just liked that now there is a possibility of that happening.

 I can't move on from the topic of characters without highlighting a new, and super fun character:  Kal's sister (I think her name is Kallisa?).  She is the complete opposite of Kal.  While they are both fearless fighters, Kallisa is definitely more of a hunter than Kal.  When she meets up with Tyler, the sparks really fly!  Their interactions really brought to mind the old show Star Trek.  Tyler was so similar to Captain Kirk, with his easy smile, and charming ways.  I loved how Kallisa really cut him down to size.

Narration:
I had the privilege of listening to the Audiobook version of this novel.  The production is superb with a full cast.  As always, Steve West (as Kal) was a highlight for me.  He has such a romantic British accent, that I was swooning every time he professed his undying love for Aurie!

Story:
The story is fast-paced and full of adventure.  The crew is being chased by two different groups, all in an attempt to get Aurora into their clutches.  But, as the story continues, we also find dark secrets from Kal that could change his relationship with Aurie!  Add to this the budding friendships (and possible romantic relationships) that are formed, and you will not want to wait very long for the next book.

What I Did Not Like:
Ending:
Of course, I knew going in that there would probably be a cliff-hanger at the end of the book.  Given that this is a series, that is to be expected.  However, I still would have liked to see some of the plot points created in this book to be resolved.  I truly dislike stopping a book in the middle of the action.  Sadly, this is what occurs in Aurora Burning,  It means an agonizing wait for readers, and a less than satisfying experience right now.


Rating: 




Release Date:  May 5th, 2020

Genre:  Science Fiction

Authors:  Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Audio Publisher:  Listening Library

Audio Length:  15 hrs 17 min.

 Narrators:  Kim Mai Guest, Johnathan McClain, Lincoln Hoppe, Donnabella Mortel, Johnathan Todd Ross, Erin Spencer, & Steve West

Print Publisher:  Knopf Books for Young Readers

Book Length: 512 Pages

Source:  Listening Library

Format:  Audioboook

Recommendation:  Another entertaining adventure from Kaufman and Kristoff.  Enjoy!
SHARE ON: Share to Pinterest
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , | 0 comments
Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Audio ARC Mini Review: Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30075662-aurora-rising?ac=1&from_search=true
Please Note:  I received an advance audio version of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.

Synopsis (From Goodreads):
The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch…

A cocky diplomat with a black belt in sarcasm
A sociopath scientist with a fondness for shooting her bunkmates
A smart-ass techwiz with the galaxy’s biggest chip on his shoulder
An alien warrior with anger management issues
A tomboy pilot who’s totally not into him, in case you were wondering

And Ty’s squad isn’t even his biggest problem—that’d be Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley, the girl he’s just rescued from interdimensional space. Trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries, Auri is a girl out of time and out of her depth. But she could be the catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making, and Tyler’s squad of losers, discipline-cases and misfits might just be the last hope for the entire galaxy.

They're not the heroes we deserve. They're just the ones we could find. Nobody panic.

Review:
I have been a lucky blogger of late.  First, I was able to get a hold of the publicist for Jay Kristoff and was granted an E-book ARC of Aurora Rising.  Then, just before publication, I was able to get an audio ARC for the same book From Random House!  There was simply no way I could listen to the book quick enough to review it by publication day, so I posted my review for the printed book.  Here is a link:


Spoiler Alert:  I loved it! 

So this mini review is only my thoughts on the audio book production.

What I Liked:
Full Cast Production:
As with all of their books, the audio book of Aurora Rising had a full cast.  I loved that each point of view chapter was portrayed by different voice actors.  And there were plenty of sound effects to create the experience of listening to an old radio show.

Varying Accents:
Cat has the most amazing Australian accent in this book!  Given that the authors are Australian, this was awesome.  It was also fun to hear each of the different voice actors attempt Cat's sound (with varying degrees of success).  As always, Steve West's lovely British accent was swoony!  


Rating: 




Release Date:  May 7th. 2019

Authors:  Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Audio Publisher: Listening Library

Audio Length:  14 Hours, 5 Minutes

Genre:  Science Fiction

Format:  Audio Book

Source:  Publisher

Recommendation:  Even if you have already read Aurora Rising, check out the audio book.  It is so fun to listen to, and brings an added depth to the story.     
 
SHARE ON: Share to Pinterest
Labels: , , , , , , | 0 comments
Monday, May 6, 2019

ARC Review: Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30075662-aurora-rising?ac=1&from_search=true
Please Note:  I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.

Synopsis (From Goodreads):
The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch…

A cocky diplomat with a black belt in sarcasm
A sociopath scientist with a fondness for shooting her bunkmates
A smart-ass techwiz with the galaxy’s biggest chip on his shoulder
An alien warrior with anger management issues
A tomboy pilot who’s totally not into him, in case you were wondering

And Ty’s squad isn’t even his biggest problem—that’d be Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley, the girl he’s just rescued from interdimensional space. Trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries, Auri is a girl out of time and out of her depth. But she could be the catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making, and Tyler’s squad of losers, discipline-cases and misfits might just be the last hope for the entire galaxy.

They're not the heroes we deserve. They're just the ones we could find. Nobody panic.

Review:
Because I buy a lot of books each year, I need to carefully consider each purchase (sadly, I'm not independently wealthy).  But when a new novel by authors Amie Kaufman and Kay Kristoff comes out, I will automatically buy it.  I really like their humor, and storytelling.  Aurora Rising, their newest book, is full of suspense, fun characters, and an intergalactic space heist.  I loved it!


What I Liked:
Characters:
This is definitely an ensemble cast with seven characters onboard the spaceship.  I love that we get to find out the backstory of each character, which really makes us care about them.

 But the main story is about Aurora, a girl woken up from a cryogenic sleep 250 years later than she planned.  Aurora is the eyes of the reader as she must navigate this new reality full of various species of life-forms, spaceships, and planets.  She also seems to have superpowers!

I liked how purposeful and kind Aurora was.  Even though she must be freaking out a bit at all the changes, she is never mean.  She also doesn't curse ("Son of a biscuit-eater!").  I liked showing that not everyone drops F-bombs in novels.

Tyler was also a great character.  At the top of his graduating class, this cadet was looking forward to a choice first assignment with a crew of his own choosing.  Instead, he gets all the cadets no one wants, and a mission he can't understand.  I liked that even though he faced adversity, Tyler took on the challenge, and remained in control.

Each member of the spaceship's crew has a specific role.  Kal, the warrior, is a fascinating character.  He reminded me of Spock on Star Trek, a person fighting to tame his violent nature.  He is instantly attracted to Aurora (his society calls it "The Pull"), but is slightly horrified he has feelings at all for a human.

Storytelling:
The authors keep the storytelling interesting by changing the point of view in each chapter.  Each chapter starts with a "file" on a different job on the crew, or a different species of person (sort of reminding me of The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy).  Then the chapter begins with the character that fits that file.  Eventually, we get to hear from each character.  This was really fun, and made it easy distinguish between personalities.

Suspense:
There's nothing like a book where all the characters have a bounty on their heads!  It seems like they get out of one mess only to jump into another. This kept the book at a fast pace.  I didn't notice the book was almost 500 pages!  I could not put it down.

 Representation:
There is such a variety of people in sexuality, skin colors, temperaments, and physical abilities, that it gladdened by heart.  I especially liked the portrayals of Fin and Zila.  Fin needs an exoskeleton in order to move.  But that doesn't stop him from being a smart-ass.  I really like his inner dialogue showing how angry he was at his family for sending him away.  Plus he is makes hilarious sexual innuendoes about everyone in the book.  

Zila appears to have zero social skills, but the crew really values her input.  She is almost always correct when she offers a solution on what to do.  She is also a character with black skin and kinky hair, something that science-fiction books rarely include.  

Romance:
The relationship between Kal and Aurora is complicated.  Kal feels "The Pull" towards Aurora.  But there is more than attraction at work here.  They actually have a lot in common.  Both have lost their families and have power they cannot fully understand.  I like how Kal tries so hard not to show his true feelings for Aurora, (because he doesn't want her to feel any obligation to return his affections) and Aurora's compassion for Kal.  They would make a great couple.  But will Kal risk rejection and make his feelings known?

Story:
This is essentially a heist story, as we learn an ancient artifact is the key to
Aurora's mystery.  The only problem:  The artifact is in the private collection of the galaxy's most notorious gangster.  Add that shady galactic government agents are after Aurora and the chase is on!

 Each situation seems to provide a reason for one of the characters to showcase their talents.  With every ship chasing them, Cat performs feats of piloting that are thrilling to read.  Scarlett (the diplomat) can talk her way out of most situations.  When that doesn't work, Kal (the warrior) will fight them out.  Fin shows off his MacGyver skills as he creates tech on the fly.  Zila (the scientist) provides knowledge when it is needed most.  Tyler is a natural leader that his team wants to follow, even when it makes them outlaws.  And Aurora...  You have to read the book to find out what she can do!
           
via GIPHY
Rating: 




Release Date:  May 7th, 2019

 Authors:  Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

 Publisher:  Knopf Books for Young Readers

 Genre:  YA Science Fiction

 Page Length: 480 Pages

 Source:  Publisher

 Format:  E-Book

 Recommendation:  With high adventure and fun characters, this space heist novel is a winner.  Extremely entertaining.
 
SHARE ON: Share to Pinterest
Labels: , , , , , | 2 comments
Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Audio ARC Review: Unearthed by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1484758056/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=onderherose-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1484758056&linkId=aa433583466867d34db297c5bdd32caf
Please Note:  I received a copy of this audio book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.  Also, I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.  If you buy the book through the links on this page, I will get a small fee.

Synopsis (From Goodreads):
When Earth intercepts a message from a long-extinct alien race, it seems like the solution the planet has been waiting for. The Undying's advanced technology has the potential to undo environmental damage and turn lives around, and Gaia, their former home planet, is a treasure trove waiting to be uncovered.

For Jules Addison and his fellow scholars, the discovery of an alien culture offers unprecedented opportunity for study... as long as scavengers like Amelia Radcliffe don't loot everything first. Mia and Jules' different reasons for smuggling themselves onto Gaia put them immediately at odds, but after escaping a dangerous confrontation with other scavvers, they form a fragile alliance.

In order to penetrate the Undying temple and reach the tech and information hidden within, the two must decode the ancient race's secrets and survive their traps. But the more they learn about the Undying, the more their presence in the temple seems to be part of a grand design that could spell the end of the human race...

Review: 
I have been a fan of Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner for a while now, having read both the books they have written together, and the books they have done on their own.  They are most famously associated with the Starbound series.  This book, Unearthed, explores similar themes of rich versus poor, and survival on an alien planet, but goes way beyond for an entertaining romp through space.

What I Liked:
Setting:
The planet of Gaia is home to the ironically named Undying, a long-extinct race of beings that have been sending transmissions to Earth and seem to hold technological secrets that will save humanity.  The authors did a splendid job of showing how this planet would be set up and how humans could realistically explore it (portals, my friends).  I liked all the details that ground this book in a probable reality.  For instance, the atmosphere is just slightly different from Earth's so that the characters must use breathers for part of the day to add more oxygen to their bodies. 

The characters also try to enter structures they are calling temples to see if they can find any of that wonderful alien technology.  I loved the thought process behind how everything was set up.  Would we expect an alien race to think with the same logic as us?  Would they have similar concepts such as time, numbers, and spacial orientation?  I loved how the reader becomes an archeologist along with the characters. 

Narration:
As usual, Steve West does an amazing job of inhabiting Jules, the privileged Oxford boy.  His crisp British accent contrasts sharply with his attempts at Mia's American accent.  For the most part, it is successful, but I did find it a little strange. 

 Alex McKenna has a tough, raspy voice that fits perfectly with Mia's character.  She also has to do a British accent when she is speaking as Jules.  I thought she did well being the posh academic.

 Puzzles: 
As the Jules and Mia enter each room of the temple, they are put through a series of puzzles that they must solve or risk certain death.  Why would an alien race do this?  The characters are told the Undying want to see that whoever stumbles upon their world are worthy of their secrets.  But is there another reason?  The puzzles themselves run the gamut from logic and mathematics, to music and lock-picking.  It was fun to see how they solved them.

Characters:
I loved Mia and Jules.  Similar to the Starbound series, one of the characters, Mia, comes from poverty, while Jules has enjoys wealth and privilege throughout his life.  This dynamic illustrates what is happening on Earth.  With climate change, there are too many people and not enough resources such as water.  While Mia deals with water rationing in America, Jules plays water polo in his native England!

They also both have very different reasons to be on Gaia.  Mia is racing to find usable technology to get enough money for a family situation.  Meanwhile Jules, an aspiring archeologist, is trying to preserve the artifacts in order to study what this culture must have been like.  It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for each character.  So there is instant dislike and mistrust between them.  

 I also appreciated that some of the secondary characters were well developed, and not just thrown in as caricatures.  Each has a believable motive for being there, whether it is saving mankind, or helping their families. 

Mystery:
There are a lot of plots and double dealings going on in this story!  It seems every time Mia and Jules start to trust one another,  a betrayal occurs that has them questioning each other's loyalties!  Who are they working for?  Why is an alien culture even able to be understood by humans at all?  Who sent the warnings they start to see?

 Cliff-hanger Ending:
I am usually NOT a fan of cliff-hangers, but I will make an exception in this case.  I LOVED the surprise twist at the end of this book.  I will say that I did suspect some of the twist beforehand.  But it was executed in such a way that had me reeling (in a good way!).  Please tell me the sequel will come out in less than a year!
                
via GIPHY



What I Didn't Like:
Insta-Love:
While they never said the word "love", Mia and Jules got pretty close, pretty quickly.  Yes, of course I understood they would be attracted to each other, but I thought their bond grew too quickly to be believable.  I wish the authors had tempered this with hesitation that the characters still had a lot to learn about each other.


                                                              

Rating: 





Release Date: January 9th, 2018

Publisher:  Listening Library

Genre:  YA Science Fiction

Narrated by:  Steve West and Alex McKenna

Listening Length:  12 Hours, 43 Minutes

Page Length:  384 Pages

Source:  Publisher (Listening Library)

Format:  Audio Book

Recommendation:  A fun, action-packed adventure in outer space.  
 


 
SHARE ON: Share to Pinterest
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , | 0 comments
Thursday, December 7, 2017

Book Review: These Broken Stars by Aimee Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1423171217/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=onderherose-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1423171217&linkId=3042aa6879ddae1c99d545c4ab533e21
Please Note:  I am part of the Amazon Affiliate program.  If you buy the book through the cover link, I will get a small fee.  This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.

Synopsis (From Goodreads):
Luxury spaceliner Icarus suddenly plummets from hyperspace into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive – alone. Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a cynical war hero. Both journey across the eerie deserted terrain for help. Everything changes when they uncover the truth.  

Review:
First off, I must say that I am a huge fan of both Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner.  I first enjoyed Iluminae (co-written by Jay Kristoff) and (of course) had to look up Amie on the internet.  That is how I discovered the Starbound books, and
the delightful Meagan Spooner.  Soon, I was reading Meagan's book, Hunted, a gritty retelling of Beauty and The Beast.  With a bit of time on my hands (thanks to Thanksgiving break), I have finally started the Starbound series!  I think it's safe to say I'm now in super fan territory!

                
via GIPHY

What I Liked: 
Setting:
The story begins aboard a gigantic spaceliner where the gap between rich and poor is reminiscent of the movie, Titanic.  In the glittering upper class areas it's a non-stop party.  Everyone is in evening wear, sipping champagne.  Other people on the ship are cramped in tiny cabins they paid a fortune for just for the opportunity to travel to start a new life.   When the spaceship needs to be evacuated, the only people who have access to escape ships are (surprise!) the rich folks.  I like how the authors use the completely fictional setting to show the age old friction between the haves and the have nots.

The planet that Lilac and Tarver land on is very intriguing.  The planet has undergone deliberate "terra-forming", a process where life evolves at an accelerated pace so people can live on it.  As such, much of it is familiar to our characters.  But everything is just a little off.  It was very entertaining to discover, along with the characters, what is up with this mysterious place.

Characters:
There are really only two characters in this book, Lilac and Tarver, so it's a good thing that I found them so compelling!  Each has assumptions about the other, but must rely on each other if they are to survive.  But each has more to them than meets the eye.  Cheesy though it may be, I loved learning all about the hidden depths (and troubles) of these two characters.  Isn't it inevitable that they will fall in love?

Story:
Even with it's science fiction elements, this is essentially a survival story.  I do not believe in revealing spoilers in reviews, but let me say that there were quite a few surprises.  Why does Lilac keep hearing voices when they are clearly the only two people on the planet?  How is it that they find just what they require to survive exactly when they need it?   And what's with the two moons?  So many mysteries to solve!

I also found the love story to be very sweet.  Even though they will have obstacles (if they survive), I really wanted them to be together.  But how will a relationship work between the only child of the wealthiest man in the universe and a soldier from a working-class family?  Given that Lilac's father is so protective, will they even get a chance to see if it will work?  


                                                                    

Rating: 





Release Date:  December 10th, 2013

 Genre:  YA Science Fiction

 Publisher:  Disney Hyperion

 Page Length:  384 Pages

 Source:  Public Library

 Format:  Hardcover 

 Recommendation:  If you are a fan of eerie space stories with a romance that will make you swoon, then this book is for you.  In other words:  I loved it!



        
SHARE ON: Share to Pinterest
Labels: , , , , , , , , | 1 comments
Tuesday, October 18, 2016

ARC Review: Gemina by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29236299-gemina?from_search=true

Please note:  I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher as part of the "First In Line" program from Penguin Random House.  This does not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (From GoodReads):
Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.
     The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.
     Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy's most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.
     When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station's wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.
     But relax. They've totally got this. They hope.

Review:
Illuminae was one of my favorite books in the past year, so I was delighted to be able to snag an advanced copy of Gemina before it's publish date.  I received it because I am part of the First In Line program from Penguin Random House (It does pay to arrive early to book events!).

The story is wonderful because it is not actually a sequel, per se.  This has a separate story line, setting, and characters from Illuminae.  But taken as a whole, creates a richer universefor all thes characters to inhabit.

What I liked:
Characters:
Hanna is the daughter of the space station's commander, Charles Donnelly.  He is a strict, but loving dad.  Ever busy, this leave Hanna plenty of time to go looking for trouble.  I liked that she was NOT an angel.  This may seem like the tired cliche of the rebellious daughter, but I could understand the stress she was under to live up to her father's (and the rest of the crew's) high standards.  She is also an artist and there will be many of her sketches in the finished book!  I think this will be a really fun feature.

Nik Malikov is a teen with a dark past.  He lives on the space station, but in the almost unseen underbelly of it's workings.  He is a gang member who smuggles goods and deals drugs to people on the station.  I enjoyed that his character showed this aspect of their culture.  Throughout our world history, wherever there is a large military presence, there often can also be a shadowy group hanging around, hoping to exploit the situation.  

Ella Pauchk is Nik's cousin, she has a limited part in the criminal dealings of the station, but plays a vital role in the book.  I don't want to give anything away, but Ella's character is fun, sweet, and full of life.  At times I was angry and tearful at her situation, and was put through the emotional ringer watching what she goes through. 

Plot:
Once again, there are twists and turns that kept me up late at night trying to read it as fast as I could.  Towards the end, the plot does intersect with what happens in Illuminae, and that's when it gets insanely great! 

What I Was Mixed About:
Illustrations:
I had and ARC of this book, so many of the illustrations were not completed or included in this copy.   While I understand that, I think this is one of the main features of this series that really makes it unique.  From the hints given (and the fact that I heard Marie Lu will provide some of the illustrations), I think this will be a wonderful facet of this book.  But I was mostly unable to judge this as many pages had the dreaded "FPO - Sketch only Final Art TK".  This was a frustration for me as a reviewer.

Overall, I can't wait to get me a finished copy of this wonderful book!  It is fast-paced, scary, and full of complicated plot lines that will make your head spin.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29236299-gemina?ac=1&from_search=true

https://www.amazon.com/Gemina-Illuminae-Files-Amie-Kaufman/dp/0553499157/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476633360&sr=8-1&keywords=geminahttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gemina-amie-kaufman/1123454747?ean=9780553499155

http://www.bookdepository.com/The-Illuminae-Files-2-Gemin-Amie-Kaufman-Jay-Kristoff/9781524701093?ref=grid-view



Rating: 



Release Date:  October 18th, 2016

Genre:  YA Science Fiction

Format:  ARC Paperback

Source:  Penguin Random House First In Line program.

Recommendation:  A worthy sequel to Illuminae.  Full of fun, flawed characters.  Start it on a Friday, so you can have time to devour it!
 
 
SHARE ON: Share to Pinterest
Labels: , , , , , | 0 comments
Friday, May 6, 2016

Illumine Author Event


It was my second visit in the last three days, as I ventured to my local Barnes & Noble to meet the authors of Illuminae, Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff.  There was also a third author at this event, Tim Floreen, writer of the novel Willful Machines.

Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff just flew in from Australia and we were their first stop in the U.S.!!!  What lovely people (with adorable Aussie accents!) they were.  There was a lot of talk about all three writers processes, such as if they plan everything out or just write and see what happens.  Jay said that when he writes solo, he doesn't have a plan.  But when he is collaborating, they always have the plot planned out.


One of the things I enjoy most about going to these author events is talking with the other people sitting in the audience (although I think this embarrasses my daughter, endlessly).  That is how I came to meet Kaitlin of the blog Next Page Please.  She is a very nice teen who does a book blog.  This is the third time I have run into her at an event, and it is always fun to talk with her.

I also met another blogger, Amanda of the blog Forever Young Adult.  She works at a local independent book store and was incredibly knowledgeable about the Bay Area book scene.  
  
If you go to any of their signings in the current US tour, they will be giving away two ARC copies of Gemina!  Sadly, I was not one of the recipients.  But congrats to those of you who got them.  

Then we got to the actual signing of the books.  Both authors were wonderful and very talkative (I think it helped that this was the first stop on their tour, and there were only about 11 people at the event).  I am frankly shocked that more people didn't come to meet these talented people.  But I don't mind.  It made the event much more friendly and fun.  

Have you been to any book signings?  What made it memorable for you?  Who was your favorite author that you've met?  Let me know in the comments.
SHARE ON: Share to Pinterest
Labels: , , , , | 4 comments
Thursday, March 24, 2016

Review: Illuminae





Synopsis (From GoodReads):


 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 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—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, 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.

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

Review:


 When I first picked up the book Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff at the library, I was intimidated.  At 599 pages, here was a monster of a book.  But then I opened it up and discovered this book is told in a variety of formats that make the pages fly by.  I'm a little stumped as to how to describe this book.  Is it a graphic novel?  Not really.  But it is not a traditionally written novel either.  There are memos, transcripts, visual poems, and art work that all come together to create an unusual, entertaining book.

The story begins on the day high school students Kady and Ezra break up.  Oh, and the planet they are on is attacked.  Both escape, but wind up on  different ships fleeing the attackers.  What then transpires is a twisted tale of out of control corporations, biological warfare, paranoia, and survival.

 I loved the imaginative way this story was told.  There is a wonderful (and sometimes, confusing) mix of instant messages, interviews, transcripts, and basically any other type of communication represented.  This gives the feel that there is an investigation going on.  But what is the crime?  That is only part of the mystery.

 Besides Kady and Ezra, there are many more intriguing characters to round out the story, including Zhang (a brilliant programmer), and Ezra's fellow soldier James.  I particularly loved artificial intellegence AIDEN who controls all the ships.  As the months progress in space, those in command begin to question AIDEN's abilities and methods.  One can see parallels between this and 2001 A Space Odessy's HAL, and it makes for scary fun.

There are many plot twists that surprised me,  But I hate spoilers, so I will not get into them here.  Just know that the story goes off in directions you may not expect.  These were really gripping and made me read even faster.

If you haven't had a chance to read it, put Illuminae on your TBR list NOW, before the next book comes out in October.

Rating: 



Release Date:  October 20th, 2015

Source:  Public Library

Format:  Hardcover Book

Recommendation:  An imaginative book that redefines how stories can be told.  If you like scary stories set in space, you will love it.



 
SHARE ON: Share to Pinterest
Labels: , , , , | 4 comments
Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )

GoodReads

2022 Reading Challenge

2022 Reading Challenge
MsArdychan has read 7 books toward her goal of 96 books.
hide

Badges

80% 80% 200 Book Reviews 2016 NetGalley Challenge
clean sweep 2017

Popular Posts

Grab My Button

http://ponderingtheprose.blogspot.com
<a href=“http://ponderingtheprose.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><img src="
http://ponderingtheprose.blogspot.com

Blogs I Follow

It Starts At Midnight The Irish Banana Review A Perfection Called Books Reading is My Treasure Pop! Goes The Reader Chasing Faerytales Blue Books and Butterflies The Reading Petal Mikayla's Bookshelf Enchanted by YA Mikly Way of books “pondering Geekalicious Little Book Heaven a GREAT read Mom With a Reading Problem Pinker Than Fiction Reviews Alison Can Read Captivated by the Pages Kayl's Krazy Obsession Rabbit Ears Book Blog The Reading Diaries

Search This Blog