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.