Review: Illuminae

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I came into this book with some trepidation. I hadn't read much sci-fi before this book, and I was a little unsure about the book's formatting. However, I was swept up in the story within the first few pages. This book is great on its own, but I really think that listening to the audiobook while reading adds to the experience. The audiobook is one of the best I have ever listened to. There are multiple actors who all add amazing depth to each character, and there are sound effects to go along with what is happening with the story. For instance, Mozart's Requiem plays in the background of some scenes because it is playing in the story.
Anyway, the basic concept of the story is this. About five hundred years into the future, there is an illegal mining colony on a planet called Kerenza. One day, a corporation by the name of BeiTech attacks and survivors of the attack become refugees on the Alexander, Hypatia, and Copernicus government spaceships. The story follows survivors Kady Grant and Ezra Mason, who were placed on separate ships, as they try to reunite and tell the story of what happened to their colony. Meanwhile, a zombielike virus and a murderous supercomputer by the name of AIDAN threaten to destroy not only their hope of survival, but hope of revealing BeiTech's involvement in the Kerenza attacks.
I was completely enthralled by this story because it is so different from anything I've ever read. I was completely astounded by almost every twist and turn the story took, which says something about the storytelling because I can usually predict how a story will play out. The book ends with a beautiful cliff hanger which of course made me want to start the sequel as soon as possible. I really think that this is a book for everyone, regardless of their genre preferences. If you choose to listen to the audiobook while reading, you will not be sorry, but this book is just as wonderful without the addition of the audio.

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