The second installment of The Illuminae Files trilogy delivered just as much punch as the first installment. Read on to find out why Gemina scored a 5 bookmark rating!
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers | Listening Library
Release Date: October 18, 2016
Format: Audio MP3
Pages: Hardcover: 659 pages | Audio Length: Approx 12.5 hours
Narrators: Carla Corvo, Steve West , full cast , P.J. Ochlan
Source: Publisher
Genre: YA Science Fiction, YA Fantasy
Review Date: November 30, 2016
Rating: 5 bookmarks
Synopsis: 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 saga that began with Illuminae continues on board the space station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of BeiTech’s 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 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 may 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.
Disclaimer: This audiobook was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: October 18, 2016
Format: Audio MP3
Pages: Hardcover: 659 pages | Audio Length: Approx 12.5 hours
Narrators: Carla Corvo, Steve West , full cast , P.J. Ochlan
Source: Publisher
Genre: YA Science Fiction, YA Fantasy
Review Date: November 30, 2016
Rating: 5 bookmarks
Synopsis: 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 saga that began with Illuminae continues on board the space station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of BeiTech’s 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 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 may 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.
Disclaimer: This audiobook was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was excited to see where Kady and Ezra were in the scheme of things after the end of the first book, so I was ecstatic to return this world. I loved Illuminae so much that I jumped right into Gemina without even reading the description. When I started Gemina I was a bit surprised because while for the most part it picks up where Illuminae left off, there were two major differences. We now have different characters and a whole new setting. Of course because I was expecting one thing and got another, I was a tad confused for the first 8% or so trying to figure out what was what. Note to self: read the book synopsis!
Meet Hanna Donnelly and Niklas Malikov. They are sort friends and end up along with Nik's cousin Ella Malikova trying to take back control of their space station. Nik and Ella are from a notorious crime family and Hanna is the daughter of station captain’s daughter. Clearly they are an odd team, so the interactions between the three of them are priceless.
Meet Hanna Donnelly and Niklas Malikov. They are sort friends and end up along with Nik's cousin Ella Malikova trying to take back control of their space station. Nik and Ella are from a notorious crime family and Hanna is the daughter of station captain’s daughter. Clearly they are an odd team, so the interactions between the three of them are priceless.
Hanna is more than just a wealthy spoiled girl. She's strong, she kicks butt, and she's just awesome. I love a strong heroine and Hanna delivers that. Yet, she's still a teenager with teenager problems and a bit of angst. Nik has had it rough. His family doesn't set the best example, but they way that he steps up is commendable. I like how Hanna and Nik play off of each other and I buy their attraction for each other. Ella is brilliant, mouthy, and just perfect for comic relief and she the needed push that our main characters need from time to time. I like her and she's added lots of value to the story line.
Same as with Illuminae, I listened to Gemina on audiobook. Once I was into the rhythm of the story I was consuming this audiobook at an unbelievable speed. I seriously love the full cast, the sound effects, the reading of the documents, the description of what the Analysts are seeing on the cameras, to the high emotions of the characters. The use of multiple voices and actors takes full advantage of Kaufman and Kristoff's constantly changing and omniscient viewpoint as the narration switches regularly. The audiobook really immerses you in to the story. Not only do you get to experience the main characters, but the crew, and the BeiTech team. All of the narrators did a fantastic job and really made this audiobook entertaining and enjoyable. The production value of this audiobook was phenomenal.
While the physical books in this series are very cool looking and unique, I've heard that some have a hard time with the formatting of the book as it's not written in a traditional manner. If you weren't able to get into this title reading it, then you absolutely must give it a try on audiobook. You'll see the story in a whole new light.
I loved the story and actually have zero negatives about it. It takes a lot for me to give a 5 bookmark rating and the audiobook version of Gemina earned it wholeheartedly. When it was all said and done I was glad to see the connections between Kady and Ezra and Hanna and Nik. To see how each of them fit into the bigger picture of the plot was important to the puzzle. Gemina took a big step in connecting the dots and really delved deeper into the motives behind the actions of BeiTech in Illuminae. I'm excited to see what's in story for book three!
This title is a solid sequel, if you enjoyed Illuminae, then you will love Gemina just as much. If you're new to these titles, I recommend picking them up on audiobook. It's an amazing experience.
Happy Reading & Listening,
~Tamara
Read my review of Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1), by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff (Audiobook).
Same as with Illuminae, I listened to Gemina on audiobook. Once I was into the rhythm of the story I was consuming this audiobook at an unbelievable speed. I seriously love the full cast, the sound effects, the reading of the documents, the description of what the Analysts are seeing on the cameras, to the high emotions of the characters. The use of multiple voices and actors takes full advantage of Kaufman and Kristoff's constantly changing and omniscient viewpoint as the narration switches regularly. The audiobook really immerses you in to the story. Not only do you get to experience the main characters, but the crew, and the BeiTech team. All of the narrators did a fantastic job and really made this audiobook entertaining and enjoyable. The production value of this audiobook was phenomenal.
While the physical books in this series are very cool looking and unique, I've heard that some have a hard time with the formatting of the book as it's not written in a traditional manner. If you weren't able to get into this title reading it, then you absolutely must give it a try on audiobook. You'll see the story in a whole new light.
I loved the story and actually have zero negatives about it. It takes a lot for me to give a 5 bookmark rating and the audiobook version of Gemina earned it wholeheartedly. When it was all said and done I was glad to see the connections between Kady and Ezra and Hanna and Nik. To see how each of them fit into the bigger picture of the plot was important to the puzzle. Gemina took a big step in connecting the dots and really delved deeper into the motives behind the actions of BeiTech in Illuminae. I'm excited to see what's in story for book three!
This title is a solid sequel, if you enjoyed Illuminae, then you will love Gemina just as much. If you're new to these titles, I recommend picking them up on audiobook. It's an amazing experience.
Happy Reading & Listening,
~Tamara
Read my review of Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1), by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff (Audiobook).
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