Authors: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Publisher: Ember
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 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. Once again told through a compelling dossier of emails, IMs, classified files, transcripts, and schematics, Gemina raises the stakes of the Illuminae Files, hurling readers into an enthralling new story that will leave them breathless.
Review: Wow. Wow. Wow. Did I just listen to an audiobook or watch a movie with my eyes closed? The auditory experience blew me away. A full cast and sound effects, (let’s not forget about the lollipop song), made it impossible to remove my earbuds. I couldn’t stop listening to the damn book.
Gemina, the second installment in the Illuminae Files blew me away. I loved Kady and Ezra in book one, but Nik and Hanna stole the show in book two. The overall tone of the story matured, and I loved every second. The authors’ ability to suck the reader into the drama on Heimdall shifted into overdrive. I was there. Running, hiding, laughing, and crying with Hanna, Nik, and his cousin. The chilling parts raised the hairs on the back of my neck, the sweet moments warmed my heart. The pacing never slowed, the twists made my jaw hit the floor, and Aiden…oh, how I love that wicked little AI.
I won’t fill this review with spoilers, so do yourself a favor and pick up the Illuminae Files. The formatting in the physical books are a feast for the eyes, the audiobooks are an experience like no other. Kaufman and Kristoff are magicians. They deserve high praise for co-authoring this phenomenal book.
Readers: excellent read for those who love sci-fi, adventure, mystery, and romance.
Writers: an excellent case study for those learning about world-building, high-tension scenes, and engaging dialogue
Triggers/Warnings: suggestive language, violence, and graphic imagery
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Completed Read: 11/29/2020