SCIFIMONTH 2022 | AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Aurora's End (The Aurora Cycle #3) by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

 

SCIFIMONTH BANNER ARTWORK by Simon Fetscher

 

Title: Aurora's End

Series: The Aurora Cycle #3
Author: Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published: November 9, 2021
Pages: 512
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Source: Audiobook
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The squad you love is out of time. Prepare for the thrilling finale in the epic, best-selling Aurora Cycle series about a band of unlikely heroes who just might be the galaxy's last hope for survival.

Is this the end?

What happens when you ask a bunch of losers, discipline cases, and misfits to save the galaxy from an ancient evil? The ancient evil wins, of course.

Wait. . . . Not. So. Fast.

When we last saw Squad 312, they working together seamlessly (aka, freaking out) as an intergalactic battle raged and an ancient superweapon threatened to obliterate Earth. Everything went horribly wrong, naturally.

But as it turns out, not all endings are endings, and the te4am has one last chance to rewrite thirs. Maybe two. It's complicated.

Cue Zila, Fin, and Scarlett (and MAGELLAN!): making friends, making enemies, and making history? Sure, no problem

Cue Tyler, Kal, and Auri: uniting with two of the galaxy’s most hated villains? Um, okay. That, too.

Actually saving the galaxy, though?

Now that will take a miracle.

 

It has been a terribly long time since I have wept so profusely while reading a book. A long time since a book has lodged so deeply into my bones and consumed every part of me. This book is going to give me a substantial book hangover that I don't think I'm ready for. Lock down your emotions before starting this series because it will tear you to pieces. 

To say that I am impressed with the overall plot of this book and the series as a whole would be a gross understatement. I was positively delighted! The entire premise for this series is exciting and the authors executed it brilliantly. Kaufman and Kristoff's combined writing style is one that I will forever be a fan of. It is so relatable and smooth. It is packed with humor, clever dialogue, and all the feels. Kaufman and Kristoff infuse this story with so much raw emotion. This book packs such an emotional wallop that it's not even funny. I feel emotionally spent after finishing this book. So much so that I feel I may need to physically recover with a good sleep. I suppose that making the reader feel so intensely is only a testament to their writing skill. The world-building is just phenomenal. Totally atmospheric and engrossing. 

Squad 312 is squad goals, my friends. Describing the way that these characters make me feel is like trying to describe why the sky is blue. It's more of a feeling or a litany than a simple string of words. These characters are so distinct and lifelike. They fly off the page with such ease. The relationships between this cast of characters are so complex and deep. Each character has profound character development that strengthens the overall chemistry the characters share. There is a lot of heartbreak and a lot of bittersweet joy in the end for these characters. They really did have the perfect endings and I couldn't have imagined things turning out any different for them. Their endings were very fitting. In all honesty, I am not ready to say goodbye to these characters. 

I couldn't have been more pleased with the romance in this book. The challenges and obstacles that the couples in this book had to overcome were intense. When my favorite pair became a reality in the story I swear I felt like a fratboy at a football game while I rooted for them. I won't name any names since that could be potentially spoilery but the bonds between these characters were written in such beautiful detail. 

Overall, this is the kind of book you want to clutch to your chest and profess your undying love for. And this book damn well deserves it. With multi-faceted characters that are relatable and profound, an out-of-this-world plot that delivers on every level, and storytelling that you just feel a kinship with, the Aurora Cycle series should be at the top of your TBR. I am still in awe of this book and series and I am still astounded by the amount of emotion that it coaxed from my black heart. If you want all the feels then this is a book series that you desperately need. I am wishing on every star in the sky that this co-authoring duo decides to co-write another book series together. Preferably another science fiction series, but I'm not picky. As long as they work their magic, I am there for it.

This series really hit me in the feels! What was the last book or series that did the same to you? Bonus points if it's a SciFi book!

SCIFIMONTH 2022 | AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Aurora Burning (The Aurora Cycle #2) by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

 

SCIFIMONTH BANNER ARTWORK by Simon Fetscher

Title: Aurora Burning

Series: The Aurora Cycle #2
Author: Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published: May 5, 2020
Pages: 495
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance
Source: Audiobook
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Our heroes are back… kind of. From the bestselling co-authors of the Illuminae Files comes the second book in the epic series about a squad of misfits, losers, and discipline cases who just might be the galaxy’s best hope for survival.

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.

 

Holy fucking shit! I am so glad that I waited for this entire series to be complete before I started reading it because I would have been in utter agony waiting for book three after reading this book. The best kind of agony, because you love something so deeply and can't possibly fathom waiting for more, but agony nonetheless. And what a soul-shattering conclusion this book has. If you need me, I'll be picking up the splintered fragments of my soul for the foreseeable future. Nothing to see here.

At the heart of my current emotional state lies the simplest of truths: Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff can tell one hell of a story together. The amount of emotion that they have elicited from me from reading this series alone is a testament to their superior writing skills. These authors will make you feel so passionately and so completely that their stories become embedded in your bones. Their stories sink down into the very marrow of you and change you. Their combined writing style is one that I absolutely fell in love with. Their stories flow seamlessly and their narration is truly top-notch. They are the masters of brilliant dialogue and interesting situations. 

The plot of this book really got kicked up to eleven. There were so many revelations and plot twists that I was getting metaphorical whiplash. And quite frankly, it was damn amazing. Reading this book was a profound experience. And I listened to this on audiobook so it felt like I was embedded into this world. The audiobook production of this book is unparalleled in its awesomeness. It's truly one of the best that I have listened to. On top of the clever and mind-blowing plot, the world-building in this series is phenomenal. Absolutely atmospheric and totally engrossing. 

It feels sort of redundant saying this again since I said something to this effect in my review of the first book in this series but these characters truly imprinted on my soul. I don't think that there is any other more adequate way to describe the way these characters made me feel. They are seriously everything. These characters are so distinct with original and unique personalities. They have desires, flaws, past traumas, and everything in between. Nothing is left out of their character development. These characters have been crafted with such expert detail. Since this is the case, they are very realistic and so easy to connect with. Each and every one of these characters will spark a fire inside you that will continue to burn long after you have read the last words. These characters are the stuff that fan art and obsession are made of. And I mean that in the best possible way. 

I loved the romance in this book. Kal and Auri become ever closer in this book but their bond is something that they may have to fight for. That's vague as hell but circumstances in the book prevent me from saying more than that. Spoilers and all. And there is a potential pairing in this book that seems to be developing that I am definitely rooting for. I won't spill the beans but I will say that their chemistry, bantering, and sexual tension had me shipping them hardcore. The enemies-to-lovers vibe that was wafting off of them was divine. And there was another potential pairing that I am hoping for, though it didn't see as much screen time in this book. I am still optimistic though. 

Overall, this is a book that is going to fray your emotions. This is such a gripping story that sinks its claws into you and won't let you go. If you are a fan of exciting stories with cleverly concocted plots and complex characters that will become your new book babies then this series should be your next read. This series is going to be your next obsession. I guarantee it. Thank the Maker(s) that book three just came out and I don't have to wait for the conclusion.

This book really shocked me with its intensity! What was the last book that did the same to you? Bonus points if it's a SciFi book!

SCIFI MONTH 2022 | TOP TEN TUESDAY: Sci-Fi Series I Want To Start

 

SCIFIMONTH BANNER ARTWORK by Simon Fetscher

Top Ten Tuesday Sci-Fi Month Edition!

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was created by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week there is a different question for book bloggers to ponder over. 

This week's topic is Series I’d Like to Start/Catch up on/Finish. I put a Sci-Fi Month spin on it: 

SCI-FI SERIES I WANT TO START

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I could have chosen way more than ten but these are the series that stood out most in my mind. So many books so little time! Gah!

Starbound

The Expanse

Heart of Iron

The Deadly Seven

The Honors

The 1000 Revolution

Contagion

Sirantha Jax

Dune

Sanctuary

Which sci-fi series would you love to start? Do you have any sci-fi series that you need to finish? Have you read any of the titles above? Feel free to leave the link to your Top Ten Tuesday post!

SCIFIMONTH 2022 | AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle #1) by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

SCIFIMONTH BANNER ARTWORK by Simon Fetscher

Title: Aurora Rising

Series: The Aurora Cycle #1
Author: Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published: May 7, 2019
Pages: 473
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Source: Audiobook
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From the internationally bestselling authors of THE ILLUMINAE FILES comes an epic new science fiction adventure.

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.

 

I am not sure that I can adequately put into words the love I have for this book. My little sci-fi fangirl heart is exploding right now. This book truly has it all. A ragtag group of misfits, found family, a creepy space anomaly, mystery and suspense, government conspiracies, and just a whole lot of awesome. 

This book really throws you into the thick of things straight off the bat and I couldn't have been happier. The opening scene really brings the reader into the story effortlessly. It is both entertaining and immensely intriguing. The reader just seriously wants to know more. That's one of the things I loved best about this book. That it just grips you and keeps you engaged and wanting more. 

The plot of this story is excitingly clever and very well planned out. I loved connecting all the dots and seeing all the pieces fit together. There is still enough mystery and interest at the end to make the reader crave the next book desperately. The entire premise of this series has my fangirl heart on the verge of overload. I connect so hardcore with it. The world-building is legit amazing. It is atmospheric and realistic. I've never been in space but the authors had me totally immersed in it with their depiction of it. The writing voice of these two authors is one that truly speaks to me. I am so comfortable in their narration. Kaufman and Kristoff truly complement each other with their writing styles. They have created something unique and unparalleled with their combined storytelling that I can't help but praise. 

These characters captured the very essence of my soul. I can't express how much I love them. Each of the main characters had their own voice in the story and I am so thankful for that. I adore stories with multiple POVs and this book is so much better for it. Each character had a distinct personality that really made them stand out. Each character was unique and had a magnetism that made them jump right off the page and come alive. While there is still a lot to learn about some of the characters, they all had an astounding amount of character development. I loved the friendship and found family that the main characters had with each other. This group of characters is definitely #squadgoals and I can't wait for their connection to deepen in the next books. 

There are a few budding romances in this book that I regretfully can't talk about because that would probably be too spoilery. One will make you fangirl, one will warm your heart, and another will probably make you throw your book across the room by the end. But you will definitely feel and that's what matters. I can't wait for more in the romance department with these characters. 

Overall, Kaufman and Kristoff are masterful storytellers that bring you into a breathtaking world that will delight you and incite a riot in your soul. If you want a book that will fascinate you, keep your heart on lockdown, keep you perched on the edge of your seat, and will completely consume your soul then this is the right book for you. This series is the mark of excellent storytelling with an original and interesting premise and characters that feel like family. You don't want to pass this one up!

This book really exceeded my expectations and completely blew me away! What was the last book that did the same to you? Bonus points if it's a SciFi book!

SCIFI MONTH 2022 | TOP TEN TUESDAY: Sci-Fi Books I've Read Since the Last Sci-Fi Month

 

SCIFIMONTH BANNER ARTWORK by Simon Fetscher

Top Ten Tuesday Sci-Fi Month Edition!

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was created by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week there is a different question for book bloggers to ponder over. 

This week I've chosen a special topic to coincide with Sci-Fi Month and it is: 

SCI-FI BOOKS I'VE READ SINCE THE LAST SCI-FI MONTH

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I didn't read as many as I'd like but some is better than none. I've got aliens, superheroes and supervillains, a ragtag group of space saviors, robots, and plenty of fantasy/sci-fi crossover books that fall under the dystopian label. I'm pretty happy with how eclectic my books are but maybe in the coming year I can read even more books! I'll list the Goodreads links below in case anyone wants to add them to their TBR!

All Systems Red

The Darkest Star

Renegades

Blood Lands

Shadow Lands

The Young Elites

Aurora Rising

Aurora Burning

Aurora's End

Pestilence

Which sci-fi books have you read in the last year? Have you read any of the titles above? Feel free to leave the link to your Top Ten Tuesday post!