Gemina (The Illuminae Files #2) by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
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.
After finishing Illuminae, I wasted no time in diving into this second installment to the Illuminae Files. Book 1 was so amazing I was a tad bit intimidated by this sequel--because how could anything live up to the glory that was Illuminae?--but man oh man was that little worry so unnecessary. Not only does Gemina hold its own as a successor to Illuminae, but I'm pretty sure I actually loved Gemina more. It's hard to choose favorites, of course, but I think that alone can attest to how mind blowing Gemina was, yes?
First, there was the characters. Mostly a whole set of new faces this time around, something I worried would hinder my ability to connect with the story. I got over that worry quick, however, because I fell head over heels for Hanna and Nik and Ella. They're funny. They're smart. They're going through a whole heck of a lot (to say the least) and I enjoyed every single moment of the ordeal with them. Really, there are not words for how much I love these characters. (I also love another character I won't say the name of here because it may be a spoiler? But if you stick around for my Obsidio review on Monday you'll know who it is then because I think I'm going to spend a whole paragraph on him--and no, it's not AIDAN. Though I'll have words to say on that front too, don't you worry.)
BUT I DIGRESS.
Then there was the writing. Which was so fast paced I'm pretty sure I didn't breathe throughout the entire time I took reading this novel. Seriously, I was on edge for every single page. This book made me feel like I was constantly on the verge of a heart attack. But I was also, like, giddy? Because the book was so freaking good? And Hanna is so badass? And Nik stole my heart? It's an interesting roller coaster, that's for sure.
And, as with Illuminae, the format of Gemina was stellar. Beyond beautiful. It adds so much to the impact of the story in a multitude of ways. It makes serious moments even more intense. It makes beautiful moments even more lovely. It's such a sensational reading experience, and I truly cannot sing enough praises for it because I LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT.
Overall, Gemina is a mind-blowing sequel to Illuminae and not only one of my favorite books I've read all year -- but it's also one of my favorite books I've ever read. As a whole, this trilogy is on the verge of becoming one of my top ten favorite trilogies of all time. So having said that, I strongly recommend picking these beauties up!!
5 stars - A mind-blowing second installment to the Illuminae Files!!
I'm currently reading this!
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