Illuminae

Authors: Amie Kauffman and Jay Kristoff
Series: The Illuminae Files #1
Pages: 599
Genre: Sci-Fi
First Published: October 2015
Book Description (from Good Reads): This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.
The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.
But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

Consider:

• Characters: 8.5
• Kady is an extremely smart young woman but even if she was running for her life she still faces family and love struggles. She focuses on not only fighting stubbornly against authority and does not allow others to give her advise regardless of the consequences of actions. She is reckless, she is stubborn, she definitely is not perfect. 
• Ezra is not the smartest man but he is very dedicated to his girlfriend, I mean even if they are running for their life he still has time to be goofy and trying to be romantic and talk about their relationship, he is also a good friend to his team.
• The AI is very interesting, the development and growth it goes through are huge, it does grow on you and you end up liking it after all.
• Plot: 8.0
• The story is fast paced and it sets a good beginning for a story. It does not give us the why of the struggle but it builds it so you are expectant for the rest of the story.
• Intrigue: 7.0
• It is not overly mysterious but as they are running and fighting one obstacle over the next without being sure what to expect to go wrong next. 
• Writing Style: 8.5
• The way it is presented with blogs, interviews, transmissions, it gives a nice change for it. Reading it gives a nice touch with it. Also should consider trying the audiobook, with the story and the format it could be an awesome experience as well.
• Intention: 8.0
• It shows a girl who against all odds and even through stubborn choices she makes difficult situations choosing the greater good for other over her own safety. She is in parts portrayed as a bit selfish in parts especially in the memories of her life in her home but in the end, she is a very brave selfless woman. 
• Enjoyment 9.5
• The story did not advance much, because the real danger and is only running away for the most part.  Yet it has a lot of action, but it is mostly character driven.
• Logic: 8.5
• The science it is given us here, hard to tell if it makes sense or if it is built up for the sake of the story but it was wrapped so well in the story that it made it so good. 
• The decisions Kady makes are difficult sometimes not the smartest as she makes them but at the moment the way she acts is very understandable.

Total Score: 58.0

Average: 8.2

Star rating: 4.0