Aurora Rising

Aurora Rising
The Aurora Cycle
Written by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Science Fiction, Adventure #LoveOZYA
480 Pages
Published May 2019
Thank you to Allen & Unwin Australia
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★★★★☆
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 tech whiz 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 cryosleep 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.

Nobody Panic.
Tyler Jones is an elite student at the Aurora Academy. After five years of intense training as a squadron leader and earning the name of Goldenboy, Tyler is on the eve of the Draft where he is determined to amass a squadron of the best and brightest the academy have to offer. Nervous about the Draft and wanting to expel pent up energy, Tyler is approved for a late night cruise around the stars when he enters the Fold and discovers the Hadfield, a long abandoned, lost vessel with thousands of dead colonisers encased in frozen cryogel.

All except seventeen year old Aurora Jie Lin O'Malley, frozen for over two hundred years. 

The Characters
Without a doubt my favourite aspect of Aurora Rising is the characters, a ragtag and diverse group amassed from the academy leftovers and Aurora, a two hundred year old teenager from Earth. 

Cat is the Squad 312 Ace, a toughened mohawked pilot with an inclination for tattoo's and sarcasm. She also has a thing for her Alpha and childhood friend Tyler, after the two spent the off season being inked and physically acquainted. Tyler's twin sister Scar is the Face of the squad, a beautiful diplomat who can defuse any situation. When she turns on the charm, this leggy redhead could ask for the world and you'll hand it to her on a platter. It comes as no surprise that half the squad are in love or lust with her.

Zila is a girl of few words but immense intelligence. Possibly unlike anything the world has ever seen. She's shy and awkward around her squad mates and although she's withdrawn, no one seemed to take the time to understand who Zila is. I initially assumed she may have been neurodiverse but she is quietly hostile, the complete opposite of Kal, the muscle of Squad 312. Born into a civilisation of warfare, Kal cuts a striking and muscular figure with his long silver braided hair and violet eyes like some sort of elfin viking god. He also might have a thing for the two hundred year old human. Much in the same effect that Scar has on others, most characters wouldn't kick Kal out of bed if he farted. Including Fin.

Fin is the resident clown and I say that affectionately. He provided much needed lighthearted moments. The others crew members, apart from Scar were mostly a very serious bunch and Fin didn't mind flirting with anything that moved. Whether he's bisexual or pansexual, Fin loves pretty people but it's Scar that seems to capture his attention more so than others. Fin also has impaired mobility and wears a specially designed suit to lessen the impact of gravity on his skeletal, nerve and muscle systems. He's a great multitasker, fixing ships and trying to talk your pants off.

The there's Aurora, who prefers Auri, a two hundred year old biracial young woman rescued from a colonist vessel once lost within the Fold. She looks pretty good for her age. She was on board the Hatfield and destined for the Octavia settlement, although records indicate the settlement was in fact Lei Gong. Auri is not only needing to adjust to a new world but is being lied to by the authorities, the very same authorities that are looking to silence her.

Hold Onto Your Undies Kids!
Adventure awaits! I'll be the first to admit, I was comparing Aurora Rising to Illuminae. Both set in space, both adventurous, character driven and packed of sarcastic humour and sass but that's where the comparisons end. Although each character has been trained and confident in their own field of study, put them together and it's awkward. I loved how very little they know about one another and not only develop a bond but learn how to work as part of a unit towards a common goal. Why Auri has become a stowaway on board their ship and why harbouring her has made them wanted criminals.

The Verdict?
Delightfully creepy, wonderfully imaginative and superbly entertaining. I loved it. What surprised me most was the unpredictability. I was so enamoured by the characters, lovable misfits taking on the man and getting shit done. Make room for one more, I'm joining Squad 312.

18 comments

  1. I've been hearing really great things about this one, so I am definitely interested in it although I've yet to finish the Illuminae books. Is this one also told in a similar format to Illuminae with the mixed media style?
    The cast sounds like a fun group. I love reading about ragtag groups, so I think I'd like them a lot. Great review, Kelly!

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    1. Apart from both being located in space, it has a completely different feel to Illuminae. It's written as chapters and what you would call a standard format. I loved Illuminae but Aurora Rising is much easier to read and immerse yourself. I think you'll really enjoy this one and the slightly creepy twist towards the end.

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  2. Misfits taking on the man <-- YES!!! Your closing statement definitely has me even more excited about this book, though, it was a sure thing for me, as I adore this writing duo.

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    1. Aren't they just incredible. I can't think of another author team in young adult that write together so flawlessly. Except maybe Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner.

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  3. I'm so intrigued by this one! It sounds freaking amazing and the reviews are through the roof, especially the audio. For some reason, I never read/listened Illuminae. I had friends that would never read and they read Illuminae and loved it so I need to fix that.
    I love group of them, especially the girls. I read some details about them and they sound so badass!
    Genesis @ Whispering Chapters

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    1. These two always create strong, determined and intelligent female characters and Aurora Rising is wonderful. I think the formatting of Illuminae seemed to turn some readers away due to how momentous the book was but this one is a great one to begin with before moving onto the other series. It's fun, entertaining and a brilliant read.

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  4. Oh! I've seen this one everywhere and have it on hold.

    Their other series wasn't my cup of tea 0 but I'm hoping this one is.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. Was it the formatting? I've seen a few readers not being able to immerse themselves because of the mixed formatting styles of Illuminae. I'm happy to report that Aurora Rising is told in traditional format. It's such a great read Karen, I'd love to see what you think of it when it becomes available.

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  5. I love these two as a writing duo! No better duo has ever been.
    I finally got around to buying a copy of this on the weekend <3 :-)
    Loved your review and now I’m even more excited to meet Auri and the Squad 312.
    XOXO Sarah.

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    1. I can't wait to see what you think of it Sarah, such a brilliant read!

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  6. Yay, I'm so glad you liked this one. I hope to read it soon - it sounds fantastic. I still need to finish the Illuminae series, but I do love those books.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I haven't finished the Illuminae series either. I have them all sitting on my shelf and had purchased the signed editions as well. I'll be finishing off the series before the next installment in the Aurora Rising series is released. Can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  7. THIS BOOK IS SO HIGH UP ON MY TBR AHHH! I'm waiting for my hardcover to arrive so I can start reading! You know how much I adore this author duo and their Illuminae books <3 I'm sure I'll love Aurora Rising too :) Wonderful review Kelly :)

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    1. Thanks Uma. I'm so excited for your copy to arrive! They're just both such incredible authors, their writing is just seamless and blends so well together. I can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  8. This sounds brilliant. I knew there would be inevitable comparisons to Illuminae with this one but I'm glad you enjoyed it. I wasn't going to buy it but you might just have convinced me to make a little space on my shelf.

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    1. I made that mistake too and was comparing it before I started reading. There's similar aspects of course, like the space setting and strong character personalities but that's about where it ends. I loved both equally but in terms of emotional impact, I was really able to immerse myself in this one.

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  9. I haven't read anything by these two, but I've been told I need to! I skimmed your review since everyone seems to be hyping this one, and I don't want to know anything before diving in. I'll be back. ;)

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬

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    1. Yes, you really do! I'd start with this one actually, then go back and read the Illuminae series. I'll have to hound you until you cave and read them now.

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