I'm so sorry, this just was not for me. I ended up really struggling through this one. I just felt like there was so much instalove, and I just really don't like the whole *mating bond* trope in 2019. I think that maybe these authors' cowritten stuff just doesn't work for me. But I hope if anyone else picks this up that they will enjoy it more than me.

Let me start off by saying that I’d never read an Amie Kaufman of Jay Kristoff book until I requested this one off of NetGalley. (Thank you SO MUCH for letting me review this book, by the way!) I’d heard so much about them, and how they were a great writing duo, but I’d just never took action to pick up one of their books. (It was my loss, really.)

So I requested this, one, because of the stunning cover art; that purple & orange pastel combo is just beautiful in my eyes. And then, two, the description was out of this world (yes, pun intended, because it’s sci-fi). I just knew I had to read this book.

I started reading it after I finished House of Salt and Sorrows when I was halfway through my beach vacation in early April. I was so impressed by HoSaS that I wasn’t sure if another book could top it right away. Wrong. I dived into Aurora Rising, flinging myself into the awesome galaxy-building and loving the rag-tag band of characters and what they all brought to squad #312.

I loved each and every one of the characters, and how most of the time, they struggled to get along.The chapters alternate between each of their perspectives, and I really liked that.

Tyler, Scarlett, and Cat are about to form their absolute perfect dream team, but Tyler is late to the draft when he answers a distress call and saves a girl inside a cryopod from a ship full of dead people. And this equates to a whole bunch of trouble for his squad, who automatically adopts the ‘rejects’ left from the squad: Fin, Kal, and Zila. They’re thrown together against their will, and at first it’s a very rocky start. And then they are basically brought together when they discover something in their first mission.

The squad seems to have round after round of bad luck, but through adversity, they find themselves to be a rather impressive team. As they escape capture at every turn, and perform an epic heist, they realize some major issues going on in the galaxy and try to solve a mystery: why was Aurora O’Malley floating through space for 200 years, and what happened to the rest of the people on the ship?

This book was an intense ride, and I can’t wait for the sequel!

I don't have much more to say other than this is top of my science fiction reads this year. I love the ensemble cast and Kristoff and Kaufman have completely nailed what was missing after the end of the Illuminae Files.

This is like Six of Crows in space and I'm completely here for it. A girl outside time? Elves in space? Amazing!

**Review can be found at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/

When Tyler flies a quick trip before his draft opportunity, he never expects to be delayed by finding a girl 200 years out of her own time stuck in the fold- nobody is suppose to be able to live in the fold, period. His reward is to get saddled with the rejects of his class, the outcasts nobody wanted on their teams. His first mission with his new crew unsurprisingly goes sideways fast- but maybe this messed up crew are the people he needed most to fight a bigger battle...

I recommended this book to another person, someone who is not a big sci-fi reader that was a little bit hesitant to start the book. She ended up blowing through it and informed me that it was not like most science fiction/space adventures. And that is a 100% true statement. This was an action/mystery/drama that just happened to have most of the setting in a space ship and outer space. The best comparison I have would be like a more drama and angst filled Ocean's 11 in space, with a big ensemble cast that each has their role on a particular heist mission- that may just uncover some dark secrets and save the world.

There was honestly so much going on and I loved every minute of it. The book was narrated by all 6 crew members- and one Aurora, all with different personalities, skills and hopes and I feel like I got to know them all. Aurora Rising really had something for everyone in it- unrequited love, flirty and snarky banter, unexpected kisses, potential sociopaths, elaborate missions, conspiracy theories, death and destruction, awesome science fiction animals/tech and places, illness, unknown powers, alien species, planetary war, a girl completely out of place who uses current day references, an alien mate bond, scary flowers... See? There was a LOT going on in the book and I was so there for it.

Can I just say that the ending was awful (and I blame Jay for it because Amie's books in the past don't end with me broken) and I have no idea how I am suppose to recover from that and wait a year for the next book? That being said, I would not change anything about this story and world building and I will attempt to patiently await the next book. .

I read and absolutely love the Illuminae Files by these co-authors, it is one of my all-time favorite trilogies, so I knew I had to read this one when I heard they were back at it. I found that this book was equally plot and character driven, which isn’t the most common to me. It was definitely an extremely fast-paced, action packed, quick read, even though it was close to 500 pages long.

I love that the story was told in multiple points of view. The cast of character were awesome and all had this sense of comedic relief throughout the book. The whole Space Academy was a great way to have the characters working together.

Overall I thought this one lived up to the hype surrounding it. And in my opinion may have even surpassed it. I really thought it would be more similar to Skyward by Brandon Sanderson, and was happily surprised to see it didn’t. This would be a great place to start a new love for science fiction books.

As someone who has never read Illuminae, I got the world which is a good start. It's not my favorite Kristoff title (I'll read anything he writes honestly), but it was a fun space story and I enjoyed it.

This book was very hard to read because I could not get how juvenile everything was. The dialogue, the way the characters interacted. It was all just too much. I also thought there were too many point of views and at times they all started to sound the same. I was looking forward to this read but overall, I was just disappointed.

I remember hearing very early on about this series at an Illuminae tour stop and I've been anxiously awaiting it ever since. Aurora Rising did not disappoint.

Amie and Jay write space so convincingly that I'm not quite sure they aren't aliens themselves. Although this has similar backbones to the Illuminae files, colonizing other planets and mysterious diseases, Aurora Rising holds its own. It has distinctive characters as Amie and Jay decided to tackle SEVEN points of view this time around. Each character's voice was perfectly crafted and you knew immediately, without the header, who was speaking. These characters drive this novel and we even get a bit of a sassy AI.

The plot of this novel is incredible. Characters and setting weave perfectly with it to create a really strong narrative. The big bad is one for the books and even had me creeped out. There are two big twists in this novel and the first one had me completely fooled. The various settings we visit seem so much like something that would be out in space that I had to remind myself that we were not traveling the galaxy nor had we discovered aliens. The aliens were imaginative and well thought out. They weren't just weird combinations and limbs and skin colors. Each species we run across has distinctive features, communities, and traditions. We have two alien species on Squad 312 and we run across quite a few other species on the road. The care and attention that went into creating these side characters, if even just to be a bartender, is extensive.

Jay and Amie have brought us another character-driven, space adventure that has me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next installment. There's more than just a doomsday space mission in this one. I'm not sure you're prepared for the horrors of space.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Knopf Books for Young Readers through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

There are plenty of famous partnerships in the world - Lewis and Clark, Bonnie and Clyde, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Luckily, today we have Amy and Jay, who together manage to write some of the most exciting and creative novels you will ever read. Their latest collaboration takes us back out into space with the wackiest crew imaginable, and their efforts make you feel as if you are experiencing science fiction for the very first time. The energy in Aurora Rising is unflagging, and their creativity knows no limits. The world that contains Aurora Academy is a fully-fleshed world, so much so that it is difficult to remember that the characters do not physically exist. The science behind their space travel makes sense, as do the threats to the galaxy. Amy and Jay are so good together that their stories read like science fact rather than fiction, and Aurora Rising is just one more example of that.

Goodreads has been blogging about the "buzziest" YA reads so far this year and a title on the list is AURORA RISING by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, co-authors of the Illuminae Files series. This futuristic space adventure chronicles the team building of Aurora Legion Squad 312, comprised of an Alpha leader named Tyler, his twin sister and diplomacy-trained Scarlett, an ace fighter pilot called Cat, a gearhead named Finian, an Syldrathian fighter called Kal and a scientist geek named Zila. This group of misfits is given a seemingly routine mission, but soon learn they have a stowaway on board: Auri who was "suspended" in the Fold (space) for 200 years. Auri and the others share the narration – and what a set of dramatic exploits they have! Filled with flirtatious banter and reminiscent in part of Star Wars and other space operas, this tale traverses the galaxy while also building strong bonds within the squad. AURORA RISING is the first in a series with a bit of everything: romance, mystery and rebellion, plus starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus and VOYA.

Link in live post:
https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/1628-highest-rated-ya-books-of-2019-so-far

It was so much fun but i'm not very impressed. Especially because there's this mate thing that i completely and deeply hate.
That said, it's the perfect adventorous and fun space odissey with a brilliant cast of different elements and a lot of twists and turns. I would definitely recommend it if you're looking for something light and fun

It just felt too long. Illuminae was a much better space opera. I liked the idea of her powers manifesting, but there was too much teen drama distracting from the story. Not all teens want romance and drama.

Creative with its intergalactic world, multifaceted characters, and interesting plot line. Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman did a wonderful job in creating a book that does not only give a brilliant journey in the outer space but also addresses a multicultural view.

The characters are well made. Each of them has a unique personality that made them incomparable. Kal is especially wonderful because of how complex his entire characteristic is, but also the idea of his race.

Writing-wise, both of them [Jay and Amie] were fantastic. The book is easy to get into, with a hint of sophistication in the technological, galactic, and all scientific bits. The input of giving each character their own point-of-view gave them so much depth and made the book highly interesting.

There has been so much thought put into this book that made it interesting, mesmerizing, and you’ll definitely look forward to knowing what happens next.

Overall, Aurora Rising is a truly fun read. It is a book that you wouldn’t want to put down. With the right mixture of intricacy and simplicity, Aurora Rising is just the perfect pick for people who wants to read something light and diverse.

Exactly what I hoped for from another outing of Kaufman and Kristoff! I fell in love with this entire bunch of ragtag space misfits immediately, and the action-packed plot made this a page turner. Eagerly awaiting the rest of this series.

As a mega-fan of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and the Illuminae files by these authors, I was very excited to read "Aurora Rising." And it did not disappoint! It was a bit of a slow go in the beginning due to the introduction of the characters and the universe, but after it found its stride it was a really enjoyable ride!

Now I am huge huge fan of both Jay and Amie as individuals and as co-authors. Their Illuminae series completely changed the genre of YA with such intelligent and thought provoking plots and characters and that's not to mention their genius idea's of how their words on the page should look. Each book they write is better than the last, they truly hone their craft and take their readers on such an epic interstellar journey that it's wonder we all clamour for the next instalment. BUT I have to say Aurora Rising takes the cake!

For me this was their best work by a mile, it's been a while since I have had such FUN reading a book and I couldn't put it down... quite literally, it never left my hands. With such great tag lines like 'Six of Crows in space' I could certainly see the similarities between other YA series but I definitely feel Aurora Rising is a household name all on it's own.

A group of misfits are thrown together and head off into outer space for a whirlwind adventure which quickly leads to them running for their lives and facing intergalactic enemies. Our previously model students now turned fugitives suddenly find themselves adrift and involve themselves in a high steaks heist trying to save the galaxy. I loved each and every character and they were all so very different and diverse and just everything we need more of in YA literature today. The pressure was truly on from the very beginning and I loved reading about how the team who had never worked together before stumbled but eventually became a cohesive unit. It had such a great family/friendship message that I really appreciated.

Tyler - The squad leader with dimples, exudes far too much charm for his own good. Very cinnamon roll.
Scarlett - Tyler's sassy twin, never failed to make me laugh, and had such a big heart.
Auri - Wakes up from a cryogen sleep after 200 years surrounded by strangers and can make people explode by looking at them? Don't mess with her.
Kal - White hair, tattooed, muscles for dayssss and could kill you with his little finger. A sexy elf reminiscent of Legolas

You can find this review on Happy Indulgence over here!
http://www.happyindulgencebooks.com/2019/05/03/aurora-rising-review-does-it-live-up-to-the-hype/

Featuring a squad of misfits who nobody else wanted, the cadets from Aurora Academy must deliver some precious cargo across the galaxy. What they didn’t bet on, was that this precious cargo would actually be a girl with superpowers – who has awoken from being cryogenically frozen.

There’s a lot going on in Aurora Rising, as it introduces us to seven new characters who each have strong, conflicting personalities that clash. As with any squad, it takes time for them to learn how to work together and complete their mission successfully. What entails is a zany, fun-filled space adventure filled with sarcasm, banter and unlikely friendship.

SO WHO ARE #SQUAD312?

The blurb says it all, and each of these characters have an attitude to boot. From the sassy and lovable Scarlet who could talk her way out of anything, to the straight-A Commander who does everything by the book, the autistic engineer, tomboy pilot, an alien with a disability and the other with anger management issues, they were each fascinating in their own right. There’s also Aurora who finds herself in the future and has no idea what’s going on, other than the fact that everyone she’s ever known is dead.

While there are some pre-existing bonds between the squad members, such as Tyler and Scarlet who are twin siblings and Scarlet’s roomie Cat who is “slightly” obsessed with Tyler, most of them operate on their own. And no one has any idea why they’re in this squad or what their mission is and it’s hella entertaining to watch.

The other species in the squad presented an interesting angle, as we learn about these different alien races through their perspectives. My favourite character is Finian, who needs to wear an exosuit and has the best snarky lines in the book. He’s a Betraskan alien, who has a clan-like family structure where absolutely everyone is related and need to call upon favors. Kal was also interesting, as a hot space elf from a species who are bred as warriors. Because he’s working with Terrans/humans, he earns the scorn of the rest of his race and he’s constantly struggling against the call of his blood.

WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE BOOK?

Learning about each of these characters is a big part of it, but there’s also how we learn about the space world 200 years in the future. We learn about the Fold which allows travel through space by skipping through time and how humans have learnt to co-exist with different alien species. It’s a lot to embark on, but I was impressed with how a story of this magnitude was told.

Aurora Rising feels very much like a set up book, as it switches between all of these character perspectives and the crew wing their way through the mission that constantly changes. The plot is kept pretty simple – as they find out what to do with Aurora once she starts showing her powers, because there’s so much ground to cover.

Just when I felt like I was getting into the story however, it ends with an obvious lead in to the sequel, which was kind of frustrating. I wanted more – why can’t we have that now?!

"…We’re the Aurora Legion. We don’t bow to tyrants, and we don’t back down from a fight."

So does Aurora Rising live up to the hype of the Illuminae Files? While I missed the crazy artistic format of the Illuminae Files, it was nice to discover another new galactic adventure from my favourite authors. With sarcastic banter between unlikely squad mates, a girl out of time and a mission that has no clear objectives, Aurora Rising is a snarky, fun-filled galactic adventure not to be missed.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Thank you Netgalley for the review copy!

I absolutely love Jay Kristoff, and his adult fiction writing is phenomenal. Unfortunately, I think his YA literature is just not in my wheelhouse. I really wanted to love this one, as I was a huge fan of the Nevernight series, but Aurora Rising just could not hold my attention. I found myself disinterested in the story, and I was not a fan of the writing style, which felt a bit meandering and sluggish. I think this was definitely a case of "it's me not you," and I think this is a very wholesome and inviting story for its target audience of young adults. I also think those that really enjoy science fiction will be keen on reading this one.

5 stars

Blessed the stars, Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman have done it again. I admit that my expectations were extremely high for Aurora Rising. I loved “The Illuminae Files” so I was extremely happy that Kristoff and Kaufman were teaming up and writing another space adventure. And they did not disappoint!

“ They're not the heroes we deserve. They're just the ones we could find. Nobody panic.”

It’s no secret that I have a deep love for all things Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman. As I work my way through their books, (co-written and separate books) I have not come across one I haven’t enjoyed. But this one, this one is by far one of my favorites.

Not only was this plot super fun and intense, what really sells this book is the characters. Each character brought something new to the table and I had so much fun with the multiple POV’s. Now I don’t want to give too much away as I want you all to experience these characters for the first time when you read this book. But I will say Kal is my favorite and I love him the most.

This book just came out and I am so READY for book 2. Can we make that happen already? It’s been long enough, right? I think I will find most people agree with that statement. Because I AM NOT OKAY after that ending.

I do highly recommend this book. If you like space adventures with a sassy and fun diverse cast than this book is for you. Seriously, read it. Read it now. And then when you are done go read their other books…

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an arc. All thoughts are my own.

I am one of the few that really just didn't care for The Illuminae Files. This one is written like a straight up normal novel which I loved. This one has all the feels for teamwork and friendship all set to the backdrop of a wonderful science fiction novel. This title was filled with sas, humor, and all the action. I couldn't put it down. The only issue I had was that this one had a lot of the things you are used to finding in young adult titles.