Illuminae

Starred review from July 20, 2015
Star-crossed lovers fight for survival in this visually stunning adventure, the first in a trilogy and told through myriad documents and archived information, including instant messages, email, interview transcripts, memos, and security footage. Following a devastating attack on their home planet, Kady Grant and Ezra Mason, having just broken up, end up on different ships, part of a refugee fleet fleeing a cosmic dreadnought. Additionally, a virus is turning the survivors into bloodthirsty monsters, while one ship’s murderous AI takes extreme measures to protect the fleet. Though separated, Kady and Ezra rekindle their relationship while everything collapses around them. What starts off as a spacefaring action-romance evolves into a nerve-wracking horror story as the true scope of the situation becomes clear. Kaufman (the Starbound trilogy) and Kristoff (the Lotus War series) offer a stylistically mesmerizing tale, where story and art are interchangeable, and words act as pictures. The more experimental sections may require extra effort on readers’ parts, but the result is worth it. Ages 14–up. Agent: (for Kaufman) John Adams and Tracey Adams, Adams Literary; (for Kristoff) Matt Bialer and Lindsay Ribar, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.

Starred review from February 29, 2016
It is the year 2575 on the small planet of Kerenza, and teenager Kady Grant has just broken up with her boyfriend, Ezra. When a sudden attack leaves her world in ruins, Kady and Ezra each find themselves reunited aboard one of three escape vessels being pursued across the galaxy by a warship intent on eliminating any witnesses to the ruthless devastation of the young girl’s home. To make matters worse, a mutating virus is turning people into homicidal maniacs, and the ragtag fleet’s main AI seems to have a deadly agenda of its own. This mind-bending tale of survival is told through a dizzying combination of reconstructed ship-to-ship communiques, instant messages, ship’s log entries, interviews, other found footage, and more. It is brought to life in the audio edition by a talented ensemble of actors, but it is the exceptional production values and editing that make this audio such a pleasure. The sound design and vocal manipulation used to differentiate time, place, and character, along with other special effects enhance not only the actors’ performances, but the full listening experience, immersing the listener into this exciting, action-packed, and moving space adventure. Ages 14–up. A Knopf hardcover.

July 16, 2015