Gemina (Illuminae Files, #2)

by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

A New York Times Bestseller

Brace yourself for GEMINA—the highly anticipated sequel to the book critics called “out-of-this-world awesome”—featuring journal illustrations by bestselling author Marie Lu!
 
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.
     Once again told through a compelling dossier of emails, IMs, classified files, transcripts, and schematics, Gemina raises the stakes of the Illuminae Files, hurling readers into an enthralling new story that will leave them breathless.
 
Praise for Illuminae:
 
A New York Times Bestseller
A PW Bestseller
 
“Out-of-this-world awesome.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred
 
“Stylistically mesmerizing.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred
 
“An arresting visual experience.” —Booklist, Starred
 
“A game-changer.” —Shelf Awareness, Starred

• ISBN10: 0553499157
• ISBN13: 9780553499155
• Publish Date: 18 October 2016
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Random House USA Inc
• Imprint: Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 672
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780553499155

Reviews

4,5 stars

“Patience and Silence had one beautiful daughter. And her name was Vengeance.”

Gemina is one of those rare books where plot triumphs over characters, but I still ended up having a blast. 

The plot is the strongest part. It starts off slowly and I was wondering where things were heading, but when it gets going, it GETS GOING. The plot is fast-paced, expansive, full of blood, violence, destruction and death and is for the most part unexpected with the exception being the 'Jackson is a spy for BeiTech' plot twist.. I also enjoyed the interesting concepts and the science bits towards the end. Certain aspects of the plot and the plot twists are repetitive when compared with Illuminae, but it doesn't affect the plot negatively, because the plot is so insane. 

In Illuminae, the unique format made it difficult for me to get attached to the characters and while I had a similar problem in this one, I like Hanna and Nik more than Kady and Ezra. Hanna and Nik start off seeming like stereotypical and flat characters i.e. the typical good girl and bad boy respectively, but as the plot progresses, they really show what they're made of. Hanna is a freaking badass who was raised on military strategy and Nik is a real softie, a bad boy with a heart of gold.
 
The romance progression is a little fast-paced (but since I complain about this in most of my reviews, it's a 'me' problem). I'm a sucker for the bad boy/girl and good boy/girl pairing and I understand that the characters are going through a life-or-death situation, but this is one of those books where the suggestion of a developing romance would have been much better. I like the idea of Hanna and Nik, but I just wasn't feeling the romance. 

There is a secondary character who I really love, Ella, who is cool, awesome and badass, and I also couldn't believe that I was so excited about the reappearance of a more-than-slightly psychotic AI machine. 

The Illuminae Files series has a unique and interesting format, but Gemina relies heavily on camera surveillance footage to narrate the characters feelings and actions and the action scenes. Despite Gemina reading more like a novel, I still felt a little distant from the characters and their situation. There is a format element that I really love: Hanna's journal entries and illustrations. 

Once again, the humour is hit-and-miss. There are some instances where I like the humour, but for the most part, the humour and sarcasm in this series is overkill. This series has a weird tone where it almost doesn't take itself too seriously and I struggle to gel with its vibe. 

I was debating between 4,5 and 5 stars, but I do have a few issues with the format, characters and tone, so Gemina is a solid 4,5 stars.

A unique and fun read with a crazy and mind-blowing plot. 

"“You might get only one shot. So shoot. You know who said that?” 
The rifle clatters to the bloody floor. 
“Hanna ****ing Donnelly. That’s who.”"

[Nessa Luna]

Will I ever get that f*cking Lollipop song out of my head?

[inlibrisveritas]

Holy ****

To think I was super hesitant to read this. To the point where I have owned this since it came out and never got past page 20. I was so terrified I would end up disliking it because Hanna (a MC) and I were not meshing at all...and now I sit here in 2020 at 5am positively ready to dive into the third book with no reservations.

This was just...*Chef's Kiss* perfection. Did it have its issues? Sure, but I really don't give a damn. Kaufman and Kristoff are cruel cruel gods who have toyed with my emotions, but I've learned I'm sort of into that now.

Bring on Obsidio

[paperbackjedi]

4.5

[leahrosereads]

This was a decent follow-up to the first book. I still really loved the format but couldn't seem to get behind these characters' actions the way I was able to in the first book. Illuminae's plot made sense. This one felt a tad more far fetched for me.

[adamfortuna]

It’s fun listening to stories told in unique ways. The Illuninae files (this being the 2nd in the series) fits that sweet spot for me. This one is told through a series of audio recordings surrounding a trial of something that happened in the first book. The narrator changes as the audio files change - sometimes reading instant messages, AI thought processes, overhearing conversations written letters and even video analysis reports. I enjoyed the direction of this one and am looking forward to the 3rd in the series next.

[alisoninbookland]

I didn't think it was possible to love this series more but the full cast audiobook kicked the series to the level of AMAZING.

[kalventure]

BRIEFING NOTE: After absolutely falling head over heels in love with Illuminae, I didn't think it could get any better. Hahaha joke is on you, this one is ███████ fantastic and I loved it even more than the first book.
▪▪▪▪▪
Chums, I was sucked into Gemina immediately. It builds on the action from Illuminae and starts with a court proceeding of sorts for BeiTech. The evidence provided are the documents provided by the Illuminae Group, and the briefing notes we read in Gemina are part of the official record. I thought this was such an innovative way to frame the story, and I love books that start at the end and watching how things got to that point.

As the Hypatia is making its way to Heimdall, the crew of Heimdall Station have their own problem: namely a BeiTech strike team set on eliminating the Jump Station so word cannot get out about the attack on Kerenza.

In retrospect, I should have seen the intense heartbreak I felt coming because of how the book opens, but no one can prepare you for the ███████ emotional rollercoaster that is reading this book, chum. Guard your hearts now.

"When you fight a monster, be careful you don't become the monster."

I didn't think I could love characters more than I love Kady and Ezra, but Nik and Hanna surpass my love tenfold. Their banter and sarcasm is similar in tone to the levity of Illuminae, serving as a great way to divert the tension you feel when reading the book, but it doesn't feel recycled at all. The characters all feel real and I honestly feel so deeply for them.

“It’s not about what I say, right? It’s what I do that matters here.”

I love stories about sacrifice and ordinary people doing extraordinary things when situation calls for it, and Gemina delivers an excellent narrative with people doing heroic things. I absolutely adore Hanna, Nik, and Ella with their Operation Thermopylae and their dedication to doing everything they can to stop the BeiTech crew... even give up their lives. I really enjoyed the tie in to war tactics and strategy, and Hanna's propensity to quote Sun Tzu. They never really lose hope and the fast friendships and devotion to one another feel so organic to me - just like how veterans who serve together are bonded by that experience.

Analyst 7213 is still my favorite character and I absolutely live for his reporting on the video feeds. We get another Analyst added, 7213D, which... yes. Just all the yes.

BRIEFING NOTE: As with Illuminae, I read along with the full-cast audiobook and it was perfection. I love the audiobook so much, but I definitely recommend reading this one with a physical copy because some of the mixed media included are pages from Hannah's journal - which are drawings by Marie Lu! You don't want to miss them, just like you don't want to miss the Lollipop Song, chum.
▪▪▪▪▪

In case you can't tell, I absolutely loved this book and it took almost a month for me to write this review. This book is another fast-paced adventure that answers questions about BeiTech and Illuminae, as well as raises the stakes. It is obvious the series was plotted intricately well and this book fits into the trilogy so well, and I cannot wait to read Obsidio. I don't know if my heart is ready, or if I will ever trust again, but I cannot wait to see how this series ends!

🤝 This Mortal Squad Buddy read with Becca and Taylor!

▪▪▪▪▪
December 29, 2018: I don't know if I will ever trust again. holy hell, I didn't think it could get any better after Illuminae but I was blown away yet again. incredible. Full RTC if I ever can form a coherent thought

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[Emma (SCR)]

This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I adored Iluminae and I couldn't wait to start this book. We continue with the story of Bei-tech and their invasion. This time we are on jump station of Heimdall. The story is told from the perspectives of Hanna Donnelly and Nik Malikov.

Hanna is the station captains daughter. Some think she is pampered and while her Dad did spoil her, he also made her train hard. She is an excellent strategist and fantastic fighter both in and outside the dojo. I loved Hanna. She is funny, brave and very clever.

Nik Malikov is the bad boy of Heimdall. He is part of the notorious crime family, The House of Knives. Nik was such a good character. He's got a bad boy vibe, he's snarky, cheeky and full of quick witty remarks. He is one of my favourite characters in this series.

My other favourite character was Ella, Nik's cousin. Ella has been through a lot in her life so far and what she experiences in this book is never seems to diminish her spirit or determination. She is also wicked funny and a whiz on the tech side.

Again I loved the full cast on this audiobook but I have seen the paperback and its also a beaut so whatever format suits you, you are in for a real treat with this book.

As soon as I finished this one I knew I just had to hear how the series ended.

[Linda]

This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews