Published: May 7, 2019 by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Format: Audiobook, 14 hours, Narrated by Kim Mai Guest, Johnathan McClain, Candice Moll, Lincoln Hoppe, Steve West, Erin Spencer, Jonathan Todd Ross, and Donabella Mortel

“But they have not seen their sun die. Their people burn. Their world end. And they do not know, yet, that there are some breaks that cannot be fixed.”

★★★★ (4 / 5 stars) What a journey! This book is like the YA version of Star Trek/Guardians of the Galaxy with a motley crew of teens who were clearly fated to be on this path together.

I loved so much about this novel. The squad is fantastic, their personalities are on point, and the narrator cast is amazing. The storyline is mysterious, action-packed, and intriguing.

Also, it is definitely worth noting that the audiobook edition of this novel was extremely well-produced. After having listened to the Illuminae audiobook, I expected something of similar quality. But the fact that every POV character received their own narrator along with added sound effects and production…It’s incredible and well worth the listen if you’re ready to be immersed this universe.

I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard with a sci-fi read, and I can’t wait for more.

!! WARNING !! There are spoilers ahead!

This novel is a gift-wrapped bundle of chaos, so here are my corresponding chaotic thoughts on some of the moments that stuck with me, even months after reading:

• Maybe Kaufman & Kristoff do this with every collaborative project, but I was amazed by the amount of references and Easter eggs sprinkled throughout this story. The Octavia Butler one is probably my favorite, but there’s a little something for everyone.

• I’m a sucker for POV characters naming other characters by attributes and interactions, and Ori referring to Tyler as hot guy for the first few chapters just tickled my heart. Plus, her dessert-swearing habit is an adorable quirk the authors threw in.

• Finn is possibly my favorite, mostly because he reminds me most of myself, and he must be protected at all costs!!

• Every character was seriously developed so well. Those personalities just shined, and the audiobook casting was fantastic. I can’t imagine reading this trilogy any other way, or at least, I can’t imagine any other voices for these characters anymore (even in my head).

• Tyler kissing and Kal, and Kal lowkey freaking out about it!!! I died.

• Coming off the heels of a hardcore Sarah J. Maas binge, I was getting heavy “mate” vibes with Kal’s obsession with Ori. But also his disgust with his connection to her and overall arrogance reminded me of the Edward-Bella dynamic, which was odd. Regardless, I’m a sucker for a soul-mate trope, and his professions at the end (and the way Ori responded like a total regular 21st century girl) was fantastic.

• Kat!! Nooooooo! But I guess we all saw that coming once we found out about her history with Tyler, am I right?

• I’m absolutely fascinated by this hive-mind plant monster and can’t wait to see how this all plays out through the rest of the series. There are so many little threads, and I love it!