Aurora Burning (The Aurora Cycle) (utgåvan 2020)

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Makers breath, has my breath been taken away! I have one word for the book - 'Adrenergic' (basically a medical term for all the agents that cause a release of Adrenaline).

If I didn't have to read the book for the club, I would have finished it in a day or under. But I was and it took me every ounce of my patience to follow the time table that I myself created.

Aurora Burning is the second installment of the thrilling Sci-Fi Fantasy Adventure, The Aurora Cycle series from an iconic duo of writers - Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman. Aurora Rising was a marvellous read that set stage for something immensely surreal to happen.

It also left us with a heart break and knowing the authors, I was not expecting anything less than a heart shatter this time. Continuing the narrative from book 1, we see the story from multiple POV's. The best part is that we see more of Zila and Finian who were comparatively silent in the first book.

Zila, more so with chapters ranging a page or under in the first book. The book took us deeper into the life of the squadies before they joined the Aurora Academy. We also have a new character and a new realm that is explored.

The writing is utterly smooth, making it so easy to read. The switch between the narratives occuring in different places in the same timeline doesn't cause any hindrance to the flow of reading.

It did get a tad bit tiresome in 1 or 2 chapters where I wanted it to end asap and get the adrenaline back on but apart from that, it was a great read.

We were directed to assume a few things and if you wanna use the word predictable, think again because the wicked authors always managed to hide something extremely shocking under the coy of letting us believe that we predicted something not so important.

For the brilliant writing and a dashing adventure, I rate the book 4/5.

What I liked about it:

- So much sass
- Adrenaline rush at every page
- will keep you on the edge of your seat, if your sitting, that is!
- great flow of writing
- fast read
- wonderfully layered chapters
- adventure filled
- Props to the recap in the beginning
- Powerful characters with zero gender bias
- LGBTQIA pro literature

What I did not fancy:

- you'll end up with a broken heart
- it is impossible to wait for part 3
- it might make you restless one or two times ( )

After everything that happened in Aurora Rising, Squad 312 have been labelled traitors but they are not going to let that stop them from saving the world.

This is fast-paced, with some excellent twists and frustrating developments. Sometimes the action was engaging and other times my eyes glazed over. Sometimes the multiple POV was a strength and other times I felt like it hindered me from becoming really attached to anyone. Sometimes I was amused by the characters, and other times the qualities which make them amusing became irritating.

I think the things I liked outweighed the things I didn’t care for? And not caring so much meant I wasn’t annoyed by the absolute cliffhanger ending! (When the next installment is months away, I’d much rather be indifferent.)

I can’t tell if the book doesn’t measure up to The Illuminae Files or simply doesn’t appeal to me as much. Quality or personal taste? ( )

I laughed. I cried (very real tears). I finally have a bigger picture of every character. Squad 312 is starting to feel like a developed ensemble, and there are so many twists that it felt extremely fresh! Kaufman and Kristoff are both very skilled at switching between voices and keeping their storytelling cohesive. Can’t wait for book 3 now! ( )

About a year ago, I gushed about the latest Amie Kaufman/Jay Kristoff collaboration, Aurora Rising. In reading that review, I realize I did not do it justice. Unfortunately, with the way its sequel, Aurora Burning, ends, I don't think this review is going to be much better because I really do think Ms. Kaufman and Mr. Kristoff are out to kill their readers through their emotional roller coaster of a novel.

The Kaufman/Kristoff partnership continues to push out novels that stand head and shoulders above their peers, of which Aurora Burning is just another example. Their world-building is beyond excellent, but it is their characters that truly make their stories shine. The eclectic Squad 318 should not work given the myriad of voices and personalities of which it consists. Yet, the characters and their individualities bring the greatest joy because Ms. Kaufamn and Mr. Kristoff make them so very real. Not only that, but there are no flaws in their voices. Their personalities and voices are so unique, you could remove all references to names and still know from whose point of view you are now viewing the story.

Adding to that magic are the emotions Ms. Kaufman and Mr. Kristoff make you feel. When you read a lot, you can become emotionally numb to stories. Good ones will make you feel something. Truly excellent novels will make you feel even more. And then there are stories like Aurora Burning, which had me crying, laughing out loud, screaming in frustration, nauseous with worry, and stunned with shock. The ending alone had me feeling ten different emotions at the same time. Ms. Kaufman and Mr. Kristoff have that mystical ability to convey the human experience as thoroughly as if the events are happening to you, making all of their novels something you absolutely must read.

Aurora Burning is most definitely a sequel, referencing previous events and building upon them. Similarly, it is the second book in a trilogy. The ending is one of the cruelest, most stunning, and emotionally wrought cliffhangers I have ever read. In spite of that, I cannot recommend this series highly enough. It may be science fiction with a story that occurs in space, but don't let that deter you. At its heart, it is a story about a group of misfits who find out what it means to be a family, a story that transcends its setting. Plus, there is plenty of action and romance to keep your interest. So, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to an Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff collaboration. You will not regret it! ( )