Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Review by Lauren
source: copy from BEA16; all opinions are my own
Official Summary: 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 bestsellerIlluminae 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 theHypatia 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.
Review:
| This was one of the top books that I wanted to get at BEA and it’s actually one of the few that I waited in line for awhile to get. I’m not usually a big science fiction fan but I was so curious about Illuminae last year that I had to check it out. I’m so glad I did because it quickly became one of my most favorite books. Gemina was just as exciting. I didn’t realize that this book followed new characters but it was great. It showed what life was like in on Heimdall Station, which is essentially a place to live in the middle of outer space. This book follows Nik and Hanna, who are very different people. Nik is part of a crime family who is doing some secret, illegal things on the ship. As for Hanna, she’s what Nik calls “Highness” since she’s the daughter of the captain.
I don’t want to go into too many details on the actual events in the book, in case you haven’t read Illuminae yet, but you definitely should! This book has a lot of pages but since it’s written in such a unique format, it reads really quick. You get instant messages, emails, transcripts from videos, and more. I loved the way Illuminae was written and it’s just as exciting in Gemina. It really adds to the overall story and you can feel the suspense while reading! There is a lot going on in Gemina. There is the aftermath of the first book, getting to know Nik and Hanna, the invasion of their ship, and some other crazy scientific stuff that has your hands sweating and your heart racing. Definitely a must read! |
I've been eagerly waiting for Gemina but have avoided reading the synopsis until now and so had no idea that it would follow some new characters. I'm looking forward to meeting Nik and Hanna and catching up with Kady and Ezra.
I really enjoyed the first book so I confess that I'm curious about this one too
Glad you enjoyed this one! I didn't love the first book but I totally get why so many people love this series and I'm glad the sequel didn't disappoint for you! Wonderful review! 🙂
I still need to read the first one but I'm glad this was a good sequel, makes me want to read it even more now. 😉
I'm way behind in my sci fi reading. This one might get me going.
Glad you enjoyed it! This is super popular series.
Karen @For What It's Worth
Love hearing that Gemina is a worthy follow-up to Illuminae! So glad you enjoyed it, Lauren!
Yeah. Glad you love this one. I can't wait to get my hands on it.
YES!! So excited to read this :D:D I'm a bit bummed to hear that we won't get to follow the previous characters again, but I'm also excited to meet these new characters. I'm so glad you thought this one was as readable with its format as the last one!
I cannot wait to read this one and I do think you made waiting worse. 🙂
It's always great when a follow up books ends up living to your expectations! Unfortunately the first book really didn't end up working for me, but I'm glad to see that this series is still going strong for you. Lovely review! 🙂
Still need to read the first one!
I love this too Lauren and preordered a finished copy to go with my signed copy of Illuminae
Oh man, this synopsis sounds really interesting too! My to-read list is going to explode if it keeps going like this, haha. I have some catching up to do!!
I still have Illuminae sitting on my shelf! I need to get to it but I already have this one my Christmas wishlist 🙂 Greta review!!
I so need to start this series. I have book 1 waiting on my shelf!
I definitely want to read this!
I totally want to read this! My list to read is already so long, but I am totally going to add this one now!
I think I must've been in that same line at BEA with you! I was sitting back by the windows (ouch, hard floor!!). I'm with Kim, too… I'm going to go get the finished copy so I can see some of graphics. Didn't you love the marketing plan in the front of the ARC?? Too funny 🙂
Great review!!
Ooh Gemina!! I was a little leery too that it follows different characters, but the idea of the space station has me really interested plus the hints of something… else going on. Sounds creepy! Can't wait. lol
Oh, I hope I'll enjoy it, too! I got this at BEA, too, but somehow, I still haven't read it… possibly because I haven't found the time to actually read Illuminae yet? It's still one of my most anticipated releases this year!!
Have a wonderful rest of the week and happy reading 🙂
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
Ack. I so need to pick up a copy. But I haven't read the first book, so I'm dragging my feet. I'm glad you loved it!