-A.M. Aguilar

Review: Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Amazing, Marvelous and Captivating Read

If you have talked to me in the last week or read my June wrap-up (link down here if you want to check it out 😉 ), then you may already know that this astounding novel, has become one of my top favorite books! I have suggested this book to almost everyone through my bookstagram (@thebookssmuggler) and today I bring you the review you requested.

This book has left me speechless and I enjoyed every second of it; even the heart breaking ending. “Aurora Rising” is book one in The Aurora Cycle series by, internationally best-selling authors, Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff.

“They’re not the heroes we deserve. They’re just the ones we could find. Nobody panic.”

This book follows the plot of the graduating students of Aurora Academy. The year is 2380 and we get to indulge in the adventures of Squad 312 through their first assigned missions which end up being the last hope the galaxy may have to survive the awakening evil. Full of unique characters, remarkable moments, unexpected plot twists, and a cliff-hanger ending, “Aurora Rising” will keep you hooked. Guardians of the Galaxy vibes if you ask me 😉 .

This book is set in the year 2380, a futuristic world where advanced technology reigns and Terrans (us, humans from Earth) have established solid connections with other alien species, and send different colonies to habitable planets in the galaxy. 

Tyler Jones is one of the graduating students of the Aurora Academy, who has trained to be an Alpha, a team leader. He decides to rescue a lone girl left in a cryo tank lost in the Fold, the day before the Draft.

When Aurora awakes, she’s perplexed. She slowly discovers she never arrived on Octavia III, her space mission, and she is currently 200 years in the future. Tyler on the other hand, misses his chance to choose the crew of his dreams, and is left with the misfits no one else wanted. 

Kal, Zila, and Finian are all incrdible at what they do (the tank, the brain and the gearhead) but have a history of violence and/or anti-social behavior, and maybe some are a little crazy indeed. He still got to have his two top performers: his sister Scarlett (the face) and his best friend of years, Cat (the pilot).

Their first mission seems very ordinary: delivering supplies to refugees on Juno. But things go south very fast, and their mission may involve more than just a delivery. The squad has to decide if they will follow their gut and try to save the galaxy with the resources they have left, or risk being arrested by the GIA (space police) and let the evil and the villain that is awakening, rule.  

“There is no love in violence.”

Amie and Jay did an extraordinary work with this novel. The characters all had their unique and charming personalities. You literally can’t not love every single member of the squad and it is great getting to know them through the multiple point of views.

It captivated my attention since page one, it definitely captures any reader with the charming narratives. And of course the thrilling death-or-life situations never get old 🙂 . The plot and all the twists and turns are alluring and leave you wanting more after every chapter.

I loved the writing style the authors chose to use and at first I thought the multiple POVs were going to be confusing, but it is easier to follow the storyline through all the characters perspectives. It makes the story much more fun and engaging.

Tyler was one of my favorite characters (we all love his dimples too 😉 ) and his role as the leader is outstanding and incredibly charming. Actually, every member of the squad has their own protagonism and they have a great development as a team. 

And of course Aurora’s character; her mysterious aura through the first half of the book and all the weird visions and interesting dreams she is having, keep you wanting to know more.

“We must stand united in this, or fall alone.”

I truly, from the bottom of my heart recommend this book to everyone. You will not regret it. “Aurora Rising” is an apealing and marvelous novel, even if you are not a science fiction fan. This book is going to captivate you! It is full of relatable characters with unique personalities who bring the story to a whole new level of the saving the galaxy or you all die trope 😀 .

Have you read Aurora Rising? If not, tell me if you’re adding this book to your TBR!

(You should; stop thinking it 😉 )