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kathrynleereads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Once again, Amie Kaufmann and Jay Kristoff have knocked it out of the park.
Aurora Burning picks up only a few hours after the end of Aurora Rising and continues to follow Squad 312 as they try to understand their roles in the fight against Ra’haam.
Just like its predecessor, Aurora Burning keeps a consistently fast pace.
I think this was brilliant not only to keep readers engaged with the story but to really allow you to feel the strain and stress the Squad is going through as they just continuously get caught in thing after thing with no break.
With most of the galaxy pretty well explained in Aurora Rising, the only real world-building necessary in Aurora Burning was to delve into the Eshvaren.
While I didn’t particularly enjoy the chapters that featured Auri’s training in the Echo, those chapters did play a titular role in understanding how the Squad came to be in the position they’re in.
As with The Illuminae Files, what really takes the cake in The Aurora Cycle trilogy are the characters.
Aurora - She’s kind, she’s spunky, she’s smart, what more could we ask for in a leading lady?
Auri went through some considerable growth in Aurora Burning, particularly during her time in the Echo.
I was beyond relieved when Auri decided to fight against the Eshvaren’s direction to push away the people she loves.
While technically the Eshvaren won against the Ra’haam, they weren’t able to completely defeat them, so I’m not sure why they are so determined that Auri (and any other Trigger out there) do the same thing they did.
Kal - The more I learn about Kal’s history, the more proud of him I become, and the more sure I am that he’ll never betray the rest of the squad.
Tyler - It was a refreshing change of pace to see Tyler get more comfortable breaking the rules and just fighting for himself and (mostly) his Squad.
Scarlett - I have nothing but praise for this amazing badass. My favorite thing about Scarlett and her incredible Face skills is that every time she gets them out of a situation, it’s not just this magic tool she pulls out.
Scarlett lives and breathes diplomacy. Every single way she got them out of (or into) a situation was completely feasible for her character.
Finian - Every book needs a designated crack-up, and Finian de Seel does not disappoint.
It was nice that Kaufman and Kristoff took the time to really develop Fin all around, showing his vulnerable side just as easily as his wiseass exterior.
Zila - Zila really shone in Aurora Burning. We finally learn her backstory and the reasons behind her indestructible emotional wall. And we get to see her start to lower it.
Saedii - I’m not gonna lie… She’s a bitch, but I kind of love her.
After the ending of Aurora Burning, I have no idea where Aurora’s End is going to pick up, but I’m excited to see where this last installment takes Squad 312.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Murder, Blood, Death of parent, Violence, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, and War
Moderate: Grief, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Physical abuse
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
hannaws's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“But don't fall in love with me, Zila. I'll just break your heart."
"That does seem consistent with your romantic modus operandi." She pauses a moment before adding, "You are also too tall for me."
I blink at that. "Wait… you like girls?"
Zila shrugs, scanning the crowd. "Not tall ones.”
First of all: this book starts with a sort of summary of the first book! And boy did I really appreciate it, also needed it. It's been a while since I read the first book and it had started to melt together with that Sanderson book so I very much appreciate that summary.
The characters, oh man. I had forgotten how much the loss hurt in the previous one and how precious all these Legionnaires are. They all have their own quirks and everything. They are so different, yet so similar. I love them all very much.
Some of them make very dumb decisions, keep very stupid secrets. Causing unnecessary fights. It hurt my little fragile heart. But thus is life! I still got this motherly need to go and give them an earful.
Their adventure continues to save the whole universe. But it gets a lot harder and more dangerous, being hunted by everyone else at the same time. It sure is a wild ride for them. Maybe I am growing out of YA but some times it all felt a little too much. Too much was constantly happening, none of it good. Yet they somehow managed to make it out of everything alive. Overwhelming might be the right word for it.
But the plot is still good. It was kind of "on the edge of my seat" type of ride. We get some new enemies, whom aren't so "new" after all! A lot of character development, which is a big plus. Though they all are thrown into grown up shoes so they do have to grow up rather quickly. Yes, I know none of them are little kids! But still they have big shoes to fill.
There is still a lot of things that needs to be unraveled. And not any little things, mind me. There is one big HOW, still nagging in the back of my head and I'm a little irritated that the subject wasn't much thought about. Understandably they were under some more critical matters but they all thought about it at some point! I need answers so I guess I will have to get my hands onto the last book then?
All in all I really enjoyed this book. It sure was a wild ride. It is on the faster side with pace, but it fits perfectly! 500 pages gets read in no time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Genocide and Gun violence
Minor: Death of parent, War, and Grief
aseel_reads's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I was really enjoying this book for the first 60% especially all the character interactions but then things started being a bit unbelievable, in particular, several of the character relationships, and then I started skimming sections because I couldn't care. I liked the plot though and will continue with the last book
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Blood, War, Hate crime, Death of parent, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Violence, Torture, Physical abuse, Genocide, Grief, Colonisation, and Child abuse
mypatronusisajedi's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, War, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Torture, and Violence
dadimabookernow's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Wow. Okay so this review will contain spoilers mainly cause I have now one to rant to.
Going into this book I didn't really have any high hopes. I only read it to find out how they were going to defeat the Ra'haam but was happily shocked when the authors didn't hold back the punches with this book. After Cats death I think it really gave the characters a chance to grow. Showing us more about their backgrounds before they joined the Academy and how they deal with the grief of their lost squad mate and their past lives. This can heavily be seen by Aurora and Tyler.
I did however find it abit predictable with the StarSlayer being one of the previous trigger but what a good plot twist of him being kals father. Speaking of Kal he was kind of a background character I feel kind of just going with what ever Aurora said or did. It really bugged me though how when majority of the squad found out who Kals father was how they basically cast him out. He joined the Academy to try atone for his father's sins and show how much he isn't like his father but instead his squad /friends banished him for something and someone he can't/ couldn't control because he was a CHILD last time he even was in contact with his father!
But that ending of the book was like wow. I am definitely excited for the next one to come out in November.
I did however find it abit predictable with the StarSlayer being one of the previous trigger but what a good plot twist of him being kals father. Speaking of Kal he was kind of a background character I feel kind of just going with what ever Aurora said or did. It really bugged me though how when majority of the squad found out who Kals father was how they basically cast him out. He joined the Academy to try atone for his father's sins and show how much he isn't like his father but instead his squad /friends banished him for something and someone he can't/ couldn't control because he was a CHILD last time he even was in contact with his father!
But that ending of the book was like wow. I am definitely excited for the next one to come out in November.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Abandonment, Death of parent, Death, Genocide, Grief, and War
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