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My Review:Title: Aurora Burning
Author: Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
Series: The Aurora Cycle #2
Published by: Listening Library
Release Date: May 5, 2020
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Kim Mai Guest, Johnathan McClain, Lincoln Hoppe, Donnabella Mortel, Jonathan Todd Ross, Erin Spencer, Steve West
Length: 15 hours and 16 minutes
Genres: Space Opera, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Source: Libby
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2020 Audiobook Challenge, Lenoreo's 2020 Monthly Motif Challenge, Lenoreo's 2020 New Release Challenge
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ Google ✩ Kobo ✩ iTunes
My rating:
Blurb:Our heroes are back...kind of. From the best-selling co-authors of the Illuminae Files comes the second book in the epic Aurora Cycle series about a squad of misfits, losers, and discipline cases who just might be the galaxy's best hope for survival.
First, the bad news: An ancient evil - you know, your standard consume-all-life-in-the-galaxy deal - is about to be unleashed. The good news? Squad 312 is standing by to save the day. They've just got to take care of a few small distractions first.
Like the clan of gremps who'd like to rearrange their favorite faces.
And the cadre of illegit GIA agents with creepy flowers where their eyes used to be, who'll stop at nothing to get their hands on Auri.
Then there's Kal's long-lost sister, who's not exactly happy to see her baby brother and has a Syldrathi army at her back. With half the known galaxy on their tails, Squad 312 has never felt so wanted.
When they learn the Hadfield has been found, it's time to come out of hiding. Two centuries ago, the colony ship vanished, leaving Auri as its sole survivor. Now, its black box might be what saves them. But time is short, and if Auri can't learn to master her powers as a Trigger, the squad and all their admirers are going to be deader than the Great Ultrasaur of Abraaxis IV.
Shocking revelations, bank heists, mysterious gifts, inappropriately tight bodysuits, and an epic firefight will determine the fate of the Aurora Legion's most unforgettable heroes - and maybe the rest of the galaxy as well.
4.5 stars — I mean…I knew it was going to be bad (the inevitable cliffhanger)…but wow. Just. Why did I read this right now? Why didn’t I wait?? *wailing noises* OK, it’s not *that* bad. I have some theories. But still. WRITE FASTER!!!!!
So, uh, yeah. I really enjoyed it. I read the first book, but I actually really enjoyed the cast for the audiobooks — they each really brought their character to life. And some of the special voice effects really helped me stay absorbed in the world (like the sound of voices in helmets, Esh, etc). It was almost spooky at times. And I can honestly say that I enjoyed EVERY SINGLE ONE of the narrators. They all had great pacing, most were fantastic with the different voices, and they all brought a lot of emotion to their roles. I can definitely see myself wanting to listen when I inevitably reread when the next book comes out.
I continued to enjoy having the many different POVs in this story — maybe even moreso. I really loved the way the last chapter was done. I’m still pretty in love with all of our characters, though I got plenty mad at a few of them along the way (in one situation in particular). But I never felt like their reactions were irrational or anything, I just wanted them to react differently… I think we got to know all of our crew even more, and I was glad to get some insight into Zila in particular.
As for the plot, I can say that while I guessed some things (one I think I was supposed to given the hint, but the other I felt proud of), there were other things that I didn’t see coming AT ALL!!! There was a LOT of action in this one, and I honestly felt like I needed to put it into the freezer on occasion, b/c I was worried about what was going to come next.
I felt SO MANY things with this book as well. I mean, I had multiple crying stints (which is hard to explain when I’m listening while going for a walk, but luckily I didn’t encounter others and have to look ridiculous). I ached, I laughed, I cried, I got mad…I felt despair and I felt hope.
There’s not much else I feel like I can put in this review without giving anything away, so I’ll leave it at that. I loved it, and I can’t wait for more.
BUDDY READ:
This was my very first experience buddy reading, and it was a blast! I read along with Lillian from Mom With a Reading Problem (COYER sign up linky #16), and I will update this post with a link to her review once it’s posted. Seriously though, while I got an earlier start, we had fun discussing theories and laughing over different bits…though my theory for the ending better be more right than hers is, or I will NOT be happy! 😛
After reading your review, I’m waiting for the entire series to be done before I read it!