09/01/2016
Gr 6 Up—While the first book in the series, Illuminae, followed the account of the Hypatia, the only surviving spacecraft of the Kerenza colony attack, as it hurtled toward the Heimdall space station for sanctuary, this sequel describes the experience of Hanna, who lives aboard the Heimdall. She is the daughter of the space station commander, and while this remote post is fairly quiet, her world unravels when agents attempt to seize control of the space station in order to destroy it and ensure no witnesses survive. Hanna finds an unlikely ally in Nik, an unsavory gang member who deals "dust" in the space station, as they attempt to defend the Heimdall, save the Hypatia, contain vicious alien creatures, and fix a rip in the space-time continuum. The narrative is presented in a dossier-style compilation of emails, journal entries, diagrams, and transcripts. These documents serve to convey the deeply satisfying story line in a creative and engaging way, making this series an exceptional recommendation for discerning and reluctant readers. The characters are intensely believable, and it will be easy for teens to share in Hanna's losses, betrayals, and accomplishments. Kaufman and Kristoff have woven such an intricate and compulsively readable tale that fans can revisit the text and make new discoveries each time. VERDICT An excellent choice for science fiction lovers as well as those new to the genre; a must-have for library collections.—Paige Rowse, Needham High School Library, MA

In the 26th century, a space station is besieged by privateers—but how and why? Kaufman and Kristof's ambitious space opera continues, shifting its focus to a trio of unlikely resistance fighters: the daughter of an assassinated commander, the son of a notorious cartel family, and a wunderkind hacker. The investigation into what’s happening unfolds through “found documents”—chat conversations, journal entries, radio transmissions, and surveillance footage.The story’s unusual narrative structure works, really works, thanks to the skillful full-cast treatment. Characters quickly become recognizable as the plot weaves unpredictably through conversation and observation, while the atmospheric soundscape defines the environment and enhances the action. Great for a road trip, though some content may be inappropriate for younger listeners. A.S. 2017 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

2016-07-02
Continuing Illuminae’s (2015) story, Kaufman and Kristoff explore what went down on Jump Station Heimdall while the spaceship Hypatia was trying to get there.This time around, the found-footage–style collage narration (instant messages, radio conversations, video transcripts, diary pages, and the like) is framed as evidence at a tribunal investigating the activities of BeiTech Industries. The station commander’s white teenage daughter, Hanna, and her white drug dealer, Nik, avoid death and capture when a multiracial commando team of BeiTech “auditors” board Heimdall to take over its wormhole (which badly needs maintenance) for a BeiTech drone assault fleet sent to eliminate Kerenza’s witnesses. With lots of sneaking, combat, quick thinking, and the crucial help of Nik’s younger cousin Ella (a quippy, brilliant hacker disabled by a space plague she barely survived), they throw everything they have against their better-armed and -trained assailants. But the drug operation relies on mind-eating, multiheaded, predatory parasites with psychoactive venom, and with the cartel out of action, the carefully tended newborns get loose on the station, and are they ever hungry! Tension snowballs with each new small complication, resulting in a read harder to put down with each page. Despite superficial similarities (protagonists and formatting—not all final art seen) to Illuminae, forward plot motion and surprises right up to the cliffhanger ending keep this its own book. An action-packed thrill ride and stellar head trip. (Science fiction. 13 & up)