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Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Gemina by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff ARC Review + Giveaway!

Gemina by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Publisher: Knopf BFYR/Penguin Random House
Publication Date: Oct. 18, 2016
Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
The highly anticipated sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller that critics are calling “out-of-this-world awesome.”

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 bestseller Illuminae 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 the Hypatia 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.

Once again told through a compelling dossier of emails, IMs, classified files, transcripts, and schematics, Gemina raises the stakes of the Illuminae Files, hurling readers into an enthralling new story that will leave them breathless.





How I feel after reading Gemina:


What the ████! How do I process this?? How do I go on with my life after that ending, knowing that I won't find out what happens until NEXT YEAR?! Nope, can't do it.

And as if it's not enough that I can't breathe after finishing this book, I innocently go on Instagram and see this █.


Am I simply missing some artwork, or am I missing part of the story? Am I? Ammmmmmm I?!?!!? WHAT AM I MISSING?!

████, I think I've finally lost it. 

Thanks, Ross.

There are a lot of bread crumbs from Illuminae in Gemina, and yes, our beloved Kady, Ezra, and Aidan all are part of this story—just not in a very big way. Instead, we have a new cast of characters. My personal favorite is our new badass female MC, Hanna. Just like in Illuminae, There are several what-the- moments in Gemina that will make you question your intelligence and your sanity. 



1) The formatting of this book is just as amazing as the first. I had to flip the book around, read the same scene from two POVs, it was brilliant. I can't wait to see the rest of the artwork in the final edition.


2) The twists were spectacular . . . and emotional. Gemina totally messed with my senses, and it was fantastic! As much as I tried, I couldn't pinpoint what exactly was going to happen. There was one particularly painful scene that stands out to me, so if you have the US ARC, watch out for page 309. 



3) This book is all about girl power—from our heroines to our villains. We have smart, independent, bad women in charge. I love it! 


I especially adore Hanna. She is a strong character with a really interesting storyline. She isn't perfect, she has her flaws, but it's her imperfections that made her so relatable. 

4) As I mentioned before, Kady, Ezra, and Aidan are all in this book, and I was beyond thrilled about it! There is one scene in particular with Kady and Ezra that was so beautiful! Ugh. I wish I could share it, but I don't want to spoil anything. Trust me, when you read it, you'll know what scene I'm talking about. 

5) The freaking cliffhanger ending. I don't know how I'm going to handle waiting for an entire year. The book took me on an incredible, wild journey, and I totally forgot there was a third book until I got to the final page. 


1) It took me a while to into Gemina. I wasn't sucked in as easily as I was into the first book. In Illuminae, you are thrown into an insane situation right away and it's like you're on a rollercoaster. However, in Gemina, the beginning of it has more plot set up before it moves forward. 

2) There were a lot of parallels to the Illuminae. Some of the characters and plot points were almost exactly the same. In some ways I understood but I would have liked more differences. 

3) My poor brain had a hard time comprehending all of the science stuff. Though I'm a huge fan of astronomy, it was still a little confusing to me.



"None of them believes what Mercury's saying. You can see it in their faces. But faced with the choice of living one breath longer or cashing in right now, most folks will take the extra moment. That single, extra breath. Even when your world stops spinning and gravity dies and the blood glitters in the air like a galaxy of warm, red suns all around you. 

A lot can happen between breaths, after all. 

His second footstep makes a soft sound, and Donnelly whips around, gun rising in the same movement, trained on his chest. He simply stops in place and shoots her a smile, showing off those dimples the ladies love. He smiles at her like he's not tired at all, like he's not wearing another man's blood under his suit, like all he wanted in life was to catch a glimpse of her.

And though she's an orphan and there's no way he leaves the House of Knives except feet first, and they're both bound to be dead before either of those things are a problem anyway, they just hold onto each other like they're all the anchor the other one needs.

"You know, quoting Sun Tzu while you toss your guns is nice and dramatic, lady, but throwing down with the girl you orphaned? Probably safer to say 'screw the drama' and just kill the █." 

The rifle barks once. 


Red and gray splatters the walls. 


"You might get only one shot. So shoot. You know who said that?" 


The rifle clatters to the bloody floor. 


"Hanna 
█ing Donnelly. That's who."   


a Rafflecopter giveaway

63 comments:

  1. YES!! I am so excited to read GEMINA!! I loved loved illuminae! Thanks for the giveaway :)

    jellodelacruz@yahoo.com

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    1. You should be excited! I loooooove Illuminae. Good luck on the giveaway!

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  2. This is by far my most anticipated read of 2016!!!

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  3. I still have yet to read Illuminae *hides* Maybe when I try it again, it'll be in a better mood but I can't bring myself to try it again :o lol

    ~Karina @ A Reader Under The Sea

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  4. Brittany!!!!!!! It was so freaking amazing! I finished this weekend and aaahhh, so many feels!!!

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  5. I am really excited to start this series! Strong female characters to read about! My favorite!

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  6. SO EXCITED FOR GEMINA! I loveddd Illuminae and can't wait to meet the new characters and see what happens in Gemina!

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    1. YAY! Be prepared for your pulse racing, fear, and all the swoon!!

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  7. I am so excited for this book!! I cannot wait for it to come out!

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    1. I can't wait for you to read it! Your reactions will be priceless xD

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  8. I am so excited beyond the point of excitement. I really, really, really want to read it so badly! I really , really, really would love to win it!!! Like super, totally really! The waiting till it comes out will just kill me. I really need this book,so I can read it NOW! ;-)

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    1. So, what you're saying is that you're excited to read it? I had to ask because I wasn't sure ;P

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  9. I loved Illuminae so much! I can't wait to read the sequel!!

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  10. I have a copy of Illuminae sitting on my shelf that I need to read before this one comes oust. I read the eARC and was so disappointed by the formatting. I know that this is a series that I am going to love. I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the second book! :)

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    1. I heard there were problems with the eARC but I hope that you read them soon! I think you'll really love them ^_^

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  11. I haven't read Illuminae yet but it's definitely high on my TBR. Ahhh one of the downfalls of having ARCs is that they aren't the finished copies :( I know how it feels. Thanks so much for this giveaway Brittany. You're literally like the best if you're willing to give up an ARC :P

    Alex @ The Book's Buzz

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    1. It's a blessing and a curse to have the ARC of a book, especially if you love it. Good luck on the giveaway, you're so sweet!

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  12. I loved Illuminae much! I was really close to getting an arc a couple months ago, but it ended up not working out.. D: Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. I'm sorry that it didn't work out for you! Good luck on this giveaway ^_^

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  13. This is awesome! Thanks for the chance, darling! Can't wait to see this one!

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  14. Thanks so much for the giveaway! Your review makes me even more excited for Gemina - Illuminae was one of my favorite reads from last year :D

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    1. You're welcome! I hope that Gemina exceeds all of your expectations ^_^

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. Sadly I haven't started this series yet but I'm looking forward to start it. Have heard great things about it

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    1. You should start it! They are really fast reads thanks to the formatting. You won't regret it, I promise!

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  16. Thank you for this excellent giveaway! Very much looking forward to this one!

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  17. I thought Illuminae was awesome and a great concept! Can't wait to see what Gemina brings!

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  18. GAHHHHHH BRITTANY YOUR REVIEW IS AMAZING AND I CANNOT WAIT TO FOR MY FEELS TO BE SHATTERED BY GEMINA!!! I really hope that I will love it as much as I loved Illuminae. Awesome review!

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    1. ^_________^ You're so freaking sweet, I could just glomp you!! I hope you love it as much as I do, I can't wait for you to read it!

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  19. I haven't been this excited for a book in a long time! I absolutely loved Illuminae!!!

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  20. Absolutely adore both authors. Cannot wait to read Gemina. One of my most anticipated!!

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    1. They are wonderful, aren't they? I hope it exceeds all of your expectations ^_^

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  21. I kinda skimmed the review because I really want to go into this book completely blind just like I did Illuminae. I am BEYOND excited for it though. Illuminae is one of my favourite books ever and it helped me get out of an almost 2 year reading slump so I owe it a lot haha. Really glad to hear you enjoyed Gemina!!!! Thanks so much for the giveaway too :)

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    1. That's totally okay, I get it! I don't read reviews anymore until after I've read a book so I can go into each book with a clean slate. Isn't it great how amazing books can just pull you out of a slump? I hope that you love Gemina

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  22. I really liked Illuminae and I was a little dissapointed that the MCs were different in Gemina. I am glad that they kept the format, because I really enjoyed that part, and it sounds like it will live up to the first book. Is it going to be a trilogy?

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    1. Admittedly, I was a little disappointed too but Kady, Ezra, and Aidan are all in this book. Plus the new characters are great! And yes, it's going to be a trilogy ^_^

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  23. i can't wait to read. i love how its formatted

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    1. The format is really cool! I don't know how they do it @_@

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  24. I'm so excited for GEMINA! I've heard amazing things about it so I can't wait to read it! :-)

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  25. Thanks for this chance. I'm so excited for GEMINA. #fingerscrossed!

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  26. To say I can't wait would be a HUGE, HUGE understatement. I am ready for the craziness and more space and MORE FEELS and EXPLOSIONS. Actually, I'm not. I'm still recovering from ILLUMINAE. (What can I say? I'm a sucker for punishment.)

    Just kidding! Beyond excited for GEMINA. Thank you so, so much for the opportunity!

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    1. You're going to get everything you're waiting for and more! And it will be painful but wonderful all at the same time haha.

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  27. Gemina was SO GOOD!! I have absolutely no clue how we're gonna last more than a year to get our hands on the last book, Britt, but I have faith we can do it. I totally agree we had a bunch of girl power in this book, whether they be hero or villain, and I LOVED that. The second quote you chose is one of my favorite scenes in the entire book. deffo swoon worthy! great review, Brittany :)

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    1. Yes, it was!! It was phenomenal, to put it lightly. I love all of the girl power AND that quote is one of my favorite scenes too ^__^

      Thanks for stopping by, lovely!

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  28. Gooorgeous post Brittany :D Love your review. <3 I also looooved Gemina. It was so awesome :D And evil, haha. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about it :)

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