Review: Aurora Burning (Aurora Cycle #2)

Aurora Burning (Aurora Cycle #2)

Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Published By: Rock the Boat Press

Publication Date: May 5, 2020

Date Read: May 14, 2020

Genre: YA - Sci-fi

Source: Bought

Format: Hardback

Pages: 512

 

From Goodreads:

Our heroes are back… kind of. From the bestselling co-authors of the Illuminae Files comes the second book in the epic 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.

Note: There are some spoilers from book 1 in the series, Aurora Rising. If you haven't started this series yet read on at your own risk!

"Those who truly know us see the whole, never just a part."

Aurora Burning was without a doubt my most anticipated release of 2020. This time last year I hadn't actually read anything by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff and now I am completely and utterly obsessed with their work. I can't actually put into words my love for this series and I was so excited to finally get my hands on book 2.

Aurora Burning was absolute perfection. Right from the very first page I was completely taken away into the dangerous and exciting space-led world of Squad 312. It picks up where Aurora Rising left off, with the squad one man down and trying their hardest to move on and function without dear old Cat. Aurora Burning is fast paced and action packed and has twists and turns around every corner. Some of them I guessed before they happened but that didn't stop my excitement when they happened. Instead of being all like 'omg what?' I just screamed out loud 'I KNEW IT!!'. Whoever was around me when I got to those parts of the book just looked at me like I was a lunatic. I loved every single second of it.

Aurora Burning has some of the best characters I have ever read. I honestly love the characterisations in the book so much. We even have some new characters introduced in this book including Kal's long-lost sister who is out to get him and the squad. Although Saidi is definitely painted as the villain in this book I absolutely loved her. She's bad-ass and she fights for what she believes in. You definitely get to see a few different sides to her as the book goes on and I'm really looking forward to seeing more of her in book three. I definitely think there is more to her that meets the eye and that she isn't truly a villain. After all, nobody is 100% good or bad are they?

In terms of the Squad, Kal is 100% my favourite character in this entire series. I love him so much and part of this book completely broke my heart for him. He goes through some tough times throughout this book and I just wanted to reach into the book and hug him.... and throttle him all at the same time. The biggest surprise for me in this one was my utter love of Zila. In book 1 I liked Zila as I liked all of the squad but we see a lot more about Zila in this one and why she is the way that she is and I absolutely adore her. I can't wait to see more of her and see how everything pans out in the next book.

Aurora Burning was such an emotional book. Talk about cliffhangers. I think this is one of the worst cliffhanger endings I have ever read. I literally sobbed my heart out in the last few chapters. Amie and Jay successfully took my heart full of love for these characters and absolutely destroyed it into a million pieces. I am still left reeling weeks after finishing this book and I am still not okay! I need the next book like right now!! I need to know what's going to happen to my beloved Kal... and to Aurora and Zila and the rest of the squad. If you're a lover of sci-fi I highly, highly recommend this series and if you don't.... I still recommend this series because it's just utter perfection. I'm just going to go and rock in a corner for a year until book 3 releases now. 

"Love is what drives us to great deeds and greater sacrifices. Without love, what is left?"