Aurora Burning by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (The Aurora Cycle #2)

Reviewed by Sam!

What I drank prior: we’vebeen doing a star wars marathon and we have a game and I’m drunk.

Goodreads Overview:

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.

Drunk Overview: this is the second book in this series so if you haven’t read book 1 please for the love of god move on. The end of book 1 significantly impacts this one so go away

So…. the crew is on the run after they found out the plants have been lying in wait to take over the universe. Ari can handle it, but she doesn’t know how yet. So these kids are trying to save the actual human race without any support from their leadership and folks really like to blow shit up in this world… including kids.

Spoiler-free Thoughts: this was as meh as the first one.I knowI’ll probably get shit for that but…

Characters: the characters only sorta get fleshed out in this. They should get fleshed out more in my opinion but they all sort of ply their part. Give me some nuance people!!!

Plot: WHAT THE HELL IS IT WITH THESE GIFTS WHO WE CAN ONLY ASSUME ARE FROM THE PAST?! Like seriously though. I need an explanation and that’s the only reason why I’m reading the next one. But also, yeah I’m theory, there’s a lot going on but what actually happens? To me, not a lot.

Writing Style: I do love these two authors so much and their writing is awesome, they just fell super flat in the character and plot category here.

World Building: I just need to know the time travel thing…

What to pair it with: chocolate cake shot. Looks like one thing. Tastes like another.

Rating: barely 2/5

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Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,
Sam