Aurora Rising Audiobook by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff (Review)

Posted by on Jun 5, 2019 in Reviews | 18 comments

Review of: Aurora Rising Audiobook
Audiobook:
Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Reviewed by:
Rating:
5
On June 5, 2019
Last modified:August 24, 2022

Summary:

Aurora Rising Audiobook

By: Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Narrated by: Kim Mai Guest, Full Cast

Published by Listening Library 05/07/2019

Aurora Rising Audiobook

5 hearts Rating image

Aurora Cycle Series #1

14 hrs and 4 mins

Genre: YA Sci-Fi

Aurora Rising Audiobook Sample

Aurora Rising Audiobook

5.0 Hearts

After I got done yipping with excitement and giggling a bit over the wry blurb, I snatched this one up and settled in for some listening fun. Young Adult Sci-Fi is probably my favorite YA sub-genre and written by this pair of authors, I had no doubt it would be good times.

Aurora Rising is about a crew of misfit academy students and a girl from a few centuries in the past who find themselves in a save the universe situation. This book sets up the future 24th century worldbuilding, the diverse cultures and personalities and skills of the cast, and what is emerging as a dire situation with Auri in the middle of it all.

It begins with Tyler Jones top student losing the top picks in the team draft when he responds to a distress signal and rescues one survivor on a ship. She’s in cryo. His heroism is rewarded with all the rejects that no other team captain wanted- and his loyal friend and sister. This is good because their first mission- lame as it is- goes from mind-numbingly easy to being on the run quickly. The girl in cryo has some unusual abilities that take things from mysterious to dangerous when a villain from the past makes an appearance. I couldn’t stop listening and resented any time I had to shut it off to do real life.

I had a good time meeting and learning about each crew member. It was a little daunting listening to this one because of all their voices getting narration time, but I got used to it. I thought it was important that the authors took the time to let me get to know them before all the twists and turns and excitement- can you say space heist? woohoo- happens. Some are abrasive, some don’t work well with others, some make up their own rules, and all of them have something they bring to the table. Kallis, the combat specialist, from an alien race got my attention the most. Tyler might be the cutie with the dimples, but I guess I like ’em edgier. This reminds me, there is a romantic element, but it isn’t front and center- scifi, intrigue, and action reign supreme through this first installment.

As I said, there is mystery. Like what the big deal is about Aurora’s abilities and her glowing white eye? In case readers wonder if this could measure up against the authors’ last writing effort together, it does and then some. There were deep emotional moments mixed in among lots of opportunity to see the underdog team in action. Things are going to get real, loss and grief are a given. Stakes will get higher in the next book.

So, this first installment of the Aurora Cycle was a smash hit with me and I am willing to shamelessly thrust it forward as a recommendation to all who enjoy a great futuristic sci-fi adventure no matter what your age.

Aurora Rising Audiobook Narration

4.0 Hearts

The narration was done by a team of narrators. I was familiar with a few names, but most were new to me. I liked some voices better than others, but all were pretty good. I was grateful to have the various voices that helped establish what character had their turn at the narration. I thought they got emotions and pacing down good. Snark and humor was a highlight. And, this was my first audiobook with sound effects. I wasn’t expecting that and it was a fun surprise.

Amie KaufmanAmie Kaufman is a New York Times and internationally bestselling author of young adult fiction. Her multi-award winning work is slated for publication in over 30 countries, and is in development for film and TV. Raised in Australia and occasionally Ireland, Amie has degrees in history, literature, law and conflict resolution. She lives in Melbourne with her husband, their rescue dog, and an extremely large personal library.

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Jay KristoffJay Kristoff is the #1 international, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of THE NEVERNIGHT CHRONICLE, THE ILLUMINAE FILES and THE LOTUS WAR. He is the winner of five Aurealis Awards, an ABIA, has over half a million books in print and is published in over thirty five countries, most of which he has never visited. He is as surprised about all of this as you are. He is 6’7 and has approximately 12,000 days to live.

Kim Mai Guest

Kim Mai Guest

Kim Mai Angela Guest is an American voice actress of European and Vietnamese descent who is known to speak fluent French and Italian. She is best known for her role as Mei Ling in Metal Gear.

My thanks to Listening Library for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by

Sophia Rose Signature

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Sophia Rose
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.