The reviews were right; this book is best experienced with the physical book and audiobook at the same time.

After I finished Gemina last year, I decided I wanted to reread the whole series accompanied by the audiobooks. I tried it out with Memento, and now I finally got to reread Illuminae with a paperback and audiobook simultaneously. I'll get into details on that at the end.
The first time I read this, I didn't really get into the story until about 30% through because I wasn't expecting much (and, yes, I know I was wrong to think that). This time - with the different voice actors for each character and the vague knowledge of what was going to happen - I connected with the characters and the action a whole lot more. I cried a lot harder than I did the first time. And now, having read the whole series, the weight of this book is so much more impactful. Also, the action scenes in the audiobook? Absolutely amazing. While it didn't have as many sound effects as Memento, the voice actors and arrangers did a great job of bringing it to life.
While I wasn't sold on Kady and Ezra on my first read-through, I definitely appreciated them a lot more this time. Kady's sarcasm is great and I actually found their romance to be sweet this time (last time I was hesitant about second-chance lovers and it took a while for me to enjoy it). I will say that this time I think I liked AIDAN less... Maybe I'm just mistaking him for the AIDAN in the next two books, but I just didn't like him as much this time which is probably for the best, actually.
Now, notes on the audiobook ... I don't usually read audiobooks, and it did kind of remind me why. I started with the speed set at 1.25 and ended with 1.65 because AIDAN talks so freaking slowly. I will also mention that the audiobooks probably can't be read by themselves, as they skip some of the visual elements of the book due to their nature. That being said, I really liked reading the audiobook and physical copy at the same time. At some points - specifically during AIDAN's narration - I set the book aside and did other things while listening. The highlight, though, was the voice actors. Kady's did a great job, as did Torrence's and most of the other characters. I had to adjust to Ezra's because it gave cowboy vibes and did not match how I pictured him, but I liked it by the end. The only one I had issues with was the Analyst's (if you've read Obsidio, you know who) because he had some sort of British/Australian/Scottish accent and it just didn't match him, but they switch voice actors in the next book.
If you're looking for a unique sci-fi read that's more of an experience than a book, Illuminae is the perfect novel for you (and I 100% recommend using the audiobook in addition to a physical copy!)
4.75/5
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