DISCLAIMER! While this book is technically classified under "YA" it doesn't particularly feel like a YA novel. If the characters were just a couple of years older this would fall into regular grown up Fiction quite easily. So don't be put off by the YA label. I assure you, this really isn't for kids. 
 Woah... I'm just... wow! I read Illuminae last year and I was completely blown away. This is a rare thing for me considering I read so many books. So when Gemina came out, I had to have it right away. Let me just say this: MY. MIND. IS. COMPLETELY. BLOWN. AGAIN! Like my mind is so blown that I have about a million things to say all at once but I can't really figure out how to put them into words... but I shall try. 
 In Gemina we have a new set of characters introduced to us and the main hero and heroine are Nik and Hanna. I absolutely loved Kady and Ezra in Illuminae and I thought I would really miss them in Gemina. I'm happy to report that that wasn't the case. Gemina retains the same humor and wit while introducing exciting and complex characters. I grew especially fond of Ella. That girl is amazeballs. Actually, I want to take a moment to point out that the female characters in this series aren't stereotypes. They aren't damsels and they aren't blindly stubborn in that way that most authors seem to think makes them "strong" but really just makes them bitchy. YaknowhatImean? It's amazingly refreshing to see women portrayed as actual people and not some female algorithm that keeps getting recycled over and over. Kudos, Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff! 
 I don't want to get into spoilers really because there are just so many things to discuss (including a twist that made me actually gasp! (view spoiler)[I was kind of indifferent to Jackson at first. He was nice but bland. Then I hated him. Then in the end I felt bad for him. There is redemption but at such a high cost. :( (hide spoiler)]) so I will just make this comparison. While Illuminae is kind of a cross between 2001 meeting Battlestar Galactica... Gemina is the end of 2001 meets Alien meets Deep Space 9 meets Die Hard. Now, all of those things are amazing individually so when combined it becomes a supernova of awesome! I need more now!! I'm so sad I will have to wait another year for book three. You can be certain that I'm going to be frothing at the mouth for any bits of information I can get on it. The title hasn't even been revealed! What am I going to dooooooo!!??? Argh. 
 HELPFUL HINT! This series is extraordinarily visual and the book itself is a work of art, including illustrations by Marie Lu! But it's also completely worth checking out on audio book. In this case, I like to listen to the book and read along. Ya, I know... I'm a super nerd! But seriously guys! The audio book has a full cast of characters and sound effects and it's really the perfect complement to the visuals. So if you're in love with this story like I am it would be worth it to check it out.