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Monica Khan
5.0 out of 5 stars Review - Memento
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
Initial Thoughts

I’m utterly and hopelessly obsessed with The Illuminae Files so when I saw that Memento was finally going to be available, I knew I had to read it immediately.

Some Things I Liked

New characters and an old favorite. AIDAN is such an interesting concept and I was so fascinated to learn more about how he studied humans and learned the concepts he references in the rest of the series. Also, I just loved the new characters for this novella.
Bringing other characters full circle. No spoilers but I really enjoyed the cameos of characters and places that are featured in the rest of the series.
Darker themes. Let’s be honest, there are some heavy and dark concepts in the rest of the series. The Trolley Problem is one of many moral dilemmas faced by the characters. AIDAN’s attempt to rationalize and help humanity are so fascinating.

Series Value

I would love to see more novels and novellas set in this universe. The writing style and concept behind this series is so interesting and unique. I’ve already read the rest of the series but I can easily see reading this first and then the other three novels.

Final Thoughts

For a rather short novella, this one packed quite a punch. I laughed, I cried, and I felt all the feelings that the rest of the series made me feel. I’m so glad I finally had the chance to read it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommendations for Further Reading

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff – unlikely, but if you haven’t already read the rest of the series, drop whatever you’re doing, and go read it!
Scythe by Neal Shusterman – if you enjoyed the moral dilemmas as well as the sci-fi elements of this series, try the Arc of a Scythe series.
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RetroCore
5.0 out of 5 stars A great short read
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2020
Verified Purchase
As i just had finished reading obsidio for the second time, i searched up Amie's name on the kindle store to see what other books were released by her or both Amie and Jay (the credits for obsidio in the back of the book said the next cycle would be the Andromeda cycle, but i assumed that was the Aurora cycle with an early name. I thought the trilogy for the illuminae files was all done and wrapped up with a nice ending, but when i saw the familliar style of the cover, i was like

what.
the.
hell.
>_>

ANOTHER ILLUMINAE BOOK!? straight away i went to the assumption that this must be a prequel or a little side story, not a full length book. I was correct. I read the desc, saying that it had background information on AIDAN, and i was intrigued at that (AIDAN is by far my fav character in the series). So i bought the book, just for a 15 minute read, and i was stunned. Even though this had a small plot, it was just as fascinating as the other books (minus the epic plot twists ;-;).

[SPOILERS]

as soon as i saw that someone had to cross MULTIPLE LEVELS OF VACUUM, my brain instinctively ran through all the ways i thought of that AIDAN could sabotage the mission to eventually keep the crew from surviving. Shutting off oxygen circulation, allocating a broken suit, etc. But all my efforts at thinking about what could happen while i was reading the next couple of pages were focused on the vacuum.
Not the actual electronic servers.
Now, i really appreciate the authors' together creating AIDAN, and deciding what he would do AS IF AIDAN WAS THEM AND THEY DIDNT WANT TO DIE. Almost any other author would have AIDAN randomly cut off circulation into the suit or have the person get caught adrift in space by some freak act of sabotage by AIDAN. Instead, AIDANS process of thought was probably something like this:

---------------------------------

Options for protection:
> O2 cutoff
> Allocate ruptured suit
> Electrocution

[O2 would be classified as suspicious by the other meat{HUMANΩ}]
O̶2̶ ̶c̶u̶t̶o̶f̶f̶

[Ruptured suit would fail, all meat{HUMA-} make actions dictated by safety procedure
self-preservation.
meat would then rrrrreport suit and suspicion would be cast on AID-
I ]
<error>
A̶l̶l̶o̶c̶a̶t̶e̶ ̶r̶u̶p̶t̶u̶r̶e̶d̶ ̶s̶u̶i̶t̶

> Electrocution is only viable option.

-----------------------------

The authors gave life to AIDAN, making him think carefully about things while becoming... "inhuman."
I really love this story, each aspect was unique as usual. My only complaint would be setting this to $2, as imo it should be $0.99, but i assume that is because of the file size (or maybe it just took months to make this little story, idk)

5/5

-RetroCore
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Rabidus Matris
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars The authors collect readers tears
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
It’s true, check Amie Kaufman’s IG. What kind of tears? Well, you are going to have to read to find out.

This is definitely not a stand alone read. My son picked up Illuminae in 4th grade and didn’t look back. I’m 5th grade when Obsidio was released, we actually managed to go to a signing here in the US. On the 5th anniversary of Illuminae Files being released, we were so excited to get this as both an ebook and the full cast audiobook. Look, I listened in one day while I was working and hounded my son until he finished around his school schedule. I could wait for him to finish and now I need you to read the series and then pick up this prequel novella too. I cannot recommend it enough!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to the series!
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
I'm one of those people who somehow didn't know the Illuminae Files existed until this year, but as soon as I picked up the first book I was completely hooked. I couldn't believe that in addition to reading all 3 main books for the first time this year, I would also get to read this prequel to learn more about how AIDAN became...well, AIDAN. I am amazed at the ability of Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff to pack so much heartbreak and emotion into only 84 pages. I'm really happy with this addition to the series! I definitely recommend reading this one after reading the 3 main books (Illuminae, Gemina, Obsidio) before this one, as you might catch a spoiler or two from this, and overall I think the series is more impactful if you read the others before this one.
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Donna Bull
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful prequel to The Illuminae FIles
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2020
Verified Purchase
Once again, Amie and Jay prove in only a few pages their ability to get you to care so much for the characters inhabiting this amazing world. The events in this novella take place before the events in the wonderful Illuminae series. The Alexander is on its way to the supposedly uninhabited Kerenza system, and Olivia is working with the AI AIDAN on his persona files. We get to see the events leading up to and immediately after the Alexander encounters the BeiTech forces around Kerenza and AIDAN is damaged. If you have read and loved Illuminae, you absolutely must read Memento. As always Jay and Amie will break you just because they can!! So worth it, weird how much you can love an imaginary murdery AI, isn't it??
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Top reviews from other countries

Micky - bookphenomena
4.0 out of 5 stars More please asap!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
Fantastic short story but how I wanted more. How dare Kristoff and Kaufman drag you into new characters, get you invested and then it be over within a brief time. I love this world, this series and I miss it. This story took you to the prior to of Illuminae, AIDAN was at the centre of this and all I can say is …sneaky, sinister AIDAN who I can’t help but like. He’s the darkest of heroes.

I don’t want to spoiler, I won’t spoiler, but AIDAN what the heck. I did really love Olivia and her story arc was definitely a roller coaster. What all this tells me is that my favouritie author duo could definitely write more in this world…pretty please?
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Carly
5.0 out of 5 stars A visual experience
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 28, 2020
Verified Purchase
I read the Illuminae files back in 2019 and I was so excited to learn of a novella which is a prequel to the series I enjoyed so much. The novella Memento highlights how AIDAN came to be, and provides insight into the relationship of Olivia ‘Liv’ Klein and Lieutenant Ethan Wolf. I love how modern and unique these books are, and it is a visual experience when reading them on a kindle.

Excellent drama, brilliantly thought out and shows what technology could potentially advance to.
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Caro Richard
5.0 out of 5 stars AIDAN (the creeps) beginnings!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 13, 2020
Verified Purchase
AIDAN and his beginnings aboard the Alexander.

I felt so bad for Olivia Klein. Gone though so much, finally seeing a way out and she speaks the truth: 'The benefits of reading include, but are not limited to, stress reduction, vocabulary expansion, stronger analytical skills, and memory improvement.'

This tidbit just goes to prove that AIDAN is a sick, twisted, creepy thing that should never have been released on this fictional world! I'm actually angry!
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kaila shepherd
4.0 out of 5 stars Memento
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 23, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book was a quick read (obviously) but this is mainly down to the pure talent of the authors. AIDAN has fascinated me since I started the illuminae series and this has made me want to pick the books back up again. Go forth, read and enjoy!
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Corrine
4.0 out of 5 stars More please!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
It's been a while since I read the illumaire files, but after reading this I def need a reread. It's such addictive writing / reading all I can say is please more of these, although longer novel would be appreciated!!
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