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Michelle 'Dijares' Reilly's avatar

Whoa... so much in this one... Can I ask that you please create an account on BlueSky as it's much better than X. Also, perhaps, on the new Tome Books app? It's a new app (right now only on iOS, but will be on Android soon, so Android users can use their browsers) and especially good for us book nerds/authors. I do see that people are already tagging you on Tome Books. :)

I'm sorry to hear you're having health problems. I have the same. I was streaming (gaming) to try to get myself on a schedule, but my health is undependable and I had to stop. So I've finally (FINALLY!) been able to read straight through many books. If you'll recall, your books got me out of my depression and reading after over 2 years of being unable to read, and now I'm getting back to my normal pace. I started Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn original trilogy, and am now deep into the whole Cosmere and currently reading Oathbringer (Book 3 of the Stormlight series). I finally have a book running around in my head I want to write, but it's high fantasy, so I've been tossing world building at the inside of my forehead. I haven't published since 2017, so hoping I can get there. It's so much work! :D It's so wonderful you're so focused on staying fit and taking time out for you, your family, and the pup!

I've moved to Colorado and am looking forward to when it warms up and hoping to get some hiking in. Nature! This is what recharges my batteries. This is my first winter with the snow, and it's been rather morbid... so cold and I just bundle up and stay inside.

I'm also planning a long trip to Europe for this fall. With all the political upheaval here in the US, I'm so stressed out, so hoping to just focus on this.

Voted for your books! :)

I'm so sorry for your loss with your friend Emma. It's so heartbreaking. It's so unfair we have a disease like Cancer. It's taken nearly all of my family members.

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Virtually Annie's avatar

Love this Amie. I'd love to be more present in my life and it's something I've been thinking deeper about lately. My word of the year is champion. Champion others (clients, loved ones, myself) and present my very best work. I hope you have a wonderfully present year.

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Nathalie's avatar

I looove the Aurora cycle so so much. I don‘t know how I could ever decide on a favorite character or a favorite scene. I think about those books so often even though it‘s been a while since I‘ve read them. But one thing I will never forget is in the first book, how you discribed the planet where they talked to Auroras Dad. I loved how you described nature and how the plants had overtook and retaken the buildings and also how the people looked with the flowers coming out of their eyes and everything. It was so scary und beautiful at the same time. It really stuck with me. I‘m so looking forward to your next newsletter, have a great time until then :)

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Poppydots's avatar

The Aurora Cycle impacted me in a way that I had not seen for a very long time and have not seen since: I was so enthralled by the world and the story that I was unable to read another book for MONTHS. I could only reread the series, make playlists of songs that reminded me of the books, and (successfully!) sing its praises to anyone who would listen. This was a series I checked out from the library and when I finished, I thought "I have to give these authors my money," so I bought copies of my own from my local indie bookstore. I am also not one to cry when consuming media but I was s o b b i n g finishing Aurora's End.

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Jess's avatar

If the Illuminae surprise is what I think it is, I am super excited and can’t wait! I love the editions like this that that company does. I’m excited to read all of the annotations from you and Jay!!

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Yasmin Hinde's avatar

I can't wait until lady's Night comes out, I've already pre-ordered it and it sounds amazing. Congratulations on 10 years of Illuminae, it's an amazing series (many tears were shed when I read them). I can't wait to see what you have in stall for us this year surrounding the anniversary! I absolutely love Aurora Cycle and all of Squad 312, though Zila is probably my favourite character. There were so many amazing scenes throughout the books, and I think my favourite was when Kal and Tyler disguised as guards to sneak in and hack into the software, they almost get caught by another guard and thinking of how to make the guard turn around, Ty grabs Kal and kisses him. Then Kal punches Ty in the face and it never fails to make me laugh. Another contender is the time loop in Aurora's End, I was sitting on the edge of my seat for many chapters, and many tears were shed over that too. Honestly I could list many more favourite scenes, but it might end up being as long as the trilogy.

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Rowan's avatar

I think I’d be the ace, but I think that’s just coz I get carsick when I’m not driving. Maybe the reason I get airsick is coz I need to get in the pilot’s seat?👀

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Scout McCreedy's avatar

My favorite thing about the Aurora Cycle is the fandom. Reading about Squad 312 changed my life and introduced my to my own squad. As someone who never had many friends when I was a kid, to be able to see people truly caring about something as much I always have is a gift I will always cherish.

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Alannah Peopels's avatar

My favourite line in the book is from Kal I think (though I’m not sure) and its “he the epitome of order, she the personification of chaos.” I don’t know why I loved that line so much it just stuck with me… also I’d either be an ace or a face…possibly more leaning towards face but I always thought it would be fun to fly.

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Olivia O’Moore's avatar

I absolutely loved Aurora Cycle! It was the first series I read by you and Jay Kristoff. I loved it so much I then had to go and read your other series, The Iluminae Files. My favorite character was Kal, but I absolutely LIVED for Tyler povs. If it was late and I was going to stop reading, but his pov was next, I had to keep reading. I’ve read it a couple times and honestly, I should probably do it again and again.

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Scarlett's avatar

After reading the illuminae series, I knew I needed more work by Amie and Jay. I came across and the Aurora Cycle and jumped right in. This was the book series that made me start reading more and more, starting a book goal for the year and connecting with people over our love of books. Loved Zila, from the start of her POV where she only had one page to the last book where she had a whole chapter, it was like she was opening up more to us while also opening up to the squad more and I loved that! My other favorite part and one that lives rent free in my mind- making me laugh whenever I’m reminded of it- is when Kal and Tyler are in disguise as guards trying to sneak in and hack into the software, they are about to leave a room when another guard is headed to them. Thinking of how to make the guard turn around, Tyler grabs Kal and kisses him. They succeed in making the guard turn around and leave but Tyler earns a punch from Kal which is well deserved.

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Neli Kalatzis's avatar

This was one of my first sci-fi books and omg I was in love since. I loved everything about this book, EVERYTHIBG. All the characters were amazing (and I’m still angry at the near deaths or actual deaths that happened). I loved the squad, the setting and most of all the found famiky. All of the characters loved eachother so much

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Belinda Grant's avatar

Though it was controversial at the time- the cliff hanger of Aurora Burning will always be my favourite. It was so intense and left such fun questions to ponder while we waiting to see where you would take it next!

I love present as a word of the year. My word is quality. Mostly because I want to be more deliberate about quality time with my kids, but also because I do too many things without thinking why. This year I want to be more strategic with my time-- working smarter not hard--and making choices about what I do rather than just jumping in and doing everything. So quality fits with that too!

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Ruby's avatar

AURORA RISING was the first book that I ever had the pleasure of calling my favourite, though it now must share that title with OBSIDIO (you and Jay are such an incredible pair of writers!). The writing is so rich and evocative, while also being so fun! I have cried, laughed, and raised many an intrigued eyebrow at the wacky sci-fi shenanigans and devastating emotional moments. I really appreciated how each of the characters had their moments and were explored in such depth, however my favourites have got to be Finian & Scarlett - Finian's character development was so satisfying and beautiful to watch as he opened up and found family within his squad, and Scarlett's fearlessness and confidence, balanced with her emotional nuance and kindness, really made this series such a brilliant and impactful read. I have scarcely had so much fun reading a book. Thank you!!!

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Kylie Scott's avatar

That's interesting what you said about the future. I've been realising lately that managing expectations and/or worrying over things to come can also mean not fully enjoying things. Present is a great word for the year.

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madeline's avatar

happy new year! I'm also trying to stay as present as possible this year—I'm very much a worrier, and I find myself being caught up in the future. (the problem with being a storyteller is that your mind is a little too good at making up stories, isn't it?) as for me, auri has always been my favorite—even though my heritage is different from hers, it's always a joy to see mixed-race heroes like her. beyond that, I loved how sensitive she was, and how the story emphasized that you don't have to be traditionally brave and courageous to be a hero. I hope this year brings you wonderful things!

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