Aurora Rising - Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

The year is 2380, and the cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the best of the best—but ends up stuck with a squad of misfits. His team? A cocky ace pilot, a sarcastic diplomat, a scientist with anger issues, a tech genius with zero people skills, and an alien warrior with a chip on her shoulder.

Worse, Tyler has just rescued a girl frozen in cryo-sleep for two centuries. Aurora Jie-Lin O'Malley is out of time, disoriented, and potentially the key to a war millennia in the making. She’s not just any girl—she may hold the secret to humanity’s survival or destruction.

Together, this unlikely crew is about to find themselves in the middle of a galaxy-spanning conflict—where the only thing standing between the universe and total annihilation might just be a group of losers, discipline cases, and disgraced cadets.

Main Themes of the Book

• Found Family: A group of outcasts forming a tight bond despite clashing personalities.
• Destiny vs. Choice: Characters must decide if they’ll follow fate or forge their own paths.
• Galactic Conflict: A large-scale sci-fi backdrop involving ancient threats and hidden agendas.
• Heroism and Sacrifice: What it truly means to be a hero when the stakes are cosmic.
• Coming of Age in Space: Young cadets grappling with identity, leadership, and responsibility.

Why you should read this book

• Written by the bestselling duo behind The Illuminae Files—expect fast pacing, witty banter, and high emotional stakes.
• A perfect blend of Guardians of the Galaxy humor with Ender’s Game tension.
• Aurora and Squad 312 offer a diverse cast of fully developed characters you’ll root for.
• Ideal for fans of space operas, YA sci-fi, and ensemble-driven stories.
• Kicks off a compelling trilogy filled with secrets, twists, and world-ending stakes.

Aurora Rising launches the Aurora Cycle with heart, humor, and hyperspace-level energy. With Kaufman and Kristoff’s signature style, this novel delivers a captivating ride through the stars—where the rejects might just be humanity’s last hope. Whether you’re a seasoned sci-fi fan or new to the genre, this story’s blend of thrills, emotion, and camaraderie is unmissable.