Review: Illumine

Aug •  17 •  2012

Title: Illumine

Series: Illumine # 1
Genre: Young Adult-Fantasy/Paranormal
Author: Alivia Anders
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: July 4, 2012
Book: E-copy sent by author

“For the past five months Essallie Hanley has been trying to forget about the frightening murder of her boyfriend. Haunted by vivid nightmares and hallucinations of the event she does anything she can to pretend she’s like every other normal girl in High School.

Only Essallie is far from normal. Able to conjure blue fire and a shimmering silhouette of wings from her body, she seeks the only known solace left to her name; her first home in Belfast, Maine.
But she soon realizes that her return home is only the beginning of a long and twisted road taking her as far from her humanity as possible, with Kayden, the demon originally summoned to slaughter her, leading the way. Unable to touch her but oddly curious, he joins Essallie in her search to find out just what she is. But neither of them were prepared for the secrets they’ve begun to unravel, secrets that will change Essallie and everyone around her forever.”

This was a quick easy read for me. I loved that this book gave me good excitement and adventure. 
What I enjoyed most about this book is the plot. I love a fast plot that unfolds with secrets upon secrets. From the start, I am sure that Essallie is not all who she seems. The author leaves the impression that there is more to this girl. Once the plot began to unfold, I was anxious to see exactly what she is hiding.
My only beef with this book, is that at time, I could not connect with Essalie. The plot made it easy for me to get into the book but Essalie is character I found myself shaking my head at. There were times where I think I could like her but then I again, she do something and that idea is down the drain.
Overall, I liked this book most when the plot is moving. I liked the back round history to who Essalie is as well as why the demon is after her. Kayden quickly grew my growing interest and the ending is good.
Illumine is an exciting story. Despite the characters, the plot is intriguing and well thought out. Illumine creates it’s own identity with great action.
I give it 4 BITES!
  Happy Reading!

1 Comment

  1. Hm… I love to connect with characters, but have read a few where I just couldn’t but yet still managed to enjoy myself. I am a bit more leery, but still may check this one out.