Hello guys! Happy Monday!
As you might already know, this is my birthday week (if you don't know, check my previous post HERE!) and I'll be having daily giveaways. But I will also be having my regular posts, so I have a Mark This Book Monday entry ready for you all.
This was one of those me books that I feel like I need to read now and then, not an ARC, not to be counted towards any challenges but one new release that I really felt like reading!
Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I fell in love with the cover of this book as soon as I saw it, and I've been coveting the teacup in said cover ever since (btw, if any of you see a teacup similar to that one anywhere, do tell me!! I NEED it!).
I decided that I really needed to read this one after I read Alyssa's review for this one. Historical fiction is one of my beloved genres and has been for as long as science fiction and even longer than fantasy!
So today I felt like needed a comfort read and a rather small book (even more since I had just recently finished Outlander with its over 700 pages!) and this was the perfect book!
I adored the setting of this book because it was so reminiscent of the Victorian times but at the same time with plenty of small touches here and there that turn the world into something new and different. We only get a bit of a small glimpse at the larger world in this one and I feel like there can be so much more! More history, more background, moooore! It is a fascinating world and I am left wanting more!
Jessamin is a wonderful main character! She's strong, intelligent, she refuses to back down easily and she won't allow herself to let others control her destiny. I loved how she also grows during the book, learning to let some of prejudices go and become someone that can make hard choices and also accept help.
Finn was a very enigmatic character and one that I really liked, and it was funny to see how Jessa missed some really clear clues when it came to him, but I guess denial is powerful indeed! Finn can be a bit irritating on occasion with his protectiveness but he's also pretty swoon-worthy. And his banter with Jessa has to be one of my favourite parts of the book too. Kiersten White is a fantastic writer of banter and witty dialogue!
The secondary characters where quite interesting, Eleanor had to be my favourite of them all. She was one of those more than you see at first characters, and I also loved her voice! Her gossip persona was more than a smoke screen and actually something she turned into an interesting weapon. And my other favourite had to be Sir Bird, for a character with no lines and a bird to boot, he was absolutely delightful!
I was actually surprised with the villain reveal, thought I'm now wondering if maybe I should have seen it coming... Anyways, it was quite the final confrontation and it managed to wrap around things well enough, even if we are left with many questions open about the bigger world, even if this particular storyline can be considered somewhat closed. I do hope we'll get some companion novels maybe, cause this one is a standalone, but I want moooore on this world, like Jessa, I want more on the history of magic!
A very fun, very quick read, with amazing writing and a great main character. Well deserved 4 stars.
View all my reviews
As you might already know, this is my birthday week (if you don't know, check my previous post HERE!) and I'll be having daily giveaways. But I will also be having my regular posts, so I have a Mark This Book Monday entry ready for you all.
This was one of those me books that I feel like I need to read now and then, not an ARC, not to be counted towards any challenges but one new release that I really felt like reading!
Illusions of Fate by Kiersten WhiteMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I fell in love with the cover of this book as soon as I saw it, and I've been coveting the teacup in said cover ever since (btw, if any of you see a teacup similar to that one anywhere, do tell me!! I NEED it!).
I decided that I really needed to read this one after I read Alyssa's review for this one. Historical fiction is one of my beloved genres and has been for as long as science fiction and even longer than fantasy!
So today I felt like needed a comfort read and a rather small book (even more since I had just recently finished Outlander with its over 700 pages!) and this was the perfect book!
I adored the setting of this book because it was so reminiscent of the Victorian times but at the same time with plenty of small touches here and there that turn the world into something new and different. We only get a bit of a small glimpse at the larger world in this one and I feel like there can be so much more! More history, more background, moooore! It is a fascinating world and I am left wanting more!
Jessamin is a wonderful main character! She's strong, intelligent, she refuses to back down easily and she won't allow herself to let others control her destiny. I loved how she also grows during the book, learning to let some of prejudices go and become someone that can make hard choices and also accept help.
Finn was a very enigmatic character and one that I really liked, and it was funny to see how Jessa missed some really clear clues when it came to him, but I guess denial is powerful indeed! Finn can be a bit irritating on occasion with his protectiveness but he's also pretty swoon-worthy. And his banter with Jessa has to be one of my favourite parts of the book too. Kiersten White is a fantastic writer of banter and witty dialogue!
The secondary characters where quite interesting, Eleanor had to be my favourite of them all. She was one of those more than you see at first characters, and I also loved her voice! Her gossip persona was more than a smoke screen and actually something she turned into an interesting weapon. And my other favourite had to be Sir Bird, for a character with no lines and a bird to boot, he was absolutely delightful!
I was actually surprised with the villain reveal, thought I'm now wondering if maybe I should have seen it coming... Anyways, it was quite the final confrontation and it managed to wrap around things well enough, even if we are left with many questions open about the bigger world, even if this particular storyline can be considered somewhat closed. I do hope we'll get some companion novels maybe, cause this one is a standalone, but I want moooore on this world, like Jessa, I want more on the history of magic!
A very fun, very quick read, with amazing writing and a great main character. Well deserved 4 stars.
View all my reviews
I want this book now!! I need a quick good bones read right now. Was this on NetG or EW? If it was I am going to kick myself.
ReplyDeleteIt was on EW (I got declined for it) but do not kick yourself lady!
DeleteGlad to hear you enjoyed it Pili, I've heard varying things about this book. Kiersten has always written witty and hilarious dialogue, so good to see it carried through here. Jessamin sounds like a really strong character, but if only there was more world building. Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteYeah, the lack of further world building was my only gripe with this book!
DeleteThank you, Jeann!
I'm glad that you enjoyed this, Pili! Unlike you, I didn't enjoy this one because I just coudln't click with the characters but I think it just wasn't my cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteLovely review! <33
Thank you, Melanie! It's true, if you don't click with the character it's very hard to connect with the book.
DeleteI always feel weird when I mention in one of my reviews that I didn't see something coming, and all of the commenters who've read it as well completely disagree, so hopefully that's not the case here with the villain. Hehe At least you were happy with the overall resolution despite wanting more. There's nothing I hate more than feeling unsatisfied, and not knowing whether there will be a sequel.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carmel! So far seems that I'm not the only one that was confused...
DeleteAnd yeah, the author said it was a standalone, but that the world isn't closed for her, so I hope we'll get a companion or something!
I'm hearing nothing but good things about this one Pili, and I can't wait to dive into it! Eleanor has me particularly intrigued, I love a character who can make me laugh and I've heard she's a trip. Also, Sir Bird. YES TO ANIMAL CHARACTER STEALING THE SHOW:)
ReplyDeleteEleanor was adorable and hilarious! And yes SIR BIRD WAS AMAZING!!
DeleteI cannot wait to hear what you think about the book Jenny!
This sounds amazing. I really like the sound of this one. Though for me I couldn't seem to get to grips with some of Kiersten's other work like Mind Games and White Lies I think its called. I need to get into her Parnormalcy series. Have you read it!? But I must say I do need to get back into historical fiction, I'm not a huge fan but I'll always give something a go and this one certainly sounds like something I would enjoy! Great review, Pili! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Emma! This was a lot of fun!
DeleteParanormalcy was a lot of fun trilogy, but very much into the fluffy territory!
I don't know about this one. I do love historical fiction but I haven't had the best of luck with Kiersten White's books. Glad you enjoyed it though. I'm also debating possibly starting Outlanders... I'm very curious.
ReplyDelete-Mari
Oh you must read Outlander! Jamie Fraser is completely swoon-worthy and the story was amazing!!
DeleteGreat review Pili. <3 I'm glad you enjoyed this book a lot :D I do get why you loved it. Probably. Maybe. Though I had more issues with it, lol :D But yesss. The cover is gooorgeous. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you so much sweetie!! You're a dear, Carina!
DeleteI was surprised with the villain reveal too! I really liked that I didn't see it coming. Eleanor and Sir Bird were such fun characters and I also loved the banter between Finn and Jessa. :)
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear you were also surprised, Kaitlin! This book was a lot of fun!
DeleteI love smaller books to get out of book funks especially. Also, the size of Outlander is why I never had the courage to try it haha. This sounds like a great quick read, though! I really enjoyed Paranormalcy from this author and that's the only once I've read so far. Both Jessamin and Finn sound like great characters. And Jessamin - love the name! Love seeing character growth in a book, too, and impressive for short book, too! Great review, Pili!
ReplyDeleteI read Outlander on eBook cause it's too big to want to start it just looking at it, but very much worth it!!
DeleteIf you loved Paranormalcy, I think you'd probably love this one too!
Thank you, Giselle!
If only there had been more to this book. It was such a fun and fluffy read yet it felt like it was lacking something just because there didn't seem to be enough world building in my opinion. Anyway, I totally agree about Finn. He really bothered me at the beginning but then he grew on me and I loved him by the end!
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see you enjoyed this one Pili!! :)
Lovely review
Rashika @ The Social Potato
I agree, I am left wanting more world building, more details & more history of magic! But it was a very much fun and adorable read!
DeleteThank you, Rashika!
Loved this one! I'm glad you did too. Definitely White's best, in my opinion!
ReplyDeleteAlyssa @ The Eater of Books!
I have to agree, Mind Games & Perfect Lies were quite harder to get into, but I was loving the world and rooting for Jessa from the first page!
DeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed this one! I don't use to read these kind of books, but I think I'll give this a try (specially because I really want to have that cover!).
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
Isn't it absolutely gorgeous!?!
DeleteThank you, Lis!
I liked this one for the most part too. It was a quick read and I read it with no reviewing commitments too! Nice to do that occasionally :-) I wish that this wasn't a stand alone to be honest. I think the world could have used some more depth...never bad when I want more though. Great review Pili!
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree, Kristen! It was a quick read but I wanted MOOOOORE!!
Delete