Jessamin has been an
outcast since she moved from her island home of Melei to the dreary
country of Albion. Everything changes when she meets Finn, a gorgeous,
enigmatic young lord who introduces her to the secret world of Albion’s
nobility, a world that has everything Jessamin doesn’t—power, money,
status…and magic. But Finn has secrets of his own, dangerous secrets
that the vicious Lord Downpike will do anything to possess. Unless
Jessamin, armed only with her wits and her determination, can stop him. (Goodreads)
Reviewed by Valette M.
ILLUSIONS OF FATE is as delicious and
delicately woven as its cover. Like all of Kiersten White's books, it
features a strong female lead: Jessamine, a young islander now living on the
continent that 'civilized' her homeland. (Think the British empire and
colonization.) In a land where she is a second class citizen, Jessamine has to
fight for every advantage she can get. I love how confident she is: proud and
tall in the darkest circumstances. And boy does she go through some doozies!
From being tortured to losing those close to her, she puts up a stiff lip and
presses forward. She has a particularly snappy take on life. And Finn! Where do
I even begin? Jessamine is so well-rounded there are points he seems
underdeveloped by contrast. But still he epitomizes the dashing, mysterious,
perfect gentleman magician with card tricks, charm spells, and a deep dark back
story. I enjoy his flair immensely, but I approve of his utter adoration of
Jessamine even more. He gives her his shadow, guys. HIS SHADOW. And it's all so
sweet and desperately romantic I haven't been able to stop smiling all day.
Along with the heart-pounding romance comes all
manner of political intrigue. Jessamine is suddenly thrown into life on the
upper crust and finds it far more disturbing than she imagined. From one
intricate thread to the next, the reader is led along a path that delves into
the darker motives for expansion and the darker uses for magic, exploring
exactly what it means to have a fate. With mystery upon mystery, we get to see
Finn's metal tested and Jessamine's courage tried. The story moves fluidly
through revelations faster and faster until culminating with a beautiful,
shattering finale. I just wish there were more chapters after the climax! It's
probably for the best it ended so quickly, or I might have passed out from not
breathing.
I have always appreciated Kiersten White's
respect for the reader. There are no shortcuts and no dumbing down. She doesn't
write just to have more words to her name. Each story piece is tastefully
crafted for its own place: no bigger or smaller than it merits. Illusions of
Fate is exhilarating, swoon-worthy, and elegant.
Market: Young Adult
Language: Very mild if any
Sensuality: Mild
Violence: Mild
Mature Themes: None