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Illumine #1
Illumine
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.
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.
110 pages, Hardcover
First published January 7, 2012
70 people are currently reading
5493 people want to read
About the author
Alivia Anders
31 books369 followersAlivia Anders was thirteen when she fell headfirst into the world of internet fanfic and RPG-forum board sites that showed her the 'back door' into the world of writing. Four years and many hours spent glued to a computer screen later she found her true calling in writing.
Alivia currently lives with her family in her hometown of Coopersburg, PA. She frequently admits that if she wasn't so intolerant to dairy she'd live at her local ice cream shop called The Inside Scoop.
Alivia currently lives with her family in her hometown of Coopersburg, PA. She frequently admits that if she wasn't so intolerant to dairy she'd live at her local ice cream shop called The Inside Scoop.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
February 10, 2014
I guess I get to be that person. 5 stars? Oh, I don't think so. I'm not sure I read the same book everyone else did...but there is no way this book is 5 star worthy.
What exactly did I read?
"Actually, that would be exactly what I see right now." Supposedly this sentence held big words. I can't find any though. Could someone help me out here?
Ah. This book. I hated it. I didn't want to read it. I read it though.
Let's start at the beginning.
Who is Chase? He's supposed to be Essallie's boyfriend. She goes to a party...that she didn't even want to attend. With her best friend. Then for some reason unknown to anyone, they lure her into a secluded room to perform a ritual. Chase is granted eternal life in exchange for Essallie, this deal being done with Kayden--a demon. Sounds exciting. I was like o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o....but then for some reason Kayden eats Chase--yes, eats him, but only after he starts aging rapidly for another unexplained reason. Cassie goes screaming from the room...and then BAM. 5 months LATER. All of a sudden Essallie is in a new home, and school, with all new friends. What happened?
There's some poetic descriptions of the sky...and clouds...and trees...but not much else. There is absolutely no character development. Shit, there's not even any character introduction. People just show up willy nilly. Things just happen to happen. There's no structure. There's no plot. There's.....well, there a whole lot of shenanigans that make absolutely no sense. There's no build up. There's no excitement. There's no follow through with anything that happens in this book. You're told more than you're shown, but even then you're not actually told much. There are no connections to anyone or anything. I'm still baffled as to what actually happened in this book. It was very disappointing.
The amount of errors in this book was atrocious. Did anyone read this before Anders published it? Were there no suggestions? Nothing?
So many wrong words. more than mom than you know. I don't appreciate having to decipher code while reading a book, but then to try and decipher the characters and plot too? That's your job as the author! Not mine as the reader.
Somehow I knew that falling into that abyss would be the same as giving into the smoke. One would assume that falling off a cliff would mean their doom. But then she gets overtaken by the smoke and nothing happens....what. the. hell. is. going. on. here?
A very wonky timeline runs through here...even the weather is crazy as hell. One day you have 6 feet of snow on the ground, the next there's none. Then there's supposed to be some freak storm that doesn't show up--but then does, and no one was prepared for it...I'm so confused.
Essallie has a temperature of 122....and is sent home. The nurse who remarks that she should be dead, doesn't bat an eye. Doesn't bother calling for an ambulance. Even Essallie's brother, who responded to that Jessica chick having a random seizure--which also amounted to nothing--just thinks to cover her with ice. I had thought he was an EMT or something. Does Anders know nothing about fevers? Does she not know that ice baths cause shock? Does she not know that if you're running 103 fevers you should be seen by a doctor? Good lord.
What and who the hell is Leo? Why did he know what Essallie was? Where did he even come from? He's got a girlfriend for crying out loud. What the heck was even taking place here? I'm starting to think that Anders forgot what she was writing about, like the second she started typing. And then crazy ideas would form, and rather than incorporate them into the story with any semblance of sense, she just kept on writing.
Essallie and Kayden...I don't even know. She wasn't scared of him, as she should have been. She tried talking shit, but she doesn't know how to. She would try and get tough and burn him, but yeah ultimately she was an idiot. Kayden, who was supposed to want to eat her, wasn't intimidating in the slightest. He sure didn't act demonic. Why was he even wanting to help her in the first place?
Don't get me started on Demon poison being "forbidden"...
There are more? More books to this? Are you kidding me? Are they going to provide what is missing from this book? Like character introductions? What happened in the weeks that were just entirely skipped in this book? I don't think I have read anything as awful as this. This makes Alyson Noel look fantastic. This is just awful.
My advice? Stay away. Stay far, far away!
What exactly did I read?
"Actually, that would be exactly what I see right now." Supposedly this sentence held big words. I can't find any though. Could someone help me out here?
Ah. This book. I hated it. I didn't want to read it. I read it though.
Let's start at the beginning.
Who is Chase? He's supposed to be Essallie's boyfriend. She goes to a party...that she didn't even want to attend. With her best friend. Then for some reason unknown to anyone, they lure her into a secluded room to perform a ritual. Chase is granted eternal life in exchange for Essallie, this deal being done with Kayden--a demon. Sounds exciting. I was like o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o....but then for some reason Kayden eats Chase--yes, eats him, but only after he starts aging rapidly for another unexplained reason. Cassie goes screaming from the room...and then BAM. 5 months LATER. All of a sudden Essallie is in a new home, and school, with all new friends. What happened?
There's some poetic descriptions of the sky...and clouds...and trees...but not much else. There is absolutely no character development. Shit, there's not even any character introduction. People just show up willy nilly. Things just happen to happen. There's no structure. There's no plot. There's.....well, there a whole lot of shenanigans that make absolutely no sense. There's no build up. There's no excitement. There's no follow through with anything that happens in this book. You're told more than you're shown, but even then you're not actually told much. There are no connections to anyone or anything. I'm still baffled as to what actually happened in this book. It was very disappointing.
The amount of errors in this book was atrocious. Did anyone read this before Anders published it? Were there no suggestions? Nothing?
So many wrong words. more than mom than you know. I don't appreciate having to decipher code while reading a book, but then to try and decipher the characters and plot too? That's your job as the author! Not mine as the reader.
Somehow I knew that falling into that abyss would be the same as giving into the smoke. One would assume that falling off a cliff would mean their doom. But then she gets overtaken by the smoke and nothing happens....what. the. hell. is. going. on. here?
A very wonky timeline runs through here...even the weather is crazy as hell. One day you have 6 feet of snow on the ground, the next there's none. Then there's supposed to be some freak storm that doesn't show up--but then does, and no one was prepared for it...I'm so confused.
Essallie has a temperature of 122....and is sent home. The nurse who remarks that she should be dead, doesn't bat an eye. Doesn't bother calling for an ambulance. Even Essallie's brother, who responded to that Jessica chick having a random seizure--which also amounted to nothing--just thinks to cover her with ice. I had thought he was an EMT or something. Does Anders know nothing about fevers? Does she not know that ice baths cause shock? Does she not know that if you're running 103 fevers you should be seen by a doctor? Good lord.
What and who the hell is Leo? Why did he know what Essallie was? Where did he even come from? He's got a girlfriend for crying out loud. What the heck was even taking place here? I'm starting to think that Anders forgot what she was writing about, like the second she started typing. And then crazy ideas would form, and rather than incorporate them into the story with any semblance of sense, she just kept on writing.
Essallie and Kayden...I don't even know. She wasn't scared of him, as she should have been. She tried talking shit, but she doesn't know how to. She would try and get tough and burn him, but yeah ultimately she was an idiot. Kayden, who was supposed to want to eat her, wasn't intimidating in the slightest. He sure didn't act demonic. Why was he even wanting to help her in the first place?
Don't get me started on Demon poison being "forbidden"...
There are more? More books to this? Are you kidding me? Are they going to provide what is missing from this book? Like character introductions? What happened in the weeks that were just entirely skipped in this book? I don't think I have read anything as awful as this. This makes Alyson Noel look fantastic. This is just awful.
My advice? Stay away. Stay far, far away!
January 27, 2012
I waited a long long time to be able to read anything of Alivias! Worth the wait! Let's be clear, I am her Mother and as such give her FIVE stars! Reality I would have given her four stars for the grammar. But the story was beautiful, now I have other characters to root for besides my Edward and Bella, now I have Essie and Kayden! I was sad when it ended and and dying for the second book but I am left waiting just like everyone else! Momma knew her girl could do it! Love you Livi!
January 12, 2012
I can't really give much of a review on my own book, buuuuut if I had to, I'd say this.
What is left open in this book will close over the next several ones, and I promise you, it will be worth it.
What is left open in this book will close over the next several ones, and I promise you, it will be worth it.
August 7, 2012
Worthy of development - 3.6 stars
Plot: 3/5 stars
I have, once again, stepped out of my comfort zone and read something I don't normally read. I have read and enjoyed YA before but only a select few: Harry Potter and Twilight, for example. I actually really enjoyed the plot but deducted two stars from this portion of the review for the following reasons: First, I felt like the plot was a sapling compared to what it could be. I saw so much potential in it that I ached for further development and, as a result, a thicker book. It felt very rushed like the author had a general idea but didn't let it marinade quite enough ... this plot is a fine wine that needed to age just a bit longer. The second star was deducted because, in the end, it seemed like more people in this story knew about the paranormal or were themselves paranormal than not. The main character became the lost puppy and everyone knew who and what she was except her. This works in a story like Harry Potter where the character is completely transported to a different culture but didn't work as well here.
Characters: 4/5 stars
The characters are unique from other books but had a tendency to share the same personality flaws which left them feeling a bit one note and lost this portion a star. It seemed like the females were all prone to sudden explosions of strong emotion and outburst while the males were generally level-headed, patient, calm, and endearing. Character development and individuality is, perhaps, one of the most difficult things for an author to achieve and this is something that, I think, will come with practice for this author.
Writing: 4/5 stars
~Narrative: When it comes to unique similes this author has a niche market all her own. She has a way of putting things that made me just stop, think for a minute, and then nod my head and say `wow, I've never heard that before and it's kinda strange but it works'.
~Dialogue: I'm deducting one star for the dialogue because the characters often "sounded" a lot alike and sometimes it was even hard to tell which female was quipping off in any given conversation.
Editing/Formatting: 2/5 stars (kindle)
It's unfortunate that this book didn't undergo more editing and formatting as this rating, though honest, will likely affect the book's overall rating. I read the Kindle version and removed 1 star for a plethora of typos and mistakes, 1 star for a lack of page breaks & chapter emphasis, and 1 star because (and this really broke my heart) there were some page breaks at odd places like in the middle of a paragraph or even a sentence.
Originality: 5/5 stars
Originality is in the bag on this one and I can't even say too much about why because it would ruin the story so you're just going to have to take my word for it (or read it yourself, which I would recommend) that when it comes to a collection of uniqueness and an embrace of fearless creativity (and rightfully so) ... this author deserves an Oscar.
~Copy provided for review purposes
Plot: 3/5 stars
I have, once again, stepped out of my comfort zone and read something I don't normally read. I have read and enjoyed YA before but only a select few: Harry Potter and Twilight, for example. I actually really enjoyed the plot but deducted two stars from this portion of the review for the following reasons: First, I felt like the plot was a sapling compared to what it could be. I saw so much potential in it that I ached for further development and, as a result, a thicker book. It felt very rushed like the author had a general idea but didn't let it marinade quite enough ... this plot is a fine wine that needed to age just a bit longer. The second star was deducted because, in the end, it seemed like more people in this story knew about the paranormal or were themselves paranormal than not. The main character became the lost puppy and everyone knew who and what she was except her. This works in a story like Harry Potter where the character is completely transported to a different culture but didn't work as well here.
Characters: 4/5 stars
The characters are unique from other books but had a tendency to share the same personality flaws which left them feeling a bit one note and lost this portion a star. It seemed like the females were all prone to sudden explosions of strong emotion and outburst while the males were generally level-headed, patient, calm, and endearing. Character development and individuality is, perhaps, one of the most difficult things for an author to achieve and this is something that, I think, will come with practice for this author.
Writing: 4/5 stars
~Narrative: When it comes to unique similes this author has a niche market all her own. She has a way of putting things that made me just stop, think for a minute, and then nod my head and say `wow, I've never heard that before and it's kinda strange but it works'.
~Dialogue: I'm deducting one star for the dialogue because the characters often "sounded" a lot alike and sometimes it was even hard to tell which female was quipping off in any given conversation.
Editing/Formatting: 2/5 stars (kindle)
It's unfortunate that this book didn't undergo more editing and formatting as this rating, though honest, will likely affect the book's overall rating. I read the Kindle version and removed 1 star for a plethora of typos and mistakes, 1 star for a lack of page breaks & chapter emphasis, and 1 star because (and this really broke my heart) there were some page breaks at odd places like in the middle of a paragraph or even a sentence.
Originality: 5/5 stars
Originality is in the bag on this one and I can't even say too much about why because it would ruin the story so you're just going to have to take my word for it (or read it yourself, which I would recommend) that when it comes to a collection of uniqueness and an embrace of fearless creativity (and rightfully so) ... this author deserves an Oscar.
~Copy provided for review purposes
April 9, 2012
Right at the beginning I got confused trying to pin down Essalie's age. In a two page span she is noted as sixteen and seventeen. I don't mean a birthday occurs in those two pages, more like a typo. I guess oldest mention trumps youngest plus it makes more sense to the story. My next complaint is way too many media mentions. This is the quickest way to lose my interest. I know the moment someone mentions current media, for example: Deal or no Deal, that I am not reading a potential classic. There are also some mentions of people or phrases that I didn't understand.
The beginning of this book is really weird and off the wall. I was wondering how she could possibly get in that situation with those people. Then we start to settle into a rhythm and the book and characters begin to take shape, if only loosely. It was still weird but in an acceptable way. And then I began to wonder where the book was going and what the purpose of everything was. I might have possibly begun to get bored when a few paragraphs later everyone is dead. Okay, not literally but I went from a state of head lolling sleepiness to horror and confusion. I had to flip back through the pages to make sure I didn't miss anything. Nope, I didn't miss anything, it is just a bit abrupt. Wait, the abruptness isn't over since the book is now quite suddenly finished. I am confused and wondering why? What is the motive for the bad dudes? Who is she? Why are all these odd characters in this mix and for what reason?
Now the best part of the book is our wishy washy heroine. She goes through a very traumatic experience which seems to permanently effect all her future choices. Except when the instigator of her horrible experience decides to dog her steps, she starts to lose her reason and higher logic. Has she lost her mind? How could she possibly forget what Kayden did and who he is? Why would you ever trust someone who is evil and eats people? More specifically who is trying to find a way to eat you? I think if there were more development into Essalie and Kayden this transition wouldn't feel like such a violation of nature.
This book needs to be edited as it has a slew of missing words, misspellings, and sentence structure difficulties. These all disrupt the flow of the story. I don't mean by this that the book is terrible, it has potential. It just needs some polishing as well as more meat as the story progresses.The characters could also benefit from some extra TLC. Help me to understand their thoughts or feelings a bit more and I will be able to emphasize with them.
The book isn't as bad as I make it sound. I enjoyed reading it and might possibly read the next installment just to see if the characters fill out and my questions are answered.
Content:
Sexual: Mild
Violence: Graphic
Swearing:Heavy
The beginning of this book is really weird and off the wall. I was wondering how she could possibly get in that situation with those people. Then we start to settle into a rhythm and the book and characters begin to take shape, if only loosely. It was still weird but in an acceptable way. And then I began to wonder where the book was going and what the purpose of everything was. I might have possibly begun to get bored when a few paragraphs later everyone is dead. Okay, not literally but I went from a state of head lolling sleepiness to horror and confusion. I had to flip back through the pages to make sure I didn't miss anything. Nope, I didn't miss anything, it is just a bit abrupt. Wait, the abruptness isn't over since the book is now quite suddenly finished. I am confused and wondering why? What is the motive for the bad dudes? Who is she? Why are all these odd characters in this mix and for what reason?
Now the best part of the book is our wishy washy heroine. She goes through a very traumatic experience which seems to permanently effect all her future choices. Except when the instigator of her horrible experience decides to dog her steps, she starts to lose her reason and higher logic. Has she lost her mind? How could she possibly forget what Kayden did and who he is? Why would you ever trust someone who is evil and eats people? More specifically who is trying to find a way to eat you? I think if there were more development into Essalie and Kayden this transition wouldn't feel like such a violation of nature.
This book needs to be edited as it has a slew of missing words, misspellings, and sentence structure difficulties. These all disrupt the flow of the story. I don't mean by this that the book is terrible, it has potential. It just needs some polishing as well as more meat as the story progresses.The characters could also benefit from some extra TLC. Help me to understand their thoughts or feelings a bit more and I will be able to emphasize with them.
The book isn't as bad as I make it sound. I enjoyed reading it and might possibly read the next installment just to see if the characters fill out and my questions are answered.
Content:
Sexual: Mild
Violence: Graphic
Swearing:Heavy
January 14, 2012
Illumine was a little hard to get into at first. The beginning was somewhat wordy and choppy and there were a few name-drops and I kind of was like, "Ugh, please don't make this sound like a Blue Bloods novel." But I got past the prologue, and immediately, I was immersed in Essallie's world.
It was amazing. It was perfect YA fiction. Really. PERFECT YA FICTION. It reminded me a little of Lauren Kate's novel "Fallen." But only in the way that it flowed really well, not because they're both about half-angels.
I liked how Alivia Anders didn't try to shove information at you all at once. What was explained was simple, she didn't try to complicate anything. It was wonderful.
Essallie was a good character, likable. Even Ursula was likable, in her own way. Kayden grows on you. Each character has depth, and they aren't just silly Mary Sues.
The ending comes too fast, and I can't wait for the sequel.
It was amazing. It was perfect YA fiction. Really. PERFECT YA FICTION. It reminded me a little of Lauren Kate's novel "Fallen." But only in the way that it flowed really well, not because they're both about half-angels.
I liked how Alivia Anders didn't try to shove information at you all at once. What was explained was simple, she didn't try to complicate anything. It was wonderful.
Essallie was a good character, likable. Even Ursula was likable, in her own way. Kayden grows on you. Each character has depth, and they aren't just silly Mary Sues.
The ending comes too fast, and I can't wait for the sequel.
January 12, 2012
Thank your for a great read. I cannot WAIT til the next one!
September 28, 2021
I thought Essallie was a strange name. this was graphic in places, I liked Kayden though, I like bad boys I think ha ha. i think this would be better longer. it was pretty bad how chase traded Essallie in for eternal life. nice boyfriend. I'm glad I read it though, I've had it ages.
January 12, 2012
The self-publishing movement when it comes to books is gaining prominence over the last five years. Ever since its introduction with companies like Lulu and iUniverse, it has grown to a more reliable option for publishers who wanted more freedom with their writing. I myself have self-published my "Faith Saves All" Series because of the sensitive material most traditional publishers seem to shy away from even though I am now being opted for traditional since I'm writing books publishing houses really like...such as chick-lit and paranormal. Anyways, every once in awhile out of the self-published authors who write a novel, a little golden nugget is found. Titles like Chicken Soup for the Soul and Eragon found popularity and they are self-published titles. With Alivia Anders, she is one of the lucky to be able to promote her book at the 99 cent electronic book price tag which is something most traditional publishers and even big time self-publishing houses like iUniverse won't opt for. Ergo, I picked up her book for my Kindle Reader Program for Windows (And later my Nook Tablet) and of course read it. I am not disappointed whatsoever.
To save on typing space, feel free to go to Illumine's Goodreads page. There is a pretty good synopsis of what to expect. After that, I have to say the best part of the books comes with the simplicity of character development and the overall delivery of the plot. It is also quite cunning on Alivia's behalf to use a lot of mythological, scientific, and religious references in her novel which is quite fitting once you read it. This includes the characters Ursula (Probably referencing Ursula Goodenough for her research and study on the Epic of Evolution which I referenced the characters evolution throughout her life), Leo (Probably referenced from the astrological symbol or constellation, or even the fact the Holy Trinity is sometimes represented as a Lion), and Kayden (Probably referencing Kayden McLeod, the author of Demonic Pandemonium). I am unsure if the references are primary but I found them so. I am also surprised there is nobody named Enoch either.
There are of course flaws with this novel. Previously I said the overall delivery of the novel was a strong point but there is a reason I stated it as "overall". Near the end, it seems Alivia started to rush her writing. The rest of the book was entertaining and had enough depth and character to keep readers thoroughly engrossed. The ending - especially the second to the last chapter - needed a lot of polishing. What I mean is the specifics of the ending could have been explained more intricately or thoroughly to provide a more visible imagining for readers. It is way too simplistic and does leave some open holes in certain areas. Also, the book suffers from one of the curses of self-publishing which is the need of a professional edit or at least a run-through by anyone who knows how to professionally edit. The fact I came across misspelled words seems to be incorrect since most word processors have spell check. True some words do pass the all seeing eye of the spell check scan so that can be forgiven. The grammar however needs a redo especially with the lack of commas used. I myself am guilty of this in my first novel but its something I probably should pass down to Alivia too. Learn. How. To. Use. Commas.
Finally, the book is really short for a YA novel. This can either be a benefit or a weakness depending on the reader. In the end, all the good and the bad would have made me give this novel three stars out of five. One little factor gives it a higher score: you get a lot more for what you pay. This is a very good book is you can look past the roughness and lack of detail. The story is solid, the delivery is overall good, the characters are memorable enough, and the book is a quick read which may be good for certain things such as a 2012 Reading Challenge probably? I will say it is no Divergent or The Hunger Games, but overall, it is a good enough read worth sitting down to while you sip Mountain Dew through a straw.
To save on typing space, feel free to go to Illumine's Goodreads page. There is a pretty good synopsis of what to expect. After that, I have to say the best part of the books comes with the simplicity of character development and the overall delivery of the plot. It is also quite cunning on Alivia's behalf to use a lot of mythological, scientific, and religious references in her novel which is quite fitting once you read it. This includes the characters Ursula (Probably referencing Ursula Goodenough for her research and study on the Epic of Evolution which I referenced the characters evolution throughout her life), Leo (Probably referenced from the astrological symbol or constellation, or even the fact the Holy Trinity is sometimes represented as a Lion), and Kayden (Probably referencing Kayden McLeod, the author of Demonic Pandemonium). I am unsure if the references are primary but I found them so. I am also surprised there is nobody named Enoch either.
There are of course flaws with this novel. Previously I said the overall delivery of the novel was a strong point but there is a reason I stated it as "overall". Near the end, it seems Alivia started to rush her writing. The rest of the book was entertaining and had enough depth and character to keep readers thoroughly engrossed. The ending - especially the second to the last chapter - needed a lot of polishing. What I mean is the specifics of the ending could have been explained more intricately or thoroughly to provide a more visible imagining for readers. It is way too simplistic and does leave some open holes in certain areas. Also, the book suffers from one of the curses of self-publishing which is the need of a professional edit or at least a run-through by anyone who knows how to professionally edit. The fact I came across misspelled words seems to be incorrect since most word processors have spell check. True some words do pass the all seeing eye of the spell check scan so that can be forgiven. The grammar however needs a redo especially with the lack of commas used. I myself am guilty of this in my first novel but its something I probably should pass down to Alivia too. Learn. How. To. Use. Commas.
Finally, the book is really short for a YA novel. This can either be a benefit or a weakness depending on the reader. In the end, all the good and the bad would have made me give this novel three stars out of five. One little factor gives it a higher score: you get a lot more for what you pay. This is a very good book is you can look past the roughness and lack of detail. The story is solid, the delivery is overall good, the characters are memorable enough, and the book is a quick read which may be good for certain things such as a 2012 Reading Challenge probably? I will say it is no Divergent or The Hunger Games, but overall, it is a good enough read worth sitting down to while you sip Mountain Dew through a straw.
January 18, 2012
Essallie Hanley is trying to forget the sight of when her boyfriend was murdered. Now suffering from nightmares and hallucinations, she just trying to pretend to be a normal girl. But she is far from normal. She can conjure blue fire from her hands and a silhouette of wings from her body.When she returns home to Maine, she is struggling with her humanity. And Kayden, the demon who was summoned to kill her, now following her around. Unable to touch her and wanting to why, he joins Essallie in finding out who she is. But as secrets begin unraveling, it could change Essallie's and everyone else life around them forever.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a light and a quick read for me. I like how the beginning part of the story drew me in. Not the very beginning, but when Essallie goes to the party, that drew me in! Great action from the very beginning. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters.
My favorite character of the story is Kayden, of course! He was different. In the beginning he kind of creep me out. I thought he was weird, especially with what happened at the party. Disturbing! But as the book progressed, I really enjoyed his character. Essallie, I like her at times. Not so much in the beginning. She got on my nerves a tad bit, but not to the extreme. But that changed as I continued to read the story. I liked her a lot by the end of the story. A the little hint of a possible connection between Kayden and Essallie... Loved it!
The action in this book was great. I love action, especially with that final scene in the book when everything comes to light... I thought it was written out amazing and I enjoyed it so much!
But one thing I didn't like about this book was when the book switches end a scene and go into the next. Sometimes I felt like there kind have been more to certain scenes in the book and that it skipped to the next scene to quickly. But that is one of the only flaws I really have about the book. I can't wait to see what happens in the sequel because that ending left me with too many unanswered questions!
Overall, it was a fun read. It was very fast paced, quick read. If you like YA books about a little bit of magic, angels, and demons, I think you should give this book I try! I really enjoyed it!
I really enjoyed this book. It was a light and a quick read for me. I like how the beginning part of the story drew me in. Not the very beginning, but when Essallie goes to the party, that drew me in! Great action from the very beginning. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters.
My favorite character of the story is Kayden, of course! He was different. In the beginning he kind of creep me out. I thought he was weird, especially with what happened at the party. Disturbing! But as the book progressed, I really enjoyed his character. Essallie, I like her at times. Not so much in the beginning. She got on my nerves a tad bit, but not to the extreme. But that changed as I continued to read the story. I liked her a lot by the end of the story. A the little hint of a possible connection between Kayden and Essallie... Loved it!
The action in this book was great. I love action, especially with that final scene in the book when everything comes to light... I thought it was written out amazing and I enjoyed it so much!
But one thing I didn't like about this book was when the book switches end a scene and go into the next. Sometimes I felt like there kind have been more to certain scenes in the book and that it skipped to the next scene to quickly. But that is one of the only flaws I really have about the book. I can't wait to see what happens in the sequel because that ending left me with too many unanswered questions!
Overall, it was a fun read. It was very fast paced, quick read. If you like YA books about a little bit of magic, angels, and demons, I think you should give this book I try! I really enjoyed it!
September 25, 2012
Overall: For me this book started out with a bang. We get to witness Essallie go through a very traumatizing experience when a demon kills her boyfriend. She tries to move on but then the demon shows up in her new life - and won't leave her alone. Once the demon loses all trace of the scariness and evilness - I began to lose interest in this book and it drifted into becoming just another paranormal romance novel. I had very high hopes for this book after reading the first couple chapters. I thought that the rest of the novel would continue along a darker path than typical of the genre. Nope.
Characters: What a shame that my favorite character in the beginning lost quite a bit of appeal by the end of the story. I liked Kayden, the scary demon, until he became a love-sick puppy, who did nothing but stalk Essallie. I connected more to Ursula, the succubus who has to eat her lovers to survive, than to the leading lady. Essallie pissed me off with her reluctance to just go along with the program and with her treating Kayden like crap. Just because he shredded Essallie's ex like Parmesan cheese, doesn't mean that she has to blow him off for over half the novel.
Plot: Essallie goes to a party with her boyfriend. He tries selling her soul to a demon in exchange for immortality - but she's immune to the demon's powers and so the demon kills her boyfriend. Essallie moves and then goes to a party with her new classmates - demon shows up. Demon introduces himself as Kayden and then proceeds to stalk Essallie while Essallie experiences some not so normal teenage hormonal shifts to her body. This was a different twist to angel/demons, but I wish that Essallie wasn't so damn stubborn in refusing to believe Kayden.
Ending: I did love this ending. I was definitely ready to pass up on this series until about 80% into this book. The ending had the scare and danger found in the beginning of the book. It made this book climb from a so-so book to a pretty good book. Basically, I liked the beginning and the end because it felt more like a horror novel. The middle felt like a paranormal romance novel. I wish that the genre was consistent throughout the novel.
*I received a copy of this book for review from the author.
Characters: What a shame that my favorite character in the beginning lost quite a bit of appeal by the end of the story. I liked Kayden, the scary demon, until he became a love-sick puppy, who did nothing but stalk Essallie. I connected more to Ursula, the succubus who has to eat her lovers to survive, than to the leading lady. Essallie pissed me off with her reluctance to just go along with the program and with her treating Kayden like crap. Just because he shredded Essallie's ex like Parmesan cheese, doesn't mean that she has to blow him off for over half the novel.
Plot: Essallie goes to a party with her boyfriend. He tries selling her soul to a demon in exchange for immortality - but she's immune to the demon's powers and so the demon kills her boyfriend. Essallie moves and then goes to a party with her new classmates - demon shows up. Demon introduces himself as Kayden and then proceeds to stalk Essallie while Essallie experiences some not so normal teenage hormonal shifts to her body. This was a different twist to angel/demons, but I wish that Essallie wasn't so damn stubborn in refusing to believe Kayden.
Ending: I did love this ending. I was definitely ready to pass up on this series until about 80% into this book. The ending had the scare and danger found in the beginning of the book. It made this book climb from a so-so book to a pretty good book. Basically, I liked the beginning and the end because it felt more like a horror novel. The middle felt like a paranormal romance novel. I wish that the genre was consistent throughout the novel.
*I received a copy of this book for review from the author.
February 18, 2012
Essallie is back at her family home in Maine, trying to forget a terrifying night that left her wondering if she is following in her mother's footsteps and headed for the sanatorium. The night in question is when a demon who was summoned to kill her, actually consumes her boyfriend in front on her. He tells her he will be back for her. Ok things like this don’t really happen, right? So why does she see him at different times? Is he really there or is it all her imagination?
But soon, everyone at her new school sees the demon, and he has a name…Kayden. And with his sudden arrival at school, Essie begins to notice she produces fire in her hands. For a girl trying to be normal Essie is the poster child for How Not To Fly Under The Radar. What is Essallie and can she trust Kayden to find the answers?
Illumine started out a little rough for me, apparently I was given an uncorrected ARC. But I made the most of it and really enjoyed the whole storyline. I believe the 2nd half of the book was by far my favorite where so much happens and so many secrets are starting to come out. Not everything gets resolved; in fact more questions get raised than answered, making a way for book 2.
I also found myself falling for a certain character that at first comes off as evil, only to start redeeming himself halfway in. Yeah I see hope for him and Essie in the next book of the series, Obumbrate. I am so eager to find out who the stranger is at the end of the book and find out if Essie will be ok. For Anders’ debut book, Illumine was a good read that kept my interest. So if you’re looking for a fast supernatural read, this one is perfect!
But soon, everyone at her new school sees the demon, and he has a name…Kayden. And with his sudden arrival at school, Essie begins to notice she produces fire in her hands. For a girl trying to be normal Essie is the poster child for How Not To Fly Under The Radar. What is Essallie and can she trust Kayden to find the answers?
Illumine started out a little rough for me, apparently I was given an uncorrected ARC. But I made the most of it and really enjoyed the whole storyline. I believe the 2nd half of the book was by far my favorite where so much happens and so many secrets are starting to come out. Not everything gets resolved; in fact more questions get raised than answered, making a way for book 2.
I also found myself falling for a certain character that at first comes off as evil, only to start redeeming himself halfway in. Yeah I see hope for him and Essie in the next book of the series, Obumbrate. I am so eager to find out who the stranger is at the end of the book and find out if Essie will be ok. For Anders’ debut book, Illumine was a good read that kept my interest. So if you’re looking for a fast supernatural read, this one is perfect!
March 6, 2012
When I first started reading Illumine, I wasn't warned of the horrific and graphic scenes that take place that led to my nightmare. With that being said, I much enjoyed the detail and writing style of Alivia. I love how she included 'real world' things that I could relate to into the story. Illumine definitely held my interest with tons of activity and had sent questions whirring through my head only to leave my mouth on the floor at the end. A fabulous YA read, full of many different surprises at every turn! You don't know what, or who you'll run into next!
Essallie now spends her life trying to forget that day. It seems like no matter what she does, that's all she can think about. That horrid day that changed her life forever. The things she seen and experienced that day were far beyond this world, this realm. Yet, it happened. She was there. She seen the demon right in front of her and never wants to experience it again. No more parties for Essallie. No more anything that might lead to something so sinister.
Finally, after many months of boredom and doing nothing, Essallie lets herself get talked into a party. While there, she sees his face. The demon. Asking to reveal himself, he does, speaking his name and sharing with her his purpose. Kayden. His plans have now changed, and there are things about Essallie that she doesn't even know about herself.
Along the journey to finding her purpose and her true self, new creatures will be revealed, a great friend will be lost, and surprises that will have you begging for more!
Essallie now spends her life trying to forget that day. It seems like no matter what she does, that's all she can think about. That horrid day that changed her life forever. The things she seen and experienced that day were far beyond this world, this realm. Yet, it happened. She was there. She seen the demon right in front of her and never wants to experience it again. No more parties for Essallie. No more anything that might lead to something so sinister.
Finally, after many months of boredom and doing nothing, Essallie lets herself get talked into a party. While there, she sees his face. The demon. Asking to reveal himself, he does, speaking his name and sharing with her his purpose. Kayden. His plans have now changed, and there are things about Essallie that she doesn't even know about herself.
Along the journey to finding her purpose and her true self, new creatures will be revealed, a great friend will be lost, and surprises that will have you begging for more!
August 20, 2012
Illumine? What is Illumine? I NEED ILLUMINE!
Sometimes I really want to kick myself for all the books I hadn’t read these days. It wasn’t my fault, at least, but it hurts anyway.
I received Illumine by the author in exchange of my opinion. And I did what I always do every time I read a book recommended or gifted. I marked it as “to-be-read” but I didn’t read anything about it. I love to be surprised!
And I really was!!!
Illumine is a too much short-amazing book. I didn’t know what it was about; I just started reading and got trapped for that amazing beginning. It was exciting, scaring, not what I expected!
Essie’s POV’s is captivating, sweet but strong.
But the most amazing part was the plot and the story line. Oh man, it was wonderful!
This story is about nephilim and demons.
But don’t get me wrong, this isn’t that common demon-angel story, this is different. Powerful and funny.
I have to say, I’m in love with the crush of the book, Kayden. He made me want to kick Essie, every time she said something bad of him.
Okay, I just loved that part. Kayden is a really bad boy, but I liked him a lot. The other characters were so good as well. I enjoy every page and every line.
Even though I just realized Alivia Anders is really young, she did it, she created an amazing world and trapped the essence of what we (YA lovers) adore reading.
You should try to read it, I can’t wait to read Obumbrate. And I know that if you read this, you’ll be really excited for the others.
This is a must read.
Sometimes I really want to kick myself for all the books I hadn’t read these days. It wasn’t my fault, at least, but it hurts anyway.
I received Illumine by the author in exchange of my opinion. And I did what I always do every time I read a book recommended or gifted. I marked it as “to-be-read” but I didn’t read anything about it. I love to be surprised!
And I really was!!!
Illumine is a too much short-amazing book. I didn’t know what it was about; I just started reading and got trapped for that amazing beginning. It was exciting, scaring, not what I expected!
Essie’s POV’s is captivating, sweet but strong.
But the most amazing part was the plot and the story line. Oh man, it was wonderful!
This story is about nephilim and demons.
But don’t get me wrong, this isn’t that common demon-angel story, this is different. Powerful and funny.
I have to say, I’m in love with the crush of the book, Kayden. He made me want to kick Essie, every time she said something bad of him.
Okay, I just loved that part. Kayden is a really bad boy, but I liked him a lot. The other characters were so good as well. I enjoy every page and every line.
Even though I just realized Alivia Anders is really young, she did it, she created an amazing world and trapped the essence of what we (YA lovers) adore reading.
You should try to read it, I can’t wait to read Obumbrate. And I know that if you read this, you’ll be really excited for the others.
This is a must read.
December 9, 2012
I am always up for something new and unique. Something that is not the norm in the YA genre. Lets face it, I read a lot of books, especially in YA so it is always nice to have something slightly out their and different and this series is just such a read.
Honestly, I wasn't expecting this to be so graphic. The opening scene drew me in with none other than morbid curiosity. I couldn't help but read one after the fated “party incident” even if it was gruesome. I mean, if you open a book with a scene like that, what is next?
And while all the scenes weren't that graphic, some still were. Some made me cringe and be thankful that I hadn't just eaten. But again, I kept reading because the storyline just fascinated me.
Essie was a hard character to relate to. I couldn't always follow her line of thinking and it didn't help that this wasn't one of those stories where everything is laid out in the open in the beginning. I was a little lost and confused by what exactly was going on. By the end of the read, thankfully, most of that confusion was cleared up and the ending left me wanting to pick up the second book, which I had right on my kindle just waiting for me to open it up and read it too.
Overall, I think this was a fast moving book packed full with lots of action (some gruesome), lots of mystery and characters that I can see caring about (hopefully) over time.
I give this one 3.5 Stars!
Honestly, I wasn't expecting this to be so graphic. The opening scene drew me in with none other than morbid curiosity. I couldn't help but read one after the fated “party incident” even if it was gruesome. I mean, if you open a book with a scene like that, what is next?
And while all the scenes weren't that graphic, some still were. Some made me cringe and be thankful that I hadn't just eaten. But again, I kept reading because the storyline just fascinated me.
Essie was a hard character to relate to. I couldn't always follow her line of thinking and it didn't help that this wasn't one of those stories where everything is laid out in the open in the beginning. I was a little lost and confused by what exactly was going on. By the end of the read, thankfully, most of that confusion was cleared up and the ending left me wanting to pick up the second book, which I had right on my kindle just waiting for me to open it up and read it too.
Overall, I think this was a fast moving book packed full with lots of action (some gruesome), lots of mystery and characters that I can see caring about (hopefully) over time.
I give this one 3.5 Stars!
August 5, 2012
I received this book from the author to give an honest review.
I truly enjoyed reading this book, with the demons and Nephilim and the mystery behind the characters I was truly impressed. This is a fast-paced story that will leave you turning the pages and wanting more.
The story behind Essallie and what she is had me wanting to read more. I do have some questions on some of the other characters such as Leo and Abigail I hope that in the next book it becomes clearer as what their part is.
Now Kayden had me because he was very mysterious, but at the same time of him being evil there seem to be a bit of charm to him. I wonder what his intentions are because he is a demon and as we all know demons are not known to be the nicest.
Illumine starts off with Essallie going to a party with her best friend. While she is there she comes to realize there is more to her boyfriend and best friend than meets the eye. Pretty much they deal with demons, and it traumatize her to where she has to move and goes to live with her brother. While in a new place the demon that her ex-boyfriend and best friend tried to give her too ends up showing up. Essallie soon learns that she is something more than human and the demon Kayden wants to help her. Before she ends up dying.
If you enjoy a book about the paranormal,then you should give Illumine a read.
I truly enjoyed reading this book, with the demons and Nephilim and the mystery behind the characters I was truly impressed. This is a fast-paced story that will leave you turning the pages and wanting more.
The story behind Essallie and what she is had me wanting to read more. I do have some questions on some of the other characters such as Leo and Abigail I hope that in the next book it becomes clearer as what their part is.
Now Kayden had me because he was very mysterious, but at the same time of him being evil there seem to be a bit of charm to him. I wonder what his intentions are because he is a demon and as we all know demons are not known to be the nicest.
Illumine starts off with Essallie going to a party with her best friend. While she is there she comes to realize there is more to her boyfriend and best friend than meets the eye. Pretty much they deal with demons, and it traumatize her to where she has to move and goes to live with her brother. While in a new place the demon that her ex-boyfriend and best friend tried to give her too ends up showing up. Essallie soon learns that she is something more than human and the demon Kayden wants to help her. Before she ends up dying.
If you enjoy a book about the paranormal,then you should give Illumine a read.
February 22, 2012
Essie goes to a party that her boyfriend, Chase is hosting. She was unaware that he had plans to offer her soul to a demon, named Kayden. Kayden consumes Chase’s entire body and leaves her to the horror of what has happened, he was unable to take her soul into him. Essie has powers she is completely unaware of as she moves away to start anew. She just wants to be accepted at school and not treated as an outcast but rumors have flown that are making that hard for her to accomplish. The demon follows her wherever she goes and she can’t get rid of him. She is becoming in tune to her powers and learning about her father and what she is. The story takes you places that involve the understanding of what Essie is to become in her life. She meets people that have major impact on her. I truly enjoyed the writing of Ms. Anders as she kept me interested through this story and wanting more. This is surely to have a sequel that I myself will be looking forward to reading. Wonderful job!!
July 30, 2012
Illumine was such a short read for me, but I found it really easy to follow Essallie's story. The characters were very lovable, and even aggravating at times. The monologue was never boring, and I think this was due to Anders' writing, which was very airy and light. I'm very cautious when it comes to novels about angels/demons, but I can honestly say that Anders knew where she was going and dominated this story pretty well.
The reason for the 4 stars is because the story moved way too fast for me. The cliffhangers was almost unbearable, but I think it would have been a less confusing ending if the story was fanned out more, allowing time for the characters to GROW and MATURE.
Other than that, I really enjoyed! I'm sure book 2 will be just as great!
The reason for the 4 stars is because the story moved way too fast for me. The cliffhangers was almost unbearable, but I think it would have been a less confusing ending if the story was fanned out more, allowing time for the characters to GROW and MATURE.
Other than that, I really enjoyed! I'm sure book 2 will be just as great!
February 5, 2012
I loved the concept and overall storyline of this book. The story sucked me in and left me wanting more. I did find some paragraphs and dialog to be confusing/redundant, or like it just didnt quite flow right but I liked the story enough that it didn't stop me from reading.
I think its a good start to a potentially great series and I can't wait for book number two.
(Check out my full review at http://opinionatedmama.wordpress.com/... )
I think its a good start to a potentially great series and I can't wait for book number two.
(Check out my full review at http://opinionatedmama.wordpress.com/... )
March 15, 2012
I loved this book!!! The story is great, the characters are likable, hate worthy, and confusing. You even find yourself liking a character you know you should hate, but just can't quite make yourself go there. lol The book is well worth the price. If you enjoy Angels/Demons with various supernatural creatures thrown in the mix, you should enjoy this story!!!
Well done Ms. Anders!!! I am a fan!! :D
Well done Ms. Anders!!! I am a fan!! :D
December 5, 2012
Have not read anything yet with Demons in it but i really did love the story... I would refer all my book friends to read it weather they fans of the supernatural or not.It held my attention from the first page on. Loved that even though she was trying to be serious it was still funny, and when you think you know what is going to happen you better think twice lol. Great Job Alivia cant wait to read more from you!
Want to read
February 16, 2012I've read the review and love it...at that moment I wanted to start reading this book! And then I heard about this giveaway and said to myself this the chance to win a copy...So I hurry up and enter this wonderful giveaway..:D I hope I win...One awesome book review.
March 13, 2013
Alivia doesn't hold any punches, this book starts with a bang and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I see a very bright future for this amazing young woman!
August 23, 2022
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Illumine
When Essallie’s boyfriend invites her to the opening night of his art display, she never expects to witness a murder. Fast forward five months and Essallie is still haunted by her boyfriend’s death. Everywhere she turns Kayden, the demon responsible, shows her grisly images of that night five months ago. To make things worse, Essallie’s starting to discover she might not be human. Essallie’s journey for the truth will involve angels, demons, and powers beyond anything she could have imagined.
Illumine was a rocky road. Essallie was not a likable character. At the start, she seemed to be forced into living among social acolytes. But as the story progresses, readers will learn she carries an attitude well worth being one. She’s quick to anger and does not think over situations. And despite not wanting to act like the popular crowd in New York, when she moves back to her hometown she steps right back into the party girl personality.
One of the main goals for Essallie as a character was to keep the origin of her abilities secret. Yet despite being told to keep her true nature hidden both she and various other characters begin to tell others. Not to mention a spectacular display of her powers right in her front yard. As I read the aforementioned scene I waited for the conflict to arise where a passer-by saw her powers. It would be the perfect moment to create drama and tension, yet it never happened. If the intention was to never keep her ability secret, the plot point shouldn’t have been brought up, to begin with.
What kept me reading was the conflict of interest between Kayden and Essallie. However, as the relationship between them switched from hostile to receptive my confusion grew. Readers will witness scene after scene of Kayden torturing and taunting Essallie. Trust should be gradual and difficult to grow between the characters, if at all. And without proper character development, the trust formed between Kayden and Essallie felt forced.
Illumine by Alivia Anders is a book for those who enjoy the theme of angels vs. demons. It’s fast moving and the writing style does more telling than showing. It’s also more of a novella sitting at 160 pages. The rest of the novel is previews of other books. Unfortunately, this is not a series I will be continuing to read.
When Essallie’s boyfriend invites her to the opening night of his art display, she never expects to witness a murder. Fast forward five months and Essallie is still haunted by her boyfriend’s death. Everywhere she turns Kayden, the demon responsible, shows her grisly images of that night five months ago. To make things worse, Essallie’s starting to discover she might not be human. Essallie’s journey for the truth will involve angels, demons, and powers beyond anything she could have imagined.
Illumine was a rocky road. Essallie was not a likable character. At the start, she seemed to be forced into living among social acolytes. But as the story progresses, readers will learn she carries an attitude well worth being one. She’s quick to anger and does not think over situations. And despite not wanting to act like the popular crowd in New York, when she moves back to her hometown she steps right back into the party girl personality.
One of the main goals for Essallie as a character was to keep the origin of her abilities secret. Yet despite being told to keep her true nature hidden both she and various other characters begin to tell others. Not to mention a spectacular display of her powers right in her front yard. As I read the aforementioned scene I waited for the conflict to arise where a passer-by saw her powers. It would be the perfect moment to create drama and tension, yet it never happened. If the intention was to never keep her ability secret, the plot point shouldn’t have been brought up, to begin with.
What kept me reading was the conflict of interest between Kayden and Essallie. However, as the relationship between them switched from hostile to receptive my confusion grew. Readers will witness scene after scene of Kayden torturing and taunting Essallie. Trust should be gradual and difficult to grow between the characters, if at all. And without proper character development, the trust formed between Kayden and Essallie felt forced.
Illumine by Alivia Anders is a book for those who enjoy the theme of angels vs. demons. It’s fast moving and the writing style does more telling than showing. It’s also more of a novella sitting at 160 pages. The rest of the novel is previews of other books. Unfortunately, this is not a series I will be continuing to read.
December 4, 2012
I was pleasantly surprised that I really got into this book pretty fast. Read all of this book 1 in one day (I have the 2 in 1 book, but want to separate my reviews) I was not expecting the gore and horror of the first part, gave me a bit of nightmares, but that was really the only really gruesome part. If this was a movie, I would not have been able to watch that part, lol, my imagination was bad enough. I will never get that scene out of my mind of what Kayden did, Yuck. I can’t ever see him as a hot guy, and possible love interest that some do, gross, I just remember the gory part, and what he really looks like. I do not trust him, (he is a demon after all) and really hope as book 2 goes on Essallie does NOT come to care for him, just yuck, is all I can say.
Essallie is not a normal girl, as she soon finds out, she is able to conjure blue fire, and she is not always in control over it. 5 months after the grousom event where the demon Kayden murdered her boyfriend who betrayed her, she has moved back to her home town with her half-brother Jayden, in Belfast, Maine from NY.
Not long after she gets there, Kayden shows up, saying he is there to help her. Essallie and Kayden are on the hunt to find out what she is,
I will leave that a mystery for you to find out. She ends up trusting Kayden to an extent, too much in my opinion.
I felt at times like I was in a Harry Potter world, where she is shown the secret hidden world, that is hidden inside a bookstore, that you access with a secret passage, that part all felt very Harry Potter to me, but not in a bad way, it was all its own thing, just similar in ways, that she is kept in the dark, not knowing what she is, and everyone else seems to know something anyway. It was not as believable as HP, as she is not someone who is famous and well known, etc. I still liked it though; the world-building on it was great. Really well written I think. There were times I felt this first book to be rushed, but not really bad, but just a bit. I started the 2nd one, and it doesn’t have that feel.
This whole story really is original in a way, yes we have the supernaturals like many of this type, but the story itself is really good, and original, at least to me. Sometimes I got the feel that just about everyone she knew turned out to be a supernatural.
I really liked her brother Jayson, I feel he is a great brother, and hope he will play a bigger role in books to come.
I really liked Leo, and was blown away and so sad at one part near the end, won’t say what. I just liked him a lot.
And well, so far, I have a feeling I will really like Ari, we shall see as the story continues into book 2.
I do highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys paranormal books, not much for romance in this first book, but maybe in the next. There is adventure and excitement, and plenty of mystery.
5 out of 5 for me. A Great fun, fast read.
I was provided a copy of this book for my honest review for the book tour the author has going on.
Check out the book tour for the 3rd book,there is some extras to read and all that.
Essallie is not a normal girl, as she soon finds out, she is able to conjure blue fire, and she is not always in control over it. 5 months after the grousom event where the demon Kayden murdered her boyfriend who betrayed her, she has moved back to her home town with her half-brother Jayden, in Belfast, Maine from NY.
Not long after she gets there, Kayden shows up, saying he is there to help her. Essallie and Kayden are on the hunt to find out what she is,
I will leave that a mystery for you to find out. She ends up trusting Kayden to an extent, too much in my opinion.
I felt at times like I was in a Harry Potter world, where she is shown the secret hidden world, that is hidden inside a bookstore, that you access with a secret passage, that part all felt very Harry Potter to me, but not in a bad way, it was all its own thing, just similar in ways, that she is kept in the dark, not knowing what she is, and everyone else seems to know something anyway. It was not as believable as HP, as she is not someone who is famous and well known, etc. I still liked it though; the world-building on it was great. Really well written I think. There were times I felt this first book to be rushed, but not really bad, but just a bit. I started the 2nd one, and it doesn’t have that feel.
This whole story really is original in a way, yes we have the supernaturals like many of this type, but the story itself is really good, and original, at least to me. Sometimes I got the feel that just about everyone she knew turned out to be a supernatural.
I really liked her brother Jayson, I feel he is a great brother, and hope he will play a bigger role in books to come.
I really liked Leo, and was blown away and so sad at one part near the end, won’t say what. I just liked him a lot.
And well, so far, I have a feeling I will really like Ari, we shall see as the story continues into book 2.
I do highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys paranormal books, not much for romance in this first book, but maybe in the next. There is adventure and excitement, and plenty of mystery.
5 out of 5 for me. A Great fun, fast read.
I was provided a copy of this book for my honest review for the book tour the author has going on.
Check out the book tour for the 3rd book,there is some extras to read and all that.
September 7, 2012
I received this book free from Alivia in exchange of a honest review.
I really , really enjoyed this book. When I first saw it, I knew it will be a gret read. And I also knew that I will fall in love with the Kayden. And I did. :D
“Illumine” is a very easy read. Without many description that can get you bored and a special style-writing , Alivia Anders knows how to captivate her readers. I like the plot very much because it was full of surprises. There was always something that made me turn out the page. I loved this thing.
I liked the characters. Especially Kayden. He is the bad boy type, but I bet that every reader loved him. I think I liked this book so much because of him, but don’t tell anybody! I loved that the author decided to include a lot of mythical creatures in this book- succubi ,demons,nephilim,shapeshifters and more. I love the books with nephilim because they are special.
The storyline is very good and I loved it. But I found so parts that confused me and I had to read them another time so I can understand them. That’s why I rated with 4.5 stars. The story will hook you and , in the end, you will feel like you need more. I hope to read the second book as soon as possible, because, Gosh, I am so eager to read about Kayden again. In the second part of the book, you will be breathless because so many things and secrets are coming out . Some of them will get resolved, some of them will not.
In the conclusion, I recommend this book to everyone. It’s an awesome reading and you will love it!
In the beginning, Essie is attacked by her boyfriend and her best friend. They want to trade her to a demon, named Kayden, in exchange of immortality. But somehow, Chase, Essie’s boyfriend, dies and the girl escapes.
After a few months, Essie is trying to forget this episode and goes back in Maine, at her parents house. But she still deals with hallucinations from the night when she was about to be killed. And, one day, the demon from that horrible night, Kayden, comes back into her life. He comes to school with Essie and tries to convince her to let him help her. Essie is afraid of him and doesn’t trust him, but he stalks her and every friend of Essie knows him. The girl tries to get rid of him, but that’s kinda impossible.
In the meanwhile, Essie confronts some strange things. She seems to heat up everytime she hets nervous or her feeling are to strong. This thing scares her very much, and she tries to find out what’s going on with her- before it will kill her. Kayden pretends to know how to help her, but the girl is reticent and doesn’t trust him. Essie has to find her Watcher (kind of protector) . If she doesn’t find him, she will die.Do you think that Essie will find her Watcher and she will handle this ?
An amazing race through secrets and fantasy- you will love this book!!
I really , really enjoyed this book. When I first saw it, I knew it will be a gret read. And I also knew that I will fall in love with the Kayden. And I did. :D
“Illumine” is a very easy read. Without many description that can get you bored and a special style-writing , Alivia Anders knows how to captivate her readers. I like the plot very much because it was full of surprises. There was always something that made me turn out the page. I loved this thing.
I liked the characters. Especially Kayden. He is the bad boy type, but I bet that every reader loved him. I think I liked this book so much because of him, but don’t tell anybody! I loved that the author decided to include a lot of mythical creatures in this book- succubi ,demons,nephilim,shapeshifters and more. I love the books with nephilim because they are special.
The storyline is very good and I loved it. But I found so parts that confused me and I had to read them another time so I can understand them. That’s why I rated with 4.5 stars. The story will hook you and , in the end, you will feel like you need more. I hope to read the second book as soon as possible, because, Gosh, I am so eager to read about Kayden again. In the second part of the book, you will be breathless because so many things and secrets are coming out . Some of them will get resolved, some of them will not.
In the conclusion, I recommend this book to everyone. It’s an awesome reading and you will love it!
In the beginning, Essie is attacked by her boyfriend and her best friend. They want to trade her to a demon, named Kayden, in exchange of immortality. But somehow, Chase, Essie’s boyfriend, dies and the girl escapes.
After a few months, Essie is trying to forget this episode and goes back in Maine, at her parents house. But she still deals with hallucinations from the night when she was about to be killed. And, one day, the demon from that horrible night, Kayden, comes back into her life. He comes to school with Essie and tries to convince her to let him help her. Essie is afraid of him and doesn’t trust him, but he stalks her and every friend of Essie knows him. The girl tries to get rid of him, but that’s kinda impossible.
In the meanwhile, Essie confronts some strange things. She seems to heat up everytime she hets nervous or her feeling are to strong. This thing scares her very much, and she tries to find out what’s going on with her- before it will kill her. Kayden pretends to know how to help her, but the girl is reticent and doesn’t trust him. Essie has to find her Watcher (kind of protector) . If she doesn’t find him, she will die.Do you think that Essie will find her Watcher and she will handle this ?
An amazing race through secrets and fantasy- you will love this book!!
February 22, 2012
This is a book I only recently came across because the author Alivia Anders added me as a friend on Facebook, after seeing the book was only 77p on Amazon for Kindle and liking what I read in the blurb, I decided to go ahead and give it a go.
Illumine follows teenager Essallie Hanley as she tries to overcome the horrors of watching her boyfriend murdered in front of her by a demon.
Ever since then something hasn't been quite right, she's been able to conjure blue flames at will. Which she knows isn't a normal or human thing! With the help of the demon who killed her ex boyfriend she sets off on a quest to find out what she truly is. Along the way she meets some strange new characters and hits a few bumps in the road.
I read this book in one day, I actually fell asleep reading it (not that the book is bad or boring at all, I was just super tired!), then I finished it the next morning.
The book is pretty fast paced and at first it can been hard to keep track of the characters and what is going on, after a few chapters though you do start to know who everyone is and you get used to the pace. It isn't a big book and doesn't take too long to get through, which to me has both it's bad and good points. It's great if you only have one day to dedicate to reading something, you can easily manage this one in a day.
The plot itself is well thought out and easy to follow with a few explanations here and there. It is a very different concept from a lot of the books I've been reading recently, so it was a nice change for me. I really liked the mix of paranormal creatures all coming together but at the same time all having their own problems and issues going on as well.
I really liked Essallie as a main character, she is likeable but still a little young, naive and unsure of herself. Mix that with some crazy blue fire skills and you have a recipe for disaster totally worth reading about. Her story and her background is what really makes the book, there are moments when I wanted to slap her for being so silly and moments when I just wanted to hug her and give her a shoulder to cry on. She is well written and characterised in a way which grabs your attention from page one. You can't help but fall for this girl's story and hope for the best outcome for her.
The story actually reminded me of J.L. Bryan's Jenny Pox series, I honestly can't pin point exactly why. After I put it down it was one of the first thoughts that came to me. Now I love the Jenny Pox series so to compare anything to it is a big honour. I think maybe in my head I had the same small town setting as the one in the Jenny Pox series, who knows!
Overall Illumine is a fast paced, action packed paranormal which will keep sink it's teeth into you until you've reached the last page!
Illumine follows teenager Essallie Hanley as she tries to overcome the horrors of watching her boyfriend murdered in front of her by a demon.
Ever since then something hasn't been quite right, she's been able to conjure blue flames at will. Which she knows isn't a normal or human thing! With the help of the demon who killed her ex boyfriend she sets off on a quest to find out what she truly is. Along the way she meets some strange new characters and hits a few bumps in the road.
I read this book in one day, I actually fell asleep reading it (not that the book is bad or boring at all, I was just super tired!), then I finished it the next morning.
The book is pretty fast paced and at first it can been hard to keep track of the characters and what is going on, after a few chapters though you do start to know who everyone is and you get used to the pace. It isn't a big book and doesn't take too long to get through, which to me has both it's bad and good points. It's great if you only have one day to dedicate to reading something, you can easily manage this one in a day.
The plot itself is well thought out and easy to follow with a few explanations here and there. It is a very different concept from a lot of the books I've been reading recently, so it was a nice change for me. I really liked the mix of paranormal creatures all coming together but at the same time all having their own problems and issues going on as well.
I really liked Essallie as a main character, she is likeable but still a little young, naive and unsure of herself. Mix that with some crazy blue fire skills and you have a recipe for disaster totally worth reading about. Her story and her background is what really makes the book, there are moments when I wanted to slap her for being so silly and moments when I just wanted to hug her and give her a shoulder to cry on. She is well written and characterised in a way which grabs your attention from page one. You can't help but fall for this girl's story and hope for the best outcome for her.
The story actually reminded me of J.L. Bryan's Jenny Pox series, I honestly can't pin point exactly why. After I put it down it was one of the first thoughts that came to me. Now I love the Jenny Pox series so to compare anything to it is a big honour. I think maybe in my head I had the same small town setting as the one in the Jenny Pox series, who knows!
Overall Illumine is a fast paced, action packed paranormal which will keep sink it's teeth into you until you've reached the last page!
February 4, 2012
Illumine begins with a fateful decision to attend a party. Isn't that always the way? Essallie Hanley witnesses her boyfriend being murdered (quite viciously) by a demon, and her life changes forever. This book goes from humdrum, everyday life to violent death in matter of pages. If she hadn't attended that party, would all of this had happened? Who knows. All Essallie knows is that now she is in the middle of something huge, and it isn't going to be easy.
Let me start by saying that Essallie started out my least favorite character of the book. It's mainly Kayden's fault to be honest. Despite being an evil demon, he's quite debonair! However it was also because Essallie was so stubborn at times that she didn't want to listen to reason. Still, I read on. I'll be honest, she grew on me. By the time that I was midway through the book, both Essallie and Kayden stole the show for me. Their witty banter, their smoldering hidden feelings, all of it meshed beautifully and I was smitten. So just a heads up reader friends, if you don't like Essallie at the beginning, never fear! Her story is well worth your time.
What really drew me into Illumine I started to mention above. It is the quick pace that this story takes on. There is a great mix of action and build up, putting Essallie into all types of situations. I really enjoyed the breadcrumbs that Anders leaves for the reader throughout the book. As Essallie is struggling to figure out what she is, and what her purpose is, so is the reader. Uncovering her background was a lot of fun. My one gripe with the scenes in this book were that they were sometimes slightly choppy between one chapter and the next. I hope for a little smoother transition in the next book.
Honestly, I warred with myself for quite a while on what rating to give Illumine. In the end I decided on the rating above mainly because of the editing. It was tough. The story here is great, despite the chapter hops. The characters are wonderful and, I think, the strongest part of Illumine. As a package, this is a fantastic book! I see great things coming around the bend from Alivia Anders. There were so many mini cliffhangers at the end of this book! I cannot wait for more of Essallie and Kayden.
Let me start by saying that Essallie started out my least favorite character of the book. It's mainly Kayden's fault to be honest. Despite being an evil demon, he's quite debonair! However it was also because Essallie was so stubborn at times that she didn't want to listen to reason. Still, I read on. I'll be honest, she grew on me. By the time that I was midway through the book, both Essallie and Kayden stole the show for me. Their witty banter, their smoldering hidden feelings, all of it meshed beautifully and I was smitten. So just a heads up reader friends, if you don't like Essallie at the beginning, never fear! Her story is well worth your time.
What really drew me into Illumine I started to mention above. It is the quick pace that this story takes on. There is a great mix of action and build up, putting Essallie into all types of situations. I really enjoyed the breadcrumbs that Anders leaves for the reader throughout the book. As Essallie is struggling to figure out what she is, and what her purpose is, so is the reader. Uncovering her background was a lot of fun. My one gripe with the scenes in this book were that they were sometimes slightly choppy between one chapter and the next. I hope for a little smoother transition in the next book.
Honestly, I warred with myself for quite a while on what rating to give Illumine. In the end I decided on the rating above mainly because of the editing. It was tough. The story here is great, despite the chapter hops. The characters are wonderful and, I think, the strongest part of Illumine. As a package, this is a fantastic book! I see great things coming around the bend from Alivia Anders. There were so many mini cliffhangers at the end of this book! I cannot wait for more of Essallie and Kayden.
March 28, 2012
First I'd like to thank the author Aliva Anders for the opporunity to read her wonderful novel, I won Illumine through good reads as a first reads. Thank you Aliva so very much.
I loved the idea and the over all storyline of Illumine. It grabs you in, and leaves you waiting more. What a wonderful start to what going to grow into a grat series.
Essallie is back home, trying so hard to forget the horrifing night when her boyfriend was brutally murdered. Fear of thoughts that she too would end up in the sanatorium, like her mother.
Demons are called to kill her, and they kill her boyfiend Chase right in front of her. Warning her, it's not over and that they will return for her.
Reaccuring visions of demons has her questioning whether the demon was really there, did she really see him?
Trying to be normal at her new school, Essallie soon finds out that everyone can see the same demon!! Now she knows his name, Kayden.
Essallie starts to notice that she can form and produce fire through her hands. Needing answers to who or what she is, who cand she trust? Maybe Kayden?
As the storyline flows, you find so much happening and hidden secrets unfold. Questions are raised, with so much going on.
I try so hard not to favor certain characters as I read a novel, but my crazy daring side has me often falling for a underdog. Evil has a way of drawing you in, as it did to me in Illumine. Is all as it seems? Can evil change it's ways? Yep, I see a change forming.
Who is this stranger that appears at the end? So many unanswered questions yet to be answered, scences still flowing with no ending leads the way to "Obumbrate", the second book in this series.
I find myself looking and finding new TEAMS in novels lately, and in Illumine I havae found a possible interesting team of Essie/Kayden.
If you like YA genre with the supernatural flair, a flash of magic, demons and angels.. then you need to read ILLUMINE.
Alivia Anders is off to a good start with this, her debut novel. I wait eagerly for the release of her second novel.
Well done Alivia Anders!!! Keep your words flowing across your pages, so we may see what happens next.
Recommendation: YA and up
Rating: 4/5 stars
Lovetiggi Book Reviews
Angel Anne Reviews
I loved the idea and the over all storyline of Illumine. It grabs you in, and leaves you waiting more. What a wonderful start to what going to grow into a grat series.
Essallie is back home, trying so hard to forget the horrifing night when her boyfriend was brutally murdered. Fear of thoughts that she too would end up in the sanatorium, like her mother.
Demons are called to kill her, and they kill her boyfiend Chase right in front of her. Warning her, it's not over and that they will return for her.
Reaccuring visions of demons has her questioning whether the demon was really there, did she really see him?
Trying to be normal at her new school, Essallie soon finds out that everyone can see the same demon!! Now she knows his name, Kayden.
Essallie starts to notice that she can form and produce fire through her hands. Needing answers to who or what she is, who cand she trust? Maybe Kayden?
As the storyline flows, you find so much happening and hidden secrets unfold. Questions are raised, with so much going on.
I try so hard not to favor certain characters as I read a novel, but my crazy daring side has me often falling for a underdog. Evil has a way of drawing you in, as it did to me in Illumine. Is all as it seems? Can evil change it's ways? Yep, I see a change forming.
Who is this stranger that appears at the end? So many unanswered questions yet to be answered, scences still flowing with no ending leads the way to "Obumbrate", the second book in this series.
I find myself looking and finding new TEAMS in novels lately, and in Illumine I havae found a possible interesting team of Essie/Kayden.
If you like YA genre with the supernatural flair, a flash of magic, demons and angels.. then you need to read ILLUMINE.
Alivia Anders is off to a good start with this, her debut novel. I wait eagerly for the release of her second novel.
Well done Alivia Anders!!! Keep your words flowing across your pages, so we may see what happens next.
Recommendation: YA and up
Rating: 4/5 stars
Lovetiggi Book Reviews
Angel Anne Reviews
Read
November 24, 2012I received this book free from Alivia in exchange of a honest review.
When I first started Illumine I was taken aback by the graphic detail in the first chapter.I put it down for a day then picked in back up and read it in one sitting.I loved it! The way Alivia writes detailed descriptions of the scenes brings the story to life.It flows well and captivates your imagination.
Essallie attends a high school party and is betrayed by her boyfriend and best friend in a horrific way.They try to sacrifice her but when they summon the demon he kills Chase,Essallie's boyfriend and sends Cassie,her best friend,running for her life. Essallie is scarred by this incident and Essallie starts to have hallucinations of the demon everywhere.
She is sent to live with her half brother in a small town up north to give her a fresh start.Some the student have heard rumors and know something is strange about Essallie. But when Essallie and her new best friend,Abigail,sneak off to a party Kayden,the demon from the incident,shows up.She thinks she is hallucinating, but all the students see him.They have a small confrontation and then everyone goes home after one of the students falls to the ground convulsing.
Things aren't to good at school,everyone this she is still a freak and on top of that Kayden decides to enroll as a student.He continues to harass Essallie about her needing his help.After she almost combusts from a high fever due to her powers coming in,she gives in to Kayden. He helps her try figure out who she really is and then Leo steps in with some information of his own and shows her to city of supernatural creatures.They go to the city to find answers but only get more questions after a faerie tell them that Essallie must find her Watcher to help bind her power or she will die When Essallie,Kayden,Leo,and Ursula attend a Carnival in Charon,the supernatural city,things get haywire.Who will survive? Will Essallie find her Watcher?
I love Essallie's tenacity,she always has a sarcastic comment.Everything she goes through she never gives up, even though she may want to. Kayden is my favorite character.He is painted a evil person but he ends up softening up a bit.He is one of those characters that grows on you.You are left wanting trust him but not sure if you can.
When I first started Illumine I was taken aback by the graphic detail in the first chapter.I put it down for a day then picked in back up and read it in one sitting.I loved it! The way Alivia writes detailed descriptions of the scenes brings the story to life.It flows well and captivates your imagination.
Essallie attends a high school party and is betrayed by her boyfriend and best friend in a horrific way.They try to sacrifice her but when they summon the demon he kills Chase,Essallie's boyfriend and sends Cassie,her best friend,running for her life. Essallie is scarred by this incident and Essallie starts to have hallucinations of the demon everywhere.
She is sent to live with her half brother in a small town up north to give her a fresh start.Some the student have heard rumors and know something is strange about Essallie. But when Essallie and her new best friend,Abigail,sneak off to a party Kayden,the demon from the incident,shows up.She thinks she is hallucinating, but all the students see him.They have a small confrontation and then everyone goes home after one of the students falls to the ground convulsing.
Things aren't to good at school,everyone this she is still a freak and on top of that Kayden decides to enroll as a student.He continues to harass Essallie about her needing his help.After she almost combusts from a high fever due to her powers coming in,she gives in to Kayden. He helps her try figure out who she really is and then Leo steps in with some information of his own and shows her to city of supernatural creatures.They go to the city to find answers but only get more questions after a faerie tell them that Essallie must find her Watcher to help bind her power or she will die When Essallie,Kayden,Leo,and Ursula attend a Carnival in Charon,the supernatural city,things get haywire.Who will survive? Will Essallie find her Watcher?
I love Essallie's tenacity,she always has a sarcastic comment.Everything she goes through she never gives up, even though she may want to. Kayden is my favorite character.He is painted a evil person but he ends up softening up a bit.He is one of those characters that grows on you.You are left wanting trust him but not sure if you can.
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