What do you think?
Rate this book
Luminous
It is 2049, and sixteen-year-old Lucia Carboni carries a weight on her shoulders not typical of a teenage girl. Her burden is not clothes, boys, or school; it’s saving the world. Born into the Ascended Ones, Lucia’s mission is to help the cult depopulate the world, take over, and enslave the survivors. If all goes well, by 2050, there will be a New World Order—a plan the Ascended Ones have been working toward for centuries.
After Lucia is sent undercover to public school, she attempts to fit in and develops friendships with the very people her cult seeks to destroy. But what no one knows is that Lucia is immune to her cult’s brainwashing techniques. Torn between her upbringing and hope for her future, Lucia makes a bold decision to escape to Ground Zero in New York City, where she hopes to find her mother, pose as an alter, and seek proof of the Ascended Ones’ plan. As she embarks on a journey to the truth, Lucia soon discovers that nothing is as it seems.
In this exciting futuristic tale, a teenager races against time to enlighten the world and stop an evil plan before it is too late.
After Lucia is sent undercover to public school, she attempts to fit in and develops friendships with the very people her cult seeks to destroy. But what no one knows is that Lucia is immune to her cult’s brainwashing techniques. Torn between her upbringing and hope for her future, Lucia makes a bold decision to escape to Ground Zero in New York City, where she hopes to find her mother, pose as an alter, and seek proof of the Ascended Ones’ plan. As she embarks on a journey to the truth, Lucia soon discovers that nothing is as it seems.
In this exciting futuristic tale, a teenager races against time to enlighten the world and stop an evil plan before it is too late.
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2013
11 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 4, 2014
3.5.
I really enjoyed this book for a dystopian from E.Bell. I loved the mystery plot line.Although I had found myself trying to follow the plot line more than once. The illuminate thing I thought was really cool because I have never read anything like it before. It was very original in that since. However, I felt that the characters did not start being well built until chapter 12. Another thought was I didn't understand why she was being bullied. The book describes that it is because of her mother but very few people if any knew her mother ran away.overall it was a decently good book and I would recommends it :)
I really enjoyed this book for a dystopian from E.Bell. I loved the mystery plot line.Although I had found myself trying to follow the plot line more than once. The illuminate thing I thought was really cool because I have never read anything like it before. It was very original in that since. However, I felt that the characters did not start being well built until chapter 12. Another thought was I didn't understand why she was being bullied. The book describes that it is because of her mother but very few people if any knew her mother ran away.overall it was a decently good book and I would recommends it :)
January 12, 2014
Excellent Character development, and plot strategy,I was totally indulged in the writing that E. Bell has written in this post apocalyptic dystopian world, with totally loveable characters that I couldn't get enough of.
October 10, 2013
Lucia Carboni is a soon to be sixteen years old girl who lived her life preparing to serve the Ascended Ones, until her mother ran away with her to New York and made sure her brain cannot be controlled like the others. When she is brought back to her father and grandmother everything began to change. She was no longer one of them, so they had to find her another job, a spy job, as a student into one of Their school (They are the ones controlled by the Ascended Ones, also called the Illuminati).
Her best friends are Illinca and Danika, two of her classmates and the persons she trusts the most. Illinca is part of the same world as Lucia, while Danika is an ordinary girl who has no idea her life is a lie, because Lucia is not aloud to tell anyone the truth. Bit by bit, Lucia wishes she could be normal, like any other girl, to fall in love, have fun with her friends and eat whatever she wants. She is not sure that what she does is the right thing anymore.
After spending more time with her boyfriend Mason, Lucia finds out bad things about the Ascended Ones and decides to find her mother in New York to get some answers, but the trip is not was she was expecting. It seems that Frejya Carboni has mysteries who are waiting to be descovered and Lucia is forced to make a big decision: to fight against the Ascended Ones who destroyed her family or to hide and accept how things are.
"Luminous: An Alternate Reality ... Is the Real One" was a quick read, good for entertainment, but a little unpolished on some parts. At the end I really got engaged into the story and I was curious to learn more about Lucia and the Ascended Ones.
The characters are not very developed or likeable, except for Lucia and a few others, and I didn't care too much for them. I don't know if this was the author's intention, but for Missimilio, Lucia's father, all I felt was anger and hate. He really is the worst father in the history of fathers! As for Illinca, I was sad to see her being transformed into a puppet that can't think by herself.
The dialogue is witty and clever sometimes, making the story better. What I did not enjoyed was the switch between English and German without translation, since I am not familiar with German at all. Also, some of the expressions in Romanian are not correctly written (I am Romanian, so I can tell), but I am sympathetic knowing it is difficult to write in a foreign language without help.
Even if the action takes place in 2049, I did not encounter many differences between our world nowadays and that era. It would have been a plus from me to read more about the technology and the discoveries that came with the passage of time. Also, I didn't understand how the Ascended Ones were capable of communicating with the aliens and their part in the world is explained to little. As for the end, it was pretty good, but I wish I knew more about Lucia's mother. It kind of left me hanging and wondering if there is a second part of the book.
What I liked:
- the story as a whole is interesting, fresh, with a lot of potential;
- Lucia is a strong character with many flaws who tries to do her best in a bad situation;
- all the details about the Ascended Ones;
- the people from the forest.
What I did not liked:
- the writing is a little too simple at the beginning, but later it becomes better;
- the characters are a bit shallow;
- many questions about the universe remain unanswered;
- the dialogue in Italian and German is not translated and it annoyed me when I could not understand.
As a conclusion, I enjoyed this book and I am glad I had the opportunity to read it, because it taught me to fight for what I want and for a better world.
Note: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Her best friends are Illinca and Danika, two of her classmates and the persons she trusts the most. Illinca is part of the same world as Lucia, while Danika is an ordinary girl who has no idea her life is a lie, because Lucia is not aloud to tell anyone the truth. Bit by bit, Lucia wishes she could be normal, like any other girl, to fall in love, have fun with her friends and eat whatever she wants. She is not sure that what she does is the right thing anymore.
After spending more time with her boyfriend Mason, Lucia finds out bad things about the Ascended Ones and decides to find her mother in New York to get some answers, but the trip is not was she was expecting. It seems that Frejya Carboni has mysteries who are waiting to be descovered and Lucia is forced to make a big decision: to fight against the Ascended Ones who destroyed her family or to hide and accept how things are.
"Luminous: An Alternate Reality ... Is the Real One" was a quick read, good for entertainment, but a little unpolished on some parts. At the end I really got engaged into the story and I was curious to learn more about Lucia and the Ascended Ones.
The characters are not very developed or likeable, except for Lucia and a few others, and I didn't care too much for them. I don't know if this was the author's intention, but for Missimilio, Lucia's father, all I felt was anger and hate. He really is the worst father in the history of fathers! As for Illinca, I was sad to see her being transformed into a puppet that can't think by herself.
The dialogue is witty and clever sometimes, making the story better. What I did not enjoyed was the switch between English and German without translation, since I am not familiar with German at all. Also, some of the expressions in Romanian are not correctly written (I am Romanian, so I can tell), but I am sympathetic knowing it is difficult to write in a foreign language without help.
Even if the action takes place in 2049, I did not encounter many differences between our world nowadays and that era. It would have been a plus from me to read more about the technology and the discoveries that came with the passage of time. Also, I didn't understand how the Ascended Ones were capable of communicating with the aliens and their part in the world is explained to little. As for the end, it was pretty good, but I wish I knew more about Lucia's mother. It kind of left me hanging and wondering if there is a second part of the book.
What I liked:
- the story as a whole is interesting, fresh, with a lot of potential;
- Lucia is a strong character with many flaws who tries to do her best in a bad situation;
- all the details about the Ascended Ones;
- the people from the forest.
What I did not liked:
- the writing is a little too simple at the beginning, but later it becomes better;
- the characters are a bit shallow;
- many questions about the universe remain unanswered;
- the dialogue in Italian and German is not translated and it annoyed me when I could not understand.
As a conclusion, I enjoyed this book and I am glad I had the opportunity to read it, because it taught me to fight for what I want and for a better world.
Note: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2013
Check out more of our reviews at Girl In The Woods Reviews
Detailed Review: << review copy received from the author herself >>
The title is really long isn't it? So I'm just going to cut it short and call it "Luminous". So... personally Luminous had a really great plot and storyline but the writing itself was... incomplete and simple? Not complex enough to make the story more interesting.
I really thought this would have had more potential. It really did have one. I think if the writing was more wishy-washy or fun, I think the story would have had a better chance of spreading like wild fire (if you know what I mean).
I felt like her characters were undeveloped and empty. There was not much development it was confusing as well...
But I think if the author put more effort in the story (not like I'm saying the author didn't!) It's just it didn't really an impression on me.
The author should improve her writing skills as well as her character descriptions. I think she should write her analysis on her characters before she writes them but overall I think the story plot was OK. I mean, really!
There was alot room for improvement. Unfortunately I found this book to be very 'empty' and not that exciting to read.
Brief Review: It was so-so and there really wasn't an impact on me when I read this book... The author's writing was quite bland and there was no "oophm!" that I really wanted to see in this book.
My Rating: 2/5 "It was OK but not for me..."
Detailed Review: << review copy received from the author herself >>
The title is really long isn't it? So I'm just going to cut it short and call it "Luminous". So... personally Luminous had a really great plot and storyline but the writing itself was... incomplete and simple? Not complex enough to make the story more interesting.
I really thought this would have had more potential. It really did have one. I think if the writing was more wishy-washy or fun, I think the story would have had a better chance of spreading like wild fire (if you know what I mean).
I felt like her characters were undeveloped and empty. There was not much development it was confusing as well...
But I think if the author put more effort in the story (not like I'm saying the author didn't!) It's just it didn't really an impression on me.
The author should improve her writing skills as well as her character descriptions. I think she should write her analysis on her characters before she writes them but overall I think the story plot was OK. I mean, really!
There was alot room for improvement. Unfortunately I found this book to be very 'empty' and not that exciting to read.
Brief Review: It was so-so and there really wasn't an impact on me when I read this book... The author's writing was quite bland and there was no "oophm!" that I really wanted to see in this book.
My Rating: 2/5 "It was OK but not for me..."
December 8, 2013
"It is 2049, and sixteen-year-old Lucia Carboni carries a weight on her shoulders not typical of a teenage girl. Her burden is not clothes, boys, or school; it’s saving the world. Born into the Ascended Ones, Lucia’s mission is to help the cult depopulate the world, take over, and enslave the survivors. If all goes well, by 2050, there will be a New World Order—a plan the Ascended Ones have been working toward for centuries.
After Lucia is sent undercover to public school, she attempts to fit in and develops friendships with the very people her cult seeks to destroy. But what no one knows is that Lucia is immune to her cult’s brainwashing techniques. Torn between her upbringing and hope for her future, Lucia makes a bold decision to escape to Ground Zero in New York City, where she hopes to find her mother, pose as an alter, and seek proof of the Ascended Ones’ plan. As she embarks on a journey to the truth, Lucia soon discovers that nothing is as it seems.
In this exciting futuristic tale, a teenager races against time to enlighten the world and stop an evil plan before it is too late."
WHAT I THINK:
First things first. I was given a copy of this book by the author for my honest review.
I am sorry to say this but I couldn't even finish this book. I honestly thought this was going to be an awesome book that I would truly love.
I was so confused from page one. I didn't understand what this book was about. All the bouncing around.
I just kept getting more and more upset every time I tried to read.
this book has an awesome concept. (Plot) I think that with a little more work; It would be awesome!
1/5 stars
Couldn't finish this book
After Lucia is sent undercover to public school, she attempts to fit in and develops friendships with the very people her cult seeks to destroy. But what no one knows is that Lucia is immune to her cult’s brainwashing techniques. Torn between her upbringing and hope for her future, Lucia makes a bold decision to escape to Ground Zero in New York City, where she hopes to find her mother, pose as an alter, and seek proof of the Ascended Ones’ plan. As she embarks on a journey to the truth, Lucia soon discovers that nothing is as it seems.
In this exciting futuristic tale, a teenager races against time to enlighten the world and stop an evil plan before it is too late."
WHAT I THINK:
First things first. I was given a copy of this book by the author for my honest review.
I am sorry to say this but I couldn't even finish this book. I honestly thought this was going to be an awesome book that I would truly love.
I was so confused from page one. I didn't understand what this book was about. All the bouncing around.
I just kept getting more and more upset every time I tried to read.
this book has an awesome concept. (Plot) I think that with a little more work; It would be awesome!
1/5 stars
Couldn't finish this book
February 21, 2017
I've had this book on my R4R list for a while, and admittedly, was saving it for a time I could really enjoy it. I find books written on the sort of topic as this one interesting, and always look forward to savoring them. This one left me a bit...disappointed.
It wasn't horrible, don't get me wrong. It did keep me entertained, for the most part. It was slightly confusing though, and a bit choppy. The characters weren't well-rounded enough for the depth of this story, and many details were forgotten or left hanging.
All in all, it's simply an amateur book. The writing seems like that of a student in high school. The concept is interesting, but needs to be developed more. There needs to be more depth in the core plot, and fewer details in irreverent areas, such as side characters that don't help the plot progress.
With some work, this could be a four-star book. Because I like the plot idea so much, I'm rating it three stars, although if it was any other plot, I would give it two. At the moment, because of it left me wanting, lacks depth, and has immature writing, it isn't a book I'd recommend to others, unless you're a interested enough in the topic to overlook the areas it's lacking. I'd like to see more from this author in the future, because this book shows promise.
*I received an eCopy of this book, from the author, to read in exchange for an honest review.
December 10, 2013
I had serious issues with this book.The plot jumped all over the place with various conspiracy theories,and there was no character development except with the main character-and even that was lacking.It made it very difficult to connect with her and her story. The only thing I understood about any of the supporting characters was that her dad is just plain mean,(to put it nicely). The rest made their appropriate appearances, but other than that just didn't really exist. Her quest for the truth was so ridiculously easy it was boring. It takes place in the future, but the world building was so inefficient that it seemed more like a weak alternate/parallel reality than futuristic.
I had to really push myself to finish this book. The only reason why I did was to be fair and so that I could give the most thorough review as possible to others interested in the book. One star for taking on such an original and mysterious topic such as the Illuminati.
*I was offered this book by the author in exchange for an honest review*
I had to really push myself to finish this book. The only reason why I did was to be fair and so that I could give the most thorough review as possible to others interested in the book. One star for taking on such an original and mysterious topic such as the Illuminati.
*I was offered this book by the author in exchange for an honest review*
December 10, 2018
Review Copy
Luminous starts out with Lucia going to a school with Them. She is not a normal teenage girl. She has a commitment to the Ascended Ones, and she's only going to school help them take over within the next year. However, Lucia is developing friends with the people she's in school with. And she realizes that things may not be as they seem.
I really liked Lucia. I thought she was a very brave young girl with a big heart. And I loved her friends as well. I didn't care for her father though.
I have to say over all this book wasn't that great. It was okay though. The story was very good, maybe just a few things could have been different to make it better. But I did enjoy the over all plot line. I however, didn't like the writing style. It was a major turn off for me, and it made it hard to really get into the story.
Luminous starts out with Lucia going to a school with Them. She is not a normal teenage girl. She has a commitment to the Ascended Ones, and she's only going to school help them take over within the next year. However, Lucia is developing friends with the people she's in school with. And she realizes that things may not be as they seem.
I really liked Lucia. I thought she was a very brave young girl with a big heart. And I loved her friends as well. I didn't care for her father though.
I have to say over all this book wasn't that great. It was okay though. The story was very good, maybe just a few things could have been different to make it better. But I did enjoy the over all plot line. I however, didn't like the writing style. It was a major turn off for me, and it made it hard to really get into the story.
September 29, 2013
Originally posted the review here : http://skyduck.weebly.com/3/post/2013...
The story is pretty good. I wished it was more fast-paced and longer, so there was a chance to explore more from this book.
What I don't like is the world builing, I wish for something unique on 2049, but too bad nothing special.
I like Lucy as main character. She is not a kick-ass heroine, but she is strong! Not in fighting though, but how she faces the world. She is bullied, but she is trying not to count on her friends. When she started to fight the bullies, the story goes more interesting!
The writting style is not memorable. Early chapter is pretty flat, I was pretty confused when I started it but the middle part is getting better :)
The story is pretty good. I wished it was more fast-paced and longer, so there was a chance to explore more from this book.
What I don't like is the world builing, I wish for something unique on 2049, but too bad nothing special.
I like Lucy as main character. She is not a kick-ass heroine, but she is strong! Not in fighting though, but how she faces the world. She is bullied, but she is trying not to count on her friends. When she started to fight the bullies, the story goes more interesting!
The writting style is not memorable. Early chapter is pretty flat, I was pretty confused when I started it but the middle part is getting better :)
May 19, 2014
I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book really confused me. I don't even know what to say because it was just so weird. I still don't know if any of the story was real or if Lucia was just a crazy person. I also didn't find any depth to these characters and that made it impossible to connect with them or the story. I also found that there were a ton of secondary characters that wee only in the story for a few seconds and then we didn't hear about them again. they also didn't serve any purpose.
Overall I just found this to be a very awkward read and I didn't really enjoy it.
This book really confused me. I don't even know what to say because it was just so weird. I still don't know if any of the story was real or if Lucia was just a crazy person. I also didn't find any depth to these characters and that made it impossible to connect with them or the story. I also found that there were a ton of secondary characters that wee only in the story for a few seconds and then we didn't hear about them again. they also didn't serve any purpose.
Overall I just found this to be a very awkward read and I didn't really enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews