Illustrated Girl

The Chronicles of Lucitopia #1

by Josephine Angelini

From bestselling author Josephine Angelini comes a whimsical cozy read with loads of adventure and none of the triggers. Perfect for fans of Olivia Atwater and Travis Baldree.

Ever wish you could travel inside your favorite book and become the main character? Of course you have. Everyone has. But if you ever manage to pull it off, here’s a tip. Timing is everything…

Take Holly for example, who after saying a spell is transported inside a fairytale called The Chronicles of Lucitopia, a magical world infested with grifter grandmas, halitosis-riddled bandits, and devoid of any functioning toilets.

Holly becomes Princess Pleasant exactly as she wished, but she gets there too late, right after an evil sorcerer turns Lucitopia into a tetanus-ridden hellhole. And now, it’s up to Holly to make things right.

With the help of a freakishly handsome, yet frustratingly virtuous knight, Holly sets out to fix her story, but she only has fifteen days left to do so or she risks being stuck in Lucitopia for the rest of her life, which may prove to be a short one considering she’s overdue for her shots.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Cozy Fantasy, Romance, Fiction, Cozy, Adventure

264 pages, Paperback

Published July 2, 2024

About the author

Hi! Thanks so much for stopping by my Goodreads page. I only check in on it occasionally, so if you’d like to send me a message please use the contact form on my website: http://josephineangelini.com.

I can also be found on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, and I love connecting with readers. Check out the Linktree url above for more info.

I am a #1 international bestselling author, a Massachusetts native, and the youngest of eight siblings. I graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in theater with a focus on the classics and now live in Los Angeles with my husband and daughter.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine this: you've always daydreamed about diving headfirst into your favorite story and becoming the hero, right? Well, that's exactly what happens to Holly, but let me tell ya, timing is everything in this gig.

So, Holly accidentally finds herself smack dab in the middle of "The Chronicles of Lucitopia," a fairy tale land that's gone seriously sideways. We're talking grifter grandmas, breath that could knock out a dragon, and no working toilets in sight. Yeah, it's a hot mess. Holly lands the role of Princess Pleasant, but guess what? She's fashionably late, showing up just as some evil sorcerer turns Lucitopia into a rusty old nightmare.

But fear not! With her trusty (and dreamy) knight sidekick, Holly's off to fix this mess before it's too late. She's got a tight deadline, though – just fifteen days to save the day, or she's stuck in this chaos forever. And considering she's overdue for her shots, that's not exactly a picnic.

"Illustrated Girl" is like a rollercoaster you can't get enough of – fast-paced, hilarious, and totally addictive. Seriously, I tore through it in a day flat! The characters are pure gold. . Our dear Holly, with her infectious humor and relatable quirks, serves as a beacon of light amidst the chaos of Lucitopia. And oh, the nods to our own world! Angelini masterfully infuses the story with playful references and clever deconstructions of fairy tale tropes, inviting readers to revel in the joy of literary self-awareness.

Sure, the writing's a bit chatty, but that's part of the charm. It's like your BFF telling you a crazy story, complete with laugh-out-loud moments and heart-pounding action. And let me tell you, that final showdown? Epic doesn't even begin to cover it.

"Illustrated Girl" is an adventure like no other. It's sweet, it's fantastical, and yeah, it's downright ridiculous at times – but isn't that what makes a story unforgettable?

[Books_the_Magical_Fruit · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Illustrated Girl” starts off rather slow. It does pick up, but it felt like stream-of-consciousness writing that needs revision and more editing. There are some funny scenes, but the story had trouble deciding what it wanted to riff and where it wanted to go. I don’t know. I think it got in its own way.

However, the cover is absolutely gorgeous, and I loved, loved, loved the ending. The latter bumped up my rating to a 3.5 instead of a 3.

Fair warning, there are a couple of not PG sexual references sprinkled in here, which I mention because the blurb might attract elementary school kids and middle schoolers, and the book is decidedly YA. Those references jarred me right out of the story, even though the romance itself is pretty tame. We already got that Princess Pleasant is attracted to the hottie! My two cents.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sungrazer Publishing for providing me with an eARC. I am writing this review voluntarily.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What starts out feeling like a stream of consciousness writing exercise turns into a realized adventure with character growth. It's a light, fun story with definite tongue-in-cheek moments. Lucitopia is a great palette cleanser between heavier reads or a fun diversion while stuck at home social distancing.

[Andye.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Princess Bride meets Zombies vs Unicorns. Perfect for anyone who loves being immersed into stories. Clever, witty, with fantastic writing and a cozy vibe.

-Kit

[Bookish Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update (07/24):

Rereading this book was funny. Because the story is funny, but mostly because I completely forgot who the love interest was. Imagine my confusion ahahah. That aside, I again liked the book very much! The additional four chapters gave fascinating new insights into the world of Lucitopia, and I can't wait to read the next books.

If you're looking for a "book that won't hurt you", this is it. The perfect quick and cozy read. <3

Thank you to Josephine Angelini and Sungrazer Publishing for the ARC!

Initial thoughts (12/22):
It was amazing, hilarious, the perfect book to come down, and just very Josephine Angelini. I can't wait to read the other three anthologies in the series coming out this year (this first one should still be available for free at the moment on Josephine Angelini's website). I loved it, highly recommend.

[Sofi Mascaró · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you so much to Edelweiss for the early copy! all opinions are my own!

THIS IS SO CUTE AND UNDERRATED 😍😍😍
i went in with super low expectations but as soon as things started to pick up pace, i was hooked. i adored the characters, the world, how simple it's written and how the MC's real world thinking doesn't collide as hard with the medieval times. i loved the action, the drama, TORNVOLD IS SO CUTE 😭😭😭 i wasn't expecting such a fluffy romance to make me smile but it did.
the ending felt kind of rushed, tho i really enjoyed how it ended. the side characters added so much to the story and they made me laugh as well. overall i truly enjoyed it and i can't believe it doesn't have that much hype 😱😱

[Marta Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an absolute delight to read and just such fun ! Hey who hasn't imagined themselves stepping into a fairy tale or a book that pulls you in ? Well let me tell you that nearly a year ago that is what happened to Holly and this teenager is beyond done with living in a tower and avoiding an evil Sorcerer. So it's time to put herself out there and if that means teaming up with a rather noble and hunky Knight and his odd sidekick well why not ? Time is running out though if this intrepid Princess wants to get her first kiss and return to a more normal but very possibly duller world !
Charming, funny and definitely worth your time reading just about sums up my feelings on this book and I will certainly look for more by this author.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

[Saumya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucitopia is an AMAZING book! I loved it very much and the ending is just very sweet. I love your books Josephine Angelini!

Merged review:

Lucitopia is an AMAZING book! I loved it very much and the ending is just very sweet. If you like fantasy, books with adventure and sweet romance,I really recommend this book to you because you will LOVE it. I really wish I could get to be inside a book as the main character. I love your books, Josephine Angelini!

[BookForAHeart · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Chronicles of Lucitopia. Becoming the Main Character of Your Favorite Book.


This is what happened to Holly, or more accurately now, Princess Pleasant. A spell transports her into the fairytale "The Chronicles of Lucitopia", except she became her favorite character too late in the story. Instead of becoming the hero and stopping the evil sorcerer, she transports into the book world after it becomes a land of the malevolent and the nefarious.

Now, Holly has to fix this mess of a world she has magically transported to.

We then meet a heroic knight, who is righteous, honorable, and noble. The clock is ticking, though! This is the part that brought me memories of Labyrinth by A.C.H Smith, based on the movie directed by the puppet movie featuring David Bowie. So much time does she have before her brother is turned to a goblin! She must get past the riddles, the traps, and reach the castle before she can get her brother back.

In this story, Holly has but fifteen days or she is stuck in this odd world forever, never to return to her life outside of a little novel. I will say, the story dragged on in some parts. I wanted to be enthralled like I had been with The Labyrinth, but it was hard to get through at times.

How does Holly successfully leave this land of ink and pages? She must kiss a human boy.

This was a funny spin on a good storyline, inserting many hilarious scenes. The ending was well worth getting to the end. This story is sweet and fantastical, and so ridiculous at times. There is excitement and whimsy, and the final boss fight is magnificent.

I would add this novel to my list of cozy fantasy books. There are more and more every year. I hope this trend does not stop its momentum. They are of full of cinnamon-roll type characters. Slowing down, falling in love, often in a sweet and charming way; with a dash of mundanity. Such a tame, heartwarming side quest. Readers, enjoy the sweetness of this bookish cozy love story 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars!

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember my mom introducing me to the book by this author. My mom is an avid reader like me and while I'm currently the one recommending her books, there was a time she recommended me books. It was love at first sight. I've always been a Greek Mythology nerd and combining Greek Mythology with YA romance was everything I had wanted and more. So, I now wanna read this author's entire backlist. Luckily Sungrazer Publishing granted me a review copy via Netgalley.

This book has been in my thoughts ever since I finished it and I still don't really know if that's a good or a bad thing. I think this book had elements I really loved and elements I couldn't connect with. There were parts of the book I enjoyed and parts I couldn't care less about. There were moments I liked reading this book and moments I was counting down the pages until I would finish. It's therefore hard to explain why this book was not the big hit I had wanted it to be.

I love the concept and just like the heroine in this story I probably wouldn't have thought twice when I was offered to become a character in a book. And it's always special to read about a reader living the ultimate dream: becoming the hero of your own story. However, I think the issue lies mostly with the execution. The book is relatively short and maybe therefore it felt like so little was explained and a lot of things, especially the epilogue, felt really rushed.

I also feel like the plot of the novel our heroine ended up in was still quite vague at the end of the book. I think I get the idea. I also think the author was trying to rewrite those classic epic fantasies where girls were put away in towers while guys got all the interesting plotlines. It just feels like I never connected with the original story. However, the more I think about it, the more I think it's because I'm one of those readers who has never really enjoyed those stories to begin with.

I still wanna give the sequel a chance. Since it will be a new story I hope I'll have a click with that one!

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so much fun! Like laugh out loud fun. I genuinely couldn't put it down because I was having the best time.

I've seen other reviews saying that it starts of slow but I don't really think that's the case. The first chapter sets the scene and gives a fair bit of info without it being info-dumpy and then the story moves along at a good clip straight away - sucking you in and making you invested really quickly.

While the overall story is slightly predictable (in the best kind of way as it's still thoroughly entertaining and does have a few little twists you don't see coming), the narrator is what really makes it so great. I absolutely love the Princess's voice throughout it, she's really funny and few moments caught me off guard and made me snort (the phrase 'poop shoot' being used is one of them).

One thing that did take me aback slightly was 'Tolkien' being spelt incorrectly in a chapter title, but this might have been intentional. I also would not have been mad if the book was slightly longer because that's how much I enjoyed it.

It is very YA but the humour makes it a good read for adults after something light. I really want to read the rest of the stories in the series now as I feel a lot of them are going to be interconnected and not all questions have been answered.

[Bookish Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever wished to be part of a fantasy book? I know I definitely have! Holly makes the same wish and surprisingly has it granted. She finds herself in the role of Princess Pleasant, living in a tower in a land that has pretty much succumbed to an evil sorcerer. Now she's trying to get out of the book, but the only way is by getting a "real person" to kiss her, which she can't seem to do. Determined to sort the situation out, she gets Mother Maybe to magic her back in the story, to before the sorcerer won his battle... and then her fantasy adventure truly begins, amidst dangerous creatures, white witches and a charming knight she's not supposed to have feelings for!

Illustrated Girl starts out quite slow, with a couple of chapters that feel like a bit rambly and are basically Holly's stream or consciousness while setting up the story. It picks up quite soon, though, getting interesting once the MC is transported back in the story and starts adventuring with some fun new characters. I loved the unicorn the most - I want one like that too! The 1st person POV remains quite intense at times, but not so much as to affect how enjoyable and fun the story is. There's so many fantasy elements, mixed in with a reader who suddenly has to deal with all of them first hand (No toilets! No showers!) and whose thoughts about them are quite funny.

I really like the choice of having a book within a book - it reminded me a bit of The Never-ending Story (a book I absolutely loved) though more fast-paced, less deep and more modern. It was entertaining to have all the features of the book picked at by someone who suddenly found herself inside it and other readers described as "eyes in the sky" 😂

Anyway, I'd recommend this if you enjoy younger fantasy (somewhere between middle grade and YA?) and I'll be looking out for the next book in The Chronicles of Lucitopia.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute and fun! In the Illustrated Girl, Holly is stuck in a very un-happy ending in a fairytale and has a chance to go back in the story to make it right. It took me a minute to get used to the story's more juvenile tone and humor, but after that, I was hooked! The characters were distinct and interesting, and I loved how the stakes were built on themes of rewriting your own narrative and protecting all that is good and Virtuous. I gasped at the ending, like da--!

[Jewels Gemheart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: A DNF so 2 stars as I think I’m not the target audience and it’s a DNF so anything lower won’t be totally accurate. But it’s definitely a 1 star for myself. I’ve never struggled so much with a book.

I had to sadly DNF this book at 30%. It was becoming a chore to read and I thought I could make it through since it’s short but no I just couldn’t do it.

I was excited to see the character get stuck in a book world and see how she handled adapting to that. But the book begins with her having been stuck in this world for almost a year. So you don’t get to discover the world with her. I was already disappointed at that.

The style of writing is what really made me dislike this book though. It was far too chatty and casual. The pop culture references will not age well either. I feel this reads like a children’s cartoon rather than a novel.

This book is aimed at Teenagers & Young Adults and I’m someone in their early 30s so perhaps I’m just not the target audience (although YA novels are what I predominantly read).

I do have a feeling back in school I’d have a few friends around the age of 12-15 who’d maybe have enjoyed this book. Some of its lines were funny. Those friends would have also have liked a few of the dirty jokes too. Despite that I think if this book was made less mature it actually be a better suited book for a younger audience especially with the tone of the writing. Best for 9-12 years old instead with perhaps a few illustrations in the style of the cover which is gorgeous.

I think I’d recommend for anyone interested in this book to read a few pages or a chapter before picking it up. If you enjoy those you’ll enjoy the rest. Happy reading if you do as I’m sure you’ll find it a fun unique read. It just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sungrazer Publishing for granting me an Advance Reader Copy. All opinions are honest and my own.

[Lianne Dubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was a hilarious cozy fantasy with a dash of romance!

Holly is tricked by a bookseller into entering the world of Lucitopia. Unlike what you'd think, being in a fantasy world kind of (definitely) sucks. Holly has only 15 days left to leave Lucitopia before she is trapped in the world, forever. In order to leave Lucitopia, she must kiss a human boy.

As Princess Pleasant, Holly needs to fix her story so that an evil sorcerer doesn't kill off all the virtues. She receives help with this from a very virtuous knight, who she definitely doesn't want to kiss, no way. The humor in this novel is very self-aware, and I love how we get to learn more about Lucitopia and Holly's life back in her world. Overall, this story is a great breath of fresh air for those who need a break from dark and heavy stories.

Disclaimer: I first read the novel when it was a free novella from Josephine Angelini. I've read the final version of this novel as an eARC, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

[Em (Diversify Your Shelf) · Rating 2 out of 5]

*got an arc*

CW: use of the term c*rnie, minstrels

The tone of this book is really fun and sassy (the puns around virtue are hilarious( but it really needed a sensitivity reader/editor. I was trying to note but ignore the uses of c*rnie & minstrels because not everyone knows the problematic history of those words, but fatwa? Really? I had to DNF here because it gave me such an aggressive ick (which is a shame because parts of it are terribly amusing)

I'm fine with characters who have been pulled into stories using terms from the world they came from but, given how prevalent Islamophobic rhetoric is, casually throwing around the term fatwa (in the context of kidnapping/killing characters that are called *White* Witches) is so racist and unnecessary. It isn't an integral part of the story and ruins what was shaping up to be a sassy feel-good adventure story.

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun and unique story!
I had not read the summary when I started this free (!) ebook but I was pleasantly surprised (pun intended).
It was sarcastic, self-aware and the protagonist was were likable and relatable.

Although I must say that it could’ve been a bit longer and could’ve given us a little bit more lore. Some questions remain unanswered but I am excited to learn more about Lucitopia in the upcoming books!


All in all a 4.5 ⭐️ read.

[Patience Cruise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who hasn’t fantasized about being part of a story?! I certainly have, but I guess I never really considered all the strings that could come along with it!
Looking for a book to hook you in? Stuck in a reading rut? Book hangover? Reading Illustrated Girl is your answer! This story was the prefect read for any part of the day. Between appointments, camping, at the beach, just before bed, I found an excuse during every free moment I had … and some moments that weren’t supposed to be free time too! It was a refreshing change to read a story that “won’t hurt you” and to cozy up with a homiliario ya and witty storyline.
I am always enamored by Josephine Angelini’s writing and this story was no exception, it sucked me in immediately! I cannot wait for the other three books to come out to continue the series!

[Courtney Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO GOOD! If you love cozy, YA, quest-based fantasies, you’re going to love this one as much as I did. I read the first 50% in about an hour. I was hooked. It was so fun to read and had me giggling. What a lovely cast of characters. This story truly kept me guessing from start to finish and I loved every moment of it.

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice message, romance, and plot
Jake and Holly are the otp

[Lena A · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Illustrated Girl" by Josephine Angelini is a delightfully funny cozy fantasy with a bit of romance that wraps readers in a warm, enchanting embrace from the very first page, all while providing a great plot with a few twists that keep the story interesting and made me keep on reading. Also, I LOVE the idea of a book within a book etc. I really enjoyed reading the book and getting to know the characters. As it was a quick read, I am highly looking forward to reading the other parts of the Chronicles of Lucitopia and spending more time in Josephine Angelini’s created world!

[Raquel · Rating 4 out of 5]

So originally Josephine released some of Lucitopia (I can’t remember all of it) as a serial on an app. I remember reading some of it and loving it.

I’m not gonna lie though, I hardcore procrastinated reading Illustrated Girl. I’m not sure what it was that was stopping me from reading it but something was. Of course, as soon as I started I couldn’t stop and I was determined to annotate as I went along.

Which meant that I couldn’t eat it up like I do with all the rest of her books. I was determined that Illustrated Girl was different. That went down the wayside. I annotated the beginning and then got sucked into the story just like Holly did.

Holly’s whole personality was absolutely hilarious and wonderfully relatable. She never held back from saying her thoughts out loud and sometimes her thoughts were also mine. LOL. And Torvold was the cutest baby boy ever.

He was just the sweetest and quite frankly the literal manual for modern day chivalry. The favorite character, though, was definitely Rancor, the unicorn. I absolutely adored him and want to make a stuffed animal of him. Holly’s character development was full and center. She went from being a character in a story to being the story’s character. I just really adored the way that Angelini tackled this one. There were a couple of jabs of how some authors write women and there were a lot of introspective moments with Holly. Illustrated Girl had now joined the Starcrossed series as one of my favorites.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.5/5

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. This book is something that I probably would have never picked up on my own, but I am so glad that I read it. This is such a cute and cozy fantasy book that tugs at your heartstrings. I found myself constantly giggling while reading this and I absolutely fell in love with the characters. I also really enjoyed Holly’s internal monologue and found her hilarious. If you ever want a light fantasy book that’ll make you smile and fall in love with the characters then I definitely recommend this! Oh, and without spoiling, I found the way that magic works in this story to be very interesting.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and quirky

I am honestly shocked by how much I liked the book. I think it was a very unique idea to be inside of a book. The characters were fun and inviting. Princess P had an interesting journey and her emotions weren't over or underdone, in my opinion. Our love interest is noble and attractive. It's cutely romantic. The twist at the end, I'll admit, blew my mind and I was so happy for it. 5/5 would recommend if you enjoy fun, adventurous books with some light hearted romance.

[Sonia Morvillo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very juvenile writing and inconsistent storyline. Very disappointing from the author of Starcrossed which is one of my fav series!

[Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Super fun but with loose ends

Holly is a sixteen-something teen looking to escape from the real world by burning her nose in books. All she ever wanted was a romance like in the novels, but a spell made her a part of a middle-grade medieval fantasy!

Now, Holly is stuck in The Chronicles of Lucitopia as Princess Pleasant. She has only fifteen days to break the spell, or she will be permanently stuck in the book. Holly sets out on a quest to find a way and meets a super handsome knight on his own quest. Can she be successful in her mission, or will Holly become Princess Pleasant forever?

The story comes in Holly’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts:

Your enjoyment will depend on how well you like the narrative style. The first-person narration here is more like a young girl telling you her story with cheeky side notes and witty remarks. The narrator speaks to the readers at times. The tone is informal, casual, and sassy. I quite enjoyed the voice with all its quirks, though it is not my preferred style.

The beginning is slow, but the story picks up pace soon enough. The humor is lighthearted even though the plot deals with some tough topics. Everything is kept on the surface level to restrict the focus to the fantasy land and the story in the story.

This book is YA, even if Holly is stuck in a middle-grade story. So it does have a few scenes and references appropriate for the teen folk but not kiddos. And with our FMC fully appreciating the MMC’s physique, this should work better for the 16+ readers.

It is a cozy fantasy with stinky monsters, handsome knights, an evil sorcerer, and a girl on a quest to find her freedom. The fantasy world is not elaborate but blends reality and fantasy. Moreover, I like how it is presented. It feels fresh while giving the author some leeway to get away with basic world-building. Smart!

However, we are also left with quite a few questions and no answers. I saw the blurbs for the other two books in the series. While the evil sorcerer is a recurring character, the plotlines seem to be independent. So, I’m not sure if these questions will be answered.

The ending is cute and sweet, but again, leaves some things unanswered. This is the kind of read where you don’t use logic and go with the flow. I enjoyed it, so no complaints.

To summarize, Illustrated Girl is a lighthearted and fun read for teens (preferably the older set) who want a touch of magic, romance, and humor. Don’t look for anything intense, and enjoy it for what it is! I would love to read the next book in the series.

And… can I get my own Rancor, please?

Thank you, NetGalley, Sungrazer Publishing, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #IllustratedGirl

[Alissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5*)
Ooh!! This was a hard one to rate because I feel like it started kind of weak in the beginning but found it’s footing at about the 35% mark and was a really enjoyable read from there. Really enjoyed Rancor, the White Witches, and the magic system (illusion magic!! so cool!!).

Sometimes the writing seems a bit juvenile for a YA book. At times it seemed a bit more like middle grade with mature themes and innuendos sprinkled in that would prevent it from actually *being* a middle grade book. But then, at other times it really does work, and has a tongue-in-cheek tone similar to The Princess Bride. There were some super funny moments in this book!!

The plot twists were great, and I didn’t see them coming. There is one that I feel could have done with more explanation though.

When Pleasant/Holly is falling for Torvold I think it could have done with a little more show, a little less tell (though since it’s a first person narrative I know that does limit it a bit!). It just felt a bit clunky to me. Additionally, I think it would have made more sense if Pleasant’s reasons for being hesitant about Torvold were more ‘I can’t fall in love with him because I know he dies halfway through’ OR ‘I can’t fall in love with him because I’m running out of time here’ and less ‘I can’t fall in love with him because he’s not real’- she’s been in this book for almost a year now, I’d imagine it feels pretty real to her at this stage!

My biggest critique is definitely the beginning of the book- it feels pretty weak compared to the majority of the story. I wish we knew why exactly Holly was sent into the book in the first place, and maybe got some writing on that at the beginning. Similarly, I have soo many questions about the epilogue. Were Jake and Holly the only two that were actually in the book or are the other people that seemed to resemble the book characters in the epilogue actively transported there too? Why does Rancor just appear at the end in the real world? Was Asphodel really the Green Knight and how did he become Asphodel if so? What was the deal with the castle in the forest, did they actually travel back in time and why? How does Mother Maybe exist inside and outside of the book?

Overall an enjoyable read! Would recommend for anyone that wants a fun, lighthearted fantasy, wants a spin on fairytales, or enjoys stories about normal people in magical worlds :)

Thank you to Netgalley and Sungrazer Publishing for the ARC!

[Nicole Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Sungrazer Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Illustrated Girl" by Josephine Angelini is a delightful and unique fantasy adventure that delivers on both wit and charm, making it a perfect escape for readers in search of a lighthearted and entertaining story. This is the kind of book to read when you are stuck in a reading slump or if you’re literally stuck in bed. It’s so much fun, and I absolutely loved reading this book. It’s also pretty short, so you can easily knock this out in an afternoon. Whenever I have a read who says they can’t find anything “good” to read, I will definitely be recommending this book.

From the moment you dive into the pages of this book, you're immediately drawn into the world of Lucitopia, where Princess Pleasant finds herself with only 15 days to escape before being trapped forever. Filled with romance, humor, and an epic final battle against an evil sorcerer, the story unfolds with a perfect blend of excitement and whimsy.

One of the standout features of "Illustrated Girl" is its self-aware humor and relatable protagonist, which adds depth and charm. I absolutely loved the humor of Holly as she made quick jokes, like when she mocks the fantasy world she finds herself in while also providing social commentary on princess stories, like how it’s very rare for there to be a woman in the fantasy world who can actually read. Holly was extremely relatable with her sarcasm as well as her thoughts/perspectives of the fantasy world. She is also a flawed character, which made me relate to her even more, but you are able to see her grow as a character as she discovers her own strength and courage.

While the story is relatively short and quick-paced, it doesn't skimp on entertainment value. I did want some more lore and world building, but the promise of future books in the Chronicles of Lucitopia series leaves room for further exploration and discovery. There were also a lot of different characters introduced in this book, and I did find it difficult to keep track of them also, especially because of the fast pace and the shortness of the book.

Overall, "Illustrated Girl" is a charming and enjoyable read that offers a refreshing break from darker and heavier stories. With its light-hearted humor, endearing characters, and engaging plot, I definitely can’t wait to read more about the world of Lucitopia.

[Aline (HerzundSeeleleserin) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Actual rating: 3.5⭐️

"Illustrated Girl" is about a girl from the real world, who is trapped in a story book with no happy ending in sight. It's stuck at its lowest point because readers do not continue reading. Sadly they never get to meet the girl at the end of the book, who is meant to play the princess, stuck in her tower with no one coming to rescue her. So she decides she wants to change her fate...

My thoughts are all over the place for this one. For that reason, my review will be a little different than usual.

This was such a unique take on story-telling. You have the feeling that the princess (whose name you will not know till the end) is directly talking to you by sharing her immediate thoughts. While reading, you discover the world-building and characters with her, you get to know her better and how she feels. She does comment a lot; for example, when she finds a scenary in the story to be a rip-off of something from the real world. This leads to funny situations you solely share with her, like secrets between the two of you. You embark with her in this peculiar fairytale.
So basically, it's like watching a show with that friend who can't seem to shut up and needs to comment on - what feels like - everything. You either love it, or you hate it.

The author also plays with the stereotypes of certain characters and how they are typically portrayed in stories. More than a few times, I caught myself smiling at the obvious clichés. However, the author also brings her own twists and turns to known mythical creatures. I loved a certain character named Rancor.

As already mentioned, this is (at least for me) not the typical story. So be prepared for pacing that can seem a little bit off at times, but that works with the story and how it is told. I will say, that the concept will not appeal to everyone, and I myself found it a little bit difficult to get into.

Overall, this book was really entertaining. The concept is unique and the characters fit in the fairytale perspective perfectly; they are all so quirky. It's a real feel good story, you can read it without concerns. It's also a quick and fun read. The story is a young adult book without any overly detailed gore scences, and is spice/smut safe. You should definitely check it out if you want an easy fantasy read. Also, check out her starcrossed series, which is one of my all-time favourite series. 

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Illustrated Girl is a YA romantasy series opener by Josephine Angelini. Originally published in 2022, this reformat and re-release, out 2nd July 2024 is 264 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

Full of the sort of sarcastic humor and snarky characterizations which make the YA romantasy subgenre so popular, this is a story about a girl who wishes to sink into the pages of a book (who hasn't?) and succeeds, only to find life in Lucitopia is anything but sunshine and roses. Evil wizards to fight, wrongs to right, indoor plumbing, and modern conveniences to install; she's got a full schedule, if she can survive long enough to figure it all out.

The writing is *very* young. The dialogue is *very* sarcastic and often the author sacrifices readability for one-liners and repartee. It's a relatively short, very much action driven plot. One for fans of the subgenre.

There have been comparisons to Travis Baldree's books, and it's a disservice to both. There should also be a note of wary caution for readers at the younger end of YA, because there is some not kid friendly content here. Despite being the third release of the book, it would have benefited with some judicious objective editing. It often feels as though the author's editing process made it difficult to remove many (any) of her own scenes and subsequently, the book spent a fair bit of time tripping over its own feet.

That being said, it's readable, and light, and enjoyable. There are three books extant in the series at the current time, so readers who enjoy this one have a nice potential binge/buddy read.

Three stars. Worth a look for fans of YA romantasy.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.