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The Sceptre & the Stylus #1
Illuminary
Glimpse the past, illuminate the future.
Yosarai Patican dreams of becoming an illuminator in a country that values art above all else. A lofty goal that finally seems within reach when she earns a position at the prestigious Academy of the Seven Arts. Although Yosarai loathes to leave behind her quiet country life, she travels to the capital, determined to live up to her mother’s fame as one of Indel’s greatest artists.
Prince Xander never planned to become king. Indeed, he never wanted to become king. But when his father dies suddenly, he is thrust into the middle of coronation preparations—and assassination attempts. With everyone around him in increasing danger, Xander decides to hide in neighboring Indel until the time for him to be crowned king arrives.
Posing as an inventor struggling with aesthetics, Xander enlists Yosarai’s aid as part of his cover, but soon he suspects she knows more than she should. But when danger threatens and secrets are exposed, entering a competition reputed as cutthroat may be the only way for them to protect everything they hold dear.
Yosarai Patican dreams of becoming an illuminator in a country that values art above all else. A lofty goal that finally seems within reach when she earns a position at the prestigious Academy of the Seven Arts. Although Yosarai loathes to leave behind her quiet country life, she travels to the capital, determined to live up to her mother’s fame as one of Indel’s greatest artists.
Prince Xander never planned to become king. Indeed, he never wanted to become king. But when his father dies suddenly, he is thrust into the middle of coronation preparations—and assassination attempts. With everyone around him in increasing danger, Xander decides to hide in neighboring Indel until the time for him to be crowned king arrives.
Posing as an inventor struggling with aesthetics, Xander enlists Yosarai’s aid as part of his cover, but soon he suspects she knows more than she should. But when danger threatens and secrets are exposed, entering a competition reputed as cutthroat may be the only way for them to protect everything they hold dear.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published April 8, 2025
15 people are currently reading
490 people want to read
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April 26, 2025
3-ish stars ⭐️ Christian Fiction - Fantasy
About this book:
“Glimpse the past, illuminate the future.
Yosarai Patican dreams of becoming an illuminator in a country that values art above all else. A lofty goal that finally seems within reach when she earns a position at the prestigious Academy of the Seven Arts. Although Yosarai loathes to leave behind her quiet country life, she travels to the capital, determined to live up to her mother’s fame as one of Indel’s greatest artists.
Prince Xander never planned to become king. Indeed, he never wanted to become king. But when his father dies suddenly, he is thrust into the middle of coronation preparations—and assassination attempts. With everyone around him in increasing danger, Xander decides to hide in neighboring Indel until the time for him to be crowned king arrives.
Posing as an inventor struggling with aesthetics, Xander enlists Yosarai’s aid as part of his cover, but soon he suspects she knows more than she should. But when danger threatens and secrets are exposed, entering a competition reputed as cutthroat may be the only way for them to protect everything they hold dear.”
Series: Book #1 in “The Sceptre & the Stylus” trilogy.
Spiritual Content- Dedication is to the Lord & has a poem; Quotes that are Scripture-like are quoted, mentioned, & remembered; Prayers (including lighting and extinguishing lamps in a ritual); Two songs praising Sustainer are written out and sung; God is called “Sustainer” in this world, Jesus is the “Effulgence”, Christians are “Tipheret”, & The Scriptures are called “the Writings of the Scribes”; Talks about Sustainer, trusting Him, His plan, & Him providing; ‘H’s are capital when referring to Sustainer; Xander hides his belief in Sustainer at home due to being mocked in his country and also in Yosi’s country because many mistrust foreigners who have an interest in “their God”; Xander’s bodyguard and friend does not share the same beliefs; Yosi wonders why Sustainer would bless her and protect her from troubles when she hasn’t done anything to earn it (which also makes her wonder if her faith is so weak that normal troubles would destroy her); Yosi has visions (also called “flashes” or “spells”) of different past and future events when touching items or writings (such as when she touches a doll, she sees how the doll was treated by the owner; she touches a drinking glad and becomes the glass, hearing what it hears; she visually sees what the writer was picturing when writing a letter or the hidden meaning behind the words; she sees a future event where an important decision will have someone’s life depended on it); Yosi’s gift is called an “elchan gifting” and it unnerves others especially priests as it’s believed to no longer exist (because of this, it is kept a secret); Yosi’s original dream was to create illuminated script based off of the original Writings of the Scribes; A couple side character believe that servants shouldn’t be allowed to change their status because it would be a defiance of where Sustainer put them & another believes Sustainer to be favoring her (despite her mean words and actions to others); The Academy of the Seven Arts includes religion; Many mentions of Sustainer, the Writings of the Scribes, & those and events in them; Mentions of Sustainer’s grace, trusting Him, His plan/will, & Him providing; Mentions of prayers, praying, thanking Sustainer, & praising Effulgence; Mentions of blessings & being Blessed (and Sustainer removing a blessing if not appreciated or used enough); Mentions of priests, morning prayers, & a religious festival;
*Note: Xander says about his countrymen believing they can be “as wise as any god” and are so enlightened to feel like they “no longer need a divine crutch to survive”; Another POV has someone who thanks “the Fates” (twice, which is said in the glossary to be an “impersonal deity”); The characters go to an underground lake called “the Spring of Life”; Many mentions of “Eshom the Gatherer” (who had to gather six people from the different realms and is viewed as a religious figure in this world); A couple mentions of luck; A mention of Yosi not being superstitious; A mention of ghost stories; A mention of a picture of a unicorn.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘confound’, an unfinished ‘what the…’, and four ‘stupid’s; Fiction phrases are exclaimed like ‘nuts/cogs and bolts’, ‘rusted cogs and threadless screws’, & ‘stilts and modified garments’ (up to thrice each); A few mentions of curses (said, not written); Insults like ‘lava slug”, “tatterscamp”, and “water trog” are aimed at others along with those of mixed heritage being called “half bloods” and “mixers” (which the glossary says all of these are derogatory); Lavidah mentally screams every derogatory and degrading name she knows at Yosi; Some eye rolling; Yosi says a lie that she thinks is bitter, but necessary for the circumstances; Being hit/attacked, Being poisoned and passing out, Being attacked with rotten food and stones, Pain, Injuries, Blood/Bleeding, & Throwing up (up to semi-detailed); Seeing someone threatened with a gun and with words; One side character drinks wine and another drinks a (fictional) cocktail & both Yosi and Xander have drinks at a party with names like “Nectar of Paradise” and “Lava Bubbler” (which are not said to be alcoholic or not, but there is a note that alcohol is being “liberally distributed”); Yosi has a moment of thinking about stealing something and is quickly horrified by that thought coming to her mind; Yosi feels someone’s despairing grief and it swallows her, feeling despised and unwanted; *Major Spoilers* ; Many mentions of assassination attempts, assassins, attacks, injuries, weapons, poisons, threats, & bribes; Mentions of deaths & grief; Mentions of servants being mistreated by their masters (being physically hurt and scarred & being starved); Mentions of thieves, thefts, & stealing; Mentions of prejudice & racism towards those of different ethnicities (including someone saying that the servants shouldn’t be able to change their status as it’s a defiance of where Sustainer has placed them); Mentions of alcohol & drinking; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of hunting (a test has a room of stuffed birds and animals to shoot); A few mentions of potential wars; A few mentions of vandalism; A few mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of someone’s throat being slit in a competition; A couple mentions of an explosive; A couple mentions of bullies; A mention of a possible suicide; A mention of murder (Yosi thinks that giving arbitrary judgement would be on par with murder “for it was the death of justice”); A mention of a parlor game where someone has to choose between death by strangulation or by stabbing; A mention of a story about a family planning to marry off their daughter to a cruel man & her running away from them;
*Note: Xander has a near-panic attack (up to semi-detailed); Prejudice and name-calling towards those from another country (including Xander facing this in Yosi’s country and slurs being written and said towards him and others); Yosi’s cousin strives for her mother’s approval no matter the cost or else she thinks there will be nothing left to live for; A mother makes a few belittling comments to her daughter & restricting her daughter’s meals to keep her on a diet due to her figure; Mentions of allergic reactions; A couple mentions of a special school for children that are “deemed deficient”, but a king believing they are also gifted by Sustainer and the world focuses too much on their outward appearance (and thus pays no attention to those who aren’t wrapped in “acceptable packaging”); A mention of Xander’s half-brother stuffing his mouth with rotten lakeweed and forcing him to swallow.
Sexual Content- A hand kiss; Some Touches, Dancing, Hand holding, Nearness, & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Yosi is called a trollop twice because of hanging around Xander (who is from another country) and her cousin accuses her of throwing herself at him; Yosi’s cousin makes comments about a female student only getting into a prestigious academy because of her mother being “friendly” with the director and that she has paid “favors” to the proctors which is why she ranks so high (the cousin also adds that it’s being said that Yosi’s father promised she would do that same); Xander is the illegitimate son of the king, but has been accepted by the family (including the queen who had “set aside the pain of her husband’s betrayal to accept him as a son”) even though his council wished for his father to make Xander disappear (his father instead made his indiscretions known and claimed Xander as his son; When Xander says he shouldn’t have existed, Yosi tells him that while his father made a wrong choice, he couldn’t create a life so he exists because Sustainer wanted him to exist when stuns Xander to think about); A couple mentions of dalliances/affairs; A couple mentions of flirting; Very light interest/attraction;
*Note: A few mentions of young women’s figures.
-Yosarai Patican, age 20
-Xander
P.O.V. switches between Yosi (1st), Xander (3rd), Lavidah (3rd), & Someone else (1st)
375 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
This was…different than I was expecting, for sure.
Like the rest of the plot, the faith content was uniquely written. I liked some parts (such as how much there was—it might be the most from an Enclave Published book I’ve seen yet!) and was also a little confused because not everything had direct correlations to Biblical events or characters. It wasn’t an allegory and must have been part of the fantasy elements but with God? It’s difficult to explain and was difficult to make notes on it for this review.
At first, I was pretty confused because of all the different words—either Indian origin or maybe even Jewish?—or just plain fantasy made-up words, so I had a bit of a time getting into this book. Because of the mix of different cultures and the fictional fantasy elements as well, I had to read this book slower to be able to figure out what was happening and what the characters were referring to. There’s a glossary at the end of the book that explains most things, but I didn’t realize that was there until halfway through. Once I started figuring things out though and had the help of said glossary, it didn’t hurt my head as much.
I wasn’t quite sure how Yosi’s country is supposed to be very religious and have a yearly religious festival, but that a part of the festival is more of a cut-throat competition. Interestingly enough, however, we don’t really see that and just hear about how it has been brutal in the past. It was more riddles and them figuring things out for the competition. Perhaps it was because of not fully understanding what was happening or that we don’t have enough context or details about the riddles to figure it out for ourselves, but I wasn’t very invested in the competition parts.
The chapters were really long—all the way from 40 pages to 90 pages with some breaks. I don’t usually notice this, but it caught my attention with this book.
I have to say that I really liked and appreciated seeing both main characters having a faith. It’s not often when that happens in the books I review, so it was refreshing to see this. Even if one has to hide their faith, the conversations and discussions made me happy and I hope that will continue for the rest of the trilogy.
I think it was supposed to be a part of the different cultural elements or maybe even the writing style, but there were many times were a sentence felt off due to a missing word or missing letter. Such as someone being tackled and saying, “off of me!” instead of “Get off of me!”. I don’t think it was a typo, though, because this happened throughout the book. Along with this, some words used didn’t have their common meaning, but a different one. This kept happening and added to my confusion because the well-known meaning of such a word didn’t make sense for the context.
A lot of the conversations felt…lofty? Stuffy? I’m not quite sure the right word, but it felt like the characters were trying a bit too hard to look wise. Perhaps this was because of the poetic writing style which I didn’t care for much. There is also a side character that nearly exclusively talks in quotes from some book in this fantasy world.
Because of a classic book I had heard this book compared to, I was bracing for something specific to happen during the whole book. Needless to say, the ending was mean. Very, very mean.
I think overall that the plot of this book was interesting, but because of being lost for half of the book and then the poetic writing style, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I may read the next two books in the series when they release, but even with that mean cliffhanger ending, I can’t say I’m super eager for it. I think other fantasy readers may enjoy this one because of the unique setting and pacing—make sure you read and refer to the glossary often though! You’ll need it. 😅
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“Glimpse the past, illuminate the future.
Yosarai Patican dreams of becoming an illuminator in a country that values art above all else. A lofty goal that finally seems within reach when she earns a position at the prestigious Academy of the Seven Arts. Although Yosarai loathes to leave behind her quiet country life, she travels to the capital, determined to live up to her mother’s fame as one of Indel’s greatest artists.
Prince Xander never planned to become king. Indeed, he never wanted to become king. But when his father dies suddenly, he is thrust into the middle of coronation preparations—and assassination attempts. With everyone around him in increasing danger, Xander decides to hide in neighboring Indel until the time for him to be crowned king arrives.
Posing as an inventor struggling with aesthetics, Xander enlists Yosarai’s aid as part of his cover, but soon he suspects she knows more than she should. But when danger threatens and secrets are exposed, entering a competition reputed as cutthroat may be the only way for them to protect everything they hold dear.”
Series: Book #1 in “The Sceptre & the Stylus” trilogy.
Spiritual Content- Dedication is to the Lord & has a poem; Quotes that are Scripture-like are quoted, mentioned, & remembered; Prayers (including lighting and extinguishing lamps in a ritual); Two songs praising Sustainer are written out and sung; God is called “Sustainer” in this world, Jesus is the “Effulgence”, Christians are “Tipheret”, & The Scriptures are called “the Writings of the Scribes”; Talks about Sustainer, trusting Him, His plan, & Him providing; ‘H’s are capital when referring to Sustainer; Xander hides his belief in Sustainer at home due to being mocked in his country and also in Yosi’s country because many mistrust foreigners who have an interest in “their God”; Xander’s bodyguard and friend does not share the same beliefs; Yosi wonders why Sustainer would bless her and protect her from troubles when she hasn’t done anything to earn it (which also makes her wonder if her faith is so weak that normal troubles would destroy her); Yosi has visions (also called “flashes” or “spells”) of different past and future events when touching items or writings (such as when she touches a doll, she sees how the doll was treated by the owner; she touches a drinking glad and becomes the glass, hearing what it hears; she visually sees what the writer was picturing when writing a letter or the hidden meaning behind the words; she sees a future event where an important decision will have someone’s life depended on it); Yosi’s gift is called an “elchan gifting” and it unnerves others especially priests as it’s believed to no longer exist (because of this, it is kept a secret); Yosi’s original dream was to create illuminated script based off of the original Writings of the Scribes; A couple side character believe that servants shouldn’t be allowed to change their status because it would be a defiance of where Sustainer put them & another believes Sustainer to be favoring her (despite her mean words and actions to others); The Academy of the Seven Arts includes religion; Many mentions of Sustainer, the Writings of the Scribes, & those and events in them; Mentions of Sustainer’s grace, trusting Him, His plan/will, & Him providing; Mentions of prayers, praying, thanking Sustainer, & praising Effulgence; Mentions of blessings & being Blessed (and Sustainer removing a blessing if not appreciated or used enough); Mentions of priests, morning prayers, & a religious festival;
*Note: Xander says about his countrymen believing they can be “as wise as any god” and are so enlightened to feel like they “no longer need a divine crutch to survive”; Another POV has someone who thanks “the Fates” (twice, which is said in the glossary to be an “impersonal deity”); The characters go to an underground lake called “the Spring of Life”; Many mentions of “Eshom the Gatherer” (who had to gather six people from the different realms and is viewed as a religious figure in this world); A couple mentions of luck; A mention of Yosi not being superstitious; A mention of ghost stories; A mention of a picture of a unicorn.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘confound’, an unfinished ‘what the…’, and four ‘stupid’s; Fiction phrases are exclaimed like ‘nuts/cogs and bolts’, ‘rusted cogs and threadless screws’, & ‘stilts and modified garments’ (up to thrice each); A few mentions of curses (said, not written); Insults like ‘lava slug”, “tatterscamp”, and “water trog” are aimed at others along with those of mixed heritage being called “half bloods” and “mixers” (which the glossary says all of these are derogatory); Lavidah mentally screams every derogatory and degrading name she knows at Yosi; Some eye rolling; Yosi says a lie that she thinks is bitter, but necessary for the circumstances; Being hit/attacked, Being poisoned and passing out, Being attacked with rotten food and stones, Pain, Injuries, Blood/Bleeding, & Throwing up (up to semi-detailed); Seeing someone threatened with a gun and with words; One side character drinks wine and another drinks a (fictional) cocktail & both Yosi and Xander have drinks at a party with names like “Nectar of Paradise” and “Lava Bubbler” (which are not said to be alcoholic or not, but there is a note that alcohol is being “liberally distributed”); Yosi has a moment of thinking about stealing something and is quickly horrified by that thought coming to her mind; Yosi feels someone’s despairing grief and it swallows her, feeling despised and unwanted; *Major Spoilers* ; Many mentions of assassination attempts, assassins, attacks, injuries, weapons, poisons, threats, & bribes; Mentions of deaths & grief; Mentions of servants being mistreated by their masters (being physically hurt and scarred & being starved); Mentions of thieves, thefts, & stealing; Mentions of prejudice & racism towards those of different ethnicities (including someone saying that the servants shouldn’t be able to change their status as it’s a defiance of where Sustainer has placed them); Mentions of alcohol & drinking; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of hunting (a test has a room of stuffed birds and animals to shoot); A few mentions of potential wars; A few mentions of vandalism; A few mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of someone’s throat being slit in a competition; A couple mentions of an explosive; A couple mentions of bullies; A mention of a possible suicide; A mention of murder (Yosi thinks that giving arbitrary judgement would be on par with murder “for it was the death of justice”); A mention of a parlor game where someone has to choose between death by strangulation or by stabbing; A mention of a story about a family planning to marry off their daughter to a cruel man & her running away from them;
*Note: Xander has a near-panic attack (up to semi-detailed); Prejudice and name-calling towards those from another country (including Xander facing this in Yosi’s country and slurs being written and said towards him and others); Yosi’s cousin strives for her mother’s approval no matter the cost or else she thinks there will be nothing left to live for; A mother makes a few belittling comments to her daughter & restricting her daughter’s meals to keep her on a diet due to her figure; Mentions of allergic reactions; A couple mentions of a special school for children that are “deemed deficient”, but a king believing they are also gifted by Sustainer and the world focuses too much on their outward appearance (and thus pays no attention to those who aren’t wrapped in “acceptable packaging”); A mention of Xander’s half-brother stuffing his mouth with rotten lakeweed and forcing him to swallow.
Sexual Content- A hand kiss; Some Touches, Dancing, Hand holding, Nearness, & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Yosi is called a trollop twice because of hanging around Xander (who is from another country) and her cousin accuses her of throwing herself at him; Yosi’s cousin makes comments about a female student only getting into a prestigious academy because of her mother being “friendly” with the director and that she has paid “favors” to the proctors which is why she ranks so high (the cousin also adds that it’s being said that Yosi’s father promised she would do that same); Xander is the illegitimate son of the king, but has been accepted by the family (including the queen who had “set aside the pain of her husband’s betrayal to accept him as a son”) even though his council wished for his father to make Xander disappear (his father instead made his indiscretions known and claimed Xander as his son; When Xander says he shouldn’t have existed, Yosi tells him that while his father made a wrong choice, he couldn’t create a life so he exists because Sustainer wanted him to exist when stuns Xander to think about); A couple mentions of dalliances/affairs; A couple mentions of flirting; Very light interest/attraction;
*Note: A few mentions of young women’s figures.
-Yosarai Patican, age 20
-Xander
P.O.V. switches between Yosi (1st), Xander (3rd), Lavidah (3rd), & Someone else (1st)
375 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
This was…different than I was expecting, for sure.
Like the rest of the plot, the faith content was uniquely written. I liked some parts (such as how much there was—it might be the most from an Enclave Published book I’ve seen yet!) and was also a little confused because not everything had direct correlations to Biblical events or characters. It wasn’t an allegory and must have been part of the fantasy elements but with God? It’s difficult to explain and was difficult to make notes on it for this review.
At first, I was pretty confused because of all the different words—either Indian origin or maybe even Jewish?—or just plain fantasy made-up words, so I had a bit of a time getting into this book. Because of the mix of different cultures and the fictional fantasy elements as well, I had to read this book slower to be able to figure out what was happening and what the characters were referring to. There’s a glossary at the end of the book that explains most things, but I didn’t realize that was there until halfway through. Once I started figuring things out though and had the help of said glossary, it didn’t hurt my head as much.
I wasn’t quite sure how Yosi’s country is supposed to be very religious and have a yearly religious festival, but that a part of the festival is more of a cut-throat competition. Interestingly enough, however, we don’t really see that and just hear about how it has been brutal in the past. It was more riddles and them figuring things out for the competition. Perhaps it was because of not fully understanding what was happening or that we don’t have enough context or details about the riddles to figure it out for ourselves, but I wasn’t very invested in the competition parts.
The chapters were really long—all the way from 40 pages to 90 pages with some breaks. I don’t usually notice this, but it caught my attention with this book.
I have to say that I really liked and appreciated seeing both main characters having a faith. It’s not often when that happens in the books I review, so it was refreshing to see this. Even if one has to hide their faith, the conversations and discussions made me happy and I hope that will continue for the rest of the trilogy.
I think it was supposed to be a part of the different cultural elements or maybe even the writing style, but there were many times were a sentence felt off due to a missing word or missing letter. Such as someone being tackled and saying, “off of me!” instead of “Get off of me!”. I don’t think it was a typo, though, because this happened throughout the book. Along with this, some words used didn’t have their common meaning, but a different one. This kept happening and added to my confusion because the well-known meaning of such a word didn’t make sense for the context.
A lot of the conversations felt…lofty? Stuffy? I’m not quite sure the right word, but it felt like the characters were trying a bit too hard to look wise. Perhaps this was because of the poetic writing style which I didn’t care for much. There is also a side character that nearly exclusively talks in quotes from some book in this fantasy world.
Because of a classic book I had heard this book compared to, I was bracing for something specific to happen during the whole book. Needless to say, the ending was mean. Very, very mean.
I think overall that the plot of this book was interesting, but because of being lost for half of the book and then the poetic writing style, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I may read the next two books in the series when they release, but even with that mean cliffhanger ending, I can’t say I’m super eager for it. I think other fantasy readers may enjoy this one because of the unique setting and pacing—make sure you read and refer to the glossary often though! You’ll need it. 😅
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
April 22, 2025
An endearing cast of characters. A harrowing quest. And an enchanting story world that illuminates the imagination with wonder. Chawna Schroeder's latest innovative book will leave readers begging for more!
With lyrical prose, poetry, and puzzles, Schroeder paints an alluring narrative, blending vibrant hues of Indian and Hebraic culture, elegant lines of Victorian sensibilities, sweeping strokes of steampunk marvels, and golden illuminations of Biblical truth to create a literary celebration of the arts, misfits, and creativity.
If you've ever wished "A Little Princess" had been a fantasy novel, "Illuminary" is sure to be your cup of tea!
📚 The Sceptre & the Stylus
📖 1) Illuminary
With lyrical prose, poetry, and puzzles, Schroeder paints an alluring narrative, blending vibrant hues of Indian and Hebraic culture, elegant lines of Victorian sensibilities, sweeping strokes of steampunk marvels, and golden illuminations of Biblical truth to create a literary celebration of the arts, misfits, and creativity.
If you've ever wished "A Little Princess" had been a fantasy novel, "Illuminary" is sure to be your cup of tea!
📚 The Sceptre & the Stylus
📖 1) Illuminary
March 2, 2025
What a thoroughly enjoyable story. This book is full of deep, thought-provoking truths and soul-touching reminders, cloaked in the tale of a cast of charming characters. I loved Xander and Massard especially, but the mismatched found-family vibes of the whole crew was very enjoyable.
There are a good few elements that are left open ended (other than the obvious final moment which I saw coming but still had me shook), which sets up the next book in the series nicely. I'm excited to see where this is going!
It's a little petty, but reviews are all about personal preference so... I took one star off this solely because the chapters were so. very. long. It made me reluctant to pick up the book in the moments when I knew I didn't have a lengthy time to read, which made me take longer getting through the story which thus made it harder for me to get into the story (emotionally speaking). But, look, short chapters are my jam, so this is entirely a personal preference thing.
There are a good few elements that are left open ended (other than the obvious final moment which I saw coming but still had me shook), which sets up the next book in the series nicely. I'm excited to see where this is going!
It's a little petty, but reviews are all about personal preference so... I took one star off this solely because the chapters were so. very. long. It made me reluctant to pick up the book in the moments when I knew I didn't have a lengthy time to read, which made me take longer getting through the story which thus made it harder for me to get into the story (emotionally speaking). But, look, short chapters are my jam, so this is entirely a personal preference thing.
April 8, 2025
“My little illuminary.”... “I see you are bringing light into darkness and making the unseen seen again.”
The vibrant and beautiful world that Chawna Schroeder creates whisks you away to a place with picturesque scenery, descriptions reminiscent of India and the beautiful culture found there. Indel is a country that values the arts, culture and tradition. Above all, the people of Indel have a strong faith in the Sustainer who provides all things and can be trusted by His people.
Yosari embarks on a journey to a prestigious arts school to better her arts as well as train her into the woman she is meant to be. She has a beautiful relationship with her father, and draws strength from his teaching and wisdom. When she is thrust into a friendship with a young man that her father commits to help, she does so with grace and care.
Xander is strong in character, and seeks to do right by his parents while protecting those he loves. He finds himself in danger and has to take refuge in Indel so as to wait until the time is right to return to his own country to take his place as heir.
Yosari and Xander work together to help those they love by entering a competition that will either strengthen their faith in the Sustainer and make clear their path, or it could put them and all those they love in grave danger.
This story is intricately woven with strong elements of Christian faith, the arts, family, friendship, culture, intrigue, and loyalty. I was swept up in the world and enjoyed the race to save those they care for and love. This book is the first in the series, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Enclave Publishing and Chawna Schroeder. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
The vibrant and beautiful world that Chawna Schroeder creates whisks you away to a place with picturesque scenery, descriptions reminiscent of India and the beautiful culture found there. Indel is a country that values the arts, culture and tradition. Above all, the people of Indel have a strong faith in the Sustainer who provides all things and can be trusted by His people.
Yosari embarks on a journey to a prestigious arts school to better her arts as well as train her into the woman she is meant to be. She has a beautiful relationship with her father, and draws strength from his teaching and wisdom. When she is thrust into a friendship with a young man that her father commits to help, she does so with grace and care.
Xander is strong in character, and seeks to do right by his parents while protecting those he loves. He finds himself in danger and has to take refuge in Indel so as to wait until the time is right to return to his own country to take his place as heir.
Yosari and Xander work together to help those they love by entering a competition that will either strengthen their faith in the Sustainer and make clear their path, or it could put them and all those they love in grave danger.
This story is intricately woven with strong elements of Christian faith, the arts, family, friendship, culture, intrigue, and loyalty. I was swept up in the world and enjoyed the race to save those they care for and love. This book is the first in the series, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Enclave Publishing and Chawna Schroeder. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
February 14, 2025
This beautiful story is reminiscent of The Little Princess. It is beautifully written and masterfully composed. The characters are thoughtful and sooooo real. The conversations in this book are filled with depth. The themes are soooo powerful. I have soooo many good things to say about this book. I loved the characters, the light romance, the political intrigue, the themes, the descriptions, the writing. One of my favorites by Enclave! I look forward to reading the next book. Hopefully the wait isn’t too long because I want to read it now!
April 22, 2025
I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required.
I truly had no idea what I was getting when I started reading this book. I knew from some of the author’s social media posts that it had “A Little Princess” and Joseph from the Bible vibes, but I didn’t know to expect the rich, interesting world that I was presented with. The world of this book feels like Indian culture combined with Jewish culture combined with a little hint of Steampunk to get something completely different and new.
But a world does not a story make. It needs good characters and plot to make it shine, and this book has that in spades. I loved following kind-hearted Yosi through this story. Those who know me know that heroines who are strong BECAUSE they are gentle and kind is one of my favorite things, and Yosi was exactly that, just like Sarah in “A Little Princess.”
It’s important to point out now that “Illuminary” is not a carbon-copy retelling of “A Little Princess.” It truly is accurate to say that it has the “vibes” but not the exact same plot, so don’t worry that there won’t be any surprises in store! There were plenty of those, and I loved discovering them. I also loved meeting all of Yosi’s new friends, like Massard, Estelle, Dom, etc., and especially our incognito prince, Xander. All so distinct and interesting, which made me love it even more when they came together as a team to use their unique strengths to compete in the big competition. It was such a great example of how God can use anyone for his glory, and you don’t have to be perfect, rich, or look like everyone else, because the strength comes from HIM, not you.
I will say that this was one of the more gently paced fantasy books I’ve read this year, even though there are exciting bits. That’s not a complaint, just an observation. It was refreshing to read something that didn’t have to be a mile-a-minute to be interesting, though I enjoy fast-paced stories, too! After that dramatic ending, though (emotional pain, arg!) I don’t quite know what’s going to happen with the second book! (Is it out yet? checks calendar Oh yeah, this book just released two weeks ago. XD) But I’m looking forward to read it, and the third book in the trilogy when they come!
Highly recommended to all fantasy fans everywhere, especially if you love strong faith threads!
Content Advisory:
Language:
None written out. There are a couple of instances where a character is stated to have sworn or called someone ugly names, but the words aren’t written out.
Violence/Scariness:
There are quite a few threats made against our main characters, and a couple of attempts at harm and poisoning. Once, a poisoning makes the team vomit all night (not described) and a second time, a sleeping powder makes them all fall asleep even as the try to walk. Yosi believes the poisoner was actually trying to kill her in this second incident because they knew she has life-threatening reaction to this kind of sleeping powder. (Her friends are able to reverse it.)
There are a couple times where attempts at harm result in a main character getting injured (like, twisting an ankle because a stone was intentionally removed from a flight of stairs and replaced with a weak fake one) and one time when serious damage could have been done if a person had gotten hit with the projectile that was thrown at them.
Someone plots to assassinate someone else but
A couple mentions of explosions (once from a grenade, and once from a bomb.) There is damage to property, but no people get injured.
A murder is implied. (We read a short couple of paragraphs from the perspective of an unnamed assassin who implies they’ve just committed a “necessary evil”. Mention of their gloves being “ruined.” We’re left to assume they’re ruined with blood, but this isn’t stated outright. Later, we learn that the “necessary evil” was this evil person having murdered someone. No description, it is only stated that this person is dead.
Sexual/Romance:
A nasty girl spreads terrible rumors that Yosi only got into the school by giving “favors” to people in power. The same girl also implies that Yosi is flagrantly having a tryst with one of her teammates. (None of this is true, and Yosi is very hurt and enraged by the rumors.)
Two different couples have romantic feelings toward each other. Their relationships remains very sweet and chaste throughout. There’s a little bit of hand-holding and one kiss on the hand, but nothing more.
Spiritual/Magic:
This book is Christian fiction. God is called “Sustainer” throughout. The fantasy world combines elements Indian and Jewish culture (like food, clothes, buildings, climate) to create a unique, fictional culture. The religious practices of the characters lean more toward resembling Jewish worship practices, but are given their own unique twist for the story.
There is no magic. Miracles from the past get referenced, and one miracle happens in the present, but they are specified as miracles, not magic.
Yosi is a little like Joseph from the Bible in that she is sometimes given predictive visions from “Sustainer.”
While many of the characters claim to follow “Sustainer,” only a few, like Yosi and her friends, actually act like it, treating others with dignity, kindness, and behaving in a moral manner. Others do things that are selfish and cruel and yet still claim that it’s “Sustainer’s will.”
Substance use:
As stated, some characters get poisoned a couple of times, but survive.
Celebratory meals feature drinks of various kinds. It’s unclear if any of them are alcoholic or not. We don’t see any characters get drunk, that I recall.
I truly had no idea what I was getting when I started reading this book. I knew from some of the author’s social media posts that it had “A Little Princess” and Joseph from the Bible vibes, but I didn’t know to expect the rich, interesting world that I was presented with. The world of this book feels like Indian culture combined with Jewish culture combined with a little hint of Steampunk to get something completely different and new.
But a world does not a story make. It needs good characters and plot to make it shine, and this book has that in spades. I loved following kind-hearted Yosi through this story. Those who know me know that heroines who are strong BECAUSE they are gentle and kind is one of my favorite things, and Yosi was exactly that, just like Sarah in “A Little Princess.”
It’s important to point out now that “Illuminary” is not a carbon-copy retelling of “A Little Princess.” It truly is accurate to say that it has the “vibes” but not the exact same plot, so don’t worry that there won’t be any surprises in store! There were plenty of those, and I loved discovering them. I also loved meeting all of Yosi’s new friends, like Massard, Estelle, Dom, etc., and especially our incognito prince, Xander. All so distinct and interesting, which made me love it even more when they came together as a team to use their unique strengths to compete in the big competition. It was such a great example of how God can use anyone for his glory, and you don’t have to be perfect, rich, or look like everyone else, because the strength comes from HIM, not you.
I will say that this was one of the more gently paced fantasy books I’ve read this year, even though there are exciting bits. That’s not a complaint, just an observation. It was refreshing to read something that didn’t have to be a mile-a-minute to be interesting, though I enjoy fast-paced stories, too! After that dramatic ending, though (emotional pain, arg!) I don’t quite know what’s going to happen with the second book! (Is it out yet? checks calendar Oh yeah, this book just released two weeks ago. XD) But I’m looking forward to read it, and the third book in the trilogy when they come!
Highly recommended to all fantasy fans everywhere, especially if you love strong faith threads!
Content Advisory:
Language:
None written out. There are a couple of instances where a character is stated to have sworn or called someone ugly names, but the words aren’t written out.
Violence/Scariness:
There are quite a few threats made against our main characters, and a couple of attempts at harm and poisoning. Once, a poisoning makes the team vomit all night (not described) and a second time, a sleeping powder makes them all fall asleep even as the try to walk. Yosi believes the poisoner was actually trying to kill her in this second incident because they knew she has life-threatening reaction to this kind of sleeping powder. (Her friends are able to reverse it.)
There are a couple times where attempts at harm result in a main character getting injured (like, twisting an ankle because a stone was intentionally removed from a flight of stairs and replaced with a weak fake one) and one time when serious damage could have been done if a person had gotten hit with the projectile that was thrown at them.
Someone plots to assassinate someone else but
A couple mentions of explosions (once from a grenade, and once from a bomb.) There is damage to property, but no people get injured.
A murder is implied. (We read a short couple of paragraphs from the perspective of an unnamed assassin who implies they’ve just committed a “necessary evil”. Mention of their gloves being “ruined.” We’re left to assume they’re ruined with blood, but this isn’t stated outright. Later, we learn that the “necessary evil” was this evil person having murdered someone. No description, it is only stated that this person is dead.
Sexual/Romance:
A nasty girl spreads terrible rumors that Yosi only got into the school by giving “favors” to people in power. The same girl also implies that Yosi is flagrantly having a tryst with one of her teammates. (None of this is true, and Yosi is very hurt and enraged by the rumors.)
Two different couples have romantic feelings toward each other. Their relationships remains very sweet and chaste throughout. There’s a little bit of hand-holding and one kiss on the hand, but nothing more.
Spiritual/Magic:
This book is Christian fiction. God is called “Sustainer” throughout. The fantasy world combines elements Indian and Jewish culture (like food, clothes, buildings, climate) to create a unique, fictional culture. The religious practices of the characters lean more toward resembling Jewish worship practices, but are given their own unique twist for the story.
There is no magic. Miracles from the past get referenced, and one miracle happens in the present, but they are specified as miracles, not magic.
Yosi is a little like Joseph from the Bible in that she is sometimes given predictive visions from “Sustainer.”
While many of the characters claim to follow “Sustainer,” only a few, like Yosi and her friends, actually act like it, treating others with dignity, kindness, and behaving in a moral manner. Others do things that are selfish and cruel and yet still claim that it’s “Sustainer’s will.”
Substance use:
As stated, some characters get poisoned a couple of times, but survive.
Celebratory meals feature drinks of various kinds. It’s unclear if any of them are alcoholic or not. We don’t see any characters get drunk, that I recall.
April 30, 2025
I’ve been eagerly anticipating Illuminary since it was first announced. A Little Princess is one of my favorite books of all time, so the idea of a fantasy reimagining of that classic story was immediately appealing to me. While I could absolutely see and feel that inspiration in this series opener, it never felt derivative in any way. Illuminary is a refreshingly unique tale, packed with more action and adventure and faith than I expected to find.
Our story follows Yosarai Patican, or Yosi for short. We first meet her on her twentieth birthday, preparing for the lavish party her Father has planned for her. There is instantly a whiff of India present in the setting. You can almost feel the heat and smell the spices. I loved how this harkened back to Sara Crewe’s background in A Little Princess while also giving us a wonderfully vibrant, less common setting for a fantasy novel. In this first chapter we learn much about Yosi. We see her love for her father, and the uncommon gifting that she hides, one that shows her flashes of certain truths when she touches certain objects. We see her friendship with her menial, or maidservant, and her treatment of other menials, showcasing her lack of the snobbery that so many in her station tend to assume. We see her prayerful reliance on Sustainer and her fairness in how she renders a judgment, one that reimagines a real judgment rendered by King Solomon in Scripture.
Speaking of Scripture, there are quite a few Biblical parallels woven into the story, and strong spiritual undertones throughout. While the in-world faith is not technically Christianity, it is Christianity in effect, with certain names and practices and events changed. Faith is at the core of this novel and its world, and there is a lot of paraphrased Scripture woven into the story. I love the use of in-world religion to give real-world commentary on deep truths about the Christian faith. And there are so many deep, probing questions and honest self-examination, especially in regards to one's trust in and reliance on God. Or Sustainer, as He is named here.
In Yosi’s world, society is divided into castes or stratas, with the largest being menials (lower) and elites (upper). A lot of emphasis is placed on social graces and acting in a manner befitting your station. There are an abundance of different bows and greetings, all with different meanings and aimed at different stratas. As could be expected, these stratas result in a lot of classism, which is dealt with well in the novel. Xenophobia and racism are also rampant in this society, and are presented with blunt clarity. We have a wonderful core cast of characters who are often the targets of this type of prejudice, but who rise above such things in some really powerful ways throughout the story.
The hub around which much of the novel turns is the Quest, an intense competition rooted in religion. I loved the religious inspiration and overtones. This quest is a competition between coteries, teams of six, that must prove their superiority in the seven Sacred Arts: creativity, language, intellect, social graces, physical skills, virtue, and religion. Something about the team dynamic of Yosi's coterie for the Quest reminded me of the core group from the Great Library series by Rachel Caine. I fell in love Yosi’s coterie, comprised of her menial, her timid cousin, a wonderfully intelligent girl of mixed heritage, and our other main perspective character alongside his bodyguard. This other perspective character is Xander, a crown prince in hiding. Assassins have been dogging him since the death of his father, so he and his bodyguard have fled to another land in hopes of keeping him alive until his coronation. These two characters are where the xenophobia comes into play. They are of a race deeply hated by many of Yosi’s people, and they are constantly having to contend with that hatred. I enjoyed both of these characters, but I especially loved Xander. He’s a deep thinker, and I loved the bond that is developing between him and Yosi.
What I did not love was the ending. The novel ends on such a note of devastation. And since I have no idea when the second installment of the trilogy is scheduled to release, it’s a note whose echo will haunt me for a while. I also struggled just a bit with the length of the chapters. There were only seven in a book that was over 330 pages. I found that fatiguing, but that’s a subjective complaint. In spite of those two drawbacks, Illuminary is absolutely worth reading. The second installment can’t come quickly enough!
Our story follows Yosarai Patican, or Yosi for short. We first meet her on her twentieth birthday, preparing for the lavish party her Father has planned for her. There is instantly a whiff of India present in the setting. You can almost feel the heat and smell the spices. I loved how this harkened back to Sara Crewe’s background in A Little Princess while also giving us a wonderfully vibrant, less common setting for a fantasy novel. In this first chapter we learn much about Yosi. We see her love for her father, and the uncommon gifting that she hides, one that shows her flashes of certain truths when she touches certain objects. We see her friendship with her menial, or maidservant, and her treatment of other menials, showcasing her lack of the snobbery that so many in her station tend to assume. We see her prayerful reliance on Sustainer and her fairness in how she renders a judgment, one that reimagines a real judgment rendered by King Solomon in Scripture.
Speaking of Scripture, there are quite a few Biblical parallels woven into the story, and strong spiritual undertones throughout. While the in-world faith is not technically Christianity, it is Christianity in effect, with certain names and practices and events changed. Faith is at the core of this novel and its world, and there is a lot of paraphrased Scripture woven into the story. I love the use of in-world religion to give real-world commentary on deep truths about the Christian faith. And there are so many deep, probing questions and honest self-examination, especially in regards to one's trust in and reliance on God. Or Sustainer, as He is named here.
In Yosi’s world, society is divided into castes or stratas, with the largest being menials (lower) and elites (upper). A lot of emphasis is placed on social graces and acting in a manner befitting your station. There are an abundance of different bows and greetings, all with different meanings and aimed at different stratas. As could be expected, these stratas result in a lot of classism, which is dealt with well in the novel. Xenophobia and racism are also rampant in this society, and are presented with blunt clarity. We have a wonderful core cast of characters who are often the targets of this type of prejudice, but who rise above such things in some really powerful ways throughout the story.
The hub around which much of the novel turns is the Quest, an intense competition rooted in religion. I loved the religious inspiration and overtones. This quest is a competition between coteries, teams of six, that must prove their superiority in the seven Sacred Arts: creativity, language, intellect, social graces, physical skills, virtue, and religion. Something about the team dynamic of Yosi's coterie for the Quest reminded me of the core group from the Great Library series by Rachel Caine. I fell in love Yosi’s coterie, comprised of her menial, her timid cousin, a wonderfully intelligent girl of mixed heritage, and our other main perspective character alongside his bodyguard. This other perspective character is Xander, a crown prince in hiding. Assassins have been dogging him since the death of his father, so he and his bodyguard have fled to another land in hopes of keeping him alive until his coronation. These two characters are where the xenophobia comes into play. They are of a race deeply hated by many of Yosi’s people, and they are constantly having to contend with that hatred. I enjoyed both of these characters, but I especially loved Xander. He’s a deep thinker, and I loved the bond that is developing between him and Yosi.
What I did not love was the ending. The novel ends on such a note of devastation. And since I have no idea when the second installment of the trilogy is scheduled to release, it’s a note whose echo will haunt me for a while. I also struggled just a bit with the length of the chapters. There were only seven in a book that was over 330 pages. I found that fatiguing, but that’s a subjective complaint. In spite of those two drawbacks, Illuminary is absolutely worth reading. The second installment can’t come quickly enough!
April 26, 2025
Illuminary is an exquisite tale of fantasy and valor reminiscent of the classic allegories with biblical truths woven throughout. Ms. Schroeder is a master at world-building, grabbing hold of my imagination from the first page. I was immediately drawn to the delightfully eclectic band of misfits who undertook a seemingly impossible quest. Not only did the main characters grab hold of my heart, but the secondary characters as well. I really liked that not only was the story told through the POV of both the main characters, but the villian as well. While I have my guesses as to his/her identity, I will have to wait.
This story is so much more about the journey than the ending. With each page, I would uncover another compelling layer of insight and truth, as the characters discern right from wrong. While written for a young adult audience, the powerful themes will resonate with young and old alike.
My only complaint- The author's skillfully penned cliffhanger raises new questions on the direction the story will take in the second book of the duology. I am already impatient for its release.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This story is so much more about the journey than the ending. With each page, I would uncover another compelling layer of insight and truth, as the characters discern right from wrong. While written for a young adult audience, the powerful themes will resonate with young and old alike.
My only complaint- The author's skillfully penned cliffhanger raises new questions on the direction the story will take in the second book of the duology. I am already impatient for its release.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 6, 2025
It took a minute for me to get into this one, but once I got past the opening section, it took off and never stopped.
I don't know that I'd compare it to A Little Princess, at least, not yet. There are a few similar elements and plot points, but overall, the parallels haven't shown up in too distinct a way so far. Thought that might change with the next book.
I think my favorite character in this book is Massard, but I truly enjoyed all of them. The dynamic between Xander and Massard is one I always loved reading, and I'm looking forward to seeing these two on page together again during the rest of this trilogy.
I don't know that I'd compare it to A Little Princess, at least, not yet. There are a few similar elements and plot points, but overall, the parallels haven't shown up in too distinct a way so far. Thought that might change with the next book.
I think my favorite character in this book is Massard, but I truly enjoyed all of them. The dynamic between Xander and Massard is one I always loved reading, and I'm looking forward to seeing these two on page together again during the rest of this trilogy.
February 19, 2025
Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book as a part of the publisher’s street team.
This review is also spoiler-free. :)
Illuminary was one of the most unique books I’ve read so far this year. I found it fascinating that it took the concept of a traditional fantasy story and placed it in an Indian-inspired setting—it had all the comforting elements of a traditional fantasy story (a quest, an intriguing cast), but the unusual setting truly made those elements shine as the plot cleverly wove them together. I hope that we continue to see more books like it! It was refreshing to see what other cultures might look like transposed into a fantasy setting.
Yosarai’s gift in particular captured my attention. It reminded me of Psychometry, a Jedi ability from Star Wars to see the past by touching an object. I loved seeing an element like that included in a fantasy story, and how it aided the characters on their mission. I’m curious to see how she will continue to develop this gift throughout the series!
Finally, the theme of this story—trusting the Sustainer for all that we need—was a beautiful reminder of where we should put our trust—not in our own abilities but in the One who provides all. It gave the story a strong backbone that kept me intrigued as I waited to see if the characters would learn to trust, or try to lean on their own abilities.
This review is also spoiler-free. :)
Illuminary was one of the most unique books I’ve read so far this year. I found it fascinating that it took the concept of a traditional fantasy story and placed it in an Indian-inspired setting—it had all the comforting elements of a traditional fantasy story (a quest, an intriguing cast), but the unusual setting truly made those elements shine as the plot cleverly wove them together. I hope that we continue to see more books like it! It was refreshing to see what other cultures might look like transposed into a fantasy setting.
Yosarai’s gift in particular captured my attention. It reminded me of Psychometry, a Jedi ability from Star Wars to see the past by touching an object. I loved seeing an element like that included in a fantasy story, and how it aided the characters on their mission. I’m curious to see how she will continue to develop this gift throughout the series!
Finally, the theme of this story—trusting the Sustainer for all that we need—was a beautiful reminder of where we should put our trust—not in our own abilities but in the One who provides all. It gave the story a strong backbone that kept me intrigued as I waited to see if the characters would learn to trust, or try to lean on their own abilities.
May 14, 2025
Illuminary was my first foray into Chawna Schroeder's work, and if you'll pardon the cliche, it lit up my world. I obviously didn't know what to expect from this novel, but I got a gorgeous mix of fairy tale and fable, and now I want much more.
Chawna gets kudos points right away because of the environment of Indel. Settings rarely capture my attention the way this one did. Indel is clearly based on India (at least that's how I read it; apologies if I got that wrong), but it's also a fantastical land all its own. As with the best worldbuilding, Chawna gave every element just enough attention to keep me intrigued. The people, the social classes, and the culture felt both new and familiar without being dry. Chawna's characters moved through the customs and expectations of their days so seamlessly, I felt completely immersed. And while political and social intrigue was not a huge part of the story, the stakes were sprinkled in at just the right times to keep my pages turning. Indel vibrates with beauty and hides a dark side, yet neither one of those are cliched.
While Egdon appears less in Illuminary, I appreciated it for similar reasons. Egdon leans into steampumk a bit more, which Chawna doesn't always use with Indel and which I sometimes missed. But this contrast does help Egdon and its people stand out in unique ways, not just because of geography, races, or language as one might see with countries in the real world. For instance, I loved the nods I got to Egdon being a slightly more science or STEM-based country while Indel is a slightly more art-based one, and how those two disciplines could work together in terms of giftings, vocations, and international relations.
As great as the worldbuilding is though, Illuminary wouldn't be the book it is without some wonderful characters. Yosi, Xander, Jamarde, and the others are my favorite characters in a book like this: archetypal, but still three-dimensional. They're familiar enough for a classic or fairytale retelling, "easy" enough for a YA novel, yet complex enough for an adult like me to enjoy.
Yosi's gift as an illuminary captured me from the first time I saw her use it, but more importantly, so did her mix of brilliance and awkwardness. I walked and continue to walk that line so often, I cannot begin to tell you. Beyond my identification with Yosi, I applauded her tireless compassion, her growing wisdom, and her willingness to ask herself tough personal questions. There were times I wanted her to probe a bit deeper with those, but for the most part, I found her intensely relatable.
Xander, I admit, came across less developed for me, and less relatable (though that's partially because I've never been a crown prince, or crown anything). ;) However, he is human enough to separate himself from the "typical" prince angsting over whether he can rule properly. Chawna builds his arc around his family position in ways I don't see many writers do, especially in YA fantasy. I also appreciated Xander's knack for mechanics and engineering, and the fact that even while "undercover," he never lost the bearing of a royal--while still dealing with "common" problems like prejudice against Egdonians. Xander truly is a people's prince, and I loved seeing him grow more in that role.
As for the secondary characters, each of them has at least one trait, scene, or some combination, that makes them pop off the page. Jamarde's passion for both food and people, for instance, and her compassion toward everyone despite the household she lived in, made me want to see and know more of her. I rooted for Mascard and Rivka, not just in terms of reaching goals and protecting those they loved, but finding out who Sustainer made them to be--and yes, finding love with each other. Even the dreadful Lavidah caught my attention, since she's one of those villains I found myself truly worrying over. I actually wondered if she would or could course correct--and if I wanted her to.
I also love the spiritual threads within Illuminary. They're an interesting mix of overt and organic, meaning that they're obvious if you've had any exposure to certain religions and/or Bible stories. But they're organic in the way Indelis and Egdonians relate to them and build their lives around them. The Quest, for instance, gave me a whole new way of looking at the spirituality and stories I grew up with; I kind of wished Indel were real so I could've grown up with that story, too. I loved the way Yosi and especially Xander deepened their relationships with Sustainer; as with the best books, I found myself doing some praying of my own in those scenes.
Finally, I want to give Chawna some major kudos for the plot of Illuminary. This plot vibrates with originality, wrapped in familiar fantasy tropes. That is, I've seen characters with magical or quasi-magical gifts before, but never like this, never tied so well to their cultures and who they are as people. I've seen hero's journeys based around Christianity before (e.g., Narnia, Lord of the Rings, even arguably Harry Potter), but not around a high-stakes competition like the Quest. Plus, as a brainy girl, I absolutely loved all the riddles and puzzles! I've seen plenty of royalty-based tropes and court intrigue before, but never so much scheming based around horrendous potential laws *plus* potential international incidents. You'd think Chawna would drop the ball on that, but my intrigue never wavered.
Plus, I caught all the plot references to A Little Princess, and I must say, I was thrilled. A Little Princess was one of my all-time favorite stories as a kid, and I still love it. I love the fact that Chawna kept the story's "base," but changed things up enough to keep me guessing. And that cliffhanger... I was expecting it all through the story, but there? No way! As I said, I must have more now!
I did drop a star based on some mild to moderate issues. The biggest for me was, as much as I loved these characters, there were places where their development got a bit thin. For instance, I am completely behind the idea of Yosi growing past her privilege and learning how to lean on Sustainer through tougher tests than she's ever had. The issue is, because she *tells* readers she feels too sheltered, *tells* us she feels guilty, she actually comes across too perfect. A similar problem happens with Xander, in that we're told more about his conflicts than we actually see, so while what we get is great, the telling throws off his growth a bit.
Additionally, some of Illuminary's threads are set up to be major, but then are dropped. The Academy is the big one. Yosi's place there is apparently a big deal, and she makes a splash there as a student, for good or ill. But then, because of the Quest, we never see her at the Academy again. That's okay, I guess, since Illuminary is not a straightforward retelling of A Little Princess, and since there will be other books. But considering that, the Academy's place in the story didn't fit for me.
Finally, I did get confused about Indel, Egdon, and how they fit together. As I said, I think Indel is supposed to be a version of India, and I guessed Egdon might be England, or a version thereof. But if that's true, these countries seem rather close to each other, geographically. I'm unsure where the chilly relations come from, or how some of the other countries mentioned interact with them or with each other. The worldbuilding that exists is still wonderful, but in terms of international placement and policy, I did get lost a few times.
With all that said though, Illuminary is still a great story. It's well worth a read, possibly two (I'd say definitely two, considering I'll have to wait for the sequel). I hope Chawna writes fast, because I cannot wait to see where Yosi, Xander, and friends are headed next!
Chawna gets kudos points right away because of the environment of Indel. Settings rarely capture my attention the way this one did. Indel is clearly based on India (at least that's how I read it; apologies if I got that wrong), but it's also a fantastical land all its own. As with the best worldbuilding, Chawna gave every element just enough attention to keep me intrigued. The people, the social classes, and the culture felt both new and familiar without being dry. Chawna's characters moved through the customs and expectations of their days so seamlessly, I felt completely immersed. And while political and social intrigue was not a huge part of the story, the stakes were sprinkled in at just the right times to keep my pages turning. Indel vibrates with beauty and hides a dark side, yet neither one of those are cliched.
While Egdon appears less in Illuminary, I appreciated it for similar reasons. Egdon leans into steampumk a bit more, which Chawna doesn't always use with Indel and which I sometimes missed. But this contrast does help Egdon and its people stand out in unique ways, not just because of geography, races, or language as one might see with countries in the real world. For instance, I loved the nods I got to Egdon being a slightly more science or STEM-based country while Indel is a slightly more art-based one, and how those two disciplines could work together in terms of giftings, vocations, and international relations.
As great as the worldbuilding is though, Illuminary wouldn't be the book it is without some wonderful characters. Yosi, Xander, Jamarde, and the others are my favorite characters in a book like this: archetypal, but still three-dimensional. They're familiar enough for a classic or fairytale retelling, "easy" enough for a YA novel, yet complex enough for an adult like me to enjoy.
Yosi's gift as an illuminary captured me from the first time I saw her use it, but more importantly, so did her mix of brilliance and awkwardness. I walked and continue to walk that line so often, I cannot begin to tell you. Beyond my identification with Yosi, I applauded her tireless compassion, her growing wisdom, and her willingness to ask herself tough personal questions. There were times I wanted her to probe a bit deeper with those, but for the most part, I found her intensely relatable.
Xander, I admit, came across less developed for me, and less relatable (though that's partially because I've never been a crown prince, or crown anything). ;) However, he is human enough to separate himself from the "typical" prince angsting over whether he can rule properly. Chawna builds his arc around his family position in ways I don't see many writers do, especially in YA fantasy. I also appreciated Xander's knack for mechanics and engineering, and the fact that even while "undercover," he never lost the bearing of a royal--while still dealing with "common" problems like prejudice against Egdonians. Xander truly is a people's prince, and I loved seeing him grow more in that role.
As for the secondary characters, each of them has at least one trait, scene, or some combination, that makes them pop off the page. Jamarde's passion for both food and people, for instance, and her compassion toward everyone despite the household she lived in, made me want to see and know more of her. I rooted for Mascard and Rivka, not just in terms of reaching goals and protecting those they loved, but finding out who Sustainer made them to be--and yes, finding love with each other. Even the dreadful Lavidah caught my attention, since she's one of those villains I found myself truly worrying over. I actually wondered if she would or could course correct--and if I wanted her to.
I also love the spiritual threads within Illuminary. They're an interesting mix of overt and organic, meaning that they're obvious if you've had any exposure to certain religions and/or Bible stories. But they're organic in the way Indelis and Egdonians relate to them and build their lives around them. The Quest, for instance, gave me a whole new way of looking at the spirituality and stories I grew up with; I kind of wished Indel were real so I could've grown up with that story, too. I loved the way Yosi and especially Xander deepened their relationships with Sustainer; as with the best books, I found myself doing some praying of my own in those scenes.
Finally, I want to give Chawna some major kudos for the plot of Illuminary. This plot vibrates with originality, wrapped in familiar fantasy tropes. That is, I've seen characters with magical or quasi-magical gifts before, but never like this, never tied so well to their cultures and who they are as people. I've seen hero's journeys based around Christianity before (e.g., Narnia, Lord of the Rings, even arguably Harry Potter), but not around a high-stakes competition like the Quest. Plus, as a brainy girl, I absolutely loved all the riddles and puzzles! I've seen plenty of royalty-based tropes and court intrigue before, but never so much scheming based around horrendous potential laws *plus* potential international incidents. You'd think Chawna would drop the ball on that, but my intrigue never wavered.
Plus, I caught all the plot references to A Little Princess, and I must say, I was thrilled. A Little Princess was one of my all-time favorite stories as a kid, and I still love it. I love the fact that Chawna kept the story's "base," but changed things up enough to keep me guessing. And that cliffhanger... I was expecting it all through the story, but there? No way! As I said, I must have more now!
I did drop a star based on some mild to moderate issues. The biggest for me was, as much as I loved these characters, there were places where their development got a bit thin. For instance, I am completely behind the idea of Yosi growing past her privilege and learning how to lean on Sustainer through tougher tests than she's ever had. The issue is, because she *tells* readers she feels too sheltered, *tells* us she feels guilty, she actually comes across too perfect. A similar problem happens with Xander, in that we're told more about his conflicts than we actually see, so while what we get is great, the telling throws off his growth a bit.
Additionally, some of Illuminary's threads are set up to be major, but then are dropped. The Academy is the big one. Yosi's place there is apparently a big deal, and she makes a splash there as a student, for good or ill. But then, because of the Quest, we never see her at the Academy again. That's okay, I guess, since Illuminary is not a straightforward retelling of A Little Princess, and since there will be other books. But considering that, the Academy's place in the story didn't fit for me.
Finally, I did get confused about Indel, Egdon, and how they fit together. As I said, I think Indel is supposed to be a version of India, and I guessed Egdon might be England, or a version thereof. But if that's true, these countries seem rather close to each other, geographically. I'm unsure where the chilly relations come from, or how some of the other countries mentioned interact with them or with each other. The worldbuilding that exists is still wonderful, but in terms of international placement and policy, I did get lost a few times.
With all that said though, Illuminary is still a great story. It's well worth a read, possibly two (I'd say definitely two, considering I'll have to wait for the sequel). I hope Chawna writes fast, because I cannot wait to see where Yosi, Xander, and friends are headed next!
July 16, 2025
I've never fallen in love with an author's writing style so fast.
"For you can't finish what has never been started, and starting requires courage, hope, vision. Courage to enter the unknown. Hope that what is begun is worth doing. Vision to see what could be before it yet is."
Illuminary has GORGEOUS prose. I fully believe I would've finished the book in half the time, if I didn't stop to highlight so many lines. Chawna has a talent for taking simple truth and highlighting it in the most awe inspiring fashion. The full meaning of the words hit like a hurricane. They made me stop and absorb their purpose on the page, because every word felt placed with intention. This story embraces the Biblical ideas of hope and the intention of God as Creator of all. If you struggle with seeing your purpose, I believe this story would speak to you in a life changing way.
There's also a wealth of heartwarming relationships. Yosi's father not only loved her unconditionally, but he viewed her as a true gift from the Sustainer (God). For someone who often feels like a burden or a disappointment to her father, this wholesome picture of a father loving his daughter was so healing for me. There's also an emphasis on found family through the characters needing to form a team to win a competition. I enjoyed all the characters so much!
The romance was slow burn and sweet. It also has an Aladdin vibe where the prince goes into hiding and must take a new identity to stay safe. I love how Chawna let the reader know that the prince is a prince, but Yosi has no idea the boy she's met is royalty at all. I'm a huge fan of dramatic irony, and I live for all the drama that a fake identity brings to a story. As a result, the stakes of Illuminary are high, and the tension builds in such a satisfying manner. This one was hard to put down.
In my opinion, Illuminary is criminally underrated. I think so many people would love this story, and I hope this review will encourage even just one more reader to pick it up. I am anxiously waiting for book 2 cause the ending is quite the cliffhanger!!!
"For you can't finish what has never been started, and starting requires courage, hope, vision. Courage to enter the unknown. Hope that what is begun is worth doing. Vision to see what could be before it yet is."
Illuminary has GORGEOUS prose. I fully believe I would've finished the book in half the time, if I didn't stop to highlight so many lines. Chawna has a talent for taking simple truth and highlighting it in the most awe inspiring fashion. The full meaning of the words hit like a hurricane. They made me stop and absorb their purpose on the page, because every word felt placed with intention. This story embraces the Biblical ideas of hope and the intention of God as Creator of all. If you struggle with seeing your purpose, I believe this story would speak to you in a life changing way.
There's also a wealth of heartwarming relationships. Yosi's father not only loved her unconditionally, but he viewed her as a true gift from the Sustainer (God). For someone who often feels like a burden or a disappointment to her father, this wholesome picture of a father loving his daughter was so healing for me. There's also an emphasis on found family through the characters needing to form a team to win a competition. I enjoyed all the characters so much!
The romance was slow burn and sweet. It also has an Aladdin vibe where the prince goes into hiding and must take a new identity to stay safe. I love how Chawna let the reader know that the prince is a prince, but Yosi has no idea the boy she's met is royalty at all. I'm a huge fan of dramatic irony, and I live for all the drama that a fake identity brings to a story. As a result, the stakes of Illuminary are high, and the tension builds in such a satisfying manner. This one was hard to put down.
In my opinion, Illuminary is criminally underrated. I think so many people would love this story, and I hope this review will encourage even just one more reader to pick it up. I am anxiously waiting for book 2 cause the ending is quite the cliffhanger!!!
April 30, 2025
Illuminary, by Chawna Schroeder was a great adventure with many whimsical scenes that are sure to make readers feel like they are right there with the characters. This book is inspired by another book, titled A Little Princess.” I have not read that book, so I cannot compare this one to that one, but to those who have read it, you may see similarities and that will probably be interesting. I found this book to be great and if I get the opportunity to read the other one it is inspired by, I will, just to see how they are similar and different.
Yosarai, the female protagonist in this story is quite the character. She is polite and everything that a young lady should be, yet she is not afraid to speak up and say what is truly on her mind when she feels the need to do so. Yosarai is someone with integrity and honor. She tries her hardest to remain true to what she believes and to follow the Sustainer in all her ways. She is trying to become an illuminator, which is one of the most prestigious positions in her society, which values art above all else, after the Sustainer of course. Her mother just happened to be one of the most famous of these illuminators, so Yosarai is looking to be like her. She gets her opportunity to study at the best school, while it has been her dream to do so, for a very long time, she does not want to leave her father, whom she has a very close and endearing relationship with.
Xander, the prince, who is set to be the next leader of his land. He would prefer that his older half brother take on this role, since he is older, but his father does not see that he is fit for this role. Xander’s mother tends to agree, and they encourage him to continue to prepare for becoming king. There have been many assassinations attempts on his life, however, and he wishes to make them go away, so he comes up with a plan to leave home for a while and return when it is safer. To disappear, he comes up with an inventor’s persona and eventually seeks work with the leading inventor of Indel, where he decides is the best place to hide until returning home.
Xander and Yosarai enter a high stakes contest, along with others they love. They must navigate this contest to help everyone involved in some way or another. There may also be an attempted assassination on Xander’ s life during the contest. Yasarai proves to be steadfast in her integrity and principles. Xander, too proves to be a man of integrity, honor and compassion as a king should be.
I recommend reading this book as soon as you can. It was such an intriguing read. It was adventurous, suspenseful and full of faith in God, knowing that the characters could not sustain themselves, but that they needed the Sustainer, God, to provide as only He can.
I received a complimentary copy form the author through Celebrate Lit, for my honest opinion.
Yosarai, the female protagonist in this story is quite the character. She is polite and everything that a young lady should be, yet she is not afraid to speak up and say what is truly on her mind when she feels the need to do so. Yosarai is someone with integrity and honor. She tries her hardest to remain true to what she believes and to follow the Sustainer in all her ways. She is trying to become an illuminator, which is one of the most prestigious positions in her society, which values art above all else, after the Sustainer of course. Her mother just happened to be one of the most famous of these illuminators, so Yosarai is looking to be like her. She gets her opportunity to study at the best school, while it has been her dream to do so, for a very long time, she does not want to leave her father, whom she has a very close and endearing relationship with.
Xander, the prince, who is set to be the next leader of his land. He would prefer that his older half brother take on this role, since he is older, but his father does not see that he is fit for this role. Xander’s mother tends to agree, and they encourage him to continue to prepare for becoming king. There have been many assassinations attempts on his life, however, and he wishes to make them go away, so he comes up with a plan to leave home for a while and return when it is safer. To disappear, he comes up with an inventor’s persona and eventually seeks work with the leading inventor of Indel, where he decides is the best place to hide until returning home.
Xander and Yosarai enter a high stakes contest, along with others they love. They must navigate this contest to help everyone involved in some way or another. There may also be an attempted assassination on Xander’ s life during the contest. Yasarai proves to be steadfast in her integrity and principles. Xander, too proves to be a man of integrity, honor and compassion as a king should be.
I recommend reading this book as soon as you can. It was such an intriguing read. It was adventurous, suspenseful and full of faith in God, knowing that the characters could not sustain themselves, but that they needed the Sustainer, God, to provide as only He can.
I received a complimentary copy form the author through Celebrate Lit, for my honest opinion.
January 3, 2026
Illuminary (The Sceptre & the Stylus Book 1) is a masterfully crafted opening act that delivers everything a fantasy reader craves: a unique, art-based magic system, a palace intrigue thriller, and two compelling protagonists whose paths converge in the most delightful and tense ways.
Chawna Schroeder doesn’t just build a world; she paints it. The nation of Indel, where art is the highest currency, is an inspired and vividly realized setting. Stepping into Yosarai’s journey from a quiet country life to the prestigious Academy of the Seven Arts feels immediate and immersive. Her dream of becoming an illuminator living up to her mother’s legendary fame is fraught with relatable pressure and passion. She is a character whose artistic soul and quiet determination make you root for her from the very first page.
The brilliance of this novel lies in the counterpoint between Yosarai’s story and that of Prince Xander. Schroeder expertly weaves his narrative of reluctant royalty a man fleeing assassination attempts and the crushing weight of a crown he never wanted into the vibrant tapestry of Indel. His decision to hide as a struggling inventor is both clever and fraught with risk, setting the stage for perfect, slow-burn tension.
When their paths cross, the story ignites. The dynamic between the aspiring illuminator and the king-in-disguise is electric, built on a foundation of mutual suspicion, hidden truths, and a growing, unspoken alliance. The premise that “entering a cutthroat competition may be the only way to protect everything they hold dear” is not just a tagline it’s the thrilling engine that drives the plot forward with increasing stakes and breathtaking reveals.
Schroeder’s prose is both elegant and accessible, making the world of illuminators and political machinations easy to fall into and impossible to leave. With a 4.7-star rating already heralding its quality, this first installment promises and delivers an enthralling saga where every stroke of the stylus and every political maneuver matters.
Illuminary is a testament to the power of creativity and courage. It’s for fans of immersive world-building, intelligent fantasy, and characters who must use their unique gifts to illuminate not just parchment, but the path through encroaching darkness. I am already eagerly awaiting the next volume in The Sceptre & the Stylus series.
A luminous and unmissable five-star read.
Chawna Schroeder doesn’t just build a world; she paints it. The nation of Indel, where art is the highest currency, is an inspired and vividly realized setting. Stepping into Yosarai’s journey from a quiet country life to the prestigious Academy of the Seven Arts feels immediate and immersive. Her dream of becoming an illuminator living up to her mother’s legendary fame is fraught with relatable pressure and passion. She is a character whose artistic soul and quiet determination make you root for her from the very first page.
The brilliance of this novel lies in the counterpoint between Yosarai’s story and that of Prince Xander. Schroeder expertly weaves his narrative of reluctant royalty a man fleeing assassination attempts and the crushing weight of a crown he never wanted into the vibrant tapestry of Indel. His decision to hide as a struggling inventor is both clever and fraught with risk, setting the stage for perfect, slow-burn tension.
When their paths cross, the story ignites. The dynamic between the aspiring illuminator and the king-in-disguise is electric, built on a foundation of mutual suspicion, hidden truths, and a growing, unspoken alliance. The premise that “entering a cutthroat competition may be the only way to protect everything they hold dear” is not just a tagline it’s the thrilling engine that drives the plot forward with increasing stakes and breathtaking reveals.
Schroeder’s prose is both elegant and accessible, making the world of illuminators and political machinations easy to fall into and impossible to leave. With a 4.7-star rating already heralding its quality, this first installment promises and delivers an enthralling saga where every stroke of the stylus and every political maneuver matters.
Illuminary is a testament to the power of creativity and courage. It’s for fans of immersive world-building, intelligent fantasy, and characters who must use their unique gifts to illuminate not just parchment, but the path through encroaching darkness. I am already eagerly awaiting the next volume in The Sceptre & the Stylus series.
A luminous and unmissable five-star read.
March 8, 2025
I'll be honest, when I started this book I didn't think I would have any issues putting it away for life things and coming back to it when I had time. That didn't happen! I was hooked from the start. Yes, this is ya fantasy, but it's for anyone who loves the fantasy genre.
Something I absolutely love in fantasy stories is when the main character has a strong relationship with their parent. Yosari (Yosi) had a wonderful one with her father! Unfortunately, she has a devious and dangerous cousin. With family like Lavidah, who needs enemies?
Then there's Xander (aka Saunders) who is a prince who goes into hiding because he has a target on his back. He takes along his bodyguard, Massard, who you can't help, but love! He heads for the same location as Yosi, Indel.
Yosi and Saunders lives intertwine with the students at Indel in good and not so good ways. They form a team with Rivka (Yosi's maid), Massard, Jamarde (Yosi's younger cousin), and Estelle (another student) to compete in the Quest. Let me tell you, it's not for the faint of heart. Teams can be ruthless, and is it any wonder since Lavidah is on a different team?
I loved the faith element that's woven throughout this story. It's created in a way that makes sense in this made up world, but it clearly points to God (the Sustainer) and incorporates Scripture and how to live throughout. The characters refer to the Sustainer in many ways, while fighting against their natural bent to do things on their own merit or outside of what the Sustainer would want. Their trust and reliance on Him, shows the reader what it looks like to stay in His will!
The ending though... I need book two NOW!
The sections, not chapters, were pretty long, so you'll need to be sure to have a decent chunk of time on hand to read if you like to read through an entire "chapter" before you stop reading.
*I received the e-book ARC from the publisher. This is my personal opinion.
Something I absolutely love in fantasy stories is when the main character has a strong relationship with their parent. Yosari (Yosi) had a wonderful one with her father! Unfortunately, she has a devious and dangerous cousin. With family like Lavidah, who needs enemies?
Then there's Xander (aka Saunders) who is a prince who goes into hiding because he has a target on his back. He takes along his bodyguard, Massard, who you can't help, but love! He heads for the same location as Yosi, Indel.
Yosi and Saunders lives intertwine with the students at Indel in good and not so good ways. They form a team with Rivka (Yosi's maid), Massard, Jamarde (Yosi's younger cousin), and Estelle (another student) to compete in the Quest. Let me tell you, it's not for the faint of heart. Teams can be ruthless, and is it any wonder since Lavidah is on a different team?
I loved the faith element that's woven throughout this story. It's created in a way that makes sense in this made up world, but it clearly points to God (the Sustainer) and incorporates Scripture and how to live throughout. The characters refer to the Sustainer in many ways, while fighting against their natural bent to do things on their own merit or outside of what the Sustainer would want. Their trust and reliance on Him, shows the reader what it looks like to stay in His will!
The ending though... I need book two NOW!
The sections, not chapters, were pretty long, so you'll need to be sure to have a decent chunk of time on hand to read if you like to read through an entire "chapter" before you stop reading.
*I received the e-book ARC from the publisher. This is my personal opinion.
March 25, 2025
I really enjoyed "Illuminary" by Chawna Schroeder and highly recommend this one to fans of YA Fantasy. I would rate this one for ages 14+. The chapters are very long, but when you are reading them they definitely flow well with the story. For those that like to be able to end on a chapter but don't have a lot of time to read - this part may bug you but for me I was able to end in the middle and pick back up when I could read again. Just wanted to add that to my review in case it was something important to a reader.
This story is about Yosarai, daughter of a country judge and a prince in hiding from another country, Xander. These two enter the capital city just before a competition that is prestigious in Yosarai's country that can bring fortune to the winner. As these two face danger and intrigue from very different places, they learn to lean on one another as they and 4 others enter a competition with the most unlikely of teams. They have to puzzle through clues and show their strengths as they proceed in the competition. That aspect alone kept me engaged as the book progressed, along with the side stories for each of the main characters.
The fantasy, worldbuilding and culture are compelling in this book. There are very strong faith elements in this book and trusting in their God is important throughout the book. The book left me on a cliffhanger and I'm not sure how long I have until the next in this series comes out, but I definitely want to read what the author writes next in this series.
I was able to read an ARC of this book, however all opinions expressed are my own.
This story is about Yosarai, daughter of a country judge and a prince in hiding from another country, Xander. These two enter the capital city just before a competition that is prestigious in Yosarai's country that can bring fortune to the winner. As these two face danger and intrigue from very different places, they learn to lean on one another as they and 4 others enter a competition with the most unlikely of teams. They have to puzzle through clues and show their strengths as they proceed in the competition. That aspect alone kept me engaged as the book progressed, along with the side stories for each of the main characters.
The fantasy, worldbuilding and culture are compelling in this book. There are very strong faith elements in this book and trusting in their God is important throughout the book. The book left me on a cliffhanger and I'm not sure how long I have until the next in this series comes out, but I definitely want to read what the author writes next in this series.
I was able to read an ARC of this book, however all opinions expressed are my own.
May 18, 2025
ILLUMINARY is a completely immersive experience into this fantasy world that feels somewhat Persian. The characters are interesting and relatable while the plot grows and develops as the characters do as they face new places and challenges. A story weaved with magic, family, privilege, loss, faith and love.
Opening this book felt like diving into a whole different world. At least for Yosarai's world. It was lush and fragrant. Almost like a textile experience. Her relationships were also full of depth and complexity. Xander's world was a bit more one dimensional as there were only glimpses of it before he traveled to Yosarai's Indel (Yosarai's kingdom). What his storyline had that Yosarai's didn't (at least at first) was consistent danger hunting him. I liked how the author wove their stories together and how everything unfolded. The writing also felt very lush and full which I also really liked as well as this unique twist on a classic. The story is very faith-filled with a god representative of Christianity and its a central part of this story. My hope is that it doesn't take over the series but continues to be woven through in a natural way.
There were a lot of poems, journal entries and such in the story. Those didn't really work for me for how much they were included and how long they were, but some may enjoy this aspect.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was an enjoyable story and a series worth following. Recommended to Christian fantasy fans and also some YA fantasy fans.
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Opening this book felt like diving into a whole different world. At least for Yosarai's world. It was lush and fragrant. Almost like a textile experience. Her relationships were also full of depth and complexity. Xander's world was a bit more one dimensional as there were only glimpses of it before he traveled to Yosarai's Indel (Yosarai's kingdom). What his storyline had that Yosarai's didn't (at least at first) was consistent danger hunting him. I liked how the author wove their stories together and how everything unfolded. The writing also felt very lush and full which I also really liked as well as this unique twist on a classic. The story is very faith-filled with a god representative of Christianity and its a central part of this story. My hope is that it doesn't take over the series but continues to be woven through in a natural way.
There were a lot of poems, journal entries and such in the story. Those didn't really work for me for how much they were included and how long they were, but some may enjoy this aspect.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was an enjoyable story and a series worth following. Recommended to Christian fantasy fans and also some YA fantasy fans.
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
March 5, 2025
“𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘳 𝘶𝘱 𝘢 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘻𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘬𝘦?”
My favorite part of this story: all the wise & clever sayings! I was going crazy with all the highlighting, especially at the beginning.
I loved the vibrant fantasy world with its seven realms, a touch of steampunk, and hints of 𝘈 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴. The allegory is rich and well-crafted, with a strong emphasis on friendship and teamwork. The fire symbolism stood out to me, too—especially since I’ve been reflecting in my Bible study on how fire can be either life-giving or destructive, depending on how it’s used.
𝑸𝒖𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝑺𝒚𝒏𝒐𝒑𝒔𝒊𝒔: Yosarai Patican dreams of becoming an illuminator, so she leaves her life in the country to attend the prestigious Academy of the Seven Arts. To avoid being assassinated, Prince Xander poses as an inventor in Indel, a neighboring country. He ends up crossing paths with Yosarai and enlisting her help as part of his cover. When his cover is threatened, they enter a Quest involving the Seven Arts in the hope of safeguarding all they cherish.
The book is divided into longer sections instead of chapters. As a short chapter lover, this was a little difficult at times. Since it was an interesting story, I’d recommend the physical copy, so you can quickly reference the POV and easily check all of the helpful glossaries at the end.
I received a complimentary eARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
My favorite part of this story: all the wise & clever sayings! I was going crazy with all the highlighting, especially at the beginning.
I loved the vibrant fantasy world with its seven realms, a touch of steampunk, and hints of 𝘈 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴. The allegory is rich and well-crafted, with a strong emphasis on friendship and teamwork. The fire symbolism stood out to me, too—especially since I’ve been reflecting in my Bible study on how fire can be either life-giving or destructive, depending on how it’s used.
𝑸𝒖𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝑺𝒚𝒏𝒐𝒑𝒔𝒊𝒔: Yosarai Patican dreams of becoming an illuminator, so she leaves her life in the country to attend the prestigious Academy of the Seven Arts. To avoid being assassinated, Prince Xander poses as an inventor in Indel, a neighboring country. He ends up crossing paths with Yosarai and enlisting her help as part of his cover. When his cover is threatened, they enter a Quest involving the Seven Arts in the hope of safeguarding all they cherish.
The book is divided into longer sections instead of chapters. As a short chapter lover, this was a little difficult at times. Since it was an interesting story, I’d recommend the physical copy, so you can quickly reference the POV and easily check all of the helpful glossaries at the end.
I received a complimentary eARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
April 17, 2025
📜🍁“𝐎𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 . . . 𝐈𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐚 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧?…𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞. 𝐀 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡?”🍁📜
I just finished reading 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 last week and absolutely loved it! Although I am in desperate need of the sequel 😩 (if you know, you know). This book was so rich, thoughtful, and deep while remaining fun & whimsical at the same time.
Honestly, as soon as I heard “riddles" & “quests” I was intrigued—and was not disappointed! I thought the trials were very creative & clever. I also loved the deep faith themes, and especially loved the theme of kindness & generosity despite difficult circumstances.
“𝐍𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞.”
Chawna Schroeder did a beautiful job of subtly weaving bits of A Little Princess into 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲. I loved all the little nods & allusions to the well-loved classic!
Another part I adored was the found family! Each character was lovable and unique. Unlike a lot of books, the side characters actually had important roles and weren’t just props for the main characters which was something I particularly liked.
The world building was another part I was very impressed with! It was very unique and had an almost steampunk element to it. The culture seemed to be loosely inspired by Indian and Hebraic culture which was a fun twist (I would recommend you read the glossary at the back of the book to void confusion with some of the terms though). There was no magic although one of the characters was born with a gift of [redacted due to possible spoilers 😂].
I truly wish I could write a review that would fully capture the essence of 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲! I’ve attempted this review several times and still find it sorely inadequate. I suppose you’ll just have to read this book to appreciate its greatness for yourself!
***I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review.
I just finished reading 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 last week and absolutely loved it! Although I am in desperate need of the sequel 😩 (if you know, you know). This book was so rich, thoughtful, and deep while remaining fun & whimsical at the same time.
Honestly, as soon as I heard “riddles" & “quests” I was intrigued—and was not disappointed! I thought the trials were very creative & clever. I also loved the deep faith themes, and especially loved the theme of kindness & generosity despite difficult circumstances.
“𝐍𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞.”
Chawna Schroeder did a beautiful job of subtly weaving bits of A Little Princess into 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲. I loved all the little nods & allusions to the well-loved classic!
Another part I adored was the found family! Each character was lovable and unique. Unlike a lot of books, the side characters actually had important roles and weren’t just props for the main characters which was something I particularly liked.
The world building was another part I was very impressed with! It was very unique and had an almost steampunk element to it. The culture seemed to be loosely inspired by Indian and Hebraic culture which was a fun twist (I would recommend you read the glossary at the back of the book to void confusion with some of the terms though). There was no magic although one of the characters was born with a gift of [redacted due to possible spoilers 😂].
I truly wish I could write a review that would fully capture the essence of 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲! I’ve attempted this review several times and still find it sorely inadequate. I suppose you’ll just have to read this book to appreciate its greatness for yourself!
***I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review.
May 16, 2025
Danger comes in many forms....
I got hooked on Chawna Schroeder's fiction awhile back when I read The Vault Between Spaces so I've been looking forward to Illuminary since first hearing about it. As expected it turned out to be a great start to the intriguingly titled The Sceptre & The Stylus series.
With her trademark attention to detail and excellent fantasy worldbuilding skills, Chawna Schroeder introduces an interesting tale with nods to the Bible and Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess. I found the story to be a faster read than even I expected as my curiosity kept me turning those pages even when I should have headed off for bed.
I was excited to find out that Illuminary is the first book in a planned trilogy as that means I will get the chance to revisit The Sceptre & The Stylus characters again instead of having to say goodbye what feels like too soon.
Great for older YA readers, Illuminary can also entertain adults, such as myself, equally as well. The addition of things like trains and automatons makes The Sceptre & The Stylus trilogy even more interesting. I enjoyed this first book in the series and now I am definitely looking forward to the next book so I can find out where Yosarai and Xander will find themselves next....
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
I got hooked on Chawna Schroeder's fiction awhile back when I read The Vault Between Spaces so I've been looking forward to Illuminary since first hearing about it. As expected it turned out to be a great start to the intriguingly titled The Sceptre & The Stylus series.
With her trademark attention to detail and excellent fantasy worldbuilding skills, Chawna Schroeder introduces an interesting tale with nods to the Bible and Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess. I found the story to be a faster read than even I expected as my curiosity kept me turning those pages even when I should have headed off for bed.
I was excited to find out that Illuminary is the first book in a planned trilogy as that means I will get the chance to revisit The Sceptre & The Stylus characters again instead of having to say goodbye what feels like too soon.
Great for older YA readers, Illuminary can also entertain adults, such as myself, equally as well. The addition of things like trains and automatons makes The Sceptre & The Stylus trilogy even more interesting. I enjoyed this first book in the series and now I am definitely looking forward to the next book so I can find out where Yosarai and Xander will find themselves next....
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
March 10, 2025
Secrets identities, puzzles, art, and truth collide in Chawna Schroeder's latest novel.
The worldbuilding was nice, with both some familiar and fresh elements. There were a few storyworld terms that I struggled to figure out the meaning of in context, but I got them eventually. There is a glossary in the back of the book, but I wasn't really able to use it since I was reading on my Kindle.
The various trials of the Quest were fun once they got underway. Schroeder did a great job of balancing the characters' roles in the Quest and making sure all of them were important to the team. I also loved the uniqueness of Yosi's character voice with how she saw voices as fonts, almost like of form of synesthesia.
As with her other novels, Schroeder weaves spiritual themes and truths all throughout the story. She ties them naturally to the characters, so they don't feel preachy. I honestly really appreciated how much she wove faith throughout the narrative.
The ending will leave readers ready to find out what happens next for Xander and Yosi, but thankfully without a too-painful cliffhanger.
This is also a side note, but the chapters are very long in Illuminary, so prepare yourself to have to stop midchapter, or set aside a larger chunk of reading time. :)
Cautions: light romance; brief non-graphic violence
(I received an eARC from Enclave Publishing and was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.)
The worldbuilding was nice, with both some familiar and fresh elements. There were a few storyworld terms that I struggled to figure out the meaning of in context, but I got them eventually. There is a glossary in the back of the book, but I wasn't really able to use it since I was reading on my Kindle.
The various trials of the Quest were fun once they got underway. Schroeder did a great job of balancing the characters' roles in the Quest and making sure all of them were important to the team. I also loved the uniqueness of Yosi's character voice with how she saw voices as fonts, almost like of form of synesthesia.
As with her other novels, Schroeder weaves spiritual themes and truths all throughout the story. She ties them naturally to the characters, so they don't feel preachy. I honestly really appreciated how much she wove faith throughout the narrative.
The ending will leave readers ready to find out what happens next for Xander and Yosi, but thankfully without a too-painful cliffhanger.
This is also a side note, but the chapters are very long in Illuminary, so prepare yourself to have to stop midchapter, or set aside a larger chunk of reading time. :)
Cautions: light romance; brief non-graphic violence
(I received an eARC from Enclave Publishing and was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.)
May 10, 2025
An illuminating look at a young woman who has everything she desires. On her twentieth birthday she feels a bit unhappy and wonders where this feeling is coming from. Right away we see the wisdom she possesses as a lesson is taught to two little girls. I saw instantly the reference the author used from a Biblical figure who teaches that the one who cares the most about something is the true owner of that which was fought over. I loved how the author draws readers in with a world where Yosi will find adventure.
Xander has much to ponder as he is groomed to be king. He is not smitten with this change and decides to go into hiding. A competition brings Xander and Yosi together in a heart pounding adventure. I liked following them and was delighted to see how they started to rely on each other. There is a strong faith element in the story which for me was a plus.
As this is the beginning of a series I still didn’t expect the ending to be so emotional. For fans of fantasy this will be a book to be remembered as well as one hard to put down. Join the author in this story where faith prevails and characters bring excitement to readers.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Xander has much to ponder as he is groomed to be king. He is not smitten with this change and decides to go into hiding. A competition brings Xander and Yosi together in a heart pounding adventure. I liked following them and was delighted to see how they started to rely on each other. There is a strong faith element in the story which for me was a plus.
As this is the beginning of a series I still didn’t expect the ending to be so emotional. For fans of fantasy this will be a book to be remembered as well as one hard to put down. Join the author in this story where faith prevails and characters bring excitement to readers.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
April 26, 2025
If you love a good allegorical tale dipped in beautifully illustrated scenery, puzzles, riddles and a mystery this is the book for you. I very much enjoyed the rich cultural descriptions that appealed to all the senses! The mysteries along the way had me intrigued and I wanted to know how the good vs bad dynamics played out.
I did struggle reading the book but I think that was more on me not being able to visualize the detailed and fantasy-esque (is that a word?) descriptions. I switched to audio and that really helped. I will add that of you enjoy audio books this one is a richer experience via audio.
The first half did seem a little slow but I feel it set up the book nicely. And given this was book 1 I’d expect book 2 to be more quick-paced like the second half. On that note I did expect there to be a cliffhanger however I did not see that ending coming so really looking forward to seeing how it all plays out on the next book.
Lastly, there were a couple times I struggled with the feeling that Sustainer (God) was being portrayed more as a genie in a bottle. However, I didn’t remain to critical as the message that was consistent throughout the book is that God provides.
Overall, I enjoyed the allegorical approach to this story and just the overall vibrancy of it all.
I did struggle reading the book but I think that was more on me not being able to visualize the detailed and fantasy-esque (is that a word?) descriptions. I switched to audio and that really helped. I will add that of you enjoy audio books this one is a richer experience via audio.
The first half did seem a little slow but I feel it set up the book nicely. And given this was book 1 I’d expect book 2 to be more quick-paced like the second half. On that note I did expect there to be a cliffhanger however I did not see that ending coming so really looking forward to seeing how it all plays out on the next book.
Lastly, there were a couple times I struggled with the feeling that Sustainer (God) was being portrayed more as a genie in a bottle. However, I didn’t remain to critical as the message that was consistent throughout the book is that God provides.
Overall, I enjoyed the allegorical approach to this story and just the overall vibrancy of it all.
May 13, 2025
A thrilling adventure, full of puzzles, competition, and friendship. Yosarai dreams of following in her mother's footsteps and becoming an illuminator at the Academy of the Seven Arts. I liked that she has a beautiful relationship with her father, and how she is always looking out for others. Xander is a prince in hiding, and quickly finds an ally in Yosarai and her father. There is fantastic world building in this riveting fantasy, set in a world that is believably Victorian Steampunk and Indian/Middle Eastern all at once! I loved the attention to detail and intentionality, in creating this original blend of cultures. The first in an exciting new series, we follow Yosarai and her friends as they work together to stand up to challenges and solve puzzles in a competition. I loved Rivka and Massard! Strong themes of faith and friendship are present throughout. Overall, an exciting adventure with strong themes of faith, justice, and friendship. I'm excited to see where this fantastic new series leads! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 15, 2025
Illuminary was a beautiful tale full of true connection and abiding wisdom. This is Chawna Schroeder's best story yet! She pulls you into a rich culture steeped in vivid traditions and competitive wonders. Yosarai is smart and compassionate. Xander is more capable than he knows. Themes of faith run deep in this text, imparting timeless truths to the reader. She is able to have the characters struggle, make the right choice, and impart wisdom without having them seem too goody-goody. This is not easy to do. The quest is clever, fun, and daunting. Dangers press in from every side, always keeping a good amount of tension within the story. Yosi's gift adds an interesting fantasy element. The diverse cast of characters shows a variety of strengths and abilities that can be used throughout. The characters had such great growth within this book. This promising future along with the terrible hook at the end make you want the next book as soon as possible. I can’t wait for what is to come in book two.
April 28, 2025
Illuminary was one of those books I did not want to put down. Schroeder has once again crafted a wonderful fantasy book. There is a contest that reminds me of Hunger Games (although not to the death).
Yosi has a tender heart that is striving to me in tune with the will of the Sustainer. Her father is a judge. As the story opens he is sending Yosi to a distant city to attend school. Yosi will be staying with her aunt, who is not a kind woman.
Xander is the prince (soon to be king) of a neighboring country. He is visiting Yosi’s country under an alias. Yosi’s father introduces them but Yosi is not aware of his royalty.
A friendship is formed and together they form a team to compete in the Festival. However, their time is made up of Yosi and her cousin (who by society’s standards deserve to compete), along with Yosi’s maid, a friend who is mixed breed, Xander and his body guard (both foreigners and not known to be royalty). They compete with dignity and conquer all of the tests they face. They learn to follow the Sustainer rather than their personal desires.
The book does end with a sad cliff hanger leaving me with questions so I look forward to finding those answers in the second book.
Written for the young adult audience, Illuminary would be a good addition to a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for eighth grade and up.
I received a complimentary copy of Illuminary. This is my honest review.
Yosi has a tender heart that is striving to me in tune with the will of the Sustainer. Her father is a judge. As the story opens he is sending Yosi to a distant city to attend school. Yosi will be staying with her aunt, who is not a kind woman.
Xander is the prince (soon to be king) of a neighboring country. He is visiting Yosi’s country under an alias. Yosi’s father introduces them but Yosi is not aware of his royalty.
A friendship is formed and together they form a team to compete in the Festival. However, their time is made up of Yosi and her cousin (who by society’s standards deserve to compete), along with Yosi’s maid, a friend who is mixed breed, Xander and his body guard (both foreigners and not known to be royalty). They compete with dignity and conquer all of the tests they face. They learn to follow the Sustainer rather than their personal desires.
The book does end with a sad cliff hanger leaving me with questions so I look forward to finding those answers in the second book.
Written for the young adult audience, Illuminary would be a good addition to a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for eighth grade and up.
I received a complimentary copy of Illuminary. This is my honest review.
May 1, 2025
“Ask why less and how more.”
This is my first book by Chawna Schroeder and I am completely hooked. The author’s gifted imagination is on full display in this detailed, absolutely delightful fantasy world. I loved learning about Egdonia and Indel and how these two Realms are similar and different. The strong faith thread woven into the storyline was grounding and I really enjoyed watching Xander and Yosi grow in faith and maturity. It was really interesting that an unnamed villain (likely an Egdonian) and Yosi had first person voices while Xander and Yosi’s not-very-likable cousin Lavidah had third person voices. These multiple narrators gave depth and insight into the storyline as a whole.
The Quest that took up the latter half of the book was intricately laid out and quite fascinating. I was on the edge of my seat with each challenge the team faced. But the book has more than just unique characters, suspense, a beautiful setting and a fast-paced and exciting plot; it also addresses racism, social justice, loyalty, honor, and compassion.
This book does end on a cliff hanger. I need the next book soon!
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Enclave Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
This is my first book by Chawna Schroeder and I am completely hooked. The author’s gifted imagination is on full display in this detailed, absolutely delightful fantasy world. I loved learning about Egdonia and Indel and how these two Realms are similar and different. The strong faith thread woven into the storyline was grounding and I really enjoyed watching Xander and Yosi grow in faith and maturity. It was really interesting that an unnamed villain (likely an Egdonian) and Yosi had first person voices while Xander and Yosi’s not-very-likable cousin Lavidah had third person voices. These multiple narrators gave depth and insight into the storyline as a whole.
The Quest that took up the latter half of the book was intricately laid out and quite fascinating. I was on the edge of my seat with each challenge the team faced. But the book has more than just unique characters, suspense, a beautiful setting and a fast-paced and exciting plot; it also addresses racism, social justice, loyalty, honor, and compassion.
This book does end on a cliff hanger. I need the next book soon!
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Enclave Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
May 10, 2025
Illuminary (The Sceptre & the Stylus Book One) by Chawna Schroeder is a work of YA Fantasy inspired by A Little Princess. Growing up, I loved reading A Little Princess, so I was excited to have the opportunity to read this story.
I believe that young adults will enjoy reading this book. Filled with interesting storylines and characters, this book kept me reading. Yosarai Patican illustrates trying to live up to other’s expectations and family talents.
Meanwhile, Prince Xander finds himself preparing to be crowned king after his father’s death. To escape as sanitation attempts, he flees to nearby Indel where he poses as an inventor.
The interactions between the two add dimensions to this story. As the first story in this series, I look forward to reading the next book.
So, if you are looking for a Young Adult Fantasy and/or enjoy A Little Princess, check out Illuminary (The Sceptre & the Stylus Book One) by Chawna Schroeder.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
I believe that young adults will enjoy reading this book. Filled with interesting storylines and characters, this book kept me reading. Yosarai Patican illustrates trying to live up to other’s expectations and family talents.
Meanwhile, Prince Xander finds himself preparing to be crowned king after his father’s death. To escape as sanitation attempts, he flees to nearby Indel where he poses as an inventor.
The interactions between the two add dimensions to this story. As the first story in this series, I look forward to reading the next book.
So, if you are looking for a Young Adult Fantasy and/or enjoy A Little Princess, check out Illuminary (The Sceptre & the Stylus Book One) by Chawna Schroeder.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
May 11, 2025
A Little Princess, with a total fantasy twist, is what this book gives us. It's so much fun! Don't misunderstand, this is its own tale, but the premise is intact. This book has so many lovely characters. It reminded me of The Hunger Games in some ways, and all the good ones! Faith is powerful and all over the place, worked into this story. Quests and adventure, heartache and heartwarming, suspense, a touch of romance, all kinds of good things are in this story. The ending threw me off, though. I hope the author can release the sequel pretty soon. I can't wait to read it!
Thanks to Celebrate Lit for my digital copy of this book. This review is my own, and a positive review is never required.
Thanks to Celebrate Lit for my digital copy of this book. This review is my own, and a positive review is never required.
August 30, 2025
This had been on my TBR forever! The world Illuminary is set in is reminiscent of India and England. The colors and culture of Indel are bright and refreshing. I appreciated the allusion to Solomon in the beginning chapter. I thought it was a neat touch. The deity of this book is called The Sustainer. This is such a good reminder to me of Jesus, and how he sustains us each day. The loyalty and camaraderie layered throughout this story is a example of how we ought to behave in life. There were so many good quotes woven throughout this story, but I will just list one of my favorites.
“Yes I can, for Sustainer rules over all, and therefore, all is done according to His plan. His ways are perfect, and what can be better than perfection?”
“Yes I can, for Sustainer rules over all, and therefore, all is done according to His plan. His ways are perfect, and what can be better than perfection?”
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