Illumination

Incandescent #2

by M.V. Freeman

Capricious and free-spirited, Mina Tepes is forever trying to intervene. Some would say she interferes. Her attempt to save a friend worsens a war already waging between her people, the Darks, and their reviled overlords, the Mages. Desperate, she turns to the man who saved her life as child--an enemy Mage named Xander.

As part of the ruling class, Xander Fjordson should never have taken notice of Mina, but even as boy, one look into her large dark eyes and he was lost. As an adult, involvement with her has ripped his world to shreds. Though the war she unintentionally instigated has made them enemies, when she comes to him bleeding and injured, he is unable to say no. He puts at risk what is left of his status and his family as he follows her, knowing in the end he’d have to betray her.

Together Xander and Mina begin to unravel terrible secrets as the war escalates. Soon Xander must choose: save his family or the woman who’s come to mean more to him than his own life.

300 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2015

About the author

Never one to stay on the same path, this author no longer writes in this genre.

The books are no longer in print or available.

Reviews

[Amanda]

M.V. Freeman’s “Illumination” is a sensory experience into the world of the Darks led by the spirited Darkling, Mina. It is the second book in the Incandescent series, where the war between the Darks and the Mages continues. The storyline focuses on Mina, but the reader does get a few peeks into how Laurie and Mikhail’s relationship is doing. I love Mina’s character and enjoyed seeing her grow in “Illumination.” She is very human despite her magic. She’s full of spontaneity and compassion, tending to act before she thinks, not always the best traits to have when one’s actions are making an impact on a war. The reader experiences Mina’s way of sensing another’s emotions through taste and smell. Freeman does this very well. I’d never have thought to give an emotion a taste. Here’s an example of how Mina picks up on how someone is feeling: “the sweeping impression of cotton and salt-water – he was determined and resolute.” I also loved just how creepy Freeman’s imagination is. There are many weird and horrifying creatures in the different levels and caverns of the world of the Darks, which I found grotesquely fascinating.

While this sensory experience is happening, the story is moving right along – secrets are being discovered, sought after, and revealed. The true natures of several political leaders come into the light. Some parts of the war are beginning to seep into the human realm. And Xander, Mina’s childhood friend, decides what side of the war he is on, a life-changing decision. Freeman captured my attention once again in “Illumination,” and once again left me satisfied with the conclusion of Mina’s story, but hungry for more about another character, Mina’s brother, Lev. I look forward to hopefully another book by Freeman that takes me back into the world of Darks, Mages, and Elementals.

I was honored to receive an advanced readers’ copy of “Illumination.”

[Angela Blount]

Illumination takes the star-cross lovers theme to paranormal heights—and depths—in this second installment of the Incandescent series.

A war had long been brewing between the three hidden races, but Mina never meant to be the catalyst to setting it off. She was only trying to help. (If the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, this little darkling is probably leading the construction crew.) Now the power struggle between Mages, Elementals, and Darks is spilling over into the previously unaware realm of humanity, and it’s all Mina can do to protect the handful of people she most cares for—including the young Mage who should be her enemy…

I enjoyed the first book, in which Mina appeared as a side character whose eccentric demeanor fascinated me to no end. I was excited to find this story centered on her, and delighted to discover that Freeman’s writing seems to have strengthened with the succession rather than weakening (as too often seems to happen with urban fantasy series.) The pacing is brisk, the worldbuilding is consistent, and the atmosphere is unabashedly gritty. We revisit old friends from book #1, but this story stands well enough on its own that you needn't have read its predecessor to grasp what’s going on.

I actually preferred the romance in this book. The complementary relationship between Mina and Xander is as powerful as it is deep-rooted; a result of their extensive childhood history and shared traumas. Each are strong—and weak—in their own dynamic ways. They take dramatically different paths in the course of their character development, but its clear their final destination ought to be each other. The only question is if they can choose each other over their own people. It’s an age-old relational dilemma, with a dark spin. And the world itself might not survive the consequences.

Also in this book, readers receive more insight into Mina's brother, Lev—the charmingly puckish art thief with a self-sacrificing streak. I don’t think I’m alone in hoping the next book in the series will in some way revolve around him.

All in all, a great story with a gothic flair. I would recommend this to any fans of urban fantasy.

[Cynthia]

I received this as an ARC for an honest review. I may or may not post spoilers so read on if you dare!

This book kind of scared me at first with all the differentiations in the front of it. As, such I plunged in and skipped them. No, they did come in handy later on and I did flip back to them as I was reading but not often as the author does such a great job including the info as she wrote it.

I slowly fell in love with the mains and side players in this story. They became living breathing people/demons/mages! I can say this book will blow you out of the water as you are reading it! It is super complex and has you reading late into the night. It is a full length novel and not a chapter book. It will take you more then just a day to read it. It did me, and I am a fairly fast reader.

It has lots of action, love, and betrayal as you read it! As, I said earlier loads of twists some of them you do not see coming till they bite you in the buns. Overall I wish I could give this book more then just 5 stars as its a 10 star read!

[Nancee Cain]

Second book of M.V. Freeman's Hidden Races Series. The power struggle continues between the Mages, Dark and Elementals, a dark, scary world built beautifully by the talented Ms. Freeman's storytelling. This story could stand alone but I think is enhanced if you've read the first book, Illumination. I was happy to see Mikhail and Laurie come back in this book. Mina and Xander are star crossed lovers who have known and experienced horror from a very young age. M.V. Freeman writes an emotional tale that will put you through the wringer, but is worth it in the end. Don't miss this series.