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The Secrets of Islayne
A powerful island. A dangerous mystery. An impossible choice.
For centuries, the island of Islayne has given certain residents the ability to revive other people’s memories. These gifted individuals are known as luminators, and sixteen-year-old Ronan Saunders desperately desires to join their illustrious ranks. As he struggles against the prejudice of the old, powerful families who have an iron grip on the trade, Ronan falls under the tutelage of a reclusive luminator, rumored to be insane.
Just when his long-desired future is within reach, Ronan and his three friends discover a deadly secret on the island. As they delve deeper into the mystery, what they find forces them to question their loyalties, doubt long-held beliefs, and wrestle with the dire consequences of revealing the truth. Ronan finds himself torn between everything he loves and the only future he’s ever wanted. The entire fate of the lumination trade hangs in the balance of his decision.
For centuries, the island of Islayne has given certain residents the ability to revive other people’s memories. These gifted individuals are known as luminators, and sixteen-year-old Ronan Saunders desperately desires to join their illustrious ranks. As he struggles against the prejudice of the old, powerful families who have an iron grip on the trade, Ronan falls under the tutelage of a reclusive luminator, rumored to be insane.
Just when his long-desired future is within reach, Ronan and his three friends discover a deadly secret on the island. As they delve deeper into the mystery, what they find forces them to question their loyalties, doubt long-held beliefs, and wrestle with the dire consequences of revealing the truth. Ronan finds himself torn between everything he loves and the only future he’s ever wanted. The entire fate of the lumination trade hangs in the balance of his decision.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2017
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96 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 29, 2017
Memories, so precious, so much a part of us whether good or bad, yet sometimes they fade or we adjust them to what we want to remember. What if you could have a memory “brightened or refreshed” for whatever reason?
In Kari Lynn West’s world there is an island and a group of humans gifted with the ability to do just that and while they take pride in their strict training and high code of ethics, to do no harm, even these gifted “Luminators” are not perfect and have closed their ranks to only the wealthiest and most elite of their world. Ronan is one of the gifted, but this sixteen-year-old is not one of the wealthy and his journey to achieve his goal will require more than just raw talent. It will require determination and strength of character, a strength that could very well cost him his dreams, and possibly his own memories.
Ronan and his friends will accidentally uncover THE SECRETS OF ISLAYNE and the ugly side of prejudice and the horrendous lengths one adult will go to in the name of making a change for “good" as others deny the skeletons in their closets and the damage they have wrought.
Kari Lynn West has nailed a dark and tense mystery that is perfectly suited to young teens on up. She has created constant turmoil and a mystery that unfolds only after four teens take a dark and twisted path that starts out as an adventure and becomes a painful discovery of lies, deceit and the abuse of a special gift from the island. From start to finish these characters felt real, from their dialogue to their unique personalities and how they each saw the world through the eyes of a teen. A VERY fresh and intriguing take on young adult fantasy that had me wondering what memories I would like “brightened.” Definitely a hidden gem in the young adult world of reading!
I received this copy from Kari Lynn West in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
Publication Date: June 30, 2017
Publisher: Kari Lynn West
Genre: YA Fantasy | Mystery
Print Length: 222 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
In Kari Lynn West’s world there is an island and a group of humans gifted with the ability to do just that and while they take pride in their strict training and high code of ethics, to do no harm, even these gifted “Luminators” are not perfect and have closed their ranks to only the wealthiest and most elite of their world. Ronan is one of the gifted, but this sixteen-year-old is not one of the wealthy and his journey to achieve his goal will require more than just raw talent. It will require determination and strength of character, a strength that could very well cost him his dreams, and possibly his own memories.
Ronan and his friends will accidentally uncover THE SECRETS OF ISLAYNE and the ugly side of prejudice and the horrendous lengths one adult will go to in the name of making a change for “good" as others deny the skeletons in their closets and the damage they have wrought.
Kari Lynn West has nailed a dark and tense mystery that is perfectly suited to young teens on up. She has created constant turmoil and a mystery that unfolds only after four teens take a dark and twisted path that starts out as an adventure and becomes a painful discovery of lies, deceit and the abuse of a special gift from the island. From start to finish these characters felt real, from their dialogue to their unique personalities and how they each saw the world through the eyes of a teen. A VERY fresh and intriguing take on young adult fantasy that had me wondering what memories I would like “brightened.” Definitely a hidden gem in the young adult world of reading!
I received this copy from Kari Lynn West in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
Publication Date: June 30, 2017
Publisher: Kari Lynn West
Genre: YA Fantasy | Mystery
Print Length: 222 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
November 10, 2017
Ronan is an iluminator. That’s all he desires in his life. He’s no slacker, though his boss at the book store may have another opinion. He’s a diligent student, loves the training, pouring his heart and soul into his studies. He has his apprenticeship, graduating near the top of his class, until…
Luminators are endowed with the power to see and restore memories. The rich used to dominate the luminators, until hard times forced them to sell some of their land. The power comes from the land itself. Now, even families and second class citizens, a common islander, like Ronan, may have the power. The rich think it’s wrong. Sound familiar to present day circumstances? The rich and empowered want it all to themselves.
Cassie is a long time friend, along with Eli. She’s bold, daring, maybe a bit headstrong, (lol, very understated description of her) a daredevil. Eli’s family was wealthy. Somewhat of a surprise that he is friends with Ronan and his snooty parents hates it. They felt only the wealthy should have the power. The same goes for Cassie. She is not a luminator, but her father is.
Eli and Ronan met at the Academy. Cassie met them there, when they befriended her. She needs to think twice about her playful suggestions of entertainment, which can be dangerous and foolhardy.
They believed all they did was good, but everything can be misused and abused. Power can be a seductive thing and abuse of power can be easy to fall victim to for some of our characters. Some danger is hidden and some is in your face.
Some things had a ring of familiarity and I had to see if check I’d read it before. Once I got into the book, it didn’t take long to realize that I hadn’t. I have read thousands of books, so maybe that’s why some things rang familiar.
When everything Ronan has strived for is at risk, when his friends memories are on the line, I wonder if Ronan will do the right thing. What do you think? Well….I’m not telling. Find out for yourself by reading the book.
The Secrets of Islayne by Kari Lynn West is filled with fabulous characters and I loved each and every one of them, even the bad ones. It was great watching the gang grow and rise to the occasion. The world on the Island of Islayne was filled with action, intrigue and danger that I would definitely recommend.
To see more visit fundinmental
Luminators are endowed with the power to see and restore memories. The rich used to dominate the luminators, until hard times forced them to sell some of their land. The power comes from the land itself. Now, even families and second class citizens, a common islander, like Ronan, may have the power. The rich think it’s wrong. Sound familiar to present day circumstances? The rich and empowered want it all to themselves.
Cassie is a long time friend, along with Eli. She’s bold, daring, maybe a bit headstrong, (lol, very understated description of her) a daredevil. Eli’s family was wealthy. Somewhat of a surprise that he is friends with Ronan and his snooty parents hates it. They felt only the wealthy should have the power. The same goes for Cassie. She is not a luminator, but her father is.
Eli and Ronan met at the Academy. Cassie met them there, when they befriended her. She needs to think twice about her playful suggestions of entertainment, which can be dangerous and foolhardy.
They believed all they did was good, but everything can be misused and abused. Power can be a seductive thing and abuse of power can be easy to fall victim to for some of our characters. Some danger is hidden and some is in your face.
Some things had a ring of familiarity and I had to see if check I’d read it before. Once I got into the book, it didn’t take long to realize that I hadn’t. I have read thousands of books, so maybe that’s why some things rang familiar.
When everything Ronan has strived for is at risk, when his friends memories are on the line, I wonder if Ronan will do the right thing. What do you think? Well….I’m not telling. Find out for yourself by reading the book.
The Secrets of Islayne by Kari Lynn West is filled with fabulous characters and I loved each and every one of them, even the bad ones. It was great watching the gang grow and rise to the occasion. The world on the Island of Islayne was filled with action, intrigue and danger that I would definitely recommend.
To see more visit fundinmental
July 9, 2017
It is always difficult to review a YA book, as I tend to forget the intended audience and judge it under the same standards I would expect of a novel geared for an older audience. As such, I would normally assign this book three stars, but reading it with YA eyes, the star assignment would be higher. Here's why:
THE WORLD -- Any sci-fi book can die a slow death if the world the author creates cannot hold itself together. Author Kari Lynn West shines in this area. This story takes place in an alternate time, one in which there are people titled luminators, who have a power that can help other people. Only some people have this power, and those that do must live near the power source. The author takes her time to explain exactly what this power is, but does it so well that it made perfect sense. Ms. West even takes the time to delve into the good the power can be as well as how a luminator can abuse it. I felt this was the strongest essence of the book.
THE PLOT -- Typical plot: Ronan desires to be a luminator more than anything but has challenges that threaten to block his dream. A mystery is presented and Ronan and his friends must solve the mystery. Solving the mystery may cause repercussions that would affect many people, including Ronan. What saves the plot is Ms. West's treatment of her characters. Ronan and his friends (Eli, Cassie, and Adele) all have distinct personalities, and we learn about each of them as they interact with each other as well as other characters in the story. The author caused us to invest in her cast, and this drives the plot.
THE CONCLUSION -- The end comes quickly, and for me it probably rushed too quickly. For an early teen reader, the timing was probably just right, and any slower may have disappointed YA readers. Three-and-a-half stars, rounded to four.
My thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this book.
THE WORLD -- Any sci-fi book can die a slow death if the world the author creates cannot hold itself together. Author Kari Lynn West shines in this area. This story takes place in an alternate time, one in which there are people titled luminators, who have a power that can help other people. Only some people have this power, and those that do must live near the power source. The author takes her time to explain exactly what this power is, but does it so well that it made perfect sense. Ms. West even takes the time to delve into the good the power can be as well as how a luminator can abuse it. I felt this was the strongest essence of the book.
THE PLOT -- Typical plot: Ronan desires to be a luminator more than anything but has challenges that threaten to block his dream. A mystery is presented and Ronan and his friends must solve the mystery. Solving the mystery may cause repercussions that would affect many people, including Ronan. What saves the plot is Ms. West's treatment of her characters. Ronan and his friends (Eli, Cassie, and Adele) all have distinct personalities, and we learn about each of them as they interact with each other as well as other characters in the story. The author caused us to invest in her cast, and this drives the plot.
THE CONCLUSION -- The end comes quickly, and for me it probably rushed too quickly. For an early teen reader, the timing was probably just right, and any slower may have disappointed YA readers. Three-and-a-half stars, rounded to four.
My thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this book.
July 25, 2017
I'm currently giving away a SIGNED copy of this book on my blog! To enter, click here.
YA fantasy is the one genre of YA that I'm always meaning to read more of but never seem to do; therefore, when I was given the opportunity to read and review Kari Lynn West's The Secret of Islayne, a contemporary fantasy read, I jumped at the chance. As it turns out, The Secrets of Islayne was a slam-dunk of a debut - the YA fantasy book I didn't know I had been so desperately craving.
My absolute, hands down favorite aspect of this book? The premise.
Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I've ever read a book about luminators before. I found the idea of them to be fascinating. The ability to be able to go into ones mind and brighten memories? It's so incredibly interesting, and better yet, extremely fun to read about. The level of responsibility and even danger that comes with it alone amazes me.
Kari Lynn West did such a fantastic job of developing the world of the luminators. In The Secrets of Islalyne, two different types of luminators are encountered: ones coming from the old, original families and the ones coming from new residents of the Island. A class conflict was created within these two groups - old versus new - and it was always interesting to see the problems as well as the twists and turns that came up because of it. I especially liked that the book gave me a viewpoint from a boy of an "old" luminator family and a boy from a "new" luminator family. Kari Lynn West also did an excellent job of creating the history of the luminators and their special Island. It really managed to flesh out the story, in my opinion.
Besides the premise, I also adored the characters. In The Secrets of Islayne, the viewpoints of Ronan, Ronan's friends - Cassie, Adele, and Eli - and Cassie's dad Alister and Ronan's boss Ben were included. While this seems like a daunting amount of POVs, it actually worked out quite well, making the story more three-demisional and intricate. Ronan, the primary main character, was my favorite out of the bunch though. In this story, he's the initial underdog. Coming from a "new" family, he's not blessed with the advantages older families have, especially when it comes to finding an apprenticeship. Throughout the book, though, Ronan doesn't let these disadvantages get him down for too long; instead, he always managed to barrel through and try to become the best luminator possible. I admired his determination. I don't think many in his place would have his "eye on the prize" behavior.
The plot of this was incredibly faced paced as well as thrilling. Throughout the book I was on the edge of my seat, dying to know what would happen next. There was so many twists and turns, especially towards the ending, that completely blew me away. I don't want to talk too much about the plot because I don't want to give anything away. However, I will say that the ultimate bad guy in this one? I didn't see him coming at all!
In all, The Secrets of Islayne had it all. An adventure? Check! An exotic setting? Check! A well developed fantasy storyline? Check! A touch of romance? Double Check! I simply cannot wait to see what Kari Lynn West writes next. A small part of me is hoping it may be a sequel to this.
Grade: A-
YA fantasy is the one genre of YA that I'm always meaning to read more of but never seem to do; therefore, when I was given the opportunity to read and review Kari Lynn West's The Secret of Islayne, a contemporary fantasy read, I jumped at the chance. As it turns out, The Secrets of Islayne was a slam-dunk of a debut - the YA fantasy book I didn't know I had been so desperately craving.
My absolute, hands down favorite aspect of this book? The premise.
Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I've ever read a book about luminators before. I found the idea of them to be fascinating. The ability to be able to go into ones mind and brighten memories? It's so incredibly interesting, and better yet, extremely fun to read about. The level of responsibility and even danger that comes with it alone amazes me.
Kari Lynn West did such a fantastic job of developing the world of the luminators. In The Secrets of Islalyne, two different types of luminators are encountered: ones coming from the old, original families and the ones coming from new residents of the Island. A class conflict was created within these two groups - old versus new - and it was always interesting to see the problems as well as the twists and turns that came up because of it. I especially liked that the book gave me a viewpoint from a boy of an "old" luminator family and a boy from a "new" luminator family. Kari Lynn West also did an excellent job of creating the history of the luminators and their special Island. It really managed to flesh out the story, in my opinion.
Besides the premise, I also adored the characters. In The Secrets of Islayne, the viewpoints of Ronan, Ronan's friends - Cassie, Adele, and Eli - and Cassie's dad Alister and Ronan's boss Ben were included. While this seems like a daunting amount of POVs, it actually worked out quite well, making the story more three-demisional and intricate. Ronan, the primary main character, was my favorite out of the bunch though. In this story, he's the initial underdog. Coming from a "new" family, he's not blessed with the advantages older families have, especially when it comes to finding an apprenticeship. Throughout the book, though, Ronan doesn't let these disadvantages get him down for too long; instead, he always managed to barrel through and try to become the best luminator possible. I admired his determination. I don't think many in his place would have his "eye on the prize" behavior.
The plot of this was incredibly faced paced as well as thrilling. Throughout the book I was on the edge of my seat, dying to know what would happen next. There was so many twists and turns, especially towards the ending, that completely blew me away. I don't want to talk too much about the plot because I don't want to give anything away. However, I will say that the ultimate bad guy in this one? I didn't see him coming at all!
In all, The Secrets of Islayne had it all. An adventure? Check! An exotic setting? Check! A well developed fantasy storyline? Check! A touch of romance? Double Check! I simply cannot wait to see what Kari Lynn West writes next. A small part of me is hoping it may be a sequel to this.
Grade: A-
June 25, 2017
Compelling characters and interesting world building.
August 17, 2017
This novel was an easy and fun read, and I am looking forward to more books from Kari Lynn West. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and found them to be relatable and well-developed. The storyline was full of adventure, with just the right amount of suspense to keep me engaged and wanting to read more! My favorite aspect of the book was the imagery. The author carefully described Islayne and other settings in the book in such a vivid way that I could almost imagine myself in the story along with the characters. I highly recommend this book, and have already told friends and family members that they should read it!
August 20, 2017
The Secrets of Islayne is a good read for anyone who is looking to be entertained. The characters are fun, the setting is creative, and the subtle unease which permeates the plot is brought to an engaging climatic end. These three elements summed together make for an impressive debut novel that interject the author as a more-than-qualified writer in the YA fantasy world.
August 17, 2017
The hauntingly beautiful fictional island of Islayne is the perfect setting for this tale of adventure. Author Kari West succeeded in creating a believable, cohesive fantasy world in which certain people have the ability to bring past memories to life in vivid detail. It is an interesting concept that forms the backdrop for the story about four likable teenage friends and their memorable summer. This story was easy to read, and once I was in the middle of it, I was curious about the central mystery and didn't want to put it down. Looking forward to more stories from this author.
August 18, 2017
Great debut novel and great addition to the Young Adult Fantasy genre! This book has everything needed to keep you engaged: interesting characters, a mysterious plot & a great writing style. The author does a wonderful job of transporting the reader into the world of Islayne and the life of Ronan Saunders and his three friends. It is hard to put this book down. Can't wait to see what else this author produces in the future.
August 18, 2017
This is a great first novel by a promising new author. Kari Lynn West has woven an entertaining narrative with a plot that pulls you in and leaves you wanting to see these characters again in a sequel. Highly recommend!
June 27, 2017
From start to finish, The Secrets of Islayne will keep you fully engaged.
This fiction is grounded in its main characters (four high school-aged friends). These heroes are not only likable, they're relatable. Ronan and his friends are your average 16-year olds (with a cool power to restore memories, of course) thrown into extraordinary circumstances.
Character interactions and the situations they find themselves in are believable...every conversation, every situation flows naturally into the next. Each scene and exchange feels earned. You won't find a shred of convenient coincidences or uncharacteristic dialogue to force the plot along.
Don't hesitate to pick this up if you're into character-driven stories that will keep you entertained and immersed in the mystery until the very end.
For a debut novel, The Secrets of Islayne is a stellar piece of art. This is definitely an author to keep an eye on. I whole-heartedly look forward to her future stories.
NOTE: I received an ARC (advance reader copy) of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This fiction is grounded in its main characters (four high school-aged friends). These heroes are not only likable, they're relatable. Ronan and his friends are your average 16-year olds (with a cool power to restore memories, of course) thrown into extraordinary circumstances.
Character interactions and the situations they find themselves in are believable...every conversation, every situation flows naturally into the next. Each scene and exchange feels earned. You won't find a shred of convenient coincidences or uncharacteristic dialogue to force the plot along.
Don't hesitate to pick this up if you're into character-driven stories that will keep you entertained and immersed in the mystery until the very end.
For a debut novel, The Secrets of Islayne is a stellar piece of art. This is definitely an author to keep an eye on. I whole-heartedly look forward to her future stories.
NOTE: I received an ARC (advance reader copy) of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 6, 2017
I received an ebook of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Kari Lynn West!
I want to start off by saying that this was an enjoyable book to read from start to finish. It is that kind of writing which is so smooth and flowing, that makes putting that novel down hard. I found that the concept for the book was well thought out, and that the story flowed well from the first page to the last.
There only "issue" I found, which is very small, is that the main characters were quite immature at times. Yes, I know it is a YA book, but some of their decisions were taken too lightly, or without much thought for repercussions. I guess you could say they were reckless teenagers trying to save the world.
I also found that Allister's switch moment was very drastic and almost too instantaneous to be natural? Although this is a fantasy novel, this seemed to lack a little realism.
Anyways, overall, a good book with an interesting plot and concept.
For more reviews: www.thereadingcat.weebly.com
I want to start off by saying that this was an enjoyable book to read from start to finish. It is that kind of writing which is so smooth and flowing, that makes putting that novel down hard. I found that the concept for the book was well thought out, and that the story flowed well from the first page to the last.
There only "issue" I found, which is very small, is that the main characters were quite immature at times. Yes, I know it is a YA book, but some of their decisions were taken too lightly, or without much thought for repercussions. I guess you could say they were reckless teenagers trying to save the world.
I also found that Allister's switch moment was very drastic and almost too instantaneous to be natural? Although this is a fantasy novel, this seemed to lack a little realism.
Anyways, overall, a good book with an interesting plot and concept.
For more reviews: www.thereadingcat.weebly.com
September 5, 2017
Kari Lynn West’s debut novel is a hit with an exciting story that captures your attention from page one! The characters are well rounded with engaging dialogue, but it’s the author’s world-building that sets this book apart. With adventure, humor, and a little bit of romance this YA Fantasy is definitely a worthwhile read for any age.
* I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
* I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 3, 2017
YA Fantasy isn't my go-to genre (I spend a lot more time reading YA Contemp novel these days), but I was immediately sucked in with this book. Not only are the characters well thought out and real, but the concept of the novel itself is fresh and imaginative. It's one of those books where "just one more page," turns into you reading the entire chapter. The Secrets of Islayne is full of unexpected turns and whimsical writing that will pull you in from the first page. Highly recommend it!
July 3, 2017
I read this story while traveling from India back to the US, and I flew through the story in a matter of hours. The plot moves quickly and keeps you engaged. The concept of illuminating / having power over others' memories is an intriguing one! It could easy become a series! I'm glad I had it with me on the plane to read.
July 12, 2017
When a book can leave you wanting more that is a good sign it's a damn good book. There were several times when I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how things turned out. Even though this was a YA novel I think any "older" adult would be entertained as much as a young reader. I will definitely recommend this book to others!
June 19, 2017
This was a spectacular read. The characters are endearing and authentic, the plot was riveting and intelligent, and the style of writing drew the reader in. Definitely a must-read for any YA Fantasy fan.
June 30, 2017
Very easy read! Storyline was intriguing, unique and there were several unpredictable twists. Great debut novel.
June 26, 2017
You know it's a good book when you finish reading and you have a smile on your face and wish there was more. Interesting concept, great characters, good writing, an overall very satisfying read.
September 12, 2017
Disclaimer: I received this book free from the author in return for an un-biased review.
Here’s one of the things about becoming a blogger. It’s all about finding the all-elusive ARC. You start out with recommendations from other bloggers. You end up on blogger lists, and social media. You make requests on Netgalley, and mine the depths of Edelweiss. Eventually, the books start appearing on their own in your inbox! New authors find your blog, and send you their book and request a review. After a bit it can get overwhelming. You start to get more than you could possibly handle. That’s where I recently ended up. I still read over the prospective emails, but very, very rarely accept one. When I do choose a book from an email offer I feel like saying a little prayer… please be good … please don’t let me have to write a sad review to an author who is in essence lying their book baby on your doorstep and hoping you’ll be kind.
Thank goodness, The Secrets of Islayne is one of the good ones. A good book written by someone I think has talent and promise.
Islayne is an island where the gifted inhabitants can look at a person’s memories. That threw me for a minute. I asked myself, why would you need your memories “luminated”? Well, they do get hazy after a while don’t they? Who wouldn’t like sharper memories of happier times. To be able to see long-gone loved ones again or to get clarity about murky or even painful memories and experiences in your past. I can see how that would be valuable. So I started reading.
Halfway through the book, I found myself a little confused. Why are we spending so much time on the relationships between these teens? Why aren’t we spending more time in the lab, delving into actual memories? I wanted to read more memories, and more about Ronan’s teacher. It took a moment to remember that this is a YA book. As such, it’s audience is probably much more interested in the group of young people in the book and whether they will be able to connect romantically with one another. I’m an old lady so I’d rather spend time with the hot, middle aged guy and do a little memory hopping but ok, ok, I get it. (ha!) I’m not sure if this is a potential series, in which case maybe the author is planning on spending more time with the magic/technical aspects of this world in future installments. I’d be up for reading about that.
Ultimately, it’s a good book. It’s an interesting premise, populated by good characters, and with promise of more to come. I enjoyed it. Thank you, Ms. West. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review your book.
Song for this book: Rewind by Goldspot
Here’s one of the things about becoming a blogger. It’s all about finding the all-elusive ARC. You start out with recommendations from other bloggers. You end up on blogger lists, and social media. You make requests on Netgalley, and mine the depths of Edelweiss. Eventually, the books start appearing on their own in your inbox! New authors find your blog, and send you their book and request a review. After a bit it can get overwhelming. You start to get more than you could possibly handle. That’s where I recently ended up. I still read over the prospective emails, but very, very rarely accept one. When I do choose a book from an email offer I feel like saying a little prayer… please be good … please don’t let me have to write a sad review to an author who is in essence lying their book baby on your doorstep and hoping you’ll be kind.
Thank goodness, The Secrets of Islayne is one of the good ones. A good book written by someone I think has talent and promise.
Islayne is an island where the gifted inhabitants can look at a person’s memories. That threw me for a minute. I asked myself, why would you need your memories “luminated”? Well, they do get hazy after a while don’t they? Who wouldn’t like sharper memories of happier times. To be able to see long-gone loved ones again or to get clarity about murky or even painful memories and experiences in your past. I can see how that would be valuable. So I started reading.
Halfway through the book, I found myself a little confused. Why are we spending so much time on the relationships between these teens? Why aren’t we spending more time in the lab, delving into actual memories? I wanted to read more memories, and more about Ronan’s teacher. It took a moment to remember that this is a YA book. As such, it’s audience is probably much more interested in the group of young people in the book and whether they will be able to connect romantically with one another. I’m an old lady so I’d rather spend time with the hot, middle aged guy and do a little memory hopping but ok, ok, I get it. (ha!) I’m not sure if this is a potential series, in which case maybe the author is planning on spending more time with the magic/technical aspects of this world in future installments. I’d be up for reading about that.
Ultimately, it’s a good book. It’s an interesting premise, populated by good characters, and with promise of more to come. I enjoyed it. Thank you, Ms. West. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review your book.
Song for this book: Rewind by Goldspot
September 17, 2017
What a wonderful fantasy story that kept my interest until the very end. First time author for me, but not the last time.
August 27, 2017
I really enjoyed this book! I loved how much detail the author put into this world. I felt like this island really was real. The "power" in this book is sharpening memories and seeing them more clearly. None of the scenes in The Secrets of Islayne need to be brightened; I could see straight into the book like a piece of glass. There were six different points of view in this story. I think that this was a very wise choice and made their world more realistic. I especially loved the few sections towards the end from the "enemy." Regardless of how the characters see the actions, readers can make their own judgments. I personally love it in books when the antagonist shares their thoughts. The only thing that I did not enjoy so much was the romance. It felt like Disney, if you know what I mean. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but in my opinion it felt forced. Otherwise, I enjoyed reading this. Read my full review at http://pagesforthoughts.blogspot.com/...
August 24, 2017
The Secrets of Islayne proved to be a refreshingly easy summer read that renewed my love of YA fantasy. It is a very quick and interesting read with an intriguing concept and lively characters. West does a great job creating a mysterious yet inviting world that captures the humor, excitement, and resilience of adolescence (along with the mind of the reader). This was a wonderful debut novel and I am looking forward to future works by Kari West.
September 13, 2017
Really enjoyed this debut novel by West. It was extremely creative with a fresh new perspective I hadn't encountered before. I appreciated the twists and turns and unpredictability of the plot. The book kept me engrossed and excited to continue reading. Excited to see what West puts out next.
(Note: I was given a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review of the book)
(Note: I was given a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review of the book)
July 20, 2017
Review: I really enjoyed the originality of this story. This was something on the lines of what I’ve never heard of before and it’s pretty good. Here are the pros and cons of this novel:
Pros: The whole concept of Luminators was interesting. According to the novel, Luminators are people with an inborn ability to bring back the faded memories of a person in a much more clearer, fresh and vivid way in their mind. The humour, though forced at a few parts, flowed naturally enough. The plot was good and everything fit perfectly like pieces of a puzzle at the end.
Cons: At first, I was quite confused as to when the story was unfolding. Usually, lots of fantasy novels occur a long time before. So until a part where cars were introduced, I had the image of the story occurring in the 1600s or something. Also, sometimes I felt the story get kind of tedious to read with all the explanations of how the council worked but of course, it was an essential part of the world building. The romance felt quite cliché.
Conclusion: All in all, it is a pretty good novel. I might not have read it in one sitting but it was memorable enough. It got intense at the end so I would forgive it for the so-so middle. Kari is a promising author and I would recommend The Secrets of Islayne to all those who are looking for a book with a fresh and interesting concept.
Star rating: 3.5/5
Age recommendation: 12-18 y/o
Pros: The whole concept of Luminators was interesting. According to the novel, Luminators are people with an inborn ability to bring back the faded memories of a person in a much more clearer, fresh and vivid way in their mind. The humour, though forced at a few parts, flowed naturally enough. The plot was good and everything fit perfectly like pieces of a puzzle at the end.
Cons: At first, I was quite confused as to when the story was unfolding. Usually, lots of fantasy novels occur a long time before. So until a part where cars were introduced, I had the image of the story occurring in the 1600s or something. Also, sometimes I felt the story get kind of tedious to read with all the explanations of how the council worked but of course, it was an essential part of the world building. The romance felt quite cliché.
Conclusion: All in all, it is a pretty good novel. I might not have read it in one sitting but it was memorable enough. It got intense at the end so I would forgive it for the so-so middle. Kari is a promising author and I would recommend The Secrets of Islayne to all those who are looking for a book with a fresh and interesting concept.
Star rating: 3.5/5
Age recommendation: 12-18 y/o
July 25, 2017
Loved it! Great YA fiction. I loved that the setting was so relatable/normal, but with this one facet of fantasy thrown in that changed everything! The story was compelling and had me guessing the whole way through.
July 26, 2017
A book for any age. This story was unique, fantastic, intriguing, and unpredictable. I loved it!!
June 22, 2017
This is a fantastic debut novel! Kari has woven a wonderful tale filled with adventure, romance, intrigue, and beauty that you won't be able to put down! You don't want to miss it!
November 16, 2017
I was given a review copy of The Secrets of Islayne by the author, Kari Lynn West, in exchange for an honest review.
A beautiful island off the coast of Scotland, Islayne has nurtured luminators for centuries. Its very land has gifted those born there with a special power-- to revive another's memories. Ronan, born to non-luminator parents, would give anything to join the ranks among the best, even as his parents try to steer him away from the idea. They don't understand how precious the memories are to Ronan, or the pain of denying his gift and feeling it wither inside him. When Ronan and his friends discover a book that could destroy the lumination trade, he doesn't know whether to expose it and risk his chance as a luminator or ignore it and pretend someone isn't committing the unthinkable. There's a luminator on the island destroying memories instead of reviving them. And if Ronan doesn't catch them first, he could end up as one of the rogue luminator's targets.
Oh man, you guys. The first thing to really jump out at me while reading Secrets was the world building. I'm such a huge, huge fan of world building and so this book was an instant win with me. The lumination trade, the gift, and all the ins and outs from the academy, to the bureaucracy of the trade, to details like the recovery tea after sessions, all added depth to the trade and the world. The book touched on some poignant observations about memory and how it makes us human, which helped to tie the reader back to the heart and weight of the situation. The only complaint I would have about the world building is that I wanted more-- give me more details, show me how luminators function in this culture. Which is usually a good complaint to have.
My second favorite thing about this book was Ronan. I'm a sucker for YA books with boys as the main POV character, but Ronan was such a raw and innocent guy that it's hard not to fall for him. Ronan earnestly loves lumination and the feeling of bringing a memory back, and coupled with his idealistic perspective, he comes across as adorably naive. That nativity is challenged later in the book as he comes to terms with the realities of his trade, which was such a great contrast. He, as well as a couple others in his friend group, face inner conflict throughout the book which really strengthened the characters. It was especially awesome to see Ronan, as well as Cassie, change and grow throughout the book. By the end they're all a little bit more mature, more 'sobered' by the realities they had to face throughout the book.
The plot was well done and thought out. Though the beginning of the book appears to feature Ronan with his tutor and then Ronan hanging with friends, the two worlds slowly intersect and things from one world start to affect the other. The climax was more than just good guys toppling the bad guy, and the complex consequences of doing the right thing made it a really solid read.
Walking away from the book, the only drawback had to do with the writing. The technical writing skills-- good flow, word choice, prose-- all worked well, but other issues held the story back. The author does a lot of heavy telling and infodumping, which really slows down the story and even became repetitive at times. Scenes that should have been powerful barely had an impact because the narrative explained the characters' emotions and situation beforehand. Some of the information contained in the infodumps was interesting and important to the plot, but it could have been shown to the readers instead of just explaining it to them.
As well, the book contained some lazy tropes of YA fiction that dulled the originality of the book. The Absent Parent stereotype reigned hard, as well as a predictable romance that followed a framework of I-have-a-crush-on-you-so-I-want-to-get-to-know-you instead of I-got-to-know-you-and-fell-for-you. It makes things feel forced, right down to the romantic climax where Ronan pretty much says, "So are we gonna do this or what?" As well, there was a lot of POV switching throughout the book, some that was beneficial to the story, and some that...wasn't. It would've been a stronger story if we stayed with Ronan's POV throughout and learned things about the other characters through him. Some of the subplots with his friends became a bit distracting at times and took away from the main plot.
All in all, the Secrets of Islyane was a delightful read with an adorable main character and a lovingly-built world. The author has so much potential, not just with this series but with their writing in general, that I'm really looking forward to future books.
3/5 stars. A solid story with an adorable main character and a creative approach to memory manipulation.
A beautiful island off the coast of Scotland, Islayne has nurtured luminators for centuries. Its very land has gifted those born there with a special power-- to revive another's memories. Ronan, born to non-luminator parents, would give anything to join the ranks among the best, even as his parents try to steer him away from the idea. They don't understand how precious the memories are to Ronan, or the pain of denying his gift and feeling it wither inside him. When Ronan and his friends discover a book that could destroy the lumination trade, he doesn't know whether to expose it and risk his chance as a luminator or ignore it and pretend someone isn't committing the unthinkable. There's a luminator on the island destroying memories instead of reviving them. And if Ronan doesn't catch them first, he could end up as one of the rogue luminator's targets.
Oh man, you guys. The first thing to really jump out at me while reading Secrets was the world building. I'm such a huge, huge fan of world building and so this book was an instant win with me. The lumination trade, the gift, and all the ins and outs from the academy, to the bureaucracy of the trade, to details like the recovery tea after sessions, all added depth to the trade and the world. The book touched on some poignant observations about memory and how it makes us human, which helped to tie the reader back to the heart and weight of the situation. The only complaint I would have about the world building is that I wanted more-- give me more details, show me how luminators function in this culture. Which is usually a good complaint to have.
My second favorite thing about this book was Ronan. I'm a sucker for YA books with boys as the main POV character, but Ronan was such a raw and innocent guy that it's hard not to fall for him. Ronan earnestly loves lumination and the feeling of bringing a memory back, and coupled with his idealistic perspective, he comes across as adorably naive. That nativity is challenged later in the book as he comes to terms with the realities of his trade, which was such a great contrast. He, as well as a couple others in his friend group, face inner conflict throughout the book which really strengthened the characters. It was especially awesome to see Ronan, as well as Cassie, change and grow throughout the book. By the end they're all a little bit more mature, more 'sobered' by the realities they had to face throughout the book.
The plot was well done and thought out. Though the beginning of the book appears to feature Ronan with his tutor and then Ronan hanging with friends, the two worlds slowly intersect and things from one world start to affect the other. The climax was more than just good guys toppling the bad guy, and the complex consequences of doing the right thing made it a really solid read.
Walking away from the book, the only drawback had to do with the writing. The technical writing skills-- good flow, word choice, prose-- all worked well, but other issues held the story back. The author does a lot of heavy telling and infodumping, which really slows down the story and even became repetitive at times. Scenes that should have been powerful barely had an impact because the narrative explained the characters' emotions and situation beforehand. Some of the information contained in the infodumps was interesting and important to the plot, but it could have been shown to the readers instead of just explaining it to them.
As well, the book contained some lazy tropes of YA fiction that dulled the originality of the book. The Absent Parent stereotype reigned hard, as well as a predictable romance that followed a framework of I-have-a-crush-on-you-so-I-want-to-get-to-know-you instead of I-got-to-know-you-and-fell-for-you. It makes things feel forced, right down to the romantic climax where Ronan pretty much says, "So are we gonna do this or what?" As well, there was a lot of POV switching throughout the book, some that was beneficial to the story, and some that...wasn't. It would've been a stronger story if we stayed with Ronan's POV throughout and learned things about the other characters through him. Some of the subplots with his friends became a bit distracting at times and took away from the main plot.
All in all, the Secrets of Islyane was a delightful read with an adorable main character and a lovingly-built world. The author has so much potential, not just with this series but with their writing in general, that I'm really looking forward to future books.
3/5 stars. A solid story with an adorable main character and a creative approach to memory manipulation.
February 8, 2018
A story filled with fantasy, mystery, friendship, sacrifice and love. The debut novel by Kari Lynn West showcases a group of young adults willing to fight for what they believe is right, no matter the consequences. Captivating, with very unexpected twists to the plot, "The Secret of Islayne" is a young adult fantasy that is not to be missed.
"The Secrets of Islayne" stands out as 4-star great read for many reasons, including:
*A intriguing plot that is both very original and creative, based on the idea of selected people in the Islayne having the gift to illuminate specific memories for people that they believe lost. Attention to detail is given to the process of illumination, how to restore memories, how to retrieve them, guidelines to practice, apprenticeships to learn skills and much more. All combined the attention to the specifics made illumination an imaginable process.
*The main characters that the story brings to life are a very eclectic group of young adults. With a prominent focus on Ronan, who is beginning his journey into illumination as an apprentice. Even at the age of 16 Ronan is learning about life's challenges, including facing between what is right and wrong. He is backed up by three very different friends - a risk taker, a loner looking to fit in, and a more senior illuminist who is eager to question the system. Together they take on many adventures including water rafting at night and cave diving, along with taking on the many facets of the illumination society. As the many twists to the story play out, their character development is strengthened as well as their bonds to one another. This gives more depth to the story.
*The plot takes on many real life situations that many may face, including young adults, like divorce, the functioning of single parent families, status in society based on wealth, young love, believing in yourself, questioning of your moral compass, and much more. This makes the plot more challenging and feel more realistic.
*The very unexpected twist to the plot, where an upstanding citizen/parent is forced to face the past, and confirm the mystery that the group has been trying to solve (no spoilers!). This forces the characters to question important elements of their lives, and stands out as the pivotal moment where the group finally collaborate together. It also brings the plot to a higher level of mystery and suspense, where lives are put in danger.
*Even though the main characters and plot is aimed at young adults, this story easily crosses many age groups from young teens to adult.
*The story is long enough to allow the book to be read over many sessions. This allows the characters to become more familiar and invest in their outcome and the plot to develop in intensity.
I recommend "The Secrets of Islayne" to readers who enjoy adventure and mystery stories with unexpected twists. I look forward to reading many more books by this debut author Kari Lynn West.
I reviewed this voluntarily after receiving this book in advance.
"The Secrets of Islayne" stands out as 4-star great read for many reasons, including:
*A intriguing plot that is both very original and creative, based on the idea of selected people in the Islayne having the gift to illuminate specific memories for people that they believe lost. Attention to detail is given to the process of illumination, how to restore memories, how to retrieve them, guidelines to practice, apprenticeships to learn skills and much more. All combined the attention to the specifics made illumination an imaginable process.
*The main characters that the story brings to life are a very eclectic group of young adults. With a prominent focus on Ronan, who is beginning his journey into illumination as an apprentice. Even at the age of 16 Ronan is learning about life's challenges, including facing between what is right and wrong. He is backed up by three very different friends - a risk taker, a loner looking to fit in, and a more senior illuminist who is eager to question the system. Together they take on many adventures including water rafting at night and cave diving, along with taking on the many facets of the illumination society. As the many twists to the story play out, their character development is strengthened as well as their bonds to one another. This gives more depth to the story.
*The plot takes on many real life situations that many may face, including young adults, like divorce, the functioning of single parent families, status in society based on wealth, young love, believing in yourself, questioning of your moral compass, and much more. This makes the plot more challenging and feel more realistic.
*The very unexpected twist to the plot, where an upstanding citizen/parent is forced to face the past, and confirm the mystery that the group has been trying to solve (no spoilers!). This forces the characters to question important elements of their lives, and stands out as the pivotal moment where the group finally collaborate together. It also brings the plot to a higher level of mystery and suspense, where lives are put in danger.
*Even though the main characters and plot is aimed at young adults, this story easily crosses many age groups from young teens to adult.
*The story is long enough to allow the book to be read over many sessions. This allows the characters to become more familiar and invest in their outcome and the plot to develop in intensity.
I recommend "The Secrets of Islayne" to readers who enjoy adventure and mystery stories with unexpected twists. I look forward to reading many more books by this debut author Kari Lynn West.
I reviewed this voluntarily after receiving this book in advance.
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