Revelle: A Breathtaking Stand-Alone YA Fantasy of Magic and Romance in Prohibition New York

by Lyssa Mia Smith

Inspired by Moulin Rouge! and set on an island in a magical version of Prohibition-era New York, Revelle is a breathtaking YA stand-alone fantasy full of dazzling magic, romance, and mystery from debut author Lyssa Mia Smith.

On the island of Charmant, magic flows like bootlegged champagne, and fantasies can be bought for the price of a gemstone.

Luxe Revelle, star of her family’s fantastical show, knows the splendor is just an illusion. With Prohibition threatening their livelihood, her family struggles to make a living, watering down champagne and patching holes in their sequined costumes. So when the son of Charmant’s wealthiest family makes her an offer—everything the Revelles need to stay in business, in exchange for posing as his girl and helping him become mayor—she can’t refuse.

The moment Jamison Port sets foot in Charmant, he can’t shake the feeling of familiarity. An orphan with as few memories as gemstones, he’s desperate to learn what happened to his parents. But as he delves into the island’s secrets, he risks angering the wrong person and discovering a truth that just might break his heart.

When Luxe and Jamison accidentally meet, the sparks that fly are more than her magical enchantments. But keeping secrets from powerful people is a dangerous game . . . one that could destroy them both.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Young Adult Fantasy, Fiction

464 pages, Hardcover

First published February 14, 2023

About the author

Lyssa Mia Smith is an author of romantic fantasies and a fan of all things magical and heart-wrenching. She has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology with an expertise in adolescent trauma. A lifelong New Yorker, she lives on Long Island with her partner, their two sons, and the sweetest dog. She is also the co-host of Turning to Story, a podcast about the craft of writing fiction.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK KICKED ME DIRECTLY IN THE FACE AND I SAID THANK YOU

[Kyre Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

finally a book that gave me that caraval feeling

[Sloan MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

well well miss lyssa mia smith, well fucking done. 👏🏼

[h i n d]

- the glittering Roaring 20s
- time-traveling villains
- magical seductions
- forbidden romance
- deadly fake dating

ohh boii i'm excited

[Alexa Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most beautiful, enchanting, AMAZING story! The world that Lyssa created is captivating, the magic is mind blowing, and the romance is perfection! This is a debut you do not want to miss!!!

[Natasha Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyssa Mia Smith’s decadently lush and utterly mesmerising debut is a dazzling, showstopping gem of a book that I literally couldn’t put down!

Inspired by Moulin Rouge, and set during the prohibition on the magical island of Charmont. Revelle follows Luxe—the star of the Revelle family’s struggling, circus-style show, who, due to prohibition (and the scarcity of alcohol) are now on the precipice of ruin.

Until the son of their biggest rival, Dewey Chronos offers to take care of the Revelle family’s financial problems—If Luxe poses as his fiancée and helps him become mayor—it’s an offer she knows she can’t refuse.

But, when a chance encounter with island newcomer Jamison leads Luxe into developing feelings she’s never felt before—things start to get complicated. And the secrets Luxe has inevitably had to keep may just threaten to destroy everything (and everyone) she cares for most…

As soon as I heard about the Moulin Rouge! style premise I knew I needed to read this and I’m soo glad to say it was even better than I expected. The writing was absolutely gorgeous and soo full of detail. With every page brimming with twists, turns and magic-based intrigue that I couldn’t get enough of.

I really enjoyed the world building which was rich in detail and soo decadently, vibrantly immersive. The setting itself did give off very Caraval meets The Great Gatsby vibes (which is a mashup I didn’t even know I needed in my life) but Moulin Rouge’s influences are what stick out to me the most. As a lifelong fan of Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 musical, it was fun to spot the little easter eggs and homages that were scattered throughout. Though of course, this is a wholly original story that brings a magic all of its own. Right down to the endearing found family-esque cast of characters.

Luxe, our protagonist, although similar in some ways to Nicole Kidman’s Satine does come across as a far more compassionate and three dimensional character, willing to sacrifice her own dreams & use her magical gifts to help the family—even at the detriment to her own health. It’s an aspect that feels out of place for Luxe to begin with but makes total sense once you delve into her life and the loss she’s endured.

I also loved exploring the complex nature of her relationships-be they the strained familial bond with her cousins Collette and Millie (whom she’s been distant with for years) or the fiercely swoon-worthy, star crossed relationship she has with love interest Jamison (who is a complete cinnamon-roll btw.)

As this is a dual POV, we do get to experience Jamison’s perspective too which I found really intriguing. As an orphan and relative newcomer to the island, Jamison is looking to find out what happened to his parents. With only a few hazy memories at hand and the feeling that he’s been to Charmont before, he embarks on a pretty emotional journey that sees him unravel some of the island’s biggest (and in some cases, darkest) secrets.

I also loved how many vibrant and utterly endearing supporting characters we meet(particularly Collette, Roger, Trys, Millie, Trevor and Luxe’s grandmother Nana) I just wish that we’d had more time to get to know them all (I’m also hoping that someday we get a prequel or spinoff involving Nana Revelle.)

Overall, a heart-racing and unputdownable historical fantasy that fans of Stephanie Garber will absolutely adore!

Also a huge thank you to Haper360YA for the proof.

[Sarah (berriesandbooks) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a really good premise, but it lacked some key components that would have made this book shine.

The magic system in this book was done well. On the island of Charmant, there are families that each have a specific magical ability. Each of these abilities was well thought out and unique. This addition really made the book stand out in the YA fantasy genre.

Revelle is based on the '20s around the Prohibition era. This really gave the author the perfect opportunity to build an incredible atmosphere, but this book missed the mark. There was nothing that made this book feel like it was from the Prohibition era. It lacked the world-building that would have made this book come to life. Even the clothing descriptions could have helped with this (think of the costumes that could have been described!) but very few details were given. How they spoke at times seemed too modern for what was supposed to be a hundred years ago.

The characters were not great. Our main character, Luxe, often victimizes herself and plays the part of "not like other girls." The love interest had no personality to speak of, except for falling instantly in love with Luxe, and I do mean instantly. Since I had no investment in either of them, the book did drag on for me. The side characters were much more interesting, with backgrounds and personalities that drew me in.

*THIS NEXT SECTION CONTAINS SPOILERS*

Two things happened at the very beginning of the book that set up the whole plot line. The problem was, they felt like pretty big plot holes. When Luxe first charms Jamison, she thinks he is Dewey. Yet in the book, it is very clear that Jamison and Dewey do not look alike at all. It is briefly mentioned that Dewey was sick a lot as a child and was not seen out in public often. Yet, if Dewey was her mark, would not it make sense for her to scope him out ahead of time, and figure out what he looked like? At this point, he is the youngest bootlegger and is no longer homebound. It seems pretty unbelievable that neither Luxe nor her uncle would try to confirm what he looked like ahead of time.

Jamison's main goal in the book is to learn about his past, specifically his parents. He recognizes a photo's background in a picture Luxe has, which is the same as the background in a photo of his parents. However, the background was just a dock and a beach. There is nothing to distinguish it or differentiate it from any other dock or beach, yet he still somehow recognized it. If the author had included that the dock had a specific symbol or defining characteristic, this would have made sense. Otherwise, it just felt like it was asking me to suspend my disbelief a little too much.

A big thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advanced copy!

[steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise was interesting, also, as someone who loves Moulin Rouge? I was intrigued but then you read the book and realize how lackluster it is in the characterization and world building. Add another one to the list then

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of magical realism, this captivating story will let you fall in love with every of his major character:
-Luxe, the star of the show, who sacrificed a lot to ensure that her family is okay;
-Jamison, a non-magical orphan who’s trying to find his parents;
-Trys, the black sheep of her family but the center of her new family— her friends; and
-Roger, another Revelle who sacrificed a lot for his family.

If you’re new to the genre, maybe this won’t be the best book for you.

But if you’re an hardcore fantasy fan like me, you’ll love it. The circus, the cancan dancer, the joyful atmosphere, enriched with magic, will let you daydreaming. The romance emerging will let you wanting more. And the numerous twists will let us breathless.

TW for extreme jealousy, domestic violence, manipulation.

Many thanks to HCC Frenzy for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Jeannine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Take the rough outline of Moulin Rouge, transport it to prohibition-era Coney Island, then add in magic and you have Revelle by Lyssa Mia Smith. From start to finish, the threads of Moulin Rouge are very strong, bringing this close to a retelling territory, but a big switch at the end gives anyone dreading the end a happily ever after.

This story is told through dual point of view, alternating between the two main characters with each chapter. There isn't any overlap, so a scene is never seen from both of their perspectives. It keeps the pace fast and makes this book hard to put down.

The awkward parts are when language is too modern for the prohibition era. It's hard to believe someone would say "I am a crap friend" in the 1920s. Overall the prohibition piece is essential to the plot, but this doesn't have a 1920s feeling. I love books set in this time period and that piece was lacking.

[Chloe]

Lyssa Mia Smith is SMART. My jaw DROPPED multiple times while reading. I’m still awed.

It is a stunning, glittering world filled with magic, love, and a whole lot of corruption. Damn, its really really good.

[lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

i have extremely mixed feelings about this, but in short: i expected more from it.

my main gripe is the absolute lack of atmosphere. there was some 1920s slang thrown in at the beginning, as well as mentions of prohibition and flappers, but other than that... nothing. there was SO much potential here—the 1920s is an era that i feel is sorely overlooked when it comes to fantasy, so i was delighted when i stumbled across this book and excited to see what the author would do. unfortunately, the vibes that i was anticipating were just... not there. i would've loved more period-accurate dialogue, or even just better world building, to give the setting a more 1920s feel.

and then there's my other big issue with this book, and the main reason for my rating being what it is: the absolute lack of chemistry between the MCs. i know that the whole point of the FL is that she can charm people with her magic, but i still feel like the insta-attraction between the MCs was a bit too much. even when they were "enemies," their relationship was just... boring. and flat. in fact, the characters as a whole came across as flat to me, and even by the end i didn't care much about them; i just wanted the story to be over. i wish that there had been a more realistic build-up of emotions between the MCs, because as it is i have a hard time believing that they loved each other.

this isn't to say that the book was objectively bad. in fact, i'm certain that a lot of YA readers are going to love it! the premise is intriguing, and there were some twists that surprised me. i also thought that the overall plot was good! it was just the supporting aspects—the characters and their interactions—that fell flat.

unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me.

✷ arc courtesy of netgalley & harpercollins children's books in exchange for an honest review!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the world and magic and spirit of this book. Super excited to get into more fantasy books but this made it super easy to start. Thanks to the crow club for the recommendation!

[Tilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

I was excited for this book but unfortunately in the end, it wasn't for me.
Revelle is about an island off the coast of New York called Charmant that has multiple families who have different types of magic including time travel and healers. The Revelle's are a family that put on a moulin rouge like show with can can girls, acrobatics etc. The Revelles have a type of magic there if a jewel is given to them freely, they then can use the power in that jewel to control the person. Our lead female character is Luxe Revelle who is the main attraction at the show.
On the other side of the story is Jamison, a guy who is looking for signs of his family after being an orphan since he is four. He comes to Charmant and instantly feels a connection to the island.
The story holds a lot of secrets, danger and love.

Sadly, I found the majority of the story to be rather boring. I didn't feel connected to the characters and the story seemed to drag for at least the first half. I thought the worldbuilding could have been done better, although there is a lot of potential in its bone and the different types of magic is probably my favourite thing about the book.
I found the lead characters to be quite dull, there was a lack of personality and because of that their romance was very lacklustre as well.
The dangerous side of the story I felt was very cliche, with the villain (no spoilers) being rather obvious.
I also didn't get the feel that this was in the 1920s. Apart from the no use of phones, it honestly could have been based now and not much would change. I wanted that 20's atmosphere but it was missing. The language also didn't fit with that time period sometimes as well.

Overall, there was potential with the magical aspects but for me, it really lacked personality and romance. I sadly can't recommend this one.

Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.

[bookstories_travels🪐 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 estrellas en realidad.

Y una vez más, mis agradecimientos a la plataforma de #masacritica , además de a la editorial Gamon Fantasy por el envío de este ejemplar que me tocó en el sorteo que hace Babelio España cada cierto tiempo, consistente en que el libro que te toque se te envía gratuitamente para ser reseñado.

Bienvenidos a la isla de Encantia, un Coney Island con magia a tres horas en ferry de Nueva York, donde por una piedra preciosa puedes meterte de lleno en tus más profundas fantasías y la magia fluye como el alcohol de contrabando que la ley seca impide que llegue a la población normal . A lo largo de los años, la magia de cinco familias se ha potenciado dentro de la isla, convirtiéndose en la principal fuente de ingresos del lugar. Una de esas familias son los Revelle, artistas de un circo en el cual Luxe es su principal atracción…y que por la falta de alcohol está al borde de la quiebra. Cuando el hijo de la familia más rica de Encantia ofrezca a Luxe un trato que pueda salvar a su familia de la pobreza, la joven verá el cielo abierto… siempre y cuando sus sentimientos por Jamison Port, el mejor amigo de su primo y recién llegado a Encantia, no se interpongan en su plan. Jamison es un huérfano que ha llegado a la isla en busca de sus padres y de respuestas sobre su pasado. Pronto quedará claro que los dos jóvenes están unidos por una corriente de sentimientos que no pueden parar y por los oscuros secretos que entrelazan a sus familias con Encantia, contra los cuales deberán luchar para poder estar juntos, siempre y cuando un enemigo implacable no rompa su conexión.

Este libro ha venido a mi encuentro en el momento ideal. Justo cuando lo que necesitaba era una historia adictiva con fantasía y romance, con el plus de que además es autoconclusiva, que es algo que en el género a veces echo en falta entre tanta trilogía y saga .La autora Lyssa Mia Smith interrumpe en el mundo literario de la fantasía por la puerta grande, con una novela más que disfrutable que atrapa y engancha desde el minuto uno, plagada de giros de guión muy bien ejecutados, un sistema de magia y unos poderes muy originales, personajes entrañables, una trama que va desenvolviéndose paulatinamente mientras se van desentrañando todos los misterios y secretos que la entretejen y, por supuesto, una historia de amor en la que sus protagonistas deberán sortear todo tipo de obstáculos para estar juntos. No lo encontrarás escrito en la portada, sinopsis o en algunas de las páginas del tomo, pero si miras en el Instagram de la editorial Gamon verás que “Revelle” es presentado como una suerte de retelling de la película “Moulin Rouge”. De hecho, si no sabes eso puedes pensar que la autora está simplemente siguiendo y plagiando el film con las mínimas y obligadas modificaciones. Las similitudes entre ambas obras son descaradas, y poco que hayas visto la película te encontrarás con que la historia y la estructura son básicamente las mismas, solo que salpimentadas con buenas dosis de magia. De hecho, hubo momentos en los que me ponía de fondo el Soundtrack de “Moulin Rouge” y canturreaba para mí aquello de “Gitchie, gitchie, ya-ya, da-da, Gitchie, gitchie, ya-ya, here. Mocha Chocolata, ya-ya”. Sencillamente se cambia un decadente teatro de variedades frances por un circo mágico en horas bajas, lo que nos da la oportunidad de ver una vez más la típica historia de cómo un joven pobre y de buen corazón queda prendado por la estrella del lugar, quien en el libro aparece delante de él haciendo piruetas por el aire en un trapecio a imitación de la presentación de Nicole Kidman en la película cantaba en su aquello de que los diamantes son el mejor amigo de la mujer, para conocerse y enamorarse posteriormente debido a una suerte de errores y equivocaciones.

Sin embargo, la gracia es como Lyssa Mia Smith poco a poco va creando una trama absolutamente fresca, enviovente y original a partir de este punto, que acaba ganando entidad propia aunque le deba mucho a la película. Y esto se sustenta en el worldbuilding y la ambientación del libro. En su ópera prima, Smith nos traslada a los años 20 de los Estados Unidos de America, una época vibrante y llena de vida pero marcada por la prohibición de la venta de alcohol por parte del gobierno en la llamada “Ley Seca”. Alejada de esta realidad histórica está Encantia, una isla entre brumas, en la que la magia de cinco familias se ha potenciado, convirtiéndose en la principal fuente de ingresos de un lugar que vive al margen del tiempo, pero que cuenta con sus propias estructuras, historia y situaciones. Estas familias diferente, así tenemos una familia que puede viajar en el tiempo, otra que puede traspasar las heridas físicas de una persona otra, otra que puede leer los pensamientos de las personas y un Clan de artistas circenses que con el uso de piedras mágicas puede conseguir que cualquier persona tenga el fuerte espejismo de vivir sus fantasías más ocultas .Sin embargo, esa magia no es algo a lo que sus poseedores puedan acceder gratis, su uso siempre conlleva el pago de un precio. así que si quieres viajar al pasado, envejecerás todo el tiempo en el que te hayas movido, al leer los pensamientos de los demás, no podrás decir ninguna mentira, y las piedras se convertirán en polvo cuando son usadas para crear las fantasías. y todo eso aporta una patina de frescura y originalidad a esta historia, ya que obliga a crear un microcosmos dentro de la isla de Encantia marcada por disputas, redecillas y ambiciones entre todas estas familias. La combinación entre el oropel del mundo del circo , los problemas históricos generados por la Ley Seca y la magia dan lugar a este escenario tan especial y original.

La pluma de Lyssa Mia Smith es directa, cálida y cercana. La novela está contada desde dos puntos de vista, los de su pareja protagonista, que van alternándose como narradores a lo largo de los capítulos .El ritmo que la escritora le otorga a su libro está muy conseguido, ya que logra el perfecto equilibrio entre que no paren de pasar cosas y a la vez ir mostrándonos poquito a poco como es la vida y la historia en Encantia e ir dándonos a modo de amiguitas de las dosis necesarias de información para entender la trama y ver como esta va desenvolviéndose delante de nuestros ojos. No nos da toda la información de golpe, sino poquito a poco, ayudando guiando al lector a que se vaya haciendo su propia composición del lugar. Si os habéis tomado la molestia de leer alguna que otra reseña mía sabéis que en el género de fantasía, eso es algo que valoro mucho, me gusta que el lector entre en una historia, sin saber muy bien qué va a encontrarse, empiece sintiéndose perdido y poco a poco, gracias al buen hacer del autor, vaya viendo como todo se va aclarando de una manera no lenta, pero tampoco simple. quizás hay algo que me ha descolocado un poco cuando empecé este libro, y es que no sabía que es un tomo que tengo en mis manos en España en realidad se ha editado y traducido en Argentina. De ahí que en varios momentos de la lectura me haya encontrado con ciertas expresiones y giros idiomáticos que no me esperaba. Desde luego no hacen que la lectura sea incomprensible, el 98,9 % del tiempo no lo notas para nada. Simplemente es algo que me ha sorprendido.

La novela está enmarcada dentro de este subgénero de la fantasía, que están en boga, está en los últimos tiempos, el romantasy. De ahí que, además de la magia, lo importante en la lectura, sea la historia de amor que se va forjando entre sus protagonistas, Lux y Jamison. Al principio, puede dar la impresión de que estamos ante un insta Love, un clip que personalmente no me gusta nada. Sin embargo, hay que reconocerle a su altura, que, aunque entre los dos jóvenes saltan chispas desde prácticamente el primer momento, la relación entre ambos se van tomando su tiempo, los dos van conociéndose poco a poco a medida que van desnudándose el uno delante del otro, compartiendo confidencias y secretos, hablando y conociéndose mejor. Y eso nos regala a lo largo de la lectura, momentos, realmente como vendedores, llenos de cariño y deseo, marcados por las diferencias entre los dos y los muchos obstáculos que hacen imposible una relación sana y bonita, en la que cada uno apoya y protege al otro y los dos construyen y mantienen una dinámica cautivadora. El contraste entre esta pareja también está muy bien llevado, ya que a medida que ambos van evolucionando a lo largo del libro los lectores vamos conociéndoles mejor y viendo como van progresando. Y vemos como Jamison es un chaval mucho más duro y decidido de lo que su personalidad tranquila y bonachona aparenta, y que Luxe de frívola y narcisista en realidad más bien tiene poco, si no simplemente es una chica que haría cualquier cosa por su familia, incluso poner su vida en peligro, con una combinación entre fragilidad, miedo y determinación que hacen de ella posiblemente el personaje más interesante de todo el libro. La evolución romántica se va a convirtiendo en el hilo conductor, que guía una historia plagada de misterios y secretos, en los cuales Lux y Jamison están envueltos incluso sin saberlo muchas veces, cuyos compases también están marcados por el triángulo amoroso en el que la pareja se encuentra metida, cuya estabilidad Luxe se ve obligada a mantener a lo largo de toda la historia de una forma muchas veces angustiante, porque a medida que vamos leyendo vemos que es mucho más oscuro de lo que aparentaba a primera vista. El equilibrio entre todos estos elementos está muy bien llevado, ya que todos se apoyan entre todos. Y viene acompañado de una red de personajes secundarios que al principio parece que no van a aportar nada, pero que a medida que va avanzando la historia les vas conociendo mejor y ves como todos ponen su grano de arena dentro de la trama, haciendo que la obra sea más coral de lo que pueda aparecer a simple vista. Ninguno de ellos tiene una personalidad especialmente profunda, pero todos cuentan con la suficiente individualización y complejidad minima para ser perfectamente diferenciales, unos de otros y contar con personalidades bastante marcadas, y antes de que te dé cuenta, acabarás cogiendo mucho cariño a la inmensa mayoría por lo entrañables que resultan. incluso el gran antagonista del cuento resultará especialmente interesante, por la manera en que Smith nos va demostrando paulatinamente su verdadera cara y las diferentes gamas de su personalidad y los oscuros matices de sus terribles propósitos, jugando así con el lector y los propios personajes.

Os seré sincera, esperaba poquito de “Revelle”, y estoy sorprendida de como he disfrutado esta lectura. He agradecido mucho que sea una novela auto conclusiva y que el final haya quedado bien cerrado. Quizás hay ciertos hilos que eche en falta que hubieran tenido más peso o que hubieran quedado mejor cerrados, y que no todo el argumento girase en tanto en torno a las familias Revelle y Chronos, y hubiéramos podido ver más a los otros tres clanes de la isla Encantia. Pero he cerrado el libro con muy buen sabor de boca y echando de menos a esta historia y a sus personajes, enamorada de su ambientación y sus sistema de magia. Si lo que buscáis es una lectura plagada de amor y fantasía sin duda tenéis que darle una oportunidad a esta novela.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 24 of 2023: 2.5 Stars, Rounded Up

"Love, I'd learned, is its own sort of magic, an elixir powerful enough to soothe even the deepest of wounds."

I want to preface by saying this was not a bad book. It just wasn't the right book for me.

Which pains me to admit because if a 1920's, Moulin Rouge retelling doesn't have my name ALL over it, I don't know what does. But perhaps that's the problem right there: my musical-loving heart may have been too overhyped diving in. Or maybe it was simply the right book, but the wrong time because there was a lot to love about this YA fantasy.

The good? The setting and inspiration (obviously), the side characters, and the magic system. The most intriguing part of the novel -- by far -- was the various magical elements honed by the families of Charmant. I enjoyed reading about the rules and costs of each skillset and how they were utilized across the island. These led to some of the biggest twists in the storyline, which were my favorite portions of the story.

The bad? The love story itself never truly hit the mark for me. It lacked the passion and production of the Christian and Satine I was raised on, and I was yearning for that feeling. I did enjoy Luxe and Jamison's moments together, but I never felt completely under their spell.

I also didn't love that Luxe kept such a large burden on her shoulders. I feel like so much could have been resolved by being open and honest out of the gate, but I understand that was needed for the story to get from a to z.

Come what may, this clever debut displayed enough promise to have me following where Smith heads next.


Thank you to HarperCollins and Balzer + Bray for sending me an earc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

*:･ﾟ143/ 100

I am so sad this wasn't a new all-time favorite. I wanted this to be a new underrated book I constantly recommend that I was engulfed by, but I was extremely disappointed.

I love this cover and the synopsis so much! The idea of this sounds great. I would say this novel has a similar plot and vibes to Stephanie Garber's Caraval and Margie Fuston's Cruel Illusions, both of which are lifetime favorites of mine.

I'm a really expressive reader. Meaning that when there's a romantic scene I'm smiling and giggling. A plot twist? My jaw dropped and I'm gasping. A facial expression I'm confused about? I am 100% trying to figure out how that goes. My face is so readable and the entire time I was reading this book I was straight-faced during it all. The climactic scenes were alright to me just because I didn't connect to the characters like I was meant to, so I was just 'meh' about it. The love confessions although cute and they were most definitely dog-eared, I wasn't freaking out. I LOVE love, yet this book got no reactions from me. Sad.

I wanted to truly love this, but it was just a good read that doesn't have a lasting impression, unfortunately.

[nela.reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

⚜️Współpraca reklamowa⚜️ "Revelle" symbolizuje magiczną podróż do świata, w którym tracisz poczucie czasu, majątek i doświadczasz miłości od pierwszego wejrzenia (niekoniecznie odwzajemnionej). Wyspa Charmant, na której rozgrywa się cała akcja jest tak samo kusząca jak i niebezpieczna dla odwiedzających ją turystów. Natomiast osadzenie fabuły w latach 20. XX wieku oraz klimat żywcem wyjęty z "Moulin Rouge" to coś, co czuć już od pierwszych stron lektury. A kiedy dodamy do tego zaawansowany system magiczny, zwaśnione rody, tajemnice i intrygi oraz pożądaną przez wszystkich gwiazdę estrady - Luxe Revelle - otrzymamy książkę obok której nie można przejść obojętnie.

Absolutnie uwielbiam pomysł na fabułę oraz magiczne umiejętności osób zamieszkujących wyspę. Moce uzdrawiania, cofania się w czasie, czytania w myślach czy władza nad emocjami innych za pomocą klejnotów zostały doskonale wplecione w całą historię i są dla mnie najbardziej atrakcyjnym aspektem "Revelle". Co ciekawe, one wszystkie są bardzo przydatne w momencie, kiedy główna bohaterka, Luxe, wchodzi w ryzykowny układ z przedstawicielem rodziny Chronosów, a nowo przybyły Jamison próbuje odkryć skąd pochodzi i kim byli jego rodzice. Pojawiające się zagadki, sekrety i ogromne problemy Luxe Revelle skutecznie podsycają ciekawość czytelnika.

Z pewnością byłabym zachwycona, ale niestety kilka rzeczy nie przypadło mi do gustu. Przede wszystkim nie jestem fanką wątku romantycznego, który przewija się cały czas gdzieś w tle. Na początku czułam ogromną chemię między bohaterami, ale żar został szybko ugaszony. Ich relacja mogłaby być dużo bardziej interesująca i mam poczucie, że potencjał został w tym przypadku zmarnowany. Luxe i jej wybranek okazali się być według mnie zwyczajnie niedobraną parą.

Po drugie, mimo plot twistów, które potrafią wbić w fotel, bardzo się nudziłam. Średnio zwrot akcji pojawiał się co około 50-100 stron i w międzyczasie zmuszałam się do czytania. Myślę, że spokojnie książka mogłaby zostać skrócona o zbędne opisy i nic nie wnoszące do fabuły dialogi, dzięki czemu "Revelle" czytałoby się znacznie szybciej i przyjemniej.

Największy minus? Niektóre wymiany zdań były dla mnie bardzo niesmaczne. Zwłaszcza te między członkami rodziny Revelle. Nie chcę ich tutaj przytaczać, ale jeśli będziecie czytać książkę, na pewno będziecie wiedzieć, które z nich miałam na myśli.

Czy warto przeczytać "Revelle"? Mimo moich uwag, uważam, że tak. Książka polecana jest zwłaszcza fanom "Caravalu", więc istnieje duże prawdopodobieństwo, że to właśnie tym osobom spodoba się najbardziej. Na mnie zrobiła dość przeciętne wrażenie, ale jestem przekonana, że niektórzy mogą ją wręcz pokochać. Jako jednotomówka może się też dobrze sprawdzić w przerwie między jedną serią a drugą i nieco pobudzi Waszą wyobraźnię. Warto dać jej szansę i przekonać się czy życie na Charmant to coś dla Was.💎

3,5/5

[Tyla-Jade Edgerton 🕷️🥀 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dazzling magic & inspired by Moulin Rouge, say no more.
I have not stop thinking, talking and dreaming about this book since i finished it. Revelle is fun & mysterious. It had my heart racing, and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. I'm so sad it's stand-alone. I'm praying Lyssa Mia Smith writes another book in the same world. The magic system is so unique, the politics is intriguing and the fun carnival vibe was immaculate. Will forever recommend Revelle to everyone until the day I die.

[Susan Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is STUNNING. I can’t recommend it enough. Loved it, and to this day, STILL think about the characters, the incredible world building, and the *swoon* heart-bursting romance.

[Siiri Auroora · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so fun

[Jooo · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4⭐)Si algo rescato de este libro es su originalidad, algo ya de por sí difícil de lograr en la fantasía. El sistema de magia, que en principio puede parecer estereotípico, no solo se vuelve complejo sino peligroso. En este mundo, poseer magia tiene sus riesgos y eso se nota.
Debo decir que entrar a Encantia puede ser algo chocante, pero realmente te engancha. Ni que hablar de sus personajes entrañables que lo dan todo por su familia y amigos (Jame-O, preciosidad de persona si las hay.)
Una historia que se sintió como ver una película de los años '20 con un toque de fantasía y con giros que me tuvieron gritando más de una vez.

[Julie - One Book More · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new YA fantasy by debut author Lyssa Mia Smith, Revelle takes place in the 1920s during the Prohibition Era, and it has major Moulin Rouge, Romeo and Juliet, and Gatsby vibes with a little Caraval mixed in. I loved it! It’s an immersive and entertaining read, with strong world-building and a unique magic system. The island of Charmant is feeling the strain of the Prohibition movement, and Luxe, the protagonist and star of her family’s show, feels the burden of keeping the family business afloat with her unique and powerful magic and skill. So, when Dewey, a member of the wealthiest (and super powerful) family offers her a preposition – taking care of her family’s financial woes in exchange for pretending to be his fiancée during an election – Luxe can’t refuse. However, secrets and danger, as well as feelings for the mysterious Jamison Port, threaten to destroy everything Luxe holds dear.

Revelle is told from Luxe and Jamison’s perspectives. I love both of these characters and that we get the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of each. Luxe is so burdened by familial expectations and pressures, and I felt so bad for her. She feels so trapped, but duty constricts her, and she has secrets that have forced her to push others away even though she doesn’t want to. On top of that, she’s dating a man she begins to suspect has nefarious goals, and her feelings about the family, the business, Charmant, and more are conflicted.

Jamison reminds me so much of Christian from Moulin Rouge. He is so sweet and kind and lovely. Jamison is new to the island, much like Christian is new to Moulin Rouge, but Jamison feels like he’s been to Charmant before. With only snippets of memory and a few clues, he is determined to learn more about his parents and his origins. It’s interesting to see him unravel the secrets of his past and his connection to the island and its people. Their stories and the problems they face are compelling, complex, and intriguing.

There is a bit of a love triangle reminiscent of the Christian/Satine/Duke love triangle in Moulin Rouge. In Revelle, Luxe must face her ever-growing feelings for Jamison while balancing a superficial relationship with Dewey. It’s clear who Luxe cares for (and who truly cares for her), but their happy ever after seems impossible, especially as Dewey becomes more protective, secretive, and territorial.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters are great (shout out to some of the amazing secondary characters – Millie, Collette, Roger, Trys, Nana, and so many others!! Loved them!), the magic and setting are vivid and immersive, and the story is engaging and suspenseful. I look forward to reading more by this debut author and am thankful to NetGalley and Harperteen for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

[missbibireadsxoxo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 ⭐️
I must admit it was hard for me to pick this book up at first cause it was kind of confusing. Plus it’s different POV which I LOVE BUT didn’t realize at the beginning LOL. But once I had the world, POV’s, and magic down it was very fast paced! I was HOOKED. After 50% in I stayed up until 3 am just cause I needed to know more. The world creation and magical families are so unique and mind-bending. I gasped, teared up and laughed out loud quite a few times with this book. I feel the ending was a little rushed. I wish it gave us more answers and was a little longer cause I just didn’t want it to end. Definitely an addictive creative whimsical world. Overall loved it. The characters were so compelling. There were such sweet moments in this book and clear villains. It was written beautifully making you feel everything with such intensity! Here’s hoping there’s a sequel to tie up some loose ends and to jump back into this world! 🤞🏼🤯🖤

[Quill&Queer]

Stand alone!

"Luxe Revelle, star of her family’s fantastical show, knows the splendor is just an illusion. With Prohibition threatening their livelihood, her family struggles to make a living, watering down champagne and patching holes in their sequined costumes. So when the son of Charmant’s wealthiest family makes her an offer—everything the Revelles need to stay in business, in exchange for posing as his girl and helping him become mayor—she can’t refuse."

[Lexi]

This is really cool. Main romance isn’t for me. I recommend checking it out if the description sounds like your thing. The writing is solid

[Kaya Lynch]

u had me at magical moulin rouge

[Mikayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I honestly really loved this book. I even cried!!!
The moulin rouge inspired plot / magic world really drew me in, and the twists just kept twisting!! It was just so fun xo

[Minx Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved everything about this book. 5 stars

[nico · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐️ TO BYŁO TAKIE FAJNE, PLS TAK DOBRZE SIĘ PRZY TYM BAWIŁAM ŻE SAMA W TO NIE WIERZE