Friday, March 21, 2014

Review: Lumiere by Jacqueline Garlick

Title: Lumiere (Illumination Paradox #1)
Author: Jacqueline Garlick
Source: Author Request
Genre: Young Adult, Steam Punk
Release Date: December 12, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

One determined girl. One resourceful boy. One miracle machine that could destroy everything. 

After an unexplained flash shatters her world, seventeen-year-old Eyelet Elsworth sets out to find the Illuminator, her father’s prized invention. With it, she hopes to cure herself of her debilitating seizures before Professor Smrt—her father’s arch nemesis—discovers her secret and locks her away in an asylum. 

Pursued by Smrt, Eyelet locates the Illuminator only to see it whisked away. She follows the thief into the world of the unknown, compelled not only by her quest but by the allure of the stranger—Urlick Babbit—who harbors secrets of his own. 

Together, they endure deadly Vapours and criminal-infested woods in pursuit of the same prize, only to discover the miracle machine they hoped would solve their problems may in fact be their biggest problem of all.





Lumiere has only made me love steam punk even more.  It was a fantastic book - full of adventure, amazing contraptions, and a dash of romance.  Out two main characters are refreshingly imperfect.  While Eyelet may be beautiful, her seizures are slowly ruining her life and place her at risk of being institutionalized - she must hide them from everyone.  On the other hand, Urlick is in perfect health but has a physical "deformity" that ostracizes him from society.  But that's not the only secrets these two keep from each other.

They are both in search of a fantastic machine, the Illuminator.  Both hoping to use the amazing device to cure themselves - to make them perfect.  But as they search for the key to running the machine they uncover so much more - about the machine and about a sinister plot for ultimate power.  Throughout their adventure they rely on many of Urlick's amazing (and very unusual) inventions - including Bertie who is just adorable, and Eyelet's quick thinking and problem solving.

I mentioned that I loved the gadgets.  They were spectacular and unique.  Many that seemed to be just window dressing on the world ended up being very important to the story - so pay attention!!  I love when a book can tie up all the loose ends so neatly and completely.  The machines really put the finishing touches on this well developed world and brought it to life (with a little help from the ravens).

The ending was very satisfying, but as with most series, did have a cliffhanger.  The main story seems to be resolved (for the most part) with a whole new adventure set up by how the first one ends - definitely want to read the next to see what other fun things will be thrown my way.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*


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