Title: IlluminatedAuthor: Erica Orloff
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Speak (Dec. 8, 2011)
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Pages: 256
My Rating: 4 Stars
Goodreads Description:
An epic romance full of mysteries that transcend time—fans of Romeo and Juliet and The Time Traveler’s Wife will rejoice!
Some loves are not made to last . . . Like Romeo and Juliet, Heloise and Abelard were doomed from the start, and their romance was destined to pass into history. Yet when sixteen-year-old Callie Martin discovers a diary hidden within an antique book, their story—and hers—takes on another life. For the diary leads Callie to the brilliant and handsome August, who is just as mysterious as the secret the diary hides. Their attraction is undeniable. As the two hunt down the truth behind the diary—and that of Heloise and Abelard’s ancient romance—their romance becomes all-consuming. But Callie knows it can’t last . . . love never does. Will their love that burns as bright as a shooting star flame out, or will these star-crossed lovers be able to defy history?
Some loves are not made to last . . . Like Romeo and Juliet, Heloise and Abelard were doomed from the start, and their romance was destined to pass into history. Yet when sixteen-year-old Callie Martin discovers a diary hidden within an antique book, their story—and hers—takes on another life. For the diary leads Callie to the brilliant and handsome August, who is just as mysterious as the secret the diary hides. Their attraction is undeniable. As the two hunt down the truth behind the diary—and that of Heloise and Abelard’s ancient romance—their romance becomes all-consuming. But Callie knows it can’t last . . . love never does. Will their love that burns as bright as a shooting star flame out, or will these star-crossed lovers be able to defy history?
My Review:
I love tragic tales of star crossed lovers like Romeo and Juliet, Tristan and Isolde so I knew this was something that I wanted to read and if that wasn't alluring enough, the gorgeous cover made it a shoe in for something that I just knew I had to read.
I am going to admit that I had really high expectations for this book so I was a little leery about reading it, I mean, I really hate it when I am excited about a book and then it turns out to be a huge let down.
Thankfully, while this story wasn't quite all I hoped it would be, it was still a fantastic read and I was very happy with it.
I loved Callie from the start. She is smart and independent and just likeable. She is one of those people that you would love to have as a friend because she is loyal and trustworthy and you know she would be there when you need her rain or shine.
Her uncle is fantastic and such a great secondary character that you can't help wishing you had an uncle just like him. I am a huge history lover as well so his job of finding and investigating ancient books and text just sounded fascinating to me and something I would love.
And then we get to meet the delicious August. He is smart and sexy and so so kind that you can't help loving him as well and rooting for him and Callie to be together.
I loved the mystery behind the illuminated pages they find (something I found so fun to read about!)and the real history of the story of Heloise and Peter Abelard, which I am ashamed to admit I have never read about before. True star crossed lovers and their tragic love story.
This whole book was a whirl wind adventure filled with mystery and intrigue and sweet romance and passion with a slight paranormal element that will leave you wanting more.
I had so much fun reading and learning about Heloise and Abelard and their child and watching Callie and August discover each other along the way that I really do think this will be a story that a lot of people will really enjoy and love, especially those with a love of history and star crossed lovers like I have.
I am going to admit that I had really high expectations for this book so I was a little leery about reading it, I mean, I really hate it when I am excited about a book and then it turns out to be a huge let down.
Thankfully, while this story wasn't quite all I hoped it would be, it was still a fantastic read and I was very happy with it.
I loved Callie from the start. She is smart and independent and just likeable. She is one of those people that you would love to have as a friend because she is loyal and trustworthy and you know she would be there when you need her rain or shine.
Her uncle is fantastic and such a great secondary character that you can't help wishing you had an uncle just like him. I am a huge history lover as well so his job of finding and investigating ancient books and text just sounded fascinating to me and something I would love.
And then we get to meet the delicious August. He is smart and sexy and so so kind that you can't help loving him as well and rooting for him and Callie to be together.
I loved the mystery behind the illuminated pages they find (something I found so fun to read about!)and the real history of the story of Heloise and Peter Abelard, which I am ashamed to admit I have never read about before. True star crossed lovers and their tragic love story.
This whole book was a whirl wind adventure filled with mystery and intrigue and sweet romance and passion with a slight paranormal element that will leave you wanting more.
I had so much fun reading and learning about Heloise and Abelard and their child and watching Callie and August discover each other along the way that I really do think this will be a story that a lot of people will really enjoy and love, especially those with a love of history and star crossed lovers like I have.
And if you haven't already, don't forget to sign up for a chance to win a copy of this book!
so want this
ReplyDeleteIt didn't really leave an opening for a sequel Heidi and I didn't get the feeling it was part of a series but I am sure Orloff always could write another one and make it a series.
ReplyDeleteThat's good you weren't disappointed! Great review!
ReplyDeleteMagical Urban Fantasy Reads
♥bookluvrmindy
Great review. I'm looking forward to reading this one even more now!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your blog! Although we both review YA, you tend to read stuff I don't normally pick up, so this is a good blog for me to read. <3 I look forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteThanks The Drifting Girl! It is fun to see different blogs, even in the same genre as you because there are so many books out there, it would be hard to read them all. This way I can see great recommendations and adjust my TBR pile from some of them. :)
ReplyDelete