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loudaslions's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I found it a bit hard to get into at first, simply because it was a bit difficult for me to process all the world-building that is established in the first few chapters.
However, as I got to know the characters, I fell in love with them. I was compelled by every side character and story in this world Smith has stitched to the side of the Prohibition era US. The narration is written a way that is so real and allowed me to empathize with the characters very well.
The plot was compelling, and I found myself never knowing what would happen next. I had a lot of fun reading it!
However, as I got to know the characters, I fell in love with them. I was compelled by every side character and story in this world Smith has stitched to the side of the Prohibition era US. The narration is written a way that is so real and allowed me to empathize with the characters very well.
The plot was compelling, and I found myself never knowing what would happen next. I had a lot of fun reading it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, and Fire/Fire injury
thenonmouse's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Gun violence, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Stalking, Sexism, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Religious bigotry, Police brutality, and Vomit
meganmsmart's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I feel like if Jamison had been left out entirely and the story was reworked into a psychological horror/thriller novel, it would have made the book so much more interesting. I didn't feel any chemistry between Luxe and Jamison and he had very little impact on the overall plot.
I thought the magic system was very interesting, with the different ideas and checks and balances. However I felt the book was a letdown on the 1920s prohibition era atmosphere. The prohibition was just a plot device, and other than very occasional slang, the way people spoke didn't sound out of place with modern day. While I love sapphic characters and rep, one of the side characters openly entering a wlw relationship I doubt would just be laughed off and thought of as cute? Inserting 2020s considerably more open acceptance into a novel set a century ago just makes it feel like the time period was picked for aesthetics and as a plot initiator, without any actual care for the ideals and perspectives prevalent at the time.
I kept going and finished because it was vaguely enjoyable, but overall just feel let down by the wasted concept. With Jamison removed and the genre tweaked, I think it could be a much stronger story and cut out at least 100 unneeded pages.
I thought the magic system was very interesting, with the different ideas and checks and balances. However I felt the book was a letdown on the 1920s prohibition era atmosphere. The prohibition was just a plot device, and other than very occasional slang, the way people spoke didn't sound out of place with modern day. While I love sapphic characters and rep, one of the side characters openly entering a wlw relationship I doubt would just be laughed off and thought of as cute? Inserting 2020s considerably more open acceptance into a novel set a century ago just makes it feel like the time period was picked for aesthetics and as a plot initiator, without any actual care for the ideals and perspectives prevalent at the time.
I kept going and finished because it was vaguely enjoyable, but overall just feel let down by the wasted concept. With Jamison removed and the genre tweaked, I think it could be a much stronger story and cut out at least 100 unneeded pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Murder, Gun violence, Alcohol, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content, Child abuse, Racism, Child death, and Death of parent
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Lyssa Mia Smith’s decadently lush and utterly mesmerising debut is a dazzling, show-stopping 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 darkest) secrets.
There were soo many supporting characters that I loved too (particularly Collette, Roger, Trys, Millie, Trevor and Luxe’s grandmother Nana) I just wish that we’d had more time with them (and I’d absolutely love to see prequel of some kind 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.
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 darkest) secrets.
There were soo many supporting characters that I loved too (particularly Collette, Roger, Trys, Millie, Trevor and Luxe’s grandmother Nana) I just wish that we’d had more time with them (and I’d absolutely love to see prequel of some kind 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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Murder, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
thelostartofsecretkeeping's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Gun violence
kris386's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Alcohol, Death, Gun violence, Blood, and Classism
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Animal death
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