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melissajkincaid 's review for:
Illusion of Stars
by Sarah Marie Page
This book was a solid 5 stars for me!
I absolutely loved this book! Sarah's writing style is captivating, effortlessly blending beautiful storytelling with rich and accessible world-building. The intricate court politics, unique magic systems, and well-developed characters kept me completely engrossed. What truly stood out to me were the characters; each one was brilliantly fleshed out with such depth that I couldn't help but care for them. (More Signey, please!!)
The main character, Isabel, is refreshingly and beautifully flawed. It was a delight to read about a protagonist who isn’t all about being strong and stabby, even though I typically love characters like that. Isabel is a healer who tends to wounds rather than inflicting them. She's witty and smart, and her inner monologue, especially when faced with the handsome Erik, was absolutely hilarious. And their chemistry? Ahhhh… *chef’s kiss*.
What truly captivated me, though, was the profound way this book handles grief and loss. Isabel's journey through her pain, regret, and desire to make things right after her best friend's death was deeply moving. Grief is difficult to articulate, but Sarah did so beautifully, striking a chord with me. This book is an exceptional read, offering both laughter and heartfelt moments.
Tropes include:
- One horse
- First person POV
- Handsome blonde MC with shadow/illusion powers
- Seriously great banter
- Goofy, lovable healer MC
- Low level spice
My favourite quote/passage:
People say grief is numbness, but it isn’t. It feels like your skin is being opened up and you’re being flayed alive. People also say grief is cold, but then why was I burning? Why was every single cell of my body on fire?
There are some triggers in this story, so if you do have some, please review the warnings first.
Overall, this book is a fantastic fantasy adventure brimming with witty banter, thrilling action, and captivating adventure. The richly developed plot and engaging characters have me completely invested in the story. Each chapter drew me deeper into the world, making it hard to put the book down. I am eagerly anticipating the next instalment and can't wait to see what exciting twists and turns lie ahead! This series has quickly become one of my favourites, and I'm looking forward to continuing the journey.
I was generously provided an eARC by the Sarah and The NerdFam and I am happily, and voluntarily, leaving my review! ❤️ Thank you SO much.
I absolutely loved this book! Sarah's writing style is captivating, effortlessly blending beautiful storytelling with rich and accessible world-building. The intricate court politics, unique magic systems, and well-developed characters kept me completely engrossed. What truly stood out to me were the characters; each one was brilliantly fleshed out with such depth that I couldn't help but care for them. (More Signey, please!!)
The main character, Isabel, is refreshingly and beautifully flawed. It was a delight to read about a protagonist who isn’t all about being strong and stabby, even though I typically love characters like that. Isabel is a healer who tends to wounds rather than inflicting them. She's witty and smart, and her inner monologue, especially when faced with the handsome Erik, was absolutely hilarious. And their chemistry? Ahhhh… *chef’s kiss*.
What truly captivated me, though, was the profound way this book handles grief and loss. Isabel's journey through her pain, regret, and desire to make things right after her best friend's death was deeply moving. Grief is difficult to articulate, but Sarah did so beautifully, striking a chord with me. This book is an exceptional read, offering both laughter and heartfelt moments.
Tropes include:
- One horse
- First person POV
- Handsome blonde MC with shadow/illusion powers
- Seriously great banter
- Goofy, lovable healer MC
- Low level spice
My favourite quote/passage:
People say grief is numbness, but it isn’t. It feels like your skin is being opened up and you’re being flayed alive. People also say grief is cold, but then why was I burning? Why was every single cell of my body on fire?
There are some triggers in this story, so if you do have some, please review the warnings first.
Overall, this book is a fantastic fantasy adventure brimming with witty banter, thrilling action, and captivating adventure. The richly developed plot and engaging characters have me completely invested in the story. Each chapter drew me deeper into the world, making it hard to put the book down. I am eagerly anticipating the next instalment and can't wait to see what exciting twists and turns lie ahead! This series has quickly become one of my favourites, and I'm looking forward to continuing the journey.
I was generously provided an eARC by the Sarah and The NerdFam and I am happily, and voluntarily, leaving my review! ❤️ Thank you SO much.