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A review by breabooks
Illusion of Stars by Sarah Marie Page
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Holy. Moly. This book was GOOD. Ripped my heart out, tore it to shreds, and put it back together good.
Isabel is a physician (in training) at a castle where everything seems to be going wrong. She really has to be the next royal physician, but not to prove her dad wrong or prove her worth or anything silly like that. Her best friend is found murdered on the beach after droves of Volgaard diplomats decide to visit the island. Driven by the desire to make her friend’s life count for something, she is sent to be the guide for Erik. Erik is the attractive general’s second setting off across the island. Isabel is actually supposed to spy on him. Problem is, she is a HORRIBLE liar.
The book started a little slow but woo boy, once it picked up it didn’t slow down. I was cracking up over Isabel’s incredibly awkward attempts at flirting. This book does a wonderful job of depicting just how hard it is to articulate the complex feelings that come with grief. It was incredibly relatable with details such how you can see bits of the deceased in other people, and the anxiety from grief, especially when you feel like a death may somehow end your fault.
Isabel grows to understand that she is not small and unimportant despite the way she may feel. Her character’s redemption was beautiful. Her feelings are so real, raw, and again- relatable.
This debut novel absolutely blew it out of the park. I literally could not put it down after the 30% mark.
Thanks to The Nerd Fam and Sarah Marie Page for the gifted eARC ❤️
Isabel is a physician (in training) at a castle where everything seems to be going wrong. She really has to be the next royal physician, but not to prove her dad wrong or prove her worth or anything silly like that. Her best friend is found murdered on the beach after droves of Volgaard diplomats decide to visit the island. Driven by the desire to make her friend’s life count for something, she is sent to be the guide for Erik. Erik is the attractive general’s second setting off across the island. Isabel is actually supposed to spy on him. Problem is, she is a HORRIBLE liar.
The book started a little slow but woo boy, once it picked up it didn’t slow down. I was cracking up over Isabel’s incredibly awkward attempts at flirting. This book does a wonderful job of depicting just how hard it is to articulate the complex feelings that come with grief. It was incredibly relatable with details such how you can see bits of the deceased in other people, and the anxiety from grief, especially when you feel like a death may somehow end your fault.
Isabel grows to understand that she is not small and unimportant despite the way she may feel. Her character’s redemption was beautiful. Her feelings are so real, raw, and again- relatable.
This debut novel absolutely blew it out of the park. I literally could not put it down after the 30% mark.
Thanks to The Nerd Fam and Sarah Marie Page for the gifted eARC ❤️