Reviews

Illuminations by T. Kingfisher

tenshiwing07's review against another edition

A cute Renaissance-era Venice based book about family, friendship and magical art – a girl who wants to help her family but ends up opening a can of worms when she opens a magical box. Super sweet book centered on protection of community – also jealousy, friendship, and working together. Loved the family dynamic and the friendship worked, and how friendships can grow or change. T. Kingfisher’s worldbuilding is impeccable!

Definitely a middle-grade rather than young adult but a fun read even for adults. Rosa feels realistically young and inexperience with life, still learning and promising. 

It's an alternate history fantasy with magical paintings, a talking crow, and vengeful mandrake bent on destruction. The history around the villain and crow is also a bit sad. 

My favorite character is Aunt Nadia!

libcolleen's review

adventurous funny mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Very slow first half is building all of the parts you need for the satisfying climax and resolution. I very nearly quit and I'm glad I stuck it out. In hindsight as a fast reader, I should have read this as a paper book. The audiobook makes the slow first half excruciatingly slow for me, where it would have been speedier in print. 

vaii's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

actuallycandy's review

4.0

Certainly a YA fantasy that reads more middle grade. But that being said, a really interesting magic system and entertaining. The protagonist is perhaps why I thought this felt younger and not so much the main character. Will definitely be getting my daughter to read this when she is older.

laurenkraigco's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

elinjohanna's review

3.0

Not a bad book per say… just not for me. Maybe when I was 10 I would’ve liked it.

heathersbookcorner's review

adventurous hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

macklin's review against another edition

A slow start but still a good story.  Didn’t have as much of the depth that has come with T Kingfisher’s other ya work but still far better than most ya I have read. 

a_robin_reads's review

adventurous funny lighthearted 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

3.5

Very fun magic system

seriuzbiznus's review

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing slow-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? No

4.0