Illusions of Fate

Rating ~3.5This book was a short delightful read. The main characters were charming and I liked the premise. I liked Finn. I loved Jessamin. Finn and Jessamin were a lovely couple. They accepted each other for who they were and respected each others choices, despite not always agreeing with them. Additionally, I really loved Jessamin and Eleanor they were near opposites but truly made perfect friends.However, despite much promise, not too much happened most of the book and quite a few aspects were underdeveloped. Most of the action happened at the very last minute. All-in-all the book didn't feel like it was moving at a slow pace at all, it's just that for some reason all the MAJOR events occurred in the last quarter of the book. Most of the book, while well written and pleasant, was spent waiting for the climax to come. Toward the end I was like wait is nothing going to come of this conflict? Then BAM all the action, all at once.*Spoils ahead* (All occurring in the last 50 or so pages, give or take)1. Finn and Jessamin (main protagonist ) confront her s***ty father and find out he's working for the bad guy2. Finn gets wrongly arrested for the murder of Jessamin's father3. Jessamin gets blackmailed by bad guy into handing over the key to helping him takeover the continent4. Finn gets shot and falls into the river, and is presumed dead5. Bad guy turns out to be Jessamin's childhood friend/summer fling in disguise (This actually did legit surprised me)6. Jessamin defeats the bad guy thanks to a trick she set up earlier in the book7. Evil guy was defeated, Jessamin saved her friends and family minus Finn. She opts to escape the godforsaken country she originally used to escape her from her marriage prospects at home, promising her beloved friend Eleanor she'll visit in the future8. (Not kidding when I say this) On the second to last page of this book, Finn comes to the door of his magical apartment. He's tattered and bruised but very much ALIVE. The two essentially promise to be together forever and then the book ends.I liked the authors writing. I liked Finn, Jessamin and Eleanor but this book could have been so much more. For one, other than the characters I just mentioned no other character really not any development. Jessamin's cousin Jacobo for example, we kept hearing how he was a great guy. That Jacobo and Mati were a great couple and they deserved each other because they were both so sweet and compatible. Alright, but how about showing me that. I don't need you to tell me why I should root for them. I want to feel for myself why I should root for them. Lord Downpike/Kelen I get that he was evil and everything but I wish I could get a bit more backstory on him, more about the struggle he faced in the wake of what happened to his mother etc. Because honestly with more development he would've made for a truly fabulous villain. One of those gray villains where you hate what they do, but you understand why they feel they need to do it. All we got at the end was how he was always the fox whenever they played Fox and Rabbit as kids. Not exactly the makings of a homicidal maniac there.Basically, this book could've used another hundred pages or so to fill in the gaps but overall was pleasant enough and I kind of just accepted things as they were. At least Finn and Jessamin were a sweet couple, so could at least root for them even though the overarching plot wasn't that strong.

Review:I’ve read so much positive feedback regarding this book that I had to have it in my TBR pile, even though, I deleted it some time ago due to the pile being unbearably huge already. I’m, however, glad that I decided to give this a second chance, because it seems, it got an awesome 5 stars!There is so much to appreciate about this lovely and magical stand-alone, so here are some aspects I loved:The world-creating is simply marvelous, it’s detailed yet doesn’t overwhelmed you and has endless possibilities. The idea is also more on the original side with aristocrats wielding magic that ordinary people have no idea about. In addition, the topic of conquered and colonized culture against the dominating one was intriguing and provided color. The setting was great as well, historical fantasy YA always has something mysterious and compelling about it.The whole relationship of Jessamin and Finn was über cute and sweet, and not only because she’s the poor servant girl and he the dashing Lord. The whole shadow thing and them arguing and fighting each other and then her just fighting him and him trying to court her and all the glorious banter - oh the brilliant banter! They were so adorable together, shy and awkward, but the chemistry was definitely all there. Oh, and the cards were a really romantic touch.I respected and adored Jessamin, she had attitude, was independent, self-sufficient and while she could be be too stubborn at times and that would annoy me, she was brave and a role-model. Also, kudos to the author for making her darker skinned, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book about a heroine who wasn’t Caucasian or Asian, it simply hasn’t crossed my path. Finn was as well very likable and incredibly charming and boyish. Rich, powerful and handsome, he was the whole package, but he was also simply an all-around nice guy.I really welcomed the sinister and vicious villain in this, he was just dastardly and I thought it worked superbly for the plot and magical world. I also have to give a shout out to Eleanor, a remarkably humorous, tricky and politely smart-ass friend that Jassamin makes. Mr Bird was his own person as well, who cares if he was only a crow.What didn’t work (but I didn’t mind as much, because everything else was just so delightful):While I’m so glad that there is no sequel, having this as a stand-alone, I would have wanted more. More background information about the political, social and magic related topics, a million times more romance, swoony moments and simply scenes spent together with Jessamin and Finn – there were far too little, they were sufficient, but when something is done so right, one always craves for more. I think the possibilities to explore and what to focus on in this world were quite vast and limitless.The ending was rushed and the final twist, while intriguing, felt odd and out-of-place, simply because it went by so fast that I never had time to mull it over and have myself come to terms with how everything unrolled and what was revealed. Some of the connections and explanations were kind of weak as well.Overall:I’m again soooo glad I gave this story a second glance, because I would have missed out on a lot. It’s a charming, emotional, well-written and well-imagined story, yes, it’s short and flies by like magic, but it’s one of the most delicious short book-bites I’ve had in a long while. I definitely have to check out others books by this author!

This is still my favourite book from this author. It is magical and I’m thrilled to have found a hardcover copy. I’m only disappointed that the seller attached a sticker to the spine that left a sticky residue.Though the edges are a bit beat up, I saw books in a book store with same damage, so I’m not complaining. It looks new. Suitable as a gift, though I’m not letting go of this copy.

I am undecided as to weather this is an acceptably bed book or an unacceptably bad book how about i just say what i did and didn't like.I disliked the very wishy washy was the author approached magic it felt unfinished, however the the world was beautifully thought out and conveyed. Aspects of the characters relationships specifically with regards to fate were forced and uncreative but the characters themselves were enjoyable to read and felt fleshed out. The plot was a bit underwhelming with some key plot points feeling forced but the way the book handles the discussion of colonisation felt real and was an interesting side story.My expectations were exceeded but were set pretty low, better than many fantasy romances. Give it a read, maybe.