From the Publisher
Illusions of Fate is an absolute delight—a magical, sparkling, dangerous world with witty repartee and a romance that will light your heart on fire. Kiersten White’s best yet.” — Stephanie Perkins, internationally bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss
“This well-written historical fantasy has romance, suspense, a fairy-tale feel, and a great ending that will leave readers cheering.” — School Library Journal
“An enticing blend of Victorian scenery and dark magic.” — ALA Booklist
“Inventive, fun, and enthralling from the first page to the last. Readers will find a new favorite protagonist in Jessamin Olea.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
“Deliciously original in its intriguing plot and irresistible characters. ILLUSIONS OF FATE may be filled with spells, but it’s Kiersten White who is truly magic.” — Andrea Cremer, international bestselling author of the Nightshade series
“A wicked plot twist will have readers gasping for air, and a happy ending, complete with a swoonworthy kiss, is likely to please.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Inventive, fun, and enthralling from the first page to the last. Readers will find a new favorite protagonist in Jessamin Olea.
Stephanie Perkins
Illusions of Fate is an absolute delight—a magical, sparkling, dangerous world with witty repartee and a romance that will light your heart on fire. Kiersten White’s best yet.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
A wicked plot twist will have readers gasping for air, and a happy ending, complete with a swoonworthy kiss, is likely to please.
Andrea Cremer
Deliciously original in its intriguing plot and irresistible characters. ILLUSIONS OF FATE may be filled with spells, but it’s Kiersten White who is truly magic.
ALA Booklist
An enticing blend of Victorian scenery and dark magic.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
A wicked plot twist will have readers gasping for air, and a happy ending, complete with a swoonworthy kiss, is likely to please.
Kirkus Reviews
2014-06-18
Jessamin Olea has been sent away from her native island of Melei to attend school in the dull and sinister Albion, a country that bears a vague resemblance to Victorian England.While struggling with her studies and fighting both homesickness and poverty, Jessamin comes literally under the spell of a mercurial aristocrat named Finn Ackerly, who returns her affections and attemptsto protect her from the evil, sadistic Lord Downpike. The rebellious and headstrong girl refuses the attempts of the various Alben nobility to protect her, even as the elite struggle to gain control of Albion’s colonies. All hell breaks loose when Jessamin inadvertently takes possession of Lord Downpike’s familiar, a black bird that morphs into a book of spells on occasion but protects Jessamin from the worst of the magic. Downpike’s attempts to recover the bird/book and Jessamin’s frantic pursuit of the captured Finn through a maze of magic portals and strongholds make for a thrilling if confusing narrative. Jessamin’s engaging first-person, present-tense narration does not entirely compensate for the tenuous logic of the plot and the preponderance of stereotyped characters.Not really enough substance to make a satisfying read even for paranormal addicts. (Paranormal romance. 12-17)
