Illuminate, Gilded Wings,#1.

Illuminate.
Gilded Wings,#2.

Aimee Agresti.

Publisher:Harcourt Children's Books.

Publication Date:March 6,2012.

Genre:YA Fantasy| Mystery|Romance.

Format|Pages:EBook|544.

Source:Owned|Goodreads.

Challenge:Debut Author.

5 STARS



Illuminate surprised me and had taken my breath away. Not only was the cover stunning, but the story itself was magical, original. Actually I wasn’t even aware that the book was about angels, till later in the novel. I loved the fact that book kept you guessing through most of the book. I loved the mystery aspect in the book, it kept you guessing. Even after finishing the book, I found myself thinking about it more, wondering what’s going to come to Lance, Dante and Haven next. Aimee Agresti created an amazing debut novel and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Haven Terra is a brainy, shy high school outcast. But everything begins to change when she turns sixteen. Along with her best friend Dante and their quiet and brilliant classmate Lance, she is awarded a prestigious internship in the big city— Chicago—and is sent to live and work at a swanky and stylish hotel under the watchful eyes of a group of gorgeous and shockingly young-looking strangers: powerful and alluring hotel owner Aurelia Brown; her second-in-command, the dashing Lucian Grove; and their stunning but aloof staff of glamazons called The Outfit.

 

 

As Haven begins falling for Lucian, she discovers that these beautiful people are not quite what they seem. With the help of a mysterious book, she uncovers a network of secret passageways from the hotel’s jazz-age past that leads her to the heart of the evil agenda of Aurelia and company: they’re in the business of buying souls. Will they succeed in wooing Haven to join them in their recruitment efforts, or will she be able to thwart this devilish set’s plans to take the souls of her classmates on prom night at the hotel?

  How can you not love the cover? It’s stunning, the dress, the girl and the entire cover design. There is something mysterious about girl on cover, which I’m guessing is Haven and she looks like she’s pretty deep in though. By looking on the cover, you get the feeling that something is about to change in Haven’s life, something unexpected. I like the fact that the cover gets you to think, to wonder what she’s thinking about, what’s going to happen to her. Its type of cover that will grab the reader’s attention, get the reader to pick up the book, check it out.


I got to admit, what observed most in the book was the mystery. I enjoyed that there seemed to be more mystery, suspense then romance. I do enjoy romance, but what made this book interesting is the actual mystery. It was the type of mystery that kept you guessing too, especially the letters, the notes that Haven kept getting in that book. All through the book I was wondering who was writing them and the person will be revealed, if it’s actually a person. It made me even curious when it was revealed and I wonder if they will be in 2nd book, if they will keep writing to Haven too since it said, they were in training. Whoever was writing to her, seemed to know everything that was going on. I wonder if it could possibly be someone at hotel, or even one of her friends. Even towards the end, all mysteries weren’t resolved and that made me more eager for the next book to come out. To see if more answers would be revealed.


Lucian &Lance : I had feeling from start, that there was something off about Lucian, from start. First he seemed to be making too many excuses when they made plans, to see each other. Afterwards, it seemed like he was practically obsessed with her, always wanting to see her, and it didn’t take him long to ask for her soul? I knew then, that there was something with him. I think that Haven forgave him too easily, but then she did love him. Though I could tell that he did care for Haven, I don’t think it was way she cared for him. I wasn’t too fond of Lucian, even though he tried to help her. I am curious if he actually will come back or not. Now Lance, I saw way more chemistry between him and Haven then Haven and Lucian. The two of them had a bond, especially as two of them started to work together. I could tell that as time passed they began to truly care for each other. I was curious when something would happen between the two of them. I was happy when Lance kissed her. Now I’m curious how their relationship will progress in next novel. It feels like they have a special bond.


I had feeling that there was something off about Aurelia, and Etan, especially way he kept taking all that Dante’s time. I was happy to see them get defeated in the end. I felt as proud of Haven as her friends were. I could see how much Haven progress through the book. I loved that she kept on going, even against Aurelia’s threats; she kept on going, to the end. She wanted make sure that everyone safe, including her friends and that’s what I loved about her. I was rooting for her the entire way, for her to succeed, to win, against Aurelia.

If you love mystery, suspense and romance, I would highly recommend this novel. Agresti has an amazing talent that is worth checking out.