Review: Lumière (The Illumination Paradox #1) by Jacqueline Garlick

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Title: Lumière

Series: The Illumination Paradox #1

Author: Jacqueline Garlick

Publication Date: December 12, 2013

Pages: 335

Genres: young adult, steampunk, science fiction, fantasy, romance, historical fiction

Source: Review Copy from Netgalley

Rating: 3.5

I received this book for free from Skyscape via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis

One determined girl. One resourceful boy. One miracle machine that could destroy everything. 

After an unexplained flash shatters her world, seventeen-year-old Eyelet Elsworth sets out to find the Illuminator, her father’s prized invention. With it, she hopes to cure herself of her debilitating seizures before Professor Smrt—her father’s arch nemesis—discovers her secret and locks her away in an asylum. 

Pursued by Smrt, Eyelet locates the Illuminator only to see it whisked away. She follows the thief into the world of the unknown, compelled not only by her quest but by the allure of the stranger—Urlick Babbit—who harbors secrets of his own. 

Together, they endure deadly Vapours and criminal-infested woods in pursuit of the same prize, only to discover the miracle machine they hoped would solve their problems may in fact be their biggest problem of all.

My Review

The world that Garlick creates in this book is so captivating! There are so many elements to this world. The world building is good. In fact, in some areas it is great! This story is so unique and so enjoyable. The characters are vibrant and fascinating. Overall, a very good read. I'll definitely recommend this. This is the type of story that you just become so invested in and cannot stop reading.

What I liked

I loved the characters! The characters are very well developed and so fascinating. Most of the characters are very mysterious, so much so that you are compelled to keep reading just to find out more about them. 

I liked the romance in this book. It was written very tastefully. I love how Urlick isn't drop dead gorgeous like the men in most books, and that Eyelet isn't perfect either. They both have their issues, and that makes their love more believable. Their relationship is quite charming. I was rooting for them the entire time!

What I didn't like

There are some areas that could use improvement in the world building of this story. Parts are described beautifully, but some seem to be less so. I would love to have more background information about this world. What was this world like before the flash? Maybe a better breakdown of the society after the breakdown. We see only parts of this society, but don't know much about it. 

I think that if the elements of this story linked up more then it would be spectacular! There are so many different things going on, and some of these things are only hinted upon. For instance, the magic hidden world in the sky or the fact that he mother's pet bird was a Valkyrie. Those things aren't fully touched upon and added to the rest of the story it becomes very confusing since nothing is happening with those things.