Welcome to my tour stop! Check out this new YA fantasy and my review below...
Illuminary
(The Sceptre & the Stylus #1)
By Chawna Schroeder
Christian YA Fantasy inspired by A Little Princess
Audiobook, Hardcover & eBook, 368 Pages
April 8, 2025 by Enclave Escape
Summary
Glimpse the past, illuminate the future.
Yosarai Patican dreams of becoming an illuminator in a country that values art above all else. A lofty goal that finally seems within reach when she earns a position at the prestigious Academy of the Seven
Arts. Although Yosarai loathes to leave behind her quiet country life, she travels to the capital, determined to live up to her mother’s fame asone of Indel’s greatest artists.
Prince Xander never planned to become king. Indeed, he never wanted to become king. But when his father dies suddenly, he is thrust into the middle of coronation preparations—and assassination attempts. With everyone around him in increasing danger, Xander decides to hide in neighboring Indel until the time for him to be crowned king arrives.
Posing as an inventor struggling with aesthetics, Xander enlists Yosarai’s aid as part of his cover, but soon he suspects she knows more than she should. But when danger threatens and secrets are exposed, entering a competition reputed as cutthroat may be the only way for them to protect everything they hold dear.
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My Review
ILLUMINARY is a completely immersive experience into this fantasy world that feels somewhat Persian. The characters are interesting and relatable while the plot grows and develops as the characters do as they face new places and challenges. A story weaved with magic, family, privilege, loss, faith and love.
Opening this book felt like diving into a whole different world. At least for Yosarai's world. It was lush and fragrant. Almost like a textile experience. Her relationships were also full of depth and complexity. Xander's world was a bit more one dimensional as there were only glimpses of it before he traveled to Yosarai's Indel (Yosarai's kingdom). What his storyline had that Yosarai's didn't (at least at first) was consistent danger hunting him. I liked how the author wove their stories together and how everything unfolded. The writing also felt very lush and full which I also really liked as well as this unique twist on a classic. The story is very faith-filled with a god representative of Christianity and its a central part of this story. My hope is that it doesn't take over the series but continues to be woven through in a natural way.
There were a lot of poems, journal entries and such in the story. Those didn't really work for me for how much they were included and how long they were, but some may enjoy this aspect.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was an enjoyable story and a series worth following. Recommended to Christian fantasy fans and also some YA fantasy fans.
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
About the Author
Tour Schedule
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 29
Artistic Nobody, April 30 (Author Interview)
CeCe Reads and Sings, April 30
The Lofty Pages, May 1
Wishful Endings, May 2
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 3 (Spotlight)
Simple Harvest Reads, May 3 (Guest Review from Mindy)
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 4
Guild Master, May 5 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, May 6
Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 8
Inklings and Notions, May 9
Fiction Book Lover, May 10 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, May 11
Labor Not in Vain, May 12
Tour-Wide Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Chawna is giving away the grand prize of a 2.5” x 9.5” poster of Psalm 46:5 and 10-11 illuminated by artist and calligrapher Timothy Botts, a signed copy of the book, a $25 Amazon gift card, a glass stylus, and 5 bookish stickers!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Have you read any other stories like this one? Do you have any favorite "illuminated" or illustrated books? I have a collection of illustrated classics by N.C. Wyeth along with the illustrated Harry Potter books that I love.