Blog Tour: Lumiere by Jacqueline E. Garlick: A Book Review

Lumière by Jacqueline E. Garlick 
(The Illumination Paradox #1)
Publication date: December 12th 2013
Genres: Steampunk, Young Adult
Source: This book was given to me by Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Even in a land of eternal twilight, secrets can’t stay hidden forever.

     Seventeen-year-old Eyelet Elsworth is no stranger to living in the dark. She’s hidden her secret affliction all of her life—a life that would be in danger if superstitious townspeople ever guessed the truth. After her mother is accused and executed for a crime that she didn’t commit, the now-orphaned Eyelet has no choice but to track down the machine—her last hope for a cure. But Eyelet’s late father’s most prized invention, the Illuminator, has been missing since the day of the mysterious flash—a day that saw the sun wiped out over Brethren forever.

     Alone and on the run, she finds the Illuminator—only to witness a young man hauling it away. Determined to follow the thief and recover the machine, she ventures into the deepest, darkest, most dangerous part of her twisted world.

     My Review: Eyelet is the daughter of an inventor, whose greatest invention was the Illuminator that has been missing since she was a young girl. She has been having seizures that are known to be caused by the illuminator, which to the Victorian people is a symptom of madness. If her affliction is revealed, she will be sent to an asylum. Eyelet is determined to search for the illuminator in hopes that it will cure her. She ends up being pursued by her father’s nemesis, Professor Smrt (sic). This leads her to a mysterious boy named Urlick. Eventually, they team up to find the illuminator.

     This story is told in first person by Eyelet and Urlick in alternating chapters. I found both of the characters to be very odd but intriguing. Both of them were engaging narrators. Eyelet is a sympathetic character. She has had it rough in the very beginning of the story. She had just lost her mother and finds herself to be on the run, which leads her to Urlick. She is very curious and inquisitive. She is also quick to make judgments. I also liked Urlick. He is very mysterious, and harbors many secrets. Throughout my read, I was excited and impatient for his secrets to be revealed. I also loved the interaction between the two characters, for I found it entertaining, humorous, and engaging.

     Overall, this story is about love, family, friendship, and acceptance. This story started out to be fast-paced and action-packed. However, the middle portion, when Eyelet arrives at Urlick’s home and washes his dishes, I found it be very slow. The middle storyline reminded me a lot of Beauty and The Beast, and I felt like I was reading a fairy tale. At the end, it picks up its pace and leaves a cliffhanger ending. I found the world-building of the Victorian setting to be very muddled. Still, this book has definitely made me excited to read the sequel, and maybe the author will elaborate more on her world. I recommend this to anyone who loves steampunk novels, fairy tales, and strange characters.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes and Nobles

AUTHOR BIO:

     I'm Jacqueline Garlick, author of young adult and new adult fiction. I love strong heroines, despise whiny sidekicks, and adore a good story about a triumphant underdog. (Don't you?)
I love to read, write, paint (walls and paper). I have a love/hate relationship with chocolate, grammar, and technology and would rather hang out with a dog, than a cat. I prefer creating things to cleaning things, and believe laughter is a one-stop-shop solution to all that ails you. You will always find a purple wall (or two) in my house (currently in my writing room), and there may or may not be a hidden passageway that leads to a mystery room. (Okay, so you won't find a hidden passageway, but a girl can dream, can't she?) Oh, and tea. There will always be tea.

     My writing style has been described as edgy and rule-breaking, and by some--a touch Tim Burton-esque. Because of this, I am often referred to as the Quentin Tarantino of YA among writing friends.

     In my former life, I was a teacher (both grade school and college-don't ask), but more recently I've been a graduate of Ellen Hopkin's Nevada Mentor Program and a student of James Scott Bell, Christopher Vogler and Don Maass. An excerpt from Lumière earned me the 2012 Don Maass Break Out Novel Intensive Scholarship.

     Lumière--A Romantic Steampunk Fantasy--my debut novel, is the recipient of an indieBRAG Medallion!!! B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree October 15, 2014) I am so proud! (LUMIERE by Jacqueline E. Garlick is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!) Book II of the ILLUMINATION PARADOX SERIES, is out January 26th, now on pre-order.

     Also, check out my young adult contemporary romantic/mystery serial, IF ONLY, where reluctant telepathic sleuth Kyla Cooper must embrace her powers and risks all to solve the mystery of what happened to her boyfriend Denver Munro, becoming his voice of truth, before he has no voice at all...

     I love hearing from READERS! Please contact me, either at my website: www.jacquelinegarlick.com, or catch up with me on twitter @garlick books, or on facebook: http://bit.ly/jegarlickfb

     I'm open to reviews and interview, requests for skype visits, guest blogs, pod casts and book club meetings! I LOVE TO HEAR FROM READERS!

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