I really want to like this book series but I just couldn't get into it at all. And believe me I tried to, but for some reason the story just didn't pull me into it at all like I was hoping it would.

Well now, this book was a bit of a oddity. Have you ever been completely confused by a story, but still somehow entertained? I think that middle ground is exactly where I fell during Lumiere. There were very few moments where my feet were on solid ground, I wasn't always a fan of the characters, but somehow the story just swept me up and kept me reading on. I fought with myself a lot on the rating, but I think a solid three is pretty much where this book stands.

Let's talk about characters first. Eyelet (whose name drives me insane) is a very frustrating main character. Flighty, indecisive, and without any sense of self preservation whatsoever, she's the type of character that makes you want to pull your hair out. Then we have Urlick, our anti-Charming character. He's not what you'd expect a male lead to be, which I actually appreciated. A bit rough around the edges, secretive, and kind of awkward, I found myself clinging to his character. He was a nice addition to take the edge off of Eyelet, although their insta-attraction also drove me mad. More on that later.

In terms of setting, that was the one thing that I really enjoyed about Lumiere. Although the book doesn't explicitly state what time period this takes place during, the world has a definite 1600's feel. Witches are being persecuted, men are the only ones allowed to complete schooling, and women are the fairer sex. Add in a world that has been forever altered by "The Great Illumination", complete with wraiths and vapours that will kill you in an instant. It's a darker world, and one that held a lot of promise. I won't say that it was fully realized, that promise. But it absolutely held my attention.

Now, I suppose, we'll talk story. Which was confusing, to say the least. This book has a lot of great ideas. There are some great plot points, some exciting missions, and some deliciously evil villains. The problem is that they aren't in any particular order. It all felt so piecemeal. I felt like I was lost in the woods, without a map. I'd be excited about something Eyelet was about to do, and suddenly the road took a left turn and, distractedly, I wandered into those dark woods again. When you're angry and terrified about someone, and suddenly you're in love? There's an issue there. There's a lot of forward movement in this story, which is great! It just doesn't always seem to know quite where it's going.

Will I continue this series? Perhaps. Hopefully Eyelet gets herself together.

I've been feeling off for about a week, and haven't been sleeping right.

(Don't worry, I have a Dr.'s app today.)

So in a fit of insomnia this morning at 2 am, I started this book.

I won't even lie, this book was chosen entirely because of a serious case of coverlust. It's gorgeous! So far the book is... weird? Underwhelming? I'm not sure. It's just not what I expected. I refuse to give up though, or at least at the moment. We'll see what happens.

Lumière by Jacqueline Garlick- The Illumination Paradox #1 Publication date: December 12th 2013 Genres: Steampunk, Young Adult

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.

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

Contact Jacqueline on: FB / Website / Twitter / Pinterest / Goodreads / Blog

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