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

Lumiere has only made me love steam punk even more. It was a fantastic book - full of adventure, amazing contraptions, and a dash of romance. Out two main characters are refreshingly imperfect. While Eyelet may be beautiful, her seizures are slowly ruining her life and place her at risk of being institutionalized - she must hide them from everyone. On the other hand, Urlick is in perfect health but has a physical "deformity" that ostracizes him from society. But that's not the only secrets these two keep from each other.

They are both in search of a fantastic machine, the Illuminator. Both hoping to use the amazing device to cure themselves - to make them perfect. But as they search for the key to running the machine they uncover so much more - about the machine and about a sinister plot for ultimate power. Throughout their adventure they rely on many of Urlick's amazing (and very unusual) inventions - including Bertie who is just adorable, and Eyelet's quick thinking and problem solving.

I mentioned that I loved the gadgets. They were spectacular and unique. Many that seemed to be just window dressing on the world ended up being very important to the story - so pay attention!! I love when a book can tie up all the loose ends so neatly and completely. The machines really put the finishing touches on this well developed world and brought it to life (with a little help from the ravens).

The ending was very satisfying, but as with most series, did have a cliffhanger. The main story seems to be resolved (for the most part) with a whole new adventure set up by how the first one ends - definitely want to read the next to see what other fun things will be thrown my way.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*