Illusions of Fate

by Kiersten White

[Leah]

After reading and loving Kiersten White's debut novel Paranormalcy back in 2011, I have since bought all of her work. Because, sometimes, I can love just one book from an author and I will purchase everything they write, when it's released. (See also: Lauren Oliver). Supernaturally, Endlessly, The Chaos of Stars, Mind Games, Perfect Lies. I own them all. Trouble is, I haven't actually READ any of them. Not one. Though not for lack of trying. So when I spotted Illusions of Fate on Edelweiss, I fell head over heels in love with the cover. Take a look at it, and tell me it's not beautiful. It is simply gorgeous. I'm not a big reader of fantasy novels, or novels set in the past, but I was taken away by the cover for Illusions of Fate, and downloaded it anyway, just because. But, it was actually a really wonderful novel.

Illusions of Fate is one of the sweetest, most wonderful novels I've read this year. I really, really enjoyed it. As I said, it's set in the past (I think - and only because there's mention of horses and carts, and the language used it a teensy bit old-fashioned, which I adored and made it seem more real), and I also think it's set in a fictional land. (Which is cool.) We're introduced to a girl named Jessamin, who stands out in the country of Albion, having come over from her native island Melei to study. Until one day she ends up walking down a street she probably shouldn't have been on, and a man comes upon her. She's saved by the enigmatic Finn, the "oldest 19-year-old there is", who walks with a cane and always seems to be wearing a hat. Jessamin thinks nothing more of their meeting, until she's thrown into the middle of a war, between Finn and Lord Downpike, with only her wits to help her defeat him (Lord Downpike, not Finn).

Magic in novels is something that grows on me a little bit more, every time I read a novel featuring magic. Since I've opened up my mind with the books I read this past year or so, I've really found a liking for magical objects and magical beings and so the world in Illusions of Fate was great. The battle between Finn and Lord Downpike was fascinating, even if at times I probably didn't understand the whole thing (but, hey, that's what re-reads are for, to pick up on things you might miss) and I loved that Jessamin was strong enough, and clever enough, to stand up on her own two feet to help herself, instead of having to rely on Finn all the time. Yes, it's nice to have a guy save you, but it's infinitely better to save yourself, am I right? And Jessamin did that nicely, refusing help and refusing to be locked away until the battle was over, and instead being determined to help. I like that in a girl.

Jessamin is probably one of my favourite heroines. I loved that she was brave enough to leave her life on Melei behind, even though in Albion she's an outcast because of her darker skin (which made me sad, and want to smack everyone in Albion who was rude to her). Her witty repartee with Finn was delightful, and I just loved how the two of them bounced off each other, and you could see real chemistry there. It was adorable. I am so glad I read Illusions of Fate, it was super interesting. The magical aspects, the whole "fate" aspect, along with the shadows thing.... Sigh. It made me yearn for someone like Finn, who would attach his shadow to me to keep watch over me, which is totally unfeminist of me I know, but so romantic all the same. Kiersten White is a delightful writer, who can, it seems, write anything she would like - her imagination must be an amazing place. I can't wait to read more from her, and I won't be waiting much longer to dive into the other books I own from her, Illusions of Fate was delightful