Review: Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

Title: Illuminate
Author: Aimee Agresti
Series: Gilded Wings
Pages: 531
Format: eARC
Publisher: Harcourt
Release Date: March 6th 2012
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Haven Terra is a brainy, shy high school outcast. But everything begins to change when she turns sixteen. Along with her best friend Dante and their quiet and brilliant classmate Lance, she is awarded a prestigious internship in the big city— Chicago—and is sent to live and work at a swanky and stylish hotel under the watchful eyes of a group of gorgeous and shockingly young-looking strangers: powerful and alluring hotel owner Aurelia Brown; her second-in-command, the dashing Lucian Grove; and their stunning but aloof staff of glamazons called The Outfit.

As Haven begins falling for Lucian, she discovers that these beautiful people are not quite what they seem. With the help of a mysterious book, she uncovers a network of secret passageways from the hotel’s jazz-age past that leads her to the heart of the evil agenda of Aurelia and company: they’re in the business of buying souls. Will they succeed in wooing Haven to join them in their recruitment efforts, or will she be able to thwart this devilish set’s plans to take the souls of her classmates on prom night at the hotel?

When I first discovered Illuminate I thought that it sounded like a new interesting and fun book with a stunning cover! So naturally, I was delighted and shocked when I got an e-mail from Rachel over at Harcourt with a copy of Illuminate! So a big thank you to Rachel and Aimee for giving me a chance to read this amazing book!

I admit, at the start of the book Haven certainly had her moments that made me cringe in embarrassment for the poor girl, I just wanted to leap through my kindle and shake some sense into her, or actually shake some sense out of her.

But I shouldn't have worried because it wasn't long until I stopped cringing and mentally attacking Haven, and was so enraptured in the world that Aimee had created, that I hardly had time to put my kindle down because I couldn't stop reading!

The story was magnificent, it kept me on the edge of my seat, worried and yet so excited to find out what would happen next, I kept thinking what would the mysterious book tell Haven next? When would she realise that Lance was hot for her? & that even though Lucien is a bundle of yum he wasn't the guy for her? & most of all when would she step up and slap that bitch Aurelia in the face? (yes, i really thought all these things.)

It delivered all my hopes and so much more!

I just loved how Aimee had put together three innocent teens who were oblivious to the massive evil plot surrounding them - working in a hotel with bad guys at every corner! Just thinking that their employers were a little odd and obsessed with only hiring pretty people... Then when they discover the truth, no running or screaming for the door (well there was that one incident.. but she wasn't screaming), but they sucked it up and decided to brave the badies and not only did they do just that but they fooled them into thinking they were still in the dark! And all at the same time as trying to unravel the big evil plot and eventually save the day... it was just mind bogglingly awesome!

I think that every girl will learn a vital lesson from this book (if she didn't already know)... NEVER trust a pretty/hot guy if he is trying too hard! Have fun looking and flirting back, but ALWAYS question their motives... especially if you catch them kissing an older drop dead gorgeous woman... but maybe that's just the cynic in me!? (haha) This was another part where I was screaming at Haven to open her eyes - but don't worry readers, Haven is a smart cookie and will not disappoint you!

Well I think that's all I can really say without bringing out a massive bunch of spoilers! Trust me I could gush about the characters and plot non-stop for ages but well I think I've gone on for quite enough already! Everyone should make sure to pick up a copy of Illuminate in March and keep out an eye for any of Aimee's books in the future... I sure will be!

Illuminate
by Aimee Agresti

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My Favourite Quote
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"We'll get her for doing this. Taking souls is one thing, but botching up a haircut is inexcusable."
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