Illusions of Fate

Reviewed by: Ann Marie Townsend - South Berwick Public Library, South Berwick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 13, 2015

Review

This is a novel about Jessamin, an illegitimate teenage girl from an island colony, who has moved to the country of Albion by blackmailing her father to attend a prestigious school. She is looked down on because of her dark skin and island heritage, but she is determined to become educated and have a better life. She is rescued by a stranger on a street, a gentleman who falls in love with her. She is attracted to him, but strange, magical things begin to happen, she finds herself mixed up in a mysterious political battle between the evil Lord Downpike, and her rescuer, Lord Ackerly. Set in a Victorian setting, this is a quick moving story that includes dark magic, cards, romance, friendship, alliances, a murder mystery, being framed for a crime, and books that turn into birds. An enjoyable quick read that is all in one book. Note, the cover illustration does not look like the character, and perhaps should have cards to read rather the tea that drugged Jessamin.

Overall Book Score: very good