Illusions of Fate

June 30, 2014
White (A Chaos of Stars) claims the influence of Jane Austen on her latest fantasy, but the hero, Finn, is less reminiscent of Mr. Darcy than of Dorothy Sayers’s Lord Peter Wimsey—all nervy blond elegance. Like Wimsey, Finn has a nameless role to play in keeping the empire out of war (in this case, the magic-wielding nation of Albion). Finn falls in love at first sight, most inappropriately, with narrator Jessamin, an illegitimate “island rat” whose father is a professor in Albion and whose mother is a marriage-obsessed native of Melei, a colony. Jessamin has blackmailed her father to gain entrance to an exclusive school, but she works in a hotel to make ends meet, a situation that allows for riffs on A Little Princess as Finn—and Finn’s enemies—inflict their attention and wealth on her. White’s critique of colonialism can sit awkwardly on the adventure/romance plot—Jessamin makes long speeches about the oppression she experiences, but there are no special insights offered. Ideology aside, the characters make a believable and intriguing connection across their cultural divide. Ages 13–up. Agent: Michelle Wolfson, Wolfson Literary.

July 1, 2014

Gr 8 Up-Jessamin Olea earns her way into a boarding school in Albion where she is considered second class by the other students and referred to as "Island Rat" because she is from the island of Melie. She spends most of her time studying and alone until she meets Finn, a young lord who belongs to the nobility of Albion. This world is new to Jessamin-it has money, fancy dresses, tea parties, power, and magic. Readers will be intrigued by the mysterious birds that visit Jessamin as she learns more about Finn's world and the danger that surrounds him. Lord Downpike, one of Finn's enemies, is trying to do away with him and only Jessamin can stop Downpike's wrath. While the protagonist has no powers, she fortunately has good instincts and is about to help Finn. Jessamin is a strong, well-developed character to whom readers will relate; even readers who are not typically fans of the genre may be drawn into the narrative by the realistic voice of the main character. This well-written historical fantasy has romance, suspense, a fairy-tale feel, and a great ending that will leave readers cheering.-Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2014
Jessamin Olea has been sent away from her native island of Melei to attend school in the dull and sinister Albion, a country that bears a vague resemblance to Victorian England.While struggling with her studies and fighting both homesickness and poverty, Jessamin comes literally under the spell of a mercurial aristocrat named Finn Ackerly, who returns her affections and attempts to protect her from the evil, sadistic Lord Downpike. The rebellious and headstrong girl refuses the attempts of the various Alben nobility to protect her, even as the elite struggle to gain control of Albion's colonies. All hell breaks loose when Jessamin inadvertently takes possession of Lord Downpike's familiar, a black bird that morphs into a book of spells on occasion but protects Jessamin from the worst of the magic. Downpike's attempts to recover the bird/book and Jessamin's frantic pursuit of the captured Finn through a maze of magic portals and strongholds make for a thrilling if confusing narrative. Jessamin's engaging first-person, present-tense narration does not entirely compensate for the tenuous logic of the plot and the preponderance of stereotyped characters.Not really enough substance to make a satisfying read even for paranormal addicts. (Paranormal romance. 12-17)

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August 1, 2014
Grades 7-10 Jessamin struggles to get a foothold in her adopted country of Albion. She works hard and studies hard, hoping to soon return to Melei, where she can help her people. But in this strange land with magical undercurrents, Jessamin is swept away by powerful people with even more powerful forces. When she first meets Finn, she is surprised that a nobleman would pay her any attention. His attraction turns dangerous when Finn's enemy, the evil Lord Downpike, sees threatening and controlling Jessamin as a way to keep hold of Finn. White's world of Albion is an enticing blend of Victorian sensibilities and scenery and dark magic. Jessamin, meanwhile, is a clever young woman with a strong sense of self, and she navigates an unfamiliar place, as well as social strata, without magic of her own, yet still keeps her head held high. The relationship between Finn and Jessamin is sometimes fraught but ultimately rewarding, and side characters are well drawn. Readers will eagerly await the next installment of this paranormal, romantic, and historical adventure. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Ever since Paranormalcy (2010), White has been a dependable best-seller, and the planned media outreach for this new series should help keep her there.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)