Illuminations

By: T. Kingfisher

Narrated by: Raquel Beattie

From the author of the award-winning book A Wizard's Guide To Defensive Baking . . .

Rosa Mandolini knows in her heart that her family are the greatest painters of magical illuminations in the city. But the eccentric Studio Mandolini has fallen on hard times and the future is no longer certain. While trying to help her family, Rosa discovers a strange magical box protected by a painted crow. But when she finds a way to open the box, she accidentally releases the Scarling, a vicious monster determined to destroy the Mandolini family at any cost.

With the aid of her former best friend and a painted crow named Payne, it's up to Rosa to stop the Scarling before it unmakes the magical paintings that keep the city running, and hopefully save her family in the process!

©2022 T. Kingfisher; Print edition copyright 2022 by Argyll Productions (P)2023 Tantor

excellent world-building

all ages light fantasy. I am over 50 and use this and similar books to relax at bedtime. positive without being saccharine, insightful without being preachy. one of my favorite authors.

Imagination and Hope

The language and imagination are such fun and just challenging enough to let your heart go in the story.

Different and fun

I loved the different type of story and the creativity of the plot and characters!

People are complicated

Interesting story, read with excellent clarity. I cannot see why the middle grade publisher found this "too adult".

The story of the young protagonist sneaks up on the fundamental truth of individuals, of peers, of families, of people in every place and time: We are multidimensional.

I like that the more mature reader can find subtle storytelling here about lingering effects of traumatic origins -- and how the antagonist of one POV may, to another person, have been a victim of their own self-sabotage. The many layered viewpoints do not try to excuse or gloss over a wrong choice or harm done. But we can see how to have compassion for a Tybalt Mandolini or a Scarling or a Francis.

Definitely for kids

Note: the ratings I’ve given are as a book for kids.

I didn’t realize this was a book for kids. I should have read the reviews! So as an adult, I found the story and characters simplistic, and the plot predictable. If I were 10 I would LOVE it! But, as an adult, I managed to get through it, though I sped up the playback so I’d finish it sooner.

Kingfisher did a great job with the magic and magical creatures. Very inventive. I actually loved the concept of illuminations! The conflict was pretty standard for a kids’ book: the child is misunderstood by adults and has to try to solve the problem on their own. But I liked how Kingfisher made it so Rosa ended up getting helped by her friend and then her family.

So, as a kids’ book I highly recommend it! But if you’re an adult, there are much better books by this author that you can enjoy, that are written for adults. Swordheart, the Paladin books, and Bryony & Roses are some of my favorites.

The narrator was fine. No complaints. But not totally stellar. A solid “B” grade.