Illuminations
-
-
4.6 • 26 Ratings
-
-
- $4.99
-
- $4.99
Publisher Description
From the award-winning author of 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!
Customer Reviews
Life Mimics Art Mimics Life
More Profound Human Wisdom in sips and spoonfuls, dressed in fantastical settings. Ms. Kingfisher’s books always make my coffee go cold, while I mull over her amazing insights going “huh.” This had a younger person’s voice… but the story was not simple. The roots run all the way down. (She makes me want to forgive myself for my Humanity. I am grateful.)
Heartwarming Fantasy in a World Where Art is Magic
“Illuminations” is a heartwarming fantasy novel by T. Kingfisher, which is the pseudonym Ursula Vernon uses for her works for adults. It takes place in a medieval alternate world that features magic, a talking crow, and created supernatural beings. It could be considered young adult, but it’s certainly satisfying for adults as well.
The story follows a family of Illuminators, of the Studio Mandolini. Our protagonist is Rosa, who is the youngest member of the family. Magic in this world tends to work due to illuminations which are drawings or paintings that are made magic by their creator, and then do a specific thing. For example, an illumination of a blue-eyed cat will keep mice away. There are specific illuminations for keeping fire away, and preventing a roof from leaking.
Rosa finds a very odd box in the basement of the studio while looking for something else. Curiosity overcomes her, and she manages to open it. This releases a malevolent being into the world with the power to make illuminations inert. Rosa must try to correct her mistake before this being unravels the magic that holds everything together.
Ms. Vernon says in her epilogue that this was a novel rejected by her publisher, so it is put out by her own Red Wombat Studio. Like most of her work it is an uplifting novel, which has warm characters, dry humor, and a positive outcome. I can’t help but recommend it!
Artists who knew
This story is for artist of both profound and stick. I enjoyed it