Illuminations

By: T. Kingfisher

Narrated by: Raquel Beattie

Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Imagination and Hope

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

written for children

I admire Kingfisher tremendously but I wish this book had been labeled as children's.

How do you know it's a children's story? Because the child is the only one that knows the true information. Nobody believes her. So she has to solve it all on her own without adults. So she will discover her true talent.

Actually I do not approve of this theme in children's books. I generally avoid children's books because they have more anxiety than I can tolerate as an adult. I always wonder what kids are supposed to get out of them. Somehow they will discover their true self without involving adults. Wouldn't it be better to teach children how to find an adult that could hear them?

I hate to return a Kingfisher book but might have to for this one.

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.

Great addition to the collection

A must read, good stakes and I would even venture to say a good read for preteens as well as adults. fantastic companion to Minor mage

Really good story about imperfect people

A story about how good people can do bad things, and sometimes do good things that turn out badly, and how to apologize, do better, and move on, or how not doing that leads to a radish war.

I like it as an adult and I think kids would like it too. A 12yo is the heroine, who starts by thinking she’ll save the family on her own but learns that cooperation works better, and the family loves each other so it works out. Good story for dealing with jealousy, inadequacy, fear of not being good enough, and how to figure out how to work together & be friends.

Plus, there’s magic. 🪄

Worldbuilding: solid. Doesn’t overreach with unnecessary flourishes. The necessary flourishes are neat. Has good constraints, and seems consistent throughout.

Steam: None. This isn’t that kind of book.

Narration: Extremely pleasant. Quality narration with voicing for varied characters. Tone matches text. Even sound quality.

Sweet little story with art focus

Loved the art focus in this little story! Certain themes/elements were a bit repetitive and the narrator was a bit stiff for my liking. Still, I enjoyed this story.

Nice story for middle grade children

The story is good for middle grade children. It is complete with aspiration, self-doubt, jealousy, family love, friendship, bad decisions, and lots of love. The angsty thoughts and introspections and unwillingness to seek help with a problem go on a bit too long.

good for little kids not adults

ok story but this is definitely not Kingfisher's best work. slow start but if you stick with it. overall the concept was original. character development and writing style were simplistic and predictable as you would expect in a children's book

Harry Potter Light

Good story but would have liked more of a darker turn. Light character development