Illusion of Stars

I don't so much mind modern words and phrases in fantasy worlds but to me if I see them I'm more likely to think a character will soon use a phone or use magic with technology. Writers don't have to use long or old words to create believable fantasy worlds. I was enjoying how Page had crafted her world and characters and I think using the modern words actually took away from that. I think if she had not used those modern words I would've enjoyed reading the book more.

I liked the characters but I kept feeling they could've been more throughout the book. I was promised banter, and only got a bit. I was promised enemies-to-lovers, and it didn't give me that the way I've read it in other books. I could tell that the potential was there but as readers we didn't get it. I think I might've loved Erik, had he been written better. Isabel was the main issue for me, I think. She wasn't working the way I had hoped she would (as a main character).

I liked the plot and definitely wanted to see it through. It wasn't that it was wholly original but was written in a new way, which is nice to see. It wasn't all neatly tied up and could've been better – but it's also Page's debut so I'm not so fussed about that. I could also see the potential and I think I might keep an eye on Page's future books to possibly see what else she has up her sleeve. I did really enjoy the side characters. I think she shone there (if not with the main characters). They had a ton of banter and improved throughout the book. I sort of liked them better than the main characters but maybe that'll change if I read the sequel.

Another factor of the book I liked was the magic system. I would've liked to have learnt more or see if there's any subsections of the magic shown in this book. Maybe that'll be a bigger plot point in the sequel, who knows. I think the world-building was set up well enough but like most of the other aspects of the book – just not enough for me to like it more.

Illusion of stars is a fast-paced read that has an entertaining plot. Unfortunately, I don't think this was for me. I enjoyed the first hundred pages but after it felt way to obvious where the plot was going and the ending was predictable.

This was supposed to be an enemies to lovers plot but it wasn't in my opinion. The characters felt a bit insta lovey. The entire plot felt rushed and super quick for how much was going on.

Illusion of stars follows Isabel, a court physician apprentice, who is working to become the royal physician. She takes care of the queen and pretty much everyone else in the keep, except the king. It seems like everyday half the keep is out ill with something, girl cannot catch a break.. One day she finds her friend murdered and is roped into becoming a “spy” in order to help solve who did it. She is sent as a guide to help the son of the commander, Erik, to scout locations.

I did not like MMC at all. His initial behavior was not something I could get past, especially since their relationship seemed to happen really quickly. I don't think this was for me.. the buzz words got me interested but the execution didn't work, for me at least.

Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Forge Publishing for an ARC of Illusion of Stars ✨

Rating: 3 stars ✨

Tropes:
LGBTQ+
Grief/ loss
Magic
Traveling/ Camping