Illuminate by Aimee Agresti Review

Name: Illuminate
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Release Date: March 6th, 2012
544 pages
Thanks Netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for giving me an ARC copy of this book!

Haven Terra is a brainy, shy high school outcast. But everything begins to change when she turns sixteen. Along with her best friend Dante and their quiet and brilliant classmate Lance, she is awarded a prestigious internship in the big city— Chicago—and is sent to live and work at a swanky and stylish hotel under the watchful eyes of a group of gorgeous and shockingly young-looking strangers: powerful and alluring hotel owner Aurelia Brown; her second-in-command, the dashing Lucian Grove; and their stunning but aloof staff of glamazons called The Outfit.

As Haven begins falling for Lucian, she discovers that these beautiful people are not quite what they seem. With the help of a mysterious book, she uncovers a network of secret passageways from the hotel’s jazz-age past that leads her to the heart of the evil agenda of Aurelia and company: they’re in the business of buying souls. Will they succeed in wooing Haven to join them in their recruitment efforts, or will she be able to thwart this devilish set’s plans to take the souls of her classmates on prom night at the hotel?

Illuminate is an exciting saga of a teen’s first taste of independence, her experience in the lap of luxury, and her discovery she may possess strength greater than she ever knew.-Goodreads

My Review:
Wow what an amazing read! Once I started this book I could not put it down, and I found myself staying up super late to get this one finished!

From the beginning of the book, I was very captivating by the story. Haven and her friend's new internship in Chicago had my very intrigued. There is a lot of mystery that surrounds this story and I never knew what was going to happen next! I was kept on my toes throughout the whole story which I loved!

Another aspect of this novel that I really liked was the paranormal part! At first, I thought this book was going to be all about Angels but I was wrong! I really liked the different paranormal aspects that Aimee used in this book and she was able to incorporate in in a fantastic way!

I also really enjoyed seeing the characters grow throughout this novel. Haven becomes such a strong and independent women throughout the book and I really liked seeing such a passionate character! Also, the romance in Illuminate is the perfect balance! Not too little, and not too much!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I HIGHLY recommend it! Make sure that it is in your tbr pile!

My Rating: Five out of Five stars