The Secrets of Islayne
by
For centuries, the island of Islayne has given certain residents the ability to revive other people’s memories. These gifted individuals are known as luminators, and sixteen-year-old Ronan Saunders desperately desires to join their illustrious ranks. As he struggles against the prejudice of the old, powerful families who have an iron grip on the trade, Ronan falls under the tutelage of a reclusive luminator, rumored to be insane.
Just when his long-desired future is within reach, Ronan and his three friends discover a deadly secret on the island. As they delve deeper into the mystery, what they find forces them to question their loyalties, doubt long-held beliefs, and wrestle with the dire consequences of revealing the truth. Ronan finds himself torn between everything he loves and the only future he’s ever wanted. The entire fate of the lumination trade hangs in the balance of his decision.
My Take:
Ronan Saunders faces a serious uphill battle trying to break into the esteemed ranks of the luminators, a guild of psychics with the ability to pull out and enhance fading memories... for a price. It is a very lucrative business, but one shrouded in mystery. The only place on earth where this ability seems to manifest is on the tiny island of Islayne, in one region of the island. And only certain families who live there seem to possess the gifts necessary to become a luminator.
Yet Ronan possesses these gifts, though he is not from one of the guild families. His abilities and perhaps his close teen friends on the island give him some hope that he will be able to break into the guild, but all the odds seem stacked against him. Until, after a final crushing defeat, he is taken on by a rogue luminator as an apprentice.
As Ronan's powers develop, and he gets closer to becoming a full-fledged luminator, one of his friends stumbles into a carefully concealed secret; a secret long kept hidden, one that will blow the entire luminator practice wide open. A secret certain powerful people will stop at nothing to keep hidden.
Content:
Drug Content:
G - There is a little alcohol use, among adults only.
Violence:
PG - There are a couple violent scenes, one where a person is knocked out from behind. There is a kidnapping and restraint, but mostly the violence is internal and psychic.
Language:
PG - A few mild expletives salt the pages in only a few places. God's name is used in this book, but only as an expletive a number of times.
Adult Content:
PG - There are a few innuendos in the work, but no encounters. There's a bit of teen angst, and a bit of romance, but nothing further.
Christian content:
Not really any. I wouldn't have any issue handing this to my kids to read, as they are all into their teens or beyond. It's an amazing adventure story, and a quick read. It has loyalty, friendship, trust, and self-sacrifice in it. Truth and justice are strong themes in this fast-paced adventure.
Final analysis:
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Adventure, intrigue, mystery, and action. Good scenery, nice world-building, excellent plot twists and nice character development. For a fanciful getaway into adventure and suspense it's one to take home. Five Stars!
About the Author:
Kari Lynn West writes contemporary YA fantasy—normally while drinking far too much coffee. She likes to create character-driven stories that are set in the real world with a twist, weaving fantastical elements into everyday life. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two daughters.
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