Illuminate: A Gilded Wings Novel, Book One [Hardcover]

Aimee Agresti (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 6, 2012 | Series: Gilded Wings (Book 1)

Haven Terra is a brainy, shy high school outcast. But everything changes when she is
awarded a prestigious internship at a posh Chicago hotel under the watchful eyes of a
group of gorgeous strangers: the 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 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?

Editorial Reviews

Review

* "Smart, well-crafted and sophisticated; without a doubt, this belongs on the top of the stack of the current crop of angel books. More, please!"
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Part The Picture of Dorian Gray, part The Devil Wears Prada, this original and engrossing story will keep surprising readers right up to the thrilling climax."
—Josephine Angelini, author of Starcrossed

"Haven is a character who will definitely surprise you—in the best way possible. Mysterious and deliciously creepy, Agresti's debut will keep you turning pages until the explosive climax."
—Cara Lynn Shultz, author of Spellbound

"Agresti's story accelerates to an exciting climax, and the blossoming romance is sweet and satisfying."
—Publisher's Weekly

"Move over Twilight!"
—US Weekly

"Equal parts romantic and mysterious, and will keep you itching for the next installment!"
—Seventeen.com

"Such an enchanting book and we can’t wait to read more in the Gilded Wings series. While the cover reels you in (How could it not? It’s so pretty!), the words inside keep you reading. There’s angels, mystery, beauty . . . which all rolled up into one, makes it magical."
—Just Jared Jr.

About the Author

Aimee Agresti is an entertainment journalist and author. As a staff writer for Us Weekly magazine, she interviewed many celebrities and penned the magazine’s coffee table book Inside Hollywood. In addition to Us, her work has appeared in People, the Washington Post, Mademoiselle, and the New York Observer. Illuminate is her first novel for teens. She lives in Washington, D.C. Visit her website at www.aimeeagresti.com.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 528 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books (March 6, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0547626142
• ISBN-13: 978-0547626147
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #844,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Pretty cover...but where is the plot? March 12, 2012

By Irish of Ticket to anywhere

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

***As originally posted on my blog TicketToAnywhere (dot) net***

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti is a book that falls into the "pretty cover syndrome" in which a gorgeous cover gives lots of promise to the contents but that the words inside never quite live up. As I was reading this one I kept referring to it as the book of no plot as nothing ever seemed to happen. Which you might think odd since not only is Illuminate 531 pages long but its the start of a series. But while there are many words and descriptions (and endless mentions of how heels make the MCs feet hurt in a multitude of ways) there isn't a whole lot of substance.

As a whole I found the main character, Haven Terra (sidenote: why do MCs never seem to have normal names anymore? everything must be so exotic), anywho...the main character is supposed to be this uber genius and yet I never really got that. She was a very passive heroine for most of the book taking everything in stride and following orders that magically appeared to her in a book without question. Now, while I might not be the genius that Haven is supposed to be, I don't see myself blindly following magic words in a book. I know it was supposed to add suspense and make the whole plotless book have plot and substance and a sinister feel....but those thoughts and feelings that I know I'm supposed to have never materialized. I just kept asking (often aloud to the amusement of friends nearby) why she would take a books word for anything.

Then there are the other people in the hotel. There are these group of super pretty people who work there, called The Outfit, and while they are supposed to add a sense of sophistication and also sinister air...they were nothing more than zombies.... The MC mentions repeatedly attempted conversations only to be met with blank stares and how they would then shuffle away. Even when the wisps of a plot started to form all these zombie-like folk just never really seemed to have much purpose. Haven also arrived at the hotel with her BFF Dante, who was so stereotypical gay that he was just very 1 dimensional and never seemed like a real person. And since he spent most of the book off page it doesn't seem like Agresti had much use for him either and so Dante just felt like a token character.

The other person who came with Haven was Lance and he is the one out of all the characters in this story that had the most substance. Even more than the main character herself...AND IT WAS HER STORY. I found that the scenes that I enjoyed most were the ones that involved him. Lance was the only character that seemed to have any smarts or personality and I think that it was partly because of him that I managed to finish this book. Aurelia was very wooden and never really felt evil and Lucian...well...he barely registered much to me either.

In some ways I am amazed that I finished this one all the way to the end and yet there was something about the writing that kept me interested. Illuminate for all of its flaws was a very readable book. The pages flew by...and I only really paused to vent about some of the characters actions/question motives and to exclaim about the overuse of the word "WOW." Seriously...the mere site of it began to make my eye twitch by the end of this story. It was the exclamation of choice for good and bad things that happened to every character. I also did not like how each chapter had a title that pulled directly from the text of that chapter. The chapters in Illuninate aren't very long so that small little snippet would often serve as a spoiler of what was to come and so ruined any suspense that had been starting to build.

Overall, for me, Illuminate, is a book with a pretty cover and 530 pages of set up for the next book to come. And after reading a 500+ page prologue I am not sure that I have the energy to read what comes next. I just don't care enough about Haven to want to devote my time to more of her ramblings. But I will wait to reserve judgement until a synopsis is revealed. Because maybe, just maybe, this will be one of those series that changes POV from book to book and if the next book is told from Lance's POV...then I could be swayed to read it.

***As originally posted on my blog [...]*** Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Let's get this book the attention it deserves! January 12, 2013

By The Passionate Bookworm

Format:Kindle Edition

To begin talking about such an amazing story, I must tell you 1 thing that helped tip it's awesomeness over the edge. The Gorgeous Cover!

Now you may be thinking " Covers with girls in dresses are overdone, let's be rid of them!" Or maybe that's just what I think off and on. But here is what really made this one work for me. SHE ACTUALLY WEARS A RED DRESS IN THE STORY! Of course I won't tell you when or why, but lets just say the description matches up well, and makes me want the dress and love the cover even more. Not only does the dress tie into the story, but also the little shadow of a wing on the cover as well! Sigh.. I love it when covers tie into stories.

Now onto the rest of the amazingness that was Illuminate :

Illuminate is a story that I could not finish in one sitting. Not because it was too long ( not to me anyway ) I was busy, unable to sit down for hours at a time to read. However the fact that it took me longer to read than most book recently did not detract from it's awesomeness, to me it added to it. Too often do I read a book in one sitting and instantly feel as if it ended too quick. Illuminate was a story that I took in small chunks, then let it settle in my mind overnight, it was wonderful. I enjoyed having a story that made me slow down a little bit, if I had read it much faster I think I would have missed things!

Aimee Agresti has this wonderful style of writing, detailed and explanatory without being overwhelming. Mixed into the story is some wonderful Art history, architecture, photography, As well as Capon and Chicago history! As an art student I really appreciated the way she describes things, without it feeling like I am taking a class.

Sigh.. How to talk about this book!... I have not read very many Angel books, though I know they are everywhere. However I feel like this story shows an interesting view of angels, just how do they earn their wings?

Haven's character was one that was easy for me to connect with, an outcast at school, a bit of a loner, who doesn't always feel right in her own skin. Feeling unimportant is the norm for her, so being thrust into a world where she feels admired and needed, it's something that takes some getting used to.

Dante, Haven's best friend is one of those people who have a vibrancy to them, a spark that draws you in like a moth to a flame, as you hope that some of their outgoing personality will attach itself to you.

Lance, Oh lance. He grew on me so perfectly. Like a new friend who you can just tell, is going to be a big part of your life.

Lucian, You ever have the feeling of wanting to reach through the pages of your book so you can smack a character? That would be him. Though there is some " Insta love" an undeniable instant attraction, there is a darkness to him, always looming. You will feel right along with Haven as she is pushed and pulled in many different directions. Though I felt like smacking him in the beginning, I can say that Lucian is a very dynamic character, and he may just surprise you like he did me.

Aside from Lucian there is another relationship that comes into play. No I won't tell you who, but I will tell you it was perfectly executed. It felt REAL and honest, and grew at just the right pace, and ... sigh. made me swoon a bit ;)

The darkness in this story was done in such a way that it slowly creeps in and expands, infecting everything in the story and connecting it in a wonderfully twisted way. This story was everything I wanted in a book right now. It was intense and beautiful, it held my attention and my love for it grew over the nights when I let it all sink in.

I seriously hope this book gets the attention it deserves.

Aimee Agresti is a Debut Author who I will SERIOUSLY be keeping my eye on. Though there is no title or news out on it yet there will be a book #2- and I will be anxiously awaiting it!

Who do I recommend it to ? Fans of Angels, Fantasy, love stories that feel real, horror that creeps it's way in, Artists or Art lovers. Or even if you are none of those, if you give this book a chance, you may be one by the end!

Rating 5/5 Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Illuminate by Aimee Agresti December 12, 2012

By Lauren Johnson

Format:Kindle Edition

The cover caught my eye right from the beginning (I just love a pretty dress with some sparkly writing). The story and descriptions used by the author are unique and beautiful and throws a great deal of context into the mix. The characterization was also good with the author making Haven stronger as the plot moves on and creating instances where she is able to grow and develop her own personality and stances.

The main problem with this book was that it was just too slow. It seemed like half the book was over before any of the plot really kicked in or any action started happening. Luckily the second half made the book worth reading. The buildup of the story is needed but a little more action along the way would have moved the story along at a quicker pace and made the beginning more enjoyable to read.

Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, Eloquent, And Yet.... January 26, 2012

By J. Meegan VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

**This is a 3.5 star book**

In many ways, this was simply a gorgeous book....from the cover, to the silky texture of the pages (on an ARC, no less!), to the lush and lyrical prose surrounding a relatively unique plot. Haven, the lead character, is easy to like and admire without seeming too perfect or overly competent. Haven's friends are equally compelling, especially Dante who simply leapt off the page and managed to steal almost every scene he was in. The mystery of Haven's internship and how it all unfolds definitely had me glued to the book from the moment I opened it. And the prerequisite baddies are quite deliciously bad. Haven herself grows exponentially during the story and, I think, is an excellent role model for younger readers.

But...

1) The pacing is slooooooow....and then, it's almost way too fast towards the end.
2) Possibly due to the slow pacing, the passage of time appeared off. Haven is at the Lexington for roughly four months spanning January to May. But up until the last 1/3 of the book, it seems like she's only been there for a few weeks...a month at most. Yet in the final 50 or so pages, two or three months fly on by in the blink of an eye. Also, it seemed odd to me that she didn't visit Joan at all (outside Joan's visits to the hotel, of course). I get that Haven is kind of trapped there...and any curiosity Joan has about the hotel is pretty much removed when she does the spa visit. BUT...it just felt off to me.
3) If you are looking for some major romantic chemistry...it's there, for the first few chapters, once Haven shows up at the hotel. And then, it virtually disappears only to pick back up again (but only moderately) at the end. I won't mention any names but I just wasn't feeling it for the guy Haven ultimately ended up with.... I also didn't find one of the big revelations at the very end REMOTELY believable. It just seemed way too far fetched and kind of lame.
4) There's so much wonderful tension and build up in this story. I had really high expectations for how it was all going to go down. But when it did....it seemed to fall into a big cliche trap. Considering the magnitude of what was going on, some of the revelations (especially the ones at the end about Haven) were overly simplistic and kind of a let down. I mean, it's pretty easy to figure out what's going on with Haven once you're a quarter or so into the story....but I hoped it would be revealed to her in a way that was more weighty, more formal, more dramatic.

In all honesty, I loved about 3/4 of this book. And then it kind of fell apart for me. I'm not really sure if I'll read the next book or not....the way this one ended, I'm not really feeling the need to see what happens next. But the writing was so great in parts, I'm wondering if the author just needs a little more time to hit her stride in which case, the second book might do the trick. Read more ›