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Illuminated

3.41 of 5 stars 3.41 · rating details · 1,582 ratings · 310 reviews

Some loves are not made to last . . . Like Romeo and Juliet, Heloise and Abelard were doomed from the start, and their romance was destined to pass into history. Yet when sixteen-year-old Callie Martin discovers a diary hidden within an antique book, their story - and hers - takes on another life. For the diary leads Callie to the brilliant and handsome August, who is just...more

Paperback, 244 pages

Published December 8th 2011 by Speak

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Apr 01, 2011 Lora marked it as to-read

Shelves: g-ya-realistic

Absolutely love this cover!

13 likes · like · see review

Dec 31, 2011 Kristi (The Story Siren) rated it 1 of 5 stars

I don’t usually review books that I don’t finish. I have a rule that if you don’t finish it you can’t really do a complete review. BUT instead of a review I’m just going to explain why I didn’t finish this book.

I once did a post called “It’s Not Me, It’s You” which was basically a post of books that I had started and didn’t finish for whatever reason, but I’ve found that I do a fairly good job at judging if I’m going to like a book before I read it… so I didn’t have many of those posts.

As you ca...more

6 likes · like · see review

Feb 29, 2012 Nora rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

It was bad. It was really bad. I'm kind of bummed because I went in with high hopes, which was probably my first mistake. There are so many different directions you could go in when it comes to illuminated manuscripts and the story of Abelard and Heloise and in the beginning it seemed like Illuminated might go in one of them. But it didn't.

The plot structure and the pacing sound (and I'm being serious here) like the way I would have written structure and pacing for Gilmore Girls fanfic when I w...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jan 01, 2012 Parvathy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: YA lovers

Recommended to Parvathy by: goodreads

Shelves: past-lives, young-adult, romeos-and-juliets, glued-till-the-last-page, chick-lit, expected-more

Now this review is a tough one in the making as I have still not sorted out my feelings about this book to give it an honest review. But the book does deserve one so here I am.

I am not much of a fan of starcrossed love stories unless they act as precedents to other happily ever after love stories. Not giving away too much of the ending here as you can see it coming from miles away. For starters the book begins with Calliope a 17 year old spending her summer holidays with her uncle who works at a...more Now this review is a tough one in the making as I have still not sorted out my feelings about this book to give it an honest review. But the book does deserve one so here I am.

I am not much of a fan of starcrossed love stories unless they act as precedents to other happily ever after love stories. Not giving away too much of the ending here as you can see it coming from miles away. For starters the book begins with Calliope a 17 year old spending her summer holidays with her uncle who works at an auction house and deals with rare manuscripts. But Callie like a not so typiacal teenager is fascinated by her uncle's latest find, an illuminated manuscript and his hunt for a person known as "A" who story is closely tied to it. When their hunt leads them to the handsome August, the son of a well known aquistarian it seems Callie's wish for a summer love story is also coming true. Drawn in to a hunt through history and thrust in to the lives of one of the greatest tragic lovers of all time Callie has to come in terms with her own blossoming love story with August(which seem to be going in a similar path) and certain parts of her own life which till now she was unaware of.

The story was highly engaging and the characters likeable yet not as believable. The character of August was a little diffcult to imagine as he felt like too charming and forward a character. Callie on the other hand is much more believable though she looses some of this when she is with August. There were parts that stuck out in their perfect little love story and most of dialogues seemed a little too sweet. I know I am being a little unreasonable after all this is a love story~~(Do people really talk like that)~~, hence this is not much of a big flaw. That is not to say there weren't plot holes the size of craters. Everything seemed to be moving in a very fast pace. When I started the book I was hoping for more of a treasure hunt rather than a love story. What I got was the reverse. There are no puzzles to be solved, only stories to be told and the most of the hunt involves hunting down the correct story tellers(that to small in number). There are plots in this story that does not attain completion in the end (view spoiler). In the end the book is a very engaging read. One thing I can vouch for is that this is a kind of book that with never loose your attention in between pages and is a deserving one time read for YA fans. (less)

6 likes · like · see review

Apr 22, 2012 Stephen Parrish rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-by-friends-and-colleagues

There is such a thing as love at first sight

A quest for the original author of a palimpsest---a parchment that has been erased for reuse---forms the backdrop for several dynamic relationships and the contrasts between them; contrasts brought into sharp relief by an old and dusty manuscript vs the young and vibrant teenagers who pursue it. Readers are easily drawn into the world of protagonist Calliope (Callie) Martin and the various pillars in her life: her father, with whom she is emotionally e...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 01, 2012 Ilis Cruz rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: worst-book-ever

This book it wasn't what I expected when I first read the synopsis. You would think its an epic love story... but its not.

The story was kinda ok with the history themes, the book hunting and Abelard, Heloise and Astrolab story, but the mystery and romance was like... I don't know... It was like everything happening out of nothing.

Calliope and August are assigned to find who's the author of The Book, right? So they go to this woman and she gives them the name of the author. Too easy.

They are s...more

6 likes · like · see review

Jan 09, 2012 Karen LOVESREADING rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: covers-to-die-for, young-adult, romance, paranormal, time-travel, science-fiction

Regardless of all the mixed reviews I’ve heard about this book, I knew I had to give Illuminated a try. Star-crossed lovers have always been my kind of thing and this book didn’t disappoint!

The writing flowed smoothly and captivated my attention. In fact, I finished this book quite quickly because it’s pretty short. Although, I have to admit, the romance happened too fast-paced for me.

I was irked by the instant connection between Callie and August, it just happened too quickly but then again, i...more

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 22, 2011 Jenni marked it as to-read

Gorgeous cover!

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 05, 2012 Sharmaine Dela Cruz rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am smitten with history and star-crossed love stories.
Put them together and I am completely in love.

I loved that Callie loved books especially Illuminated ones.
And I loved that not only did I enjoyed reading this book, I also learned so many things: a 900 year old star-crossed love story and books that hid meanings.

Honestly, I never knew Abelard and Heloise existed (same with Illuminated books) until I read this book.

I was so engrossed in reading this that I finished it right a way. Never want...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 13, 2012 J.N. rated it 1 of 5 stars

**This review contains spoilers. Read at your own risk***

The beautiful cover (oh, what a cover) drew me in. The synopsis was intriguing. I actually couldn't wait to start this one. Unfortunately, this wasn't for me. I found the book to be--how can I say this nicely?--boring.

Callie and August, the main characters, weren't all that interesting to me. Especially when Callie kept raving about how "hot/cute" August is. Callie just seemed really flat and uninteresting. August was slightly better--his...more **This review contains spoilers. Read at your own risk***

The beautiful cover (oh, what a cover) drew me in. The synopsis was intriguing. I actually couldn't wait to start this one. Unfortunately, this wasn't for me. I found the book to be--how can I say this nicely?--boring.

Callie and August, the main characters, weren't all that interesting to me. Especially when Callie kept raving about how "hot/cute" August is. Callie just seemed really flat and uninteresting. August was slightly better--his fear of elevators and dealing with a shut-in father--but I still didn't care for him much. Callie's uncle and his partner were okay, but still seemed to lack depth. It seemed her uncle was more of a matchmaker than anything, and his partner, Gabe, pretty much just went along with whatever Harry said. I liked Miriam. She was a woman who went through a lot of heartbreak and I felt awful for her. She was really the only character I liked.

Now I'm going to rant briefly. The plot itself seemed weak. Basically Callie and August go to different people to find out more about the diary they've found for Callie's uncle and August's father, who deal with ancient books and writings. They later believe this diary belongs to the son of Heloise and Abelard. Who are Heloise and Abelard? A couple from the past who have a tragic ending where their love is concerned. It's supposed to be a true story, but I don't know if it's the way the author wrote about them or what, but although I kind of felt bad for them, I really didn't care too much about them. Maybe because I didn't get to know them.

I don't even really understand why Callie is so obsessed with the couple. It seems a little farfetched that Callie would risk her father's wrath and possibly never getting to see her uncle, his partner, and her grandmother again just to find out about this diary personally. I mean, her and August were assigned to find out who owned the diary, but her uncle didn't want her to go outside the country to find out, which she of course did anyway.

And I know that Callie and August are drawn to each other because of Heloise and Abelard, but instant love is just . . . it's painful to read about. Okay, I've been there. I thought I was in love with my first boyfriend a day after meeting him. I know how it goes. How it feels. But Callie's uncle claiming she's in love? No, it isn't love. It's attraction. Infatuation. Love will come later. Relationships are much better (in the real and fictional world) when they grow over time. Be infatuated all you want, but please don't claim it's 100% love because it's not. Callie also acknowledges she is infatuated, but at the same time her and August are acting like they're going to be together forever no matter what. I'm just going to go headdesk for a while.

I know this book is supposed to be part fantasy and the plot could have worked, but it just wasn't well-executed. None of the characters questioned how Callie and August were having dreams with Heloise and Abelard in them, and how these dreams affected their relationship. It's even suggested that Callie and August are reincarnations of Heloise and Abelard. Really? Okay, I could maybe go for that, but there's so little questioning or depth about these ideas that it comes off as a flimsy excuse instead of a strong point of the plot.

Overall, this book really seemed to drag. I could have possibly looked over all the book's faults if it hadn't bored me out of my mind. A book that does not entertain isn't a great book in my opinion. So why did I keep reading it? Because I am one of those people who don't typically stop after reading a book. I wanted to give it a chance. By the time I didn't want to give it a chance any longer, I was already about halfway in. Might as well finish it so I can see if it redeems itself and post a truthful review, right?

What I liked:

Miriam. The part where Callie admits she used to act out soap operas with her dad's chess pieces (it reminds me of how I used to use playing cards to act out war/royalty scenes). August's house, garden, birds, the koi fish. How August faced his fear to do something for Callie (at the Eiffel Tower). The beautiful cover.

I wouldn't recommend this one. Great concept, weak characters, badly executed plot. The plot needed more depth to it. I'm really glad that I'm giving this book away. Hopefully they'll like it better than I did.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jan 01, 2012 Brit Hemp rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a pretty mediocre read for being the first book I read in 2012 to jumpstart my 52 in 52 challenge.

Erica Orloff was a new author to me-- to be honest, this book was the first time I saw her name in the Barnes n Noble YA section. I read the author's bio at the end and I must admit that I was wary of buying the book because she is also an author of juvenile fiction. However, that was only part of the reason why this book gets a three out of five stars.

The plot was phenomenal. I love books...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 23, 2011 Zoe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Brilliantly written.

Illuminated is an anthology of love stories. There is a love story within a love story. Love stories beside a love story. It's awesome.

When Callie meets August through her uncle's matchmaking endeavors, she is immediately attracted to him. And he to her. They embark on a search to discover the true story behind a mysterious manuscript which hides a love so beautiful it transcends time.

As they learn the story hidden in the pages of the manuscript and that of Heloise and Abel...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 31, 2011 Marilla Kennell rated it 1 of 5 stars

Not really sure what too say about this book other than it was a disappointment. I expected so much and got nothing. The book has your stereotypical (I'm not gorgeous, but I really am just can't admit it) hollow female lead and the smoking hot (He's absolutely perfect in everyway lead). I get sick of authors trying to say their female leads aren't gorgeous because almost everyone knows they are because one: there's nothing wrong with being beautiful, and two: if she's not a supermodel then it's...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 22, 2012 Rachel rated it 1 of 5 stars

** Some spoilers **

First off: I love the whole "love at first sight" thing, but this is to the extreme. They literally love each other right off the bat and act like they've known each other forever even though they met less than 24 hours. Who texts "I miss you" the night after meeting someone? No one.

August doesn't tell her what attracted him to her except for "your beautiful and intellectual." Okay... great. What other redeeming features are there?

Her uncle is a horrible parent. Yes, she's res...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 16, 2012 Obsessive Compulsive Reader rated it 3 of 5 stars

Typically, I’m not a fan of relationships that reach an extremely deep level of commitment in an unbelievably short amount of time. However, in Illuminated, while I thought Callie and August’s relationship develops quickly, it works for me. Perhaps it’s the shared excitement, the adrenaline rush of being thrown together, hunting down clues to an archaic mystery together. Perhaps it’s the poetic, romantic words of A. bringing them together. Perhaps it’s the fact that August is just so sweet and s...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 07, 2012 Felicia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Okay, so I liked the book essentially but I think if there would have been more to the 'national treasure'type hunt, it would have been better. 3 stars because of the lovers and it was sweet/bittersweet depending on which couple your talking about.so I liked but it could have had more plot/action in there. It was going too fast and I actually thought it might have a sequel because I really didnt think the author could end it so quickly. But alas, she did end it quickly and obviously no sequel.It...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 09, 2012 Carrie Kaut rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-wish-i-never-picked-it-up, 2012

OMG to even write a review for this seems to be an insult to my intelligence i lost half my iq reading this...(grammar is gonna suck considering i have a ton of reviews to write and 27 minutes to do it battery is dying lol )
the dude was way tooooooo nice and was wayyy to good to be real

the girl was just annoying...

thats right i dont remember there names i just remembered the guys and its august...if i was 13 or 15 i would of enjoyed the book maybe its because im older i dont care for it in the l...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 10, 2012 Charisse rated it 4 of 5 stars

"The heavens may present a crown of stars, and may take that same crown, but the starcrossed lovers have the grandest passion of all."

Interesting story! And I totally love August's letter to Calliope.

(Excerpt)
"...we were united by the quest for the origins of the greatest love story ever. We were united by spirits from a thousand years ago. And now we'll spend the rest of our lives writing our own love story. I am forever yours, Calliope, my muse. Your A. August"

Loved it!

1 like · like · see review

Dec 19, 2012 Michelle rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012, ebook

This book. Ugh.

I enjoyed it at first. There was a mystery, and some romance, and the writing is pretty great. But as the book went on, I found myself just not caring anymore. I'd be reading one minute and the next I'd find myself obsessively trying to clean a smudge off of my Nook screen. And it wasn't until two or three minutes later, after successfully gathering all necessary supplies and removing said smudge, that I remembered I was supposed to be reading, not scrubbing.

Another great example...more This book. Ugh.

I enjoyed it at first. There was a mystery, and some romance, and the writing is pretty great. But as the book went on, I found myself just not caring anymore. I'd be reading one minute and the next I'd find myself obsessively trying to clean a smudge off of my Nook screen. And it wasn't until two or three minutes later, after successfully gathering all necessary supplies and removing said smudge, that I remembered I was supposed to be reading, not scrubbing.

Another great example of indifference to the actual story: three-quarters of the way through, after stumbling over the name Astrolabe forever, I found myself contemplating all the different ways you could pronounce it. Astro-lab? As-trah-la-bee (like astrology, but with a B!)? I wonder if it's on dictionary.com? Oh, it is! Let's see how she says it. Ass-truh-labe. Hard A? Well I probably never would have guessed that. Hey wait, wasn't I supposed to be reading something?

And after I was done being indifferent, I started to get frustrated. What makes August and Calliope so star-crossed? He lives in New York and she lives in Boston and OH, THEY MUST BE BASEBALL FANS! Everyone knows a romance between a Yankee fan and a Red Sox fan is doomed from the start. And why is the Tome Raider given such a clever little name, and made out to be oh so dangerous, and then hardly ever mentioned again? Where was the epic scene, where the thief was finally apprehended by our young lovers and forced to relent for all the heinous crimes he has committed against palimpsests? And why is the word palimpsest repeated so incessantly? Yeah, yeah, I KNOW it's a palimpsest, but do we have to keep calling it that? And why, after kind of being the basis of the whole story, does Astrolabe only get a couple paragraphs that feel like they were thrown in after the fact? Like the author thought, "oh yeah, I've based this whole story on the writings of Astrolabe. I guess I should mention what happened to him. I think only a paragraph or two should do the trick."

And finally, oh finally, why do our oh-so-starcrossed baseball fans, who never actually experience anything remotely damning, starry, or crossed in their relationship, fall so madly in love with each other after thirty-two seconds? I hate to go here, but I feel like I have to:

Hey, I just met you
And this is crazy
I found this palimpsest
It's telling me we should run off to Paris and express our undying love at the tomb of Abelard and Heloise even though we've only known each other for twelve minutes and we're mixed up in this horrible baseball rivalry, so yeah let's do that, maybe.

I pretty much just summed up this book for you right there. Minus the baseball. There isn't actually any mention of baseball in this book. But I can't think of any other reason why Calliope and August can't be together, so yeah. I threw that in for your benefit.

And August's poor dad. Left alone to be miserable in his crumbling brownstone while everyone else is off falling in forbidden love in Paris. That's just cruel.(less)

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Jan 06, 2012 Shannon Renee rated it 2 of 5 stars

It was just ok. Underneath this gorgeous cover that so much potential, are hollow leads without emotion, action, or charm about them. I did love the ancient love story attached to the plot, and to be honest that was they part that kept me reading. Callie and August did nothing for me. The gay uncles were more fun to read. I am grateful this is a stand alone. There isn't enough material for another book.

1 like · like · see review

Feb 29, 2012 Heidi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, read-2012

Callie, 16, is spending the summer in New York City with her uncle Harry and his partner Gabe, assisting Harry at his job dealing with old manuscripts. They discover a palimpsest (my new favorite word to discuss with my students) which sets the two of them off to learn the story of the writing which they have uncovered: who is the mysterious A whose writings they have found in the margins of the manuscript? Enter August, the son and assistant of a rare books dealer, someone who might be able to...more

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May 28, 2012 Shea rated it 1 of 5 stars

Insta-love, and choppy brain dead writing. I usually always finish the books I start, however, I gave up here on page 86. I don't think I've ever been so bored in my life. I would recommend this book only if you had to sit at DMV for three hours and all the magazines are taken!

1 like · like · see review

Jan 05, 2012 Trina rated it 1 of 5 stars

What a snoozefest! Epic love story it is not. I am usually a sucker for star-crossed lovers and what-not but this book . . . yikes. Proof that a lovely cover does not equal a good story.

1 like · like · see review

Dec 04, 2012 Chanpreet rated it 4 of 5 stars

I may have heard of Heloise and Abelard in passing, but I'm pretty sure I didn't know the basics behind their story. It's an interesting one and shows love in many forms.

Illuminated is about 16 year old Calliope and college attending August's journey to find out what the story behind writings in an ancient book is. She has to face her past and her poor relationship with her father and gets to travel to France for the quest.

Erica Orloff in a wonderful writer and she's proven it time and time aga...more

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Jun 07, 2012 Yangchen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Full of belief in loveeeee....
the answer is found when you are just about to lose hope and want to cling on to something for love.

1 like · like · see review

May 08, 2013 TheSaint rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

Every generation needs to reinvent the story of Romeo and Juliet. The story of Abelard and Heloise? Not so much.
I was so happy to read a book about smart people when I started this one. Was hoping for an epic Romance with a capital R to recommend to my in-love-with-love girls. But as interesting a premise as tracking down a palimpsest was, the author lost me in the dialog.
Yes, happy that adults and teens are portrayed as interacting in a healthy way, but I just couldn't, in the end, believe th...more

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Feb 13, 2012 Chelle (crazytrinket) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, disappointing-or-annoying-read

Why 2 stars? It is simply because I found the story about Calliope and August so unrealistic. Everything happens way too fast. Lately, I’m having a little issue with the instant love situation but I am not minding it that much because somehow it works with the story. But in this book, it is just way unbelievable. Flirting is one thing but thinking they have love for each other just merely hours after they met is just absurd. I’m not buying it!

At first, I thought that this was a Romeo and Juliet...more

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Apr 01, 2012 Brooke (Readers In Wonderland) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, reviewed

Started out good, but the last 20% was so boring that even skim reading was painful.

1 like · like · see review

Nov 20, 2012 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book has mystery, intrigue, and romance but something was just missing. I thought the story of Heloise and Abelard romance was interesting, but there was so much more the author could’ve written about them. Character wise I really liked Callie at the beginning, but then she met August and it was all about him and how he was so sexy and so perfect. I’m sorry no guy is perfect. I also don’t like when a character falls for a guy instantly on sight and then basically devotes her life to him. I...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Lo Espi rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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About Erica Orloff

"Erica Orloff is a native New Yorker, novelist, blogger, mother of four, chronic insomniac, alt-rock loving, voracious reader (and prolific writer) who has written over twenty novels across a number of genres and pen names. She currently lives in Virginia where she rarely sleeps, roots for the Yankees and the NY Giants, knits in her almost-never free time, herds worms with her six-year-old Pirate...more

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“Some people are like shooting stars. They burst through our lives in a spectacular arc, but they don't stay long. They just leave a trail.” — 16 people liked it

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