T. Kingfisher creates memorable and relatable characters. The protagonist is well-developed, and secondary characters add meaningful layers to the story. The relationships feel genuine, and even minor characters contribute something important. While the characters lingered in my mind after reading, I felt some lacked a bit more depth to make them truly stand out.

The world-building is imaginative and immersive, with settings that are easy to visualize. However, I felt a few scenes could have been fleshed out further to make the atmosphere even more vivid. While the energy of most scenes was convincing, there were moments where the immersion dipped slightly.

Kingfisher’s prose is witty, readable, and full of charm. The balance between dialogue and narration feels natural, and the humor and emotional beats are well-timed. While the writing is engaging and flows well, it didn’t always feel effortless or entirely unique. That said, I’d definitely pick up another book by this author.

The plot is solid and satisfying, with good pacing overall. However, a few sections dragged slightly, and some twists felt predictable. While the reveals were enjoyable, the story didn’t completely surprise me or feel significantly different from others in the genre. Still, it ties together well and leaves little unresolved.

The story kept me interested, but it wasn’t a constant page-turner. There were moments where my attention waned, and I found myself needing a bit of convincing to pick it back up. However, the blend of mystery and humor ensured I stayed invested enough to see how it all unfolded.

The characters’ actions felt consistent with their motivations, and the relationships evolved naturally. The world-building was clear and fit the story well, with no glaring inconsistencies. While the rules of the magic system made sense, some aspects could have been explained in greater depth to enhance clarity.

I enjoyed Illuminations overall, but my enjoyment wasn’t entirely consistent throughout. While it had moments of charm and excitement, there were sections where my engagement dipped slightly. Even so, it’s a book I’m glad I read and would recommend with minor reservations.