Review: Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

                                          Book: Illuminate by Aimee Agresti
                                          Pages: 514
                                          Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
                                          Source: Gifted

Short Synopsis: Haven and her friend Dante, are recruited by a company called The Outfit who run a very posh hotel. It isn't until she starts working for them that things start becoming very odd, and Haven must get to the bottom of things before it's too late.

My Thoughts: It was an okay read, left the reader with some unanswered questions, but I wish the paranormal aspects of this novel were a bit more explained.

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?
--From Amazon

Hm. What can I say about this novel? I've been wanting to read it ever since I saw it. I love the main character Haven, as she isn't your usual character, and is more of the nerd type, who gets a chance of a lifetime to expand her work experience. She meets a string of interesting people, including a fellow intern named Lance, and two members of The Outfit named Aurelia, and Lucian.

I was more entranced with Haven and Lucian's relationship through out the story. And though it wasn't really explained about their age difference, I got the feeling that Lucian was a much older individual, and yet Haven was still attracted, and Haven still knew that Lucian and Aurelia have/had something together. 

I was also a bit confused with the book that had Haven's name on it, and the fact that it was found at the hotel. Why would Haven trust this book in the first place? How would the book know it would be entrusted in Haven's care? 

And when Haven actually found out what was going on, she wouldn't tell anyone, not even her best friend Dante. I was also a bit confused with how Haven's photos came into play, just that it was crucial that they weren't destroyed. I disliked the fact that Dante didn't really trust Haven, when Haven started accusing Dante's boss, and turned his back on her. All in all, an interesting paranormal world filled with characters that leave you wanting more, I just wish that there was more of an explanation on certain areas in the novel. 

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 3.5/5.