| Glimpse the past, illuminate the future. Yosarai Patican dreams of becoming an illuminator in a country that values art above all else. A lofty goal that finally seems within reach when she earns a position at the prestigious Academy of the Seven Arts. Although Yosarai loathes to leave behind her quiet country life, she travels to the capital, determined to live up to her mother’s fame asone of Indel’s greatest artists. Prince Xander never planned to become king. Indeed, he never wanted to become king. But when his father dies suddenly, he is thrust into the middle of coronation preparations—and assassination attempts. With everyone around him in increasing danger, Xander decides to hide in neighboring Indel until the time for him to be crowned king arrives. Posing as an inventor struggling with aesthetics, Xander enlists Yosarai’s aid as part of his cover, but soon he suspects she knows more than she should. But when danger threatens and secrets are exposed, entering a competition reputed as cutthroat may be the only way for them to protect everything they hold dear. |  |
Genre: YA Fantasy inspired by A Little Princess
Release date: April 8, 2025
Release date: April 8, 2025
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My Review
Danger comes in many forms....
I got hooked on Chawna Schroeder's fiction awhile back when I read The Vault Between Spaces so I've been looking forward to Illuminary since first hearing about it. As expected it turned out to be a great start to the intriguingly titled The Sceptre & The Stylus series.
With her trademark attention to detail and excellent fantasy worldbuilding skills, Chawna Schroeder introduces an interesting tale with nods to the Bible and Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess. I found the story to be a faster read than even I expected as my curiosity kept me turning those pages even when I should have headed off for bed.
I was excited to find out that Illuminary is the first book in a planned trilogy as that means I will get the chance to revisit The Sceptre & The Stylus characters again instead of having to say goodbye what feels like too soon.
Great for older YA readers, Illuminary can also entertain adults, such as myself, equally as well. The addition of things like trains and automatons makes The Sceptre & The Stylus trilogy from Chawna Schroeder even more interesting. I enjoyed this first book in the series and now I am definitely looking forward to the next book so I can find out where Yosarai and Xander will find themselves next....
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Illuminary by Chawna Schroeder a 4 Bark rating.
I got hooked on Chawna Schroeder's fiction awhile back when I read The Vault Between Spaces so I've been looking forward to Illuminary since first hearing about it. As expected it turned out to be a great start to the intriguingly titled The Sceptre & The Stylus series.
With her trademark attention to detail and excellent fantasy worldbuilding skills, Chawna Schroeder introduces an interesting tale with nods to the Bible and Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess. I found the story to be a faster read than even I expected as my curiosity kept me turning those pages even when I should have headed off for bed.
I was excited to find out that Illuminary is the first book in a planned trilogy as that means I will get the chance to revisit The Sceptre & The Stylus characters again instead of having to say goodbye what feels like too soon.
Great for older YA readers, Illuminary can also entertain adults, such as myself, equally as well. The addition of things like trains and automatons makes The Sceptre & The Stylus trilogy from Chawna Schroeder even more interesting. I enjoyed this first book in the series and now I am definitely looking forward to the next book so I can find out where Yosarai and Xander will find themselves next....
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Illuminary by Chawna Schroeder a 4 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
More from Chawna
Why I Love “A Little Princess”
Illuminary begins a fantasy trilogy loosely inspired by A Little Princess. This classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a book I’ve read almost annually since I was a preteen, with some years containing two or more readings. It is a story that never fails to enchant me no matter how often I read it, and it carries for me the same magic that Anne of Green Gables has for many other girls.
Yet unlike Anne, who endears herself to almost all who meet her, the young heroine of A Little Princess, Sara Crewe, is known to be a somewhat divisive character—the kind you either adore or hate the moment you meet her, much like the characters within the story itself. So, what draws me back to this young protagonist again and again?
The reasons are many. I love her imagination, her intelligence, her ability for the perfect comeback, her courage in the face of horrifying circumstances, her uniqueness—all characteristics that I’ve tried to endow upon the heroine of Illuminary to some extent.
But I think the thing I hope my heroine in Illuminary emulates most is Sara’s unshakeable character. For Sara is a principled young lady, and no matter what is thrown at her, she holds onto those principles without wavering.
Often in literature, it seems like the good, principled characters, when they are faced with great difficulty, end up struggling with their principles, debating whether they are good or worthwhile. In some stories, those characters even outright reject those principles for a time.
While these are good and needed stories to tell, sometimes they are portrayed as the only accurate arcs for such characters—as if characters holding onto their principles and maintaining their integrity is somehow unrealistic. A charge originating, I suppose, from those too sweet, too perfect characters found in morality tales.
Yet while such characters of integrity and principle might be rare, Scripture shows us that hard times don’t have to shake one’s principles or undermine one’s integrity. Both Joseph in the book of Genesis and Daniel in the book bearing his name exemplify this kind of life. And we see this same principled integrity in Sara Crewe.
It is not that she is some perfectly sweet heroine. Sara has a temper, struggles with some uncharitable thoughts toward others, and even misjudges another character terribly. Nor does she fail to grow. The Sara at the end of the story is definitely a more mature, thoughtful, and understanding girl than the one who began the tale.
But the core essence of her character—her politeness, generosity, and compassion as summarized by her wish to act like a princess—does not change in the story. The core characteristics that make Sara Crewe, Sara Crewe, are unshaken. They may grow and expand with the character, but these essential attributes characterize her throughout the entire story. Even in her darkest moments she holds fast to them.
That is both hopeful and encouraging. For we all will face hard and difficult times. A Little Princess doesn’t deny that reality. Rather, it says that those hard times don’t have to destroy us and that holding onto one’s integrity, one’s faith, is possible.
For me, that is what makes Sara Crewe and A Little Princess truly magical—and what I hope will make Illuminary magical for its readers.
Yet unlike Anne, who endears herself to almost all who meet her, the young heroine of A Little Princess, Sara Crewe, is known to be a somewhat divisive character—the kind you either adore or hate the moment you meet her, much like the characters within the story itself. So, what draws me back to this young protagonist again and again?
The reasons are many. I love her imagination, her intelligence, her ability for the perfect comeback, her courage in the face of horrifying circumstances, her uniqueness—all characteristics that I’ve tried to endow upon the heroine of Illuminary to some extent.
But I think the thing I hope my heroine in Illuminary emulates most is Sara’s unshakeable character. For Sara is a principled young lady, and no matter what is thrown at her, she holds onto those principles without wavering.
Often in literature, it seems like the good, principled characters, when they are faced with great difficulty, end up struggling with their principles, debating whether they are good or worthwhile. In some stories, those characters even outright reject those principles for a time.
While these are good and needed stories to tell, sometimes they are portrayed as the only accurate arcs for such characters—as if characters holding onto their principles and maintaining their integrity is somehow unrealistic. A charge originating, I suppose, from those too sweet, too perfect characters found in morality tales.
Yet while such characters of integrity and principle might be rare, Scripture shows us that hard times don’t have to shake one’s principles or undermine one’s integrity. Both Joseph in the book of Genesis and Daniel in the book bearing his name exemplify this kind of life. And we see this same principled integrity in Sara Crewe.
It is not that she is some perfectly sweet heroine. Sara has a temper, struggles with some uncharitable thoughts toward others, and even misjudges another character terribly. Nor does she fail to grow. The Sara at the end of the story is definitely a more mature, thoughtful, and understanding girl than the one who began the tale.
But the core essence of her character—her politeness, generosity, and compassion as summarized by her wish to act like a princess—does not change in the story. The core characteristics that make Sara Crewe, Sara Crewe, are unshaken. They may grow and expand with the character, but these essential attributes characterize her throughout the entire story. Even in her darkest moments she holds fast to them.
That is both hopeful and encouraging. For we all will face hard and difficult times. A Little Princess doesn’t deny that reality. Rather, it says that those hard times don’t have to destroy us and that holding onto one’s integrity, one’s faith, is possible.
For me, that is what makes Sara Crewe and A Little Princess truly magical—and what I hope will make Illuminary magical for its readers.
 Chawna Schroeder | Chawna Schroeder loves exploring the wonder of God through the intersection of imagination and faith. When she isn’t reading or writing, she may be found practicing piano, reading biblical Greek or Hebrew, preparing for the Bible study she teaches, or working onone of her handwork projects while enjoying a movie. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Chawna is giving away the grand prize of a 2.5” x 9.5” poster
of Psalm 46:5 and 10-11 illuminated by artist and calligrapher Timothy Botts, a
signed copy of the book, a $25 Amazon gift card, a glass stylus, and 5 bookish stickers!!
of Psalm 46:5 and 10-11 illuminated by artist and calligrapher Timothy Botts, a
signed copy of the book, a $25 Amazon gift card, a glass stylus, and 5 bookish stickers!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
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The Lofty Pages, May 1
Wishful Endings, May 2
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 3 (Spotlight)
Simple Harvest Reads, May 3 (Guest Review from Mindy)
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 4
Guild Master, May 5 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, May 6
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 7
Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 8
Inklings and Notions, May 9
Fiction Book Lover, May 10 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, May 11
Labor Not in Vain, May 12
Artistic Nobody, April 30 (Author Interview)
CeCe Reads and Sings, April 30
The Lofty Pages, May 1
Wishful Endings, May 2
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 3 (Spotlight)
Simple Harvest Reads, May 3 (Guest Review from Mindy)
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 4
Guild Master, May 5 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, May 6
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 7
Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 8
Inklings and Notions, May 9
Fiction Book Lover, May 10 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, May 11
Labor Not in Vain, May 12
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