The Illuminated

I read this book a couple of months ago and was so completely enraptured, I blazed through these without having done a review. This is the third book in Maggie Sunseri’s The Lost Witches of Aradia series and it just gets better and better. The Illuminated was deeply enthralling, enchanting and enigmatic, and I’m here for it! The reread did not disappoint. This book picks up right where we left off after the cliffhanger from the last book. Áine and Daelon are still trying to restore Aradia to the peaceful, free world it used to be. Maggie Sunseri has a gift when it comes to world building! She creates this beautiful, vivid, rich atmosphere that literally pulls you into the story. I swear this world is the world I think of when I think of all things witchy. Like she’s plucked the ideas from my head and brought it to life. Her writing is flawless and dare I say, magical. We’ve been introduced to a few new characters in this installment and I love them all! Relationships change and deepen between Áine and Daelon, Lucius, and Taryn. Still living for Daelon and Áine in this one. I love their love! Sunseri also gives us more of the backstory with Lucius which brings so much light to why he is the way he is. This was a page turner that again, I couldn’t put down! Finished this book in 2 days because it’s absolutely captivating. So much happens in this book but it brings the story together a bit more and yet has you begging for the next one. Definitely recommend this series if you love all things witchy and magical with a lot of tension and an almost forbidden romance. Now time to reread the 4th installment The Hunted before The Scorned is released on Samhain, because how perfect is that!

This book series has had me from the gate! The story is that beautiful blend of suspenseful romance I never knew I wanted… I can’t wait to devour the next book!

Ok, I was not prepared for how many taboo topics Maggie was going to tackle head on in this one. Domestic violence, mental health, grief, suicide, and many more challenging concepts all laid bare and felt through the eyes of these beautiful characters. New characters and budding friendships as well as travels to exciting new realms have me excited for the next book to finally be released!! My only lament is the missed opportunity for a good redemptive arc… or rather, flat out denied opportunity. That’s okay. I still love a good villain and the players are assembling on the board for what will surely be a spectacular battle for the power to save or destroy the cosmos. Can’t wait to read more!!

I need it!!!

Áine’s story continues. It gets deeper and darker as our main heroine learns and does actually find her purpose, the truth of what happened to both King Lucius and Aradia, the origin of Aradia’s evil shadow and why it has caused a multidimensional imbalance ripple through all realms including Earth. She meets some interesting characters along the way: Hecate, a former college professor and talking trees to name a few. This particular part of the series has a lot of details that gives the reader much to process. It isn’t a light read. Good news is that it does not conclude with a cliffhanger but there is more to the story as Áine and her love Daelon head toward their next quest to correct the wrong and restore balance.

OMG‼️ The Illuminated is everything I was expecting from Ms Sunseri & more! It’s fast-paced action & is filled with suspense, intrigue - a sci-fi & mystery thriller combined! I highly recommend this book & series! Aine’s responsibility to rescue the kidnapped , imprisoned, & enslaved witches, to restore destroyed covens & lands & to balance the Universe weighs heavily upon her shoulders!! In The Illuminated, Maggie answers some questions about evil King Lucius & from whence his illegitimate reign & dark powers came! We’re also made aware of more & more witches within the castle walks who support both Daelon & Aine in the battle against the King! It will take the magickal powers of all to win against his evil, dark magick! Lucius has thirsted for Aine’s amazingly strong magickal powers & now plans a coronation on the morrow to make her his Queen & threatens them both with dire consequences if she refuses!!😡👎. Grab your copy of The Illuminated for which I gave a 5-star rating. 😍👏. You’ll love the witchy characters, except for the King whom you’ll love to hate! What does Ms Maggie have in store for Aine, Daelon, Lucius & the rest in her next novel, The Hunted!? It’s bound to be another terrific read!!👍👏. Carol R. Florida