Illuminations

3.5 stars. Unlike T. Kingfisher's other middle-grade books ([b:Minor Mage 52369824 Minor Mage T. Kingfisher https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1564247851l/52369824.SX50_SY75.jpg 72399665], [b:A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking 54369251 A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking T. Kingfisher https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1593743861l/54369251.SX50.jpg 84842875] and [b:Summer in Orcus 32182098 Summer in Orcus T. Kingfisher https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1482960864l/32182098.SY75.jpg 52819916]), this one read like a true children's story. That is the intended audience, so as someone who is 50 years older than the heroine, I shouldn't complain that the book wasn't as rich, clever and snarky as my favorite Kingfishers ([b:Swordheart 42747739 Swordheart T. Kingfisher https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542983306l/42747739.SX50.jpg 66478946], [b:Clockwork Boys 36618062 Clockwork Boys (Clocktaur War, #1) T. Kingfisher https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1511019840l/36618062.SY75.jpg 58376790], [b:Paladin's Grace 50702014 Paladin's Grace (The Saint of Steel, #1) T. Kingfisher https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580209503l/50702014.SY75.jpg 75730699], among others). Payne the enchanted crow is another one of the author's memorable talking animals, the tool used to defeat the monster is suitably bizarre, and Aunt Nina provides a small but effective dose of snark.