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Cover of Illumination

Illumination

Terry McGarry (2001)

SubgenreFantasy
Age groupAdult 18+
Content ratingPG-13
Pages662 (Doorstopper (600+))
Setting
CSM age13
Goodreads3.53/5 (218)
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Content levels

ViolenceModerate
Sexual contentMild
LanguageMild

Trigger warnings

Not yet tagged

Positive tags

QuestSelf-DiscoveryAdventureMystery

Hero archetypes

Mage / Wizard

Heroine archetypes

Cursed Heroine

Protagonist archetypes

Quest Protagonist

Tropes

QuestHidden IdentityCursed HeroMagic AcademyMentor FigureDark LordLost CivilizationHard Magic SystemChosen One

Themes

Loss of PowerIdentityRedemptionMagic SystemsSelf-DiscoveryDuty vs Personal Need

Synopsis

On the night she becomes a mage, Liath loses her ability to see the magical illumination guiders. The Ennead, the senior mages, send her on a quest to find and capture the rouge Dark Mage before they will help her.

Is Illumination appropriate for my child?

Suitable for most readers 13 and up.

This adult epic fantasy features moderate magical violence and complex magic system worldbuilding. The quest narrative and loss-of-power theme may be emotionally intense for younger readers.

What to know going in

This book has moderate violence, mild sexual content, and mild language.

Publisher age: Adult·Our content rating: 13+

Publisher ages reflect reading level; our rating reflects content maturity — they can differ.

Who'll love this

Teens will appreciate the compelling magical mystery of a mage who loses her powers and must hunt a dangerous rogue mage to get them back.

Tags

Epic FantasyQuest FantasyMagic System Fantasy