City of Lights: The Trials and
Triumphs of Ilyse Charpentier
by Melika Dannese Lux


    CITY OF LIGHTS by Melika Dannese Lux
    Category:  Historical
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  8/1/07
    Publisher: iUniverse
    Reviewed by:  Jaglvr
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Ilyse Charpentier's world changes forever the day her parents leave on their boat trip that Ilyse and her brother
    Maurice surprised them with for their 20th anniversary. Her parents' lawyer notifies them that while at sea, the ship
    has exploded and everyone on board was killed.

    So Ilyse and her brother are sent to live with their uncle, Emile. Emile is an evil man, and the two children witness him
    murdering one of the house staff. Fearing for their lives, the two run away and try to return to Paris. Upon their
    return, they are told that their lawyer friend has been murdered and all their money has been cleared out from the
    bank.

    Trying to honor her mother's last words to her before they boarded the ship, Ilyse takes it upon herself to protect
    Maurice and keep the two of them together. Relying on her beauty and her voice, she eventually talks her way into
    the hottest cabaret in Paris. There, she receives the unwanted advances of Count Rakmanovich. He will do anything
    he can to possess her. Her young brother believes him to be evil and wants nothing to do with Ilyse if her plans to
    survive include the generosity of the Count's money.

    For five years, Ilyse misses her brother but is at the mercy of the Count. She fears him and dreads seeing his face in
    the crowd at the cabaret at night. But one fateful evening, an outgoing British man, Ian McCarthy, stumbles into the
    cabaret and catches a glimpse of lovely Ilyse. The two meet, and an instant connection is formed.

    Before Ilyse can even imagine a life of love with Ian, she must face her fears and her oppression by the Count.

    Ms. Lux writes a lovely period piece taking place in 1894 Paris. The scenery is beautifully described, and the
    wonder of the City of Love is expertly detailed. Ilyse is a strong character that faces her fears for true love.