The Crow Club is reading “Revelle” by Lyssa Mia Smith on Fable. Founded by Booktokker Sloan (@itsmesloaner), the club’s current theme is “Dangerous Games.” Watch Sloan introduce the book on TikTok. Filled with carnivals, circus shows, intrigue and mystery, rival families, secrets, and of course, a romance that defeats time itself, this book could easily become Booktok’s next obsession.
If you’re a fan of “Caraval” by Stephanie Garber and are looking for the next book to bring you all the same feelings, “Revelle” is author Lyssa Mia Smith’s debut novel, but with the quality of the writing, world-building, and relatable characters, you would think it was her tenth novel. Think "Moulin Rouge!" (but a bit more YA-friendly) - and set on an island in a magical version of Prohibition-era New York, Revelle will have you sitting at the edge of your seat and remaining submerged in the story from start to finish.
What is Revelle about?
On the island of Charmant, magic flows like bootlegged champagne, and fantasies can be bought for the price of a gemstone.Luxe Revelle, star of her family’s fantastical show, knows the splendor is just an illusion. With Prohibition threatening their livelihood, her family struggles to make a living, watering down champagne and patching holes in their sequined costumes. So when the son of Charmant’s wealthiest family makes her an offer—everything the Revelles need to stay in business in exchange for posing as his girl and helping him become mayor—she can’t refuse.The moment Jamison Port sets foot in Charmant, he can’t shake the feeling of familiarity. An orphan with as few memories as gemstones, he’s desperate to learn what happened to his parents. But as he delves into the island’s secrets, he risks angering the wrong person and discovering a truth that might break his heart.When Luxe and Jamison accidentally meet, the sparks that fly are more than her magical enchantments. But keeping secrets from influential people is a dangerous game . . . one that could destroy them both.”
Why You Should Read Revelle
You know when you pick up a book and, from page one, you just can’t put it down? When the story and the characters consume your thoughts, and you rush through your to-do list so you can get back into the world you’ve become absolutely obsessed with? That’s when I know I’m reading a new favorite book. While I’ve been guilty of buying a book because of its cover before, I don’t know if I would have decided to read Revelle if it hadn’t been for one of our clubs on Fable. That being said, I am forever indebted to Sloan and Kyre from the Crow Club for helping me find this book. Right away, I was reeled in by the vibrant descriptions of the visuals. The black and purple striped tent, the bright costumes, the sounds of the cheering crowds, the smell of popcorn and sweets - I truly felt like I was there. Whether it’s because of Luxe’s acrobatic jumps on the trapeze, or the anticipation of what a character will choose to do next in a complicated situation, Revelle never ceases to keep me at the edge of my seat. The plot is obviously marvelous, and I loved every minute of it, but the other elements that made this book what it is were also some of my favorites. Family and friendships are incredibly important in this story, and this is present from start to finish - it’s also the root of my absolute favorite scene, which happens towards the end of the novel. The mystery and intrigue were all-consuming. You couldn’t help but figure out who was the story's villain and if they were responsible for all the ongoing chaos. One of my favorite aspects of all was the romance (I bet you’re so surprised). Now, don’t be fooled; you may think this book is a love-triangle situation, and while there are two love interests for our main character, it is incredibly obvious which one is the “right” choice. Nevertheless, the tension between the three members of this love triangle had me kicking my feet in the air.
Great quotes from Revelle
Here are a few crumbs to get you invested in this love story:
“But her smiles were as cryptic as ancient texts, and I was becoming a scholar.” — Lyssa Mia Smith
“It was a genuine Luxe Revelle smile. No kaleidoscope. No mask. I couldn’t breathe.” — Lyssa Mia Smith
“I loved her when she was brave onstage, even more when she was brave offstage. But most of all, I loved her now, with her family. Truly with them, and not wielding her secrets like a shield.”— Lyssa Mia Smith
“Far from the perfect time, or the perfect place, but she was the perfect girl. Magic or not, I’d been right that first night: Luxe Revelle was my destiny. I’m yours,’ I whispered. ‘Always.’” — Lyssa Mia Smith
“I was trapped. Completely and utterly trapped. My whole life, I’d believed we held the magic, the power. We made dreams come true. Just never our own.” — Lyssa Mia Smith
“But I was a Revelle. I’d bury my pain, bury whatever sinister magic was ravaging my lungs, bury whatever scraps of my tattered heart remained, and I’d do it with a pristine smile.” — Lyssa Mia Smith
“‘No one’s safe, Luxe. […] That’s the hard truth: no matter what you do, no one is ever a hundred percent safe.’” (Page 401)
“‘I know, love. And no matter what he did, we still found each other.’ […] ‘I’ll always find you.’” — Lyssa Mia Smith
Book reviews for Revelle
When you finish reading Revelle, post your rating and review on Fable! Here’s what our community has thought about the book so far.
“What an incredible choice for a first pick! I normally avoid YA books because I feel they just aren’t giving what I need them to give buuuuut I might need to start giving YA a fair chance. This book took me on an absolute trip. I couldn’t put it down. My mind was so busy with the plot, and the tongue in cheek humour didn’t even make this book need spice. My only problem with this book is that I wanted MORE of it.”— Jess
“I honestly enjoyed this book so much, I was hooked from the beginning, I wasn’t sure how I’d like it since I haven’t read anything like this. There were so many twists and turns that if you paid attention you may have caught before, but it was great, I kind of wished it ended a bit different I don’t love not knowing if they ever made it back but I’m hoping they’ll be another book. I loved Jamison and Luxe, I always enjoyed forbidden love, I had a good time reading it.”— Kayllasallter
“This book had me on the edge of my seat. The first few chapters were difficult for me to feel for the characters but as we started swapping more and more through different perspectives I fell in love with them. I caught myself gasping and tearing up the further I got into the book. It was so good!”— Ashley
“I loved the magic in this! It really gave Moulin Rouge with a twist and I am absolutely down for it. Would have loved for Trevor and Millie to have their happy ending though…but the growing family bond and the way they were willing to sacrifice their well-being for Luxe was beautifully written.”— LaMelle
Keep reading on Fable!
Did I mention it’s told in first person with dual POVs??? If that doesn’t make you want to read this, I don’t know what will.You will laugh and cry, but you will probably gasp, scream, throw the book across the room, and look into the distance multiple times as you read Revelle.” If you’d like to see it for yourself, add the book to your Fable bookshelf to get a free sample of the book and start reading. If you agree with me, you can easily purchase the full ebook here and continue reading on the Fable app.
Desiree Worrall-Belanger is a Canadian bookish influencer known under the username @rainydayslibrary. Having been annotating for multiple years, Desiree shares her tips and tricks on her platforms - one of the primary focuses on her social media accounts as of late 2021. Pursuing an honors in English and a minor in Visual and Material Culture studies at Mount Allison University, Desiree is devoted to the world of words. If you’re trying to reach her and she doesn’t answer, odds are she’s at the bookstore, or perhaps she’s practicing some of her favorite hobbies such as reading, listening to music, and crocheting.