After reading Heather Dixon's first novel Entwined, I (not so) patiently waited for her next book. It took a few years, but it was worth the wait! Illusionarium was different, fascinating, and beautiful in its own way. It was clean, too. There is violence, but nothing gory or descriptive.
The concept of schisms and illusioning was beautifully done. I loved Jonathan's story and the way he molded and changed over the course of the book. I enjoyed all the characters. I disliked Lockwood at the beginning, but the guy has a curious way of growing on you. I adored him by the end.
If you are looking for a clean, action packed YA novel with lots of adventure and a steampunk twist, this is definitely a book you will want to read. It's a good book for anyone ages 12 and up.
Content: non-descriptive violence
Source: I received a digital galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4 STARS
About Illusionarium:
- Age range: 12+
- Series: None
- Genre: Fantasy/ steampunk
- Hardcover: 368 pages
- Publisher: Greenwillow Books (May 19, 2015)
Synopsis:
What if the world holds more dangers—and more wonders—than we have ever known? And what if there is more than one world? From Heather Dixon, author of the acclaimed Entwined, comes a brilliantly conceived adventure that sweeps us from the inner workings of our souls to the far reaches of our imaginations.
Jonathan is perfectly ordinary. But then—as every good adventure begins—the king swoops into port, and Jonathan and his father are enlisted to find the cure to a deadly plague. Jonathan discovers that he's a prodigy at working with a new chemical called fantillium, which creates shared hallucinations—or illusions. And just like that, Jonathan is knocked off his path. Through richly developed parallel worlds, vivid action, a healthy dose of humor, and gorgeous writing, Heather Dixon spins a story that calls to mind The Night Circus and Pixar movies, but is wholly its own.
Find the Book:
Other Books by Heather Dixon:
From The Witch Snitch (http://witchsnitch.blogspot.com/):
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting for more reviews on this book. It seems to be a love or hate relationship, nothing in between. Thanks for the review!
I can see how it would be either love or hate with this book. I really liked it. I hope you get the chance to read it!
DeleteSo glad you liked this one! I'm a HUGE fan of "Entwined" so I've been ecstatic for this one. Hope it lives up to expectations when I finally get my hands on it. ;)
ReplyDeleteSierra @ Yearning to Read
I hope so too! Entwined was beautiful, and this book was just as good, but in a very different way. Have fun reading!
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