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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dark, melodic and thoroughly twisted, this is another hit for Kathryn Ann Kingsley, an author who is quickly becoming known for her 'villain romances'. Don't believe me? Read the Masks of Under. While completely different, from world to setting, the tales do share one feature that make them stand out from the throng of imitators.... shadowy 'hero's' who indulge and delight in the fear, and sometimes pain, of others - especially the one they love the most.
There is no question that Julian Strande is a monster, yet there is something seductive about the monsters, especially THIS monster, a lulling of the soul that is pronounced as the pages stack and events move the conclusion ever closer. As we dance with Alice through this depraved Wonderland of the Strande Estate, we fall just as she does, discovering the secrets hidden in the walls while rejoicing in a growing love that is far more nebulous than Alice can possibly understand.
This is a mystery, a romance, a dark undertaking and a ghost tale, all wrapped into a macabre narrative that is more psychologically murky than it is bloody. It is not a horror story, by any means, though some may find the bumps in the night a little unnerving. Instead, it is an invitation to discover, and possibly love, an impossible man.
Third Person, Multiple POV
Continuation
R to Adult
M/F
Adult
Wonderfully mysterious with an old school feel and modern compulsions, this is a ghost story hidden behind the guise of a romance, dashed with an eerie ambiance and sprinkled with black magic. Incredibly well written and edited, I can recommend this duet with reservations.
There is no question that Julian Strande is a monster, yet there is something seductive about the monsters, especially THIS monster, a lulling of the soul that is pronounced as the pages stack and events move the conclusion ever closer. As we dance with Alice through this depraved Wonderland of the Strande Estate, we fall just as she does, discovering the secrets hidden in the walls while rejoicing in a growing love that is far more nebulous than Alice can possibly understand.
This is a mystery, a romance, a dark undertaking and a ghost tale, all wrapped into a macabre narrative that is more psychologically murky than it is bloody. It is not a horror story, by any means, though some may find the bumps in the night a little unnerving. Instead, it is an invitation to discover, and possibly love, an impossible man.
Perspective
Third Person, Multiple POV
Ending Type
Continuation
Rating
R to Adult
Romantic Dynamic
M/F
Character Age Range
Adult
My Final Verdict on Illusions of Grandeur
Wonderfully mysterious with an old school feel and modern compulsions, this is a ghost story hidden behind the guise of a romance, dashed with an eerie ambiance and sprinkled with black magic. Incredibly well written and edited, I can recommend this duet with reservations.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Shockingly bad from start to finish. Cannot think of a single redeeming quality. The characters were all insufferable, a plot was non-existent, and the writing was awful. Not sure how there can be another two books in this series - nothing happened!
Hello, little rabbit...And who're you?
Summary:
The Strande Mansion is known for its collections of beautiful artifacts, mysterious accidents, and MAGIC. Oh, and of course the Impossible Julian Strande- famous illusionist and accomplished magician. When an ad for a job at the mansion comes across Alice Monroe's path, she decides to take a chance and interview for the position of caretaker. What she doesn't know is that the mansion is haunted by the very playful, very devious Julian Strande.
Review:
MAN OH MAN. This book was so much fun. I read it all in one sitting and did NOT want to put it down. The house gives me some Haunting of Hill House and Haunted Mansion vibes. I loved the mystery of the story, and the sort of spooky feel to it. Kat did a great job of creating tension and building anticipation. The characters were all interesting and the twist was really great. I cannot WAIT to read the next one! It was such an interesting story to read, and I had a blast.
What I liked:
Alice is one of my favorite heroines that Kat has written. She is so likable, different, and relatable. While there isn't a ton of personal character development, she has some really great moments.
I loved Charles. He is fun, charismatic, and extremely charming. The scenes between him and Alice are so playful and yummy. They have wonderful chemistry together!
The haunted house setting was just awesome. I loved the scenes of her traveling through the rooms and uncovering clues to the mystery. Like I said earlier, I really couldn't put it down.
Julian Strande is mysterious, sexy, and oh so devious. I don't know how else to describe him other than to say he is the master of tricks. I was on the edge of my seat every time he and Alice were together. I would read 10 books about him and his life. He is definitely a contender for favorite Kat villain.
What I didn't like:
So there isn't a lot to say here, but if I had to choose something - there is a little time jump in the end that I wish wasn't there. The rest of the book feels so in the moment and spooky, and the time jump takes away from that a little bit for me.
Final Thoughts:
Gosh, I loved it. I can't wait to read the next book and see what happens. There are a lot of secrets to unravel!
Book Information:
[b:Illusions of Grandeur|53250225|Illusions of Grandeur (The Impossible Julian Strande #1)|Kathryn Ann Kingsley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587654865l/53250225._SY75_.jpg|80783304] by [a:Kathryn Ann Kingsley|18902774|Kathryn Ann Kingsley|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1551010176p2/18902774.jpg] [Limitless Publishing]
Publication Date: May 12, 2020
Genre: Romance, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Heat Level: 3 / HOT
For more info on the heat scale, refer to the amazing All The Kissing scale here.
To learn more about the Author, visit Kathryn Ann Kingsley's website here.
I received the ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review originally posted to my blog, Wandering Worlds.
Summary:
The Strande Mansion is known for its collections of beautiful artifacts, mysterious accidents, and MAGIC. Oh, and of course the Impossible Julian Strande- famous illusionist and accomplished magician. When an ad for a job at the mansion comes across Alice Monroe's path, she decides to take a chance and interview for the position of caretaker. What she doesn't know is that the mansion is haunted by the very playful, very devious Julian Strande.
Review:
MAN OH MAN. This book was so much fun. I read it all in one sitting and did NOT want to put it down. The house gives me some Haunting of Hill House and Haunted Mansion vibes. I loved the mystery of the story, and the sort of spooky feel to it. Kat did a great job of creating tension and building anticipation. The characters were all interesting and the twist was really great. I cannot WAIT to read the next one! It was such an interesting story to read, and I had a blast.
What I liked:
Alice is one of my favorite heroines that Kat has written. She is so likable, different, and relatable. While there isn't a ton of personal character development, she has some really great moments.
I loved Charles. He is fun, charismatic, and extremely charming. The scenes between him and Alice are so playful and yummy. They have wonderful chemistry together!
The haunted house setting was just awesome. I loved the scenes of her traveling through the rooms and uncovering clues to the mystery. Like I said earlier, I really couldn't put it down.
Julian Strande is mysterious, sexy, and oh so devious. I don't know how else to describe him other than to say he is the master of tricks. I was on the edge of my seat every time he and Alice were together. I would read 10 books about him and his life. He is definitely a contender for favorite Kat villain.
What I didn't like:
So there isn't a lot to say here, but if I had to choose something - there is a little time jump in the end that I wish wasn't there. The rest of the book feels so in the moment and spooky, and the time jump takes away from that a little bit for me.
Final Thoughts:
Gosh, I loved it. I can't wait to read the next book and see what happens. There are a lot of secrets to unravel!
Book Information:
[b:Illusions of Grandeur|53250225|Illusions of Grandeur (The Impossible Julian Strande #1)|Kathryn Ann Kingsley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587654865l/53250225._SY75_.jpg|80783304] by [a:Kathryn Ann Kingsley|18902774|Kathryn Ann Kingsley|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1551010176p2/18902774.jpg] [Limitless Publishing]
Publication Date: May 12, 2020
Genre: Romance, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Heat Level: 3 / HOT
For more info on the heat scale, refer to the amazing All The Kissing scale here.
To learn more about the Author, visit Kathryn Ann Kingsley's website here.
I received the ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review originally posted to my blog, Wandering Worlds.
As Beautiful and Poignant as it is Unsettling and Macabre...
I have been in a huge book slump lately. Nothing I’ve read over the past few months has really grabbed me and pushed my emotional boundaries. Until now that is, because oh my, what a deliciously dark and sinister tale of a man who will not be denied and the woman he covets. “Illusions of Grandeur” the first of Kathryn Ann Kingsley’s “The Impossible Julian Strande” duet is a riveting, spellbinding story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and glued to every single page. You will be captivated by the sadistic tinged playfulness with which the magician snares his beloved little rabbit.
This is the first part of the tale of Alice, Charles, Julian, and the bounty of mysteries that surround them all. Alice being an enormously intelligent yet shy and reclusive woman, who after getting unceremoniously laid off from her job and spying an innocuous “help wanted” ad in her town’s newspaper, finds herself at the door of the Strande Estate. A large and foreboding property once home to the infamous illusionist Julian Strande that, along with its owner Charles, instantly captivates her and sends her down an alarming path of discovery. Discoveries that unnerve her, terrify her, but also make her curious to uncover the puzzle that is Julian Strande and his legacy. A puzzle, that pulls her deeper and deeper toward an unknown abyss as Julian himself lurks in the shadows, an ever present puppet master who has set his eyes on the beautiful and clever Alice. What follows is a hypnotic story that will catch your heart in its clutches from the very start and refuse to let it go.
Julian Strande is the moody, charismatic and over the top villain you never knew you needed in your life. His sharp wit and trickster persona pull you in like a bee to honey. His intensity and sadistic charm hypnotize you and leave you wanting more. His twisted interactions with Alice will leave your senses pulsating and needy. You will lust after every word within this book as you devour the chemistry between Alice, Charles, and Julian, it will leave you craving things you shouldn’t and begging for things you know will be your undoing. Never has being driven mad looked so very good.
Here, Kingsley’s storytelling is fantastical and dark, her literary landscape of a magical fun house gone demonic, hauntingly vibrant and almost ethereal. Her painting of Julian, the long dead but still very much alive soul, ever searching for something seemingly out of his reach for so very long, as beautiful and poignant as it is unsettling and macabre. Her presentation of Alice, similar to her storybook namesake but oh so much more, more fierce, more passionate, and so very brave, you will relate deeply to her even when you know you should warn her away. Here, Kingsley has given us a story filled to bursting with multifaceted, emotionally complex characters and soul touching need. It will become your new literary obsession before the third chapter is even done. It will haunt your imagination. It will invade your dreams. It will leave you craving more of everything housed within it; it is that good.
I have been in a huge book slump lately. Nothing I’ve read over the past few months has really grabbed me and pushed my emotional boundaries. Until now that is, because oh my, what a deliciously dark and sinister tale of a man who will not be denied and the woman he covets. “Illusions of Grandeur” the first of Kathryn Ann Kingsley’s “The Impossible Julian Strande” duet is a riveting, spellbinding story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and glued to every single page. You will be captivated by the sadistic tinged playfulness with which the magician snares his beloved little rabbit.
This is the first part of the tale of Alice, Charles, Julian, and the bounty of mysteries that surround them all. Alice being an enormously intelligent yet shy and reclusive woman, who after getting unceremoniously laid off from her job and spying an innocuous “help wanted” ad in her town’s newspaper, finds herself at the door of the Strande Estate. A large and foreboding property once home to the infamous illusionist Julian Strande that, along with its owner Charles, instantly captivates her and sends her down an alarming path of discovery. Discoveries that unnerve her, terrify her, but also make her curious to uncover the puzzle that is Julian Strande and his legacy. A puzzle, that pulls her deeper and deeper toward an unknown abyss as Julian himself lurks in the shadows, an ever present puppet master who has set his eyes on the beautiful and clever Alice. What follows is a hypnotic story that will catch your heart in its clutches from the very start and refuse to let it go.
Julian Strande is the moody, charismatic and over the top villain you never knew you needed in your life. His sharp wit and trickster persona pull you in like a bee to honey. His intensity and sadistic charm hypnotize you and leave you wanting more. His twisted interactions with Alice will leave your senses pulsating and needy. You will lust after every word within this book as you devour the chemistry between Alice, Charles, and Julian, it will leave you craving things you shouldn’t and begging for things you know will be your undoing. Never has being driven mad looked so very good.
Here, Kingsley’s storytelling is fantastical and dark, her literary landscape of a magical fun house gone demonic, hauntingly vibrant and almost ethereal. Her painting of Julian, the long dead but still very much alive soul, ever searching for something seemingly out of his reach for so very long, as beautiful and poignant as it is unsettling and macabre. Her presentation of Alice, similar to her storybook namesake but oh so much more, more fierce, more passionate, and so very brave, you will relate deeply to her even when you know you should warn her away. Here, Kingsley has given us a story filled to bursting with multifaceted, emotionally complex characters and soul touching need. It will become your new literary obsession before the third chapter is even done. It will haunt your imagination. It will invade your dreams. It will leave you craving more of everything housed within it; it is that good.
I really don't think I could ever get tired of praising Kathryn Ann Kingsley's writing! And I don't even know how she never fails to surprise me with every new book of hers! Each time I go in expecting something based on the blurb, I'm amazed by the completely different experience that I get when I'm done reading!
Illusions of Grandeur is what I'd classify as villain romance or even dark romance! It's dark, twisted and magical on a whole new level!
Alice has just arrived at the Strande Mansion to interview for the position of a Caretaker when she's hired on the spot! She's not one to make impulsive decisions, but after losing her job and coming across an ad for this position she decides to take a leap of faith and try her hand at this!
The Strande Mansion also holds a lot of secrets, illusions and ghosts, and it's upto Alice now to figure out whether to stay and unearth them or leave them as it is!
Along with Kathryn's writing my favorite thing about her books is the characters! Alice was an intriguing protagonist, who prefers her own company but has a lot of curiosity! We also have her new boss Charles who's both flirty and dangerous! And let's not forget the ghost of Julian Strande who finds himself drawn to Alice! The interplay between all of them was amazing!
I found myself drawn to the puzzle of Julian just like Alice was and the Strande mansion is essentially an extension of him. And some of the steamy scenes were downright explosive!
After finishing this book in one sitting, I'm as invested as Alice and I need answers to all of my questions! So many things to find out and I can't wait for book two!
Arggh! June feels too far away!
*I was provided with an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Illusions of Grandeur is what I'd classify as villain romance or even dark romance! It's dark, twisted and magical on a whole new level!
Alice has just arrived at the Strande Mansion to interview for the position of a Caretaker when she's hired on the spot! She's not one to make impulsive decisions, but after losing her job and coming across an ad for this position she decides to take a leap of faith and try her hand at this!
The Strande Mansion also holds a lot of secrets, illusions and ghosts, and it's upto Alice now to figure out whether to stay and unearth them or leave them as it is!
Along with Kathryn's writing my favorite thing about her books is the characters! Alice was an intriguing protagonist, who prefers her own company but has a lot of curiosity! We also have her new boss Charles who's both flirty and dangerous! And let's not forget the ghost of Julian Strande who finds himself drawn to Alice! The interplay between all of them was amazing!
I found myself drawn to the puzzle of Julian just like Alice was and the Strande mansion is essentially an extension of him. And some of the steamy scenes were downright explosive!
After finishing this book in one sitting, I'm as invested as Alice and I need answers to all of my questions! So many things to find out and I can't wait for book two!
Spoiler
Alice has a lot of things to figure out and I definitely don't believe the fact that a certain someone's death didn't have foulplay in it, so I don't know what Alice is going to do when the truth comes out!Arggh! June feels too far away!
*I was provided with an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Katherine Kingsley is amazing at writing this type of dark but loveable mmc. She also does an amazing job of making the atmosphere of the spooky but alluring mansion.
One of my favourite authors.
One of my favourite authors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Confinement, Stalking
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes