Scan barcode
postitsandpens's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not sure what I was expecting this book to be about, but it wasn't what it was ACTUALLY about. Which turned out to be a good thing, because I found myself pretty much fascinated with the world created in Illusionarium and thoroughly engrossed in the story, and I'm not sure I would've picked it up if I'd really read the summary and/or paid attention to others' reviews. This was a book that was different than pretty much everything else I've ever read, and I'm not even sure what genre to put it in. There's some magic, some dystopian, some adventure, and it all resolved into a really engaging, edge-of-your-seat read. What I will say is, if you're at all interested in it, pick it up and give it a read. Hopefully you'll come out of it having enjoyed it as well!
kpeet's review against another edition
2.0
**I received my copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
**2.5 Stars**
I'm a little confused about Illusionarium, mostly because I was supposed to like it. I really enjoyed Heather Dixon's debut novel, Entwined, based on the story of the 12 Dancing Princesses. In fact, I was caught completely off-guard by how much I enjoyed it. It was beautiful, magical, and mysterious all at once. When I heard about Illusionarium and read the description, I figured I would enjoy it as well. It's simple logic. Dixon wrote Entwined. Entwined was really good. Dixon wrote Illusionarium. Why would Illusionarium not be really good? I fell into the classic trap.
Don't get me wrong, Illusionarium was interesting at first. The opening scene drew me in by painting some kind of arctic, steampunk society in the future. It was really cool (haha, puns). Jonathan and his family, especially his quirky mad scientist father, seemed like they would be a solid, engaging cast of characters. Unfortunately, after that first scene it all just fell apart, because the main problem is that the plot moves way too fast.
The plot moved at lightspeed, easily breaking the sound barrier. Every time I had just begun to understand what had happened in a scene, something new and important was happening. This left me feeling like I'm always trying to catch up, partly because scene transitions were non-existent. The whole book felt like someone made a Powerpoint and didn't include any slide transitions; just made you click and all of the sudden it's a completely different slide. Where are the appropriate breaks? Tying the scenes together? Making sure your audience knows what's going on??
Scene jumps (there has to be a more technical term for this), named after the abrupt manner in which new scenes were presented, were constant. I have no idea what kind of timeframe the book took place in. I'm not even exactly sure what period in time the book was set in, now that I think about it. The world is certainly complex, which I would have enjoyed, but it was only hashed out where necessary. If it didn't explicitly pertain to the plot, it wasn't explained or even mentioned. I was missing a lot of pieces of information, often confused, and was left with a very weak picture of the world. It didn't even need to be this way, either. At one point we learn so much about "Rivening" and Jonathan describes it in such detail that I could clearly picture it to the point of being disgusted. Throughout the whole book, that would have made for a much richer experience.
There was also quite a bit of what I called in my notes "Florel-ex-machina," Florel being both the antagonist and not (parallel worlds, yay!). I felt like there were quite a few times when developments were very convenient for the plot, with a lot of them having to do with Florel. For example, Jonathan learns about illusioning for the first time but is already some kind of natural and exceeds everyone else's power within a few days (weeks? months? who knows??). This tied a lot into being info-dumped on a lot for the purposes of getting all the information out, regardless of understanding. Maybe the thought process is if they throw so much at you at one time while speeding through the plot, you won't have time to notice the plot holes.
Finally, the characters really fell flat for me. Like I said, I thought things would be good based off of the first scene. But as the story progressed I realized I really had no idea who anyone was, just what role they played in the plot. The romance was the classic we-spent-time-together-so-of-course-were-in-love. Lockwood was purely the aggressive, relentless soldier with a soft side, kind of like Maximus the horse from Tangled. But who is he beyond that? I have no idea. Actually, I'm not even sure what most of the characters looked like either. For instance, I pictured Lockwood as some older, 40-year-old but then he fell in love with like a 15-year-old. Was she not like 15? Is Lockwood not in his 40s? Is that kind of thing just acceptable in this world or am I just wrong about their ages?
I loved Entwined and I really hope Dixon moves back towards that type of writing. I WANT to enjoy her books! Frankly, this just seemed like sloppy work to me. Something that was a fantastic idea, but got rushed to print.
**2.5 Stars**
I'm a little confused about Illusionarium, mostly because I was supposed to like it. I really enjoyed Heather Dixon's debut novel, Entwined, based on the story of the 12 Dancing Princesses. In fact, I was caught completely off-guard by how much I enjoyed it. It was beautiful, magical, and mysterious all at once. When I heard about Illusionarium and read the description, I figured I would enjoy it as well. It's simple logic. Dixon wrote Entwined. Entwined was really good. Dixon wrote Illusionarium. Why would Illusionarium not be really good? I fell into the classic trap.
Don't get me wrong, Illusionarium was interesting at first. The opening scene drew me in by painting some kind of arctic, steampunk society in the future. It was really cool (haha, puns). Jonathan and his family, especially his quirky mad scientist father, seemed like they would be a solid, engaging cast of characters. Unfortunately, after that first scene it all just fell apart, because the main problem is that the plot moves way too fast.
The plot moved at lightspeed, easily breaking the sound barrier. Every time I had just begun to understand what had happened in a scene, something new and important was happening. This left me feeling like I'm always trying to catch up, partly because scene transitions were non-existent. The whole book felt like someone made a Powerpoint and didn't include any slide transitions; just made you click and all of the sudden it's a completely different slide. Where are the appropriate breaks? Tying the scenes together? Making sure your audience knows what's going on??
Scene jumps (there has to be a more technical term for this), named after the abrupt manner in which new scenes were presented, were constant. I have no idea what kind of timeframe the book took place in. I'm not even exactly sure what period in time the book was set in, now that I think about it. The world is certainly complex, which I would have enjoyed, but it was only hashed out where necessary. If it didn't explicitly pertain to the plot, it wasn't explained or even mentioned. I was missing a lot of pieces of information, often confused, and was left with a very weak picture of the world. It didn't even need to be this way, either. At one point we learn so much about "Rivening" and Jonathan describes it in such detail that I could clearly picture it to the point of being disgusted. Throughout the whole book, that would have made for a much richer experience.
There was also quite a bit of what I called in my notes "Florel-ex-machina," Florel being both the antagonist and not (parallel worlds, yay!). I felt like there were quite a few times when developments were very convenient for the plot, with a lot of them having to do with Florel. For example, Jonathan learns about illusioning for the first time but is already some kind of natural and exceeds everyone else's power within a few days (weeks? months? who knows??). This tied a lot into being info-dumped on a lot for the purposes of getting all the information out, regardless of understanding. Maybe the thought process is if they throw so much at you at one time while speeding through the plot, you won't have time to notice the plot holes.
Finally, the characters really fell flat for me. Like I said, I thought things would be good based off of the first scene. But as the story progressed I realized I really had no idea who anyone was, just what role they played in the plot. The romance was the classic we-spent-time-together-so-of-course-were-in-love. Lockwood was purely the aggressive, relentless soldier with a soft side, kind of like Maximus the horse from Tangled. But who is he beyond that? I have no idea. Actually, I'm not even sure what most of the characters looked like either. For instance, I pictured Lockwood as some older, 40-year-old but then he fell in love with like a 15-year-old. Was she not like 15? Is Lockwood not in his 40s? Is that kind of thing just acceptable in this world or am I just wrong about their ages?
I loved Entwined and I really hope Dixon moves back towards that type of writing. I WANT to enjoy her books! Frankly, this just seemed like sloppy work to me. Something that was a fantastic idea, but got rushed to print.
taun's review against another edition
3.0
A DNF though I was well into the book.
The story is written at breakneck speed, which made it difficult to become invested in any aspect. The characters were fairly uninteresting, the plot predictable, the world building interesting yet seemingly forced. You get the sense that the author is trying to convince you that yes, they speak and act in this manner because they’re from ye olde times, but it’s a steampunk so it’s quirky and different.
Overall, I think the idea for a great book is there, but it simply didn’t hold my attention enough to entice me to finish.
Perhaps pre-teen me would’ve enjoyed this one more than more experienced reader me.
The story is written at breakneck speed, which made it difficult to become invested in any aspect. The characters were fairly uninteresting, the plot predictable, the world building interesting yet seemingly forced. You get the sense that the author is trying to convince you that yes, they speak and act in this manner because they’re from ye olde times, but it’s a steampunk so it’s quirky and different.
Overall, I think the idea for a great book is there, but it simply didn’t hold my attention enough to entice me to finish.
Perhaps pre-teen me would’ve enjoyed this one more than more experienced reader me.
lilydefender's review against another edition
4.0
It wasn't as enthralling and romantic as Entwined, and the gorgeous cover confused me a bit. But the characters were interesting and complex for the length of time the reader's had with them. The world was described well, if a little hard to picture at times - but it's a fictional land, and weird things are happening, so that checks out. The story felt very contained, and tightly packed. Beginning to end (aside from the epilogue type chapter) took place in one week. It was a nice, entertaining read, if a little fast and calm at points.
hazelwood's review against another edition
3.0
When I read the inside cover and back cover of this novel, I got really excited for a kind of Alice-In Wonderland-type story, where, since Jonathan has the rare ability to illusion, he uses the power to go on a journey to other worlds and encounter some really crazy and strange characters (like the mad hatter or the caterpillar dude) created by other people. Not so. Instead, he gets captured and brought to an ugly world and made to fight other illusionists with his power so that he can save his family. And that's basically all they use the illusions for. Fighting. Also apparently you can't breathe too much of the chemical or you turn ugly and crazy. So basically this is a book about a bunch of crazy crack addicts, for children! (Or younger teens.) I mean, it's not a bad book. Honestly, the cover art is amazing.
Just kidding! There are other good parts to this book! If you are 11 to 15 I might even recommend it! The world building was great, and the characterization was above average. I'm just salty about how the title and description made me think it was going to be more... light hearted? Wonder- inspiring? Funny? I don't know. I just didn't really get "sucked into" the story much.
Just kidding! There are other good parts to this book! If you are 11 to 15 I might even recommend it! The world building was great, and the characterization was above average. I'm just salty about how the title and description made me think it was going to be more... light hearted? Wonder- inspiring? Funny? I don't know. I just didn't really get "sucked into" the story much.
tasharobinson's review against another edition
2.0
Had a lot of problems with the way this book moves so quickly that it tends to leave its characters and its best ideas behind. There's a terrific middle section (albeit one a little too reminiscent of The Hunger Games, with magical illusions thrown in), but the lead-up is rushed and the protagonist never seems like much more than a cipher, mostly characterized by his naive leering at the ladies and his complete inability to talk meaningfully to a girl.
Full review for NPR Books here.
Full review for NPR Books here.
jvar's review against another edition
3.0
First, I think the story was well written, but I still found myself disliking all the characters and frustrated with how it progressed. I did not like the foot notes format at all. There were moments that I almost felt something for the characters, but there was a strange disconnect throughout. The pacing felt exhausting.
I gave it a three because I really believe it was more my attitude than the author's storytelling that led to my disappointment.
I gave it a three because I really believe it was more my attitude than the author's storytelling that led to my disappointment.
tobyyy's review against another edition
5.0
Possibly an unpopular opinion, but I loved this book!
The plot very well may have had several holes, but I loved the characterizations, the avoidance of some tropes (no love triangles! And the enemy’s seduction efforts did not work on our hero!), and the humor. I also LOVED the use of footnotes, which totally let the protagonist let some of his sass spill out of the narrative and made him feel more real and tangible.
Wallwork definitely has a gift for making believable, fun characters... and I adore how she made me love (almost) everyone in this book.
The plot very well may have had several holes, but I loved the characterizations, the avoidance of some tropes (no love triangles! And the enemy’s seduction efforts did not work on our hero!), and the humor. I also LOVED the use of footnotes, which totally let the protagonist let some of his sass spill out of the narrative and made him feel more real and tangible.
Wallwork definitely has a gift for making believable, fun characters... and I adore how she made me love (almost) everyone in this book.
skita's review against another edition
3.0
Almost gave only 2 stars as it took me so long to get into the story. I put it down 5 times and when I decided "no more I'm not going to keep trying" I flipped ahead a few pages and was engrossed just by a paragraph so I went back and really enjoyed the rest of the book.
A dark story but the themes of who we would be if our circumstances around us were different and what decisions we wish we could go back to change... or can we actually still affect positive change?... were thought provoking. The imagery was hard at times and beautiful/original the rest of the time.
A dark story but the themes of who we would be if our circumstances around us were different and what decisions we wish we could go back to change... or can we actually still affect positive change?... were thought provoking. The imagery was hard at times and beautiful/original the rest of the time.