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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
"Oh, rabbit…precious rabbit. Now I do not think I can ever let you go."
Illusions of Grandeur is the first in Kathryn Ann Kingsley's The Impossible Julian Strande series and follows the protagonist Alice Munroe as she begins her strange new job as caretaker/groundskeeper/machinist at the strange old Strande Mansion. Julian Strande, a celebrated magician of his time who like many of his contemporaries was rumoured to have sold his soul to the devil to gain real magic, had mysteriously disappeared around a hundred years ago and even though his body was never recovered, the mansion turned museum is believed to have been haunted by his malevolent presence. Alice doesn't believe in the supernatural, even though all the other staff members at the museum tread lightly about the mansion in wariness of its dead owner. However, the longer she works at the puzzlingly constructed and disorienting art deco-style Strande Mansion, and regardless of the distraction her incredibly attractive employer and the dead magician's heir Charles provides, the more she begins questioning everything she thought she knew about the world.
Illusions of Grandeur is classic gothic fiction at its most delightful. The setting of the story provides the reader with the expected cast of a creepy and disorienting large house, strange noises and occurrences, a sinister ghostly presence with a history of rumoured violence, and a rich, attractive male love interest who gives off more than a hint of danger himself. The author uses these genre conventions to provide an incredibly well-written story set in contemporary times that is equal parts intriguing and enchanting.
This is the first book I have read by Kingsley, and I instantly fell in love with the setting, the plot and the premise. The writing is well-paced with just the right amount of occasional breathlessness (for various reasons *wink wink*). The descriptions of the world the story is set in, i.e., the Strande Mansion, is well-thought out enough to engage the reader and only furthers the intrigue of the story, without overwhelming with details. I found the female lead's persona somewhat understated, even though most of the novel unfolds from her perspective, though I can see how it would be hard to outshine an absolutely larger-than-life character like the impossible magician. I did appreciate the subtle shifts and developments that the characters undergo in their personality, and the empathy with which the writer draws out even side characters who do not get as much space in the story otherwise. I found this to be an extremely enjoyable and well-balanced read overall.
Illusions of Grandeur is the first in Kathryn Ann Kingsley's The Impossible Julian Strande series and follows the protagonist Alice Munroe as she begins her strange new job as caretaker/groundskeeper/machinist at the strange old Strande Mansion. Julian Strande, a celebrated magician of his time who like many of his contemporaries was rumoured to have sold his soul to the devil to gain real magic, had mysteriously disappeared around a hundred years ago and even though his body was never recovered, the mansion turned museum is believed to have been haunted by his malevolent presence. Alice doesn't believe in the supernatural, even though all the other staff members at the museum tread lightly about the mansion in wariness of its dead owner. However, the longer she works at the puzzlingly constructed and disorienting art deco-style Strande Mansion, and regardless of the distraction her incredibly attractive employer and the dead magician's heir Charles provides, the more she begins questioning everything she thought she knew about the world.
Illusions of Grandeur is classic gothic fiction at its most delightful. The setting of the story provides the reader with the expected cast of a creepy and disorienting large house, strange noises and occurrences, a sinister ghostly presence with a history of rumoured violence, and a rich, attractive male love interest who gives off more than a hint of danger himself. The author uses these genre conventions to provide an incredibly well-written story set in contemporary times that is equal parts intriguing and enchanting.
This is the first book I have read by Kingsley, and I instantly fell in love with the setting, the plot and the premise. The writing is well-paced with just the right amount of occasional breathlessness (for various reasons *wink wink*). The descriptions of the world the story is set in, i.e., the Strande Mansion, is well-thought out enough to engage the reader and only furthers the intrigue of the story, without overwhelming with details. I found the female lead's persona somewhat understated, even though most of the novel unfolds from her perspective, though I can see how it would be hard to outshine an absolutely larger-than-life character like the impossible magician. I did appreciate the subtle shifts and developments that the characters undergo in their personality, and the empathy with which the writer draws out even side characters who do not get as much space in the story otherwise. I found this to be an extremely enjoyable and well-balanced read overall.
dark
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Why did I read all of this??? This is one of those books where the FMC spends ages questioning all of the weird and creepy things that keep happening to her, and then deciding to just ignore it and go about her business....over and over and over again. I like a villainous MMC, but not when that means he's just a jerk to the FMC while she allows things to happen to her.
4.5. Trigger Warning: Depression and Suicide
Illusions of Grandeur is unlike any book I have read to date. The characters are so complex and compelling. I can't wait to read more of this unique story.
Illusions of Grandeur is unlike any book I have read to date. The characters are so complex and compelling. I can't wait to read more of this unique story.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Where is Julian Strande?
Is he in this nook?
What about that cranny over there? Tiny window leading somewhere?
Or perhaps that trapdoor over there?
Is he in the tower?
Or did the house eat him?
198 rooms - he's gotta be somewhere right?
So, where is Julian Strande?
...
"Maybe if you find him…he might be able to finally rest. Or maybe you’ll anger his ghost for defiling his tomb, and he’ll take you to join him.” - Charles
So far I have read two books where Kingsley's obvious love for Alice in Wonderland is used as a blueprint; I loved it the first time - and I love it now. Alice quite literally stumbles on wonderland hiding behind the great big and little doors of the Strande Estate.
With a cat named Loki by her side (how fitting because trickery is afoot), Alice dives headfirst into a dizzying hot adventure with a ghost and a hot alive person.
Two Sentences, A Scene or less - Characters:
Oh damn, Charles Monroe is one sweet cuddlebug sexy MF, with a dirty sense of humor, gorgeous, likes pets oh ... and what else, what else, goes to therapy or at least he knows, his faults and I'm missing something - ah yes, alive with a pulse. Excuse me while I licketh mine fingertips at the scrumptiousness.👏 And... he has a secret. He is a secret. A man of mystery.
Favorite/Curious/Unique Scene:
⚜️Charles on Stage practicing his Mirror Trick - making ovaries explode with his adorablenes.
⚜️A ghostly duet with Julian: Alice in the ballroom tinkering with the piano keys. Beethoven
⚜️Charles: "Alice come here." 🔥 that whole scene and Julian watching. Water! I said can I get some water here.
⚜️Onstage in front of a live audience. Swords in torsos, Charles/Julian charisma - what's not to love🤷🏽♀️
⚜️Julian's Taco Night punishment for Alice😈 "Get in the box Alice"
⚜️OMG omg omg Charles and his static effect on the laptop and hatred of technology! Julian WTF man what a twist.
⚜️Billy😥
Favorite/Curious/Unique Quotes:
🖤 “There’s someone naughty in that cage you’ve locked her in.
Someone you’ve hidden away. [...]
I’m gonna pick the lock and let her out to play.” (Blimey can I get a glass of water?)
🖤 “Alice. I need you. And I need you to say yes. Trust me. Jump, and I’ll catch you.” (Oh damn Alice! Do it do it do it)
Favorite/Curious/Unique Concepts:
■ The Twist! That's Prestige Levels😲
■Strande Estate: Circular Void
■Loki The Maine Coon &Inky The Octapus
■Julian's Workshop & and Piano
■Julian's Journal
■Julian's gifts😍 especially the rose
GR Rating: 4⭐
CAWPILE: 8
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Romance (Paranormal CR) by 2025
Is he in this nook?
What about that cranny over there? Tiny window leading somewhere?
Or perhaps that trapdoor over there?
Is he in the tower?
Or did the house eat him?
198 rooms - he's gotta be somewhere right?
So, where is Julian Strande?
...
"Maybe if you find him…he might be able to finally rest. Or maybe you’ll anger his ghost for defiling his tomb, and he’ll take you to join him.” - Charles
So far I have read two books where Kingsley's obvious love for Alice in Wonderland is used as a blueprint; I loved it the first time - and I love it now. Alice quite literally stumbles on wonderland hiding behind the great big and little doors of the Strande Estate.
With a cat named Loki by her side (how fitting because trickery is afoot), Alice dives headfirst into a dizzying hot adventure with a ghost and a hot alive person.
Two Sentences, A Scene or less - Characters:
Oh damn, Charles Monroe is one sweet cuddlebug sexy MF, with a dirty sense of humor, gorgeous, likes pets oh ... and what else, what else, goes to therapy or at least he knows, his faults and I'm missing something - ah yes, alive with a pulse. Excuse me while I licketh mine fingertips at the scrumptiousness.👏 And... he has a secret. He is a secret. A man of mystery.
Favorite/Curious/Unique Scene:
⚜️Charles on Stage practicing his Mirror Trick - making ovaries explode with his adorablenes.
⚜️A ghostly duet with Julian: Alice in the ballroom tinkering with the piano keys. Beethoven
⚜️Charles: "Alice come here." 🔥 that whole scene and Julian watching. Water! I said can I get some water here.
⚜️Onstage in front of a live audience. Swords in torsos, Charles/Julian charisma - what's not to love🤷🏽♀️
⚜️Julian's Taco Night punishment for Alice😈 "Get in the box Alice"
⚜️OMG omg omg Charles and his static effect on the laptop and hatred of technology! Julian WTF man what a twist.
⚜️Billy😥
Favorite/Curious/Unique Quotes:
🖤 “There’s someone naughty in that cage you’ve locked her in.
Someone you’ve hidden away. [...]
I’m gonna pick the lock and let her out to play.” (Blimey can I get a glass of water?)
🖤 “Alice. I need you. And I need you to say yes. Trust me. Jump, and I’ll catch you.” (Oh damn Alice! Do it do it do it)
Favorite/Curious/Unique Concepts:
■ The Twist! That's Prestige Levels😲
■Strande Estate: Circular Void
■Loki The Maine Coon &Inky The Octapus
■Julian's Workshop & and Piano
■Julian's Journal
■Julian's gifts😍 especially the rose
GR Rating: 4⭐
CAWPILE: 8
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Romance (Paranormal CR) by 2025
First thing I’m going to say is I absolutely loved this book!! I also definitely recommend reading it! I was pulled in from the start, and as soon as Charles made his appearance I was instantly in love, he is deliciously dark and twisted and his humor sometime literally made me laugh out loud like a crazy person. This was the first book I’ve read in terms of hauntings and ghosts, and I feel the story flowed together great. As I got closer to the end I had my “I knew it!” moment after I read what I think was the plot twist. I also loved the character development, and reading/listening to how Alice process the different situations she’s presented with. I am totally counting down the days till the second book come out so I can get back to Mr. Dark and twisted (my new favorite type lol)
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.