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larlane's review against another edition
4.0
Rosie Thomas is so great at character development - it doesn't take long for the reader to come to know the characters and to be and stay interested in what happens to them.
I just really enjoyed this story - I've always loved this author's books and this one did not disappoint. Four stars instead of five because I found a couple of typos and it pissed me off.
I just really enjoyed this story - I've always loved this author's books and this one did not disappoint. Four stars instead of five because I found a couple of typos and it pissed me off.
pallavi_sharma87's review against another edition
1.0
***DNF***
This is one of the books that I DNF'ed this year (which is very rare!! and it might be 2nd or 3rd one this year).
The story revolves around a set of people with different backgrounds who join together to run a theatre which gives shows with illusions and very intelligent props.
Good Points:
1. Lovely Victorian Setting.
2. Good strong characters.
3. Above average narration.
Bad Points:
1. No strong Plot.
2. Blurb doesn't match with the content.
3. Part 2 is a collection of words that makes sentences that makes paras that makes chapters and story ends in.... Oh I did not finish it, so I don't know.
This book had so much potential to get reader's attention that It pains me to see how it turned out. Even if the author rewrites it, I am ready to read it, Just for the sake of knowing that this story turned out well.
Happy Reading!!!
This is one of the books that I DNF'ed this year (which is very rare!! and it might be 2nd or 3rd one this year).
The story revolves around a set of people with different backgrounds who join together to run a theatre which gives shows with illusions and very intelligent props.
Good Points:
1. Lovely Victorian Setting.
2. Good strong characters.
3. Above average narration.
Bad Points:
1. No strong Plot.
2. Blurb doesn't match with the content.
3. Part 2 is a collection of words that makes sentences that makes paras that makes chapters and story ends in.... Oh I did not finish it, so I don't know.
This book had so much potential to get reader's attention that It pains me to see how it turned out. Even if the author rewrites it, I am ready to read it, Just for the sake of knowing that this story turned out well.
Happy Reading!!!
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book. It was way on the darker side than I expected. Which is a nice present. Sometimes the magical world can come off as just that "magical", The author did a good job of portraying the other side of this profession. Not the one as an audience member sees as all fun and illusions but the daily grind of this work and the people who live it. Kind of like carnie people at a carnival.
Don't let the name Devil confuse you as he turned out to be a complex character but also a likable character. In fact, all of the characters were good. Don't get me wrong. It is just that the pacing of the story was slow. Which I would not have had a problem with if I had fully embraced the characters and the story itself. I felt that there was a lot of dialect and at times that was all there was was talking. Overall, a good book. So if you are looking for a book about magic with the old English/Victorian feel to it than you might check this book out.
Don't let the name Devil confuse you as he turned out to be a complex character but also a likable character. In fact, all of the characters were good. Don't get me wrong. It is just that the pacing of the story was slow. Which I would not have had a problem with if I had fully embraced the characters and the story itself. I felt that there was a lot of dialect and at times that was all there was was talking. Overall, a good book. So if you are looking for a book about magic with the old English/Victorian feel to it than you might check this book out.
singsthewren's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book. The writing was lovely, and the characters were all really interesting. But the plot meandered and felt very lost, and it went a direction I was really hoping it wouldn't with one of the characters, telling a really expected and not very interesting story. I think if this had ended after part 2 I probably would have given it three stars, but the end dragging its heels and felt incredibly unnecessary. It would make a good TV show, probably, since it's more telling people's lives than telling a cohesive story. Sometimes I enjoy those meandering tales, but this didn't quite work for me.
It's also straight historical fiction. The back of the book made it seem like urban fantasy. Do not be fooled!
It's also straight historical fiction. The back of the book made it seem like urban fantasy. Do not be fooled!
kait_lost_in_books's review against another edition
3.0
This had such potential but it feels like 4 books squished into one. It’s like the author was concerned about securing addition books but there are 4 distinct plots which aren’t fully developed presumably due to lack of space. It’s a shame.
When Devil meets a dwarf magician in a pub, he hatches a plan to become the greatest illusionist in the world. The book follows him throughout his career up to his death.
When Devil meets a dwarf magician in a pub, he hatches a plan to become the greatest illusionist in the world. The book follows him throughout his career up to his death.
kittykornerlibrarian's review
5.0
Lush in the period detail of the Victorian era, the point of view changes throughout the novel. It follows the story of a theatre launching itself into a new identity, and the people who are involved in that transition. The characters are well-developed and unforgettable.
shuofthewind's review against another edition
3.0
Though the original premise of the novel is incredibly promising, the followthrough was disappointing. There seemed to be no overarching plot or purpose, only a trail through the lives of those associated with the Palmyra Theatre. A number of promising subplots were aborted or canceled at the most inopportune of moments. The characters were, however, quite charming, and the magic of illusion is woven quite lovingly throughout.
marycullen's review
1.0
i did not enjoy this book at all i found the plot boring and slow and it took me forever to read and put me into a reading slump to be completely honest
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
3.0
Booktrail of the Ilusionists
Take a magical mystery tour around Victorian London and to the characters who perform each night at the Palmyra theatre. Everything and everyone has a dark side – even magic.
Story in a tophat
London 1885
Along the Strand in the centre of London stands a small theatre called the Palmyra. It’s run down, has little success and should really probably close but then that’s before the illusionists take the stage.
Devil Wix is a master of illusion and drama, running as he is from a dark and secret past. Ideal for his tricks of contortion, he joins forces with Carlo Boldoni, a dwarf, and together their act becomes one of legend.
Drawing in the crowds can cause its own set of problems however as as they become more noted, so too do their enemies.
And then one day, young miss Eliza comes to see the show and her fate becomes entangled with the illusion and darkness of all that she sees in front of her.
The world of the illusionists awaits…..
The world of the illusionists is a dark stage and the workings behind the scenes normally out of bounds. But this novel takes you backstage, along the corridors, beneath the trapdoor and really gets you involved with how the world of magic is a tricky and difficult one. I had no idea of how magicians fought to get their acts headlining at certain theatres etc or the work and pain involved with perfecting their act, but this novel really took me there!
It really does have a dark side and the underbelly of London and the magic scene is definitely a major character. The book is a long one and although I think it could have been shorter, the ambience it immerses you in is another world entirely. It’s an historical romance with a difference too although for me it was the setting and the illusion of it all which makes the book’s premise so intriguing.
We’ve been to Kashmir and now behind the stage in London – wonder what Rosie Thomas’ next trick is going to be?
Take a magical mystery tour around Victorian London and to the characters who perform each night at the Palmyra theatre. Everything and everyone has a dark side – even magic.
Story in a tophat
London 1885
Along the Strand in the centre of London stands a small theatre called the Palmyra. It’s run down, has little success and should really probably close but then that’s before the illusionists take the stage.
Devil Wix is a master of illusion and drama, running as he is from a dark and secret past. Ideal for his tricks of contortion, he joins forces with Carlo Boldoni, a dwarf, and together their act becomes one of legend.
Drawing in the crowds can cause its own set of problems however as as they become more noted, so too do their enemies.
And then one day, young miss Eliza comes to see the show and her fate becomes entangled with the illusion and darkness of all that she sees in front of her.
The world of the illusionists awaits…..
The world of the illusionists is a dark stage and the workings behind the scenes normally out of bounds. But this novel takes you backstage, along the corridors, beneath the trapdoor and really gets you involved with how the world of magic is a tricky and difficult one. I had no idea of how magicians fought to get their acts headlining at certain theatres etc or the work and pain involved with perfecting their act, but this novel really took me there!
It really does have a dark side and the underbelly of London and the magic scene is definitely a major character. The book is a long one and although I think it could have been shorter, the ambience it immerses you in is another world entirely. It’s an historical romance with a difference too although for me it was the setting and the illusion of it all which makes the book’s premise so intriguing.
We’ve been to Kashmir and now behind the stage in London – wonder what Rosie Thomas’ next trick is going to be?