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A review by roadtripreader
Illusions of Grandeur by Kathryn Ann Kingsley
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
4.5
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