The Illusions - Liz Hyder

The Illusions is a brilliant tale set at the turn of the 20th century, when magical illusions were still famed in their novelty and moving pictures were finding their feet.

A great magician is retiring and naming his successor, but as the show is threatened by a rival performer, an unlikely troop of magicians and inventors work together to fulfil the legacy. 

I found this book a challenge - whilst the story was clearly told for each of the characters clearly, the story took a while to develop. 

I loved Eadie's character, and Cecily was a force to be reckoned with in the end but I felt like more could have been developed in the feminist element of the story. 

Overall, it was a great premise for a story and it was told well - but it was a little slower paced than I tend to steer towards.

Comments

A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

It’s a story we all know and love. I think you’d be hard pushed to find anyone who doesn’t know the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge and the ghosts of past, present and future, yet I would bet that not many appreciate the true story. The main adaptations I know of, consist of The Muppets Christmas Carol and most recently - Spirited, the 2022 release with Ryan Reynolds and Will Farrell (a fun new take on the classic) so my comparisons between the book and films will be quite basic. The first thing I’ll say is that A Christmas Carol is a tiny 80 page read. I got through it in one evening (90 mins) in fact and would be a perfect addition to someone’s end of her reading goal. Secondly, the book does now take long to get into it. I can see why it’s heralded as a classic - easy to read and a basic but resonating moral, this is great for a reader of any age. The fact that it jumps straight in so soon will keep younger readers hooked. The original text is slightly darker that is expected...

DNF - The Final Revival of Opal & Nev - Dawnie Walton

I've been looking forward to this book so long but I'm just not in the right headspace for it. If you loved the writing style of Daisy Jones & The Six , you'll love this. In a similar vein, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev visits the history of these two performers in the 70s through interviews and accounts of the people that knew them. Everything about it is fantastic, the imagery, the tone - everything. I'm about 100 pages in and it's just not grabbing me at the moment. Could be something to do with the excessive weather we're having. So for now, I'm going to put it back on my TBR and try again another time.

A Curse of Frost and Fate - Verika Sloane

Having read another Nutcracker retelling immediately before, I was hesitant about jumping straight into A Curse of Frost and Fate but what better time than the weekend before Christmas?! This tale was very different though and in some ways, made for enjoyable easy reading full of cosy imagery and spicy scenes to get the heart rate going. Klara lives in New York, she's just your typical 27 year old but she has an eccentric uncle, who for Christmas gives her a nutcracker ornament from his travels. After being let down for her Christmas Eve date, Klara ends up in a different realm with the gorgeous Prince Jaemis, looking to rescue the kingdom from the evil Mouse King. I loved this book and couldn't have asked for a better, cosy read to transport me on the run up to the holiday season. Highly recommended for some festive fantasy escapism!

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