Title: Born of Illusion
Author: Teri Brown
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: 6.11.2013
Pages: 384
Genre: Historical, Fantasy
Series: Born of Illusion #1
Source: ARC from publisher
Rating: A
Summary (from Goodreads):
Anna Van Housen has a secret. A gifted illusionist, Anna assists her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite Van Housen, in her stage show and séances, easily navigating the underground world of magicians, mediums, and mentalists in 1920’s New York. As the illegitimate daughter of Harry Houdini—or so Marguerite claims—sleight of hand illusions have never been a challenge for Anna. The real trick is keeping her own gifts secret from her opportunistic mother. Because while Marguerite’s own powers may be a sham, Anna possesses a true ability to sense people’s feelings and foretell the future.
But as Anna’s powers intensify, she begins to experience frightening visions of her mother in peril, which leads her to explore the powers she’s tried so long to hide. And when a mysterious young man named Cole moves into the flat downstairs, introducing Anna to a secret society that studies people with gifts like hers, she is forced to confront her past and rethink everything she’s ever known. Is her mother truly in danger, or are Anna’s visions merely illusion? And could the great Houdini really be her father, or is it just another of Marguerite’s tricks?
From Teri Brown comes a world bursting with magic, with romance, and the temptations of Jazz Age New York—and the story of a girl about to become the mistress of her own destiny.
Review:
Talk about a love/hate relationship between a mother and daughter. This was an amazing tale, one I hope to hear more about, of a struggling young woman striving to find her place in a male dominant world.
Anna quickly becomes your favorite. Teri does a beautiful job throwing you into her head and heart. Your quick to understand her, as though you would do the same put in her shoes. Not only is Anna amazing but so are all the other characters. Complete with their own bit of history as well as glimpses of their emotions. That's what makes a great story, when you can really "see" with them.
Ever wondered about what it's like as a woman in the 1920's? Well here is your chance. Teri created such a detailed and vivid world that I wish I was Anna. She didn't leave out a single detail; I was not left asking "what does the look like?" She is even detailed down to the clothes and hair of some characters.
In the end, you just want more. An excellent romance, paranormal, fantasy that makes you swell with more than one emotion. A definite must read!
Anna quickly becomes your favorite. Teri does a beautiful job throwing you into her head and heart. Your quick to understand her, as though you would do the same put in her shoes. Not only is Anna amazing but so are all the other characters. Complete with their own bit of history as well as glimpses of their emotions. That's what makes a great story, when you can really "see" with them.
Ever wondered about what it's like as a woman in the 1920's? Well here is your chance. Teri created such a detailed and vivid world that I wish I was Anna. She didn't leave out a single detail; I was not left asking "what does the look like?" She is even detailed down to the clothes and hair of some characters.
In the end, you just want more. An excellent romance, paranormal, fantasy that makes you swell with more than one emotion. A definite must read!
~About the Author~
Teri Brown is proud of her two children but coming in a close second is the fact that she parachuted out of a plane and beat the original Legend of Zelda video game.
She is a word scribbler, head banger, math hater, book reader, rule breaker, food fixer, novel writer, kitty keeper, and city slicker. Teri lives with her husband and way too many pets in Portland, Oregon.
~Giveaway~
To celebrate the launch of BORN OF ILLUSION, Teri is giving away 10 sets of BORN OF ILLUSION earth mineral eye shadow available for a limited time only from Glamour Doll Eyes. You, too, can get the glam look of the twenties!
Eye Shadow Giveaway (10 sets)
Teri will also be giving away not, one but THREE grand prizes that Cari Cucksey, (of HGTV’s Cash and Cari), picked out from her RePurpose shop especially for the BORN OF ILLUSION launch!
Grand Prize Giveaway – Vintage Spoon Bracelets
So don’t forget to enter for a chance to win these beautiful vintage spoon bracelets!
All giveaways are US and Canada only.
~Tour~
Week One
June 3rd - Tales of the Ravenous Reader - Guest Post
June 4th - Mostly YA Books Obsessed - Review
June 5th - Hobbitsies - Interview
June 6th - YA Bibliophile - Guest Post
June 7th - The Starry-Eyed Revue - Review
Week Two
June 10th - Supernatural Snark - Interview
June 11th - Between the Pages - Review
June 12th - Icey Books - Guest Post
June 13th - Larissa & Friends' Bookish Life - Guest Post
June 14th - The Irish Banana - Review
This cover is to die for! I want to read it just because the cover rocks and I would like to find a book about the 1920s that I enjoy. Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Anna and her mother was my favorite part of this book Gabrielle! It was just so tense and there was so much emotion flying back and forth, I just loved it:) So glad this book worked so well for you!
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing! The emotions were probably my favorite part as well. I was pleasently surprised with this book. And thank you :-)
ReplyDeleteThe cover is pretty cool.I can't wait to read this book.I love everything that has to do with magic.Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteLove the magic element!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you Gabrielle, Brown did so well in researching the period that I was fully immersed and transported back in time to NYC in the 1920s. This was a fantastic book and I loved it!
ReplyDelete