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The Illusions: The most captivating feminist historical fiction novel of the year
Not yet published
Expected 27 Jan 26At a time of extraordinary change, two women must harness their talents to take control of their own destiny . . .
Bristol, 1896. Used to scraping a living as the young assistant to an ageing con artist, Cecily Marsden's life is turned upside down when her master suddenly dies. Believing herself to blame, could young Cec somehow have powers she little understands?
Meanwhile Eadie Carleton, a pioneering early film-maker, struggles for her talent to be taken seriously in a male-dominated world, and a brilliant young magician, George Perris, begins to see the potential in moving pictures. George believes that if he can harness this new technology, it will revolutionise the world of magic forever - but in order to achieve his dreams, he must first win over Miss Carleton . . .
As a group of illusionists prepare for a grand spectacle - to mark both the retirement of legendary master The Professor and the announcement of his successor - Cec, Eadie and George's worlds collide. But as Cec falls in love with the bustling realm of theatre and magic, she faces the fight of her life to save the performance from sabotage and harness the element of real magic held deep within her.
THE ILLUSIONS is the captivating new novel from the much-lauded author of THE GIFTS. Inspired by real-life illusionists and early film pioneers, this astonishing story of women and talent, magic and power, sweeps you into a world where anything is possible and nothing is quite as it seems . . .
Bristol, 1896. Used to scraping a living as the young assistant to an ageing con artist, Cecily Marsden's life is turned upside down when her master suddenly dies. Believing herself to blame, could young Cec somehow have powers she little understands?
Meanwhile Eadie Carleton, a pioneering early film-maker, struggles for her talent to be taken seriously in a male-dominated world, and a brilliant young magician, George Perris, begins to see the potential in moving pictures. George believes that if he can harness this new technology, it will revolutionise the world of magic forever - but in order to achieve his dreams, he must first win over Miss Carleton . . .
As a group of illusionists prepare for a grand spectacle - to mark both the retirement of legendary master The Professor and the announcement of his successor - Cec, Eadie and George's worlds collide. But as Cec falls in love with the bustling realm of theatre and magic, she faces the fight of her life to save the performance from sabotage and harness the element of real magic held deep within her.
THE ILLUSIONS is the captivating new novel from the much-lauded author of THE GIFTS. Inspired by real-life illusionists and early film pioneers, this astonishing story of women and talent, magic and power, sweeps you into a world where anything is possible and nothing is quite as it seems . . .
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 2023
57 people are currently reading
1619 people want to read
About the author
Liz Hyder
5 books306 followersLiz Hyder is a writer and creative workshop leader. In early 2018, she won The Bridge Award/Moniack Mhor Emerging Writer Award. Her debut novel for young adults, Bearmouth, was named The Times Children's Book of the Year in 2019, won the Waterstones Children's Book for Older Readers 2020 and the Branford Boase Award 2020. It was also shortlisted for the UKLA Awards and nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal. Her debut book for adults, The Gifts, published in hardback in February 2022 (UK and Commonwealth). Originally from London, she now lives in South Shropshire in a small medieval market town surrounded by hills, books and plants.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
November 1, 2023
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog
Last April I read and loved The Gifts by this author it was Hyder's adult debut. This story was so magical. We get multiple points of view from all of our main characters. I love when a story is told that way because we get to know the characters really well and we get their internal thoughts and feelings. The characters are so likable, yet they all have plenty of flaws. I couldn't help but cheer them on and I wanted them to succeed in their endeavours.
The nineteenth century comes through splendidly in conversations, dialogue and with Hyder's ability to set the scene. Although magic and new moving pictures are the focus of the book Hyder entwines romance, friendship, LGBTQ, family and even feminism themes into her storytelling. So although this one is mostly historical fiction we get other genres as well. Hyder builds tension throughout the book and she had me on the edge of my seat and I found the ending so satisfying.
This had been sitting on my shelf since my birthday in July. I got it as a gift from The UK and I love the cover so much. What a talented storyteller Liz Hyder is, this one is full of whimsy and left me spellbound.
The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog
Last April I read and loved The Gifts by this author it was Hyder's adult debut. This story was so magical. We get multiple points of view from all of our main characters. I love when a story is told that way because we get to know the characters really well and we get their internal thoughts and feelings. The characters are so likable, yet they all have plenty of flaws. I couldn't help but cheer them on and I wanted them to succeed in their endeavours.
The nineteenth century comes through splendidly in conversations, dialogue and with Hyder's ability to set the scene. Although magic and new moving pictures are the focus of the book Hyder entwines romance, friendship, LGBTQ, family and even feminism themes into her storytelling. So although this one is mostly historical fiction we get other genres as well. Hyder builds tension throughout the book and she had me on the edge of my seat and I found the ending so satisfying.
This had been sitting on my shelf since my birthday in July. I got it as a gift from The UK and I love the cover so much. What a talented storyteller Liz Hyder is, this one is full of whimsy and left me spellbound.
June 23, 2023
In a Nutshell: A historical fiction about magicians and film pioneers in the mid-1890s. Fulfills all the promises made in the blurb. After a long time, I am on a book high.
Story Synopsis:
I had read Liz Hyder’s ‘The Gifts’ just a couple of months back and was blown away by her imagination. Despite some issues, it is still among my most memorable reads of this year so far. ‘The Illusions’ not just recreated the magic of the earlier book, but also blew away most of the complaints I had then.
Bookish Yays:
✨ The magic and illusions. So interesting and so authentic to the era! I loved everything connected to magic, right from the behind-the-scene glimpses to the showmanship on stage to the actual magic that some characters were capable of. This might remind you of ‘The Prestige’, but the only common factor between the two books is the magical theme.
✨ The spotlight on ‘living pictures’ – how astounding the medium of film and moving images must have seemed to the general public who were used only to still photographs! Films are a kind of magic, but we today are so saturated with moving media that we fail to remember the magic behind them. This book made me fall in love with the concept all over again. (This doesn’t mean that I now like Insta reels or Tiktok. No, siree!)
✨ All of the main characters are well-defined. Some are entirely good of heart and some entirely rotten, but the rest have enough depth to make them feel realistic. What I especially love is that the characters act their age. Cec is an impulsive teen who, having never seen comfort or security in her young life, gets manipulated easily by others and sometimes, even by her own feelings. Valentin uses his seniority and his experience to lead the rest. George is a young man with the light-heartedness of youth intermingled with the pressure of having a successful career. And Eadie allows her past heartbreaks to guide her heart but not her head and its brilliant inventive capacity. All of them felt genuine. And all of them won my heart.
✨ I love the role of women characters in this story. Historical fiction rarely allows common women to take a strong role in society, so to see the likes of Eadie, Cec, and Harry follow their passions despite the restrictions thrown on them by the 1890s society was awesome.
✨ Though there are quite a few characters in the story, the characterisation is such that it is fairly easy to remember them without any confusion. Must give credit to the author for handling so many story tracks without losing control of any. Every arc and every main third-person narrator gets equal prominence.
✨ Don't you just love a good old slow-burn romance without mention of flitters in the stomach and flutters in the heart? (Oh, you don’t? But I do! 😁) I hate insta-love stories, so to see two of the characters come together in an organically growing relationship was enough to make me remember my youthful days when I devoured classic books and the romantic tracks therein (David Copperfield and Anne; Phileas Fogg and Aouda; Jo March and Prof. Bhaer – Uff!! 😍) Give me more such fictional romances any day!
✨ The found family trope is put to excellent use through the writing. At the same time, the book also highlights how easy it is to manipulate someone based on what they assume than on what is true.
✨ Though the pacing is somewhat on the slower side (as is typical for character-oriented stories), I never felt that the book dragged at any point. As a reader, I was invested in the content from start to end without any feelings of boredom.
✨ The ending! Le satisfied sigh! 😍😍
✨ Gotta love a great author’s note that highlights the real-life inspiration behind the fictional characters and the historical relevance and accuracy of the story. Don’t skip it!
Bookish If Onlys:
⚠ There is a minor thread of magical realism in the plot. However, this is not explored much and not explained at all. Of course, the book isn’t promoted as a magical realism novel, so I am not counting this as an example of misleading marketing. But a teeny part of me wishes that the magical realism aspects had been a bit more prominent.
⚠ Teensy-weensy complaint: At times, it was confusing to recollect that Harry stood for Harriet. I know it’s a valid short version of the name, but while reading, Harry first brings to mind a male character. In a book with too many characters, this is a hurdle.
After a long time, I experienced a fascinating book that made me read almost obsessively till the wee hours of the morning, without caring that I had to wake up early. This was 450 pages of bookish thrills. To be fair, it wasn’t a perfect read: one character should have been darker and one theme should have been explored more, but the flaws are so minuscule that I am happy to ignore them.
That said, I know this book won’t work for everyone. The book is written in pseudo-literary fiction style, so the proceedings are slow-paced and character-focussed. But to the reader who cares more about storyline and characters and imagination than about pace, I think this will be a treat.
Strongly recommended to all those fed up of plain old historical fiction and love a dash of magic in their reads. Liz Hyder will be on my must-read author list from now on.
4.5 stars. (I was torn between a 4.25 and a 4.5, but a book hangover and an imaginative fact-fiction medley earned it a higher rating and a happy rounding-up.)
My thanks to Bonnier Books UK, Manilla Press, and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Illusions”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
This was a buddy read with Sri, and for the first time ever, we ended up with marginally different opinions. That added to the fun! 😁 Do check out her review to see why she didn’t find this worthy of a five star. 😉
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
1896, Bristol.
Cec Marsden: a sixteen-year-old assistant to an old con artist. Cec's life is suddenly upended by the death of her master, and she is convinced that she is to blame. After all, she seems to have some hidden power that she doesn’t understand and can’t control.
Eadie Carleton: After her father’s death and her brother’s disappearance, Eadie, who is in her mid-twenties, is left in charge of the family photographic studio. But Eadie is an inventor at heart, and is desperate for the world to recognise her talent with motion pictures. But is the society willing to accept a woman inventor with no man standing beside her?
George Perris: A twenty-six-year-old magician who has the talent but not the finances to establish himself. When he sees ‘living pictures’, he is convinced that they have potential, and that he can merge his magic with the new medium for greater success.
Valentin: aka The Great Valentine, who has not been to England since ages after a rift with his friend and fellow-magician, knows that it is time for him to return to Bristol and set things right. However, Bristol has other things in store for him, and he soon finds himself in charge of a youngster and a show, both of which hold their distinct challenges.
The lives of these four characters are set to cross in ways that create magic - actual and illusory, on and off the stage.
The story comes to us in the limited third-person perspective of the above four characters.
I had read Liz Hyder’s ‘The Gifts’ just a couple of months back and was blown away by her imagination. Despite some issues, it is still among my most memorable reads of this year so far. ‘The Illusions’ not just recreated the magic of the earlier book, but also blew away most of the complaints I had then.
Bookish Yays:
✨ The magic and illusions. So interesting and so authentic to the era! I loved everything connected to magic, right from the behind-the-scene glimpses to the showmanship on stage to the actual magic that some characters were capable of. This might remind you of ‘The Prestige’, but the only common factor between the two books is the magical theme.
✨ The spotlight on ‘living pictures’ – how astounding the medium of film and moving images must have seemed to the general public who were used only to still photographs! Films are a kind of magic, but we today are so saturated with moving media that we fail to remember the magic behind them. This book made me fall in love with the concept all over again. (This doesn’t mean that I now like Insta reels or Tiktok. No, siree!)
✨ All of the main characters are well-defined. Some are entirely good of heart and some entirely rotten, but the rest have enough depth to make them feel realistic. What I especially love is that the characters act their age. Cec is an impulsive teen who, having never seen comfort or security in her young life, gets manipulated easily by others and sometimes, even by her own feelings. Valentin uses his seniority and his experience to lead the rest. George is a young man with the light-heartedness of youth intermingled with the pressure of having a successful career. And Eadie allows her past heartbreaks to guide her heart but not her head and its brilliant inventive capacity. All of them felt genuine. And all of them won my heart.
✨ I love the role of women characters in this story. Historical fiction rarely allows common women to take a strong role in society, so to see the likes of Eadie, Cec, and Harry follow their passions despite the restrictions thrown on them by the 1890s society was awesome.
✨ Though there are quite a few characters in the story, the characterisation is such that it is fairly easy to remember them without any confusion. Must give credit to the author for handling so many story tracks without losing control of any. Every arc and every main third-person narrator gets equal prominence.
✨ Don't you just love a good old slow-burn romance without mention of flitters in the stomach and flutters in the heart? (Oh, you don’t? But I do! 😁) I hate insta-love stories, so to see two of the characters come together in an organically growing relationship was enough to make me remember my youthful days when I devoured classic books and the romantic tracks therein (David Copperfield and Anne; Phileas Fogg and Aouda; Jo March and Prof. Bhaer – Uff!! 😍) Give me more such fictional romances any day!
✨ The found family trope is put to excellent use through the writing. At the same time, the book also highlights how easy it is to manipulate someone based on what they assume than on what is true.
✨ Though the pacing is somewhat on the slower side (as is typical for character-oriented stories), I never felt that the book dragged at any point. As a reader, I was invested in the content from start to end without any feelings of boredom.
✨ The ending! Le satisfied sigh! 😍😍
✨ Gotta love a great author’s note that highlights the real-life inspiration behind the fictional characters and the historical relevance and accuracy of the story. Don’t skip it!
Bookish If Onlys:
⚠ There is a minor thread of magical realism in the plot. However, this is not explored much and not explained at all. Of course, the book isn’t promoted as a magical realism novel, so I am not counting this as an example of misleading marketing. But a teeny part of me wishes that the magical realism aspects had been a bit more prominent.
⚠ Teensy-weensy complaint: At times, it was confusing to recollect that Harry stood for Harriet. I know it’s a valid short version of the name, but while reading, Harry first brings to mind a male character. In a book with too many characters, this is a hurdle.
After a long time, I experienced a fascinating book that made me read almost obsessively till the wee hours of the morning, without caring that I had to wake up early. This was 450 pages of bookish thrills. To be fair, it wasn’t a perfect read: one character should have been darker and one theme should have been explored more, but the flaws are so minuscule that I am happy to ignore them.
That said, I know this book won’t work for everyone. The book is written in pseudo-literary fiction style, so the proceedings are slow-paced and character-focussed. But to the reader who cares more about storyline and characters and imagination than about pace, I think this will be a treat.
Strongly recommended to all those fed up of plain old historical fiction and love a dash of magic in their reads. Liz Hyder will be on my must-read author list from now on.
4.5 stars. (I was torn between a 4.25 and a 4.5, but a book hangover and an imaginative fact-fiction medley earned it a higher rating and a happy rounding-up.)
My thanks to Bonnier Books UK, Manilla Press, and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Illusions”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
This was a buddy read with Sri, and for the first time ever, we ended up with marginally different opinions. That added to the fun! 😁 Do check out her review to see why she didn’t find this worthy of a five star. 😉
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
October 19, 2023
Another book by Ms Hyder which did not disappoint me. The illusions and powers of a new medium appearing on the horizon at the end of the 19th century bring about opportunities for those who dare. Historical fiction which entertains, educates and offers some thrills - a perfect combination for me.
*A big thank-you to Liz Hyder, Bonnier UK Audio, and NetGalley for a free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.*
*A big thank-you to Liz Hyder, Bonnier UK Audio, and NetGalley for a free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.*
April 8, 2023
Rich, fantastic, magical and utterly delightful.
July 5, 2023
Wonderful and enchanting, I totally LOVED this big hearted story. The late nineteenth century was an exciting time for the development of new technologies and moving films play an important role here. A definite feel good book. I will be eagerly looking out for more work by this author. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
August 5, 2023
LIz Hyder's novel is set towards the end if the 19th century & is populated with plenty of interesting characters, even though the plot didn't really engage me as much as I hoped it would.
I enjoyed the locations in London & Bristol, as these are two of my favourite cities. The author creates a credible period atmosphere & beings to life the world of magicians as well as the early years of moving pictures. Although atmospheric I found the pace a little slow & hoped for more excitement. It's a good novel, but lacks a certain something special to make it a great one.
I enjoyed the locations in London & Bristol, as these are two of my favourite cities. The author creates a credible period atmosphere & beings to life the world of magicians as well as the early years of moving pictures. Although atmospheric I found the pace a little slow & hoped for more excitement. It's a good novel, but lacks a certain something special to make it a great one.
May 16, 2023
Bristol, 1896.
Used to scraping and bartering for an existence more than a living, as a young assistant to an aging and rather tiresome and unconvincing con artist, Cecily Marsden’s life seems to be a constant drudge until one fateful day her master suddenly dies. Believing it was herself that caused such a tragedy, young Cecily is adamant that she has powers beyond her comprehension but moving forward won’t be easy as she will have to escape the grasp of someone who claims to only want to help Cecily but has dark designs for her.
Meanwhile Eadie Carleton, an ambitious and pioneering early film-maker, is struggling with people to take her many talents seriously in a world where men are the ones who have all the say in what is important and what is hogwash, and a brilliant young magician, George Perris, begins to see the seed of something that could grow in these marvellous moving pictures but in order to see his own dreams become reality, he must first win over Miss Carleton.
As a group of illusionists prepare for a spectacle like never before, Cecily, Eadie, and George’s worlds collide in a most unexpected way. But while Cecily falls in love with the glittering and mysterious realm of theatre and magic, she faces the fight of her life to save not only the performance but also her new friends and must harness her magic to stop a certain ghost from her past from damning her and taking away any promise of a new life.
A sparkling jewel of a novel which leaps off the page, The Illusions is extraordinarily crafted, beautifully realised and highly entertaining.
Used to scraping and bartering for an existence more than a living, as a young assistant to an aging and rather tiresome and unconvincing con artist, Cecily Marsden’s life seems to be a constant drudge until one fateful day her master suddenly dies. Believing it was herself that caused such a tragedy, young Cecily is adamant that she has powers beyond her comprehension but moving forward won’t be easy as she will have to escape the grasp of someone who claims to only want to help Cecily but has dark designs for her.
Meanwhile Eadie Carleton, an ambitious and pioneering early film-maker, is struggling with people to take her many talents seriously in a world where men are the ones who have all the say in what is important and what is hogwash, and a brilliant young magician, George Perris, begins to see the seed of something that could grow in these marvellous moving pictures but in order to see his own dreams become reality, he must first win over Miss Carleton.
As a group of illusionists prepare for a spectacle like never before, Cecily, Eadie, and George’s worlds collide in a most unexpected way. But while Cecily falls in love with the glittering and mysterious realm of theatre and magic, she faces the fight of her life to save not only the performance but also her new friends and must harness her magic to stop a certain ghost from her past from damning her and taking away any promise of a new life.
A sparkling jewel of a novel which leaps off the page, The Illusions is extraordinarily crafted, beautifully realised and highly entertaining.
March 22, 2023
At a time of extraordinary change, two women must harness their talents to take control of their own destiny . . .
What a fabulous book, set in Bristol 1896, The Illusions is a story of a new age, magic and wonder.
The chapters are broken down into four POV, that come together for the finale.
The characters are great with a scoundrel or two to keep you guessing.
I loved this and highly recommend it.
Thank you to Bonnier Books for the ARC.
What a fabulous book, set in Bristol 1896, The Illusions is a story of a new age, magic and wonder.
The chapters are broken down into four POV, that come together for the finale.
The characters are great with a scoundrel or two to keep you guessing.
I loved this and highly recommend it.
Thank you to Bonnier Books for the ARC.
March 18, 2023
What a delight this book was! Wonderful, vividly drawn characters in a tale of magicians and the dawn of cinema in Victoria Britain. Such a treat.
June 17, 2023
Multiple POVs? YES PLEASE, THANK YOU. I love multiple POV books because we get so much more information and get to be in different characters heads. There’s something about magical realism that I’ve been loving lately, so add in some beautiful writing and a plot that’s as incredible as it’s characters and you’ve got an absolute winner, this book.
Definitely add this one to your summer TBR pile for a book that’s as cozy as it is magical.
Thank you to Manilla Press for sending me a proof of this one.
Definitely add this one to your summer TBR pile for a book that’s as cozy as it is magical.
Thank you to Manilla Press for sending me a proof of this one.
September 16, 2023
I requested an eARC of this novel based solely upon the strength of its fantastic cover art, which fits right in my wheelhouse, only to realise belatedly that this is by the same author as The Gifts. Nevertheless, I persisted with ‘The Illusions’ to see if Liz Hyder’s approach to historical fiction had undergone any sort of transformation, since, sadly, I couldn’t write a favourable review of that debut novel earlier this year.
However, far from being refashioned, I find that the problematic elements of Liz Hyder’s style abide, and that my points of concern remain the same. Principally, that Hyder’s characters are indistinguishable, one from the others, in emotion, articulation, and motivation (the pursuit of success and/or love being the only storylines here).
Some of this might be due to the fact that I found Anna Burnett’s vocal performance of ‘The Illusions’ audiobook colourless by comparison to Tuppence Middleton’s narration of ‘The Gifts’. Burnett’s reading compounds the issue: she proves unsuccessful in animating Hyder’s characters vocally. The cast, in narration, should be full of panache and vitality; these flamboyant entertainers could be enlivened with a spirited performance, yet I found them unexciting, unvaried; too samey to hold my interest. (Perhaps it is no fault of the voice performance; it’s interesting that I find myself writing practically the same review as for Hyder’s other novel.)
In ‘The Illusions’, we have Eadie Carleton and we have Cecily Marsdens, and there really isn’t much to distinguish the inner voices or the speech of these two female main characters. Then we have George Perris and his own swappable counterpart (who is so bland that I have literally forgotten his name, as I write this! He was Perris’s assistant, then Eadie’s assistant, and he is the paramour of Harriet). There is also Lewis, Eadie’s brother, and Ollie and Ollie’s brother. But these are, again, interchangeable with the other male characters (save Skarratt). Furthermore, there is George’s sister Harry, who is a cookie-cutter replica of Eadie. And with all this multitude, the novel is over-heavy on love stories.
I could speculate upon whether Hyder’s problem with character drive is because she is working from factual history, but if the historical figures caught her attention in the first instance, then surely they can be fictionalised as similarly arresting on the page!? I really tried to love ‘The Illusions’, because the bare story effected such a strong pull on me, and perhaps I’m going to be the outlier amidst rave reviews, but I just kept asking myself, where is the stagecraft in the text? Hyder’s writing here, with this subject, could be dramatic and theatrical, full of gusto, as exuberant as these stage performers must have been! Yet there is no zest here, no zing, even with an element of the supernatural thrown in. In fact, because the touch of magical realism is underdeveloped, it appears to be frivolously tacked on.
Not dissimilar to her debut novel, this, Hyder’s second novel doesn’t manage to get the wheels of the story moving until quite a distance into the book. And, likewise, ‘The Illusions’ flops glumly at its conclusion (glumly for me, personally; I see the conclusion pleases other reviewers). Nonetheless, I will continue to follow Hyder’s career, because her choice of subjects and areas of research are markedly within my sphere of interest when it comes to fiction genres, and I hope that I’ll find that sparkle in her upcoming work.
Thanks are due to Bonnier UK Audio for the kind opportunity to listen to the audiobook in exchange for my honest review, via NetGalley.
However, far from being refashioned, I find that the problematic elements of Liz Hyder’s style abide, and that my points of concern remain the same. Principally, that Hyder’s characters are indistinguishable, one from the others, in emotion, articulation, and motivation (the pursuit of success and/or love being the only storylines here).
Some of this might be due to the fact that I found Anna Burnett’s vocal performance of ‘The Illusions’ audiobook colourless by comparison to Tuppence Middleton’s narration of ‘The Gifts’. Burnett’s reading compounds the issue: she proves unsuccessful in animating Hyder’s characters vocally. The cast, in narration, should be full of panache and vitality; these flamboyant entertainers could be enlivened with a spirited performance, yet I found them unexciting, unvaried; too samey to hold my interest. (Perhaps it is no fault of the voice performance; it’s interesting that I find myself writing practically the same review as for Hyder’s other novel.)
In ‘The Illusions’, we have Eadie Carleton and we have Cecily Marsdens, and there really isn’t much to distinguish the inner voices or the speech of these two female main characters. Then we have George Perris and his own swappable counterpart (who is so bland that I have literally forgotten his name, as I write this! He was Perris’s assistant, then Eadie’s assistant, and he is the paramour of Harriet). There is also Lewis, Eadie’s brother, and Ollie and Ollie’s brother. But these are, again, interchangeable with the other male characters (save Skarratt). Furthermore, there is George’s sister Harry, who is a cookie-cutter replica of Eadie. And with all this multitude, the novel is over-heavy on love stories.
I could speculate upon whether Hyder’s problem with character drive is because she is working from factual history, but if the historical figures caught her attention in the first instance, then surely they can be fictionalised as similarly arresting on the page!? I really tried to love ‘The Illusions’, because the bare story effected such a strong pull on me, and perhaps I’m going to be the outlier amidst rave reviews, but I just kept asking myself, where is the stagecraft in the text? Hyder’s writing here, with this subject, could be dramatic and theatrical, full of gusto, as exuberant as these stage performers must have been! Yet there is no zest here, no zing, even with an element of the supernatural thrown in. In fact, because the touch of magical realism is underdeveloped, it appears to be frivolously tacked on.
Not dissimilar to her debut novel, this, Hyder’s second novel doesn’t manage to get the wheels of the story moving until quite a distance into the book. And, likewise, ‘The Illusions’ flops glumly at its conclusion (glumly for me, personally; I see the conclusion pleases other reviewers). Nonetheless, I will continue to follow Hyder’s career, because her choice of subjects and areas of research are markedly within my sphere of interest when it comes to fiction genres, and I hope that I’ll find that sparkle in her upcoming work.
Thanks are due to Bonnier UK Audio for the kind opportunity to listen to the audiobook in exchange for my honest review, via NetGalley.
May 20, 2023
— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Illusions
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Liz Hyder
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Historical Fiction
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 22nd June 2023
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 19th May 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4/5
”All done by kindness.”
The Illusions is a marvelous historical fiction novel with aspects of magical realism and roots in true historical figures. This book acts as a love letter to theatre and creative collaboration.
Based in Bristol during 1886, The Illusions is set in the period of time where animated pictures were a new phenomenon and magicians played a large part in pushing the magic and brilliant inventiveness of this technological advance.
This story really gave me everything. It was incredibly well written and so provocative. There were tones of sadness, violence, mystique, tenderness, and a heartwarming found family dynamic that really hits its stride towards the end of the story.
Speaking of the end of the story; the ending was so fabulous and climactic. I enjoyed it immensely.
—Kayleigh🤍
@ Welsh Book Fairy🧚♀️✨
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𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Illusions
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Liz Hyder
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Historical Fiction
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 22nd June 2023
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 19th May 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4/5
”All done by kindness.”
The Illusions is a marvelous historical fiction novel with aspects of magical realism and roots in true historical figures. This book acts as a love letter to theatre and creative collaboration.
Based in Bristol during 1886, The Illusions is set in the period of time where animated pictures were a new phenomenon and magicians played a large part in pushing the magic and brilliant inventiveness of this technological advance.
This story really gave me everything. It was incredibly well written and so provocative. There were tones of sadness, violence, mystique, tenderness, and a heartwarming found family dynamic that really hits its stride towards the end of the story.
Speaking of the end of the story; the ending was so fabulous and climactic. I enjoyed it immensely.
—Kayleigh🤍
@ Welsh Book Fairy🧚♀️✨
♡Booksta
♡Blog
April 26, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm absolutely enamored with this book. Taking my time to read it was a wise decision, as it is filled with so many intricacies that usually challenge my understanding, yet the author's writing is impeccable, allowing me to grasp the content more quickly. I adored the storyline, the emotions, and the gradual development of events. I was constantly surprised, never guessing correctly about the twists and turns. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
I'm absolutely enamored with this book. Taking my time to read it was a wise decision, as it is filled with so many intricacies that usually challenge my understanding, yet the author's writing is impeccable, allowing me to grasp the content more quickly. I adored the storyline, the emotions, and the gradual development of events. I was constantly surprised, never guessing correctly about the twists and turns. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
Want to read
July 1, 2023This one Sounds Different and Love Magic and Illusion. I am fortunate my library does have the book available.
Liz Hyder also published The Gift, another book she wrote last year and was available, so added that one to my list.
Love hearing about new Authors 💕 Thanks, Rosh❣️
Liz Hyder also published The Gift, another book she wrote last year and was available, so added that one to my list.
Love hearing about new Authors 💕 Thanks, Rosh❣️
September 22, 2023
A book of magic and mayhem, imagery and illusion, tricks and talent but above all the sweetest story of found family. I absolutely adored these characters and witnessing how their extraordinary lives became so wonderfully entangled. Captivating, richly imagined and beautifully crafted, Liz Hyder has pulled off the perfect magic show within these pages - I loved it! 🎩💫
July 5, 2023
I was spellbound!
Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
Liz creates mostly likeable characters in this multiple POV story set in Bristol in the late 19th century, and one I loathed with passion.
The story captures the heart of magic, but at the heart of this tale is love and determination, something it shares with her breathtaking novel The Gifts. If you haven't read it you should!
Liz has a real talent for storytelling, and I will be sticking around for as long as she'll have me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
Liz creates mostly likeable characters in this multiple POV story set in Bristol in the late 19th century, and one I loathed with passion.
The story captures the heart of magic, but at the heart of this tale is love and determination, something it shares with her breathtaking novel The Gifts. If you haven't read it you should!
Liz has a real talent for storytelling, and I will be sticking around for as long as she'll have me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 10, 2024
2.5 ⭐️. I thought this was easy enough to read but it was too long. There were too many characters and storylines and took me a while to work out who everyone was. I thought the language used was very 21st Century too which put me off. I also saw the twist coming from the beginning.
April 13, 2023
Charming , quirky and magical, rather like most of the main characters 4.5 raised
I read this with a happy smile on my face, almost all the way through, except when shouting out "oh no! oh no! " whenever any of the likeable major characters (that’s most of them) seemed to be in any imminent danger, whether from normal happenstance, or malevolent intent, whether through supposed evil magic, or purely human evil intent
Hyder, from the start had me deeply engaged with (almost) all her characters, and warmly sympathetic towards their foibles, struggles, desires and humanity.
In fact, if I have some slight reservation, it is that we pretty well know, from the off, just who are the ‘hiss the villains’ Thoroughly unlikeable and obviously not to be trusted by anyone with half a heart or half a brain, from the very get go.
Her far larger cast of utterly delightful characters all have obvious nobility and heroic natures, even if they have some foibles
Set at the tale end of the nineteeth century (1896) this has two major settings. One is that of the theatre, and, more specifically, follows 4 magicians, and their particular brand of magical illusion. Or perhaps, just, the possibility of magic itself, without illusion. The other is in the development of the art of photography, and, in particular, the very young development of the moving picture phenomenon, and how the use of the moving picture ‘illusion’ and the magician’s employment of illusion, might coincide.
This is also the trajectory of several love stories
As in the first adult book, The Gifts, which also dealt with the magical realm – but more obviously ‘supernatural’ magic – Hyder creates extremely strong, feisty, not to mention trail blazing female characters
Here, too my slight reservations. At times, I think the writer’s mid-twentieth century liberal values views are perhaps a little too universally given to her likeable group of heroic protagonists. This is particularly clear in their sexual attitudes and behaviours. I hate the term ‘woke’ as it has been tarred by the grimly unwoke as a term of abuse, but though there were always those who were far ahead of the thinking of their time, it is surely rare that every person of ‘goodness’, in earlier times, would have the more enlightened attitudes which one would hope many more of us would have, these days.
I noted this same reservation with The Gifts, but must also commend Hyder strongly in that though I knew it here, too, my analytical, critical faculties were suspended whilst I was actually reading, and have only arisen on reflection.
And my adoration of that tail end of the nineteeth expositions of the various wonderful acts of illusion, plus the excitement of the developing ‘moving picture’ story, was profound. This was a gorgeous, glorious, journey, and Hyder’s account, at the end of the book, on who and what were the springboards for her fabulous research and transforming imagination, was the cherry on the cake
I’ve emerged from a rich late Victorian magical submersion into a somewhat more mundane world
I read this with a happy smile on my face, almost all the way through, except when shouting out "oh no! oh no! " whenever any of the likeable major characters (that’s most of them) seemed to be in any imminent danger, whether from normal happenstance, or malevolent intent, whether through supposed evil magic, or purely human evil intent
Hyder, from the start had me deeply engaged with (almost) all her characters, and warmly sympathetic towards their foibles, struggles, desires and humanity.
In fact, if I have some slight reservation, it is that we pretty well know, from the off, just who are the ‘hiss the villains’ Thoroughly unlikeable and obviously not to be trusted by anyone with half a heart or half a brain, from the very get go.
Her far larger cast of utterly delightful characters all have obvious nobility and heroic natures, even if they have some foibles
Set at the tale end of the nineteeth century (1896) this has two major settings. One is that of the theatre, and, more specifically, follows 4 magicians, and their particular brand of magical illusion. Or perhaps, just, the possibility of magic itself, without illusion. The other is in the development of the art of photography, and, in particular, the very young development of the moving picture phenomenon, and how the use of the moving picture ‘illusion’ and the magician’s employment of illusion, might coincide.
This is also the trajectory of several love stories
As in the first adult book, The Gifts, which also dealt with the magical realm – but more obviously ‘supernatural’ magic – Hyder creates extremely strong, feisty, not to mention trail blazing female characters
Here, too my slight reservations. At times, I think the writer’s mid-twentieth century liberal values views are perhaps a little too universally given to her likeable group of heroic protagonists. This is particularly clear in their sexual attitudes and behaviours. I hate the term ‘woke’ as it has been tarred by the grimly unwoke as a term of abuse, but though there were always those who were far ahead of the thinking of their time, it is surely rare that every person of ‘goodness’, in earlier times, would have the more enlightened attitudes which one would hope many more of us would have, these days.
I noted this same reservation with The Gifts, but must also commend Hyder strongly in that though I knew it here, too, my analytical, critical faculties were suspended whilst I was actually reading, and have only arisen on reflection.
And my adoration of that tail end of the nineteeth expositions of the various wonderful acts of illusion, plus the excitement of the developing ‘moving picture’ story, was profound. This was a gorgeous, glorious, journey, and Hyder’s account, at the end of the book, on who and what were the springboards for her fabulous research and transforming imagination, was the cherry on the cake
I’ve emerged from a rich late Victorian magical submersion into a somewhat more mundane world
April 12, 2023
Rating: 5/5
Firstly, I would like to thank the publisher for approving me to read a digital ARC of The Illusions by Liz Hyder. As always, the following views expressed are my own honest opinions.
Summary:
The Illusions by Liz Hyder is set in Bristol in 1896 and focuses on the farewell show of primo magician, The Professor. Preparations for the show bring together the main characters, Eadie Carlton, a projectionist and inventor, George Perris, a magician and successor to the Professor, Valentin, the Professor’s old friend and another magician, and finally, Cecily Marsden, an ex con-artist with a touch of magic about her.
This team along with their family and friends face many ups and downs along the way as they try to put on an outstanding show to celebrate the life and talent of The Professor. The biggest obstacle to overcome is the devious machinations of Roderick Skarrat, a jealous rival.
Thoughts:
The Illusions by Liz Hyder is historical fiction with a touch of whimsy and a dash of romance. From the very start I was pulled into this world of illusion and magic, and quite frankly I was loathe to leave it (so much so I spent several late nights reading). The author does a great job of building up the historical setting and capturing the wondrous world of performance magic.
I fell hard for the characters and became easily invested in each of their experiences and troubles. Each had their own talents and also flaws, which to me, made them feel more believable. Each had some secret or past that is gradually revealed as the story unfolds, rewarding the reader as they progress.
The book had a cosy feel-good vibe with fairly low stakes and yet still managed to build up momentum and tension as the day of the grand show drew near. The descriptions of the show itself did well to convey the awe of the audience and the adrenalin buzz of the performers.
I must admit I was concerned the ending would not live up to the rest of the book and I’m glad to report my worries were unfounded. The ending did well in tying up loose threads whilst also leaving the story open for us to imagine how the characters’ lives continued. I did predict a couple of the final reveals, but in all honestly, I think I would have been more put out if I had been wrong.
I would highly recommend this book, especially to those who enjoy historical fiction. I enjoyed reading The Illusions so much that I have pre-ordered a physical copy, a rather nice Goldsboro Books edition to add to my bookshelves, as I know I’ll want to read it again. I’m also keen to read Liz Hyder’s other work, The Gifts.
Firstly, I would like to thank the publisher for approving me to read a digital ARC of The Illusions by Liz Hyder. As always, the following views expressed are my own honest opinions.
Summary:
The Illusions by Liz Hyder is set in Bristol in 1896 and focuses on the farewell show of primo magician, The Professor. Preparations for the show bring together the main characters, Eadie Carlton, a projectionist and inventor, George Perris, a magician and successor to the Professor, Valentin, the Professor’s old friend and another magician, and finally, Cecily Marsden, an ex con-artist with a touch of magic about her.
This team along with their family and friends face many ups and downs along the way as they try to put on an outstanding show to celebrate the life and talent of The Professor. The biggest obstacle to overcome is the devious machinations of Roderick Skarrat, a jealous rival.
Thoughts:
The Illusions by Liz Hyder is historical fiction with a touch of whimsy and a dash of romance. From the very start I was pulled into this world of illusion and magic, and quite frankly I was loathe to leave it (so much so I spent several late nights reading). The author does a great job of building up the historical setting and capturing the wondrous world of performance magic.
I fell hard for the characters and became easily invested in each of their experiences and troubles. Each had their own talents and also flaws, which to me, made them feel more believable. Each had some secret or past that is gradually revealed as the story unfolds, rewarding the reader as they progress.
The book had a cosy feel-good vibe with fairly low stakes and yet still managed to build up momentum and tension as the day of the grand show drew near. The descriptions of the show itself did well to convey the awe of the audience and the adrenalin buzz of the performers.
I must admit I was concerned the ending would not live up to the rest of the book and I’m glad to report my worries were unfounded. The ending did well in tying up loose threads whilst also leaving the story open for us to imagine how the characters’ lives continued. I did predict a couple of the final reveals, but in all honestly, I think I would have been more put out if I had been wrong.
I would highly recommend this book, especially to those who enjoy historical fiction. I enjoyed reading The Illusions so much that I have pre-ordered a physical copy, a rather nice Goldsboro Books edition to add to my bookshelves, as I know I’ll want to read it again. I’m also keen to read Liz Hyder’s other work, The Gifts.
July 8, 2023
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Bonnier Books for approving me for an ARC of this book.
🪄Magic, mayhem and illusions are at the centre of this story and I am here for it! Each of our characters has a unique skill that we see flourish throughout the story. The tricks and magic had me captivated.
🎩The alternating POV keep the story flowing and I found it hard to choose a favourite character. I felt Cec had the biggest journey of them all with a lot to overcome but I equally enjoyed seeing Eadie and George’s professional and personal relationships flourish.
🔮One of my favourite parts was the notes at the start of each chapter, depicting the different types of magic and skills. I also found the historical notes at the end fascinating.
⭐This was a fun and engrossing read. It kept me entertained and I loved seeing all the different threads come together in a dramatic conclusion!
🪄Magic, mayhem and illusions are at the centre of this story and I am here for it! Each of our characters has a unique skill that we see flourish throughout the story. The tricks and magic had me captivated.
🎩The alternating POV keep the story flowing and I found it hard to choose a favourite character. I felt Cec had the biggest journey of them all with a lot to overcome but I equally enjoyed seeing Eadie and George’s professional and personal relationships flourish.
🔮One of my favourite parts was the notes at the start of each chapter, depicting the different types of magic and skills. I also found the historical notes at the end fascinating.
⭐This was a fun and engrossing read. It kept me entertained and I loved seeing all the different threads come together in a dramatic conclusion!
May 23, 2023
I adored Liz Hyder’s first adult novel The Gifts so much that when a chance for an ARC of her second came up I couldn’t resist. Set in Victorian Bristol at the dawn of film or living pictures mixing with the Victorian fascination with magic & the occult we join our cast as Britain’s Greatest Magician prepares to take his final bow. Mixing magic, dirty deeds, shady characters and romance into a gripping tale that swept me away. Love it, can’t recommend it highly enough!
Huge thank you to Andre at Bonnier Books for my ARC.
Huge thank you to Andre at Bonnier Books for my ARC.
September 11, 2023
Paired my signed copy with the #ALC from #NetGalley.
Late 19th century. Set in Bristol. Magicians, early moving pictures, séances, found family, betrayals, and a show with a grand final. Likeable and 'authentic' characters.
The narration was good. I had to crank it to 2.25x though to roughly match my reading speed.
Late 19th century. Set in Bristol. Magicians, early moving pictures, séances, found family, betrayals, and a show with a grand final. Likeable and 'authentic' characters.
The narration was good. I had to crank it to 2.25x though to roughly match my reading speed.
May 24, 2023
Liz Hyder is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. This is such a richly drawn book, full of history and magic. I enjoyed it greatly.
June 27, 2024
This is the most boring book I think I have ever read. The writing itself was decent, nice word usage and all, but the story? Wow.
It's like I read 400 pages of nothing. It didn't make me feel invested, there was no real climax, the characters were shallow and WAY TOO MANY. It took half of the whole book to get something going for all of them and then just...nothing. Nothing happened from there on.
I wish I didn't buy this.
It's like I read 400 pages of nothing. It didn't make me feel invested, there was no real climax, the characters were shallow and WAY TOO MANY. It took half of the whole book to get something going for all of them and then just...nothing. Nothing happened from there on.
I wish I didn't buy this.
November 18, 2024
I had high hopes for this one, but ultimately ended up bored by the incredibly similar characters and slow pace. By the end I wasn't entirely sure who was doing what or why, and I didn't particularly care.
February 7, 2025
The subject matter of this book wasn't suited to me, and I think that to truly love this book you need to enjoy magic, illusion and wonder. That being said this book was interesting and kept me hooked throughout and was not a difficult book to read!
October 30, 2023
Brilliant story. I listened to this one on audiobook and enjoyed it immensely.
June 26, 2023
This historical fiction is based in Victorian London. Good plot, some great characters. A pretty good summer read for the holidays :) Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
October 20, 2023
Set in the late Victorian period we follow a number of characters in Bristol and London as they embark on putting on a spectacular magic show.
Told from various POV Hyder allows the reader to get into several characters' heads and gives us an insight of how women are viewed as magicians at that time.
She also looks at siblings relationships at that time especially the brother/sister dynamic. That said there is quite a number of connections between characters and it was hard to keep up at times.
For inspiration the author draws from real life characters especially pioneering women embracing new technologies involving moving pictures.
There is also a hint of real magic coupled with the Victorian obsession of contacting the dead and seances.
An entertaining and gripping read from an author who has done a lot of research into the subjects covered in the book.
Told from various POV Hyder allows the reader to get into several characters' heads and gives us an insight of how women are viewed as magicians at that time.
She also looks at siblings relationships at that time especially the brother/sister dynamic. That said there is quite a number of connections between characters and it was hard to keep up at times.
For inspiration the author draws from real life characters especially pioneering women embracing new technologies involving moving pictures.
There is also a hint of real magic coupled with the Victorian obsession of contacting the dead and seances.
An entertaining and gripping read from an author who has done a lot of research into the subjects covered in the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews