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Crystal Clear #1
Illusion of Escape
A single, independent woman focused on her career, Mori Copeland has no time for anything other than her cat and her peaceful solitude. It helps that her dreams are filled with the perfect man to console her. Sometimes, he seems a little more real than others.But isn’t he just the product of Mori’s overactive imagination?Closer than brothers, Kai, Walker, Remi, and Levi are not one without the others. With Walker missing, the other three will do anything it takes to retrieve their friend…including kidnapping the sexy redhead that’s about to come into her powers. With her undeniable connection to the missing mage, they’ll drag her kicking and screaming into magekynd if they have to.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2018
324 people are currently reading
670 people want to read
About the author
Lana Kole
31 books422 followersWith a southern twang that's all charm, Lana hails from Tennessee with her four feline roommates. If one of them isn't demanding her attention, she's most likely writing. Her stories bring life to characters who don't fit the mold, romance as sweet as it is sexy, and worlds better than this one.
Author of paranormal, sweet omegaverse, monster romance, and queer love stories with a happily ever after.
Author of paranormal, sweet omegaverse, monster romance, and queer love stories with a happily ever after.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
February 2, 2022
Honestly, there was SO much wrong with this. I'm going to mostly do this in spoiler tags ... so here we go.
She has no personality. She's a Mary Sue blow up doll. I hated pretty much all of it.
So why did I finish it? I don't honestly know. Mostly I was curious to know more about the system of magic and the mage community. But it doesn't seem to have structure. Like ... there don't seem to be leaders in the community, and the powers just ... appear and work in whatever way the Mary Sue needs them to. She spontaneously develops them as a situation calls for it. So I think I'm looking for a system where none exists.
And quickly on the Mary Sue thing, look, I like a little Mary Sue to my FMC. I like them to be powerful, fierce, able to handle a situation. But if every situation ends with them spontaneously having a new ability that solves it - - it is too much.
I read the beginning of the next ... I guess just a masochistic tendency I have. But I have already DNF'd it, so ... yeah.
*shrug*
She has no personality. She's a Mary Sue blow up doll. I hated pretty much all of it.
So why did I finish it? I don't honestly know. Mostly I was curious to know more about the system of magic and the mage community. But it doesn't seem to have structure. Like ... there don't seem to be leaders in the community, and the powers just ... appear and work in whatever way the Mary Sue needs them to. She spontaneously develops them as a situation calls for it. So I think I'm looking for a system where none exists.
And quickly on the Mary Sue thing, look, I like a little Mary Sue to my FMC. I like them to be powerful, fierce, able to handle a situation. But if every situation ends with them spontaneously having a new ability that solves it - - it is too much.
I read the beginning of the next ... I guess just a masochistic tendency I have. But I have already DNF'd it, so ... yeah.
*shrug*
August 19, 2019
I hate Stockholm Syndrome, I hate Stockholm Syndrome, I hate Stockholm Syndrome, I hate Stockholm Syndrome, I hate Stockholm Syndrome, I hate Stockholm Syndrome, I hate Stockholm Syndrome...
Good writing, It's just a personal preference when I say, I hate Stockholm Syndrome.
Darn it.
Good writing, It's just a personal preference when I say, I hate Stockholm Syndrome.
Darn it.
January 17, 2019
Dnf at 34%. Full review to come.
August 14, 2023
It had potential, but....
That potential wasn't realised.
Pros:
- Interesting blurb
- No glaring grammar issues
Cons:
-Half a$$ed world building
- No character development
-Mori is supposedly a strong, capable person but her actions and reactions don't support that
- The relationships between her and Levi, Kai and Remi depend on Stockholm Syndrome rather than any real relationship building
-Kai has no redeeming qualities
-Remi isn't trustworthy
- The RH aspects were poorly handled
Conclusion:
I have no interest in finding out what happens after the cliffhanger. I don't care about the characters and there wasn't enough information for me to be interested in the world they live in either. This was a waste of time and I've added this author to my 'Never Again' list.
That potential wasn't realised.
Pros:
- Interesting blurb
- No glaring grammar issues
Cons:
-Half a$$ed world building
- No character development
-Mori is supposedly a strong, capable person but her actions and reactions don't support that
- The relationships between her and Levi, Kai and Remi depend on Stockholm Syndrome rather than any real relationship building
-Kai has no redeeming qualities
-Remi isn't trustworthy
- The RH aspects were poorly handled
Conclusion:
I have no interest in finding out what happens after the cliffhanger. I don't care about the characters and there wasn't enough information for me to be interested in the world they live in either. This was a waste of time and I've added this author to my 'Never Again' list.
February 15, 2019
Well slap my a$$ and call me sally.
Holy carp on a cracker was this a good book! I loved, LOVED Mori. She is my favoritist FMC. She’s funny and fierce. She loves hard is is loyal. I loved the story and the different abilities the mages had. Her integration into the group wasn’t the easiest but she ended up bucking up and rolling with it. The book was paced well and was a good medium burn; there was sex (hot HAWT) and innuendo but also you could see there was a deep caring for the guys (and each other). So excited for the next book now that we’re past that giant cliffhanger!
Holy carp on a cracker was this a good book! I loved, LOVED Mori. She is my favoritist FMC. She’s funny and fierce. She loves hard is is loyal. I loved the story and the different abilities the mages had. Her integration into the group wasn’t the easiest but she ended up bucking up and rolling with it. The book was paced well and was a good medium burn; there was sex (hot HAWT) and innuendo but also you could see there was a deep caring for the guys (and each other). So excited for the next book now that we’re past that giant cliffhanger!
April 12, 2019
DNF at 40%.
This is another of those books that starts out intriguing but once it goes beyond intros and setup the author has no clue how to write. The explanations were bad, the story got stupid really fast with a kidnapping, and then the dialogue was poor. There’s no connection between MC and love interests beyond just being told there is once she meets them all. It seems the author flounders with making all these characters flushed out.
This is another of those books that starts out intriguing but once it goes beyond intros and setup the author has no clue how to write. The explanations were bad, the story got stupid really fast with a kidnapping, and then the dialogue was poor. There’s no connection between MC and love interests beyond just being told there is once she meets them all. It seems the author flounders with making all these characters flushed out.
May 22, 2019
3.75 stars, almost a 4 star read.
I really enjoyed Mori's character. I liked her right away. Even though she was a typical abandoned, raised in foster care RH female MC that always seem to star in these type of books, she was not a weak victim. I loved her no filter attitude, and her connection with Walker was amazing.
The book ended in a wicked cliffhanger and that actually annoyed me but it gives me something to look forward to. I hope the next book is just as good.
I really enjoyed Mori's character. I liked her right away. Even though she was a typical abandoned, raised in foster care RH female MC that always seem to star in these type of books, she was not a weak victim. I loved her no filter attitude, and her connection with Walker was amazing.
The book ended in a wicked cliffhanger and that actually annoyed me but it gives me something to look forward to. I hope the next book is just as good.
April 15, 2024
1st time listening to Lana Kole’s books? A reverse harem
Why is it with reverse harems you always have a tech/shy guy, one into sex, a grumpy one and a nice/good fighter…..
Either way I found this book good, very similar to other books I have listened too. Love the plot so far. Female lead coming into her powers, males looking after her, falling in love and teaching her. Spice lvl 4.
For sure will be listening to the next. Ends on a cliffhanger
Narrator good.
Why is it with reverse harems you always have a tech/shy guy, one into sex, a grumpy one and a nice/good fighter…..
Either way I found this book good, very similar to other books I have listened too. Love the plot so far. Female lead coming into her powers, males looking after her, falling in love and teaching her. Spice lvl 4.
For sure will be listening to the next. Ends on a cliffhanger
Narrator good.
December 15, 2020
After reading Lana’s Chaos series I wanted to see if her other books would be as good. This one is! A lot happens in this book and there’s instalove (which I don’t mind), but the story doesn’t feel rushed. I especially liked that Walker took care of Freddy in the right way! I hate when characters are too good to do their own killing. I’ll be reading the 2nd book for sure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2019
This book was a total surprise to me. I have never heard of this and I have never heard of this author. I picked this one up because it was free on hoopla and I absolutely loved it. I so wish that the second book was in audio but that's alright. I plan on starting the second book tonight.
February 4, 2019
Okay read. Cliffhanger ending. Felt like anytime the author has a chance to build character and relationship by the characters having conversations, the author just summarized it.
Mori works in an organization that tries to help at risk children. She's placed on temporary leave because of the sexual assault scandal. At one point in the story, Mori is followed by reporters who are taking pictures of her without her knowledge. Mori knows this, but still decides that it's a good idea to go get blind drink and at another point, decides it's a good idea to dance in a strip club as one of the strippers. This is just the start of her dumb choices.
Heroine, Mori, just magically knows how to tap into/use/understand how to use her powers with very little training. Basically, the only training she head was how to shield, move stuff, and empath. But then, she randomly just knew how to do stuff.
But if that's the case, why couldn't she just float herself or her friends back up the cliff.
Mori is egocentric and borderline too stupid to live. She has never been in any shape or form trained to fight. She was barely trained to use her powers. But then, there was a whole part about how Mori felt she NEEDED to be with the guys to rescue Walker. So when she had a chance to go back to safety after the kidnapping, she instead decided to 'help' rescue Walker. Even though she has no weapons, no plans, and she knows that her companion has no powers to really help in a fight. Then all she really accomplished is getting her friends stabbed.
I thought the NEED to be there was the author's setting us up for the heroine to have premonition abilities, but nope, heroine is just dumb.
Plus, this book has lazy world building. It's the same world we live in, but it's different because instead of insight, they have insyt. Which means the same as insight. Instead of cleric, they have cleryc. And what do clerycs do? Surprise, surprise. The same thing as a cleric. Heal. So, basically, the world building consists of purposeful misspellings for no apparent reason.
Mori works in an organization that tries to help at risk children. She's placed on temporary leave because of the sexual assault scandal. At one point in the story, Mori is followed by reporters who are taking pictures of her without her knowledge. Mori knows this, but still decides that it's a good idea to go get blind drink and at another point, decides it's a good idea to dance in a strip club as one of the strippers. This is just the start of her dumb choices.
Heroine, Mori, just magically knows how to tap into/use/understand how to use her powers with very little training. Basically, the only training she head was how to shield, move stuff, and empath. But then, she randomly just knew how to do stuff.
But if that's the case, why couldn't she just float herself or her friends back up the cliff.
Mori is egocentric and borderline too stupid to live. She has never been in any shape or form trained to fight. She was barely trained to use her powers. But then, there was a whole part about how Mori felt she NEEDED to be with the guys to rescue Walker. So when she had a chance to go back to safety after the kidnapping, she instead decided to 'help' rescue Walker. Even though she has no weapons, no plans, and she knows that her companion has no powers to really help in a fight. Then all she really accomplished is getting her friends stabbed.
I thought the NEED to be there was the author's setting us up for the heroine to have premonition abilities, but nope, heroine is just dumb.
Plus, this book has lazy world building. It's the same world we live in, but it's different because instead of insight, they have insyt. Which means the same as insight. Instead of cleric, they have cleryc. And what do clerycs do? Surprise, surprise. The same thing as a cleric. Heal. So, basically, the world building consists of purposeful misspellings for no apparent reason.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2018
Mori rocks! Her world is completely turned upside down by some mysterious guys entering her life and realising that the tortuous dreams she has are real. Mori rolls with the punches, and I like how she challenges the guys. I can’t wait to see how the relationships continue to develop. Plus Trash - what a great cat! The story does end with a cliffhanger, so hopefully book 2 is out soon!
May 3, 2024
Why did you read this book?
I missed reading reverse harems and wanted to give this one a try. It had good reviews.
What format did you read this book in?
Listened to the audiobook on Audible.
Is this an educational book or a book for entertainment?
I read this book for pure entertainment purposes.
What genres do you think this book belongs to?
Contemporary, Fantasy, Horror, Romance
What was your favorite part of the book?
My favorite part is when one of the love interests cooks some food for the MC .
Who would you suggest this book to?
Anyone who likes reverse harems, urban fantasy, and doesn’t mind torture scenes.
What is your general opinion/ rating of this book?
The book was alright. I really liked it in the beginning, but as the book progressed, some of the pacing was a bit off. I really liked the part where the MC lost her job; it was unique and well-thought-out. However… the story takes a bit of a turn from there. The night the MC loses her job, her best friend (who had a hand in getting her fired) sets her up for a blind date after she had been molested and traumatized by a previous client. I felt like the scene where the first love interest shows up is too forced. And that feeling of parts of the plot being forced in continues after this point. I love how the MC was kick-ass enough to fight back through everything. But also she comes into her powers too easily. As far as the love interests, I like them all except the Asshole one. Overall, it wasn’t a bad RH romance, but it just wasn’t for me. (P.S. I tried the second book and more of the “forcing of the story” ended up happening in the second one. So instead of writing a DNF for the second volume… I am just going to mention it here.)
Any trigger warnings?
Mental Health: PTSD, Emotional Abuse, Confrontation Abuser, Nightmares about Traumatic Events, Non-consent behavior
Sexual Content: Explicit Sex Scene, Sexual Predator, Sexual Abuse, Dubious Consent
Violence and Death: Death, Death of a Loved One, Infant Death, Graphic Deaths, Murder, Extreme Violence, Gore, Torture, Mutilation, Child Abuse, Escalating Violence, Described Blood, Graphic Violence, Doxing
Other: Slut Shaming, Female Oppression, Kidnapping, Hostage Situation, Bullying, Profanity
I missed reading reverse harems and wanted to give this one a try. It had good reviews.
What format did you read this book in?
Listened to the audiobook on Audible.
Is this an educational book or a book for entertainment?
I read this book for pure entertainment purposes.
What genres do you think this book belongs to?
Contemporary, Fantasy, Horror, Romance
What was your favorite part of the book?
My favorite part is when one of the love interests cooks some food for the MC .
Who would you suggest this book to?
Anyone who likes reverse harems, urban fantasy, and doesn’t mind torture scenes.
What is your general opinion/ rating of this book?
The book was alright. I really liked it in the beginning, but as the book progressed, some of the pacing was a bit off. I really liked the part where the MC lost her job; it was unique and well-thought-out. However… the story takes a bit of a turn from there. The night the MC loses her job, her best friend (who had a hand in getting her fired) sets her up for a blind date after she had been molested and traumatized by a previous client. I felt like the scene where the first love interest shows up is too forced. And that feeling of parts of the plot being forced in continues after this point. I love how the MC was kick-ass enough to fight back through everything. But also she comes into her powers too easily. As far as the love interests, I like them all except the Asshole one. Overall, it wasn’t a bad RH romance, but it just wasn’t for me. (P.S. I tried the second book and more of the “forcing of the story” ended up happening in the second one. So instead of writing a DNF for the second volume… I am just going to mention it here.)
Any trigger warnings?
Mental Health: PTSD, Emotional Abuse, Confrontation Abuser, Nightmares about Traumatic Events, Non-consent behavior
Sexual Content: Explicit Sex Scene, Sexual Predator, Sexual Abuse, Dubious Consent
Violence and Death: Death, Death of a Loved One, Infant Death, Graphic Deaths, Murder, Extreme Violence, Gore, Torture, Mutilation, Child Abuse, Escalating Violence, Described Blood, Graphic Violence, Doxing
Other: Slut Shaming, Female Oppression, Kidnapping, Hostage Situation, Bullying, Profanity
July 28, 2019
I have been wanting to read this series for a while now and never finding time, but after the release of the author's new series, her work immediately jumped to the top of my reading list, and now I wonder what took me so long? I should have read this immediately!
I loved this book and the idea. The plot is complex and engaging, story well written, the world is multilayered and the characters are interesting. No all the characters are lovable, but they are all realistic and well developed. And there is a lot of hot and steamy content, and some violence. There are parts of the story that are so painfully realistic, it was almost difficult to read, but they were necessary to the story. For example, there is an issue of sexual assault and how it gets resolved, that paints a realistic picture of how the aftermath of it affects the victim professionally and in their social environment. That was incredibly well done.
The main character is Mori who has dedicated her life helping orphans. He whole life gets turned upside down and her career threatened after she reports an assault. To top it all off, three gorgeous strangers decide to kidnap her and use her to help them find their missing friend. At least the latter gets amicably resolved before the Stockholm Syndrome kicks in. As it turns out the kidnapping was unnecessary, as Mori would have helped them of her own free will, due to her personal connection to the friend in question. All they had to do was ask. But the whole situation results in some funny moments.
However, funny is not the main theme here, as there is a lot of pain, lack of trust, betrayal, and a very serious obsession of a man determined to exact vengeance for the loss of a loved one on completely innocent people. The complex nature of the story was so incredibly engaging that I couldn't put the book down and continued with the next book immediately. It was an incredible adventure and an emotional roller coaster, I was happy to ride from the beginning to the end and I loved every moment of it.
The books only make sense if read in order. The reading order is: Illusion of Escape (Crystal Clear Book 1), Illusion of Death (Crystal Clear Book 2), Illusion of Darkness (Crystal Clear Book 3).
I loved this book and the idea. The plot is complex and engaging, story well written, the world is multilayered and the characters are interesting. No all the characters are lovable, but they are all realistic and well developed. And there is a lot of hot and steamy content, and some violence. There are parts of the story that are so painfully realistic, it was almost difficult to read, but they were necessary to the story. For example, there is an issue of sexual assault and how it gets resolved, that paints a realistic picture of how the aftermath of it affects the victim professionally and in their social environment. That was incredibly well done.
The main character is Mori who has dedicated her life helping orphans. He whole life gets turned upside down and her career threatened after she reports an assault. To top it all off, three gorgeous strangers decide to kidnap her and use her to help them find their missing friend. At least the latter gets amicably resolved before the Stockholm Syndrome kicks in. As it turns out the kidnapping was unnecessary, as Mori would have helped them of her own free will, due to her personal connection to the friend in question. All they had to do was ask. But the whole situation results in some funny moments.
However, funny is not the main theme here, as there is a lot of pain, lack of trust, betrayal, and a very serious obsession of a man determined to exact vengeance for the loss of a loved one on completely innocent people. The complex nature of the story was so incredibly engaging that I couldn't put the book down and continued with the next book immediately. It was an incredible adventure and an emotional roller coaster, I was happy to ride from the beginning to the end and I loved every moment of it.
The books only make sense if read in order. The reading order is: Illusion of Escape (Crystal Clear Book 1), Illusion of Death (Crystal Clear Book 2), Illusion of Darkness (Crystal Clear Book 3).
July 15, 2025
I went into this one hoping for an immersive urban fantasy world with rich paranormal elements and emotionally grounded relationships—but what I got was a frustrating mix of shallow worldbuilding and uncomfortable romantic dynamics. The plot tried to be edgy and seductive, leaning heavily into its paranormal and erotic elements, but it never really found its footing. There was a vague sense of mystery, a touch of danger, and some fantasy intrigue, but it all felt underdeveloped. By the time the twist arrived—if you can even call it that—I was already disconnected. It felt like the story was trying to juggle too many tropes without giving any of them the depth they needed.
Mori was supposed to be a strong, capable heroine, but her actions never backed that up. She second-guessed herself constantly, clung to toxic dynamics, and didn’t seem to evolve in any meaningful way. The reverse harem romance with Levi, Kai, and Remi didn’t deliver the kind of chemistry or tension I was hoping for—instead, it leaned into emotionally manipulative territory. Kai had zero redeeming qualities. Remi was shady at best. And Levi, while positioned as the more grounded one, still felt flat. The relationships didn’t feel like they were built on trust or connection—more like Stockholm Syndrome wrapped in steamy packaging.
The supernatural world could’ve been compelling, but it felt like a rough sketch rather than a fully realized setting. There were hints of magic, hidden powers, and secret histories, but none of it was explored in a way that made me feel immersed or curious. The fantasy elements felt more like a backdrop for the romance and erotica than a fully integrated part of the story, which was disappointing because I wanted more from the world itself.
By the time I hit the cliffhanger, I just didn’t care. The characters didn’t grab me, the world didn’t feel alive, and the romance gave off more red flags than sparks. I won’t be continuing the series, and I’m not interested in reading more from this author.
Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....
Mori was supposed to be a strong, capable heroine, but her actions never backed that up. She second-guessed herself constantly, clung to toxic dynamics, and didn’t seem to evolve in any meaningful way. The reverse harem romance with Levi, Kai, and Remi didn’t deliver the kind of chemistry or tension I was hoping for—instead, it leaned into emotionally manipulative territory. Kai had zero redeeming qualities. Remi was shady at best. And Levi, while positioned as the more grounded one, still felt flat. The relationships didn’t feel like they were built on trust or connection—more like Stockholm Syndrome wrapped in steamy packaging.
The supernatural world could’ve been compelling, but it felt like a rough sketch rather than a fully realized setting. There were hints of magic, hidden powers, and secret histories, but none of it was explored in a way that made me feel immersed or curious. The fantasy elements felt more like a backdrop for the romance and erotica than a fully integrated part of the story, which was disappointing because I wanted more from the world itself.
By the time I hit the cliffhanger, I just didn’t care. The characters didn’t grab me, the world didn’t feel alive, and the romance gave off more red flags than sparks. I won’t be continuing the series, and I’m not interested in reading more from this author.
Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....
January 23, 2019
(Read through Kindle Unlimited) So, this book is the debut novel from this author. What to say? The story was brilliant. There’s a book-hangover-inducing cliffhanger at the end, but I read this a bit late, as book 2 was releasing, so I binged these two books over two days.
The hangover is rough, but don’t let that stop you from reading it. It’s a fantastic book. The attention to detail and the style in which the book is written captivates from the beginning. It’s hard for me to comment on world building when it comes to paranormal romance books (and I would say this is PNR), because largely it’s based in the real world; it’s not high fantasy. Ultimately, the work needed to create a brand new world, culture, people, history, etc just isn’t the same for PNR as it is for a high fantasy novel, where a world building comment would be more relevant. That said, there’s a certain subtlety to the details in this book that actually make you wonder if it could be true. I mean, we know it isn’t, but the author has done well to weave a secret culture/society/people into what would be hard to hide in this day and age. ]
Then, there’s the relationships that Mori builds while she’s trying to navigate this world that she knows nothing about. All the guys are very different, and they fit different facets to Mori’s personality. What’s more, nothing feels forced. I hate that in a book - when relationships, dialogue, interactions feel forced for the sake of moving the plot or relationships along. There’s none of that in this book; it develops organically. It’s not insta-love in every case. Personally, I would say this is medium burn, if that’s what you’re interested. There are some very hot and sexy scenes, but there’s not tons, and it doesn’t happen straight away.
Honestly, this book is so good, and since book 2 is already out, whether you buy it or KU borrow it, just get both of them at once. You will carry onto book 2; you won’t be able to stop yourself.
The hangover is rough, but don’t let that stop you from reading it. It’s a fantastic book. The attention to detail and the style in which the book is written captivates from the beginning. It’s hard for me to comment on world building when it comes to paranormal romance books (and I would say this is PNR), because largely it’s based in the real world; it’s not high fantasy. Ultimately, the work needed to create a brand new world, culture, people, history, etc just isn’t the same for PNR as it is for a high fantasy novel, where a world building comment would be more relevant. That said, there’s a certain subtlety to the details in this book that actually make you wonder if it could be true. I mean, we know it isn’t, but the author has done well to weave a secret culture/society/people into what would be hard to hide in this day and age. ]
Then, there’s the relationships that Mori builds while she’s trying to navigate this world that she knows nothing about. All the guys are very different, and they fit different facets to Mori’s personality. What’s more, nothing feels forced. I hate that in a book - when relationships, dialogue, interactions feel forced for the sake of moving the plot or relationships along. There’s none of that in this book; it develops organically. It’s not insta-love in every case. Personally, I would say this is medium burn, if that’s what you’re interested. There are some very hot and sexy scenes, but there’s not tons, and it doesn’t happen straight away.
Honestly, this book is so good, and since book 2 is already out, whether you buy it or KU borrow it, just get both of them at once. You will carry onto book 2; you won’t be able to stop yourself.
November 22, 2021
I really liked this book, but… a few things that don’t make any sense.
1. They spent 3 years searching for Walker, hacking into everything talking to every contact spying on everyone so on so on, and still they found nothing untill by chance they run into Moris and feel the connection she has with Walker and find out that she is their best chance of finding him. Okay, that’s fine, the thing is, she doesn’t do shit to find Walker, just manages to talk to him about her life nothing else, AND THEN the guys go and meet their childhood friend who by all means they must have talked to when Walker first went missing, and the new guy ( Jareth) call his buddy and says “oh yeah my guy knows where Walker is and can take you to them” LIKE WHAT??? You spend the majority of the book saying how impossible it was to find him and how Moris was the only one able to do it and then she not only doesn’t do shut other than almost getting herself and her friend killed but also, Walkers super hard rescue ends up being “ let me break through this iron door here with my magic and oops already done” and then they have Walker back. Talk about disappointing.
2. And after all of that, couldn’t Moris just instead of wasting her energy throwing vases at those soldiers just skip to creating that shield of hers and then starts walking out with Selene LIKE SHE DOES, but INSTEAD OF GOING OFF THE CLIFF JUST GO THROUGH THE FUCKING DOOR TO THE GUYS??? I mean really? Really, reaaaaally?
3. And does the FMC have to blush and giggle so much?? It’s not like she’s thirteen.
1. They spent 3 years searching for Walker, hacking into everything talking to every contact spying on everyone so on so on, and still they found nothing untill by chance they run into Moris and feel the connection she has with Walker and find out that she is their best chance of finding him. Okay, that’s fine, the thing is, she doesn’t do shit to find Walker, just manages to talk to him about her life nothing else, AND THEN the guys go and meet their childhood friend who by all means they must have talked to when Walker first went missing, and the new guy ( Jareth) call his buddy and says “oh yeah my guy knows where Walker is and can take you to them” LIKE WHAT??? You spend the majority of the book saying how impossible it was to find him and how Moris was the only one able to do it and then she not only doesn’t do shut other than almost getting herself and her friend killed but also, Walkers super hard rescue ends up being “ let me break through this iron door here with my magic and oops already done” and then they have Walker back. Talk about disappointing.
2. And after all of that, couldn’t Moris just instead of wasting her energy throwing vases at those soldiers just skip to creating that shield of hers and then starts walking out with Selene LIKE SHE DOES, but INSTEAD OF GOING OFF THE CLIFF JUST GO THROUGH THE FUCKING DOOR TO THE GUYS??? I mean really? Really, reaaaaally?
3. And does the FMC have to blush and giggle so much?? It’s not like she’s thirteen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2019
It's a good read! The writing is great and flows wonderfully. I enjoyed the characters for the most part and thoroughly appreciate the glory that is Trash. Honestly, author could write the adventures of Trash and I'd probably inhale it like sugar.
If you're looking for in depth world building then I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed, magic isn't really explained and the skills of each character aren't really explored in this book.
The main reason I won't give it the full 5 stars is due to a couple of scenes leading up to the final showdown of the book. In this part Mori wants to join in on the rescue mission which is understandable as she has done a lot to help out throughout most of the book.
The problem arises when one of the guys says 'no', Mori gets mad but then doesn't fight against it? Instead she sulks for a couple of seconds, has sex with two of the guys and is totally fine with their plan to just stash her in a safe house.
Up until this point Mori has been sarcastic, snarky and shown herself to be a powerful - if unskilled - magic user. So for her to just lie down and accept this plan seems wildly out of character for her and kinda spoils the remainder of the book for me. It felt like the author wanted to separate her from the men and did it in a very contrived way.
Saying all of this, I still enjoyed the book overall and would recommend it. Thankfully book 2 is already out so the cliffhanger doesn't bother me as much.
If you're looking for in depth world building then I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed, magic isn't really explained and the skills of each character aren't really explored in this book.
The main reason I won't give it the full 5 stars is due to a couple of scenes leading up to the final showdown of the book. In this part Mori wants to join in on the rescue mission which is understandable as she has done a lot to help out throughout most of the book.
The problem arises when one of the guys says 'no', Mori gets mad but then doesn't fight against it? Instead she sulks for a couple of seconds, has sex with two of the guys and is totally fine with their plan to just stash her in a safe house.
Up until this point Mori has been sarcastic, snarky and shown herself to be a powerful - if unskilled - magic user. So for her to just lie down and accept this plan seems wildly out of character for her and kinda spoils the remainder of the book for me. It felt like the author wanted to separate her from the men and did it in a very contrived way.
Saying all of this, I still enjoyed the book overall and would recommend it. Thankfully book 2 is already out so the cliffhanger doesn't bother me as much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2018
Nice start
Okay this book took a little bit to get into at the beginning. I was like where is this going? But it was a nice buildup. I really felt Mori's character is relatable with the awkwardness and sarcasm. She mostly says what she thinks and some of it is downright hilarious. I loved Walker. His character had so much depth for only getting to see snippets of him in her "dreams". The other guys were a bit bland or just or normal brooding, charming, and geeky guys. Though the Remi and Levi seen was hot AF. (Swoon). Kai was just annoying. The part that irritated me, however, was the insta-attraction and insta-powers. I mean you had a total of 1-2 training sessions and now you're an automatic badass with all the powers? I mean one minute a norm then the next this powerhouse mage. That is where it left me like okay I guess. That's why I gave it a 4 star.
Oh and Lana Kole, thanks for the apology at the end about book 2 coming. That was the most miserable cliffhanger lol. I was like what...No...this cannot be what I'm left with. Kudos for making me need to see how this ends.
Okay this book took a little bit to get into at the beginning. I was like where is this going? But it was a nice buildup. I really felt Mori's character is relatable with the awkwardness and sarcasm. She mostly says what she thinks and some of it is downright hilarious. I loved Walker. His character had so much depth for only getting to see snippets of him in her "dreams". The other guys were a bit bland or just or normal brooding, charming, and geeky guys. Though the Remi and Levi seen was hot AF. (Swoon). Kai was just annoying. The part that irritated me, however, was the insta-attraction and insta-powers. I mean you had a total of 1-2 training sessions and now you're an automatic badass with all the powers? I mean one minute a norm then the next this powerhouse mage. That is where it left me like okay I guess. That's why I gave it a 4 star.
Oh and Lana Kole, thanks for the apology at the end about book 2 coming. That was the most miserable cliffhanger lol. I was like what...No...this cannot be what I'm left with. Kudos for making me need to see how this ends.
November 4, 2018
Good read!
This was really quite good. Mori is a cool character and she's easy to love. They guys are okay. I love Walker and can't wait to see more of him. Kai needs an attitude adjustment.
The story itself was pretty good. It revolves around finding and rescuing Walker. Parts of it were a bit dragged out, such as the scenes where Mori and Kai argued. At times the writing felt a bit overly formal and stilted. The author seemed to have an aversion to contractions that started to grate about halfway through. I really wasn't crazy about the guys playing hero and sending Mori away for her safety in the end.
I did really like Mori's female friendships. A lot of RH books either don't have any female friends for the MC or there's a friendship thrown in to keep readers from complaining but it's not a real friendship. Mori started out with a pretty great female friend and she gained another by the end. Kudos to the author for keeping it real with the girl friendships.
I can't wait to read more from this author!
This was really quite good. Mori is a cool character and she's easy to love. They guys are okay. I love Walker and can't wait to see more of him. Kai needs an attitude adjustment.
The story itself was pretty good. It revolves around finding and rescuing Walker. Parts of it were a bit dragged out, such as the scenes where Mori and Kai argued. At times the writing felt a bit overly formal and stilted. The author seemed to have an aversion to contractions that started to grate about halfway through. I really wasn't crazy about the guys playing hero and sending Mori away for her safety in the end.
I did really like Mori's female friendships. A lot of RH books either don't have any female friends for the MC or there's a friendship thrown in to keep readers from complaining but it's not a real friendship. Mori started out with a pretty great female friend and she gained another by the end. Kudos to the author for keeping it real with the girl friendships.
I can't wait to read more from this author!
August 23, 2019
Why did I wait so long to start this series?!?!
I will admit, I’ve been sitting on this series for a while now but I am mad at myself for doing so!! This book was a little slow start but once Mori met Remi and Walker, the suspense and action completely sucked me in.
The storyline was creative and the characters were all well described and detailed. I never had any issues distinguishing between any of the 4 men Mori has become involved with. The author did a fantastic job mixing in real life issues with this paranormal story such as sexual assault and victim shaming. So that being said, this book does contain sexual assault on the main character, Mori, so please be warned if that is a trigger for you.
The steaminess was off the charts hot and the little snippet of MM was super sexy and I can only hope to read more in the next books!
I can’t wait to see what happens next, especially after that cliffhanger ending. I am curious to see how much more powerful Mori will become as she comes into her powers as a Mage.
I will admit, I’ve been sitting on this series for a while now but I am mad at myself for doing so!! This book was a little slow start but once Mori met Remi and Walker, the suspense and action completely sucked me in.
The storyline was creative and the characters were all well described and detailed. I never had any issues distinguishing between any of the 4 men Mori has become involved with. The author did a fantastic job mixing in real life issues with this paranormal story such as sexual assault and victim shaming. So that being said, this book does contain sexual assault on the main character, Mori, so please be warned if that is a trigger for you.
The steaminess was off the charts hot and the little snippet of MM was super sexy and I can only hope to read more in the next books!
I can’t wait to see what happens next, especially after that cliffhanger ending. I am curious to see how much more powerful Mori will become as she comes into her powers as a Mage.
November 4, 2018
Magical, mages, and action, oh my!
Why?!!! Why would you do this? Suck me in, make me love the characters and then end it?! I loved and devoured this book with a quickness! Too quick, I guess, because now it's over! I loved Mori! The perfect blend of vulnerability and strength, with a deep well of passion within her! I loved the supporting cast, and the men, as well, even stalwart Kai! Mori experiences a traumatic event that thrusts her into a world she never could imagine, but she handles it all so well, and is so adaptable to her new role and her new budding relationships! There is action, torment, and, of course, a villain to defeat, in between bouts of chemistry and connection! I loved it all! I can't wait to read more of these characters and to see what happens next. What a tease! The characters finally open up, happiness a breath away, only for the story to come to a close! Aaah! I'm hooked! Can't wait to read more!
Why?!!! Why would you do this? Suck me in, make me love the characters and then end it?! I loved and devoured this book with a quickness! Too quick, I guess, because now it's over! I loved Mori! The perfect blend of vulnerability and strength, with a deep well of passion within her! I loved the supporting cast, and the men, as well, even stalwart Kai! Mori experiences a traumatic event that thrusts her into a world she never could imagine, but she handles it all so well, and is so adaptable to her new role and her new budding relationships! There is action, torment, and, of course, a villain to defeat, in between bouts of chemistry and connection! I loved it all! I can't wait to read more of these characters and to see what happens next. What a tease! The characters finally open up, happiness a breath away, only for the story to come to a close! Aaah! I'm hooked! Can't wait to read more!
January 17, 2022
A fast paced, action filled Magic and Adventure
I absolutely loved Mori's journey as she discovers her powers, and the men that come into her life. Remi, Kai, and Levi are looking for their missing friend Walker.
They drag her along on their journey, rather reluctantly, but when she discovers that the man they are looking for is the one from her dreams, she is on board to help anyway she can. She has feelings for Walker, but they soon grown to include Remi and Levi. Kai is our man of mystery.
We are introduced into the world of Mages, and how they come about their powers. I Iook forward to learning more about their world.
I loved how Mori is growing into her powers, Her love and loyalty to her kitty Trash.
There may be a few Sensitive situations to the reader, but they are handled with grace and a knee to the....well you have to read to find out.
This book does end on a cliffhanger....so be prepared to leap into the next book.
I absolutely loved Mori's journey as she discovers her powers, and the men that come into her life. Remi, Kai, and Levi are looking for their missing friend Walker.
They drag her along on their journey, rather reluctantly, but when she discovers that the man they are looking for is the one from her dreams, she is on board to help anyway she can. She has feelings for Walker, but they soon grown to include Remi and Levi. Kai is our man of mystery.
We are introduced into the world of Mages, and how they come about their powers. I Iook forward to learning more about their world.
I loved how Mori is growing into her powers, Her love and loyalty to her kitty Trash.
There may be a few Sensitive situations to the reader, but they are handled with grace and a knee to the....well you have to read to find out.
This book does end on a cliffhanger....so be prepared to leap into the next book.
October 31, 2018
No illusions about how great this book is!
Five f*cking stars for Lana Kole and her debut release!! Talk about sheer talent!
Are you looking for an intriguing and hot new look on Mages?! A sexy Med-Burn RH that manages to satisfy and still leave you begging for more?! A story with both strong and fascinating world building?! With a wonderfully snarky heroine that kicks ass with sarcasm, wit and some newfound magic?! It doesn't end there!
Illusion is laugh-out-loud funny and deliciously steamy. The guys are hot enough to melt your kindle, the plot is entertaining as h*ll and the emotions run deep. The ending itself is a lethal combination of both resolution and captivation! I will be eagerly waiting for book two.
Side note, I'm so happy there's a hot nerd but man do I want me a warrior too 😉 #whychoose
Put this one on your shelf asap! You don't wanna miss it!
Five f*cking stars for Lana Kole and her debut release!! Talk about sheer talent!
Are you looking for an intriguing and hot new look on Mages?! A sexy Med-Burn RH that manages to satisfy and still leave you begging for more?! A story with both strong and fascinating world building?! With a wonderfully snarky heroine that kicks ass with sarcasm, wit and some newfound magic?! It doesn't end there!
Illusion is laugh-out-loud funny and deliciously steamy. The guys are hot enough to melt your kindle, the plot is entertaining as h*ll and the emotions run deep. The ending itself is a lethal combination of both resolution and captivation! I will be eagerly waiting for book two.
Side note, I'm so happy there's a hot nerd but man do I want me a warrior too 😉 #whychoose
Put this one on your shelf asap! You don't wanna miss it!
March 20, 2024
So I was a little thrown off in the beginning of the book not understanding what was going on, but when I figured it out I started to really enjoy it.
It’s a magical world full of witchcraft, and 4 stunning men who are like brothers but one was kidnapped 3 years ago and has been living in hell since.
He would have lost his mind if it wasn’t for her, our female protagonist was unknowingly visiting him in the cell for the past 3 years.
He thought of her as his angel & she always thought it was just strange dreams.
She is kinda kidnapped by the three brothers as they explain the magical world to her and convince her to help them find their brother.
This book is a reverse harem and it’s done so well! Great characters, they work harmoniously together, there’s no jealousy they have done this before but she’s different. Great spice!
It’s a magical world full of witchcraft, and 4 stunning men who are like brothers but one was kidnapped 3 years ago and has been living in hell since.
He would have lost his mind if it wasn’t for her, our female protagonist was unknowingly visiting him in the cell for the past 3 years.
He thought of her as his angel & she always thought it was just strange dreams.
She is kinda kidnapped by the three brothers as they explain the magical world to her and convince her to help them find their brother.
This book is a reverse harem and it’s done so well! Great characters, they work harmoniously together, there’s no jealousy they have done this before but she’s different. Great spice!
May 16, 2024
Illusion of Escape was not what I was expecting.
The storyline is very interesting and not one I've come across often. It would have been great to see a bit more world-building but the characters were well fleshed out and all brought something different to the table. I wanted more detail on the spells and magic system in place, these were skimmed over briefly and put straight into action.
Mori is a really fun heroine to follow along with. She's sassy and drama free with some great quirks. I loved how she interacted slightly differently with all the guys. The tension between them all started to build from hate and dislike to infatuation and "I'm about to rip your clothes off in 0.2 seconds". There are some great spicey scenes with the boys and Mori hit it off with all of them right in book one.
The storyline is very interesting and not one I've come across often. It would have been great to see a bit more world-building but the characters were well fleshed out and all brought something different to the table. I wanted more detail on the spells and magic system in place, these were skimmed over briefly and put straight into action.
Mori is a really fun heroine to follow along with. She's sassy and drama free with some great quirks. I loved how she interacted slightly differently with all the guys. The tension between them all started to build from hate and dislike to infatuation and "I'm about to rip your clothes off in 0.2 seconds". There are some great spicey scenes with the boys and Mori hit it off with all of them right in book one.
November 6, 2018
No Illusions about this book being the BEST!
Lana Kole is one of the best writers I have had the privelage if beta reading for! I enjoyed her book Illusions ofEscape so much that I have already reread twice! Mori’s connection with each guy is unique and her heart, though she thinks is closed off, has so much love in it for her guys! Her realationship with Walker it so deep and strong. Remi and Levi are just sweethearts. And then there’s Kai the resident butthole who is so misunderstood and thinks everything is his fault and is afraid of Sassy Mori but wants nothing more then to under oh heck who cares what position he gets her into. You will automatically know it will be explosive. I hope that you get this book and love it as much as I did!
Lana Kole is one of the best writers I have had the privelage if beta reading for! I enjoyed her book Illusions ofEscape so much that I have already reread twice! Mori’s connection with each guy is unique and her heart, though she thinks is closed off, has so much love in it for her guys! Her realationship with Walker it so deep and strong. Remi and Levi are just sweethearts. And then there’s Kai the resident butthole who is so misunderstood and thinks everything is his fault and is afraid of Sassy Mori but wants nothing more then to under oh heck who cares what position he gets her into. You will automatically know it will be explosive. I hope that you get this book and love it as much as I did!
November 16, 2019
Mori
Mori works with unprivliaged youth in helping to keep them on the right track but for 3 years shes been having dreams of what she calls a dungeon... for a time Mori is all alone with her companion Trash which she found under a dumpster, but now it's time for a new chapter to open in her life. She meets Walker whom she dubs her dungeon therapist and she is a firm believer he is a figment of her imagination until Remi, Kai, and Levi comes into her life and within 24 hours what she believes to be true is proven that she doesnt know what is going on in her life currently. Can Mori help the guys find their missing brother or will she just go back to her normal life, well grab the book and find out. I know I enjoyed it and am now downloading book 2.
Mori works with unprivliaged youth in helping to keep them on the right track but for 3 years shes been having dreams of what she calls a dungeon... for a time Mori is all alone with her companion Trash which she found under a dumpster, but now it's time for a new chapter to open in her life. She meets Walker whom she dubs her dungeon therapist and she is a firm believer he is a figment of her imagination until Remi, Kai, and Levi comes into her life and within 24 hours what she believes to be true is proven that she doesnt know what is going on in her life currently. Can Mori help the guys find their missing brother or will she just go back to her normal life, well grab the book and find out. I know I enjoyed it and am now downloading book 2.
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October 23, 2021While the story is interesting enough, the character is not smart enough I feel. Forgetting important questions and realisations she has over the book seemed the greatest character flaw.
It also seemed to me that tense of statements regarding her feelings is wrong. When she has just started feeling a certain way, or is realising that she feels a certain way for a person, the author has written it in the 'has been' form. For example, Remi made her feel as if everything would be alright. This in context suggests that he has been making her feel safe for a long time now as against to the one day/time she felt that.
These two flaws, while some might not find major, have discouraged me to continue!
It also seemed to me that tense of statements regarding her feelings is wrong. When she has just started feeling a certain way, or is realising that she feels a certain way for a person, the author has written it in the 'has been' form. For example, Remi made her feel as if everything would be alright. This in context suggests that he has been making her feel safe for a long time now as against to the one day/time she felt that.
These two flaws, while some might not find major, have discouraged me to continue!
May 8, 2019
4.5 rounded up
This little KU Gem came as a complete surprise. An introductory novel that sweeps the standard magical mythos aside and crafts a brand new universe with hidden rules - ones that entrap our FMC, Mori, in a dream world that often feels more real than the real life of her daily drudge. It’s fascinating , captivating and very well done. Medium burn that somehow feels slow burn. Third person, multiple POV, MMMMF.
Pros:
- Well crafted.
- Unique approach and fresh story.
- Mori, Maggie and Selena.... I’m kinda loving them.
- Grief is no joke.
Cons:
- Minor editing issues.
This little KU Gem came as a complete surprise. An introductory novel that sweeps the standard magical mythos aside and crafts a brand new universe with hidden rules - ones that entrap our FMC, Mori, in a dream world that often feels more real than the real life of her daily drudge. It’s fascinating , captivating and very well done. Medium burn that somehow feels slow burn. Third person, multiple POV, MMMMF.
Pros:
- Well crafted.
- Unique approach and fresh story.
- Mori, Maggie and Selena.... I’m kinda loving them.
- Grief is no joke.
Cons:
- Minor editing issues.
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