Illusion
by Paula Volsky
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Book Summary Information
Author: Paula VolskyEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1993-02
ISBN: 0553560220
Number of pages: 10
Publisher: Bantam Books
Book Reviews of Illusion
Book Review: A Captivating Fantasy
Summary: 4 Stars
Paula Volsky's Illusion is a quasi-historical fantasy that is part coming-of-age story and part political drama.
The protagonist, seventeen year old Eliste Vo Derivalle, is a spoilt, pampered member of the Exalted (magical aristocrats) class. She travels from her home in county Fabeque to be presented at the colorful, vice-ridden royal court as handmaiden to the queen.
Her world is soon turned upside down as violent revolution rocks the country of Vonahr.
For Eliste and the rest of her former Exalteds, life grows steadily darker and more dangerous. Escape is all but impossible and it becomes more and more difficult to hide from a long-suffering people eager for vengeance and "reparation". Eliste struggles for survival in a world gone mad.
Overall, Illusion is an engrossing read. Eliste's personal story and that of the nation of Vonahr are woven together seamlessly. A brisk pace keeps both storylines from flagging and there is rarely a dull moment.
The characters are vibrant, memorable and nuanced (perhaps excepting Eliste's one-dimensional cousin. Aurelie).
Eliste herself is a plucky identifiable heroine, whose adventures and subsequent character growth are both moving and entertaining.
Magic plays an important though refreshingly subtle role. Spells are limited, and the fantastical elements tend towards the steam-punk variety.
This is not a novel for anyone looking for some light-weight, easy-to-read fantasy fluff. Volsky wasn't afraid to crack open her thesaurus, and the vocabulary is elevated. That combined with her complex sentence structure makes for a fairly dense read.
This book is also not recommended for the squeamish. While not overly gory, the story does not shy away from violence, sometimes grotesque magical technology, and one macabre torture scene.
However, if you enjoy historical fiction and are new to the fantasy genre, this book would be an excellent place to start. Longtime fantasy fans will enjoy the unusual setting and use of magic.
Unfortunately, Illusion is currently out of print. If you are lucky enough to get your hands on a copy, it is definitely worth a read.
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