Illusion by Paula Volsky Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Illusion
Book Review: My second favorite so far!
Summary: 5 Stars
Ever since "Mists of Avalon", I've been looking for another book that would draw me into it's world and hold me there whether I was reading it or not. "Illusion" had the magic I was looking for!Book Review: Now this is what I call a wonderful historical fantasy!
Summary: 5 Stars
This novel, a fictionalization of the French Revolution set in the invented kingdom of "Vonahr" and laced with a little bit of magic, is a gem of historical fantasy and ought to be a classic. The author combines epic ideals, all-too-human characters, and lovely prose to create a book I couldn't put down and will never forget.The events of these turbulent times are seen through the eyes of a high-born young woman, Eliste vo Derrivalle. Eliste is at first a product of her society and upbringing--a spoiled brat who doesn't think to question her class's superiority over the serfs and working class. She is only willing to respect one serf--the brilliant Dref Zeenoson, whose talents belie everything Eliste has been taught about the inferiority of his kind. When Eliste's father shows himself as a cruel master, and Dref defies him, only Eliste can save Dref from a terrible fate. She frees him--and then tries to put this subversive incident out of her mind.
For Eliste has been appointed as a maid of honor to the Queen herself. She travels to the capital and is trained in courtly ways. But the fairy-tale court is not long for this world; a revolution is beginning. When Eliste loses everything she had taken for granted, she will have to learn to survive just like everyone else. But she will not always be without help--for there is one person who has never forgotten Eliste's first act of heroism. This is an enthralling, heartbreaking, and suspenseful story, made all the better by its wonderfully drawn characters: the ingenious Dref, the stubbornly dignified grand dame Zeralenn, the incorrigibly shallow Aurelie, the so-sweet Kairthe, and even the terrifying Whiss v'Aleur, who lays waste to a nation to assuage his childhood feelings of inadequacy. But most of all, Eliste, who matures into a very different sort of woman than she had planned to become.
This is not just a good fantasy; it also holds its own with the best sort of straight-up historical fiction, illuminating a place and time from its hovels to its palaces, as seen through the eyes of memorable characters. If you like fantasy, read this book. If you don't normally go for fantasy, but like a good romantic historical epic, suspend your disbelief about the magic and read it anyway. And if you're like me, and like both genres--don't hesitate another moment.
Book Review: One of my Top 10
Summary: 5 Stars
Honestly, it's a good book. I haven't read it since it was new, probably 10 years ago, but I can't forget it, and came looking for it again. Don't listen to any reviewer who says the characters are "1 dimensional". At the end of this book you will know Eliste vo Derrivalle, and if you're a guy you'll probably be in love with her, though you'll hate her at first. A decade later the phrases "coquettes of the kokotte" and "nits of nu-nu" will still bring pictures into your mind. This is good stuff.Book Review: One of my favorite books ever!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was shopping in the Tattered Cover in Denver when this book originally came out. I gambled and bought it, despite never having heard of Paula Volsky. The fact that it was sort of a fantasy version of the French revolution seemed interesting enough. That was 16 years ago, and since then I have gone back and reread this probably six times. I absolutely love the way Volsky writes. She gives minimal description of surroundings, etc., yet throughout the novel you are riveted and have a very strong "picture" of what is happening in the book. Truly masterful storytelling. She also develops characters very subtly and yet compellingly. I will never get rid of this book!Book Review: Overall....Interesting and Fun!
Summary: 3 Stars
Overall, I liked this book. However, the book doesn't get really interesting until the second half of the book. You just need to be patient with the first part because it does eventually become interesting. Sure, Eliste is selfish at the beginning but that part is unnecessarily drawn out. One keeps thinking, where the heck is Dref? (And why doesn't Aurelie just kick the bucket already?) For me, Dref was the most entertaining because he was the most charming and intelligent person in the book. I guess what I'm saying is that we don't need to know that much about the Exalted ways. It's all a bunch of fluff. But again overall, fun book.