Book Review #21 The Illusionist.

Hello World,

When I brought this book, it was because it was part of the 'books for Syria', you buy the book and some of the proceedings go to those in Syria. After reading the back of the book, I thought this was the book for me. 

As a turbulent and change-filled century draws to a close, there has never been a better time to alter your fortune. But for a beautiful young woman of limited means, Eliza's choices appear to lie between the stifling domesticity of marriage or a downwards spiral to the streets- no matter determined she is to forge her own path. 

One night at run-down  theatre, she meets the charismatic Devil Wix- showman, master of illusion, fickle friend. Drawn into his circle, Eliza becomes the catalyst of change for his colleagues- a dwarf, an eccentric engineer and an artist- as well as devil himself. And as Eliza embarks on a dangerous adventure, she must decide which path to choose, and how far she should go when she holds all their lives in her hands. 

So, this book sounded like Eliza is the main character right? The one who will save the day and be the one who will have full control of everything. 
No, the back of the book was nothing but false illusion. The book starts of with Devil Wix and ends with him, he seems to be the most important character, but couldn't really call him the master of illusion as it was mainly the dwarf who shone in that department.

Whereas Eliza, she was shown as an independent woman who wanted to escape from the expected society of marriage and children, who sets her own path into working life and creates her own mind. Sadly however, it doesn't end like this. The one who needed saving was her and who saves her, a group of men. In the end, marriage, children and pretty much just plain loyal ship to her husband owner of the theatre. 

Overall, I really did struggle to complete this book and I was disappointed in the outcome of this book. The character lacked personal touch and I really couldn't get grips onto them and really it was completely different to what I was expecting from reading the back.


Claire.