***
I thoroughly enjoyed this latest book by Kristy Cambron. She's such a master at painting a vibrant picture with words, drawing you into the story and pulling on your heart strings at the same time.
I loved Wren Lockhart's character and her affiliation to Harry Houdini as well as her own eccentricity's. She's a strong character who will stand up for what she believes, but there's a softness to her as well. Something that, eventually, comes out and makes her feel whole in the reader's eyes. The true fruition of her character is a wondrous thing to behold through the story.
Slipping into the time-frame of this novel was a lot of fun for me. I enjoy the luxury and vibrancy of the 20's - a great decade to set this mystery in - and found myself thoroughly enjoying the delicate touches of information, description, and history. Kristy really has a beautiful way of drawing out emotion in her characters while painting a dynamic picture of what life could have been like during this time.
As for the mystery, I feel like it was well formed. There were a few elements that I felt were made to be a big deal (I won't reveal them here so as not to spoil) but ended up seeming to not matter as much in the end. That confused me a little, but it didn't distract from the overall idea of the story.Also, as a larger focus of this book, Kristy deals with the ideas of illusion versus magic. I loved that she did this and had her characters learning as they went. It brings to mind another current book I'll be reading soon...but that's another review ;-)
I would definitely recommend this to those who like historical fiction, mystery, and anything to do with the 1920s and the idea of illusion versus magic. Kristy is a beautiful, lyrical writer who will stun you with her artfully painted words!
My Rating: 4*
Purchase: The Illusionist's Apprentice
Book Description
(from Amazon)
Not all illusions happen on the stage.
Wren Lockhart, apprentice to master illusionist Harry Houdini, uses life on a vaudeville stage to escape the pain of her past. She continues her career of illusion after her mentor’s death, intent on burying her true identity.
But when a rival performer’s act goes tragically wrong, the newly formed FBI calls on Wren to speak the truth—and reveal her real name to the world. She transfers her skills for misdirection from the stage to the back halls of vaudeville, as she finds herself the unlikely partner in the FBI’s investigation. All the while Houdini’s words echo in her mind: Whatever occurs, the crowd must believe it’s what you meant to happen. She knows that if anyone digs too deep, secrets long kept hidden may find their way to the surface—and shatter her carefully controlled world.
Set during one of the richest, most vibrant eras in American history, this Jazz Age novel of illusion, suspense, and forgotten pasts is perfect for fans of The Magician’s Lie, challenging all to find the underpinnings of faith on their own life’s stage.
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I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.
I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.
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