Series: Illusive
(bk. 1)
Genera(s): Near-Future/Dystopian
Sci-fi/Thriller
Subjects: crime,
criminals, thieves, abilities, superpowers, government agencies
Setting: Baltimore,
Maryland, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New York
POV/Tense: 3rd
person POV, present tense, rotating between Ciere and Daniel
Age/Grade
Level: Teen
Length: 406 pgs.
HC/PB:
Hardcover
List Price: $18.00
Publisher: Hachette:
Little, Brown
Summary/
product description:
“The X-Men meets Ocean's Eleven in this edge-of-your-seat sci-fi adventure
about a band of "super" criminals.
When
the MK virus swept across the planet, a vaccine was created to stop the
epidemic, but it came with some unexpected side effects. A small percentage of
the population developed superhero-like powers. Seventeen-year-old Ciere Giba
has the handy ability to change her appearance at will. She's what's known as
an illusionist...She's also a thief.
After
a robbery goes awry, Ciere must team up with a group of fellow super-powered criminals
on another job that most would consider too reckless. The formula for the
vaccine that gave them their abilities was supposedly destroyed years ago. But
what if it wasn't?
The
lines between good and bad, us and them, and freedom and entrapment are blurred
as Ciere and the rest of her crew become embroiled in a deadly race against the
government that could cost them their lives.”
My Review: I liked this way better than I thought it
would. I’ve read bad reviews about it.
And the book just seemed so thick (but 406 pages is only half the length
of the longest book I’ve read). It’s written in 3rd person, present
tense which seemed awkward. But you what? Niel Schusterman’s Unwind series in
in 3rd person present tense too and that series is a real page
turner. Illusive it like other books I’ve read and loved and also unique in
it’s own way.
This is not a
super hero book. The main characters are criminals. Not killers, but thieves.
Ciere (pronounced See-Air) is an illusionist. She can make you see what’s not
there and not see what s actually there. Her power are not as strong as they
were when she was a kid, but she’s still pretty awesome. She’s not that smart.
A bit naïve despite her criminal actives, but ambitious. She’s got a friend
named Devon who’s British and an eidos. He can memorize and recall anything. Daniel
is another friend and he has the ability to elude danger. Kit, who’s Ciere’s
mentor and handler can levitate himself.
There are also
people who control their senses and body function, control other people, and
read minds. They call the abilities immunities and the government considers
these to be adverse effect since the abilities originated from a vaccine
intended for a deadly virus. This epic world building is similar to Black Out
by Robison Wells and Transparent by Natalie Whipple.
The plot was
thrilling and non-stop action. The characters have to steal something. They
work together. There’s other character they meet. The supposed good guys may
not be that great and you can’t help but root for the antagonistic protagonists.
Whether these criminals are just motivated by money or by the chance at
freedom, they aren’t all bad. Ciere thinks of Kit, Devon and the others in her
crew as family.
You may enjoy
Illusive if you enjoy books about super powered teens or supervillains like: Steelheart
by Brander Sanderson, Black Out by Robison Wells, Transparent by Natalie
Whipple, V is for Villan by Peter Moore, The Curse Workers Series (White Cat)
by Holly Black, The Broken Hearted by Amelia Kahaney, Mind Games by Kiersten
White, or books about thieves like The Heist Society by Ally Carter. Also, if
you liked X-men and other superhero comics and movies and TV.
Cover Art
Review: I love the 3D title and the
shadow on it. The helicopter and the city. It’s a dynamic cover.
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