Deceptive by Emily Lloyd-Jones

Series: Illusive (bk. 2)

Genera(s): Near-Future/Dystopian Sci-fi/Thriller

Subjects: crime, criminals, thieves, abilities, superpowers, government agencies

Setting: Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, New Jersey

POV/Tense: 3rd person POV, present tense, rotating between Ciere, Devon and Daniel

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 420 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $18.00

Publisher: Hachette: Little, Brown

Summary/ product description: “Don't miss this thrilling, high-stakes sequel to Illusive.

You don’t belong with us. These are the words that echo through the minds of all immune Americans—those suffering the so-called adverse effects of an experimental vaccine, including perfect recall, body manipulation, telepathy, precognition, levitation, mind-control, and the ability to change one’s appearance at will.

When immune individuals begin to disappear—in great numbers, but seemingly at random—fear and tension mount, and unrest begins to brew across the country. Through separate channels, super-powered teenagers Ciere, Daniel, and Devon find themselves on the case; super criminals and government agents working side-by-side. It’s an effort that will ultimately define them all—for better or for worse.”

My Review:  Deceptive is a good sequel, but not a perfect sequel. It’s not as good as the first book. Maybe I didn’t enjoy it as much because I couldn’t remember certain things from the first book. I kind of good Devon and Daniel mixed up and didn’t know who’s Ciere’s love interest was, or if there was one. It took a while to get into the story. What I loved about the previous book (the awesome super powers) was less prominent. It’s still an interesting story, but just not as exciting.

I love the world building and the different abilities. There’s only seven different possibly powers for an immune to have: perfect recall, body manipulation, telepathy, precognition, levitation, mind-control, and illusions. There’s no other abilities. Ciere is an illusionist, Devon an eidos/perfect recall, and Alan is too. Daniel is an eludure, and can hear thing (preminitions/intuition). Alan and Ciere have a little romance, but most of the book lack romance. It’s mostly a sci-fi crime thriller.

You may enjoy the Illusive series 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, Powerless by Tera Lynn Child and Tracy Deebs, 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 this cover more than the 1^st book’s. The colors are interesting. It’s a gradient overlay. The title looks like sky-scrapers and Ciere is standing on it.