- Paperback
- Publisher: Spectra (Jan 1 1992)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0553351354
- ISBN-13: 978-0553351354
- Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 15 x 3.6 cm
- Shipping Weight: 658 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #816,072 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Okay, it's a retelling of the French Revolution, but there's magic in this story. You know what's going to happen by page 3, though some of the particulars differ. The familiar-seeming background makes the sorcery-touched story that much more engrossing. Read this for Volsky's wonderful fillips of detail, which make her story live and breathe, and read it for her engaging characters: Eliste's education in the gilded palace of the Beviaire and in the streets of Shereen, Dref Zeenoson's rise, ingenious Uncle Quinz's illusions. But watch out: it's nearly impossible to stop reading this absorbing, densely-plotted novel, and that's the real magic.
--This text refers to the
Mass Market Paperback
edition.
From Library Journal
As political unrest threatens the country of Vonahr and peasant-philosophers publicly question the innate magical powers of the Exalted ruling class, young noblewoman Eliste vo Derrivale concerns herself with truly important matters--her debut at the Royal Court of Sherreen--blissfully unaware of the violence that will soon shatter her privileged life. Volsky's ( The Sorcerer's Lady , Ace: Berkeley, 1986) latest novel, a fantasy re-creation of the French Revolution, captures the atmosphere of a world in turmoil. The fantasy element is understated but integral to the plot, as magical and political illusions vie for supremacy. Like Ursula K. Le Guin's Malafrena (Putnam, 1979) and Orsinian Tales ( LJ 10/1/76), this quasihistorical adventure should have considerable crossover appeal. Recommended for most libraries.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my Top 10,
By Maceres (Sandy, UT United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: ILLUSION (Mass Market Paperback)
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.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review for Illusion,
By Kaitlyn (Edmond, OK USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: ILLUSION (Mass Market Paperback)
Paula Volsky writes an engrossing book about magic and real life. She manages to get in reality with a tint of fantasy. This book is about the Exalted Miss Eliste vo Derrivalle and her realizing that her way of life is never going to come back. However, she goes from being a spoiled brat, to someone who would risk her life for a cause. Eliste also comes to grips with the fact that she has done the unthinkable and fallen in love with Dref Zeenoson, who by the way is a serf. Dref and Eliste, with the help of the magician, Eliste's uncle Qunitz save Vonahr from a horrible fate.
5.0 out of 5 stars
You MUST Read this book!,
By
This review is from: ILLUSION (Hardcover)
I've read and re-read this book so many times the cover has fallen off. Quite literally. I had to buy another copy.Paula Volsky draws you into a world where the characters seem tangible, and very human. Some may scoff at the fact that Paula Volsky fashioned her book to resemble events from the French Revolution. I don't. I feel that she used a very common occurance (peasant revolution against the ruling aristocracy) and turned it into the great story it is, by adding her own special magic. If you are a die-hard fantasy fan, you will want to read this book, even if you have to buy it used.
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