Illusive
Author: Emily Lloyd-Jones
Series: Illusive #1
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian
Release Date: July 15, 2014
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Summary:
They are criminals.
They are immune.
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, and Americans suffering from these so-called adverse effects were given an ultimatum: Serve the country or be declared a traitor.
Some people chose a third option: live a life of crime.
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 crossing a gang of mobsters, Ciere must team up with a group of fellow super-powered criminals on a job that most would consider too impossible: a hunt for the formula that gave them their abilities. It was supposedly destroyed years ago – but what if it wasn’t?
Government agents are hot on their trail, and 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 dangerous race that could cost them their lives.
First Sentence: Ciere Giba wakes up to pounding on her hotel door.
My Review:
I haven’t heard of Illusive until BEA, when my friend Cee from The Novel Hermit (hi Cee! -waves-) asked me if there were any ARCs of Illusive available there. (Just in case you’re wondering: There wasn’t any ARCs of Illusive at BEA. I think.) When I got home, I looked Illusive up right away and although I wasn’t impressed by the cover, the synopsis of the book did catch my interest. Hint: Just add teenagers with superpowers in your book and I’ll most likely want to read it. Just like any other superhero/superpower books I’ve read, I really enjoyed reading Illusive.
“We’re not here to pee,” Ciere says.
“Speak for yousrelf,” Devon replies, poking at the door. It swings open, and he makes a face. A horrible stench wafts out, and he takes a step back. “On second thought, you’re right. (205-206)
There wasn’t a single boring moment in Illusive. Right from the very first page, Emily Lloyd-Jones wasn’t afraid to pull any punches. Ciere, the heroine of Illusive, was in danger right from the very first sentence and that was the moment that Illusive completely caught and kept my attention. Illusive was full of non-stop action and there wasn’t a single boring moment in the book. The pacing was great and I was fully invested in each of the characters, their missions, and their hopes and dreams in the cruel world they live in. Sure, sometimes the characters were very frustrating – I’m talking about you Ciere – but that didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book at all.
There was some info-dump in Illusive, but I didn’t mind it at all. I wanted to understand how people got their superpowers and how the world became the way it currently was as quickly as possible. In fact, I barely even noticed that there was some info-dumping going on; I only noticed it when I reread some of my favorite parts again, looking for quotes to use in this review.
Fiacre Pharmaceuticals simply did not take the time it needed to thoroughly test the vaccine.
…
If the truth had been known, the commercials would have sounded something like this:
Side effects may include itching at the site of injection, dizziness, weakness, fever, and rash. Approximately 0.003% of those vaccinated may experience on of the following adverse effects… (15)
I’ve mentioned this before in my other reviews and I’ll mention this again: I personally feel that the world-building is the most important part in dystopians. Without any good world-building, the book won’t really be considered as a dystopian since readers won’t have any idea on why the world is considered a dystopian the first place. (I hope I’m making sense here.) I felt like the world-building in Illusive was quite simple, but the good thing is that I don’t have any unanswered questions about it. Emily Lloyd-Jones covered enough of the world to keep me interested, know what was going on, and know who really has all the power in a world like this one.
Overall, if you’re a fan of superhero/superpower books, I’ll definitely recommend you to try reading Illusive. I guarantee you’ll have a lot of fun reading it.
I also love anything with superpowered teens. There’s something really cool about superpowers. I can’t wait to read Illusive.
Teens with superpowers living in a dystopia? Yes, please! This book sounds like a really fast-paced, exciting read :) Thank you for the review! I wasn’t quite sure if I should read this (I was worried it would be too action-heavy and not developed well) but now I definitely will~
Connie recently posted…The Book Life Tag
Doesn’t sound like my kind of book; it this part of a series?
Oooh sounds fun. It kind of sounds like the show Heroes that I love. I hope it is. :) I love a good superpowers anything, I’ll definitely have to get this.
I’m very curious about this one because superpowers always intrigue me, but I’ve read a few stories with them that disappointed me (The Vindigo and Blackout). So, I don’t know… I’m glad you liked the world building though! That was one of my biggest critiques of similar books I’ve read. :)
P.E. @ The Sirenic Codex recently posted…The Weekly Progress: Stuff is Happening Ediition
Wow! This book sounds really cool! Definitely must add it to my list! Great review — thanks for sharing!!
Tricia recently posted…Do You Sneak a Peek?
Okay, so I am completely decided about reading this one. I want to, badly. BUT, here is my hesitation; maybe you can take it away. I am in the middle of so many stinkin series right now. I have been doing really good lately about not starting too many new ones, and waiting until the final books release date gets closer. I am literally drooling over Illusive, but I can’t take another cliffhanger ending if I choose to start a new series knowing I will have to wait two years for its conclusion. So my question to you… Should I wait or should I say ahhh just screw it, and read it right now. (It is sitting on my shelf, staring at me). Sorry for being rambly, but I am in the middle of a bookish crisis with this one!
Jaime Lester recently posted…Crystalee reviews No One Needs to Know
I so want to read this book!! Sounds good!
Definitely adding this to my TBR pile, it sounds really good! I’m definitely a fan of superheroes/superpowers. Thanks for the review!
I’ve been wanting to read this book because based on the synopsis, it really sounds fun and cool! I cannot wait to read this! Great review, by the way. :D
Kyla @ Carmel & Kyla recently posted…Cover Reveal: RICOCHET By Keri Lake
I want to read this too! I hope they publish it with a better cover though. I love it when authors leave something for the readers to think/ponder/discover on their own. And good thing it’s a series!
Superheroes plus dystopia? Give me!!! I agree that world-building is very important. I’m glad that this book didn’t leave any questions unanswered. I hate it when a book does that, especially if there is no sequel. Definitely want to get a copy of this one. Great review, Kelly! :)
Joy @ The Bookshelf Intruder recently posted…Fangirling over Percy Jackson + Mini-Review of Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods
I honestly haven’t heard about Illusive before reading this review. And you’re right, the cover isn’t too impressive. But the story did manage to pique my interest just as your review did. I also haven’t read any books like this one. I have Steelheart, but it’s still sitting on the bookshelf new and unread. Maybe I should get on to reading that one and continuing to Illusive if I like start liking these types of stories. Thanks for sharing your honesty! :D
Ooooh, I’m happy to see a glowing review for this one! I’ve had my eye on it forever, but I’ve been wary because it sounds like a mish-mash of so many other books I’ve read. but give me action-packed and teenagers with superpowers and we can call it a day, the search for my next book to read = CLOSED! Haha
Lina recently posted…Guest Post on ‘Oh, the Books!’
Lovely review and thanks for your first sentences you mention.
I read this book and couldn`t agree more with your review! :)
This really sounds like a fun read. It had me at the blurb but your review just completed it all! I’m definitely adding this one to my TBR pile. :)
Inah @ The Bibliophile Confessions recently posted…Book Review: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
I’m a huge fan of the dystopian genre and although there’s a lot of those now, this book sounds unique. Thank you so much for the review.
Diana Grace recently posted…Cover Reveal and Giveaway: REBORN (Angel Creek 3) by Ada Adams
I’ve had this book on my TBR shelf for a little while now and just haven’t had the motivation to pick it up and read. Now it’s going to be moved from the end of my pile to around the top :D Thanks for the great review!
Nice review, you can’t go wring with a good superhero/superpower book! Poor world building annoys me too so I’m glad this book was pretty good – a couple of unanswered questions are okay but when you’ve got more questions than answers it tends to ruin the book. Thanks for the review, I think I’m going to have to look this book up!
Myra White recently posted…Release Blitz: The Fine Art of Pretending by Rachel Harris – Excerpt + Giveaway
I really enjoyed this one too! I liked how it was a superhero-y book but it didn’t overemphasize it like they do in comics and stuff. I didn’t think that the characters were very well developed though :/
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Books That Were Hard For Me To Read
More dystopian. And with superpower people. Count me in!! I’m waiting for an action YA books, I mean full action and no single boring moments like you mentioned above. Thanks for the great review.
This too sounds really good. Thank you for the great review. I’m going to add it to my tbr. :)
I was trying to decide whether or not I should read this book next, and your review convinced me to give it a shot! Really great review!
Great review. I like a book with constant action, so I am never bored. ;)
Amazing review! I got really curious about this book. I love dystopians, and agree with you that the world must be well-built to be believable. Plus the whole superpower thing is just a must read.
Thais Pampado recently posted…O Aniversário de Anya
I haven’t heard of this book until now. I have also just read the synopsis and, WOW! Oh my gosh, this is the kind of book I’m really interested in. A dystopian with superhero-like characters? Mmmm. Thank you for sharing your honest insights about this book. I have just added it on my TBR pile and I’m really really really excited to read it!
This sounds like fun and I’ve heard great things about this from Dahlia Adler. I haven’t read a superhero before (I think?), but this sounds like it’d be a good place to start. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Rebecca recently posted…Review: 17 First Kisses by Rachael Allen
Wow, you actually liked this! Good thing. Especially you with you being picky with books and this rating it highly, I guess I’d read this!
Although we have opposite reactions on the cover, I think it’s quite good!
Good thing you mentioned how good the world-building is and how unobvious the info-dumping is. What I just don’t like is that it’s a series and I have to waiiiit. I hope it really is good as a series.
Great review, Kelly! Thanks! :D