Born Of Illusion -Book Review

Born of Illusion by Teri Brown

♦publisher: Balzer & Bray
♦released: June 07, 2013
♦hardcover, 373 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

 In a world of magicians, mediums and mentalists, Anna and her mother steal the stage with a mother daughter act of illusions and mentalist extraordinaire. 

  Born of Illusion, whisks you back to the time of jazz, flappers, magic and the roaring 20’s,  where the elite spend their money on the swankiest clubs, bootlegged liquor and séances.  Which Anna and her mother specialize in, making a life that is on the road filled with the underground world of illegal fortune-telling and running from the law.

Knowing no other life than that of magic, séances, quick sleight of hand and trickery leaves the door open to a challenging mother daughter relationship.  One that truly resonates to a different level, that is strained and complicated, interlaced with masked jealousy and disdain. Their relationship is not typical of a mother and daughter but a refreshing change of realism.  Anna’s mother, Marguerite, a true opportunist, depends on Anna for everything, from performing, to fetching her tea, to breaking her out of jail when the law catches up with them.   A mother not capable of loving anyone but her success, who will go to any great length to protect it. Leaving Anna full of frustration and fury as her mother provides and takes away opportunities while taping into her darkest fears of abandonment.

Even though love has been taught as something to be gained from, Anna finds herself the object of affection of two gentlemen, one of which amplifies her abilities. Yielding her to try and discover who she really is, which only makes things harder for Anna, as she has to discover whose affections are real.

Although everything her mother does is a sham and an illusion, Anna still wonders if she spoke the truth about her father. What would it be like to be the illusive, illegitimate daughter of Harry Houdini? With that knowledge, life is surrounded and enchanted by its magical possibilities

A beautiful, illustrative story told from the mind of Anna.  Where perfectly placed gaps in Anna’s mind leave a place for you to fill in the pieces, making it all the more real. Dazzling outfits, short stylish bobs and cloche hats set the scene. While the flapper girl style is highlighted as a lifestyle to be desired and not prohibited, adding to the books mystique.  A drama that explores a realm that hasn’t been tapped into, that by loathing the mother and her simple exploitive ways, only endear you to Anna even more.  A freeing story of relationships, magic, kidnapping, motives, true friends and learning who to trust.  Teaching Anna, that trust can lie in those that society tells you to fear. 

Teri Brown knows how to captivate her audience, as if she is an illusionist performing. With a slight of hand this story’s allure suddenly appears before you. Leaving you feeling as if you can create magic and possible even wield your own pair of handcuffs to break free from.

After I closed the pages of this book I still felt the magical glittering remains left upon my heart. The magic and the mystique lift off the pages, swirling around you. Making you feel as if you are part of a captivated audience watching the performance of a lifetime unfold before you.