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Illusion
Dane and Mandy, a popular magic act for forty years, are tragically separated by a car wreck that claims Mandy's life -- or so everyone thinks. Even as Dane mourns and tries to rebuild his life without her, Mandy, supposedly dead, awakes in the present as the nineteen-year-old she was in 1970. Distraught and disoriented in what to her is the future, she is confined to a mental ward until she discovers a magical ability to pass invisibly through time and space to escape. Alone in a strange world, she uses her mysterious powers to eke out a living, performing magic on the streets and in a quaint coffee shop.
Hoping to discover an exciting new talent, Dane ventures into the coffee shop and is transfixed by the magic he sees, illusions that even he, a seasoned professional, cannot explain. But more than anything, he is emotionally devastated by this teenager who has never met him, doesn't know him, is certainly not in love with him, but is in every respect identical to the young beauty he first met and married some forty years earlier.
They begin a furtive relationship as mentor and protege, but even as Dane tries to sort out who she really is and she tries to understand why she is drawn to him, they are watched by secretive interests who not only possess the answers to Mandy's powers and misplacement in time but also the roguish ability to decide what will become of her.
Frank Peretti has crafted a rich, rewarding story of love and life, loss and restoration, full of twists and mystery. Exceptionally well written, Illusion will soon prove another Peretti classic.
Hoping to discover an exciting new talent, Dane ventures into the coffee shop and is transfixed by the magic he sees, illusions that even he, a seasoned professional, cannot explain. But more than anything, he is emotionally devastated by this teenager who has never met him, doesn't know him, is certainly not in love with him, but is in every respect identical to the young beauty he first met and married some forty years earlier.
They begin a furtive relationship as mentor and protege, but even as Dane tries to sort out who she really is and she tries to understand why she is drawn to him, they are watched by secretive interests who not only possess the answers to Mandy's powers and misplacement in time but also the roguish ability to decide what will become of her.
Frank Peretti has crafted a rich, rewarding story of love and life, loss and restoration, full of twists and mystery. Exceptionally well written, Illusion will soon prove another Peretti classic.
498 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Frank E. Peretti
91 books3,289 followersFROM HIS WEBSITE:
With more than 12 million novels in print, Frank Peretti is nothing short of a publishing phenomenon and has been called “America’s hottest Christian novelist.”
Peretti is a natural storyteller who, as a youngster in Seattle, regularly gathered the neighborhood children for animated storytelling sessions. After graduating from high school, he began playing banjo with a local bluegrass group. He and his wife were married in 1972, and Peretti soon moved from touring with a pop band to launching a modest Christian music ministry. Peretti later spent time studying English, screen writing and film at UCLA and then assisted his father in pastoring a small Assembly of God church. In 1983, he gave up his pastoring position and began taking construction jobs to make ends meet. While working at a local ski factory, he began writing This Present Darkness, the book that would catapult him into the public eye. After numerous rejections from publishers and a slow start in sales, word-of-mouth enthusiasm finally lifted This Present Darkness onto a tidal wave of interest in spiritual warfare. The book appeared on Bookstore Journal’s bestseller list every month for more than eight years. Peretti’s two spiritual warfare novels, This Present Darkness (1998) and Piercing the Darkness (1989), captivated readers, together selling more than 3.5 million copies. The Oath was awarded the 1996 Gold Medallion Award for best fiction.
For kids, Peretti wrote The Cooper Kids Adventure Series (Crossways and Tommy Nelson), which remains a best-selling series for children with sales exceeding 1 million copies. In August 2000, Peretti released the hilarious children’s audiocassette series titled Wild and Wacky Totally True Bible Stories, reprising his role as Mr. Henry, the offbeat substitute Sunday School teacher found in two Visual Bible for Kids videos.
Peretti released his first-ever non-fiction book, The Wounded Spirit in 2000, which quickly became a best-seller. The book addresses the pain of “wounded spirits” and was written as a result of painful childhood experiences.
Frank Peretti and his wife, Barbara Jean, live in the Western U.S. In spite of sudden fame and notoriety, Frank still lives a simple, well-rounded life that includes carpentry, banjo making, sculpturing, bicycling and hiking. He is also an avid pilot.
With more than 12 million novels in print, Frank Peretti is nothing short of a publishing phenomenon and has been called “America’s hottest Christian novelist.”
Peretti is a natural storyteller who, as a youngster in Seattle, regularly gathered the neighborhood children for animated storytelling sessions. After graduating from high school, he began playing banjo with a local bluegrass group. He and his wife were married in 1972, and Peretti soon moved from touring with a pop band to launching a modest Christian music ministry. Peretti later spent time studying English, screen writing and film at UCLA and then assisted his father in pastoring a small Assembly of God church. In 1983, he gave up his pastoring position and began taking construction jobs to make ends meet. While working at a local ski factory, he began writing This Present Darkness, the book that would catapult him into the public eye. After numerous rejections from publishers and a slow start in sales, word-of-mouth enthusiasm finally lifted This Present Darkness onto a tidal wave of interest in spiritual warfare. The book appeared on Bookstore Journal’s bestseller list every month for more than eight years. Peretti’s two spiritual warfare novels, This Present Darkness (1998) and Piercing the Darkness (1989), captivated readers, together selling more than 3.5 million copies. The Oath was awarded the 1996 Gold Medallion Award for best fiction.
For kids, Peretti wrote The Cooper Kids Adventure Series (Crossways and Tommy Nelson), which remains a best-selling series for children with sales exceeding 1 million copies. In August 2000, Peretti released the hilarious children’s audiocassette series titled Wild and Wacky Totally True Bible Stories, reprising his role as Mr. Henry, the offbeat substitute Sunday School teacher found in two Visual Bible for Kids videos.
Peretti released his first-ever non-fiction book, The Wounded Spirit in 2000, which quickly became a best-seller. The book addresses the pain of “wounded spirits” and was written as a result of painful childhood experiences.
Frank Peretti and his wife, Barbara Jean, live in the Western U.S. In spite of sudden fame and notoriety, Frank still lives a simple, well-rounded life that includes carpentry, banjo making, sculpturing, bicycling and hiking. He is also an avid pilot.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 736 reviews
March 17, 2012
In one sense, books are like cakes--the recipe may be more enticing than the taste. Magic, time travel, mature love and teenage confusion (strange mix, but Peretti made it work without being too creepy), mad scientists, doves, etc. Decent writing for the most part, but too choppy and disjointed at times.
"Illusion" provides nothing too challenging to ponder. Even the villains were a bit bland. Yes, poor soul Mandy thrown for a loop, and then having to figure life out in a decadent and evil world. (But not too decadent, and she gets lots of help.) Prayer, God and church were inserted like jelly beans every once in awhile, as much for background as breakfast and lunch--they get the characters through the day, even if the morsel is as appetizing as a bit of fast food.
I'd given the novel four stars for the wonderful descriptions of multiple timeline existence alone. However, I can't bring myself to give four stars to a book that I kept wanting to end already. Seriously, it is 150 pages too long. For example, pages and pages of Mandy's magic act. One or two, okay, but they went on and on. I love watching magic, but the true wonder is in the trick on the eyes. Through reading, my imagination has been taken to distant planets, beheld fantasy worlds with mighty wizards, marveled at the words of real magicians such as Houdini, Penn & Teller, and Derren Brown. Those pages and pages of cute coins and spinning hulu loops became boring. The story didn't create a world I enjoyed dwelling in for that long. Dane was depressing, Mandy was interesting--all the other characters are highly forgettable. The time machine concept, I liked.
Still, I know folks who will love this novel, and I'll give my copy. For modern Christian literature, this is one of the better novels I've read.
"Illusion" provides nothing too challenging to ponder. Even the villains were a bit bland. Yes, poor soul Mandy thrown for a loop, and then having to figure life out in a decadent and evil world. (But not too decadent, and she gets lots of help.) Prayer, God and church were inserted like jelly beans every once in awhile, as much for background as breakfast and lunch--they get the characters through the day, even if the morsel is as appetizing as a bit of fast food.
I'd given the novel four stars for the wonderful descriptions of multiple timeline existence alone. However, I can't bring myself to give four stars to a book that I kept wanting to end already. Seriously, it is 150 pages too long. For example, pages and pages of Mandy's magic act. One or two, okay, but they went on and on. I love watching magic, but the true wonder is in the trick on the eyes. Through reading, my imagination has been taken to distant planets, beheld fantasy worlds with mighty wizards, marveled at the words of real magicians such as Houdini, Penn & Teller, and Derren Brown. Those pages and pages of cute coins and spinning hulu loops became boring. The story didn't create a world I enjoyed dwelling in for that long. Dane was depressing, Mandy was interesting--all the other characters are highly forgettable. The time machine concept, I liked.
Still, I know folks who will love this novel, and I'll give my copy. For modern Christian literature, this is one of the better novels I've read.
January 27, 2015
After waiting six years for another Peretti novel, my hopes were very high upon starting this novel. While it's definitely different from his other works, it's clearly Peretti. I was intrigued from the beginning and never knew what was going to happen next. The sign of a good novel! As is usually the case for Peretti, you have to read carefully to keep track of everything, but that's what we've come to expect from him. I've tried to think of which Peretti novel this one compares closest to, but it's really it's own thing. There are hints of The Visitation and even Monster. Recommended for all Peretti fans most definitely. I think this one will gain him new fans as well.
April 7, 2022
Frank Peretti may be a big name in Christian fiction, but Illusion is his first novel since 2006's House, which was co-written with Ted Dekker. However, all that time has not caused Mr. Peretti to slack on his writing; in fact, Illusion is a expertly crafted psychological techno-thriller that keeps you wanting to know what will happen next. Whether you're a fan of Christian fiction or not, you should definitely read this! My hat's off to you, Frank Peretti!
EDIT: I feel pretty much the same way reading this again, so...why reinvent the wheel?
EDIT: I feel pretty much the same way reading this again, so...why reinvent the wheel?
September 14, 2013
Frank Peretti has written books I really don't care for and that I lost interest in. He's written books I thought were okay including the YA books that were his first to catch notice. And he's written one that I have on my favorites list The Visitation. The Visitation
This one other than the Visitation is the one I've liked best.
Here we have a magical (literally one might say) story of two people who have been married and working together since their youth...when the wife is killed in a auto accident.
Dane and Mandy are/were world famous magicians. They have performed together everywhere and are well known for their illusions...till Mandy is killed. Dane is shattered by the loss of his life long love and retires to the new home that was supposed to be for him and Mandy.
Then he meets a young woman a budding magician of 19 who is the double for Mandy at that age. She has Mandy's looks, Mandy's way of moving and most of all Mandy's wonder at her magic.
Is there more here than meets the eye? Are Mandy's inexplicable illusions more than simply illusions? Is there simply more to this than meets the eye?
Of course there is this is a novel.
This is a good readable book (and that will say a lot to those of you who know how a book that's simply a romance with little other plot will cause me to pitch a book away in a heartbeat). The plot is interesting and gets more "complex" as it goes along (it may well strain the "acceptance" ability of some readers) but it's nice. The May/December love doesn't get as creepy as it might (the girl 19/20 the guy 60) and is actually very well and endearingly done.
Mr. Peretti does seem to have one problem that shows up in most of his books (even the one I think of as a favorite). He sets out to drop "hints" about what's going on and this goes on forever. Then once he establishes "what's going on" we go through the same events to demonstrate it... It can get a bit old and can also cause the story to start to drag.
That's why this get's 4 stars instead of 5. As far as the story goes, the plot, the characters even the slightly esoteric touches it sort of "cooks down" into a satisfying dish. It's not the best book it's not going into my favorites but it does satisfy.
As for the Christian fiction/Christian ideas, they are well into the story and while Christians will enjoy thinking about them. It's also (I think) a cut above some of what's called Christian Fiction. For the non-Christians, I think they will be able to read the novel without really noticing the Christian influence (well other than the fact that there's no blasphemy and a belief in God is accepted and not presented as somehow backward). It can be read simply as a fantasy/urban fantasy.
So, good novel and I can recommend it. Enjoy.
This one other than the Visitation is the one I've liked best.
Here we have a magical (literally one might say) story of two people who have been married and working together since their youth...when the wife is killed in a auto accident.
Dane and Mandy are/were world famous magicians. They have performed together everywhere and are well known for their illusions...till Mandy is killed. Dane is shattered by the loss of his life long love and retires to the new home that was supposed to be for him and Mandy.
Then he meets a young woman a budding magician of 19 who is the double for Mandy at that age. She has Mandy's looks, Mandy's way of moving and most of all Mandy's wonder at her magic.
Is there more here than meets the eye? Are Mandy's inexplicable illusions more than simply illusions? Is there simply more to this than meets the eye?
Of course there is this is a novel.
This is a good readable book (and that will say a lot to those of you who know how a book that's simply a romance with little other plot will cause me to pitch a book away in a heartbeat). The plot is interesting and gets more "complex" as it goes along (it may well strain the "acceptance" ability of some readers) but it's nice. The May/December love doesn't get as creepy as it might (the girl 19/20 the guy 60) and is actually very well and endearingly done.
Mr. Peretti does seem to have one problem that shows up in most of his books (even the one I think of as a favorite). He sets out to drop "hints" about what's going on and this goes on forever. Then once he establishes "what's going on" we go through the same events to demonstrate it... It can get a bit old and can also cause the story to start to drag.
That's why this get's 4 stars instead of 5. As far as the story goes, the plot, the characters even the slightly esoteric touches it sort of "cooks down" into a satisfying dish. It's not the best book it's not going into my favorites but it does satisfy.
As for the Christian fiction/Christian ideas, they are well into the story and while Christians will enjoy thinking about them. It's also (I think) a cut above some of what's called Christian Fiction. For the non-Christians, I think they will be able to read the novel without really noticing the Christian influence (well other than the fact that there's no blasphemy and a belief in God is accepted and not presented as somehow backward). It can be read simply as a fantasy/urban fantasy.
So, good novel and I can recommend it. Enjoy.
March 10, 2012
“Three and a half stars: A love story that defies time and physics!
Our story opens with the unexpected death of Mandy, the magician, at age fifty nine. Mandy and her husband, Dane, are leaving Las Vegas, after years of performing as a successful magic act. The two are headed to Couer d' Alene, Idaho to retire on their new ranch. Unfortunately, Mandy will not make it back to her hometown. Tragedy strikes when their BMW collides in an intersection with another car and bursts into flames. Dane is unable to drag Mandy out quickly enough to avoid the burning licks of the hot flames. Mandy perishes at the local hospital. The grieving Dane returns to Idaho, alone. The clock rolls back to September, 1970. Back in time, we encounter a nineteen year old Mandy, at the local state fair. She is busy taking in the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the fair with her two friends. She grabs a quick bite to eat before the magic show starts on the main stage. As she is leaning against a tree, eating her chicken basket, something strange occurs. One minute she is chewing chicken, watching people passing by, the next something is thrown over her head, like a large sheet. No, it is a hospital gown. Mandy tugs it down over her head to encounter a whole new world. Everything has changed and she finds herself sitting by the tree dressed only in a hospital gown. Mandy calmly tries to keep her wits about her, as she frantically searches for her father. Her efforts are to no avail. Eventually she is taken to the hospital. Things only get worse as she discovers that for whatever reason, she is now in the year 2010, but she is still the same nineteen year old girl. Mandy struggles to cope with the changes and understand what happened to her. Is she crazy? A few months later her path accidentally crosses with Dane's. The grieving widower wonders if he is losing his mind when he meets this girl, who looks like his deceased wife. Can love survive the convoluted twists of the fabric of time and defy all the odds as well as physics?
What I Liked:
*I thoroughly enjoyed the love story between Mandy and Dane. As a couple they lived almost forty years together, as they worked alongside each other, sharing the good times and bad. After Mandy dies and they meet again when Mandy is a strange time traveler, they don't recognize each other at first, but the deep love between them acts as a magnet drawing them together. Their love is true, pure and a bit magic. It was nice to encounter a love story that manages to defy all the odds.
*Mandy, I was charmed by her character. My heart went out to her when she finds herself somehow transported forty years into the future. She does her best to make lemonade out of her lemons, as her daddy advised her. Mandy, is one of those characters that you cheer for. I loved the endearing way she always called on her daddy's good advice. Mandy is a well written female protagonist by a male author.
*This book is a bit of a mystery, the best way for me to explain it is that it is like assembling a large complicated item and you can't find the instructions. You face the mountain of information dumped in front of you, and then you start trying to piece it all together. As you read, you find yourself scratching your head, wondering what on earth happened to Mandy. You struggle for the entire first half of the book trying to make sense of it all. Thankfully, midway the author throws you the instructions and then you can begin to make heads and tails of the strange events. All I can say is be prepared, the explanation defies time and physics as you know them.
*This book is creative and imaginative. It has a very complicated plot, so heads up when you read this one. If you like a good sci-fi book then you should check this one out.
And The Not So Much:
*This book is long, it comes in just under six hundred pages. So, do not delve into this one unless you have time to stick with it. There are so many story lines and things to keep track of, that if you put it down for awhile and then return, you may be lost.
*As I mentioned earlier, this book is confusing in the beginning, but when the explanations start pouring in, it is a lot to digest and keep track of, pay attention or you will be in the dark.
This book has some religious undertones and references. They by no means are over the top, but I felt sometimes the religious interjections were a bit jarring. However, I can see why the author probably chose to incorporate them, because the root of the story is that man has no business playing God.
*The author uses numerous points of view, and often time the view point would switch from paragraph to paragraph, sometimes to a completely new character. I found this shifting horribly distracting and confusing. I wish the author had just maintained the two main view points of Mandy and Dane. Especially, since most of the secondary characters were underdeveloped.
*I was completely confounded by the sudden appearance of the lawyer, Seamus into the story. He just drops in, and Mandy all of a sudden completely trusts him. A more thorough explanation is needed on his background and involvement with Mandy.
Illusion is a book that will get inside your head and make you believe in the unbelievable. This novel blends science fiction with a great romance, that manages to survive insurmountable odds. Mr. Peretti carefully crafts two characters, Mandy and Dane, who will make you believe in true love. If you are looking for a complex book with a big mystery and lots of twists and turns then I recommend you check out Illusion.
Favorite Quotations:
"But it was my arm she took to go to parties; she wrote her love notes for me; she chose to share my future when I didn't even have one."
"Practice doesn't make perfect. It makes better."
"They all waved and drove off, some of the nicest people Mandy had had the pleasure to meet since the day she suddenly quit knowing anybody."
"And the smile fell from her face. It was just another lie anyway, another act on top of the one that got her here."
"She was the dream. The house was just a frame around the picture."
"They exchanged a look and kept watching, two more friends, two more human beings touching her life as she touched theirs."
"Frost had withered the flowers, blackened the fallen leaves, and now lay thick and crusty in the hollows and dark places. The lawn crunched under his feet."
"Her eys were playful, then teasing, then full of wonder like a child holding a butterfly."
"Young lady, things can look a lot different from this end of your life."
"He never could have found her himself never could have known hers would be the kind of love that would last so long and still be so tenacious despite a gulf of age and memory."
"A moment, an eternity, passed, and there were no words."
A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by the publisher, Howard Books, in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears @ http://rainydayramblings.typepad.com/.
Our story opens with the unexpected death of Mandy, the magician, at age fifty nine. Mandy and her husband, Dane, are leaving Las Vegas, after years of performing as a successful magic act. The two are headed to Couer d' Alene, Idaho to retire on their new ranch. Unfortunately, Mandy will not make it back to her hometown. Tragedy strikes when their BMW collides in an intersection with another car and bursts into flames. Dane is unable to drag Mandy out quickly enough to avoid the burning licks of the hot flames. Mandy perishes at the local hospital. The grieving Dane returns to Idaho, alone. The clock rolls back to September, 1970. Back in time, we encounter a nineteen year old Mandy, at the local state fair. She is busy taking in the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the fair with her two friends. She grabs a quick bite to eat before the magic show starts on the main stage. As she is leaning against a tree, eating her chicken basket, something strange occurs. One minute she is chewing chicken, watching people passing by, the next something is thrown over her head, like a large sheet. No, it is a hospital gown. Mandy tugs it down over her head to encounter a whole new world. Everything has changed and she finds herself sitting by the tree dressed only in a hospital gown. Mandy calmly tries to keep her wits about her, as she frantically searches for her father. Her efforts are to no avail. Eventually she is taken to the hospital. Things only get worse as she discovers that for whatever reason, she is now in the year 2010, but she is still the same nineteen year old girl. Mandy struggles to cope with the changes and understand what happened to her. Is she crazy? A few months later her path accidentally crosses with Dane's. The grieving widower wonders if he is losing his mind when he meets this girl, who looks like his deceased wife. Can love survive the convoluted twists of the fabric of time and defy all the odds as well as physics?
What I Liked:
*I thoroughly enjoyed the love story between Mandy and Dane. As a couple they lived almost forty years together, as they worked alongside each other, sharing the good times and bad. After Mandy dies and they meet again when Mandy is a strange time traveler, they don't recognize each other at first, but the deep love between them acts as a magnet drawing them together. Their love is true, pure and a bit magic. It was nice to encounter a love story that manages to defy all the odds.
*Mandy, I was charmed by her character. My heart went out to her when she finds herself somehow transported forty years into the future. She does her best to make lemonade out of her lemons, as her daddy advised her. Mandy, is one of those characters that you cheer for. I loved the endearing way she always called on her daddy's good advice. Mandy is a well written female protagonist by a male author.
*This book is a bit of a mystery, the best way for me to explain it is that it is like assembling a large complicated item and you can't find the instructions. You face the mountain of information dumped in front of you, and then you start trying to piece it all together. As you read, you find yourself scratching your head, wondering what on earth happened to Mandy. You struggle for the entire first half of the book trying to make sense of it all. Thankfully, midway the author throws you the instructions and then you can begin to make heads and tails of the strange events. All I can say is be prepared, the explanation defies time and physics as you know them.
*This book is creative and imaginative. It has a very complicated plot, so heads up when you read this one. If you like a good sci-fi book then you should check this one out.
And The Not So Much:
*This book is long, it comes in just under six hundred pages. So, do not delve into this one unless you have time to stick with it. There are so many story lines and things to keep track of, that if you put it down for awhile and then return, you may be lost.
*As I mentioned earlier, this book is confusing in the beginning, but when the explanations start pouring in, it is a lot to digest and keep track of, pay attention or you will be in the dark.
This book has some religious undertones and references. They by no means are over the top, but I felt sometimes the religious interjections were a bit jarring. However, I can see why the author probably chose to incorporate them, because the root of the story is that man has no business playing God.
*The author uses numerous points of view, and often time the view point would switch from paragraph to paragraph, sometimes to a completely new character. I found this shifting horribly distracting and confusing. I wish the author had just maintained the two main view points of Mandy and Dane. Especially, since most of the secondary characters were underdeveloped.
*I was completely confounded by the sudden appearance of the lawyer, Seamus into the story. He just drops in, and Mandy all of a sudden completely trusts him. A more thorough explanation is needed on his background and involvement with Mandy.
Illusion is a book that will get inside your head and make you believe in the unbelievable. This novel blends science fiction with a great romance, that manages to survive insurmountable odds. Mr. Peretti carefully crafts two characters, Mandy and Dane, who will make you believe in true love. If you are looking for a complex book with a big mystery and lots of twists and turns then I recommend you check out Illusion.
Favorite Quotations:
"But it was my arm she took to go to parties; she wrote her love notes for me; she chose to share my future when I didn't even have one."
"Practice doesn't make perfect. It makes better."
"They all waved and drove off, some of the nicest people Mandy had had the pleasure to meet since the day she suddenly quit knowing anybody."
"And the smile fell from her face. It was just another lie anyway, another act on top of the one that got her here."
"She was the dream. The house was just a frame around the picture."
"They exchanged a look and kept watching, two more friends, two more human beings touching her life as she touched theirs."
"Frost had withered the flowers, blackened the fallen leaves, and now lay thick and crusty in the hollows and dark places. The lawn crunched under his feet."
"Her eys were playful, then teasing, then full of wonder like a child holding a butterfly."
"Young lady, things can look a lot different from this end of your life."
"He never could have found her himself never could have known hers would be the kind of love that would last so long and still be so tenacious despite a gulf of age and memory."
"A moment, an eternity, passed, and there were no words."
A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by the publisher, Howard Books, in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears @ http://rainydayramblings.typepad.com/.
August 14, 2012
I initially read the synopsis of Frank Peretti's Illusion in April of 2012, and its premise floored me. I had to read it. But as much as I yearned for it, I'd have to wait a few months, for it came on loan from my Mother-in-Law, to whom I'd like to give thanks, and appreciation. After all, every story is a unique experience; they impact us in so many ways, some of which we aren't made aware of until much later.
That being said, I'd like to firmly state that I would have enjoyed this one much more if it had been well-written, or even mediocre writing. Quite frankly, the writing displayed here is horrible. However, I did get something out of it, and that's the belief that I can write better than this. And that's inspiring.
At the heart of Illusion is the story of Dane and Mandy, and their profound love foe each other. They're also a world-renowned magical act of 40 years (conveniently the duration of their marriage.) But their love isn't to last... or is it?
From the novel's opening sentence, the reader is introduced to them in a very tragic, abrupt way: Mandy has just died. Through his grief, Peretti gives us glimpses their character, their marriage, and-seemingly most important-their spellbinding performances. It's almost as if the duo's illusions take precedence over their personal relationship, and that of God.
Admittedly, they are Christians, brought up with a firm belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and all He stands for. But Peretti doesn't take it much further.
Coming from a Christian author, I expected a much more profound message.
Juxtaposed to Dane's process of mourning is a 19-year-old girl who inexplicably finds herself at a Spokane County fair, only to be transported to mental facility.
Shortly thereafter, "Eloise" escapes by simply bolting from her room, down a corridor, and out the nearest exit. Apparently the authorities (nurses, doctors, technicians, etc..,) could not see her.
Her next move? Eloise relocates to Hayden, Idaho, which happens to be where Dane recently moved to, as well..
After that, she knows exactly where he resides (presumably through communications with God.) Furthermore, the phrase "it's a God thing" is meant to explain everything, and to be perfectly plausible.
Personally, I didn't find it believable, and the very notion wreaks of a cop-out. If that had been an isolated occurrence, it probably would have been acceptable, but similar things happen again and again. As a result, the novel loses much of its credibility.
Unbeknownst to them is the fact that they're being watched by a shady, top-secret group. Now as interesting as this sounds, the sub-plot goes nowhere. In fact, the entourage doesn't reappear until the last 50-100 pages (though I must say, those were VERY intense; they kept me turning pages until I'd finished.)
One particular element that fascinated and, in turn, compelled me to do a little research, is what's known as interdimensional displacement.
Here's a link: http://ashiramedicinewoman.blogspot.c...
Yet another downfall are the characters themselves. Aside from Dane and Mandy, they're all cardboard flat. I found it increasingly difficult to relate with them. I couldn't connect at all, actually.
Overall, I enjoyed the endurance of Dane and Mandy's love, which I believe is symbolic of God's unconditional love. He willingly goes the distance, in pursuit of us. It doesn't matter where we've been, what we've done, or whether we feel worthy of His love. He pursues us because He loves us.
March 28, 2012
My first response after finishing Illusion was “Dude that was awesome!” What an amazing ride and great re-meeting with one of the most prolific writers of my time. Before I really get to my review, I have to make a confession. This review is completely biased because I am a huge Peretti fan and I will always read whatever he writes. Whatever he writes. He truly is a storytelling guru. I have been waiting –sometimes patiently and sometimes not - for his next book. When given the opportunity to review Illusion, I literally jumped for the chance. (No it wasn’t a requirement, but I couldn’t contain my excitement.) I danced a crazy jig when I came home to the package sitting on my porch. It was moved immediately to the top of my reading list. I am not trying to offend any other authors or anything, but Peretti has a special place in my heart. I was introduced to him at the beginning of my high school career, at a time when I could have given up on reading. Instead, Peretti pulled me into his world book after book, and I have not been the same since. Okay… moving on…
Illusion is not your typical Peretti book, and for me that makes it even better. Some fans will not appreciate the change, but I think it marks growth as a writer and that should be much appreciated. Going back to the beginning, Peretti has covered subjects such as spiritual warfare, false prophets and the myths of Bigfoot. In Illusion, he tackles the discoveries of science and the possibilities that will come from that. Dane and Mandy is a beautiful and tragic story. It is simultaneously a hurting man reaching out for one last glimpse of the love of his life and a scientist whose experiment spiraled out of control. There is always that unspoken question of is he crazy and grasping for the last hope or is it really happening. Science can be a beautiful thing, but as always, when man twists it for his own purposes something horrible happens.
I immensely enjoyed reading Illusion; there is nothing that I can say that will capture everything that I feel about this book, and about Peretti himself. He is an author that always amazes me and the only thing I can do is sit back in awe of the masterful piece that has sprung from his fingertips. I enjoyed the glimpse into the heart and soul of Dane and Mandy. I love the fact that even though what has happened was a grown man’s science experiment gone wrong, science is still respected. Sometimes humans go further than they should, challenging boundaries and the scope of their capabilities. Science tends to always lay any moral reservation until a fatal mistake is made. But it is the redeeming quality of Illusion that even in the most tense and dire situations, there is a way out. Yes, it is not your typical story, but it is still captivating and skillfully written. I can only hope that there will not be such a long wait for Peretti’s next book.
A copy of this book was given to me freeof charge, in exchange for my honest review.
Illusion is not your typical Peretti book, and for me that makes it even better. Some fans will not appreciate the change, but I think it marks growth as a writer and that should be much appreciated. Going back to the beginning, Peretti has covered subjects such as spiritual warfare, false prophets and the myths of Bigfoot. In Illusion, he tackles the discoveries of science and the possibilities that will come from that. Dane and Mandy is a beautiful and tragic story. It is simultaneously a hurting man reaching out for one last glimpse of the love of his life and a scientist whose experiment spiraled out of control. There is always that unspoken question of is he crazy and grasping for the last hope or is it really happening. Science can be a beautiful thing, but as always, when man twists it for his own purposes something horrible happens.
I immensely enjoyed reading Illusion; there is nothing that I can say that will capture everything that I feel about this book, and about Peretti himself. He is an author that always amazes me and the only thing I can do is sit back in awe of the masterful piece that has sprung from his fingertips. I enjoyed the glimpse into the heart and soul of Dane and Mandy. I love the fact that even though what has happened was a grown man’s science experiment gone wrong, science is still respected. Sometimes humans go further than they should, challenging boundaries and the scope of their capabilities. Science tends to always lay any moral reservation until a fatal mistake is made. But it is the redeeming quality of Illusion that even in the most tense and dire situations, there is a way out. Yes, it is not your typical story, but it is still captivating and skillfully written. I can only hope that there will not be such a long wait for Peretti’s next book.
A copy of this book was given to me freeof charge, in exchange for my honest review.
April 4, 2012
I saw this book on Goodreads and thought the synopsis sounded interesting: Man's wife, and partner in a magic act, of 40 years dies; a few months later he meets a young woman on the street doing magic tricks and she reminds him of his wife. The girl thinks she has gone crazy because she "remembers" sitting under a tree at the fair in 1970, but all of a sudden it's 2010.
Things I liked:
1- Likeable characters. I thought that the main characters were well written and I could 'picture' them. We got to see their flaws as well as their strengths.
2- Great plot work. Within the first few chapters we meet the two main characters as well as two other men that take a while to figure out. Then later in the book a surprise character is added and we wait to discover who he is. I was halfway through the book and still wondering how it was going to play out.
3- NO SWEARING or scenes that make you say, "why did they have to put that in?!?" Thank you Mr. Peretti
4- The story kept me interested and wanting to continue reading.
5- The time travel element was explained, and worked for me.
6- The story moved methodically through the first 2/3 of the book, then really took off for the final third. At first I didn't like that, but the more I thought about it, it made sense. It mirrored the anxiety of the characters.
7- I liked the fact that some of the characters motives were not discovered until near the end.
Things I didn't like:
1- Some of the phrases felt a bit awkward at times.
2- Some of the secondary characters could have been 'fleshed out' a bit more. Especially those that kept reappearing. [That's minor though]
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone. There was nothing I found to be offensive in it.
Things I liked:
1- Likeable characters. I thought that the main characters were well written and I could 'picture' them. We got to see their flaws as well as their strengths.
2- Great plot work. Within the first few chapters we meet the two main characters as well as two other men that take a while to figure out. Then later in the book a surprise character is added and we wait to discover who he is. I was halfway through the book and still wondering how it was going to play out.
3- NO SWEARING or scenes that make you say, "why did they have to put that in?!?" Thank you Mr. Peretti
4- The story kept me interested and wanting to continue reading.
5- The time travel element was explained, and worked for me.
6- The story moved methodically through the first 2/3 of the book, then really took off for the final third. At first I didn't like that, but the more I thought about it, it made sense. It mirrored the anxiety of the characters.
7- I liked the fact that some of the characters motives were not discovered until near the end.
Things I didn't like:
1- Some of the phrases felt a bit awkward at times.
2- Some of the secondary characters could have been 'fleshed out' a bit more. Especially those that kept reappearing. [That's minor though]
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone. There was nothing I found to be offensive in it.
January 16, 2016
Peretti was one of my favorite authors as a kid and its been a while since I've read any of his books. My mom told me about this one, so I had to give it a read.
It was a bit of a slow start, but that could have been because I read it on kindle and I'm not a fan of e-books. I much prefer to hold a book in my hand. Somehow gives more weight to the work that went in to making the story.
Beside the slow start, I am delighted to say that it held my attention and even surprised me in places. It's nice to read something where I can't figure out what's going to happen next. The writing is very visual and as a filmmaker I could see the movie playing in my head.
Overall, I can't say it's one of my favorites of Peretti's but I am glad to see he's still writing.
It was a bit of a slow start, but that could have been because I read it on kindle and I'm not a fan of e-books. I much prefer to hold a book in my hand. Somehow gives more weight to the work that went in to making the story.
Beside the slow start, I am delighted to say that it held my attention and even surprised me in places. It's nice to read something where I can't figure out what's going to happen next. The writing is very visual and as a filmmaker I could see the movie playing in my head.
Overall, I can't say it's one of my favorites of Peretti's but I am glad to see he's still writing.
May 10, 2013
Frank Peretti has written books I really don't care for and that I lost interest in. He's written books I thought were okay including the YA books that were his first to catch notice. And he's written on that I have on my favorites list The Visitation.
This one other than the Visitation is the one I've liked best.
Here we have a magical (literally one might say) story of two people who have been married and working together since their youth...when the wife is killed in a auto accident.
Dane and Mandy are/were world famous magicians. They have performed together everywhere and are well known for their illusions...till Mandy is killed. Dane is shattered by the loss of his life long love and retires to the new home that was supposed to be for him and Mandy.
Then he meets a young woman a budding magician of 19 who is the double for Mandy at that age. She has Mandy's looks, Mandy's way of moving and most of all Mandy's wonder at her magic.
Is there more here than meets the eye? Are Mandy's inexplicable illusions more than simply illusions? Is there simply more to this than meets the eye?
Of course there is this is a novel.
This is a good readable book (and that will say a lot to those of you who know how a book that's simply a romance with little other plot will cause me to pitch a book away in a heartbeat). The plot is interesting and gets more "complex" as it goes along (it may well strain the "acceptance" ability of some readers) but it's nice. The May/December love doesn't get as creepy as it might (the girl 19/20 the guy 60) and is actually very well and endearingly done.
Mr. Peretti does seem to have one problem that shows up in most of his books (even the one I think of as a favorite). He sets out to drop "hints" about what's going on and this goes on forever. Then once he establishes "what's going on" we go through the same thing to demonstrate it... It can get a bit old and can also cause the story to start to drag.
That's why this get's 4 stars instead of 5. As far as the story goes, the plot, the characters even the slightly esoteric touches it sort of "cooks down" into a satisfying dish. It's not the best book it's not going into my favorites but it does satisfy.
As for the Christian fiction/Christian ideas, they are well into the story and while Christians will enjoy thinking about them. It's also (I think) a cut above some of what's called Christian Fiction. For the non-Christians, I think they will be able to read the novel without really noticing the Christian influence (well other than the fact that there's no blasphemy and a belief in God is accepted and not presented as somehow backward). It can be read simply as a fantasy/urban fantasy.
So, good novel and I can recommend it. Enjoy.
This one other than the Visitation is the one I've liked best.
Here we have a magical (literally one might say) story of two people who have been married and working together since their youth...when the wife is killed in a auto accident.
Dane and Mandy are/were world famous magicians. They have performed together everywhere and are well known for their illusions...till Mandy is killed. Dane is shattered by the loss of his life long love and retires to the new home that was supposed to be for him and Mandy.
Then he meets a young woman a budding magician of 19 who is the double for Mandy at that age. She has Mandy's looks, Mandy's way of moving and most of all Mandy's wonder at her magic.
Is there more here than meets the eye? Are Mandy's inexplicable illusions more than simply illusions? Is there simply more to this than meets the eye?
Of course there is this is a novel.
This is a good readable book (and that will say a lot to those of you who know how a book that's simply a romance with little other plot will cause me to pitch a book away in a heartbeat). The plot is interesting and gets more "complex" as it goes along (it may well strain the "acceptance" ability of some readers) but it's nice. The May/December love doesn't get as creepy as it might (the girl 19/20 the guy 60) and is actually very well and endearingly done.
Mr. Peretti does seem to have one problem that shows up in most of his books (even the one I think of as a favorite). He sets out to drop "hints" about what's going on and this goes on forever. Then once he establishes "what's going on" we go through the same thing to demonstrate it... It can get a bit old and can also cause the story to start to drag.
That's why this get's 4 stars instead of 5. As far as the story goes, the plot, the characters even the slightly esoteric touches it sort of "cooks down" into a satisfying dish. It's not the best book it's not going into my favorites but it does satisfy.
As for the Christian fiction/Christian ideas, they are well into the story and while Christians will enjoy thinking about them. It's also (I think) a cut above some of what's called Christian Fiction. For the non-Christians, I think they will be able to read the novel without really noticing the Christian influence (well other than the fact that there's no blasphemy and a belief in God is accepted and not presented as somehow backward). It can be read simply as a fantasy/urban fantasy.
So, good novel and I can recommend it. Enjoy.
November 20, 2012
Peretti is no one new to complex and difficult plots. And in the past he has handled them well. Had i known before reading that this would be a time-travel romance thriller, I would not have been too concerned, because he's done crazy things before. However, though I enjoyed the concept of the book (magicians, and love, and time-travel, and some sort of vague government conspiracy), I reached the end feeling glad that Mandy survived, but mostly just glad it was over.
The ideas were good, but I feel like Peretti left much to be desired. The well constructed and illusionary action at the end redeemed it to an extent, so that I didn't quite feel cheated, but mostly I wished that I cared enough about the characters to warrant 400 pages of build-up to the unveiling of the true story. Mandy was the only one I cared about. Dane was annoying and whiny. The others were flat and dull, and never unexpected. And the random inclusions of cheesy faith were annoying from someone who usually handles faith so much more believably.
It took a hundred pages to get to Mandy's magic, and 250 more of magic lessons and performances, which were interesting at first, until they were repeated over and over, with only a few snippets of scenes to remind us that something darker and bigger was going on. Because this novel spliced sci-fi thriller with romance, it needed to be pleasing on both fronts, but I was unsatisfied on both ends. Not because the conclusion wasn't thrilling, but because it seemed like it was a different novel.
Peretti thrives in weaving well-crafted supernatural thrillers, and though I commend him for stretching his artistic ability, perhaps he should stick to what works. There were things I greatly enjoyed about this novel. I just wish I'd cared more about the characters, and could have skipped about a hundred pages to get to the good stuff. When time-travel feels more believable than love and faith, I feel Peretti has come up short.
The ideas were good, but I feel like Peretti left much to be desired. The well constructed and illusionary action at the end redeemed it to an extent, so that I didn't quite feel cheated, but mostly I wished that I cared enough about the characters to warrant 400 pages of build-up to the unveiling of the true story. Mandy was the only one I cared about. Dane was annoying and whiny. The others were flat and dull, and never unexpected. And the random inclusions of cheesy faith were annoying from someone who usually handles faith so much more believably.
It took a hundred pages to get to Mandy's magic, and 250 more of magic lessons and performances, which were interesting at first, until they were repeated over and over, with only a few snippets of scenes to remind us that something darker and bigger was going on. Because this novel spliced sci-fi thriller with romance, it needed to be pleasing on both fronts, but I was unsatisfied on both ends. Not because the conclusion wasn't thrilling, but because it seemed like it was a different novel.
Peretti thrives in weaving well-crafted supernatural thrillers, and though I commend him for stretching his artistic ability, perhaps he should stick to what works. There were things I greatly enjoyed about this novel. I just wish I'd cared more about the characters, and could have skipped about a hundred pages to get to the good stuff. When time-travel feels more believable than love and faith, I feel Peretti has come up short.
June 21, 2016
I've always been a fan of Peretti's books so was wanting to read this one- despite the warning from a friend (who, like me, loved Peretti's books) that this book was not like the rest and was actually not a good book at all.
I trudged through the first 200 pages or so- and threatened to abandon it altogether several times. The characters were set up nicely with great depth and rich descriptions. But the premise of the book never fully developed- and the curtain was only pulled back with about 100 pages to go. The reveal lacked any scientific credibility and was very shallow in the explanation. It's like Peretti tried to imitate Michael Crichton's style of taking a complex scientific phenomenon and making it believable by carefully explaining, in great detail, and then marrying that phenomenon to a plot and characters with great finesse.
I am a reader of many great Christian fiction books. But this book only gave an obligatory nod to the main character's Christian heritage and daily walk with Christ- like garnish on a Mexican platter. What a disappointment- if it's important to you, go all in.
I was so disappointed in this attempt at a believable story. Save yourself the time and go read one of Chrichton's books instead!
I trudged through the first 200 pages or so- and threatened to abandon it altogether several times. The characters were set up nicely with great depth and rich descriptions. But the premise of the book never fully developed- and the curtain was only pulled back with about 100 pages to go. The reveal lacked any scientific credibility and was very shallow in the explanation. It's like Peretti tried to imitate Michael Crichton's style of taking a complex scientific phenomenon and making it believable by carefully explaining, in great detail, and then marrying that phenomenon to a plot and characters with great finesse.
I am a reader of many great Christian fiction books. But this book only gave an obligatory nod to the main character's Christian heritage and daily walk with Christ- like garnish on a Mexican platter. What a disappointment- if it's important to you, go all in.
I was so disappointed in this attempt at a believable story. Save yourself the time and go read one of Chrichton's books instead!
August 16, 2013
Well, this was definitely a different kind of read from Peretti. Where did all the demons and preachers go? ;)
I have mixed feelings about Illusion. I enjoyed the story itself and the love between Dane and Mandy, but some things didn't seem to make a whole lot of sense to me and other plot elements seemed overly convenient. I did like the neat sci-fi element, though. Kind of like Dean Koontz, only less wordy.
I have mixed feelings about Illusion. I enjoyed the story itself and the love between Dane and Mandy, but some things didn't seem to make a whole lot of sense to me and other plot elements seemed overly convenient. I did like the neat sci-fi element, though. Kind of like Dean Koontz, only less wordy.
April 30, 2013
Peretti's best--a high compliment. Loved this book! I'm awed by his research and the details into the work of illusionists.
June 28, 2013
Frank Peretti is arguably my favorite writer. Not only do I enjoy his books, but the man himself comes across as very humble, very likeable.
His last book, House, coauthored with Ted Dekker, was released in 2006. And like other Peretti fans, I have long awaited new material from him. So naturally, I jumped at the chance to review his latest work, Illusion.
If you are a diehard Peretti fan who enjoys sci fi, magic, and suspense/thrillers, you should enjoy this book. Even if you are not a Peretti fan, if you're looking for something different in the realm of Christian fiction, this is it. This is not some formulaic end times thriller nor bonnet fiction; it is something entirely fresh and different. A magical story, this book reminded me a little of the movie, The Prestige.
Told in third person, Illusion is a suspenseful, sci-fi-ish story written by Frank Peretti and published by Howard Books. This tale was different than the other supernatural tales Peretti fans are used to him writing. But different isn’t necessarily bad, just different.
Strange things happen. A magician (Dane Collins) loses his wife, and a young girl (Eloise Kramer) awakes to find herself transported forty years into the future. And of course, the two events are related.
*Please note that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review. However, I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
His last book, House, coauthored with Ted Dekker, was released in 2006. And like other Peretti fans, I have long awaited new material from him. So naturally, I jumped at the chance to review his latest work, Illusion.
If you are a diehard Peretti fan who enjoys sci fi, magic, and suspense/thrillers, you should enjoy this book. Even if you are not a Peretti fan, if you're looking for something different in the realm of Christian fiction, this is it. This is not some formulaic end times thriller nor bonnet fiction; it is something entirely fresh and different. A magical story, this book reminded me a little of the movie, The Prestige.
Told in third person, Illusion is a suspenseful, sci-fi-ish story written by Frank Peretti and published by Howard Books. This tale was different than the other supernatural tales Peretti fans are used to him writing. But different isn’t necessarily bad, just different.
Strange things happen. A magician (Dane Collins) loses his wife, and a young girl (Eloise Kramer) awakes to find herself transported forty years into the future. And of course, the two events are related.
*Please note that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review. However, I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
December 7, 2012
I have to start off by saying that the beginning chapters were a little disjointed as what was happening is definitely science fiction in nature. However, it didn’t take long to start putting the pieces together. And, honestly, it was less disjointed than some novels with inclusion of time travel or alternate time lines that I’ve read in the past.
Once the awkwardness was gone, the characters began to come to life and grab my attention. There is such a wonderful love story laced throughout the novel. That a ‘reset’ Mandy could feel such a pull to the man who was her husband for 40 years speaks to the existence of our soul and how man’s meddling can not thwart what God has ordained. I loved how even in such a surreal existence, Mandy continues to place her trust in God with an eventual choice to accept whatever ending God has in store for her and Dane.
Beyond the love story, the reader is also presented with a cautionary tale of what can happen when man tries to meddle with life in such a god-like manner. In the end, man’s meddling leads to more pain and often an end result that was not desired.
Now that I’ve experienced the enchanting storytelling of Frank Peretti, I am planning to read his earlier works as well. I suspect I’ll be enjoying them.
Once the awkwardness was gone, the characters began to come to life and grab my attention. There is such a wonderful love story laced throughout the novel. That a ‘reset’ Mandy could feel such a pull to the man who was her husband for 40 years speaks to the existence of our soul and how man’s meddling can not thwart what God has ordained. I loved how even in such a surreal existence, Mandy continues to place her trust in God with an eventual choice to accept whatever ending God has in store for her and Dane.
Beyond the love story, the reader is also presented with a cautionary tale of what can happen when man tries to meddle with life in such a god-like manner. In the end, man’s meddling leads to more pain and often an end result that was not desired.
Now that I’ve experienced the enchanting storytelling of Frank Peretti, I am planning to read his earlier works as well. I suspect I’ll be enjoying them.
June 24, 2012
Illusion is the first novel I ever wrote a review for after reading less than 100 pages. Now that I've completed it I don't regret what I said at all. Some may get a bit lost in the "time-line, alternate selves" plot but the story of Dane and Mandy's transcending love will keep you tuning the pages. The scientific explanations offered may or not be valid and like any good speculative story, before long you don't really care. What matters are the two main characters and how they hope against hope that the final chapter of their lives is in the hands of the ultimate Author. I've been less free with 5 stars here of late but not with this one. Just posted my full review atteGeorge.com
December 18, 2017
This was a fairly light, enjoyable romantic sci-fi book that developed quite slowly over the 500 pages. Those looking for a spiritually nourishing book may want to look elsewhere - there is little about living the Christian life or God's character - but it is clean and heart-warming. The sci-fi scenario was interesting and even a little thought-provoking, but in the end, it was not as deep as I was hoping for, and not all of the loopholes were closed to my satisfaction. I can see why this didn't become a huge hit - there are parts that different types of readers will enjoy (romance, the sci-fi device), but I don't know that there is much of an audience that would enjoy the whole book. I did appreciate the depiction of the deep love between the main characters - the husband and wife.
November 8, 2015
RESEÑA COMPLETA EN ESPAÑOL
Este no es un típico libro de Frank Peretti.
Para aquellas personas que pensaban que a Frank Peretti le gustaba escribir mayormente sobre temas naturales, ángeles, demonios, falsos predicadores o visiones futuristas: se equivocaron.
En esta novela, Frank Peretti explora el género del romance pero muy a su estilo, combinando elementos que aparentemente tienen algo de magia, pero que al final revela una verdad que es completamente impredecible.
July 20, 2017
4.5 stars because there's something about Peretti's style I just don't love. But this one was really good, and not creepy like This Present Darkness. It's more confusing than River Song's timeline, but good. Definitely worth the read.
April 23, 2012
Illusion By Frank E. Peretti
One thing I discovered as I told fellow reader friends about this book is that most of my friends have heard about Frank Peretti and already familiar with his work. Illusion was the first of his books I have read. Reading the first chapter was sad and heart wrenching and I almost thought he would be soon lumped in with Nicholas Sparks, as far as being extremely talented but not my cup of tea. Soon into the book he captured my attention and imagination.
The book drug me into levels of questions from faith to science and back again. I love it when a Christian is secure enough in their faith to include aspects of it in their work so prominently. The science was pretty in depth too. I loved seeing the realism of the wide eyed scientist and the dream of saving people from cancer and accidents to the government perversion and the military aspects, it tending to ground the magical fantasy qualities of the work. I am an avid reader and newly published author groping through the shrouds of Illusion which is writing and this book had it all for me. I give very few five star ratings as my standards are high because of where I live in the realm of literacy.
The book, keep me on the edge of my seat, hoping for the best all the way through to the very last page. I highly recommend it as one of the best books I have ever read. I am officially a Peretti Fan and will be reading his other works and waiting for the new stuff from here on out. He has made a short but distinguished list as one of my favorite authors!
One thing I discovered as I told fellow reader friends about this book is that most of my friends have heard about Frank Peretti and already familiar with his work. Illusion was the first of his books I have read. Reading the first chapter was sad and heart wrenching and I almost thought he would be soon lumped in with Nicholas Sparks, as far as being extremely talented but not my cup of tea. Soon into the book he captured my attention and imagination.
The book drug me into levels of questions from faith to science and back again. I love it when a Christian is secure enough in their faith to include aspects of it in their work so prominently. The science was pretty in depth too. I loved seeing the realism of the wide eyed scientist and the dream of saving people from cancer and accidents to the government perversion and the military aspects, it tending to ground the magical fantasy qualities of the work. I am an avid reader and newly published author groping through the shrouds of Illusion which is writing and this book had it all for me. I give very few five star ratings as my standards are high because of where I live in the realm of literacy.
The book, keep me on the edge of my seat, hoping for the best all the way through to the very last page. I highly recommend it as one of the best books I have ever read. I am officially a Peretti Fan and will be reading his other works and waiting for the new stuff from here on out. He has made a short but distinguished list as one of my favorite authors!
April 27, 2012
I can't decide if I want to give this 1 star or 4 stars. I think I'm going to go with 2, which is too bad.
I enjoyed about 75% of this book, the other 25% annoyed me greatly.
The premise was fascinating, and I was invested in the main characters.
At one time, I think I probably knew that Peretti was considered a Christian author, but I had forgotten it. If I had remembered I might not have even picked this up. But I did, and while I noticed the "it's a God thing" type comments throughout the first part of the book, these were just part of who the characters were and that was fine with me -- they worked and felt natural.
But then, at the end of the book, as we started to hit the climax, it was like the author suddenly remember "Hey! I'm a Christian author!" and thought maybe he'd better throw in some more "God" stuff and it completely brought me out of the story. That was the point at which I stopped reading and flipped to the back flap to see if that had any clues to what was going on.
I did finish the book, but with a lot less goodwill toward the author, and I skimmed the end, just to finish.
Now, don't get me wrong: it's not that I object to the inclusion of prayer and references to the character's beliefs and spirituality, my problem was with the really kludgy way that I felt it was handled in this particular book. I was left frustrated because all I can think of is how much I disliked the end of the book, when I had spent the first part of the book thinking it was so great.
I enjoyed about 75% of this book, the other 25% annoyed me greatly.
The premise was fascinating, and I was invested in the main characters.
At one time, I think I probably knew that Peretti was considered a Christian author, but I had forgotten it. If I had remembered I might not have even picked this up. But I did, and while I noticed the "it's a God thing" type comments throughout the first part of the book, these were just part of who the characters were and that was fine with me -- they worked and felt natural.
But then, at the end of the book, as we started to hit the climax, it was like the author suddenly remember "Hey! I'm a Christian author!" and thought maybe he'd better throw in some more "God" stuff and it completely brought me out of the story. That was the point at which I stopped reading and flipped to the back flap to see if that had any clues to what was going on.
I did finish the book, but with a lot less goodwill toward the author, and I skimmed the end, just to finish.
Now, don't get me wrong: it's not that I object to the inclusion of prayer and references to the character's beliefs and spirituality, my problem was with the really kludgy way that I felt it was handled in this particular book. I was left frustrated because all I can think of is how much I disliked the end of the book, when I had spent the first part of the book thinking it was so great.
March 6, 2012
Now, my friends, don't let the blurb on the back of this book sway you. It may be written by the 'father of Christian fiction', but this is by no means a preachy, religious book.
Illusion is a all love story, and it's told in a beautiful, magical way (pun totally intended!).
Mandy is adorably charming--you'll love her right off the bat.
Particular highlights are her performances. Peretti describes her 'tricks' so well that you'll actually SEE them as she's doing them, and you'll marvel at the wonder in her eyes as if she was right in front of you, showing off her act.
This really isn't my usual type of book--I'm not one for romance--But Mr. Peretti definietly kept my attention through the entire novel.
The only negative I found in this book was the scientific mumbo-jumbo. It was often difficult to follow and I honestly had no idea what they were saying when they were explaining it.
It was only when I saw it in action that the 'aha!' moment came.
If you like romance, you'll adore this book. I enjoyed it much more than I expected to, which was a wonderful surprise. :)
Illusion is a all love story, and it's told in a beautiful, magical way (pun totally intended!).
Mandy is adorably charming--you'll love her right off the bat.
Particular highlights are her performances. Peretti describes her 'tricks' so well that you'll actually SEE them as she's doing them, and you'll marvel at the wonder in her eyes as if she was right in front of you, showing off her act.
This really isn't my usual type of book--I'm not one for romance--But Mr. Peretti definietly kept my attention through the entire novel.
The only negative I found in this book was the scientific mumbo-jumbo. It was often difficult to follow and I honestly had no idea what they were saying when they were explaining it.
It was only when I saw it in action that the 'aha!' moment came.
If you like romance, you'll adore this book. I enjoyed it much more than I expected to, which was a wonderful surprise. :)
March 6, 2012
FRANK PERETTI’S ILLUSION
A work of. . .magic! ILLUSION is a beautiful love story, one replete with redemptive themes, and poignant moments. The story of Dane and Mandy with its complex interweaving of timelines is quite simply: brilliant. Admittedly, the middle of the story sagged some, and I nearly stopped reading, but I am SO GLAD I didn’t. At one point, I found myself vowing bodily harm if PERETTI did not end the story as I thought it should end—and alas, this master author gets to stay alive as the ending was absolutely beautiful!! STUNNING!!
A work of. . .magic! ILLUSION is a beautiful love story, one replete with redemptive themes, and poignant moments. The story of Dane and Mandy with its complex interweaving of timelines is quite simply: brilliant. Admittedly, the middle of the story sagged some, and I nearly stopped reading, but I am SO GLAD I didn’t. At one point, I found myself vowing bodily harm if PERETTI did not end the story as I thought it should end—and alas, this master author gets to stay alive as the ending was absolutely beautiful!! STUNNING!!
April 7, 2018
While I understand the symbolism Peretti was using in this book, and I like it, the problem for me was that I just never got pulled into the storyline. I got to page 200 and thought maybe I should read something else. I decided to push through and finish. It just wasn’t the book for me...
June 27, 2014
One of the best books that I've read by Frank Peretti. If you like christian fiction, fantasy, romantic-suspense and sci-fi drama rolled into one, then you will like this book.
April 16, 2020
Did-Not-Finish. I gave the author 87 pages to suck me in and hook me... and he didn't do it. The story jerked back and forth in time ... and so confused me that it left me scratching my head as to where he was going with the tale. I have read most other Peretti books and enjoyed them all. They were exciting and inspiring to my Christian faith. This one however left me dumbfounded. How could an author I admired and enjoyed reading, concoct such a disjointed story and expect his readers to follow it to the end?
I kept plugging along with this one hoping it would improve. Until today. The story was meaningless to me and flat. I didn't care what happened to the main character. I no longer cared what was coming next. I DREADED PICKING IT BACK UP! So I didn't- I put it into the donation pile for our next trip to the Salvation Army. Life is too short to read boring and meandering novels. Was I going to hang around to keep reading, all the time wishing and hoping it would improve?
NO.
I kept plugging along with this one hoping it would improve. Until today. The story was meaningless to me and flat. I didn't care what happened to the main character. I no longer cared what was coming next. I DREADED PICKING IT BACK UP! So I didn't- I put it into the donation pile for our next trip to the Salvation Army. Life is too short to read boring and meandering novels. Was I going to hang around to keep reading, all the time wishing and hoping it would improve?
NO.
March 8, 2021
3.5 Stars
The premise is intriguing, which helps carry it at points when the pacing is particularly languid.
You spend about the first half of the book really feeling for Mandy, while not -completely- sure if she's a reliable narrator. It is also not clear until about halfway what genre we're dealing with. Psychological drama? Paranormal? Urban Fantasy...?
I don't feel like it's a spoiler to clarify that this book ultimately falls more in line with contemporary speculative fiction. There's a curious bit of an actual physics concept at play, and I found that most enjoyable. (Even though the tech aspect behind it was kind of hand-waved away.) But it's not meant to be hard sci-fi--it's a means to an end.
The 4-decade relationship between Dane and his wife is really the centerpiece. Yet, I wouldn't come close to calling this a romance. It's highly relational, but not quite as emotional as I would have liked--given the nuances of the situation. Representation-wise, I really appreciated that the MCs were an otherwise happy & childless couple, nearing retirement age. You don't see that often. (Although, I don't recall any reflection being spent on explaining why they didn't happen to have any children. I could be wrong on that... but if it was addressed, it didn't evoke any memorable emotion.)
It did seem a bit too long at times--like it could have been tightened by 1/4th, and that might have done a bit to ratchet up the tension. Yet the imagery was vivid, and the main characters were likable. And the consistent threading in regards to close-up magic--and magic as a performance art in general--felt well researched and authentically expressed. The characters' love for creating a sense of wonderment in their audience was a continual point of connection I suspect just about anyone could embrace... and root for.
The premise is intriguing, which helps carry it at points when the pacing is particularly languid.
You spend about the first half of the book really feeling for Mandy, while not -completely- sure if she's a reliable narrator. It is also not clear until about halfway what genre we're dealing with. Psychological drama? Paranormal? Urban Fantasy...?
I don't feel like it's a spoiler to clarify that this book ultimately falls more in line with contemporary speculative fiction. There's a curious bit of an actual physics concept at play, and I found that most enjoyable. (Even though the tech aspect behind it was kind of hand-waved away.) But it's not meant to be hard sci-fi--it's a means to an end.
The 4-decade relationship between Dane and his wife is really the centerpiece. Yet, I wouldn't come close to calling this a romance. It's highly relational, but not quite as emotional as I would have liked--given the nuances of the situation. Representation-wise, I really appreciated that the MCs were an otherwise happy & childless couple, nearing retirement age. You don't see that often. (Although, I don't recall any reflection being spent on explaining why they didn't happen to have any children. I could be wrong on that... but if it was addressed, it didn't evoke any memorable emotion.)
It did seem a bit too long at times--like it could have been tightened by 1/4th, and that might have done a bit to ratchet up the tension. Yet the imagery was vivid, and the main characters were likable. And the consistent threading in regards to close-up magic--and magic as a performance art in general--felt well researched and authentically expressed. The characters' love for creating a sense of wonderment in their audience was a continual point of connection I suspect just about anyone could embrace... and root for.
August 14, 2021
This started out so great, then got bogged down in magic trick descriptions and mind bending timeline descriptions that got more ludicrous as the book went on. I finished, but I started skipping chapters. And, of course, it was 'happy ever after', despite some illogical happenings.
Plus, the narrator kept pronouncing the lawyer's name SEE-mus instead of SHAY-mus. Didn't anybody tell him about it? It started to get incredibly annoying. On top of that, 'Enveloped' was pronouned 'EN-vuh-loped' instead of 'En-VEL-upped'. He also screwed up 'enveloping' the same way. Terrible!
Plus, the narrator kept pronouncing the lawyer's name SEE-mus instead of SHAY-mus. Didn't anybody tell him about it? It started to get incredibly annoying. On top of that, 'Enveloped' was pronouned 'EN-vuh-loped' instead of 'En-VEL-upped'. He also screwed up 'enveloping' the same way. Terrible!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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