wiredwytch's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe 3 stars is still a bit much, but I did enjoy reading this book. However, many questions are left unanswered and I kept waiting for explanations and some history. I still don't get what the Walden Thoreau book has to do with anything.
artsymusings's review against another edition
What in the WORLD did I just finish reading?!
siobhan27's review against another edition
4.0
Science Fiction books are usually not my thing because they can get very complicated and techy and that can throw me off my reading rhythm to a point where I do not understand what is going on. I was afraid of this going into Elusion but I am happy to say that this book blew my expectations away. I really enjoyed this book!
What I think I loved the most about this book was the characters. Regan, our narrator was a great character. She was funny, sarcastic and trustworthy to a fault, even if she shouldn't be. There was also Patrick and Josh. Although I am not one for love triangles I did like this one because it was a complicated one. Both of these boys had aspects that I loved and also aspects that I did not love and for me that is a great way to get me interested in characters. I do not want them to be perfect because that is not relatable.
The mystery aspect of this novel was the reason I read this book in one day. Elusion is a virtual world that was created by Regan father who passed away months before this book began. In this virtual world you can visit anywhere you like and feel all the sensations along with them. But there are some that believe that there is a darker, more addictive side to Elusion that no one is telling then about and in here lies the mystery. Regan begins to suspect that maybe Elusion isn't as perfect she thought it was and the more she delves deeper the more her world changes forever. I loved the mystery element so much because I honestly could not tell you what was going to happen next.
I had a few issues about this book as well, one was the world building. Although the world was described quite well, there were elements that were left untouched and I found that to be distracting at times. There would be a line about the pollution in the air and how all building had special filters etc. but it was never explained as to why the world was like this and how the pollution could effect the characters. There was also some moments where I though it got to techy for me because I couldn't understand what they were talking about. But that didn't happen that often.
If you know me, you know I hate cliffhanger endings and I am sad to say that this one does have one. I honestly was hoping there would be more to the book but sadly it ended there and now i have to wait for the next book because I would really like to know what happens to these characters and to Elusion is a whole.
What I think I loved the most about this book was the characters. Regan, our narrator was a great character. She was funny, sarcastic and trustworthy to a fault, even if she shouldn't be. There was also Patrick and Josh. Although I am not one for love triangles I did like this one because it was a complicated one. Both of these boys had aspects that I loved and also aspects that I did not love and for me that is a great way to get me interested in characters. I do not want them to be perfect because that is not relatable.
The mystery aspect of this novel was the reason I read this book in one day. Elusion is a virtual world that was created by Regan father who passed away months before this book began. In this virtual world you can visit anywhere you like and feel all the sensations along with them. But there are some that believe that there is a darker, more addictive side to Elusion that no one is telling then about and in here lies the mystery. Regan begins to suspect that maybe Elusion isn't as perfect she thought it was and the more she delves deeper the more her world changes forever. I loved the mystery element so much because I honestly could not tell you what was going to happen next.
I had a few issues about this book as well, one was the world building. Although the world was described quite well, there were elements that were left untouched and I found that to be distracting at times. There would be a line about the pollution in the air and how all building had special filters etc. but it was never explained as to why the world was like this and how the pollution could effect the characters. There was also some moments where I though it got to techy for me because I couldn't understand what they were talking about. But that didn't happen that often.
If you know me, you know I hate cliffhanger endings and I am sad to say that this one does have one. I honestly was hoping there would be more to the book but sadly it ended there and now i have to wait for the next book because I would really like to know what happens to these characters and to Elusion is a whole.
cathreadsalot's review against another edition
1.0
Sci Fi and YA - one of which I've never been too into, and the other I've grown out of - so my rating doesn't surprise me too much
imzadirose's review against another edition
3.0
I went back and forth on what to rate this, so I'd say a 3.5.
I thought the book was interesting, Regan was a likable character. It kept me mostly guessing.
Around 75% I started to wonder where it was going because it was no where near resolved and the end was coming quick. I thought it was a stand alone, as I've seen no info on a 2nd book. It clearly is NOT a stand alone, and there needs to be info saying so. I definitely didn't like being left hanging so I hope for another book, or at least info on another....
I thought the book was interesting, Regan was a likable character. It kept me mostly guessing.
Around 75% I started to wonder where it was going because it was no where near resolved and the end was coming quick. I thought it was a stand alone, as I've seen no info on a 2nd book. It clearly is NOT a stand alone, and there needs to be info saying so. I definitely didn't like being left hanging so I hope for another book, or at least info on another....
airstos's review against another edition
3.0
Zajímavá kniha, malinko detektivka. Doporučuju přečíst.
SPOILER
Konec mě neuvěřitelně naštval!
JEŠTĚ VĚTŠÍ SPOILER
Já věděl/a, že Reganin otec nezemřel! Já si to od začátku myslel/a :D
Spoiler
SPOILER
Konec mě neuvěřitelně naštval!
JEŠTĚ VĚTŠÍ SPOILER
Já věděl/a, že Reganin otec nezemřel! Já si to od začátku myslel/a :D
jlynnelseauthor's review against another edition
2.0
I really enjoyed the world building in this book. I think it was clear and concise in description and function. I also liked that it was set in an unspecified future date. It could be soon or far away. But it feels plausible and isn’t too constricting for the reader to let their imagination run along with the plot. It doesn’t feel so advanced that things are hard to picture, but it is a step up from the present normal. The plot set in this world is about a new product sweeping the nation called Elusion. This is a virtual reality program that the main character, Regan's father creates because the world is dying. Good springboard to build up from. And this plot focuses on family relationships running parallel to the significance of the main character's father creating a program to honor the Earth instead of how life sucks now that the earth is destroyed.
But then we enter the love triange. Yuck. Plus, Regan herself completely manipulates one of the boy's feelings for her and strings him along to get what she wants. Not likeable. Plus the romance gets in the way of them finding answers! It’s annoying. They’re about to investigate something, but then they start flirting instead when they know time is running out. What??? Where the romance was mixed in just did not fit well and made things awkward. One minute it’s a frantic chase to find out something, the next they’re sitting down and making eyes at each other. Errr… so what’s going on here? Regan is also quick to trust Josh instead of her lifelong friend, Patrick. Love at first sight = trusting someone with long-kept family secrets.
I didn’t like the "firewall" problem. I don’t get it... at all. Going inside a firewall like its a physical thing you can walk up to? Is this something from the Matrix? And the end travels through the firewall were fraught with piecemeal elements that were strange and a bit annoying.
However, the biggest disappointment was the ending. A cliffhanger. The authors never indicated there would be another book. I read this book thinking it was a standalone, and instead nothing was wrapped up well. There has to be some gratification or clearly-defined answers given after journeying for so long with a character. I felt like I went nowhere when I was done. The answers given were to smaller problems that did not affect the situation the main characters were left in. Plus the ending was so abrupt, I was wondering if I was missing a few pages in my library rental. I never felt urgency to their situation, and the focus of the plot was inconsistent. Not a hugely satisfying read.
But then we enter the love triange. Yuck. Plus, Regan herself completely manipulates one of the boy's feelings for her and strings him along to get what she wants. Not likeable. Plus the romance gets in the way of them finding answers! It’s annoying. They’re about to investigate something, but then they start flirting instead when they know time is running out. What??? Where the romance was mixed in just did not fit well and made things awkward. One minute it’s a frantic chase to find out something, the next they’re sitting down and making eyes at each other. Errr… so what’s going on here? Regan is also quick to trust Josh instead of her lifelong friend, Patrick. Love at first sight = trusting someone with long-kept family secrets.
I didn’t like the "firewall" problem. I don’t get it... at all. Going inside a firewall like its a physical thing you can walk up to? Is this something from the Matrix? And the end travels through the firewall were fraught with piecemeal elements that were strange and a bit annoying.
However, the biggest disappointment was the ending. A cliffhanger. The authors never indicated there would be another book. I read this book thinking it was a standalone, and instead nothing was wrapped up well. There has to be some gratification or clearly-defined answers given after journeying for so long with a character. I felt like I went nowhere when I was done. The answers given were to smaller problems that did not affect the situation the main characters were left in. Plus the ending was so abrupt, I was wondering if I was missing a few pages in my library rental. I never felt urgency to their situation, and the focus of the plot was inconsistent. Not a hugely satisfying read.