Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - Cruel Illusions

I want to start this review by addressing what other people are saying about this book. First, it is a young adult book and was marketed as such. This book is not steamy, it is not smutty. The most that happens is a bit of kissing. Expecting more from a young adult book seems like you weren’t actually expecting to read a young adult book. The sexiest moment of this story was when Aristelle and Xander did their dance together. That’s as spicy as it gets, people.

Second, I saw a lot of people felt the side characters weren’t likable or that there wasn’t enough supporting evidence that we should care about them. I strongly disagree with that point, as I felt like I got to know the side characters well enough to consider their well being and thoughts throughout the book. I felt like I found that I cared about their stories, especially Diantha and Reina. I felt they had a lot to offer the story and had some pretty badass moments, too. Aristelle was a bitch but that’s her character in a nutshell.

Lastly, some people said this book was too simple. I disagree. I found the novel to be appropriate for the age group, with enough complexity to be interesting. There were several moments with plot twists and surprises and I think they propelled the story forward. Overall, I felt this story was appropriate for the age group it was marketed towards.

As far my own personal review, I adored this story and was raving to my friends about it since the first day I read it. I was about 70 pages in and going off to my friend for 8 minutes straight about it. Right from the start, there were some really interesting lines that stuck out to me and pulled me in. I liked that the author gave metaphors and intriguing comparisons without super flowery language. To me that felt like a good way to keep the punches packed right. For example, Ava isn’t a flowery, soft spoken girl. She’s direct and to the point and she’s going to play her cards precisely. It made sense that the writing reflected that.

I felt like I really enjoyed how Fuston brought things full circle. For example I really enjoyed how she brought up Ava’s issues with the foster system multiple times throughout the book, which really brought the point across that she’s been through some shit without getting too traumatic when describing it. I also really enjoyed all the loose ends being tied up the way they were- it was a very satisfying ending, though I was hoping for something that suggested a second book.

I enjoyed the love triangle, even though it was clear who she really was going to choose from the start. I enjoyed getting to know both love interests, and I think they both had interesting stories and motivations.

The betrayals in this story hit hard. I felt like I was experiencing exactly was Ava was feeling with each betrayal.

I was also proud of how she bounced back from each betrayal despite the odds being against her in some cases.

I adored the side characters. I was genuinely surprised with Stacie’s arc. I was appreciative of getting to know all the side characters, especially my beautiful lesbian couple, Reina and Diantha. Anyone who says they didn’t care about them didn’t read the book properly. Their stories were very interesting and kept me motivated to continue the story. I appreciated their badass moments, especially with the woman on the date and in some of the very end chapters.

I can’t write a review without talking about Xander and Roman. Oh how I loved these men.

It was clear from the start she was going to pick Roman but I still loved the angst and the turmoil anyway.

I loved Xander’s spunk and I loved how stoic and wide eyed Roman could be. The amount of times this man’s eyes widened at Ava in shock was comical and very sweet. I also appreciated that this story could have been good even if Ava didn’t end up with anyone romantically due to the (sort of) found family she gained along the way, as well as her actual family with Parker and the foster family.

All in all, this was a fast favorite and a beautiful five star read for me. Based on the cover alone, I had been anticipating this story to be incredible and I was quickly proven right. I will be rereading this story in the future as well as anything else Margie Fuston writes in the future.

Content Warnings

lannke8's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Content Warnings

luceeefur's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I was excited about this book for the Buffy comparison's, but I found it too be far for YA than I would usually pick for myself. That being said, this was filled with a lot of tropes that I enjoy: found family, secret societies, morally grey characters, and a lopsided love triangle. I would have enjoyed a bit more vampires and a bit less magicians, but that's a strong personal preference.

Roman had to have been inspired by Angel based on all the Buffy comparison's in the book, and I'm not complaining about it.

Content Warnings

sunrae_booknook's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Listen, I hate love triangles like this. But towards the end I was laughing because you literally have the character comparison for Xander as Joker and I was like oh yup, he’s not my little green haired beast boy lol

Content Warnings

steff_fox's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

It was a bit of a slog to get through this book, I’m not gonna lie. And what’s most depressing about this is the fact that it genuinely had some really great potential. But somewhere after coming up with the mother’s backstory and the building of the world, all of the interesting pieces of this story got lost in the painfully slow writing, poorly executed plot twists, and the exceptionally dull characters.

Content Warnings

holthmsn's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this book from the very start. Ava is a character that you bond with instantly and the plot just makes you hang onto every page!
A must read for book lovers of magic, vampires, and found family.

Content Warnings

More...