Reviews

Illusion by Nik Knight

emilylovesbooks94's review against another edition

5.0

Though this story contained its fair share of emotional turmoil and guardian drama, it felt tame in comparison to the heartbreak of the previous book. Instead of centering around action, adventure, and shocking reveals, this journey explored Riley, Noel, Jai, and Gideon as individuals. It was fascinating to see how these men have grown and changed over the course of this series, and while I wish their circumstances hadn't have forced them into dealing with some of the trauma they had to deal with, there was something healing about seeing the way the four of them came together as a family to help each other. Riley's complicated feelings for his guardians caused him a lot of pain throughout the book, Noel had an incredibly dark cloud of suffering hanging over him, and Jai and Gideon's guilt and shame weighed them down for a good part of the story. Everything about what they were going through was heavy and sad, but despite all of that this book still struck a good balance between treating their situation seriously and showing that a brighter, more hopeful future was possible. When it would have been easy to walk away, these men stuck together and fought for each other, and that unity was what gave me faith that they would find a way forward against the odds. Riley's horrible adoptive mother continued her crusade to tear Riley down, but the angel/demon conflict was surprisingly quiet in this story. It actually made me more nervous to not see that plotline advance much, because I know it means that the next book could have even more terrifying consequences than the last. Either way there's no way I can stop reading until I find out what fate has in store for Riley and his guardians.

**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

kodarain's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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

4.75

kay_kris's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-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

4.0

jess_theinkspell's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring 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

cleothegreat's review

2.0

2.5 stars.

idk why I kept reading this series knowing that the writing style was just not it for me LMAO !! I’m too picky for my own good no shade to the author/book series at all. the hurt/comfort and slow burn was nice but about halfway through I just kinda…started to skim. I think the overall cheesy edge to riley kind of wore on me after awhile. like don’t get me wrong I was a DUMB and sheltered 19 year old myself at some point…but my god the portrayal is giving me ‘barely hit puberty’ vibes. MAYBEEE I will take a peak at the rest of the series but >:( idk. my tbr list is long as heck

tenaw's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.25

leersinlimites's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

5.0

annagracet's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-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

4.5

3ll3's review

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-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

4.0

ankysbookbubble's review against another edition

5.0

Another breathtaking installment

So much heartbreak. Gods. These boys are ripping me apart and yet I can't wait to read the next book because I'm completely invested in their story and they need to find their happily ever after.