Reviews

Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston

sarajesus95's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

3.5

anitaforthewin's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

meh. this would have been perfect if it was written in like 2013. but it was a lot of “I’m not like other girls.”

bookchik15's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective 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

mjk1221's review against another edition

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4.0

More of a 3.5 for me.

While I understand the Caraval connection, but I actually think this is more Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Hunger Games if it was in Caraval. I was not expecting the ruthlessness in the book for the competition.

The most surprising, personal, aspect of the book is it takes place locally for me! If you've ever been to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk in CA, you should read the book purely for that!

With that said, I did enjoy the story. I was quickly captured in it because of the magical aspect. The vampire aspect was less thrilling for me, but I liked the changing of the lore of where vampires came from. It was interesting.

lottie1803's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

readinginfairyland's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

tmcmurray's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

5.0

Nice balance. Cool idea!

mylky's review against another edition

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2.0

2.5/5

mid LOL
“i’m not like other girls” ok ava calm urself love xxx
felt like none of the side characters were developed, and i felt ava was borderline mean and annoying like be nicer to deb okay she’s trying her best rn

xander slander

the plot twists i saw coming which i was so proud of
but !! the magic system was cool so point for that

also why is it literally 500 pages

books_tea_and_fantasy's review against another edition

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2.0

2 ⭐️

Characters: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Writing: 3
Plot: 3
Intrigue: 1
Logic: 5
Enjoyment: 2

❌ DNF at 45% (p. 231)
❌ Unhaul

spazzz314's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

4.0