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thebookberrie's review
3.0
The first book, [b:Illusive|17182499|Illusive (Illusive, #1)|Emily Lloyd-Jones|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1382460765s/17182499.jpg|23629663] was fun and actiony and this book was no different- it's a good follow up! If only there was a third book...
In this world, some people end up having some pretty interesting powers due to a vaccine that causes some side effects. These people with powers, the immune, are pretty much hunted and forced into either being on the run, joining the government, or joining one of the several crime families.
Deceptive starts several months after the first book ended, with Ciere working off her debt to a group of mobsters. As she's working with them, she's also getting trained by another Illusionist until a murder happens that she has to figured out. While investigating, she ends up running into the other POVs and friends from her past, Daniel and Devon who are up to some things of their own.
This book had a lot twists and turns along the way, just like the first one. But unlike the first book, I just didn't find it all that... exciting. I don't know if it was the third person narrator that gave me a disconnect but the situations and everything that was happening didn't really feel big time. There weren't really any heists. It just felt like a crime drama, with a case of the week which is fine except this world is so much bigger than that, with much more exciting things that could be happening so I wanted that instead. Maybe if this series was longer it'd be better but it's only a duology and this is the ending, really? Bit of a let down.
I did still love the characters, mostly Ciere. She's a pretty good thief and I would read about her and her illusions all day long. I also still love Magnus and really, really wish I could see more of him and Kit together. (Spin off, please?) The boys though, all three of them (Alan, Devon, Daniel) were all kind of similar. I'd say Devon stuck out the most but Alan was pretty much background until suddenly love interest. It was a subtle romance though and stayed firmly in the back.
I still love the idea of these books and how fun they are, I just want more.
In this world, some people end up having some pretty interesting powers due to a vaccine that causes some side effects. These people with powers, the immune, are pretty much hunted and forced into either being on the run, joining the government, or joining one of the several crime families.
Deceptive starts several months after the first book ended, with Ciere working off her debt to a group of mobsters. As she's working with them, she's also getting trained by another Illusionist until a murder happens that she has to figured out. While investigating, she ends up running into the other POVs and friends from her past, Daniel and Devon who are up to some things of their own.
This book had a lot twists and turns along the way, just like the first one. But unlike the first book, I just didn't find it all that... exciting. I don't know if it was the third person narrator that gave me a disconnect but the situations and everything that was happening didn't really feel big time. There weren't really any heists. It just felt like a crime drama, with a case of the week which is fine except this world is so much bigger than that, with much more exciting things that could be happening so I wanted that instead. Maybe if this series was longer it'd be better but it's only a duology and this is the ending, really? Bit of a let down.
I did still love the characters, mostly Ciere. She's a pretty good thief and I would read about her and her illusions all day long. I also still love Magnus and really, really wish I could see more of him and Kit together. (Spin off, please?) The boys though, all three of them (Alan, Devon, Daniel) were all kind of similar. I'd say Devon stuck out the most but Alan was pretty much background until suddenly love interest. It was a subtle romance though and stayed firmly in the back.
I still love the idea of these books and how fun they are, I just want more.
allisonsmith120's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol and Pandemic/Epidemic
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
Loved reading this book, there was a lot going on, and I loved how it came together! I have hope that we'll get a 3rd book to wrap everything up, though!
skundrik87's review
4.0
https://librarianonthelake.wordpress.com/2015/03/03/illusive-and-deceptive-by-emily-lloyd-jones/
supermanabi's review
4.0
I was half-convinced that Illusive was going to be just another book, you know? It’s synopsis reminded me too much of other books I’d read. Super-powers caused by an illness/adverse reaction to the illness’s cure (or in this case vaccine)? That’s just The Darkest Minds and The Young Elites and a million other YA books. Government wants super-powered teenagers to use as weapons? Yeah, that’s Altered and Weapon X in the Marvel universe and a million other franchises. People with super powers use those powers to be really good criminals? My dudes, that’s every book that has a supervillain. I was worried I was going to just be reading the same story I’d read a thousand times, but that’s not what happened at all. Read the full review here
guardianofthebookshelf's review
5.0
Grade: A-
An e-galley was provided by Little, Brown for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: It is a truth universally acknowledged that I love superheroes. Tell me a YA book involves superheroes/superpowers and chances are good that I'll read it. And Emily Lloyd-Jones has expertly woven one of the better YA superpower books out there. Both Illusive and Deceptive made my most-anticipated release lists for their respective years, and I'm here to say that they didn't disappoint. Albeit, I didn't remember most of Illusive when I read Deceptive but Lloyd-Jones does a nice job of reminding her readers of details without making them feel like idiots. She even lists all the abilities and their names again (very useful). And speaking of those abilities, Lloyd-Jones chose some good ones. She limited the choices so readers aren't overwhelmed and she expanded and used each one nicely. They all have their weaknesses and strengths. Additionally, Ciere, the lead protagonist, learned how to develop and train her ability as an illusionist, which was trippy and cool.
One change from the first book to this one is the addition of Devon as the third narrator. I never got confused because all of the chapters are third-person, and Devon was away from Ciere for a lot of Deceptive so knowing what he was up to and how he was playing a part in the bigger plot was important. The plot worked pretty well, although at times, it just...I don't know, it felt weird to me. Everything fit together nicely but it wasn't always exactly what I wanted. There's also still a lack of female leads which is kind of sad. Although Sia, who works with Devon, is pretty darn cool.
Some foul language (f-words and s-words), but not too much that it distracted me. Very little romantic content. There's violence, of course.
The Verdict: Really good, but I'm not satisfied with that ending. Will there be a third book?
An e-galley was provided by Little, Brown for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: It is a truth universally acknowledged that I love superheroes. Tell me a YA book involves superheroes/superpowers and chances are good that I'll read it. And Emily Lloyd-Jones has expertly woven one of the better YA superpower books out there. Both Illusive and Deceptive made my most-anticipated release lists for their respective years, and I'm here to say that they didn't disappoint. Albeit, I didn't remember most of Illusive when I read Deceptive but Lloyd-Jones does a nice job of reminding her readers of details without making them feel like idiots. She even lists all the abilities and their names again (very useful). And speaking of those abilities, Lloyd-Jones chose some good ones. She limited the choices so readers aren't overwhelmed and she expanded and used each one nicely. They all have their weaknesses and strengths. Additionally, Ciere, the lead protagonist, learned how to develop and train her ability as an illusionist, which was trippy and cool.
One change from the first book to this one is the addition of Devon as the third narrator. I never got confused because all of the chapters are third-person, and Devon was away from Ciere for a lot of Deceptive so knowing what he was up to and how he was playing a part in the bigger plot was important. The plot worked pretty well, although at times, it just...I don't know, it felt weird to me. Everything fit together nicely but it wasn't always exactly what I wanted. There's also still a lack of female leads which is kind of sad. Although Sia, who works with Devon, is pretty darn cool.
Some foul language (f-words and s-words), but not too much that it distracted me. Very little romantic content. There's violence, of course.
The Verdict: Really good, but I'm not satisfied with that ending. Will there be a third book?
caseycassidy's review
3.0
I really don't know how I feel about this duology? It obviously was suppose to be more books, it feels like it could of been a multi book series.
But it was fun?
But it was fun?
tyrshand's review
4.0
First off, I got the electronic advance copy deal with Edelweiss for free.
This is a very hard book for me to rate.
I really enjoy the world that Lloyd-Jones has created. I enjoy quite a few of the side characters. In fact, the book could only be improved by the side characters showing up more often (more Magnus and Kit, please!). I love Daniel's storyline and was glad to see he got more screen time. Devon's P.O.V. alternated between great and not so great, but was an overall positive despite the extra helping of angst.
So, with all those pluses, why is this hard to rate?
Well... There is something about the writing style that just holds me back from the story. I'm not quite sure what it is, but it keeps me from fully immersing into the story. And then there's Ciere... I still just don't find her that interesting. If I got a whole book of Daniel, I really wouldn't miss Ciere at all -- despite all the really fascinating insights into her power that popped up in this book.
This is a very hard book for me to rate.
I really enjoy the world that Lloyd-Jones has created. I enjoy quite a few of the side characters. In fact, the book could only be improved by the side characters showing up more often (more Magnus and Kit, please!). I love Daniel's storyline and was glad to see he got more screen time. Devon's P.O.V. alternated between great and not so great, but was an overall positive despite the extra helping of angst.
So, with all those pluses, why is this hard to rate?
Well... There is something about the writing style that just holds me back from the story. I'm not quite sure what it is, but it keeps me from fully immersing into the story. And then there's Ciere... I still just don't find her that interesting. If I got a whole book of Daniel, I really wouldn't miss Ciere at all -- despite all the really fascinating insights into her power that popped up in this book.
kaeleskrazybookobsession's review
5.0
OH MY STARS!!!!! WHY IS THERE NOT A THIRD BOOK?!?!?!?!?!
I LOVE THIS SERIES.
I've recently read Renegades and The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer and the Unplugged series by Donna Freitas. I've been wanting something similar with action and crazy plots. I thought this was amazing. No cliffhanger ending, but I definitely think a third book is needed to clear things up.
now to spoilers... Oh my goodness, Ciere and Alan... I went into book one thinking that the romance would be between her and Daniel and then turn into a dreaded love triangle with Devon. But I loved this. Guy friends that are always there for you. Plus a new boy who stole my heart. I was rooting for them and swooning from the basement scene where he looked her in the eyes. I felt for Alan. He has always had to live his life in fear, but seeing his character progression. Both of them actually. The both were experts at hiding or running, but seeing them learn to fight back and stick up for each other was awesome. I loved seeing Ciere's power grow. I liked how the bad guys in book one are on our side in this one and the new bad guys really aren't doing anything wrong. Everyone's just trying to help people, they just need to get on the same page. I thought Guntram was a cool character. I liked seeing her be trained and how the group got to this point. I felt for Daniel, since this is the last book, I wish we could see more with that, and his plans. I wish Devon wasn't pinning it all on Ciere, he doesn't even know how everything messed her up as well. I love the ending scene with Ciere and Alan, if that wasn't cute. I want an epilogue with them. I still love Kit so much. I'm glad he hasn't changed. Great dystopian book with some anti heroes I guess you could call them that. I liked seeing things from the criminals point of view in a twisted government system. Great characters, crazy awesome plot that had me on my toes, and a cute romance that we were all waiting for. 5 stars for me. :)
I LOVE THIS SERIES.
I've recently read Renegades and The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer and the Unplugged series by Donna Freitas. I've been wanting something similar with action and crazy plots. I thought this was amazing. No cliffhanger ending, but I definitely think a third book is needed to clear things up.
now to spoilers...