A review by mattiedancer
Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston

adventurous 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

3.75

Writing: 3.5⭐️/5 
Not brilliantly written, but also not lacking anything. This is a (my fave word) serviceably written novel.

Characters: 4⭐️/5
Okay, not gonna lie, fell in love with both of the potential love interests. Loved that for our main character, and loved that for me. While our main character is very angsty as well, I actually really appreciated it, as it made her age a bit more believable. I would have loved a bit more depth and such from a few side characters, but if you’re looking for some cute, unique, and overall interesting characters, the book will not let you down. 

Plot: 3.5⭐️/5 
I might just be growing out of YA a bit too much this year but, while the plot was incredibly fun to read, it did leave me feeling a bit lacklustre by the end. I wanted a bit more for our intense moments and I wanted a bit more from the villains, who fell apart rather quickly at the end, much like a cheap sweater unravelling with a single pull of a loose thread. However, like I said before, I had fun.

Who Should Read This Book? 
  • Fans of vampire stories – but who want something fresh
  • Fans of circus and magician stories
  • Fans of Hunger Games, but want something less political, more magical

Content Warnings? 
  • Blood, death, injury, gaslighting

Post-Reading Rating:  4.5⭐️/5
Terribly fun. I love the uniqueness of this book so, so much.

Final Rating: 3.75⭐️/5
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