Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collections
Publication
Balzer & Bray/Harperteen (2013), Epub, 373 pages
Description
"Set in 1920s New York City, this is the story of budding magician Anna Van Housen, who has spent her whole life playing sidekick to her faux-medium mother--and trying to hide the fact the she actually possesses the very abilities her mother fakes"--
User reviews
LibraryThing member mckait
Full disclosure forces me to tell you two things before continuing with my review. First of all, I have always been an avid fan of Harry Houdini. I have read several books about his life, and his pursuit of fraudulent mediums, always.. I think, seeking out a truly gifted medium. Second this book
Anna is a talented assistant to her mother, and she is also quite a good magician and escape artist. In fact, she has been raised to believe that Harry Houdini is her father. She believes this, and is shocked to find out that at this time, he is also in New York City with his beloved wife Bess. Besides being a talented magician, Anna is also a gifted clairvoyant and clairsentient. Her new circle of friends included at least two others who sense this talent in young Anna. Suddenly, things begin to spin out of control, and even the very competent and mature Anna finds herself in difficult and dangerous situations. This is a very entertaining story, and I wil be interested in reading further in this series
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was provided by Vine. This is a story about A teenager and her single mother. Her mother Marguerite Van Housen, is an actress, who plays the part of a mentalist in the 1920's. They have always managed to scrape by, but a new agent has enabled them to move to New York City and live a higher standard of life, and perform in higher quality theaters.Anna is a talented assistant to her mother, and she is also quite a good magician and escape artist. In fact, she has been raised to believe that Harry Houdini is her father. She believes this, and is shocked to find out that at this time, he is also in New York City with his beloved wife Bess. Besides being a talented magician, Anna is also a gifted clairvoyant and clairsentient. Her new circle of friends included at least two others who sense this talent in young Anna. Suddenly, things begin to spin out of control, and even the very competent and mature Anna finds herself in difficult and dangerous situations. This is a very entertaining story, and I wil be interested in reading further in this series
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LibraryThing member A_Reader_of_Fictions
One of the recent trends seems to be historical fiction set in the 1920s. Born of Illusion is the third one I've read in the last year with a focus on the occult during the prohibition era. The fact that Born of Illusion follows on the heels of The Diviners and In the Shadow of Blackbirds does not
Anna Van Housen joins the ranks of YA heroines with mother issues and missing fathers, also known as roughly a third of YA heroines. Her mother is a well-known medium, though Anna knows that's all just illusion. Anna's the one who creates much of the illusion in fact, and is a talented musician herself. Her mother claims that Anna's father is the illustrious Harry Houdini, but Anna's not sure, and really does not like having her talent explained away by inheritance, because she has worked hard. I love the way Anna refuses to fall into gender norms or allow anyone to diminish her based on her gender.
On top of her magician skills, Anna has a host of other abilities about which her mother knows nothing, because Anna doesn't trust her mother enough to tell her. When she touches people, Anna can sense their emotions. She also experiences visions of the future, usually of catastrophic events like the sinking of the Titanic, but now of her mom afraid and herself drowning. Her powers have been getting stronger and she doesn't know why. Both the spiritualism and magic tricks were well-handled and described.
Anna's relationship with her mother plays a crucial role, as do her relationships with others. Since Anna and her mom have moved a lot, she's rarely had any friends, and Anna generally avoids contact so as not to read people's feelings. Now that they've moved to New York City, they're trying to build a home for themselves for once. At first, Anna's mother seems irredeemable, but I love that her character rounds out as the book progresses.
So, too, do the rest of the supporting cast members. Everyone initially is quite one note, but they become more robust as Anna opens herself up to the idea of being close to people. Her sketchy manager turns out to be surprisingly dependable. The crotchety old man downstairs becomes someone who always cares and helps out. The vapid blonde with an interest in seances and the much older, bored husband ends up a dear friend. Watching Anna overcome her first impressions of people is delightful, and such a great message; in my own life, I've often found that people are not what they seem at first glance.
Then, of course, there is romance. Anna has two options on her romantic horizons: party boy and wannabe Magician Owen or controlled, polite British Cole. What's great about this love triangle of sorts is that it's very low key. Anna basically has two very different sorts of crushes on two very different boys, and is trying to figure out which one she actually likes. She doesn't make lifelong plans or commitments, and thinks in terms of the present moment, which is great.
The weak point of the novel was definitely the mystery element. Anna's trying to figure out who means her harm, and the culprit is obvious. Or, at least, was to me. The evil dude is also rather generically evil, too, lacking in motivation, though perhaps this will be developed in later books. On top of that, the ending felt quite rushed, with the climactic scene cut off in the middle, the rest of the happenings explained to Anna after the fact. While this did make sense in context, it was still confusing and anticlimactic for the reader.
Though I initially thought Born of Illusion was a standalone, I'm okay with there being more books about Anna and will be eagerly awaiting Born of Deception. With a vibrant heroine, a cute romance, daring escapes and ghostly visitations, Born of Illusion is a fun and exciting read.
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really diminish it for me, and, likely, it was already in the editing process before the first of those was released. It's a funny coincidence, though. Well, three books in and I am definitely a fan of this possible new trend, though I wouldn't mind seeing something set in the 1920s a bit more about prohibition or gangsters or crossdressing musicians, rather than seances and spiritualism.Anna Van Housen joins the ranks of YA heroines with mother issues and missing fathers, also known as roughly a third of YA heroines. Her mother is a well-known medium, though Anna knows that's all just illusion. Anna's the one who creates much of the illusion in fact, and is a talented musician herself. Her mother claims that Anna's father is the illustrious Harry Houdini, but Anna's not sure, and really does not like having her talent explained away by inheritance, because she has worked hard. I love the way Anna refuses to fall into gender norms or allow anyone to diminish her based on her gender.
On top of her magician skills, Anna has a host of other abilities about which her mother knows nothing, because Anna doesn't trust her mother enough to tell her. When she touches people, Anna can sense their emotions. She also experiences visions of the future, usually of catastrophic events like the sinking of the Titanic, but now of her mom afraid and herself drowning. Her powers have been getting stronger and she doesn't know why. Both the spiritualism and magic tricks were well-handled and described.
Anna's relationship with her mother plays a crucial role, as do her relationships with others. Since Anna and her mom have moved a lot, she's rarely had any friends, and Anna generally avoids contact so as not to read people's feelings. Now that they've moved to New York City, they're trying to build a home for themselves for once. At first, Anna's mother seems irredeemable, but I love that her character rounds out as the book progresses.
So, too, do the rest of the supporting cast members. Everyone initially is quite one note, but they become more robust as Anna opens herself up to the idea of being close to people. Her sketchy manager turns out to be surprisingly dependable. The crotchety old man downstairs becomes someone who always cares and helps out. The vapid blonde with an interest in seances and the much older, bored husband ends up a dear friend. Watching Anna overcome her first impressions of people is delightful, and such a great message; in my own life, I've often found that people are not what they seem at first glance.
Then, of course, there is romance. Anna has two options on her romantic horizons: party boy and wannabe Magician Owen or controlled, polite British Cole. What's great about this love triangle of sorts is that it's very low key. Anna basically has two very different sorts of crushes on two very different boys, and is trying to figure out which one she actually likes. She doesn't make lifelong plans or commitments, and thinks in terms of the present moment, which is great.
The weak point of the novel was definitely the mystery element. Anna's trying to figure out who means her harm, and the culprit is obvious. Or, at least, was to me. The evil dude is also rather generically evil, too, lacking in motivation, though perhaps this will be developed in later books. On top of that, the ending felt quite rushed, with the climactic scene cut off in the middle, the rest of the happenings explained to Anna after the fact. While this did make sense in context, it was still confusing and anticlimactic for the reader.
Though I initially thought Born of Illusion was a standalone, I'm okay with there being more books about Anna and will be eagerly awaiting Born of Deception. With a vibrant heroine, a cute romance, daring escapes and ghostly visitations, Born of Illusion is a fun and exciting read.
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LibraryThing member ad_astra
It's the 1920's in New York City and Anna and her mother are newly arrived magicians performing dazzling shows. While her mother is a talented actress, con-artist, and magician, Anna is the real deal with psychic-like abilities. Their mother-daughter relationship is fraught with tension, mistrust,
I was very excited to read this book. I've recently enjoyed reading and and I'm a sucker for historical fiction mixed with magic. was fast-paced and action-packed which kept me turning the pages. I also enjoyed the unusual relationship between Anna and her mother. I thought the author did a great job with the characters as I came to care for many of them. I loved Anna's interactions with Houdini - I would have liked to see even more of him in the book.
Especially after reading so many other great historical novels, I felt that was missing out on period details that would have made the setting come to life. We get a little about the dress and the cars, but I definitely was having a hard time envisioning a lot of the scenes in that time period. Also, we got a little bit of the slang when Anna and Owen went dancing, but it's missing from the rest of the novel.
I did enjoy the romance between Anna and Cole and the fun relationship between Owen and Anna but I had to roll my eyes every time Anna's "breath hitched." Most overused phrase in the book!
I was also annoyed that in the final pages of the book, Anna blacks out and so we miss all the action and how the mystery was solved. We have to be told about it later. VERY anti-climatic.
All in all though, I enjoyed this novel and recommend it to fans of The Diviners.
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and jealousy but Anna puts this all aside when she begins having terrifying visions of her mother in peril. She needs to find out more about her abilities and how to control them but who can she trust? I was very excited to read this book. I've recently enjoyed reading and and I'm a sucker for historical fiction mixed with magic. was fast-paced and action-packed which kept me turning the pages. I also enjoyed the unusual relationship between Anna and her mother. I thought the author did a great job with the characters as I came to care for many of them. I loved Anna's interactions with Houdini - I would have liked to see even more of him in the book.
Especially after reading so many other great historical novels, I felt that was missing out on period details that would have made the setting come to life. We get a little about the dress and the cars, but I definitely was having a hard time envisioning a lot of the scenes in that time period. Also, we got a little bit of the slang when Anna and Owen went dancing, but it's missing from the rest of the novel.
I did enjoy the romance between Anna and Cole and the fun relationship between Owen and Anna but I had to roll my eyes every time Anna's "breath hitched." Most overused phrase in the book!
I was also annoyed that in the final pages of the book, Anna blacks out and so we miss all the action and how the mystery was solved. We have to be told about it later. VERY anti-climatic.
All in all though, I enjoyed this novel and recommend it to fans of The Diviners.
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LibraryThing member arielfl
I loved the premise of this novel, Harry Houdini's illegitimate daughter who does magic, how cool is that! Historical fiction set in the 1920's awesome! I was all set to love this book but the execution fell flat. So much more could have been done with the plot. Someone is trying to harm Anna but I
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never could care. It just dragged too much in places. The love triangle was stale. I had such high hopes but it would have taken a real trick of magic to save this book for me. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jaylia3
1920’s NYC shimmers to life
There’s magic in this YA novel, but it’s not set in an alternate world and that’s a lot of its charm. New York City of the flapper era 1920’s is brought to life through seamlessly dropped details of daily living, lovely descriptions of dresses worn, and cameos
Anna and her beautiful mother have lived a vagabond life, earning money by performing magic shows and conducting séances in small towns across the country, but now they have an extended booking in a prestigious NYC theater and Anna is hoping they can stay on the right side of the law so it will no longer be necessary for her to use her magician skills to break her mother out of jail and flee. Anna has an interesting, complicated relationship with her mother, part love and admiration, part longing and resentment. She would do anything to keep her mother safe, but Anna wishes her mother would let her play a bigger role in their magic show, and that she’d give up doing séances, which get them in trouble and dupe vulnerable bereaved people. What Anna’s mother doesn’t realize is that while all of her own act involves illusion and deception, Anna has some actual magical abilities--like sensing people’s emotions, having visions of the future, and even communicating with the dead--and those powers are growing faster than she can figure out how to control them.
Dancing at the Cotton Club, two intriguing but very different suitors, and the fascination people of the time had with psychic phenomenon all figure in the story and add to its fun.
There’s magic in this YA novel, but it’s not set in an alternate world and that’s a lot of its charm. New York City of the flapper era 1920’s is brought to life through seamlessly dropped details of daily living, lovely descriptions of dresses worn, and cameos
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by actual people of the time, like the great Houdini, who may or may not be the father of main character Anna Van Housen.Anna and her beautiful mother have lived a vagabond life, earning money by performing magic shows and conducting séances in small towns across the country, but now they have an extended booking in a prestigious NYC theater and Anna is hoping they can stay on the right side of the law so it will no longer be necessary for her to use her magician skills to break her mother out of jail and flee. Anna has an interesting, complicated relationship with her mother, part love and admiration, part longing and resentment. She would do anything to keep her mother safe, but Anna wishes her mother would let her play a bigger role in their magic show, and that she’d give up doing séances, which get them in trouble and dupe vulnerable bereaved people. What Anna’s mother doesn’t realize is that while all of her own act involves illusion and deception, Anna has some actual magical abilities--like sensing people’s emotions, having visions of the future, and even communicating with the dead--and those powers are growing faster than she can figure out how to control them.
Dancing at the Cotton Club, two intriguing but very different suitors, and the fascination people of the time had with psychic phenomenon all figure in the story and add to its fun.
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LibraryThing member pnh002
I am so beyond frustrated with this I don't know where to start. I was so excited about this book and I just knew I would love it, but that was definitely not the case. The many issues I had with this book definitely over ruled all the things I was super excited about.
One thing I was excited
Then I was excited about this boy that would make her gifts go crazy. But then there ended up being another dude and it seemed like a love triangle. After reading some of my friend's reviews, I'm guessing he's there for something that happens later in the plot, but I just couldn't get to that.
In the end I DNF. I had connected to Anna, but only barely, and I was sick of the redundancy of her job. I just needed something else.
One thing I was excited
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about was the magic and illusions and Houdini-ness that I was promised to see in the synopsis. That was the defining factor that made me want to read it. But once I started it, it seemed like that was all there was in the story. They explained so many aspects of her mother and their job together, that they forgot about the rest of the story. There was absolutely nothing else going on. Then I was excited about this boy that would make her gifts go crazy. But then there ended up being another dude and it seemed like a love triangle. After reading some of my friend's reviews, I'm guessing he's there for something that happens later in the plot, but I just couldn't get to that.
In the end I DNF. I had connected to Anna, but only barely, and I was sick of the redundancy of her job. I just needed something else.
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LibraryThing member PattyLouise
Born Of Illusion
By
Teri Brown
My" in a nutshell" summary...
Anna and her mother use seances, magic and trickery to survive.
My thoughts after reading this book...
First of all it was an awesome story...when we meet them...Anna and her mother were finally in a better place financially. They were
This brings about tons of complications with everyone...especially her neighbor Cole with whom she seems to have a strong connection of the other worldly kind. And there is Owen...too good to be true Owen...you will love how that turns out...lol...
The story is tense, there are tons of fab mysterious characters and a dynamite heart stopping ending.
What I loved about this book...
I loved Anna and Cole. I loved Anna's shopping expeditions. I loved old Mr. Darby. It was a really great story...different and fun...but exciting, too!
What I did not love...
I love those characters that are just bad...Owen...slimy and too good to be true...and the people Owen was associated with...
Final thoughts...
A fun book that was filled with mystery and excitement...I am betting it's the first of three...at least three...lol.
By
Teri Brown
My" in a nutshell" summary...
Anna and her mother use seances, magic and trickery to survive.
My thoughts after reading this book...
First of all it was an awesome story...when we meet them...Anna and her mother were finally in a better place financially. They were
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performing in theatres and hosting private seances at home. Anna seemed to be the one to keep track of their finances, shop and deal with the semi dysfunctional woman who was her mother. Her mother loved Anna but seemed to also be envious of her and not always want the best for her. Anna believed her role was that of magician...especially since her mother always hinted that she was Harry Houdini's illegitimate daughter but lately she seems to be developing other powers...especially at the seances. This brings about tons of complications with everyone...especially her neighbor Cole with whom she seems to have a strong connection of the other worldly kind. And there is Owen...too good to be true Owen...you will love how that turns out...lol...
The story is tense, there are tons of fab mysterious characters and a dynamite heart stopping ending.
What I loved about this book...
I loved Anna and Cole. I loved Anna's shopping expeditions. I loved old Mr. Darby. It was a really great story...different and fun...but exciting, too!
What I did not love...
I love those characters that are just bad...Owen...slimy and too good to be true...and the people Owen was associated with...
Final thoughts...
A fun book that was filled with mystery and excitement...I am betting it's the first of three...at least three...lol.
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LibraryThing member DarkFaerieTales
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.
Quick & Dirty: This was a beautifully weaved story of life in the 1920’s. It is filled with magic, mystery, romance, and leaves you completely spellbound!
Opening Sentence: The hair on the back of my neck prickles even before I spot him rounding the corner
The Review:
Anna Van Housen is a 16 year old girl living in the New York City in the roaring twenties. She is an assistant to her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite Van Housen. Magic runs in Anna’s blood and she has always felt a joy whenever she gets to perform magic in front of an audience. Her life has been a great mixture of living and performing in the circus, traveling, breaking her mother out of jail, swindling people, but now they have finally settled in one place and Anna hopes that it will be permanent. Anna has other talents besides creating amazing illusions, she also can read other people’s emotions and she has visions of the future. She is supposedly the illegitimate daughter of the infamous Harry Houdini, and she can’t help but wonder if her special abilities come from her father.
While trying to adjust to their new surroundings, a new mysterious young man moves into the flat downstairs. Cole is a strange, serious person and Anna finds that she can’t read him like she can most people. There is something about Cole that perks Anna’s interest and he seems to know more about her secrets than she wants. Cole introduces her to a life she never knew existed, are there really others like her out there? Can she really learn to control her powers and finally be able to live the life she has always wanted?
I completely adored Anna. She is a young magician with real magical powers. She has had a tough life moving all over and never really having a stable home. Her relationship with her mother has always been a competition. Anna truly loves her mother and wants to protect her, but she can’t help but feel that her mother would do anything to always be the center of attention. She knows that her mother cares about her, but she wonders if there is always an underlying reason for everything her mother does. The world of dating is also knew to Anna and we get to see her make mistakes and try to figure out what her heart truly wants. Anna was a very strong protagonist and I honestly can’t wait to see what is in store for her next.
Coal is the studious, broody, good looking guy that you just can’t help but swoon over. From the first moment I met Coal I was totally captivated by him. He is such a mystery and in the end he is actually really shy and unsure of himself. I loved the slowly developed relationship between Coal and Anna. They have some awkward moments as they get to know each other and it is so cute. Coal is a character that I couldn’t help but fall in love with and I am eager to read more of him in book 2.
I loved this book. The story was so unique and different from anything else I have ever read. I loved the magical aspect of story as well as the wonderful mystery. The plot was full of surprises and kept me very intrigued the whole way through. I loved that it takes place in New York City during the prohibition; it added an air of mystery to the story. I loved the characters, and the romance. They were written perfectly. I definitely can’t wait to read the next installment in this series. Also, I just have to say that I think the cover of this book is just gorgeous and it fits the book perfectly. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves magical illusions, or historical romance novels.
Notable Scene:
Usually, the first emotion I sense while doing this particular trick is excitement at being chosen, quickly followed by doubt that I can really do it. This man—for it is a man’s arm I feel under my fingers—is different. He’s intensely curious about me. I sense a barely concealed anticipation. There’s also a low buzz of suppressed energy coming from him, as if he’s thrown up a dam that is barely holding. I’ve never felt anything like it. Puzzled, I let him lead me through the theater, trying to pick up on his other emotions. Normally, the guide becomes a bit agitated as we near the needle, but that doesn’t happen tonight. He seems calm, patient. But there’s also something else. An emotion I can’t quite identify. Panic assaults me and my heart accelerates. Surely it’s been too long! Will I just wander around the plush aisles of the theater until the audience realizes I’ve failed?
I probe again, my hand tightening on his arm, and beads of sweat break out on my upper lip. Then it flashes over me as clearly as if he’s whispered it. I stop short, a sly smile coming to my lips. “Tricky!” I say, projecting so everyone can hear me. “The gentleman hid two pins! One over there,” I point vaguely toward the center of the theater, “and one in his pocket. The one in his pocket is the one I was looking for. The other is a decoy!”
Laughing, I whip off my blindfold.
And stare straight into Colin Archer’s handsome face.
FTC Advisory: Balzer & Bray/Harper Collins provided me with a copy of Born of Illusion. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: This was a beautifully weaved story of life in the 1920’s. It is filled with magic, mystery, romance, and leaves you completely spellbound!
Opening Sentence: The hair on the back of my neck prickles even before I spot him rounding the corner
Show More
ahead.The Review:
Anna Van Housen is a 16 year old girl living in the New York City in the roaring twenties. She is an assistant to her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite Van Housen. Magic runs in Anna’s blood and she has always felt a joy whenever she gets to perform magic in front of an audience. Her life has been a great mixture of living and performing in the circus, traveling, breaking her mother out of jail, swindling people, but now they have finally settled in one place and Anna hopes that it will be permanent. Anna has other talents besides creating amazing illusions, she also can read other people’s emotions and she has visions of the future. She is supposedly the illegitimate daughter of the infamous Harry Houdini, and she can’t help but wonder if her special abilities come from her father.
While trying to adjust to their new surroundings, a new mysterious young man moves into the flat downstairs. Cole is a strange, serious person and Anna finds that she can’t read him like she can most people. There is something about Cole that perks Anna’s interest and he seems to know more about her secrets than she wants. Cole introduces her to a life she never knew existed, are there really others like her out there? Can she really learn to control her powers and finally be able to live the life she has always wanted?
I completely adored Anna. She is a young magician with real magical powers. She has had a tough life moving all over and never really having a stable home. Her relationship with her mother has always been a competition. Anna truly loves her mother and wants to protect her, but she can’t help but feel that her mother would do anything to always be the center of attention. She knows that her mother cares about her, but she wonders if there is always an underlying reason for everything her mother does. The world of dating is also knew to Anna and we get to see her make mistakes and try to figure out what her heart truly wants. Anna was a very strong protagonist and I honestly can’t wait to see what is in store for her next.
Coal is the studious, broody, good looking guy that you just can’t help but swoon over. From the first moment I met Coal I was totally captivated by him. He is such a mystery and in the end he is actually really shy and unsure of himself. I loved the slowly developed relationship between Coal and Anna. They have some awkward moments as they get to know each other and it is so cute. Coal is a character that I couldn’t help but fall in love with and I am eager to read more of him in book 2.
I loved this book. The story was so unique and different from anything else I have ever read. I loved the magical aspect of story as well as the wonderful mystery. The plot was full of surprises and kept me very intrigued the whole way through. I loved that it takes place in New York City during the prohibition; it added an air of mystery to the story. I loved the characters, and the romance. They were written perfectly. I definitely can’t wait to read the next installment in this series. Also, I just have to say that I think the cover of this book is just gorgeous and it fits the book perfectly. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves magical illusions, or historical romance novels.
Notable Scene:
Usually, the first emotion I sense while doing this particular trick is excitement at being chosen, quickly followed by doubt that I can really do it. This man—for it is a man’s arm I feel under my fingers—is different. He’s intensely curious about me. I sense a barely concealed anticipation. There’s also a low buzz of suppressed energy coming from him, as if he’s thrown up a dam that is barely holding. I’ve never felt anything like it. Puzzled, I let him lead me through the theater, trying to pick up on his other emotions. Normally, the guide becomes a bit agitated as we near the needle, but that doesn’t happen tonight. He seems calm, patient. But there’s also something else. An emotion I can’t quite identify. Panic assaults me and my heart accelerates. Surely it’s been too long! Will I just wander around the plush aisles of the theater until the audience realizes I’ve failed?
I probe again, my hand tightening on his arm, and beads of sweat break out on my upper lip. Then it flashes over me as clearly as if he’s whispered it. I stop short, a sly smile coming to my lips. “Tricky!” I say, projecting so everyone can hear me. “The gentleman hid two pins! One over there,” I point vaguely toward the center of the theater, “and one in his pocket. The one in his pocket is the one I was looking for. The other is a decoy!”
Laughing, I whip off my blindfold.
And stare straight into Colin Archer’s handsome face.
FTC Advisory: Balzer & Bray/Harper Collins provided me with a copy of Born of Illusion. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
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LibraryThing member ahandfulofconfetti
Born of Illusion is my kind of historical. It had a wonderful atmosphere, complete with a fabulous 1920s vibe, and featured a spitfire of a main character in Anna, who undergoes all the right kinds of character development, complete with making mistakes and growing as a person. Add in a complicated
I found Anna to be a wonderfully constructed character. She has her flaws - her inability to trust being the top one - and has a very uneasy relationship with her mother, who is a mentalist. Because séances are illegal, Anna has had to get her mom out of jail several times, which means she's had to become well-versed in the art of lock-picking. In fact, Anna excels at all kinds of magic, and it's her growing ability - and desire for a bigger part in her mother's act - that's causing the most strain between mother and daughter. I very much liked watching Anna tiptoe through her mother's moods, while working to figure out what she wants. The back and forth between the two provided some nice tension to the story, and was actually the main thing keeping me reading towards the end of the book.
This book is very much a paranormal read with historical flourishes. Anna has some special abilities that are making themselves more and more known - we're introduced to her visions in the very first chapter - and these abilities really help drive the plot forward. Anna wants help figuring out what's happening with her, particularly since her mother seems to feature prominently in the visions and she's worried about her safety. Throw in secret societies and a mix of others with their own unique gifts, and this book was brimming with plenty of twists to keep the reader turning the pages.
I also couldn't help but swoon a bit over Cole, who pretty much captures Anna's attention from the beginning and definitely plays an important part in the overall story that's told. However, Anna is a very strong character who's more than able to stand on her own two feet, and I liked seeing this stubborn, capable girl make her own choices (and mistakes) and deal with the consequences. I also loved her friend, Cynthia, who was charming and over-the-top in a completely wonderful way. She really helped balance out Anna's seriousness, and I look forward to seeing more of her.
While I did have most of the mystery figured out well before Anna, there was plenty in the character development department to keep me invested in Born of Illusion until the very end. This is certainly a book that has a little bit of something for everyone, from historical 1920s New York City, to the magic permeating the story, to the very capable Anna. I can wholeheartedly recommend it, and am very much looking forward to the sequel!
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relationship with her mother, and a swoon-worthy love interest - plus a twist of paranormal - and I was definitely sold on pretty much every single thing this story had to offer.I found Anna to be a wonderfully constructed character. She has her flaws - her inability to trust being the top one - and has a very uneasy relationship with her mother, who is a mentalist. Because séances are illegal, Anna has had to get her mom out of jail several times, which means she's had to become well-versed in the art of lock-picking. In fact, Anna excels at all kinds of magic, and it's her growing ability - and desire for a bigger part in her mother's act - that's causing the most strain between mother and daughter. I very much liked watching Anna tiptoe through her mother's moods, while working to figure out what she wants. The back and forth between the two provided some nice tension to the story, and was actually the main thing keeping me reading towards the end of the book.
This book is very much a paranormal read with historical flourishes. Anna has some special abilities that are making themselves more and more known - we're introduced to her visions in the very first chapter - and these abilities really help drive the plot forward. Anna wants help figuring out what's happening with her, particularly since her mother seems to feature prominently in the visions and she's worried about her safety. Throw in secret societies and a mix of others with their own unique gifts, and this book was brimming with plenty of twists to keep the reader turning the pages.
I also couldn't help but swoon a bit over Cole, who pretty much captures Anna's attention from the beginning and definitely plays an important part in the overall story that's told. However, Anna is a very strong character who's more than able to stand on her own two feet, and I liked seeing this stubborn, capable girl make her own choices (and mistakes) and deal with the consequences. I also loved her friend, Cynthia, who was charming and over-the-top in a completely wonderful way. She really helped balance out Anna's seriousness, and I look forward to seeing more of her.
While I did have most of the mystery figured out well before Anna, there was plenty in the character development department to keep me invested in Born of Illusion until the very end. This is certainly a book that has a little bit of something for everyone, from historical 1920s New York City, to the magic permeating the story, to the very capable Anna. I can wholeheartedly recommend it, and am very much looking forward to the sequel!
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LibraryThing member thehidingspot
Teri Brown's Born of Illusion transports readers to 1920s New York into a world of magic, lies, secrets, and the paranormal.
The novel follows Anna, the daughter of a renowned medium and the rumored illegitimate daughter of the great Harry Houdini. Anna and her mother have spent their lives living
For me, one of the most compelling aspects of Born of Illusion was Anna's relationship with her mother. Their relationship is a complicated one... Sometimes it feels as if their roles of mother and daughter have reversed, other times they appear to be nothing more than competitors. It was interesting to see how Anna reacted to her mother's often immature and petty actions that seemed motivated by jealousy and her fear of her daughter besting her. Still, as soon as Anna (and the reader) thinks her mother's motivations are clear, she seems protective and motherly, as if she only has Anna's best interests in mind.
It's clear that much of Anna's independence is born from necessity. Her mother, no matter her motivations, could never be called reliable. This independence serves her character and the book well. Anna is a capable and strong character, but not without weaknesses. She has a tendency to run from her things that overwhelm her and sometimes has irrational reactions to deep emotion, but she isn't afraid to own up to her shortcomings and she always gathers the strength to do what needs to be done.
The novel features a bit of a love triangle, but it's always clear who's truly in Anna's heart. Still, I liked that she considered both love interests. In some ways, Anna has lived a very adventuresome life (after all, she did travel with a circus troupe for some time), but, in what one may consider the "normal" life of a teenaged girl, she's a bit inexperienced. The two boys, who are very, very different from one another, show Anna different sides of New York... and of herself. Also, I liked that fact that Anna is the one who makes a misguided mistake and has to apologize, not the boy involved int he situation. It often feels like the situation is always reversed and it was good to see something different.
I'll definitely be reading the next book featuring Anna, Born of Deception, which is due out sometime in 2014. I don't know anything about it except the fact that it features Rasputin, but that's enough!
The novel follows Anna, the daughter of a renowned medium and the rumored illegitimate daughter of the great Harry Houdini. Anna and her mother have spent their lives living
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show to show and evading the law, which they've been on the wrong side of a time or two. Finally, Anna's life has taken a turn for the better and she and her mother seem to be standing on solid ground as their new show gains success and popularity. Together, they transfix their audience; Anna performing magical illusion and her mother showcasing her psychic abilities. Of course, the audience doesn't know that, in truth, Anna's mother is no more psychic than they are, though she is gifted actress. In fact, it's Anna that possesses psychic abilities. She can sense feelings, foretell the future, and talk to the dead. However, the stable existence Anna yearns for is still just out of reach as she begins having horrifying visions of her mother in peril and her own safety is threatened.For me, one of the most compelling aspects of Born of Illusion was Anna's relationship with her mother. Their relationship is a complicated one... Sometimes it feels as if their roles of mother and daughter have reversed, other times they appear to be nothing more than competitors. It was interesting to see how Anna reacted to her mother's often immature and petty actions that seemed motivated by jealousy and her fear of her daughter besting her. Still, as soon as Anna (and the reader) thinks her mother's motivations are clear, she seems protective and motherly, as if she only has Anna's best interests in mind.
It's clear that much of Anna's independence is born from necessity. Her mother, no matter her motivations, could never be called reliable. This independence serves her character and the book well. Anna is a capable and strong character, but not without weaknesses. She has a tendency to run from her things that overwhelm her and sometimes has irrational reactions to deep emotion, but she isn't afraid to own up to her shortcomings and she always gathers the strength to do what needs to be done.
The novel features a bit of a love triangle, but it's always clear who's truly in Anna's heart. Still, I liked that she considered both love interests. In some ways, Anna has lived a very adventuresome life (after all, she did travel with a circus troupe for some time), but, in what one may consider the "normal" life of a teenaged girl, she's a bit inexperienced. The two boys, who are very, very different from one another, show Anna different sides of New York... and of herself. Also, I liked that fact that Anna is the one who makes a misguided mistake and has to apologize, not the boy involved int he situation. It often feels like the situation is always reversed and it was good to see something different.
I'll definitely be reading the next book featuring Anna, Born of Deception, which is due out sometime in 2014. I don't know anything about it except the fact that it features Rasputin, but that's enough!
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LibraryThing member TheMadHatters
Anna, growing weary of her fame-hungry mother's act as a (fraudulent) medium, is coming to terms with the fact that she has actual powers--she can speak with the dead, has visions of the future and can read the emotions of others. Anna fears she is alone in the world until she meets Cole, her
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enigmatic neighbor who seems to know more about her powers than she does. "Born of Illusion" was a fun, exciting and suspenseful read made all the more compelling by its 1920s New York setting. Historical details about Harry Houdini and the popularity of Spiritualism really add to the richness of the plot. Show Less
LibraryThing member kmjanek
VOYA Rating: 4Q 4P
Highly Recommended
Anna Van Housen and her mother, Madame Van Housen have traveled all over the United States with their act and finally get an opportunity to make a permanent home/show in New York City. It is rumored that Anna is Harry Houdini’s illegitimate daughter, which her
I loved this book! The Jazz Age in New York City was the setting. The clothes, speakeasies, interest in the psychic and occult and prohibition seemed like they were very well researched. There was a great mix of history, magic, mystery, action, romance and paranormal elements. Anna was a very likable character and the story was told from her point of view. I found it interesting that Harry Houdini was woven into this story as a secondary character. The relationship between Cole/Anna and Jacques/Madame Van Housen were sweet, but complicated. Readers will enjoy watching the relationships develop.
I would recommend this book to girls who enjoy historical fiction, strong female characters, mystery and/or just looking for something fun to read. I like the idea of setting up a book display with a “magic” theme. This would make a good book for a high school book club, free read in a language arts class or literature circles. There is a lot to discuss about the plot, characters and setting. This book would be appropriate for a high school library and possible for mature middle school readers. There is some physical violence and drinking scenes, but nothing inappropriate for school libraries. I look forward to reading the second book.
Highly Recommended
Anna Van Housen and her mother, Madame Van Housen have traveled all over the United States with their act and finally get an opportunity to make a permanent home/show in New York City. It is rumored that Anna is Harry Houdini’s illegitimate daughter, which her
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mother uses to their advantage. Anna has never really had any friends and her world quickly changes when she meets Cynthia Gaylord, who becomes her friend and two young men, Cole and Owen, who have a romantic interest. Anna is beginning to pursue her own interests and her own magic, which leads to some professional jealousy from her mother and the two have to come to some decisions about their future working together.I loved this book! The Jazz Age in New York City was the setting. The clothes, speakeasies, interest in the psychic and occult and prohibition seemed like they were very well researched. There was a great mix of history, magic, mystery, action, romance and paranormal elements. Anna was a very likable character and the story was told from her point of view. I found it interesting that Harry Houdini was woven into this story as a secondary character. The relationship between Cole/Anna and Jacques/Madame Van Housen were sweet, but complicated. Readers will enjoy watching the relationships develop.
I would recommend this book to girls who enjoy historical fiction, strong female characters, mystery and/or just looking for something fun to read. I like the idea of setting up a book display with a “magic” theme. This would make a good book for a high school book club, free read in a language arts class or literature circles. There is a lot to discuss about the plot, characters and setting. This book would be appropriate for a high school library and possible for mature middle school readers. There is some physical violence and drinking scenes, but nothing inappropriate for school libraries. I look forward to reading the second book.
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LibraryThing member Emily_Anne
Born of Illusion just couldn't seem to hold my interest /:
LibraryThing member LibraryCin
4.5 stars
It is the 1920s in New York City. Anna's mother is a medium and Anna has had an unusual childhood. She has been told that Harry Houdini is her father. She has real magic powers of her own and opens as a magician for her mother's show. Her mother supplements their income with seances, which
There is actually quite a bit going on in this book, more than I've even mentioned. I loved it! I loved the atmosphere of the book and wanted to keep reading. I considered giving it 5 stars, but due to what I thought was a slight inconsistency near the end, I just couldn't bring my rating up quite so high, but I'm keeping it close.
It is the 1920s in New York City. Anna's mother is a medium and Anna has had an unusual childhood. She has been told that Harry Houdini is her father. She has real magic powers of her own and opens as a magician for her mother's show. Her mother supplements their income with seances, which
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Anna hates helping with. She is trying to hide her magic from her mother (who is jealous when Anna shows her up; Anna and her mother have a strained relationship). Anna is 16 (?) and has just met Owen and Cole, two men she is very drawn to. She would also love to meet her father. There is actually quite a bit going on in this book, more than I've even mentioned. I loved it! I loved the atmosphere of the book and wanted to keep reading. I considered giving it 5 stars, but due to what I thought was a slight inconsistency near the end, I just couldn't bring my rating up quite so high, but I'm keeping it close.
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LibraryThing member LauGal
Born of Illusion by Teri Brown
Good & Bad
This book was a slow read for me. It had some very good chapters and some dull. The “suspenseful” part comes up midway thru and is so dragged out that it became unsuspenceful.No page turning,just dragged out. The “bad guy” was predictable. A lot of
I chose this book because my Grandparents were magicians in the 1920’s.My Grandmother a true medium.The author “nailed” it with her knowledge of the cons and scams of vaudeville and the managers and police raids.Her facts and knowledge on the mark1 It got to the point I had to skim pages in a few spots.
This could be abt 100 pages shorter and it would be a read that would pack a punch.
Good & Bad
This book was a slow read for me. It had some very good chapters and some dull. The “suspenseful” part comes up midway thru and is so dragged out that it became unsuspenceful.No page turning,just dragged out. The “bad guy” was predictable. A lot of
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repetition and just plain dragged out.I chose this book because my Grandparents were magicians in the 1920’s.My Grandmother a true medium.The author “nailed” it with her knowledge of the cons and scams of vaudeville and the managers and police raids.Her facts and knowledge on the mark1 It got to the point I had to skim pages in a few spots.
This could be abt 100 pages shorter and it would be a read that would pack a punch.
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LibraryThing member RobertaLea
Good read. I do like works that take place at the turn of the last century. The 1920's was an interesting time period. Bring in a young lady purported to me Harry Houdini's love child, some magic, secret societies... all for the makings of an afternoon of reading.
LibraryThing member jennybeast
Illusionist and magician Anna Van Housen tours the world with her stage-psychic mother and tries to hide her own budding powers. On the whole, a decent story, but Anna's consistently wrong assumptions about everyone around her are annoying and render it more predictable than any magic in 1920's New
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York story ought to be. Show Less
Awards
Utah Beehive Book Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2015)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2014)
Tome Society It List (2015)
Language
Physical description
373 p.
Local notes
Anna Van Housen is a young illusionist living in Jazz Age New York, who may be the illegitimate daughter of the greatest magician who ever lived—Harry Houdini. What no one knows is Anna actually has supernatural gifts. Then a young man discovers Anna’s abilities and introduces her to members of a secret society, who are eager to study her powers and help her learn the truth about herself.
Strong characters, complex relationships and rich historical detail. A fun romp.
Strong characters, complex relationships and rich historical detail. A fun romp.