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Illusionarium
Illusionarium
Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: January 6, 2016
Review
Dixon has created a steampunk world, set in 1882 London, where the antidote to a new plague that promises to wipe out much of the female population can be procured by entering a parallel world revealed through the usage of a new chemical that facilitates group hallucinations and leaves the user with horrific body/mind changing side-effects. College-bound Jonathan, apprentice to his scientist father, discovers that he has an untapped power while under the influence of this chemical and commits himself to bringing back the antidote to save his mother and sister. The parallel world provides life-risking challenges that include a battle similar to "Hunger Games", which Jonathan navigates with the help of an unlikely partner. Dixon uses footnoted comments at the bottom of some pages to extend the sarcastic humor in Jonathan's reaction to situations. These tend to disappear in frequency as the action builds and they are not an essential device for the successful of the book. Ariel cities, a nod to Victorian romance and science equations all make an appearance in this action packed fantasy.
Overall Book Score: good
About the Book
Author:
Dixon, Heather
Illustrator: ,
Publisher: Greenwillow Books/Harper Collins Publisher
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: adventure,fantasy,romance
Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9780062001054
Price: 17.99