About
At a time of extraordinary change, two women must harness their talents to take control of their own destiny . . .
Bristol, 1896. Used to scraping a living as the young assistant to an ageing con artist, Cecily Marsden's life is turned upside down when her master suddenly dies. Believing herself to blame, could young Cec somehow have powers she little understands?
Meanwhile Eadie Carleton, a pioneering early film-maker, struggles for her talent to be taken seriously in a male-dominated world, and a brilliant young magician, George Perris, begins to see the potential in moving pictures. George believes that if he can harness this new technology, it will revolutionise the world of magic forever - but in order to achieve his dreams, he must first win over Miss Carleton . . .
As a group of illusionists prepare for a grand spectacle - to mark both the retirement of legendary master The Professor and the announcement of his successor - Cec, Eadie and George's worlds collide. But Cec soon finds herself facing the fight of her life to save the performance from sabotage - and harness the element of real magic held deep within her . . .
THE ILLUSIONS is the captivating new novel from the much-lauded author of THE GIFTS. Inspired by real-life illusionists and early film pioneers, this astonishing story of women and talent, magic and power, sweeps you into a world where anything is possible and nothing is quite as it seems . . . Liz Hyder has been making up stories for as long she can remember. Bearmouth, her debut young adult novel, won a Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the Branford Boase Award and was chosen as the Children's Book of the Year by The Times. The Gifts, her acclaimed debut adult novel was published in 2022. She has a BA in drama from the University of Bristol and was, once upon a time, a member of the National Youth Theatre. Originally from London, she has lived in Shropshire for over a decade. The captivating new novel from the multi award-winning author of THE GIFTS and BEARMOUTH THE GIFTS was one of the most eagerly anticipated historical fiction debut launches of the year. THE ILLUSIONS is Hyder's extraordinary follow-up. Liz Hyder is also the multi award-winning author of BEARMOUTH. THE ILLUSION'S skilfully woven combination of the real and the magical makes it a perfect read for fans of THE BINDING and JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR NORRELL. After her glorious first novel, The Gifts, Hyder has returned with another beautiful slice of historical fiction. The Illusions is charming and intriguing, sparkling with magic and romance. Hyder is a wonderfully accomplished storyteller. The Illusions is a magical tale of innovation, darkness and delight. A book to disappear into - I devoured it greedily. With clever storytelling and a magpie's eye for shine and enchantment, Hyder takes us to a world where magic, moving pictures and illusion mix - and where all are made better by human kindness. Filled with wonders in all forms, in real life and in the theatre, this is a story that will mesmerise and cast its spell. I loved it. Spellbinding storytelling, wonderfully drawn characters and the thrill of the theatre make this book unputdownable. An enchanting tale of rivalry among magicians and film pioneers in a world on the cusp of change. Here, trickery, envy and deceit are no match for raw talent, love - and most of all, kindness. Hyder's talent for crafting compelling page-turners inhabited by charming, vibrant characters is a skill worthy of one of her illusionists; her passion for the magic of theatre leaps from every page. A total joy. What a joy... It's rich, magical, pacy, immense fun, and just entirely a glorious Victorian delight. I adored it. A magical tale told with deft skill. Delightful, entertaining, engrossing with a gorgeous finale . . . a total delight of a book. From the astonishment of early moving pictures, to the wonder of the mysterious talents that lie within, The Illusions is every bit as magical as
Bristol, 1896. Used to scraping a living as the young assistant to an ageing con artist, Cecily Marsden's life is turned upside down when her master suddenly dies. Believing herself to blame, could young Cec somehow have powers she little understands?
Meanwhile Eadie Carleton, a pioneering early film-maker, struggles for her talent to be taken seriously in a male-dominated world, and a brilliant young magician, George Perris, begins to see the potential in moving pictures. George believes that if he can harness this new technology, it will revolutionise the world of magic forever - but in order to achieve his dreams, he must first win over Miss Carleton . . .
As a group of illusionists prepare for a grand spectacle - to mark both the retirement of legendary master The Professor and the announcement of his successor - Cec, Eadie and George's worlds collide. But Cec soon finds herself facing the fight of her life to save the performance from sabotage - and harness the element of real magic held deep within her . . .
THE ILLUSIONS is the captivating new novel from the much-lauded author of THE GIFTS. Inspired by real-life illusionists and early film pioneers, this astonishing story of women and talent, magic and power, sweeps you into a world where anything is possible and nothing is quite as it seems . . . Liz Hyder has been making up stories for as long she can remember. Bearmouth, her debut young adult novel, won a Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the Branford Boase Award and was chosen as the Children's Book of the Year by The Times. The Gifts, her acclaimed debut adult novel was published in 2022. She has a BA in drama from the University of Bristol and was, once upon a time, a member of the National Youth Theatre. Originally from London, she has lived in Shropshire for over a decade. The captivating new novel from the multi award-winning author of THE GIFTS and BEARMOUTH THE GIFTS was one of the most eagerly anticipated historical fiction debut launches of the year. THE ILLUSIONS is Hyder's extraordinary follow-up. Liz Hyder is also the multi award-winning author of BEARMOUTH. THE ILLUSION'S skilfully woven combination of the real and the magical makes it a perfect read for fans of THE BINDING and JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR NORRELL. After her glorious first novel, The Gifts, Hyder has returned with another beautiful slice of historical fiction. The Illusions is charming and intriguing, sparkling with magic and romance. Hyder is a wonderfully accomplished storyteller. The Illusions is a magical tale of innovation, darkness and delight. A book to disappear into - I devoured it greedily. With clever storytelling and a magpie's eye for shine and enchantment, Hyder takes us to a world where magic, moving pictures and illusion mix - and where all are made better by human kindness. Filled with wonders in all forms, in real life and in the theatre, this is a story that will mesmerise and cast its spell. I loved it. Spellbinding storytelling, wonderfully drawn characters and the thrill of the theatre make this book unputdownable. An enchanting tale of rivalry among magicians and film pioneers in a world on the cusp of change. Here, trickery, envy and deceit are no match for raw talent, love - and most of all, kindness. Hyder's talent for crafting compelling page-turners inhabited by charming, vibrant characters is a skill worthy of one of her illusionists; her passion for the magic of theatre leaps from every page. A total joy. What a joy... It's rich, magical, pacy, immense fun, and just entirely a glorious Victorian delight. I adored it. A magical tale told with deft skill. Delightful, entertaining, engrossing with a gorgeous finale . . . a total delight of a book. From the astonishment of early moving pictures, to the wonder of the mysterious talents that lie within, The Illusions is every bit as magical as