June 16, 2014

Review: Born of Deception by Terri Brown

Title: Born of Deception
Author: Teri Brown
Publication Date: June 10, 2014
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Age Group: Young Adult/Historical Fiction

     
Budding illusionist Anna Van Housen is on top of the world: after scoring a spot on a prestigious European vaudeville tour, she has moved to London to chase her dream and to join an underground society for people like her with psychic abilities. Along with her handsome beau, Cole Archer, Anna is prepared to take the city by storm. But when Anna arrives in London, she finds the group in turmoil. Sensitives are disappearing and, without a suspect, the group’s members are turning on one another. Could the kidnapper be someone within the society itself—or has the nefarious Dr. Boyle followed them to London? As Cole and Anna begin to unravel the case and secrets about the society are revealed, they find themselves at odds, their plans for romance in London having vanished. Her life in danger and her relationship fizzling, can Anna find a way to track down the killer before he makes her his next victim—or will she have to pay the ultimate price for her powers? Set in Jazz-Age London, this alluring sequel to Born of Illusion comes alive with sparkling romance, deadly intrigue, and daring magic.





Anna Van Housen could not have asked for anything more. She has secured a spot on the other side of the pond where she will travel Europe with a few other performers, joined a secret society for people with psychic abilities. Oh and did I mention that her handsome beau, Cole Archer, is also coming along to London? Anna has everything planned. What could possibly go wrong?

Brown’s writing is one of the many things that stuck with me since Born of Illusion. She has a way with words that when you read them everything around you disappears. Suspense and mystery are woven throughout the book. It kept me engaged from start to finish. You are literally transported back to the roaring twenty and all its magical escapes. The way she describes a simple street is so captivating because you can literally see it all come to life right before your eyes. 

We are introduced to a whole new set of characters in this book and even a few old ones pop in too. Since the Born of Illusion I hadn't click with Anna 100%. She was a very frustrating character at times and in Born of Deception I felt the same way. There are a couple of things that just make me want to shake her especially when it comes to certain things having to do with Cole. There were a few things that I found myself nitpicking at and I can’t quite say what they are because they are spoilers. I felt one of those things we could have done without for two reasons. We already had so many things going on with the story that a sub-plot was not needed and I honestly would've liked a certain character a bit more if they weren't thrown into unnecessarily drama. My other issue was that I felt like it was a bit too predictable. I knew who the “villain” was very early on. I mean I don’t need to be scratching my head and getting frustrated trying to figure out who the “villain” is with every book, but I would've liked a bit more mystery behind it. 

Even though I did have a few issues with Born of Deception I did end up enjoy it quite a lot. If you liked the first installment than I definitely recommend diving into this one.



Guest Reviewer from Owl Always Be Reading 

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