C. O. Bonham

Today I am coming to you with a review of a Book I have talked about quite a bit.

(Yes I’m feeling better, and no it was not coronavirus.)

Illusionary by Desiree Williams has been featured on the blog a couple times, once when I interviewed the author and again when I previewed her new cover for the book.

Today I am going to post a review so that you all know how much I loved this book and why you should all read it.

From the back cover:

 Dorothy got sucked into a tornado.

Alice fell down a hole.

Wendy flew to Neverland.

Kamryn? She tripped down the stairs.

Now, Kamryn Kensington finds herself in a strange new world. Within minutes of her arrival, she dodges an archer’s arrow and avoids getting sliced up by a cosplay reject holding a dagger to her throat. And that’s before the storyteller’s breath brings stories to life.

Home is the mission—to return to her family and pursue her life’s dream of art and travel. Yet the longer she’s in the Land of Ur, the harder it is not to feel for the people she meets. Even her artistic side can’t help but breathe in the beautiful wonder and magic of this new world. So when the Oracle hands her a different quest, she takes it on the condition he sends her home afterward.

No one thought to warn her of a jealous queen and her dragon minions. Or that, by helping her, the cute storyteller would go crazy. Or that her heart would rip in two when she left. Those would’ve been great facts to know ahead of time.

Considering that nothing in Ur is what it seems, the mission proves to be more than she ever imagined. But more than her own future will be in jeopardy if Kamryn doesn’t succeed.

 Book Links

 Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2KchWpg

 Ebook available at:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/34OTdz0

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/2XeMI6d

Kobo: https://bit.ly/32CK8aX

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/illusionary/id1207467393

Author Bio

Desiree Williams is a dreamer by day and chocoholic by night. She lives in the beautiful state of Kentucky with her husband and daughter, where she juggles life as a wannabe supermom. Desiree is a lover of food and avoider of dirty dishes. She delights in making people laugh and strives to bring hope and love with her wherever she goes.

You can find out more about Desiree and her books at www.desireewilliamsbooks.com

Author Links

Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Goodreads / Newsletter

Dive in review of Illusionary:

First of all this story is a book worms dream. So many references! There is no one book that this riffs but rather it is an ode to all the classics of childhood. Peter Pan, Wizard of Oz, and Alice in Wonderland all get their nod.

Kamryn Kensington is a wonderfully relate-able heroine. She may be an adult in years but like many she still struggles with ‘adulting.’ Her passion’s and dreams are taking her in a different direction than her older sister would have her go. Unfortunately, when the two siblings butt heads it’s Kam’s head that takes the hit. Right at the bottom of the stairs. When she wakes up in the land of Ur she has some questions. What she gets is a mission from a very shifty Oracle, but few answers.

Together she and Reese, an all powerful storyteller, set out to rescue the Maker of Ur so hopefully he can send her home. No yellow brick roads here though, this journey takes them all over the map, and deep into places inside themselves that they both would rather avoid.

Reese is amazing, he’s like Peter Pan, but he’s actually responsible. I really liked that his version of the lost boys, could look up to him and count on him to take care of them. Seriously, this guy is a girl’s dream come true, dashing, magical, responsible, and good with kids. He has it all, including a super secret past that he doesn’t talk about and Kam suspects he might not even remember.

Gah! I just want to tell you about the ending but I would never forgive myself if I ruined this book for even one person. Please just go read it already.

I loved the adventure and snark but most of all I loved the message. Adulting is not the same as maturing, and growing up is just an illusion.