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Chronicles of Nick #5
Illusion
Be careful what you wish for…
You just might get it.
Nick Gautier is tired of his destiny. He doesn’t want to be the son of a demon who’s fated to end the world. Nor does he want to see another demon or other preternatural creature who wants to kill or enslave him. He just wants to be normal and have normal problems like everyone else.
But normality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. When he gets sucked into an alternate reality where his mother has married his mentor and his Atlantean god best friend has become a human geek, he begins to understand that no life is free of pain, and that every person has a specific place in the universe… Even the son of a hated demon.
Most of all, he sees that his powers aren’t the curse he thought they were, and that the world needs a champion, especially one its enemies can’t imagine rising up to defend the ones he should destroy.
Old enemies and new friends square off for a major battle that will either restore Nick to his real world, or end him forever.
You just might get it.
Nick Gautier is tired of his destiny. He doesn’t want to be the son of a demon who’s fated to end the world. Nor does he want to see another demon or other preternatural creature who wants to kill or enslave him. He just wants to be normal and have normal problems like everyone else.
But normality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. When he gets sucked into an alternate reality where his mother has married his mentor and his Atlantean god best friend has become a human geek, he begins to understand that no life is free of pain, and that every person has a specific place in the universe… Even the son of a hated demon.
Most of all, he sees that his powers aren’t the curse he thought they were, and that the world needs a champion, especially one its enemies can’t imagine rising up to defend the ones he should destroy.
Old enemies and new friends square off for a major battle that will either restore Nick to his real world, or end him forever.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2014
About the author
Sherrilyn Kenyon
243 books29.5k followersOfficial Author site
Official Nevermore site
Official Deadman's Cross site
Official Chronicles of Nick site
Official Silent Swans site
Official Hunter Legends site
Official Witch of Endor site
Official Lords of Avalon site
Official Facebook site
New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon is a regular at the #1 spot. With legions of fans known as Paladins (thousands of whom proudly sport tattoos from her series and who travel from all over the world to attend her appearances), her books are always snatched up as soon as they appear on store shelves. Since 2004, she had placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga and graphic novels. Her current series are: Dark-Hunters, Chronicles of Nick and The League, and her books are available in over 100 countries where eager fans impatiently wait for the next release. Her Chronicles of Nick and Dark-Hunter series are soon to be major motion pictures while Dark-Hunter is also being developed as a television series. Join her and her Paladins online at MySherrilyn.com and www.facebook.com/mysherrilyn
Official Nevermore site
Official Deadman's Cross site
Official Chronicles of Nick site
Official Silent Swans site
Official Hunter Legends site
Official Witch of Endor site
Official Lords of Avalon site
Official Facebook site
New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon is a regular at the #1 spot. With legions of fans known as Paladins (thousands of whom proudly sport tattoos from her series and who travel from all over the world to attend her appearances), her books are always snatched up as soon as they appear on store shelves. Since 2004, she had placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga and graphic novels. Her current series are: Dark-Hunters, Chronicles of Nick and The League, and her books are available in over 100 countries where eager fans impatiently wait for the next release. Her Chronicles of Nick and Dark-Hunter series are soon to be major motion pictures while Dark-Hunter is also being developed as a television series. Join her and her Paladins online at MySherrilyn.com and www.facebook.com/mysherrilyn
Fan Run International Sites:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 790 reviews
September 2, 2016
Ash is only five feet tall ordinary teenage kid.
Artemis was married to Acheron.
Bubba is Nick's Father.
Kody is a ghost.
Thorn is out to kill Nick.
Nick is whining, crying and doesn't want to stand to fight. what the hell.
so which of the above mentioned is not an Illusion?
*scrubs face*
What a ride. A lot of things happened, secrets are revealed, new characters are in, Nick is still destined to destroy the world and its all up to him to control his demon powers and save the people he loves.
At the end of the last book, we are thrown in a different universe where Nick has no powers and everyone around him is so ordinary.
The faces he'd recognize in his own life time are not the same as the one he is trapped into.
Now it was her turn to be stunned. “Aunt Artie is your wife?”
“Was. Yes.”
Still, she couldn’t grasp it. Not given what she knew of their past. “Aunt Artie?”
“Why do you keep saying it like that? We loved each other more than anything. I can’t imagine we could be different in your world.”
Hahaha now that's a fun tidbit especially readers who read the Dark Hunter series will surely know what's wrong on that statement!
I admit its a bit exhausting reading this book, there's too much info to digest in one go. A lot of actions, explosions and revelations, though its fun to read with all the twist and turns and I still want to continue reading this series until Nick is all reaped and lean in full demon prowess:D
Aside from saving Nick's butt from the enemies and trying to find his way home, fighting demons and finding new allies, the back stories are what makes the book interesting especially Kody's lineage, not that its a surprise anymore since its been hint in the last book and also in Styxx book.
Still I'm not a fun of the Nick and Kody loveteam, actually there's nothing wrong about Kody as a heroine, she's a sweet and caring girl and a badass fighter who is willing to stand up for Nick no matter what, it just doesn't bode me that they will end up together.
I love the Father and son part in the story, Adarian somehow redeems himself and that's a difficult part 'cause he's been a worse father to Nick in most alternate universe.
I love that the same cast are in the story yet they're not the same as they are. Ash, Savitar, Thorn, the devereaux sisters, what the heck talk about Illusion isn't it;)
The epilogue drives me nuts, I want to know more about Xevikan and his role in the next book.
Dang, is there not one incarnation of my life in any alternate universe where my mom didn’t take a photo of me naked in the bathtub with a rubber duck? Really?
Another year to wait again, Nick is growing up fast woohoo!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Previous Post:
at the epilogue of Inferno I was like...
and I keep on thinking...
it's just an Illusion...
but you know what...
yes I love it! I can't wait for the next book to come:)
because Ms. Sherrilyn Kenyon can do no wrong!
This series needs to be publish fast and I'm sure SK and the crew work hard with the title beginning with letter I..hahaha:D
April 2014!!! waiting for it:)
Artemis was married to Acheron.
Bubba is Nick's Father.
Kody is a ghost.
Thorn is out to kill Nick.
Nick is whining, crying and doesn't want to stand to fight. what the hell.
so which of the above mentioned is not an Illusion?
Over, under, around, or through, there’s always a way . You don’t give up and you never give in. They can scar your body and take your freedom, but only you can surrender your heart and soul.
Nothing is worth compromising yourself for. Stand fast and stand true. Always.
*scrubs face*
What a ride. A lot of things happened, secrets are revealed, new characters are in, Nick is still destined to destroy the world and its all up to him to control his demon powers and save the people he loves.
“The Ambrose Malachai will never be forgotten. But it’s up to you as to how he’ll always be remembered.”
At the end of the last book, we are thrown in a different universe where Nick has no powers and everyone around him is so ordinary.
The faces he'd recognize in his own life time are not the same as the one he is trapped into.
Now it was her turn to be stunned. “Aunt Artie is your wife?”
“Was. Yes.”
Still, she couldn’t grasp it. Not given what she knew of their past. “Aunt Artie?”
“Why do you keep saying it like that? We loved each other more than anything. I can’t imagine we could be different in your world.”
Hahaha now that's a fun tidbit especially readers who read the Dark Hunter series will surely know what's wrong on that statement!
I admit its a bit exhausting reading this book, there's too much info to digest in one go. A lot of actions, explosions and revelations, though its fun to read with all the twist and turns and I still want to continue reading this series until Nick is all reaped and lean in full demon prowess:D
“My worst fear? Being like everyone else. So I usually battle it with my extraordinary powers of awesomeness.”
Aside from saving Nick's butt from the enemies and trying to find his way home, fighting demons and finding new allies, the back stories are what makes the book interesting especially Kody's lineage, not that its a surprise anymore since its been hint in the last book and also in Styxx book.
Still I'm not a fun of the Nick and Kody loveteam, actually there's nothing wrong about Kody as a heroine, she's a sweet and caring girl and a badass fighter who is willing to stand up for Nick no matter what, it just doesn't bode me that they will end up together.
“Life hammers us all. Too many times we become things we never thought we’d be. For many reasons.”
I love the Father and son part in the story, Adarian somehow redeems himself and that's a difficult part 'cause he's been a worse father to Nick in most alternate universe.
I love that the same cast are in the story yet they're not the same as they are. Ash, Savitar, Thorn, the devereaux sisters, what the heck talk about Illusion isn't it;)
The epilogue drives me nuts, I want to know more about Xevikan and his role in the next book.
Dang, is there not one incarnation of my life in any alternate universe where my mom didn’t take a photo of me naked in the bathtub with a rubber duck? Really?
Another year to wait again, Nick is growing up fast woohoo!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Previous Post:
at the epilogue of Inferno I was like...
and I keep on thinking...
it's just an Illusion...
but you know what...
yes I love it! I can't wait for the next book to come:)
because Ms. Sherrilyn Kenyon can do no wrong!
This series needs to be publish fast and I'm sure SK and the crew work hard with the title beginning with letter I..hahaha:D
April 2014!!! waiting for it:)
November 16, 2015
This book followed a similar pattern to the previous 4, with quite a slow pace, and a paranormal/fantasy storyline, but this one was a bit more confusing as we had 2 different Nick’s, and two different realities, and I found it a little hard to keep up with what was happening.
Nick did have it rough in this story, waking up as a different version of yourself in an alternate reality would be bad, but knowing that your original body has the power to bring hell on earth, and is in less than capable hands would be even worse!
This story was mostly concerned with Nick trying to work out how to get back to his own reality, and knowing who he could and couldn’t trust, which proved to be more difficult than expected.
The ending to this was okay, although we were once again left with a cliff-hanger.
6 out of 10
Nick did have it rough in this story, waking up as a different version of yourself in an alternate reality would be bad, but knowing that your original body has the power to bring hell on earth, and is in less than capable hands would be even worse!
This story was mostly concerned with Nick trying to work out how to get back to his own reality, and knowing who he could and couldn’t trust, which proved to be more difficult than expected.
The ending to this was okay, although we were once again left with a cliff-hanger.
6 out of 10
August 1, 2023
Cuando Nick piensa que por fin va a tener un descanso, despierta en otra realidad, sin sus poderes y sin sus amigos. Y si, aunque tiene a su madre a un "padre", esta realidad es demasiado normal para el. Y si, muchas veces ha querido tener una vida normal, despues de acostumbrarse a su vida, no es lo que quiere ahora, ahora solo quiere volver a su realidad, con sus amigos, su madre y sus poderes.
El problema es que en este realidad tambien tiene la amenaza de los demonios, unos muy poderosos, detras de el, pero sin sus poderes, sin Caleb o Kody, sin Ash ni Kieran, no sabe como se va a enfrentar a ellos, y mucho menos sabe como va a poder regresar a su realidad.
Al final del libro anterior, te hacen un guiño al cambio de realidad, pero de verdad tenian que volver a tantos de los amigos de Nick en malvados? De verdad tenian que mezclar tanto las cosas y enredarlas trayendo a Simi a esta realidad?
No me gusto mucho la forma como se manejo la trama de este libro. Nick paso demasiado tiempo "en el limbo", con Thorn, con Ash, con su padre, hasta en su propia cabeza, y la accion que hubo fue demasiado alocada.
Ademas, con todo no vimos como quedo el otro Nick cuando regreso a su realidad de persona normal, que paso con su familia, y con Ash y sus "demonios-mono-voladores". En este libro quedaron demasiadas cosas abiertas, muchisimas mas que en los anteriores. Creo que ha sido el libro con la trama mas dispersa de toda la serie hasta ahora.
Sin embargo, todavia quiero ver si Nick sucumbe o no al lado oscuro, y que va a pasar al final.
El problema es que en este realidad tambien tiene la amenaza de los demonios, unos muy poderosos, detras de el, pero sin sus poderes, sin Caleb o Kody, sin Ash ni Kieran, no sabe como se va a enfrentar a ellos, y mucho menos sabe como va a poder regresar a su realidad.
Al final del libro anterior, te hacen un guiño al cambio de realidad, pero de verdad tenian que volver a tantos de los amigos de Nick en malvados? De verdad tenian que mezclar tanto las cosas y enredarlas trayendo a Simi a esta realidad?
No me gusto mucho la forma como se manejo la trama de este libro. Nick paso demasiado tiempo "en el limbo", con Thorn, con Ash, con su padre, hasta en su propia cabeza, y la accion que hubo fue demasiado alocada.
Ademas, con todo no vimos como quedo el otro Nick cuando regreso a su realidad de persona normal, que paso con su familia, y con Ash y sus "demonios-mono-voladores". En este libro quedaron demasiadas cosas abiertas, muchisimas mas que en los anteriores. Creo que ha sido el libro con la trama mas dispersa de toda la serie hasta ahora.
Sin embargo, todavia quiero ver si Nick sucumbe o no al lado oscuro, y que va a pasar al final.
April 14, 2014
Poor Nick, for every step forward, it seems he has to take two steps back. In this book, not only is Nick's powers bound but they are...gone and so is his body, well, "his" regular body. Seems like Nick's soul has switched bodies with another Nick in an alternate universe. Guess that explains the ugly blue tux.
I never know what to expect with this series besides the fact that it's going to be all kinds of crazy and this one did not disappoint. But....it was just a tad confusing. So Nick is different but so are most of the other people in the alternate universe and Nick has no idea if they are friends or foes. Not only that but people aren't married to the same people, kids don't have the same parents and There. Are. No. Were-Hunters!!
And can we talk about Kody for a moment? Who in the heck is she not related to? I had a hard time keeping up, that is, until we find out who her father is. *Sigh*...it made me so happy and things began to click. But there's a lot of sadness as well as we find out what's happened in the future with Kody...hopefully, some things will change.
It was great having many of the same involved characters even if they were different. I had to laugh at who Triple Threat aka Bubba is married too but I also loved it. And Ash...OMG, seriously? That was pretty cringe worthy about his wife of choice. I was as shocked as Nick.
I loved who came to Nick and helped him out. It was sad to hear some of his stories and how much he still loves someone. Hopefully, he will be a good influence from now on.
We also get a few newcomers as things happen with Nick's powers. Not sure how all this works out with the Sarrus but Xev was very interesting especially the whole thing with him and Caleb but mostly about his feelings about kindness and what Kody said about him at the end.
Next up is Defiant coming out April 7, 2015 and the title sounds like a good thing. I hope so because I really think it's time for Nick to grow and mature.
Favorite quotes:
♥ “My worst fear? Being like everyone else. So I usually battle it with my extraordinary powers of awesomeness.”
♥ "Over, under, around, or through, there’s always a way. You don’t give up and you never give in. They can scar your body and take your freedom, but only you can surrender your heart and soul. Nothing is worth compromising yourself for. Stand fast and stand true. Always."
I never know what to expect with this series besides the fact that it's going to be all kinds of crazy and this one did not disappoint. But....it was just a tad confusing. So Nick is different but so are most of the other people in the alternate universe and Nick has no idea if they are friends or foes. Not only that but people aren't married to the same people, kids don't have the same parents and There. Are. No. Were-Hunters!!
And can we talk about Kody for a moment? Who in the heck is she not related to? I had a hard time keeping up, that is, until we find out who her father is. *Sigh*...it made me so happy and things began to click. But there's a lot of sadness as well as we find out what's happened in the future with Kody...hopefully, some things will change.
It was great having many of the same involved characters even if they were different. I had to laugh at who Triple Threat aka Bubba is married too but I also loved it. And Ash...OMG, seriously? That was pretty cringe worthy about his wife of choice. I was as shocked as Nick.
I loved who came to Nick and helped him out. It was sad to hear some of his stories and how much he still loves someone. Hopefully, he will be a good influence from now on.
We also get a few newcomers as things happen with Nick's powers. Not sure how all this works out with the Sarrus but Xev was very interesting especially the whole thing with him and Caleb but mostly about his feelings about kindness and what Kody said about him at the end.
Next up is Defiant coming out April 7, 2015 and the title sounds like a good thing. I hope so because I really think it's time for Nick to grow and mature.
Favorite quotes:
♥ “My worst fear? Being like everyone else. So I usually battle it with my extraordinary powers of awesomeness.”
♥ "Over, under, around, or through, there’s always a way. You don’t give up and you never give in. They can scar your body and take your freedom, but only you can surrender your heart and soul. Nothing is worth compromising yourself for. Stand fast and stand true. Always."
Want to read
April 9, 2013THE COVER IS OUT!!!!!
January 5, 2019
This installment was odd but actually turned out pretty good. I found the storyline being handled this way actually gave readers a lot more answers to the characters’ pasts. I want more answers about the newest two members to Nick’s group now so I am hoping we get some in book six of the series. About to start it now before football starts tonight and hopefully I will get some answers and some of the laughing and smirks the characters’ interactions give!
My quick and simple overall: a good installment to give more information into the pasts and roles of the characters but was a bit oddly done but it is fantasy so we should expect odd.
My quick and simple overall: a good installment to give more information into the pasts and roles of the characters but was a bit oddly done but it is fantasy so we should expect odd.
Shelved as 'have-to-read'
December 27, 2012WAIT A MINUTE...
THERE'S ANOTHER ONE...
AS IN ANOTHER EPISODE OF NICK...
THIS IS PURE AMBROSIA!
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OH. MY. GOD. MRS. KENYON HAS HEARD MY DAMN PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!
NOW, 2014 BETTER HURRY IT'S BACKSIDE UP, BEFORE ANOTHER "JUDGEMENT" DAY HAPPENS...I JUST NEED THE DAMN BOOK!
THERE'S ANOTHER ONE...
AS IN ANOTHER EPISODE OF NICK...
THIS IS PURE AMBROSIA!
[image error]
OH. MY. GOD. MRS. KENYON HAS HEARD MY DAMN PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!
NOW, 2014 BETTER HURRY IT'S BACKSIDE UP, BEFORE ANOTHER "JUDGEMENT" DAY HAPPENS...I JUST NEED THE DAMN BOOK!
July 16, 2013
OMG! With 12 books ,Twelve books!!! and you're giving me one per year!! you can't do dat!! i'm gonna die !! my anxious issues don't gonna make me resist!! D: Plese Mrs.Kenyon two books per year! PLEASE!!! March 2014 come soon please really soon!!!
April 3, 2014
What can I say, Sherrilyn Kenyon delivers once again! This is by far the best book in the Con series and yet in typical Kenyon fashion she only promises us more.
We enter Illusion exactly where Inferno left off. Nick has entered an alternate reality where he sees some familiar faces but NO ONE is who they seem to be. Nick has to fight his way through this quagmire all the while trying to find his way home.
What really got me in this book was it was about Nick finding his way home, literally and figuratively. Yes his soul, his very essence has been ripped out of his body and transferred to a weaker, more protected, way mire innocent version and he needs to get to the right place and body. But more importantly he has to accept who and what he is. Sherrie laces this book with Oz references and it's more than just a cultural mention. Nick, like Dorothy has to find it within himself to get home. And like Dorothy he finds some interesting help along the way.
In all of Sherrie's books she makes much about life choices, Illusion she shows what could have happened to so many of the characters we know and love had they made a different choice somewhere along the line.
There were questions aplenty answered.. but more than that we find out exactly what drives or rather drove Nick's father. Kody's exact heritage is confirmed but of course I have many more questions that stem from the answers we have been given.
What really sold me on this book was that Sherrie lost the lecture tone. Inferno drove me nuts because so much of the important stuff was brought to us in lecture tone. Where the characters would write letters or pontificate, overly so. It was important stuff but I was happy to see Illusion turn back to Kenyon's kickass roots.
A grand adventure that is pivotal to both Nick's story but also the DH world in general. A true five plus plus star book.
Shauni
We enter Illusion exactly where Inferno left off. Nick has entered an alternate reality where he sees some familiar faces but NO ONE is who they seem to be. Nick has to fight his way through this quagmire all the while trying to find his way home.
What really got me in this book was it was about Nick finding his way home, literally and figuratively. Yes his soul, his very essence has been ripped out of his body and transferred to a weaker, more protected, way mire innocent version and he needs to get to the right place and body. But more importantly he has to accept who and what he is. Sherrie laces this book with Oz references and it's more than just a cultural mention. Nick, like Dorothy has to find it within himself to get home. And like Dorothy he finds some interesting help along the way.
In all of Sherrie's books she makes much about life choices, Illusion she shows what could have happened to so many of the characters we know and love had they made a different choice somewhere along the line.
There were questions aplenty answered.. but more than that we find out exactly what drives or rather drove Nick's father. Kody's exact heritage is confirmed but of course I have many more questions that stem from the answers we have been given.
What really sold me on this book was that Sherrie lost the lecture tone. Inferno drove me nuts because so much of the important stuff was brought to us in lecture tone. Where the characters would write letters or pontificate, overly so. It was important stuff but I was happy to see Illusion turn back to Kenyon's kickass roots.
A grand adventure that is pivotal to both Nick's story but also the DH world in general. A true five plus plus star book.
Shauni
January 12, 2024
Although books like this usually come out once a year, I wonder...if there's 12 books total, will the books be released every 6 months or so once they're all written? It'd be real nice. I can't wait 8 more years for the rest of the books.
April 3, 2014
I wish I could give this more than 5 stars!
Review to come soon!
"When Zavid started after them, he pulled him to a stop. 'What's the deal with this Malachai?'
'I don't know. I just joined him myself. But he seems level. Decent, even.'
He wasn't sure about that. He didn't believe in decency anymore. From anyone. 'He's with a half-daeve turncoat, a Charonte, and an Aamon, and you don't find that off?'
Zavid laughed. 'Wait until you meet his Arel girlfriend, lunatic mother, and the two human homicidal maniacs he calls his family. Buddy, everything about the Malachai ain't right.'
Xevikan screwed his face up as he digested those incomprehensible words. 'The Malachai has a mother and he hasn't eaten her?'
'No. He worships the ground she walks on.' "
page 416, Illusion
That's right! I have read the newest book in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Chronicles of Nick series, Illusion! In true SK fashion the books just keep getting better and better! Let me give you an idea of what my past two days have been like. I worked on Monday night from 11pm to 7am Tuesday morning. Took my kids to school. Slept for a few hours and checked my mail.... to find... ILLUSION IN MY MAIL BOX! I forgot I pre-ordered it! So naturally going back to sleep was not an option. So I read until I had to go to work for yet another 11pm-7am shift! As soon as I got home I took my kids to school, slept for about 4 hours and read. And read. And read! I could not stop! Who needs sleep??? NOT ME!
Kenyon starts up right where she left off in, Inferno. Nick wakes up to find himself at a prom with people he knows, but a weird bizarre mundane version of them. And, no Kody anywhere in sight. The worst thing to happen? Other than the loss of Nicks impressive height that is, No powers at all. Nick is lost down the rabbit hole where up and down and left is right. His enemy's are his friends and his friends are trying to kill him. He is on the run to try to find an ally in a world that is not his own. At the risk of spoilers ( you all should know I don't like to give them) I really don't want to say much else about the plot.
I will tell you that SO many questions are answered in this book! As a dark-hunter fan, it is easy enough to put the pieces together. We finally learn who and what Kody is! We learn who her parents are! OhmygodIcouldnotbelieveit! We learn a little bit more about Caleb and his past. Noir and his power over the Malachai. Adrian and his love for Charise. Nick and his full Malachai powers..... The list goes on and on! We meet many new characters and have a reunion with many of our favorites.
If you have not read this series, well....WHY NOT???? Start from the beginning of the Dark Hunters and come on board. You don't have to read the DH'ers first but they are so great! You would be missing a huge chunk of the evolution of Nick. Illusion, is by far the best CON book yet. We are almost halfway done with CON and that much closer to Nicks DH book! I am in count down mode now to Nicks HEA!
Read the book! Somebody please so I can chat about it!
Happy reading,
Lisa :)
Review to come soon!
"When Zavid started after them, he pulled him to a stop. 'What's the deal with this Malachai?'
'I don't know. I just joined him myself. But he seems level. Decent, even.'
He wasn't sure about that. He didn't believe in decency anymore. From anyone. 'He's with a half-daeve turncoat, a Charonte, and an Aamon, and you don't find that off?'
Zavid laughed. 'Wait until you meet his Arel girlfriend, lunatic mother, and the two human homicidal maniacs he calls his family. Buddy, everything about the Malachai ain't right.'
Xevikan screwed his face up as he digested those incomprehensible words. 'The Malachai has a mother and he hasn't eaten her?'
'No. He worships the ground she walks on.' "
page 416, Illusion
That's right! I have read the newest book in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Chronicles of Nick series, Illusion! In true SK fashion the books just keep getting better and better! Let me give you an idea of what my past two days have been like. I worked on Monday night from 11pm to 7am Tuesday morning. Took my kids to school. Slept for a few hours and checked my mail.... to find... ILLUSION IN MY MAIL BOX! I forgot I pre-ordered it! So naturally going back to sleep was not an option. So I read until I had to go to work for yet another 11pm-7am shift! As soon as I got home I took my kids to school, slept for about 4 hours and read. And read. And read! I could not stop! Who needs sleep??? NOT ME!
Kenyon starts up right where she left off in, Inferno. Nick wakes up to find himself at a prom with people he knows, but a weird bizarre mundane version of them. And, no Kody anywhere in sight. The worst thing to happen? Other than the loss of Nicks impressive height that is, No powers at all. Nick is lost down the rabbit hole where up and down and left is right. His enemy's are his friends and his friends are trying to kill him. He is on the run to try to find an ally in a world that is not his own. At the risk of spoilers ( you all should know I don't like to give them) I really don't want to say much else about the plot.
I will tell you that SO many questions are answered in this book! As a dark-hunter fan, it is easy enough to put the pieces together. We finally learn who and what Kody is! We learn who her parents are! OhmygodIcouldnotbelieveit! We learn a little bit more about Caleb and his past. Noir and his power over the Malachai. Adrian and his love for Charise. Nick and his full Malachai powers..... The list goes on and on! We meet many new characters and have a reunion with many of our favorites.
If you have not read this series, well....WHY NOT???? Start from the beginning of the Dark Hunters and come on board. You don't have to read the DH'ers first but they are so great! You would be missing a huge chunk of the evolution of Nick. Illusion, is by far the best CON book yet. We are almost halfway done with CON and that much closer to Nicks DH book! I am in count down mode now to Nicks HEA!
Read the book! Somebody please so I can chat about it!
Happy reading,
Lisa :)
April 13, 2015
Nick Gautier (Go-shae) has been sent into an alternate dimension where he appears to be normal and cannot tap into his Malachai demon powers. Can he get home back into his own body before everything is destroyed? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a great fifth installment of the Chronicles of Nick series. It was action-packed, hilarious, and was a pretty good read. I cannot wait to see what happens next to Nick in the future. Definitely check out the Chronicles of Nick series as you will enjoy them.
This was a great fifth installment of the Chronicles of Nick series. It was action-packed, hilarious, and was a pretty good read. I cannot wait to see what happens next to Nick in the future. Definitely check out the Chronicles of Nick series as you will enjoy them.
December 27, 2015
DISCLAIMER. IF ANYBODY IS EVEN CONSIDERING READING THESE BOOKS PLEASE TAKE MY ADVICE AND DONT DO IT. AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE READ THESE AND ENJOYED THEM... HOW DRUNK ARE YOU?
I was giving a $50 shopping spree on Book Outlet for Christmas from my mom and I stumbled upon all 5 of these books. They were all under $3 and I saw they they all had really high ratings!! I was so excited because the plot seemed right up my alley and the blurb already had me grinning. Oh how naive I was. Now I am kinda of hoping that all 5 of the hardcovers that I bought just happen to get run over by a car or possibly dropped into a bonfire. And trust me, I am not one for bookish violence. I hated almost everything about these books but Im gonna try to narrow it down to just a few.
I hated these books with a passion. Don't get me wrong, there was potential. You could write a great story with this plot but the author ruined everything. She sucked. Let me explain. Apparently this woman is a New York Times Best Selling author but from what I can see, she can't even afford an editor. Or maybe her editor is just the type of person who gets distracted by shiny things and has ADD and can't focus because I can't even count how many times there were spelling and editing mistakes. THEY WERE EVERYWHERE. Not to mention there were mistakes in the actual plot and dialogue. For example, in the first 100 pages of the second or third book, one of the side characters (Simi) turns out to be a demon and the main character (Nick) is all shocked and surprised. Anyway he accepts it and continues to be the demon's friend and the story moves on. Then in the last 100 pages of the same book, Simi the demon uses her lame demonic magic and Nick is all shocked and terrifying BECAUSE ACCORDING TO HIM, HE DIDNT KNOW SHE WAS A DEMON. WHAT THE HELL. HOW DOES SOMEONE EVEN MAKE THAT MISTAKE. Another example is in the third book the main character is talking to another supernatural being and the conversation goes like this:
The supernatural creature turns to Nick and says, "How can you not see in the dark?" and Nick replies with "Not really."
LIKE OH MY GOD. YOU'RE AN AUTHOR YET YOU DONT EVEN KNOW HOW TO SPEAK ENGLISH. LIKE WHAT THE ABSOLUTE HELL.
The other main thing that I hated was the characters. Especially the main character Nick. Now to read 5 books all from the perspective of this retard has caused my eye to perpetually twitch and I can't decide if I need to see a doctor or not. By the 5th book, my heart would start beating really fast and I would get really anxious during the intense scenes, not because I was scared for everyones safety but because I was so excited to see if they would all die. Is that bad?! Cuz honestly, I do not feel bad what so ever.
Now based the photo in the back of the book, this author is a grown ass women who, to be honest, reminds me a lot of Wynonna Judd. She should not be writing a book from the perspective of a 14 year old boy. The author tried to make Nick really funny and sarcastic... and Honey, it did not work. The main character could never be serious and personally, his "sarcasm" made me really uncomfortable. I felt like the half the time I spent reading each of these books, I was cringing from the horrible dialogue. Also, half of the stuff that Nick did in these was stuff that no normal kid his age would do. It was just so obvious that these books were written by a woman. Don't get me wrong, it is amazing and extremely important for boys to respect their mothers but the way Nick was with his mom was weird and just off. It was annoying because all he did was stress about his mom EVERY MINTUE OF EVER SECOND. Not to mention he was always stressing about their money situation and how him and his mom were poor. Like I swear to God, Nick couldn't meet anyone new in the first 3 or 4 books without commenting on how they dressed and how much more money they had compared to him. And those effing, Hawaiian shirts from Goodwill... Im sorry, but were those supposed to be cute and endearing? Was that supposed to be like his signature thing? Like Harry Potters round glasses?..... Hawaiian shirts!?! Seriously?!
I know I am in full out rant mode right now but I just have one more thing I need to add. As I mentioned before, it was obvious that this was written by a woman because no guy that age acts like Nick. And don't start telling me how I wouldn't know because I just happen to be the same age as him. This series is supposed to be about paranormal creatures and how the fate of the entire world is resting on this one boys shoulders but I felt like 3/4 of each book was just really shitty deep quotes. Like there is this one part where one of his friends from school (a girl) is being bullied and with his magnificent spidey senses, he discovers that she is going to kill herself. He runs across all of New Orleans to get to her house and he just happens to get there just in time to talk her down from committing suicide. He then does a huge 3 page speech about bullying and how amazing she is and blah blah blah. Don't get me wrong, it was an inspiring speech but seriously?! I just felt like the author was trying to be deep and come up with really good deep and inspirational one liners instead of focussing on the plot. And stuff like this happened all the time. On more then one occasion, there would be a huge battle going and all the characters would just happen to have 5 minutes of quiet time to sit around a camp fire and roast marshmallows and talk about their feelings. It was lame and I admit to skipping more then one page at a time just to get past the sappy crap.
This will mark the end of this review but I swear I could write a whole book about what was wrong with this series. If you plan on maintaining your sanity stay away from these. They are a waste of your time. According to Goodreads, there will 15 books in this series but I can promise you I will never pick up another book by this author.
I was giving a $50 shopping spree on Book Outlet for Christmas from my mom and I stumbled upon all 5 of these books. They were all under $3 and I saw they they all had really high ratings!! I was so excited because the plot seemed right up my alley and the blurb already had me grinning. Oh how naive I was. Now I am kinda of hoping that all 5 of the hardcovers that I bought just happen to get run over by a car or possibly dropped into a bonfire. And trust me, I am not one for bookish violence. I hated almost everything about these books but Im gonna try to narrow it down to just a few.
I hated these books with a passion. Don't get me wrong, there was potential. You could write a great story with this plot but the author ruined everything. She sucked. Let me explain. Apparently this woman is a New York Times Best Selling author but from what I can see, she can't even afford an editor. Or maybe her editor is just the type of person who gets distracted by shiny things and has ADD and can't focus because I can't even count how many times there were spelling and editing mistakes. THEY WERE EVERYWHERE. Not to mention there were mistakes in the actual plot and dialogue. For example, in the first 100 pages of the second or third book, one of the side characters (Simi) turns out to be a demon and the main character (Nick) is all shocked and surprised. Anyway he accepts it and continues to be the demon's friend and the story moves on. Then in the last 100 pages of the same book, Simi the demon uses her lame demonic magic and Nick is all shocked and terrifying BECAUSE ACCORDING TO HIM, HE DIDNT KNOW SHE WAS A DEMON. WHAT THE HELL. HOW DOES SOMEONE EVEN MAKE THAT MISTAKE. Another example is in the third book the main character is talking to another supernatural being and the conversation goes like this:
The supernatural creature turns to Nick and says, "How can you not see in the dark?" and Nick replies with "Not really."
LIKE OH MY GOD. YOU'RE AN AUTHOR YET YOU DONT EVEN KNOW HOW TO SPEAK ENGLISH. LIKE WHAT THE ABSOLUTE HELL.
The other main thing that I hated was the characters. Especially the main character Nick. Now to read 5 books all from the perspective of this retard has caused my eye to perpetually twitch and I can't decide if I need to see a doctor or not. By the 5th book, my heart would start beating really fast and I would get really anxious during the intense scenes, not because I was scared for everyones safety but because I was so excited to see if they would all die. Is that bad?! Cuz honestly, I do not feel bad what so ever.
Now based the photo in the back of the book, this author is a grown ass women who, to be honest, reminds me a lot of Wynonna Judd. She should not be writing a book from the perspective of a 14 year old boy. The author tried to make Nick really funny and sarcastic... and Honey, it did not work. The main character could never be serious and personally, his "sarcasm" made me really uncomfortable. I felt like the half the time I spent reading each of these books, I was cringing from the horrible dialogue. Also, half of the stuff that Nick did in these was stuff that no normal kid his age would do. It was just so obvious that these books were written by a woman. Don't get me wrong, it is amazing and extremely important for boys to respect their mothers but the way Nick was with his mom was weird and just off. It was annoying because all he did was stress about his mom EVERY MINTUE OF EVER SECOND. Not to mention he was always stressing about their money situation and how him and his mom were poor. Like I swear to God, Nick couldn't meet anyone new in the first 3 or 4 books without commenting on how they dressed and how much more money they had compared to him. And those effing, Hawaiian shirts from Goodwill... Im sorry, but were those supposed to be cute and endearing? Was that supposed to be like his signature thing? Like Harry Potters round glasses?..... Hawaiian shirts!?! Seriously?!
I know I am in full out rant mode right now but I just have one more thing I need to add. As I mentioned before, it was obvious that this was written by a woman because no guy that age acts like Nick. And don't start telling me how I wouldn't know because I just happen to be the same age as him. This series is supposed to be about paranormal creatures and how the fate of the entire world is resting on this one boys shoulders but I felt like 3/4 of each book was just really shitty deep quotes. Like there is this one part where one of his friends from school (a girl) is being bullied and with his magnificent spidey senses, he discovers that she is going to kill herself. He runs across all of New Orleans to get to her house and he just happens to get there just in time to talk her down from committing suicide. He then does a huge 3 page speech about bullying and how amazing she is and blah blah blah. Don't get me wrong, it was an inspiring speech but seriously?! I just felt like the author was trying to be deep and come up with really good deep and inspirational one liners instead of focussing on the plot. And stuff like this happened all the time. On more then one occasion, there would be a huge battle going and all the characters would just happen to have 5 minutes of quiet time to sit around a camp fire and roast marshmallows and talk about their feelings. It was lame and I admit to skipping more then one page at a time just to get past the sappy crap.
This will mark the end of this review but I swear I could write a whole book about what was wrong with this series. If you plan on maintaining your sanity stay away from these. They are a waste of your time. According to Goodreads, there will 15 books in this series but I can promise you I will never pick up another book by this author.
October 3, 2019
Nick is transported to an alternate reality where he has no powers and everyone in his life is in a different role. Nick must figure out who he can trust and who can help him return to his own reality, where the Malachai's generals have been unleashed and are threatening to destroy the world. No pressure.
While there is still a similar theme with each installment of this series, I felt like this one deviated from the formula we've endured the last few books enough to reestablish my interest in the series. We have also been introduced to a new character that has some promise and I am interested in seeing if Xev will take the path to earn redemption or fall into the cycle of revenge.
While there is still a similar theme with each installment of this series, I felt like this one deviated from the formula we've endured the last few books enough to reestablish my interest in the series. We have also been introduced to a new character that has some promise and I am interested in seeing if Xev will take the path to earn redemption or fall into the cycle of revenge.
June 15, 2018
LOVE THIS SERIES!!
BUY THE BOOK
BUY THE BOOK
April 4, 2014
Wow...what an excellent addition to the series. It wrapped up the ending to the last book nicely. I am still not happy that . But the alternate world that created for the other Nick was believable. The only think that was not covered that I would have liked to see happen was , but with everything else that happened, I guess that can wait until the next book. I'm glad that Nicoda's backstory was finally revealed, along with Adarian's feelings. And the "alternate Savitar and Ash"? Devearaux sisters? The book had everything. Looking forward to the next installment!
April 30, 2019
It was an okay read. Better than the last book, but I'm not all excited reading this. I read the entire Dark-Hunter series, just have to get through the young adult spin-off. It's just okay to me. The romance between Nick and Kody is seriously lacking in emotion.
August 23, 2015
Another great installment in the series. We learned a lot about Cody in this one.
December 4, 2017
I seriously love all of these. I'm sad there is only three books left.
December 11, 2017
Book 5 (I can't decide what to name this volume)
[Sorry spoilers...]
The story is getting more and more complex. Nick's soul is sucked out of his body and into another Nick's body from a different realm. Caleb discovers the alt-scaredy-cat-Nick from retro 2002 replaced his bbf. Nick in alt-world ask the help of Devereaux sisters and protection. All 5 girls gifted, seemed to be Nick's best option in bringing him home. There are 2 reasons Nick was sent to another dimension 1. To hide 2. To kill at a realm he's weakest.
During Karma Devereaux's summoning, Nick summons Kody. She appears and fights Thorn to release him from a choke hold; discovers she's actually a ghost died many years in the future. The sisters Tabby, Mandy, Karma may not be his ally after all; they seem to be working with Thorn for the dark side. It's sad because they're the only ones who believe him on this side. Thorn is against him in the alt-world. There are also no Dark-Hunters because Nick doesn't need Kyrian when he has Bubba, his natural father in this world. Later finds out, Bubba and Mark also fight demons in this realm. The kicker is that while his mom is the same, she is accepting and can see demons. Kody returns to her boss to find chaos/split alliances. Turns out her direct boss Srasha, the one who sorely wants Nick dead, has joined forces with Laguerre (M's general) to split the Arel (a being of goodness brought back to fight M).
The Malachai 7 generals are released from their prison as the first Malachai's precautionary "up yours" to end it all after the death of each Malachai; only the heir can stop them from rampaging. The world has 3 days to get Nick back into his body and time.
Ch15 is everything and more. Nick goes translucent and pulled into his father's realm of nothingness. He's already dead but still existing. Adarian lectures him and teaches him to call demon to do his bidding by saying their true name 3x. He learns to gather info from the ether and his own true name given to him by Adarian. He sees Adarian's suffering at Noir's hands and meeting Nick as a toddler for the first time; then discovering the closeness of the baby wanes his deadly powers. In a rage, he sees Cherise's love and affection directed at Nick and he was has all the power and malevolence doesn't have any of Cherise's affection. He understands that if Nick never existed, he would never see Cherise again. Andarian then sees Nick with Cherise's blue eyes. He holds him, wipes the blood from his head and hand, and kisses his cheek. He gives him valuable confidence/ego building pep talk. I tear up.
Meanwhile in the alt-world, Kody ask her bosses to bring Simi into this world for help. Together with Bubba, Mark, Savitar, Ash, they fight Thorn and his army until Nick can keep him at bay. Nick learns and summons Caleb using his summoning name; Caleb and Kody unbind his powers to fight Thorn and his army. And he fights like a boss; Kody and Caleb are astounded by his skills, how did he learn them? He is suddenly marked with the symbol of Noir and Azura. Did he accidentally accept them as master, when?
It's getting kind of tricky and complicated now. So Srasha and gang can follow Kody when she uses her powers. If she teleport back to Nick's realm they could trace him. She gets Nick to return home with Caleb and Simi. She is left alone in that world drifting unable to leave.
More weirdness finds him when he returns. He meets one of his Sarru-Ninim Livia, his vampiric bitey seductive general, and his Sarru-Dara Xevikan, the oldest and first, his hair and eye color rep each of the six primal gods. Seeing the hurt in his eyes, Nick allows Liv and Xev to stay in the human world. Caleb and Nick seals the portal and Caleb tearfully tells his history between him and Xev; Xev is kicked out of Caleb's house and goes to live with Nick. He meets Cherise and tears up at her motherly warmth and love. To repay the kindness shown to him by the now troubled Nick, he goes into the in-betweeness to retrieve Kody; is jealous of the love of both women for Nick; how?? Only a god can bring her back, gasp at who he is.
Read by Tina
[Sorry spoilers...]
The story is getting more and more complex. Nick's soul is sucked out of his body and into another Nick's body from a different realm. Caleb discovers the alt-scaredy-cat-Nick from retro 2002 replaced his bbf. Nick in alt-world ask the help of Devereaux sisters and protection. All 5 girls gifted, seemed to be Nick's best option in bringing him home. There are 2 reasons Nick was sent to another dimension 1. To hide 2. To kill at a realm he's weakest.
During Karma Devereaux's summoning, Nick summons Kody. She appears and fights Thorn to release him from a choke hold; discovers she's actually a ghost died many years in the future. The sisters Tabby, Mandy, Karma may not be his ally after all; they seem to be working with Thorn for the dark side. It's sad because they're the only ones who believe him on this side. Thorn is against him in the alt-world. There are also no Dark-Hunters because Nick doesn't need Kyrian when he has Bubba, his natural father in this world. Later finds out, Bubba and Mark also fight demons in this realm. The kicker is that while his mom is the same, she is accepting and can see demons. Kody returns to her boss to find chaos/split alliances. Turns out her direct boss Srasha, the one who sorely wants Nick dead, has joined forces with Laguerre (M's general) to split the Arel (a being of goodness brought back to fight M).
The Malachai 7 generals are released from their prison as the first Malachai's precautionary "up yours" to end it all after the death of each Malachai; only the heir can stop them from rampaging. The world has 3 days to get Nick back into his body and time.
Ch15 is everything and more. Nick goes translucent and pulled into his father's realm of nothingness. He's already dead but still existing. Adarian lectures him and teaches him to call demon to do his bidding by saying their true name 3x. He learns to gather info from the ether and his own true name given to him by Adarian. He sees Adarian's suffering at Noir's hands and meeting Nick as a toddler for the first time; then discovering the closeness of the baby wanes his deadly powers. In a rage, he sees Cherise's love and affection directed at Nick and he was has all the power and malevolence doesn't have any of Cherise's affection. He understands that if Nick never existed, he would never see Cherise again. Andarian then sees Nick with Cherise's blue eyes. He holds him, wipes the blood from his head and hand, and kisses his cheek. He gives him valuable confidence/ego building pep talk. I tear up.
Meanwhile in the alt-world, Kody ask her bosses to bring Simi into this world for help. Together with Bubba, Mark, Savitar, Ash, they fight Thorn and his army until Nick can keep him at bay. Nick learns and summons Caleb using his summoning name; Caleb and Kody unbind his powers to fight Thorn and his army. And he fights like a boss; Kody and Caleb are astounded by his skills, how did he learn them? He is suddenly marked with the symbol of Noir and Azura. Did he accidentally accept them as master, when?
It's getting kind of tricky and complicated now. So Srasha and gang can follow Kody when she uses her powers. If she teleport back to Nick's realm they could trace him. She gets Nick to return home with Caleb and Simi. She is left alone in that world drifting unable to leave.
More weirdness finds him when he returns. He meets one of his Sarru-Ninim Livia, his vampiric bitey seductive general, and his Sarru-Dara Xevikan, the oldest and first, his hair and eye color rep each of the six primal gods. Seeing the hurt in his eyes, Nick allows Liv and Xev to stay in the human world. Caleb and Nick seals the portal and Caleb tearfully tells his history between him and Xev; Xev is kicked out of Caleb's house and goes to live with Nick. He meets Cherise and tears up at her motherly warmth and love. To repay the kindness shown to him by the now troubled Nick, he goes into the in-betweeness to retrieve Kody; is jealous of the love of both women for Nick; how?? Only a god can bring her back, gasp at who he is.
Read by Tina
April 27, 2014
I suspect I’m one of the very few people who are enjoying this YA spin-off, but aren’t at all familiar with the original adult paranormal romance series. In all honesty, Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series doesn’t appeal to me in the least. It’s not the type of thing I normally read, having developed allergies to PNR a long time ago, but her Chronicles of Nick, now at their fifth installment no less, are a whole different thing.
Even though it’s often more Middle Grade than Young Adult, I’ve been a fan of this series from the start. Sherrilyn Kenyon has a fabulous sense of humor and her series is often laugh-out-loud funny. Nick’s self-deprecating voice, his modesty and kindness, his protectiveness toward his tiny but fierce mother are all such endearing traits. He is an easy boy to love.
Illusion picks up exactly where Inferno left off, with Nick unwillingly thrown into a different dimension. Everything is different here: Caleb is human and a geek, Nick’s mother is married to Bubba (who just happens to be a shrewd businessman), and Nick himself, as Bubba’s son and not the Malakai, is significantly shorter, whinier, and entirely powerless. Kody is gone, the history is different, and Nick is, once again, in constant danger.
Kenyon expanded the world significantly in this installment, adding a never-ending number of enemies for Nick, and I must admit if all became a bit confusing. I kept forgetting the names and all the different species, I couldn’t keep track of all Nick’s friends and enemies even though I was trying very hard to keep track.
But the end result was still the same. I was entertained by Nick’s sarcastic remarks, warmed by his love for his family and friends, I cheered quite loudly when he faced his enemies and teared up when it all became too much for him. Not bad for a mostly Middle Grade series, huh? Not bad at all.
Even though it’s often more Middle Grade than Young Adult, I’ve been a fan of this series from the start. Sherrilyn Kenyon has a fabulous sense of humor and her series is often laugh-out-loud funny. Nick’s self-deprecating voice, his modesty and kindness, his protectiveness toward his tiny but fierce mother are all such endearing traits. He is an easy boy to love.
Illusion picks up exactly where Inferno left off, with Nick unwillingly thrown into a different dimension. Everything is different here: Caleb is human and a geek, Nick’s mother is married to Bubba (who just happens to be a shrewd businessman), and Nick himself, as Bubba’s son and not the Malakai, is significantly shorter, whinier, and entirely powerless. Kody is gone, the history is different, and Nick is, once again, in constant danger.
Kenyon expanded the world significantly in this installment, adding a never-ending number of enemies for Nick, and I must admit if all became a bit confusing. I kept forgetting the names and all the different species, I couldn’t keep track of all Nick’s friends and enemies even though I was trying very hard to keep track.
But the end result was still the same. I was entertained by Nick’s sarcastic remarks, warmed by his love for his family and friends, I cheered quite loudly when he faced his enemies and teared up when it all became too much for him. Not bad for a mostly Middle Grade series, huh? Not bad at all.
April 1, 2014
If you are a fan of the Dark Hunters, and have resisted the pull of The Chronicles of Nick, let me tell you it is time to start reading Infinity - because the two series have started to overlap and the latest release, Illusion, is one no Dark Hunter fan should resist!
Now, this book has soooooo many secrets revealed - both for the world of The Chronicles of Nick and the Dark Hunter world, that I must put a spoiler warning on this review - even though I won't reveal any secrets and talk around the plot. So consider yourself warned. This review is also a little different because this book, I read with my son and I will share his thoughts and opinions as well. He usually "reads" The Chronicles of Nick on audiobook - he is a huge Holter Graham fan - so we read this together since at 9, this can be a little over his head in terms of the need to concentrate on the reading. The language isn't the problem, it is the sustained concentration that the stories require that I would say for reading, it is at a typical 5th grade level at least, though the content will keep even adults engaged. So, you have been warned - proceed at your own risk for VAGUE spoilers! :)
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2014/0...
Now, this book has soooooo many secrets revealed - both for the world of The Chronicles of Nick and the Dark Hunter world, that I must put a spoiler warning on this review - even though I won't reveal any secrets and talk around the plot. So consider yourself warned. This review is also a little different because this book, I read with my son and I will share his thoughts and opinions as well. He usually "reads" The Chronicles of Nick on audiobook - he is a huge Holter Graham fan - so we read this together since at 9, this can be a little over his head in terms of the need to concentrate on the reading. The language isn't the problem, it is the sustained concentration that the stories require that I would say for reading, it is at a typical 5th grade level at least, though the content will keep even adults engaged. So, you have been warned - proceed at your own risk for VAGUE spoilers! :)
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2014/0...
April 4, 2014
This book was AWESOME!!! Kudos to Ms. Sherrilyn Kenyon. This book just earned 10 supernova stars. Most of the characters were from the Dark-Hunter series (i.e., Ash, Savitar, Thorn, Simi, the Devereaux sisters, etc.). No dull moments at all. It's very entertaining because of the usual Nick's smarty remarks. The story was written perfectly. I was floored to find out the lineage of Kody. Five down 8 books more to go. I don't think I can't wait another year for the 6th installment. Wahhh!
July 28, 2017
I'm getting kind of bored with this series.
April 20, 2014
Actually 4.5 Euphoric Stars
The first part of this review is going to be an ode to the awesomeness that is Sherrilyn Kenyon
I love Sherrilyn Kenyon; in my mind, she is one of the greats. I mean, the woman has written 35 books in her Dark-Hunter series. I repeat a series of 35 books. At this rate, the Dark-Hunter world has probably has taken on a life of its own; she probably couldn't stop even if she wanted to. 35 books, mean a shitload of characters that are somehow always relevant. Seriously, even if they don't remember exactly who a character is, you can throw any name from the Dark-Hunter world and no matter how obscure a character it is, the die-hard Kenyon fans will know the name and have some sort of emotion attached to that person, whether good or bad. That is because the woman has a way of writing the most vibrant and incredibly complex characters, and you even love the bad guys sometimes because they're just as awesome and fully fleshed out as the good ones. Sherrilyn Kenyon has an incredible way of showing you how the smallest decisions can affect lives in unimaginable ways. Not only that but her characters have been through and seen some ridiculous shit in their usually very long lifetimes, they've each been through some imaginable pain and betrayal the likes of which would cripple a regular person. No one writes a redemption story like Sherrilyn Kenyon because the woman does not scrimp on the pain; to this day, I can never re-read the first half of Acheron. I've tried but the first time I read it traumatized me so much, when I touch that book, I only read the second modern half. I just can't read that first part ever again, my heart can't take going through that again. No one can suck you inside a story faster and better than Sherrilyn Kenyon and keep you crying and laughing through it all. I usually tell people that I have a hard time picking a favorite author, you know what, that's wrong. Sherrilyn Kenyon wins that spot by sheer force of numbers; JK Rowling has written seven of my favorite books but Kenyon has written over seven times that number, so she wins.
Second part: Actual Review of Illusion
Illusion left me with the same feeling of euphoria that all its predecessors in this series have. The books in the Chronicles of Nick just light up all the pleasure centers of my brain. You have action and adventure, a complex plot that you can actually follow, amazing dialogue, and even more awesome and bad-ass characters, what more can a person ask for? I can wax all sorts of poetic about this book and series, but what it really all comes down to is Nick Gautier, the main character.
Here's the blurb to the book, which is pretty much self-explanatory.
Be careful what you wish for…
You just might get it.
Nick Gautier is tired of his destiny. He doesn’t want to be the son of a demon who’s fated to end the world. Nor does he want to see another demon or other preternatural creature who wants to kill or enslave him. He just wants to be normal and have normal problems like everyone else.
But normality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. When he gets sucked into an alternate reality where his mother has married his mentor and his Atlantean god best friend has become a human geek, he begins to understand that no life is free of pain, and that every person has a specific place in the universe… Even the son of a hated demon.
Most of all, he sees that his powers aren't the curse he thought they were, and that the world needs a champion, especially one its enemies can’t imagine rising up to defend the ones he should destroy.
Old enemies and new friends square off for a major battle that will either restore Nick to his real world, or end him forever.
Nick has gotta be the purest most beautiful soul I've ever read about. Even characters in this book who are supposed to hate him agree on that fact. He's just as good as a person gets and it's all thanks to a little five-foot-nothing woman who loves him to pieces, Cherise Gautier. I love Nick's mom, she's an amazing character that has the fate of the entire world at her fingertips and doesn't even know it. Seriously, she literally has the most powerful evil being in existence for a son who worships the ground she walks on. Cherise Gautier has done with absolutely no effort what some of the most powerful beings in existence are trying with all their might to do, enslave Nick Gautier, and its a willing enslavement too, and that just cracks me up. If she only knew what she could unleash on the world, she would be like:
Nick also has some of the most bitching dialogue I've ever read. Everything out of that boy's mouth is quotable, whether inspiring or just hilarious. Which brings me to the writing in this book, which is fantastic. It is witty and sarcastic at turns, hilarious and inspiring in others, or just all of that at once. Acheron Parthenopaeus (I want some serious points if I spelled that right) may be the most awesome, bad-ass character Sherrilyn Kenyon has ever created but Nick is the coolest. You love Acheron but there is no way anyone can really relate to such a larger-than-life character. Nick is far more relatable or at least fools you into thinking you could react the way he does, but I have honestly never met a 16-year-old who says the clever shit he does. Seriously, every time he starts talking, I laugh in admiration because who says shit like that. There is no 16-year-old that is that cool but somehow Kenyon makes you believe it. The things Nick say makes you go:
He knows it too but he doesn't care. He doesn't care because he is the freaking Malachai and ...
In this book, we also find out who exactly Nekoda is. I figured it out like 10 pages before it was actually said and I actually squealed because I loved it. You get to see a glimpse of her childhood and her being loved and coddled as a child by the most dangerous men and women in the universe, who for some reason have all converged on New Orleans. You get to know exactly why she is the way she is. You also get to see some old beloved characters from the Dark-Hunter series such as the Devereaux sisters and Savitar, though not exactly the way you know them.
Now, the reason I only give this book and its predecessors only 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because I have this feeling that the last book in this series is going to BLOW MY MIND, in the best ways possible and will need to be set apart.
The first part of this review is going to be an ode to the awesomeness that is Sherrilyn Kenyon
I love Sherrilyn Kenyon; in my mind, she is one of the greats. I mean, the woman has written 35 books in her Dark-Hunter series. I repeat a series of 35 books. At this rate, the Dark-Hunter world has probably has taken on a life of its own; she probably couldn't stop even if she wanted to. 35 books, mean a shitload of characters that are somehow always relevant. Seriously, even if they don't remember exactly who a character is, you can throw any name from the Dark-Hunter world and no matter how obscure a character it is, the die-hard Kenyon fans will know the name and have some sort of emotion attached to that person, whether good or bad. That is because the woman has a way of writing the most vibrant and incredibly complex characters, and you even love the bad guys sometimes because they're just as awesome and fully fleshed out as the good ones. Sherrilyn Kenyon has an incredible way of showing you how the smallest decisions can affect lives in unimaginable ways. Not only that but her characters have been through and seen some ridiculous shit in their usually very long lifetimes, they've each been through some imaginable pain and betrayal the likes of which would cripple a regular person. No one writes a redemption story like Sherrilyn Kenyon because the woman does not scrimp on the pain; to this day, I can never re-read the first half of Acheron. I've tried but the first time I read it traumatized me so much, when I touch that book, I only read the second modern half. I just can't read that first part ever again, my heart can't take going through that again. No one can suck you inside a story faster and better than Sherrilyn Kenyon and keep you crying and laughing through it all. I usually tell people that I have a hard time picking a favorite author, you know what, that's wrong. Sherrilyn Kenyon wins that spot by sheer force of numbers; JK Rowling has written seven of my favorite books but Kenyon has written over seven times that number, so she wins.
Second part: Actual Review of Illusion
Illusion left me with the same feeling of euphoria that all its predecessors in this series have. The books in the Chronicles of Nick just light up all the pleasure centers of my brain. You have action and adventure, a complex plot that you can actually follow, amazing dialogue, and even more awesome and bad-ass characters, what more can a person ask for? I can wax all sorts of poetic about this book and series, but what it really all comes down to is Nick Gautier, the main character.
Here's the blurb to the book, which is pretty much self-explanatory.
Be careful what you wish for…
You just might get it.
Nick Gautier is tired of his destiny. He doesn’t want to be the son of a demon who’s fated to end the world. Nor does he want to see another demon or other preternatural creature who wants to kill or enslave him. He just wants to be normal and have normal problems like everyone else.
But normality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. When he gets sucked into an alternate reality where his mother has married his mentor and his Atlantean god best friend has become a human geek, he begins to understand that no life is free of pain, and that every person has a specific place in the universe… Even the son of a hated demon.
Most of all, he sees that his powers aren't the curse he thought they were, and that the world needs a champion, especially one its enemies can’t imagine rising up to defend the ones he should destroy.
Old enemies and new friends square off for a major battle that will either restore Nick to his real world, or end him forever.
Nick has gotta be the purest most beautiful soul I've ever read about. Even characters in this book who are supposed to hate him agree on that fact. He's just as good as a person gets and it's all thanks to a little five-foot-nothing woman who loves him to pieces, Cherise Gautier. I love Nick's mom, she's an amazing character that has the fate of the entire world at her fingertips and doesn't even know it. Seriously, she literally has the most powerful evil being in existence for a son who worships the ground she walks on. Cherise Gautier has done with absolutely no effort what some of the most powerful beings in existence are trying with all their might to do, enslave Nick Gautier, and its a willing enslavement too, and that just cracks me up. If she only knew what she could unleash on the world, she would be like:
Nick also has some of the most bitching dialogue I've ever read. Everything out of that boy's mouth is quotable, whether inspiring or just hilarious. Which brings me to the writing in this book, which is fantastic. It is witty and sarcastic at turns, hilarious and inspiring in others, or just all of that at once. Acheron Parthenopaeus (I want some serious points if I spelled that right) may be the most awesome, bad-ass character Sherrilyn Kenyon has ever created but Nick is the coolest. You love Acheron but there is no way anyone can really relate to such a larger-than-life character. Nick is far more relatable or at least fools you into thinking you could react the way he does, but I have honestly never met a 16-year-old who says the clever shit he does. Seriously, every time he starts talking, I laugh in admiration because who says shit like that. There is no 16-year-old that is that cool but somehow Kenyon makes you believe it. The things Nick say makes you go:
He knows it too but he doesn't care. He doesn't care because he is the freaking Malachai and ...
In this book, we also find out who exactly Nekoda is. I figured it out like 10 pages before it was actually said and I actually squealed because I loved it. You get to see a glimpse of her childhood and her being loved and coddled as a child by the most dangerous men and women in the universe, who for some reason have all converged on New Orleans. You get to know exactly why she is the way she is. You also get to see some old beloved characters from the Dark-Hunter series such as the Devereaux sisters and Savitar, though not exactly the way you know them.
Now, the reason I only give this book and its predecessors only 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because I have this feeling that the last book in this series is going to BLOW MY MIND, in the best ways possible and will need to be set apart.
October 8, 2019
Nick has really stepped off into it now. Like Black hole "it". Coming to awareness in a world that mirror's his but without the supernatural aspects, at first, seems like a blessing to Nick, however he realizes pretty quick that just because he no longer has the powers he has been dealing with doesn't mean the bad guys aren't still after him. Not only that but his Alt, human Nick, is stuck in his world which isn't the easiest place to be stuck especially without some powers as Bad A Nick knows all too well. Its up to old Nick to figure out how to get them back against all odds or else.
Sometimes I feel like these books are just running away with this author. This story dissolved into some absolute chaos at points. As always things at times seem just utterly hopeless. I'm wondering if its the author trying to play on those teenage high/low emotional swings taking the reader up and down in a roller coaster? Maybe? If so the author is really getting it. Once again Nick is arrested.. I believe we have a trend folks.. Nick has been arrested 5 times in 5 books this kid is going to have a record a mile long before he hits adult hood all because hes been booked a million times lol.
I mean its book 5 and I feel like its finish or bust at this point but I'd really like to see some WINS for team Nick. I'm hoping after the events unfolding here that maybe some eyes were opened and that Nick will no longer be shoved into the "evil" corner. We shall see.
Sometimes I feel like these books are just running away with this author. This story dissolved into some absolute chaos at points. As always things at times seem just utterly hopeless. I'm wondering if its the author trying to play on those teenage high/low emotional swings taking the reader up and down in a roller coaster? Maybe? If so the author is really getting it. Once again Nick is arrested.. I believe we have a trend folks.. Nick has been arrested 5 times in 5 books this kid is going to have a record a mile long before he hits adult hood all because hes been booked a million times lol.
I mean its book 5 and I feel like its finish or bust at this point but I'd really like to see some WINS for team Nick. I'm hoping after the events unfolding here that maybe some eyes were opened and that Nick will no longer be shoved into the "evil" corner. We shall see.
January 19, 2018
I seriously adore this series and Nick's smartass.
November 21, 2014
So now that I've read the book, I do have somethings to say about it. First of all, the book takes place over less than a day. That's right people, LESS THAN A DAY! But don't feel gipped; a lot of stuff happens in less than 24 hours. The two words I'd pick to describe this book would be BONDING and BOMBSHELLS. An' lemme' tell ya', there's a lot of both. Be prepared for unexpected revelations, bromance, old characters in new ways, new characters, and, most surprisingly, no illusions. That's right, none. Nadda. Not even a mention or hint of one. I can totally see why the "I" names were dropped starting with the next book, Defiant. Oh, and there's also some teasers for Sherrilyn's most recent book in the Dark Hunter series, Styxx, and for her upcoming book in the series, Son of No One. If anything this book made me even more excited for upcoming books. For a series with a projected 14 to 15 books, a lot of stuff happened in this one that I wasn't expecting til later in the series. One of my favorite things about Sherrilyn Kenyon is how I can almost never predict what will happen in her books. I'm so looking forward to seeing where this goes and how everything works out. Too bad we only get one CON book a year.
SPOILER ALERT!!! While not much of a spoiler, if you haven't read the previous book I advise you not to read any further.
I feel trepidatious about what is to come in this book. I adore this series and cannot wait to read anything CON, but thrusting us into an alternate reality? I feel like we are just beginning to grasp the potential depth of the world Nick lives in, and now we're being given possibly a whole new set of rules and players to try and understand. It's kinda frustrating because I love the characters we have now and I want to get to know the newest addition to Nick's posse better. This concern will not keep me from reading the book. I've read the first three at least three times as of now and I've already pre-orderd this one.
I'm also keeping in mind that the descriptions on past books have been misrepresentations of what actually occurs. They tend to exaggerate what really goes on, so there is hope that the alternate universe could be a temporary illusion (like the title) in which Nick finds himself before being taught how to cast/make illusions himself. I mean he is still supposed to be learning how to use his powers, right? Regardless, I know Kenyon won't let me down, even if it actually turns out the way the description sounds.
SPOILER ALERT!!! While not much of a spoiler, if you haven't read the previous book I advise you not to read any further.
I feel trepidatious about what is to come in this book. I adore this series and cannot wait to read anything CON, but thrusting us into an alternate reality? I feel like we are just beginning to grasp the potential depth of the world Nick lives in, and now we're being given possibly a whole new set of rules and players to try and understand. It's kinda frustrating because I love the characters we have now and I want to get to know the newest addition to Nick's posse better. This concern will not keep me from reading the book. I've read the first three at least three times as of now and I've already pre-orderd this one.
I'm also keeping in mind that the descriptions on past books have been misrepresentations of what actually occurs. They tend to exaggerate what really goes on, so there is hope that the alternate universe could be a temporary illusion (like the title) in which Nick finds himself before being taught how to cast/make illusions himself. I mean he is still supposed to be learning how to use his powers, right? Regardless, I know Kenyon won't let me down, even if it actually turns out the way the description sounds.
February 17, 2021
And if Nick were to do that, it would end his life, too. He and the last Sephiroth were tied together. The ultimate evil and the ultimate good. Yin and yang. — Nicholas Gautier
Illusion starts basically with an extended version of Inferno's epilogue. Nick in a body not his own at a prom surrounded by not quite right versions of his friends and allies. My initial reaction is the same one Kody has what did Zavid do? Prompted by the “Is that all you wanted?” “Honestly? I would give any and everything to have a normal, average life.” exchange between Zavid and Nick at the end of Inferno. It's not Zavid's doing and it's only in the endgame we find out who did it. While Nick is stuck in a different dimension Kody, Caleb and latest ally Zavid are dealing with the latest drama, the ušumgallu, think the apocalypse. A giant f*** you failsafe from the first Malachai. The only person who can end it is Nick at full power. They need to find a way to switch Nick back and fast. What follows is an exploration of what might have been but wasn't because of the old mantra, free will. We see the changes and learn some history, mostly about Kody.
It was fun to see what Sherri did to change the world. Seeing some characters gone because they were no longer needed for Nick, others have changed sides. But it was nice to see some old friends like the wonderful Madam Selena, it's great to see the Devereaux ladies kicking ass. Even if they may have tipped the scales somewhat. Seeing Cherise treated as the prized queen we all know her to be. Some of the little changes, some of the bigger ones, all the familiar characters who are the same but not. It is a smart world, it doesn't feel wrong just not right.
A bit of a spoiler but not a lot is the reason why Ambrose didn't remember Kody. She wasn't there is his life. Kody is younger than him, Ambrose killed Kody. She is now travelling through time in an attempt to end the Malachai line. Kody finally gives us confirmation of Mennie's true identity, there has been plenty of illusion to it but no outwrite confirmation. There are quite a lot of moments in here that make me want to read some of the DH books. Seth is an impressive creature his is a Dream-Hunter and Hellchaser book and is a long way up on my tbr anyway but after reading how he ended up in the position he did? Yeah, now I really want to read it. I know Cadegan has a book, I want to find it. Anyone willing to turn from Thorn is worth knowing.
Nick’s my friend and I don’t have many of those. No offense, I don’t want to lose him. And I definitely don’t want to tell his mom we let him get lost. — Caleb Malphas
Another random dump of things I noticed
• "What are you?”
“Mostly confused and, honestly? A lot scared.”
Karma laughed. “At least he’s not stupid.” That is a fair thought when you are around the Devereaux clan.
• “With every god a Chthonian kills, it weakens them… ”
Savitar nodded. “A few centuries ago, I had a really bad day.” When he didn’t elaborate, Nick prompted him.
“And what did you do?”
“I. Had. A. Bad. Day.” Damn.... Savitar what did you do?
• “In case you were injured, I didn’t want you to wake up alone. I know from experience that they can be really rough when they bring you in.”
“The slobbering hell-monkeys?” Ash let out a nervous laugh.
“Yeah. Good term for them.” Teenage Ash is adorable. And no one can let any harm come to him.
• The Magnus Stone is a helluva thing. Also the Mashuani tablet is the source of the Malachai prophecy.
• Savitar reminds me of another Sherri character. Nero from The League. I can't way why exactly. It's just a thought that came to me during one of his conversations with Nick. I could hear Nero, it might be the sage thing. And Savitar is a moral character.
• “The Ambrose Malachai will never be forgotten. But it’s up to you as to how he’ll always be remembered.” Christ Adrian. I guess death gave you some perspective on legacy. I mean he's not wrong but that's a lot to throw at Nick.
• "“Your parents want their baby home, son. And this —” Caleb touched his mark. “Is their Tactical Trunk Monkey.” Scowling at the term, Nick dreaded the answer in the worst sort of way. “What’s a Tactical Trunk Monkey?” Caleb made another grimace. “In a couple of years, you’ll know exactly what I mean. For now, think of it like a homing beacon from hell.”" Reminds me of another less than flattering League reference TAM, Tactical Assualt Monkey (Hauk didn't hate it, Sumi and I have questions). Though this is definitely a reference to something Noir and Azura related.
• Good lord Xev is an attractive being. Aren't they all though. Still can't beat Zavid, it's the tortured soul and purple eyes.
I've seen in at least one review that this is the best CoN book. I can't disagree with this. It is at least the most mind-blowing to this point. Finding out Kody's parentage blew my mind and then made me want to cry. There was some catharsis in Nick and Adrian's conversation. And we get to meet the ever-important Xev. Zavid is a hel hound after my own heart, lock the screaming useless human in a wardrobe. I've discovered I find it quite had to write reviews for CoN and I'm not entirely sure why. I really do love this series and I guess if you've got this far you'll likely keep reading.
Over, under, around, or through, there’s always a way. You don’t give up and you never give in. They can scar your body and take your freedom, but only you can surrender your heart and soul. Nothing is worth compromising yourself for. Stand fast and stand true. Always. — Styxx
A representative gif:
April 11, 2014
Kenyon is the shit! :)) I was a bit afraid of this alternative universe stuff but woaa! It was awesome! And a bit confusing because let's face it, Kenyon's world is very very complex on the best days so why not complicating it further? :D It was fun and a few people, like Cherise was so much more likeable in the alternative universe. I not especially like Kody but I am happy that we finally get to know more about her. Oh and badass Nick? Priceless :)) I love it that he's not the kind of hero who does nothing and always his friends save his sorry ass. I loved it when he'd gone full badass on Thorn and handed his ass over to him and still he could keep himself in check because he didn't want to land in the doghouse :D His best feature is his smart mouth and adorable stupidity and the way he don't evade the problems as most of the people instead he meets them head on sometimes with no powers but a few sarcastic comment nonetheless. And I find it cute that there is always some kind of life lesson in these books which can be easily applied to an average teenagers life.
I am fascinated by that Kenyon can't write a bad book because when it's not that good it is still pretty good enough :D I loved this episode and as usual I can't believe that we have to wait another year for the next one! :)
I am fascinated by that Kenyon can't write a bad book because when it's not that good it is still pretty good enough :D I loved this episode and as usual I can't believe that we have to wait another year for the next one! :)
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