Illusionarium

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 6, 2016

Review

Dixon has created a steampunk world, set in 1882 London, where the antidote to a new plague that promises to wipe out much of the female population can be procured by entering a parallel world revealed through the usage of a new chemical that facilitates group hallucinations and leaves the user with horrific body/mind changing side-effects. College-bound Jonathan, apprentice to his scientist father, discovers that he has an untapped power while under the influence of this chemical and commits himself to bringing back the antidote to save his mother and sister. The parallel world provides life-risking challenges that include a battle similar to "Hunger Games", which Jonathan navigates with the help of an unlikely partner. Dixon uses footnoted comments at the bottom of some pages to extend the sarcastic humor in Jonathan's reaction to situations. These tend to disappear in frequency as the action builds and they are not an essential device for the successful of the book. Ariel cities, a nod to Victorian romance and science equations all make an appearance in this action packed fantasy.

Overall Book Score: good