Book Review + Giveaway: The Illusionist*s Apprentice by Kristy Cambron
"A
hero never causes hurt; she only lessens it."
Title: The Illusionist's ApprenticeAuthor: Kristy Cambron
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: March 7, 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
Prepare to be amazed by THE ILLUSIONIST’S APPRENTICE. Wren Lockhart, the talented magician at the heart of Kristy Cambron’s spellbinding tale of Jazz Age Boston, is the fierce, brilliant, guarded headliner you’ve been waiting for. This novel will have your pulse pounding and your mind racing to keep up with reversals, betrayals and surprises from the first page to the last. Like her characters, Cambron works magic so compelling and persuasive, she deserves a standing ovation. –Greer Macallister, bestselling author of THE MAGICIAN’S LIE and GIRL IN DISGUISE.
Harry Houdini’s one-time apprentice holds fantastic secrets about the greatest illusionist in the world. But someone wants to claim them . . . or silence her before she can reveal them on her own.
Boston, 1926. Jenny “Wren” Lockhart is a bold eccentric—even for a female vaudevillian. As notorious for her inherited wealth and gentleman’s dress as she is for her unsavory upbringing in the back halls of a vaudeville theater, Wren lives in a world that challenges all manner of conventions.
In the months following Houdini’s death, Wren is drawn into a web of mystery surrounding a spiritualist by the name of Horace Stapleton, a man defamed by Houdini’s ardent debunking of fraudulent mystics in the years leading up to his death. But in a public illusion that goes terribly wrong, one man is dead and another stands charged with his murder. Though he’s known as one of her teacher’s greatest critics, Wren must decide to become the one thing she never wanted to be: Stapleton’s defender.
Forced to team up with the newly formed FBI, Wren races against time and an unknown enemy, all to prove the innocence of a hated man. In a world of illusion, of the vaudeville halls that showcase the flamboyant and the strange, Wren’s carefully constructed world threatens to collapse around her. Layered with mystery, illusion, and the artistry of the Jazz Age’s bygone vaudeville era, The Illusionist’s Apprentice is a journey through love and loss and the underpinnings of faith on each life’s stage.
Harry Houdini’s one-time apprentice holds fantastic secrets about the greatest illusionist in the world. But someone wants to claim them . . . or silence her before she can reveal them on her own.
Boston, 1926. Jenny “Wren” Lockhart is a bold eccentric—even for a female vaudevillian. As notorious for her inherited wealth and gentleman’s dress as she is for her unsavory upbringing in the back halls of a vaudeville theater, Wren lives in a world that challenges all manner of conventions.
In the months following Houdini’s death, Wren is drawn into a web of mystery surrounding a spiritualist by the name of Horace Stapleton, a man defamed by Houdini’s ardent debunking of fraudulent mystics in the years leading up to his death. But in a public illusion that goes terribly wrong, one man is dead and another stands charged with his murder. Though he’s known as one of her teacher’s greatest critics, Wren must decide to become the one thing she never wanted to be: Stapleton’s defender.
Forced to team up with the newly formed FBI, Wren races against time and an unknown enemy, all to prove the innocence of a hated man. In a world of illusion, of the vaudeville halls that showcase the flamboyant and the strange, Wren’s carefully constructed world threatens to collapse around her. Layered with mystery, illusion, and the artistry of the Jazz Age’s bygone vaudeville era, The Illusionist’s Apprentice is a journey through love and loss and the underpinnings of faith on each life’s stage.
Reading The Illusionist's Apprentice by Kristy Cambron takes you into the Jazz Age with pizzazz and vivacity. It speaks to the talent of the author when a reader feels like they've been brought into the world of the novel, and be fully immersed in its characters and plot. That is how one will feel with The Illusionist's Apprentice.
"You don't see it. No one does, really. I've become quite good at hiding who I am. . ."
Stunning is not an enough word to describe this book of illusion, of trickery and of suspense. We're compelled to turn the page, follow Wren, one of the most distinguished character I've read in a long time, and Agent Elliot to solve more questions than the murder case at hand. Wren is tenacious with a quiet strength that shines beyond the illumination and mystique of her profession. Elliot is determined and protective. Together, they may just find the faith necessary to see beyond the darkness of their past and present, and forge a future.
"For if there was darkness, that could only mean the presence of light was near enough to overcome it."
The romance is beautiful, the historical details extraordinary, and the message of self-discovery of faith, truth, forgiveness and the correlation of all of them, is undeniably the strength of this novel. The Illusionist's Apprentice brings more than a story, it engages us with our lives, tying in what is intrinsically relevant between our illusions and reality. And Sherlock Holmes fans won't miss the references!
"Whatever darkness there is, God's light shines brighter. It has to. He's the Hero in every story - especially this one."
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
Please note, quotes were taken from an advance reader's copy, which is more a less an uncorrected proof. Please do not reuse these unless you've verified with the release copy. Thank you.
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O me too! So far, two out of two books I've read of hers and both on my favorite list for sure!
ReplyDeleteThe roaring 20s sure are interesting! I've read a few last couple of months and just can't help but love this era.
ReplyDeleteHi Kristy! Aww thanks for stopping by and saying hello! Wren was amazing. She has such a presence that it's hard to not love. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I hope you'll get to read her books. Maybe request it at your local library?
ReplyDeleteLol. I get it! I'm like that too and I also LOVED The Ringmaster's Wife. On my year end top list!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely worth a try!
ReplyDeleteI agree. The 1920s suffrage movement also made great strides too! Always fun to read about the opportunities to females.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree Heidi! Not my favorite time period compared to say the Regency but when it's well written, totally great! Getting up there to my fave list for sure. Read some awesome ones in this period lately!
ReplyDeleteAwesome Anna. I hope you'll get the chance!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great one for sure!
ReplyDeleteO yea. The research and details are fabulous. That's how we can fully visualize her stories.
ReplyDeleteMusic! How cool! Jazz age for sure!
ReplyDeleteGood luck Paula. I haven't read that one yet, but on my list. Have heard great things for sure!
ReplyDeleteThanks Caryl. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThey do! Amazing covers too!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! You'll definitely enjoy this one. The details are so rich!
ReplyDeleteSame with this one, Pam. Profound and insightful.
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool. I actually don't know anyone that does magic! =)
ReplyDeleteThere's something about being transported back in history with historical reads, don't you think?! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeletePatty, I was like that too, until I started tiptoeing into later time periods, and I was in for a pleasant surprise. =) When they're good, the time doesn't seem to bother me as much. *wink wink!
ReplyDeleteYou'll enjoy it for sure! I hope you'll get the chance to read it soon!
ReplyDeleteO yes, suspense there are. =)
ReplyDeleteO me too on enjoying her writing style. I have yet to read The Butterfly and the Violin, but I hope to remedy that sometime this year, once I get a break!
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll get the chance soon to read any one of her books. I can only vouch for the two I've read, but I'm sure based on other bloggers' comments, I think her other ones are just as good!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Heather!
ReplyDeleteTrixi, I know what you mean with the TBR. I'm not going to even think about how many ate in my pile and list! *sigh! But Kristy's books will definitely be read!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Themes like such does grab us, doesn’t it?
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I think you'll enjoy this one. I too am a fan of The Ringmaster's Wife and thought this one was awesome too!
ReplyDeleteIt is very good! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! If you've read The Ringmaster's Wife, I think you'll love this!
ReplyDeleteO, it is good! Thanks for stopping by, Caitlin!
ReplyDeleteDelighted to hear this, Rachael! ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, Amanda! The story of what happened at Auschwitz will never leave me either.
ReplyDeleteTrixi ~ Thank you for voting on the cover! It was such a fun experience to let the readers have a voice in the design. ;)
ReplyDeleteHeart-smiling, Laura! Happy reading. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe research, too, was very difficult to get through on the Holocaust books. We wanted to tell the whole story -- but my, it was heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteHi Patricia! Don't mind being new one bit. ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Caryl - I send you a virtual hug every time I see your name pop up on my social media sites. Thanks for championing Christian fiction!
ReplyDeleteYEEEEES! I listened to 1920s music while writing it. I've got the soundtrack in my heart now! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou made me smile! So delighted that you liked our crazy travel adventures. Ha ha! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou've posted this on Twitter, Heidi -- I've seen it each time and am very grateful!! ;)
ReplyDeleteAgreed! It's a fascinating, complex time in our nation's history. I feel like we only got to chip away at the iceburg of what could be written about the topic. Many more books needed! ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd isn't the Just Commonly blog awesome?! I've been reading all of these comments (tons of them!) and it's such fun to connect with y'all here. And I 100% support local libraries. It's where I fell in love with story too!
ReplyDeleteHope you get yo read, Lisa. It's one of my favorite time periods too! (P.S. Your profile pic is so cute!) ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny that I wrote that! A bit has changed in just a week. I just read your Hidden Masterpiece series and really enjoyed them! 😊
ReplyDeletehahah. Karen! A week definitely can change a lot in the world of booklovers!!!
ReplyDeleteO Stephanie, it is a good one!! I hope you'll get the chance to read it!
ReplyDelete