Honest Illusions [Paperback]

Nora Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 6, 2002

"You can't bottle wish fulfillment, but Ms. Roberts certainly knows how to put it on the page." (New York Times)

"A consistently entertaining writer" (USA Today) who is "known for her ability to deliver a rich and satisfying story" (Publishers Weekly), #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts unveils the secret world of jewel thieves and escape artists-where passion and mystery intertwine...and nothing is as it seems.

"Roxy and Luke will steal your heart." (Catherine Coulter)

"Captivating." (Julie Garwood)

"Pure magic." (Eileen Goudge)

"Illusion, corruption, and, of course, romance...first class." (Booklist)

"[A] suspenseful, glamorous story." (Kirkus Reviews)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Roberts ( Hot Ice ; Sacred Sins ) combines conventional elements--sizzling sex, a cunning villain, a captivating story, some tugs at the heartstrings--then adds a twist (the good guys are criminals), and the result is spellbinding. Max Nouvelle is the patriarch of a family of magicians and jewel thieves made up of Lily, his partner in love; Roxanne, his headstrong, beautiful daughter; and Luke, the abused runaway Max had taken in years ago, now a charming young man. They join Max in elaborate performances onstage and in equally elaborate robberies. For years Roxanne and Luke battle constantly, but as young adults they finally realize they are deeply in love. Luke, haunted by the fear that his past will hurt his adopted family, is the target of coldblooded Sam Wyatt, driven by a vow of revenge on the Nouvelles. Luke returns from a forced five-year disappearance for the biggest performance of the Nouvelles' career--a simultaneously executed grand heist and act of vengeance. Although Roberts's deft narrative shows occasional excesses (mostly of description and stereotypical characterizations), none of these will deter the reader from taking this diverting journey into a world of magic, passion and mystery. BOMC featured alternate.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Romance, magic, jewel thieves, and revenge combine in this pop novel to provide readers with pure escapism. From love to political intrigue, everything but the kitchen sink appears in a tale that spans three decades. Though a quick read, it features overblown and often flowery prose that may derail readers of Danielle Steel, Janet Dailey, and LaVyrle Spencer. On the other hand, Roberts's fans will be clamoring at library circulation desks; all the tried and true elements found in Sweet Revenge (Bantam, 1988) and her other paperback romances are also present in her first hardcover. Recommended where Roberts's works are in demand.
- Sue Mevis, Ludlow Memorial Lib., Monroe, Wis.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (August 6, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425186199
• ISBN-13: 978-0425186190
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #977,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical and fun!, May 25, 2004

By 

Kala (Ft Lauderdale, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Honest Illusions (Paperback)

As an avid fan of Nora Roberts, I tend to buy and read almost any book of hers I can find! I have to say, this one didn't disappoint! Interesting characters with interesting jobs, decent plot, great romance... what more could you ask for? I liked it so much that I read it in once sitting - I could not put this book down!

The basic storyline is Max Nouvelle and his 9 year old daughter Roxanne are magicians in a travelling carnival when they meet 12 year old runaway and pickpocket, Luke Callahan. Luke is mesmerized by Max and by his magic tricks and eventually joins the family and becomes a magician too. The story progresses as the two children grow up and eventually fall in love. Eventually the bad guy pops up, Sam Wyatt, who threatens to destroy the life that Luke has built for himself, and destroy the Nouvelle family.

Luke and Roxanne are two of the best characters ever in a Nora Roberts novel. It's hard not to get caught up in the story and in their romance, they are so well written they're almost real! The only disappointment in the book is I think Nora spent too much time on the childhood and not enough time on Luke and Roxy when they were adults. I don't think their romance even really starts until page 250+. Even so, the book was entertaining and really fun to read. I highly recommend it!

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of all of Nora's books!, August 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Honest Illusions (Mass Market Paperback)

If I could give this book 10 stars, I definitely would. This is the BEST that Nora's written. I've read this book three times and fall in love with the story and the characters all over again each time I read it. I love how Max teaches Luke to trust again after his unhappy childhood. I love how they don't want to steal from the people on the cruise because they fall in love with them, too. This is one book I didn't want to end. I just adored every minute of this book. I wish it could be a movie -- how charming.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Nora's Best, February 25, 2004

By 

"fcb_cb" (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Honest Illusions (Mass Market Paperback)

This is definatly one of my three favorite books by Nora Roberts, and I've read quite a few.
It is a story about a young boy, Luke, who is twelve years old at the beginning of the story. He is an abused child who has ran away from home, and pick-pockets for a living. He is at a carnival one day, and goes to see the magic show, where the magician, Max, sees him pick-pocketing the audience. Instead of calling the cops, Max takes him in as a son, and teaches him magic. Max has a daughter of his own, Roxanne, who is eight at the beginning. The book follows Luke and Roxanne through childhood, and grows into a really great love story between the two. There is also a second love story between Max, and Lilly, a woman who is a mother to Luke and Roxanne, and is also part of the magic show. The book has several exciting twists, and you never know quite what to expect. I don't want to give away the ending, so all else I'll say is . . . If you like romance stories, love Nora Roberts, or just want to read a really good book, then this would definatly be a good pick.