The Illusions

After her glorious first novel, The Gifts, Hyder has returned with another beautiful slice of historical fiction.The Illusions is charming and intriguing, sparkling with magic and romance. * Jennifer Saint *
Hyder is a wonderfully accomplished storyteller. The Illusions is a magical tale of innovation, darkness and delight. A book to disappear into - I devoured it greedily. * Joanne Burn, author of The Hemlock Cure *
With clever storytelling and a magpie's eye for shine and enchantment, Hyder takes us to a world where magic, moving pictures and illusion mix - and where all are made better by human kindness. * Annie Garthwaite, author of Cecily *
Filled with wonders in all forms, in real life and in the theatre, this is a story that will mesmerise and cast its spell. I loved it. * Essie Fox *
Spellbinding storytelling, wonderfully drawn characters and the thrill of the theatre make this book unputdownable. * Louise Hare *
An enchanting tale of rivalry among magicians and film pioneers in a world on the cusp of change. Here, trickery, envy and deceit are no match for raw talent, love - and most of all, kindness. Hyder's talent for crafting compelling page-turners inhabited by charming, vibrant characters is a skill worthy of one of her illusionists; her passion for the magic of theatre leaps from every page. A total joy. * Nikki Marmery, author of LILITH *
What a joy... It's rich, magical, pacy, immense fun, and just entirely a glorious Victorian delight. I adored it. * Katie Lumsden, author of The Secrets of Hartwood Hall *
A magical tale told with deft skill.Delightful, entertaining, engrossing with a gorgeous finale . . . a total delight of a book. * Nicola Davies, author of The Song That Sings Us *
From the astonishment of early moving pictures, to the wonder of the mysterious talents that lie within, The Illusions is every bit as magical as the magic it describes. I loved being drawn into this vividly imagined world of romance and ruination, scoundrels and showmanship; all leavened, of course, by kindness. * Sonia Velton *
With a plot as intricate and deftly handled as its characters' stage shows, The Illusions is a celebration of magic, friendship and romance. Hyder's Victorian Bristol is rich with nefarious tricksters, astonishing ambition and extraordinary women, who made me believe in the impossible. One of those truly wonderful stories which, while reading, make the rest of the world disappear! * Amy Beashel *