Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Blog Tour Book Review and Giveaway: Illusion by Lea Nolan



I'm excited to be a part of this tour because this series really has been a fun one and I'm so excited that book three is finally here and the best part, is that the other two books in the series got makeovers with gorgeous covers that all match so be sure to check them out as well! 















Series: Book Three in the Hoodoo Apprentice

Genre: YA Fantasy

Published By: Entangled Teen

Release Date: October 5, 2015

ARC Copy of this was provided by the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Book Description:

New school. Cross-country move. Broken heart. If only these were Emma Guthrie’s worst problems. Instead, she must battle a trio of enemies—human and spectral—who may or may not have joined forces against her and everyone she loves. All while pretending to be over Cooper Beaumont, her ex-boyfriend and true love, to shield him from her arch-nemesis’s revenge.

Worse, when the fight escalates, Emma is tempted to use black magic, which will endanger her soul. As her enemies close in, join forces, and fight with new and dark magic she’s never seen before, Emma must harness the power within her to fulfill an ancient prophecy, defeat a centuries-old evil, save her family, and reclaim the only boy she’s ever loved.




About the Author:



Lea Nolan couldn’t read until the third grade. After a lot of hard work she finally got the hang of it and quickly learned the best way to get out of doing chores was to tell her parents she was reading. Soon she was hooked, devouring books by Roald Dahl, Judy Blume, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien, and graduated to those by V.C. Andrews, Stephen King, and Anne Rice. Books provided a portal to enchanted lands where anything was possible and characters relied on their wits to wiggle out of sticky situations.

Today, Lea Nolan writes books for young adults featuring bright heroines, crazy-hot heroes, diabolical plot twists, plus a dose of magic, a draft of romance, and a sprinkle of history. She also pens smart, witty contemporary stories for adults filled with head-swooning, heart-throbbing, sweep-you-off your feet romance.

With a master’s degree in women’s studies and public policy, and an undergraduate degree in history, she spent twenty years as a health policy analyst and researcher, writing hundreds of fascinating reports and articles tens of people enjoyed. Today, she teaches graduate courses in health policy, law, and financing, and takes on the occasional consulting gig.

Born and raised on Long Island, New York, she loves the water far too much to live inland. With her heroically supportive husband and three clever children, she resides in Maryland where she scarfs down crab cakes whenever she gets the chance.





Once picking this up and diving in, it didn't take me long to remember why I loved this series so much.
With it's rather unique premises and wonderful writing, I was quickly once again immersed in the story and couldn't wait to see how it all ended for Jack, Emma, and Cooper.

Filled with the eery, the magical, the wicked, and a fabulous southern background, I love the mystical side of this series. Fantastic characters that grow with each new installment and a darker side filled with hate, revenge, and the demonic, this series truly is fabulous and one that stands out in the genre. 

I love how much Emma grows in this, not only in powers and confidence but as a person, friend, sister, and daughter. I always say but it always bares repeating, I am all about the character growth. It is one of my most favorite things to see in a series, especially one like this where growing matters so much to keep the story flowing and going in the direction that it should.


Nolan did a wonder job tying everything up and ending this in a way that fit the theme and mood of the rest of the books. I absolutely had so much fun once again being immersed in this world and the wait for this, was so worth it. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.






*All thoughts and opinions were my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*





a Rafflecopter giveaway

53 comments:

  1. Hello and thanks for sharing. Greetings!

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by and checking it out!

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  2. I haven't read this series yet, but those are some pretty covers. I love that the main character has really grown throughout the series. I'll have to try these books, Ali! :)
    Lovely review!

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    1. I think you would like these Nick and they are perfect for this time of year!

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  3. Oooo this sounds like my kind of series Ali! I'm all about character growth as well, so I think I'd enjoy spending time with Emma in each of these books:) Thanks for putting these on my radar!

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    1. This really was a fun series and now that they are all out, perfect to start!

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  4. You know, this is my first time hearing about the Hoodoo Apprentice series but I LOVE the sound of it. I am a big fan of character development and yay for a southern background! :D

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    1. The southern background was definitely a favorite of mine!

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  5. Replies
    1. It was and it was entertaining too so win win! :D

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  6. I've been hearing so much about this series. I like how you mention about the character growth. I appreciate when you get to see a character gain more confidence as the series progresses. Lovely review!

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    1. I really do too. It just ins't the same without it. ;)

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  7. Great post! I love the book covers in this series; here's hoping I win! :D

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  8. i love the covers, so pretty glad to hear the book itself was actually really good.

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  9. Ooh, I love the sounds of the fabulous southern backdrop for this tale! It's a new series to me, but my curiosity has been whetted :D

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  10. Wow Ali, what a premise and what a great author story that she couldn't read until the third grade. Wow what does that say about our schools right.
    Great review!!

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    1. I know crazy right? And very awesome that she overcame it and look at her now!

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  11. I love books that are set in the South. I will have to check these out. Lovely covers. If I had magical powers, I would cast a spell to heal diseases.

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  12. Really love these covers. And this sounds like the perfect read for this time of the series. Great review and thanks for putting it on my radar. :)

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  13. Oh those are some pretty covers!!! I love books/series with character growth too. Great review!!

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  14. Did this series get a book cover make over? I remember different arts for the books...

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    1. Yep they all had different covers when I first started the series. ;)

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  15. Oh I loved book one! I am behind on the series though. Boo on me. I hadn't seen the new covers. Pretty! I loved the original for book one too. They've been lovely. Glad to hear the series is still a good one!

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    1. Glad you read and liked book one! It just gets better too Anna so yay for that!

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  16. The new covers are gorgeous! This series has been a favorite one of mine, in fact, I think Conjure was one of my first approved NG books and I remember how excited I was. This series is still a favorite - what a great ending!! I'm going to miss Emma, Cooper, and Jack. I'm so glad you had a blast with Nolan's last book, Ali :)

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    1. Oh really? That is awesome Kim and what a fun memory to associate with it!

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  17. A truth spell...I would want everyone to only speak the truth! This series sounds great! Great review Ali

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  18. I'm glad you had so much fun again, it sound like a good series!

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  19. Yeah, character growth is a very good thing. Glad to know the series wrapped up nicely!

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  20. The mystical southern background sounds pretty awesome.

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    1. It was and it didn't hurt that books set in the south have always been a favorite of mine. :)

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  21. I never heard of this series but I like the covers. I'll look into this one. Glad you enjoyed it and nice review!

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  22. Like you Ali, I'm a huge fan of the cover! (I don't like how some series change the covers right in the middle so they don't match with the rest anymore) that's a HUGE reading peeve of mine! This book does sound lovely and I can tell you're really excited about this series! ♡♡

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  23. This one is new to me, love the covers Ali. Hmm, I would want to stop time to be able to read more for sure :)

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  24. Not ready for a series but still sounds pretty cool :)

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    1. It would be a great one to start when you are. ;)

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  25. I read the first two and I know I really loved the setting a lot. There was a lot I liked but I remember thinking the characters seemed a bit young or maybe immature. But character growth is definitely good! I will have to read this to see how things wrap up.

    To answer the question on the rafflecopter, I would cast a spell to see what my path is suppose to be. I find myself wanting to do and be so much and I'm at a loss of what direction to take things. I guess I want to do it ALL and I'm only one person, so which would make me happiest?

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    1. She grows up a lot and I forgot how young she really was in this one. ;)

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  26. I don't think I have heard of this author or series before but it sounds like a good one. I am glad the author ended it in a fitting way for you!

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    1. Thanks, me too Lorna. It is always a relief when that happens.

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