For the teen navigating the complexities of power and loyalty, this book explores what it means to fight for justice when the line between right and wrong is blurred.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is questioning authority and grappling with the idea that 'good' and 'bad' are not always clear-cut. Illusionary is a high-fantasy novel about Renata, a girl with the power to steal memories, who was stolen from her people and raised as a weapon for the tyrannical king who oppresses them. When a rebellion ignites, she must choose between the life she knows and the heritage she's been taught to fear. This book tackles powerful themes of identity, justice, systemic oppression, and loyalty. Appropriate for older teens, it offers a thrilling adventure that also serves as a fantastic starting point for conversations about power, history, and fighting for what is right, even when the choices are difficult.
The central conflict is based on the systemic oppression and genocide of a magical race.
Sad ThemesModerate
Deals with themes of trauma, loss of identity, cultural erasure, and oppression.
Moral AmbiguityModerate
Characters must make difficult choices; the line between right and wrong is often blurred.
Romantic ContentMild
A romantic subplot with some kissing and emotional intimacy.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with themes of systemic oppression, colonialism, and cultural genocide, all framed within a fantasy context. The suffering of the Moria people is a central plot point. It also explores personal trauma through the violent, non-consensual act of memory theft. The approach is direct in its allegory for real-world historical oppression. The resolution is hopeful, with the protagonist choosing her side, but it acknowledges that the larger conflict is far from over, setting up for a sequel.
Ideal Reader
A teen, 14-17, who loves complex, political high-fantasy. This is for the reader who enjoyed 'The Hunger Games' but is ready for more nuanced moral questions. It is perfect for a teen who is beginning to engage with social justice issues and is drawn to stories about rebellion, cultural identity, and morally gray characters.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware of the mature themes, including systemic violence and oppression. While the violence is fantasy-based (magic, swords), it can be brutal and emotionally impactful. Key scenes involving memory theft are particularly intense. The book can be read cold, but a post-reading discussion about its allegories to real-world history, particularly colonialism, would greatly enrich the experience. A parent might observe their teen expressing frustration with injustice, whether in the news or in their own school. The trigger is hearing a teen ask, "Why are things so unfair?" or showing an interest in history and activism, and looking for stories that reflect those complex feelings.
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely connect most with the fast-paced plot, the unique magic system, and the romantic subplot. They will see it as a thrilling adventure story. An older teen (15-18) is more likely to appreciate the complex political intrigue, the nuances of the characters' moral dilemmas, and the powerful social commentary on power, memory, and cultural erasure.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA fantasies focused on a straightforward good vs. evil conflict, Illusionary is distinguished by its deep, Latinx-inspired world-building and its potent allegory for colonialism and cultural suppression. The magic system itself, based on memory, is a unique and powerful metaphor for the ways history is written, erased, and reclaimed.
Read plot summary
Renata Convida is a Robári, a member of the magical Moria people, with the rare ability to steal memories. Taken as a child, she has been raised in the palace as the King's Justice, a loyal tool used to suppress dissent. When she is kidnapped by the Whispers, a Moria rebel group, she is forced to confront the truth about her past, the tyranny of the king she serves, and the genocide of her people. The story follows her journey of shifting allegiances, as she grapples with her identity and decides where her loyalties truly lie: with the crown that raised her or the people she was stolen from.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Renata initially sees her powers as a tool for the crown. How does her understanding of her own identity and abilities change after she connects with the Whispers? When is it right to use power, even if it's dangerous?
2
The king steals memories to control his people and rewrite history. How is this similar to or different from how history is sometimes told in our own world? Why is memory so important to a culture's identity?
3
Dez is a committed rebel, while Renata is more conflicted for much of the book. Did you sympathize more with one character's perspective than the other? Discuss the scene where they argue about the cost of rebellion.
4
The book explores the idea of being complicit in an unjust system versus actively fighting against it. Where do you think Renata falls on that spectrum at the beginning of the book versus the end?
