Illusionarium

Jonathan's father refuses to help find a cure for a fatal infectious disease decimating the female population of Arthurise (an alternate Edwardian London) when fellow researcher Lady Florel insists on the questionable method of "illusioning." Jonathan complies...and is sucked into parallel world Nod'ol, where Florel forces him to illusion in violent competitions. This steampunk adventure catapults across two fascinating worlds with mild horror, some humor, and suspense.

Jonathan’s father, medical researcher Dr. Gouden, is tapped by King Edward to assist in finding a cure for the Venen, a fatal infectious disease decimating the female population of Arthurise (an alternate Edwardian London). But when fellow researcher Lady Florel insists on the questionable method of “illusioning” -- using the hallucinogenic chemical fantillium to decrease the time needed to produce results -- Dr. Gouden refuses. However, Jonathan, buoyed by his own successful illusioning and desperate to save the ailing queen, not to mention his own ill mother and sister, complies…and is soon sucked into both Florel’s machinations and into Nod’ol, a parallel world where Florel is queen. There Jonathan is forced to illusion in violent competitions against other teens. He discovers the terrifying side effects of fantillium, and attempts to wrangle the Venen cure from Florel -- who has had it in her clutches all along. This steampunk adventure catapults across two fascinating, dangerous worlds with mild horror, some humor, and suspense. A footnote-based narrative device doesn’t quite succeed in adding the tongue-in-cheek wittiness it seems intended to, but Jonathan’s first-person narration is compelling, candidly relating triumphs and missteps alike. katie bircher