Review: Illusion by Paula Volsky

Illusion by Paula Volsky Fantasy 674 pages published: 1991 6 of 5 stars About For two hundred years the Exalted classes have used their dazzling magical abilities to rule Vonahr. Now, their powers grown slack from disuse and their attention turned to decadent pleasures, they ignore the misery of the lower classes until the red tide of revolution sweeps across the land. Thrust into the center of the conflict is the beautiful Eliste vo Derrivalle, spirited daughter of a provincial landowner, who must now scramble for bread in the teeming streets of the capital. With the key to her magical abilities an elusive secret, she must suddenly find a way to survive in a world gone mad ... with liberty. Illusion is a work of fantasy on the grandest scale - a seamless web of passion, danger, heroism, and romance that will hold you spellbound from the first page to the last. - from Goodreads Reaction I'm breaking back into the review groove with one of my all-time-favorite books. I read this one in High School after picking it out cold from a used book store. I just liked the cover. Thought is would involve hardship.

This was one I mentioned in my Book Moments post, about hiding in my room in the garage, on my little couch, next to my huge pile of clean clothes (because I never put them away), and hoping Mom didn't find me with some necessary housework. All day. I couldn't stop. I had never read anything like it.

It wasn't high fantasy in the sense that there was a whole world to save from some powerful evil. It didn't have other races of creatures or a big world to traverse. In some ways it was even myopic, with Eliste trying to save her own life and preserve her world view that was being threatened on every side.

Yet Eliste was not the only point of view written. You get to observe the "bad guys" and the "good guys" and wonder which exactly are the bad and the good. Or is everyone just misguided? Focused? Lost? Wrong?? Wrong in that way that everyone is a least a little wrong...too egocentric to see beyond our own noses.

If I had to describe this book in 4 words it would be: French Revolution with Magic. But that makes it sound too simple. It sometimes read like a history book, sometimes like a romance, sometimes like a fantasy. It jerks your sympathies. It surprises you with hidden identities, stubborn determination, and just how low the characters sink. It is filled with lovable characters. Lovable because they are absolute stinkers - ignorant, immature, arrogant, impetuous, selfcentered, proud, silly, vain - with flashes of brilliance and self-sacrifice and tenacity and forgiveness.

It has been a while since I've read it last (though I've read it probably 3 times) and I keep remembering another part that I loved, and another. I can hardly pick. Ooh ooh I want you to read it!

Back to salient points. Engulfing read. Haunting. Unforgettable. Amazing characters - the good and the not so good. Satisfying and plausible ending without too much "happily ever after." And in a small way, I feel like a have a better handle on the psychology of revolution, elitism, mob control, and survival.

My only complaint? Those stinking French names that I can't pronounce. Grrr. Give it a try. I'll be shocked if you regret it.
Arriving in the capital city of Sherreen to take her place at court, Miss Eliste vo Derrivale is suddenly stripped of her rank, home, and family during v'Aleur's reign of terror

exalted
[ig-zawl-tid] Show IPA
adjective

1. raised or elevated, as in rank or character; of high station:an exalted personage. 2. noble or elevated; lofty: an exalted style of writing. 3. rapturously excited.

reckoned
[rek-uhn] Origin

reckon
[rek-uhn] Show IPA
verb (used with object)

1. to count, compute, or calculate, as in number or amount. 2. to esteem or consider; regard as: to be reckoned an authorityin the field. 3. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. to think or suppose.
verb (used without object)

4. to count; make a computation or calculation. 5. to settle accounts, as with a person (often followed by up ).

6. to count, depend, or rely, as in expectation (often followedby on ). 7. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. to think or suppose.

complexion
[kuhm-plek-shuhn] Show IPA
noun

1. the natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin,especially of the face: a clear, smooth, rosy complexion. 2. appearance; aspect; character: His confession put a differentcomplexion on things. 3. viewpoint, attitude, or conviction: one's political complexion. 4. (in old physiology) constitution or nature of body and mind,regarded as the result o f certain combined qualities. 5. Obsolete . nature; disposition; temperament.

populous
[pop-yuh-luhs] Show IPA
adjective

1. full of residents or inhabitants, as a region; heavilypopulated. 2. jammed or crowded with people: There's no more populousplace than Times Square on Ne w Year's Eve.

3. forming or comprising a large number or quantity: Because ofepidemics the tribes are n ot nearly so populous as they oncewere.

tribunal
[trahy-byoon-l, tri-] Show IPA
noun

1. a court of justice. 2. a place or seat of judgment. 3. Also called tribune. a raised platform for the seats ofmagistrates, as in an ancient Roman basilica.

chteau
[sha-toh; Fr. shah-toh] Show IPA
noun, plural -teaus, -teaux [-tohz; Fr. -toh] Show IPA.

1. (in France) a castle or fortress. 2. a stately residence imitating a distinctively French castle. 3. a country estate, especially a fine one, in France orelsewhere on the Continent. 4. ( often initial capital letter ) a winegrower's estate, especiallyin the Bordeaux region of France: often used as part of thename of a wine.

feverish
[fee-ver-ish] Show IPA

adjective

1. having fever. 2. pertaining to, of the nature of, or resembling fever: a feverishexcitement. 3. excited, restless, or uncontrolled, as if from fever. 4. having a tendency to produce fever.

foolproof
[fool-proof] Show IPA
adjective

1. involving no risk or harm, even when tampered with. 2. never-failing: a foolproof method.

revenue
[rev-uhn-yoo, -uh-noo] Show IPA
noun

1. the income of a government from taxation, excise duties,customs, or other sources, appropriated to the payment ofthe public expenses. 2. the government department charged with the collection ofsuch income. 3.
revenues, the collective items or amounts of income of aperson, a state, etc.

4. the return or yield from any kind of property, patent,service, etc.; income. 5. an amount of money regularly coming in.

valise
[vuh-lees or, especially Brit., -leez] Show IPA
noun

a small piece of luggage that can be carried by hand, used to holdclothing, toilet art icles, etc.; suitcase; traveling bag.

relinquish
[ri-ling-kwish] Show IPA
verb (used with object)

1. to renounce or surrender (a possession, right, etc.): torelinquish the throne. 2. to give up; put aside or desist from: to relinquish a plan. 3. to let go; release: to relinquish one's hold.
Modal Can Example They can control their own budgets. We cant fix it. Can I smoke here? Can you help me? Could Could I borrow your dictionary? Uses Ability / Possibility Inability / Impossibility Asking for permission Request Asking for permission.

Could you say it again more slowly? We could try to fix it ourselves. I think we could have another Gulf War. He gave up his old job so he could work for us. May May I have another cup of coffee? China may become a major economic power. Might

Request Suggestion Future possibility Ability in the past Asking for permission Future possibility

We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be eating their Present possibility dinner now. Future possibility They might give us a 10% discount.

Must

We must say good-bye now. They mustnt disrupt the work more than necessary.

Necessity / Obligation Prohibition Saying whats right or correct Offer Suggestion Asking what to do Saying whats right or correct Recommending action Uncertain prediction Instant decisions Offer Promise Certain prediction Asking for permission

Ought to Shall (More

We ought to employ a professional writer. Shall I help you with your luggage?

common in Shall we say 2.30 then? the UK than the US) Should Shall I do that or will you? We should sort out this problem at once. I think we should check everything again. Profits should increase next year. Will I cant see any taxis so Ill walk. I'll do that for you if you like. Ill get back to you first thing on Monday. Profits will increase next year. Would Would you mind if I brought a colleague with me?

Would you pass the salt please? Would you mind waiting a moment? "Would three o`clock suit you?" - "Thatd be fine." Would you like to play golf this Friday?

Request Request Making arrangements Invitation

"Would you prefer tea or coffee?" - "Id like tea please." Preferences
The most common modal auxiliaries in English are:

can could

may should

might will

must would

Notice the usage of modals in the following sentences:

I pay my taxes. I can pay my taxes. I might pay my taxes. I will pay my taxes. I should pay my taxes. I could pay my taxes. I would pay my taxes. I must pay my taxes. General declaration of fact. Paying taxes is something I normally do. Expresses ability. I have the means (funds) to pay. Expresses possibility, but not certainty. Maybe I will pay; maybe I won't. Expresses future intent. I resolve to do it at some later time. Expresses mild obligation. It is required, and I expect to comply. Expresses possibility. If I have nothing else to do with the money, I might pay taxes. (In this case), expresses reservation. If I had the money (but I don't). . . Expresses strong obligation. I am required and have to comply.

Modals are followed by only the base form of the verb and are not used alone unless there is a clear connection to a main verb.
He must to finish his homework.
He must finish his homework. Jack could heard the bell.

WRONG
RIGHT WRONG

Jack could hear the bell. Penny will going to the movie. Penny will go to the movie.

RIGHT WRONG RIGHT

There are many ways to make requests in English. The most common involves using the imperative and modals. See the examples below:

Using the Imperative

The imperative is the simple form of the verb. The subject of an imperative sentence is understood as "you" although it is usually not spoken. Open the door. Will you help me? Pick up your toys. Please help me. (You) open the door. Yes, I will (help you). (You) pick up your toys. (You) please help me.

The imperative is often used by persons of authority when speaking to subordinates, e.g. parent to child.

Using Modals
To show respect and politeness, most people use modal expressions when making requests. For example: Will you...? Would you...? Would you please...? Could you (please)...? Could you possibly...? Would you kindly...? Would you mind (Ving )...? Would you be so kind as to...? Will you open the door for me? Would you open the door for me? Would you please open the door (for me)? Could you (please)...? Could you (please) open the door? Could you possibly open the door? Would you kindly open the door? Would you mind opening the door? Would you be so kind as to open the door?

Modals - English Grammar

1) can
Use ability to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be able to) permission to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be allowed to) request offer suggestion possibility Examples

I can speak English.

Can I go to the cinema?

Can you wait a moment, please? I can lend you my car till tomorrow. Can we visit Grandma at the weekend? It can get very hot in Arizona.

2) could
Use ability to do sth. in the past (substitute form: to be able to) Examples

I could speak English.

permission to do sth. in the past (substitute form: I could go to the cinema. to be allowed to) polite question * polite request * polite offer * polite suggestion * possibility * Could I go to the cinema, please? Could you wait a moment, please? I could lend you my car till tomorrow. Could we visit Grandma at the weekend? It could get very hot in Montana.

3) may
Use Examples

possibility permission to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be allowed to) polite suggestion

It may rain today.

May I go to the cinema?

May I help you?

4) might
Use possibility (less possible than may) * hesitant offer * Examples It might rain today. Might I help you?

5) must
Use force, necessity possibility advice, recommendation Examples I must go to the supermarket today. You must be tired. You must see the new film with Brad Pitt.

6) must not/may not

Use Examples You mustn't work on dad's computer. You may not work on dad's computer.

prohibition

7) need not
Use Examples I needn't go to the supermarket, we're going to the restaurant tonight.

not necessary

8) ought to
Use Examples

advice

You ought to drive carefully in bad weather. You ought to switch off the light when you leave the room.

obligation

9) shall
instead of will in the 1st person Use suggestion Examples Shall I carry your bag?

10) should
Use advice Examples You should drive carefully in bad weather. You should switch off the light when you leave the room.

obligation

11) will
Use wish, request, demand, order (less polite than would) prediction, assumption promise spontaneous decision habits Examples

Will you please shut the door?

I think it will rain on Friday. I will stop smoking. Can somebody drive me to the station? - I will. She's strange, she'll sit for hours without talking.

12) would
Use wish, request (more polite than will) Examples Would you shut the door, please?

habits in the past

Sometimes he would bring me some flowers.

* no past forms - future forms