Double Cross

(Disillusionists #2)

by Carolyn Crane

Ebook purchased from Amazon

Regina’s Review – 4.5 Stars – A

Double Cross begins where Mind Games ends. What makes this book and this series are the characters. The world is nifty and the powers are unique, but ultimately it is a character driven story. The characters in the Disllusionist series are likeable. For readers of this series, you will be excited to know that we see more of Shelby and Simon, both are such funny and interesting characters. Justine’s friendship with both characters deepen.

Crane writes quirk so well. But not just quirk, she excels at writing characters who are real people, who do silly things motivated by personal insecurities and personal goals but are also so gosh, darned funny. Crane is Funny with a capital F. The cast of characters are a bizarre brand of super hero that we met in Mind Games – they have the ability to inflict other people with their own personal demons.

The main character is a hypochondriac, she has the power to “zing” other people with her fears and potentially change how the “zinged” person acts and makes choices. But the insecurities are not always funny,

“He puts on his sunglasses. Mirrored glasses, and I get a pair of distorted Justine images — two long pale faces, long dark hair, dark eyes, I hate my reflection unless I’m steeled for it.“

Like in Mind Games, in Double Cross the gang of disillusionists have identified more “targets” that need to be disillusioned. Justine continues to debate the morality of what she is doing; she struggles with the idea of inflicting her own personal demons on others.

Mind Games was a strong beginning to the series, but Double Cross is just better in almost every respect. The mystery and suspense are tighter and the reveals are even more shocking. As the story develops we learn more about Otto and Packard’s past. I am not going to lie, the ending of this story is a wham – it is shocking and painful. When I first read Double Cross, its sequel, Head Rush, was not yet published. And I could only hope that it would all work out eventually. But the wait was painful, just painful! The good news for all those starting this series, is that now the trilogy is complete. You can go into Double Cross knowing that the ending will be a whammy, but you can rush right off and read Head Rush.

Rating:  ☠  ☠  ☠  ☠  ☠ 

Even though the trilogy is completed, Carolyn Crane is still writing in this world.  She is working on a novella about Simon, click here for more information from her blog.  

Coming News!!  Watch this blog for an interview with Carolyn Crane!

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