I obtained this e-book through my Kindle Unlimited Subscription.
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Published: January 1, 2025
Summary:
In nineteenth-century Venice, a young woman’s marriage to an illusionist hides secrets that go deeper than his spectacular acts. The stage is set for transformation in a mesmerizing short story by the New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary.
In 1820s Venice, world-renowned magician Oscar Van Hoff confounds sold-out crowds with his astounding manifestations. Even his beautiful wife and assistant, Olivia, is mystified. Her job is to smile and recite her lines—onstage and in society. But the thankless routine is bringing out her rebellious side. Then, on the eve of what promises to be Oscar’s greatest performance yet, Olivia uncovers a secret with the power to shatter all her husband’s illusions. Now the finale belongs to her.
My thoughts:
I am a big fan of Sarah Penner’s books, and it is only recently that I discovered this short story, hearing directly from her when I saw her at the Savannah Book Festival. Of course, I immediately downloaded it and read it on my flight home and enjoyed it tremendously!
Despite being a short story/novella, this one kept me fully invested and engaged all the way through. While I wish it was a full-length novel and would love to read more about Olivia and her world-renowned magician husband, I still felt that this had enough substance to keep me satisfied. I loved how vivid the writing was and felt fully transported to 19th-Century Venice. There were just enough twists that I was left a bit surprised at the way this wrapped up, a bit abruptly, but again, it is a short story.
Definitely recommend to those who are a fan of the author or who haven’t yet read her and want a bit-size piece to try her out.
