Audiobook Review: Heir of Illusions and Others by Rachanee Lumayno

How do you step into your power when you have none?

“Oh, Endri. Don’t say never. You’ll get it soon, I’m sure.”

It’s a sentiment I’ve heard countless times. You would think living in the kingdom of Annlyn, land of shapeshifters, would make my own talent come easier. Except my shapeshifting ability has yet to appear—much to the embarrassment of my birth family, who abandoned me years ago.

But even under the tutelage of my adopted father Pazho, I still haven’t unlocked my talents.

And maybe I never will.

So when we hear rumors of—and start finding—other shapeshifters who are forced into their animal forms, unable to turn back, I’m safe.

For now.

Because whatever is hunting the people of Annlyn has set its sights on my family, my new friends from Calia, Annlyn’s crown princess …

And me.

Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Illusions and Others is the sixth book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a new character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels.

GENRE: Young Adult Fantasy

PURCHASE LINK: Amazon | Audible

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rachanee was born on a snowy day in Michigan. She was always playing let's pretend and creating things; at her 4th grade birthday party she wrote a play and made all her friends participate in it. (No performance = no cake.) She pursued a degree in photojournalism but took a detour into an independent music career. Four albums, over 1000 shows, lots of car miles and a few awards later, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in... acting.

She trained in comedy (sketch writing classes, and improv at Upright Citizens Brigade), honing her witty and whimsical style for her work in TV, film, and voiceovers. On-camera work includes Stevie TV (VH1), Buzzfeed, College Humor, and online sketches for Things Get Dicey and for ​dating coach Matthew Hussey. Voiceover clients include Google, HBO, TizZ Tutor, Fair Housing Center for Rights and Research, and Embr Wave. Character VO work includes the voice of Yu Yan in Swan Princess 10: A Royal Wedding; video games; the scripted podcasts Ex Pat, Georgie Romero is Done For, and The Soft-Boiled Detective; and the webcomics The Glove and Criminal King. She's also narrated over 40 audiobooks in the Young Adult, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Historical Fiction, and Romance genres. If you're a K-pop fan, you may have heard her on J-Hope (of BTS)'s album, Jack in the Box, on the first track.

And her journalism roots run deep - she stills write, mostly romantic comedies and sketches. Her scripted comedy podcast, Ex Pat, debuted in March 2020 on all major podcast platforms.

Review

This book picks up from Heir of Secrets and Spectres and while some readers might not like how the stories are starting to get more and more connected, I do! I'm pretty sure this can still be read as a standalone — that's how the series is designed, and we get the recaps everytime a major event is referenced or a character who's appeared in a previous installment is introduced — but I'm here hoping we're leading up to a bigger plot with all that's been revealed and hinted at since Heir of Crowns and Curses. I've not felt this excited about a "coming together" since the Marvel Cinematic Universe, haha!

This installment remains consistent in terms of the signature elements of the series: a fast-paced plot with action and adventure, interesting new (and old) characters, a focus on one of the kingdoms of the Gifted Lands, and some humor and romance. And, since I picked up the audiobook version, the author's incredible narration and voice acting. I continue to look forward to more sequels!

If you like your fantasy as standalone quick reads that altogether paint a picture of a lush world brimming with magic and adventure, then check this series out. For my reviews of the other Kingdom Legacy books, see:

• Heir of Amber and Fire (Book 1)
• Heir of Memory and Shadow (Book 2)
• Heir of Magic and Mischance (Book 3)
• Heir of Crowns and Curses (Book 4)
• Heir of Secrets and Spectres (Book 5)

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

---

Hi! I'm Marie, a Filipino SFFH author and book reviewer currently based in the UK. I’m the co-author of The Prophecies of Ragnarok, a Norse myth new adult urban fantasy trilogy, and I also have several short stories published in anthologies and literary journals.

You can find more info about me and my books, and also subscribe to my newsletter for more content, here. And if you like what I do, please also consider supporting me on Ko-fi! 🩷 https://ko-fi.com/mariesinadjan

If you fancy a short read, I have a cozy reimagining of the Norse myths about Hel, but it's just under 70 pages and can be read in one sitting. ✨ Plus there's a swag kit coming soon! Includes a "membership card," a bookmark, a sticker, an origami dog, and an exclusive 500-word story 🫶🏼

All things end, and all must die.

But death is not always the end.

When Geiravor Lokisdottir was stripped of her name and cast out of Asgard, torn from her family and the life she had known, she thought she’d lost it all. But in the shadows of Niflheim she discovers the path to her destiny, and what it truly means to be queen.

This is a prequel short story to THE PROPHECIES OF RAGNAROK trilogy by Meri Benson and Marie Sinadjan, and a retelling of the myths involving Hel, the Norse goddess of death and the queen of the underworld.