The Illusioneers

A magical new middle grade fantasy novel from the author of Tidemagic. Twins Maddox and Lou are part of the five percent of the population known as illusioneers – magicians who can create spectacular illusions. Enrolling at Mistfort, the academy where their skills will be honed through a series of trials, should be the first step towards a prestigious future. But the least powerful students are expelled every week, and Maddox knows she’s on borrowed time. Her sister, however, is strong. Almost too strong. The twins’ training has barely begun before Lou is crafting extraordinary illusions that sound and even smell as real as they look. But there is a danger in such power. Illusioneers who can’t control their magic risk ‘looping’ – conjuring illusions so intense they can trap onlookers in a terror trance, unable to distinguish what’s real from what isn’t. While Lou seeks help from charismatic headteacher Dr Cracken, Maddox starts to suspect that her twin’s struggles might be part of a larger danger. Looping is on the rise, compromising public safety. The Ministry of Imagination blames the rebellious faction known as the White Crows, but what if the truth lies closer to home – within the walls of Mistfort itself . . . ?