REVIEW: Elusion by Claudia Gabel & Cheryl Klam

Name: Elusion (Elusion #1)
Author: Claudia Gabel & Cheryl Klam
Number of Pages: 400
Date Published: March 18th, 2014
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books
Source: Bought
Rate: 3.5/5

Soon, Elusion® will change the world and life as we know it.

A new technology called Elusion is sweeping the country. An app, visor and wristband will virtually transport you to an exotic destination where adventure can be pursued without the complications—or consequences—of real life.

Regan is an Elusion insider. Or at least she used to be. Her father invented the program, and her best friend, Patrick, heir to the tech giant Orexis, is about to release it nationwide. But ever since her father’s unexpected death, Regan can’t bear to Escape, especially since waking up from the dream means crashing back to her grim reality.

Still, when there are rumors of trouble in Elusion—accusations that it’s addictive and dangerous— Regan is determined to defend it. But the critics of Elusion come from surprising sources, including Josh, the handsome skeptic with his own personal stakes. As Regan investigates the claims, she discovers a disturbing web of secrets. She will soon have to choose between love and loyalty…a decision that will affect the lives of millions.

Suspense, thrills, and romance fuel this near-future story about the seductive nature of a perfect virtual world, and how far one girl will go to uncover the truth behind the illusions.
 [GOODREADS] [AMAZON] [BARNES AND NOBLE]

  Elusion® - the place of lies, wonders, and fantasies. The next best thing, the ultra technology, and a place of no worries. The Elusion will fulfill all of your adventurist tendencies and needs. Escape with us. 

Sounds like a fancy gadget advertisement, does it not? This is what captured my interest the most, as I am a technology/gadget freak, this is something that I would definitely have bought if it existed. If I could escape to any landscape on wanted to and do outdoor things, man I would be there all the time! This cyber world can be accessed any where at any time all you need is a fancy watch [aka equip], visors, and a head set. In Elusion you can climb mountains, white water raft, scuba dive, etc. You want to know the best thing? If you fall or get hurt...you will not die nor will you be hurt in the real world. 

WARNING: Elusion contains severe side effects such as: nausea, head aches, dizziness....and dirty secrets. Which, Regan, our main character is about to find out. Regan has just lost her father in a tragic accident. Who also happens to be the founder and creator of Oxeris ( the company the runs Elusion) and Elusion. Since the death of her father, Regan has yet to step into the world of Escape. Although she would wish nothing more than to escape her broken life. Yet, she might just get what she wished for as something is going wrong with Elusion: kids getting sick, her best friend keeping secrets, and addictive tendencies that are not suppose to exit. 

Regan is doing the best that she can with what she has. Her mother is always in the Escape so she never is really "around." Her best friend Patrick, who is around, has taken over the Oxeris company that her father had built, yet she rarely sees him. Everything changes, though, when Regan see's her father in the Escape, which is not suppose to happen, and he is telling her "not safe." I do not truly know if I enjoyed the character of Regan. She was not hard to read, I felt that she was a very naive character. She didn't notice her bestfriends attraction and she was in denial with certain aspects of Elusion. I felt sometimes that her actions did not make sense and really did not connect to the character at points through out the book. But, I did not hate her. I enjoyed her antics and her determination.

One character that I did not like since the beginning was Patrick- Regans best friend. He always felt off to me. He, I felt, was replacing Regan's father. Meaning he let other's think he created Oxeris and Elusion. That pissed me off, he did not even care of Regan's feelings at all through out the book. He was just a guy with a bunch of dirty secrets.

Then we have Josh, out of all the characters, he was my favorite. He felt more really then the rest of Klam and Gabel's characters. He is also the potential love interest of Regan...which I think is pretty cool.

I enjoyed the plot...however, I felt like there could have been more. Although I can not really pinpoint the exact thing it needed. A little more sprucing maybe or a little more detail. Either way it needed something. I did not love love the book, but it was definitely a good read and I plan on picking up the next book when it comes out.

My suggestions: RENT/BORROW.