Chaunce Stanton

I was originally drawn to this book by its cover (I admit it), but Stanton more than delivers with this novel!

The story follows the lives of a plethora of characters--famous figures of the liberal arts and the working class alike--as their paths cross, intertwine, and diverge. The creatives boarding at Blank Slate are all tortured artists seeking refuge, but their torment is not of the cliche "victim of their genius" kind; rather, each of the artists has crossed paths with a dark magician named Perjos, whom abuses his powers for sick, sadistic ends, and the guests now suffer to regain control of their selves and their respective arts. With a challenge extended by Houdini himself, Perjos is now on the move, preparing for his most cruel trick yet, and the Bank Slate Boarding House is the final stop on his tour.

Magic is a huge component of this story, but not the cheesy rabbit-in-the-hat tricks we associate with it today. Perjos' magic is something far more dark and sinister--seemingly nothing but cruel entertainment for himself. I couldn't believe how this novel got progressively darker. It was truly disconcerting to read, with instances of incest, rape, mutilation, and pure horror manifesting in the idea that not all is as it seems.

Despite the fantasy of the novel, the plausibility of the characters--their individual, definitive corks and personalities and their elaborate backgrounds--solidly grounds the story. The plot is beautifully constructed with intricate sub-plots that make this illusive story uncertain until the very end.

Suspenseful and intriguing! 4 stars!… (mer)

Throughout the world of magical history Houdini has been both revered and respected as one of the best illusionist of all time. He was a man that both defied and challenged past scientific principles. Houdini was a true magician in his own right that obsessed about the occult and spiritual aspects of life. Although Houdini proved his talent often no one has ever thought of his competition. A talented magician who's magic bordered on cruel and pushed the definition of evil. This man's name was Perjos and this story told part of his life. Whether it is fact or fiction this story has the reader follow the footsteps of a young woman named Emily. A person who is determined to succeed in finding her independence by landing herself a steady job. She finds a place of employment at the Blank Slate Boarding House For Creatives. Here she finds herself exposed to both the bizarre and disturbing personalities that reside in the boarding house. The reader learns the unique story of each tenant and is shown how it all comes back to a magician names Perjos. Emily finds herself attracted to the illusionist and looses her sense of reality. In between the steps of Emily the reader is thrown into the life of Perjos. A man so full of hate that it bleeds from him. Will Perjos be stopped before anyone else is damaged? Will Emily come to understand the true personality of Perjos or will she choose to believe her dreams?

This book was a fascinating read that has a wonderful dark and gothic feel to it. I found the characters interesting and had a hard time putting the book down once I got into it. Each person seemed like one train wreck after another and each wreck was worse than the one before. The story left several questions for me and had me wondering if there was a book before this one. I also felt that the end was a little rushed and was somewhat disappointed that it was not longer. Either way I have to recommend this book hands down. I must thank the author for giving me a free copy in the LibraryThing member giveaway. It was much appreciated! Good job author! I am looking forward to reading your other works! I see a bright future ahead of you!… (mer)

What an engaging story! I was drawn into the world created by Chaunce Stanton from the first page and was sorry to have to say goodbye as I read the last words. But, at the end, I was actually also a little glad to finish the story, as life within its pages was a consuming passion that had robbed me of many hours of normal life.

The story of The Blank Slate Boarding House for Creatives truly is a tale of Magic and Art, of Life and Death, and of Prohibitions (of more than one kind). It follows, mostly, the days and nights of one of the servants at the boarding house, Emily Turner, as she wanders in and out of the realities of those living in the house.

There is also a battle raging as to just who is the best magician ever living- a title long thought awarded to Houdini, but another magician, called Perjos, begs to differ. Their ongoing battle ensnares all the members of the house in as tangled a web as the one created by the house itself.

Nothing is as it seems and few things remain as they were for long in this tale of Madness, Mayhem, and Magic.… (mer)