Scan barcode
bookishly_faith's review
2.0
Received a copy via Net-Galley in Exchange for an honest review (thanks!)
Rating 1.5 stars.
Note: Most of my rating is affected by the fact that I didn't read the previous book [b:Girl on a Wire|17838538|Girl on a Wire|Gwenda Bond|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397837172s/17838538.jpg|41801682]. If you read and liked this book, you might like this book better than I did.
When I looked up this book, it said it was a companion novel. But it seemed to depend a LOT on me knowing the characters of the previous book. I was expecting the characters to show up, but I found that they were an important part of the plot, therefore heavily in the book(which you can consider a good thing if you read [b:Girl on a Wire|17838538|Girl on a Wire|Gwenda Bond|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397837172s/17838538.jpg|41801682]). My problem was that I had no really connection to the secondary characters because it was expected that I read the previous book.
I was interested in reading a book about a girl who worked in a circus. I was expecting this to mean that the book would be really exciting with super complex characters. But I found that the book really dragged. Maybe it was just the pacing but I found the world building was a little rough. It took me a while to figure out that it was set in modern day (I don't know why I thought this was a historical novel) and I thought the circus aspect was underdeveloped. When I think of a circus, I want to hear about the exotic animals, people with unique talents, crazy stories about circus incidents. I felt like the circus was really unexplored and focused way too much on this magical coin and the Prestigae. I found I really didn't care about the Prestigae or the magic coin maybe it was because I didn't like the characters all that much.
I absolutely didn't like Dez, the love interest, as the book went on. At first, Dez seemed like a cool guy. This guy starts off as a badass knife thrower who is cocky and romantic. But then he gets all whinny, which REALLY got me angry. This guy had no self worth at all, which made me wonder why Moira liked this guy when she sees this.
I'll admit, the only reason I liked this book was Moira's way of doing magic. I liked how she would talk about the first female magicians during her acts and some of the behind the scenes look at magic was interesting. I liked that she disobeyed her father to do what she wanted to do and her acts were interesting to read about. Some of the mythology of the Rex and Regina was kind of interesting, but undeveloped for my taste.
Well, I don't know if this review made any sense at all, so sorry about that. I really wasn't happy with how this played out. I definitely didn't like how this book felt more like a sequel than a companion novel. Because of this, I didn't like many of the secondary characters, because as a new reader, I didn't have much of a connection to these characters. I did like Moira and some of the magic stuff but, overall, this book dragged and wasn't fun to read.
Rating 1.5 stars.
Note: Most of my rating is affected by the fact that I didn't read the previous book [b:Girl on a Wire|17838538|Girl on a Wire|Gwenda Bond|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397837172s/17838538.jpg|41801682]. If you read and liked this book, you might like this book better than I did.
When I looked up this book, it said it was a companion novel. But it seemed to depend a LOT on me knowing the characters of the previous book. I was expecting the characters to show up, but I found that they were an important part of the plot, therefore heavily in the book(which you can consider a good thing if you read [b:Girl on a Wire|17838538|Girl on a Wire|Gwenda Bond|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397837172s/17838538.jpg|41801682]). My problem was that I had no really connection to the secondary characters because it was expected that I read the previous book.
I was interested in reading a book about a girl who worked in a circus. I was expecting this to mean that the book would be really exciting with super complex characters. But I found that the book really dragged. Maybe it was just the pacing but I found the world building was a little rough. It took me a while to figure out that it was set in modern day (I don't know why I thought this was a historical novel) and I thought the circus aspect was underdeveloped. When I think of a circus, I want to hear about the exotic animals, people with unique talents, crazy stories about circus incidents. I felt like the circus was really unexplored and focused way too much on this magical coin and the Prestigae. I found I really didn't care about the Prestigae or the magic coin maybe it was because I didn't like the characters all that much.
I absolutely didn't like Dez, the love interest, as the book went on. At first, Dez seemed like a cool guy. This guy starts off as a badass knife thrower who is cocky and romantic. But then he gets all whinny, which REALLY got me angry. This guy had no self worth at all, which made me wonder why Moira liked this guy when she sees this.
I'll admit, the only reason I liked this book was Moira's way of doing magic. I liked how she would talk about the first female magicians during her acts and some of the behind the scenes look at magic was interesting. I liked that she disobeyed her father to do what she wanted to do and her acts were interesting to read about. Some of the mythology of the Rex and Regina was kind of interesting, but undeveloped for my taste.
Well, I don't know if this review made any sense at all, so sorry about that. I really wasn't happy with how this played out. I definitely didn't like how this book felt more like a sequel than a companion novel. Because of this, I didn't like many of the secondary characters, because as a new reader, I didn't have much of a connection to these characters. I did like Moira and some of the magic stuff but, overall, this book dragged and wasn't fun to read.
bookishnookish's review
3.0
This was a good book. I especially liked the cirque parts. It may seem a bit trope-y if you have read a lot of ya books.
tellacnders's review
5.0
I READ THIS IN ONE DAYBEHCHSHFHSBS in fact i binge read this series in two days and now i'm sad because it's over, and it was amazing being able to step into the world of cirque american for the first time. im so glad i discovered this series and honestly it's so underrated and deserves a lot more love! now i don't know what to read next to follow up this spectacular book bc i'm not sure anything can follow such a stunning read. i loved everything about this series so so so much omg the author really did a wonderful job, 5/5 (AND THE COVERS ARE SO GORGGG)
yvonneiswriting's review
3.0
I received this copy from the publisher Skyscape and Two Lions via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed Girl in the Shadows some. I haven't read many circus/Vegas themed books (okay, only one) so I was excited to delve into more. There were some definite good parts, and some definite flaws.
The performance scenes intrigued me so much, I ate them up. I loved the histories, the magic, and the costumes.
I did not like the insta-love, and most of the characters fell flat, many of them not growing as people.
I did enjoy this book enough to want to read book 1.
I enjoyed Girl in the Shadows some. I haven't read many circus/Vegas themed books (okay, only one) so I was excited to delve into more. There were some definite good parts, and some definite flaws.
The performance scenes intrigued me so much, I ate them up. I loved the histories, the magic, and the costumes.
I did not like the insta-love, and most of the characters fell flat, many of them not growing as people.
I did enjoy this book enough to want to read book 1.
emesskay's review
4.0
First of all, I received a Kindle version of this book thanks to Goodreads Giveaways. If you haven't tried the giveaways, check them out under the "Browse" option.
Moira Mitchell's dad is a magician ("the Mysterious Mitchell") who has his own show in Vegas. Her mother ran off when Moira was just a baby. All Moira wants is the chance to prove to her dad that she has the makings of a great magician, however her father is dead-set against Moira performing any kind of magic.
Desperate to be able to perform magic, Moira runs away from home and joins the circus, in this case the Cirque American. However after joining the circus she learns (the hard way) that magic is real, and it makes performing magical illusions more difficult. Moira has to learn to control the magic before it controls her (or burns her out). At the same time, there is this attractive guy, Desmond, who is trouble but also irresistible (and a professional knife-thrower). While at the circus, Moira starts learning more about her mother, why she ran away, and a secret society of magic workers called the Praestigae, who don't have particularly good intentions towards Moira.
I really liked this book - it is well written, the characters are believable. Although it is fiction, it also gives an idea of what life "behind the scenes" at the circus is like. There is romance, there is drama, there are death-defying feats of magic (both "real" magic and illusions/sleight of hand/escapism).
One aspect of this novel I particularly enjoyed was how the author worked in information about women who contributed to magic history. Somehow we all know about Harry Houdini, but there were many women magicians who performed amazing feats of magic and contributed to moving the art forward. It was something I had not heard about, and it has made me interested in reading more about it and learning more about these amazing women.
Moira Mitchell's dad is a magician ("the Mysterious Mitchell") who has his own show in Vegas. Her mother ran off when Moira was just a baby. All Moira wants is the chance to prove to her dad that she has the makings of a great magician, however her father is dead-set against Moira performing any kind of magic.
Desperate to be able to perform magic, Moira runs away from home and joins the circus, in this case the Cirque American. However after joining the circus she learns (the hard way) that magic is real, and it makes performing magical illusions more difficult. Moira has to learn to control the magic before it controls her (or burns her out). At the same time, there is this attractive guy, Desmond, who is trouble but also irresistible (and a professional knife-thrower). While at the circus, Moira starts learning more about her mother, why she ran away, and a secret society of magic workers called the Praestigae, who don't have particularly good intentions towards Moira.
I really liked this book - it is well written, the characters are believable. Although it is fiction, it also gives an idea of what life "behind the scenes" at the circus is like. There is romance, there is drama, there are death-defying feats of magic (both "real" magic and illusions/sleight of hand/escapism).
One aspect of this novel I particularly enjoyed was how the author worked in information about women who contributed to magic history. Somehow we all know about Harry Houdini, but there were many women magicians who performed amazing feats of magic and contributed to moving the art forward. It was something I had not heard about, and it has made me interested in reading more about it and learning more about these amazing women.
baileyloveless's review
3.0
BLOG | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | STORE
I had a moment of extreme cover love, which ultimately led me to requesting this book. Isn't the cover gorgeous?
Unfortunately, the cover is my favorite part about this book.
Girl in the Shadows is the second book in a series, but can be read as a standalone. I hadn't read the first book, but I can say that it doesn't refer back to it in any major way, and the ending is clean.
Moira is the daughter of a renowned Vegas strip magician, dying to make a career in stage magic of her own. Knowing her father will never approve of her career choice, she gives him the slip and auditions for the Cirque American. Crazily enough, during the auditions, something completely unexpected happens, and Moira discovers that she truly has real magic.
There's also something about a magic coin that comes into play that everyone wants to get their hands on.
I liked the idea of this book. Is it totally original? Not entirely. A magical circus isn't a new concept. But I don't feel like I've read enough books on stage magicians so I enjoyed learning more about the history of magic and some of the methods behind performing magic and escapism.
However, the rest of the book was forgettable. It just didn't evoke any emotion out of me. It wasn't so good that I can gush about it and give it my full endorsement. But it wasn't so bad that it deserves a scathing review with a shake of my fist.
I didn't connect with any of the characters, who had minimal development, and I could not have cared less about what happened to them. The romantic elements were then rendered irrelevant; since I couldn't care about the individuals, I didn't care about them being together. Plus the whole romance was rather tropey anyway.
And despite having a great setting for a fantasy, the world building is pretty null. The author has a character info dump, and then that's just the way it is. And while magic is a rare gift in this world, all of the characters readily accept it, which I just can't believe.
If someone told me, "Hey, you have magic, and if you use too much of it, it would kill you" I probably would react a little differently than Moira, who was like, "But they told me magic wasn't real. Guess it is."
The dialogue was also absurd sometimes. I just can't imagine people talking like this:
"Sounds planish."
"It was cray annoying."
"Sorry. There's something...about you. Your eyes."
Folks, these are some gems of bad dialogue. I mean, who talks like that? Nobody I know, at least not in earnest.
I guess my final words about the book are, meh. But 5 stars to the artist of the cover! Please come illustrate one of my books if I ever finish one!
Tootle loo, darlings! Till next time!
I had a moment of extreme cover love, which ultimately led me to requesting this book. Isn't the cover gorgeous?
Unfortunately, the cover is my favorite part about this book.
Girl in the Shadows is the second book in a series, but can be read as a standalone. I hadn't read the first book, but I can say that it doesn't refer back to it in any major way, and the ending is clean.
Moira is the daughter of a renowned Vegas strip magician, dying to make a career in stage magic of her own. Knowing her father will never approve of her career choice, she gives him the slip and auditions for the Cirque American. Crazily enough, during the auditions, something completely unexpected happens, and Moira discovers that she truly has real magic.
There's also something about a magic coin that comes into play that everyone wants to get their hands on.
I liked the idea of this book. Is it totally original? Not entirely. A magical circus isn't a new concept. But I don't feel like I've read enough books on stage magicians so I enjoyed learning more about the history of magic and some of the methods behind performing magic and escapism.
However, the rest of the book was forgettable. It just didn't evoke any emotion out of me. It wasn't so good that I can gush about it and give it my full endorsement. But it wasn't so bad that it deserves a scathing review with a shake of my fist.
I didn't connect with any of the characters, who had minimal development, and I could not have cared less about what happened to them. The romantic elements were then rendered irrelevant; since I couldn't care about the individuals, I didn't care about them being together. Plus the whole romance was rather tropey anyway.
And despite having a great setting for a fantasy, the world building is pretty null. The author has a character info dump, and then that's just the way it is. And while magic is a rare gift in this world, all of the characters readily accept it, which I just can't believe.
If someone told me, "Hey, you have magic, and if you use too much of it, it would kill you" I probably would react a little differently than Moira, who was like, "But they told me magic wasn't real. Guess it is."
The dialogue was also absurd sometimes. I just can't imagine people talking like this:
"Sounds planish."
"It was cray annoying."
"Sorry. There's something...about you. Your eyes."
Folks, these are some gems of bad dialogue. I mean, who talks like that? Nobody I know, at least not in earnest.
I guess my final words about the book are, meh. But 5 stars to the artist of the cover! Please come illustrate one of my books if I ever finish one!
Tootle loo, darlings! Till next time!
katlinsgardenofbooks's review
4.0
Fun and Circuses
Loved the story, the dialogue and diction was a bit trite at time but it wrapped up neatly in a pretty bow.
Loved the story, the dialogue and diction was a bit trite at time but it wrapped up neatly in a pretty bow.
bookishvanessa's review
2.0
I received this through a Goodreads Giveaway; thank you!
I did not read the first installment in this series, so perhaps that affected my experience with Girl in the Shadows. I was really excited about this book's plot, but something just didn't work for me. I appreciated the descriptions of famous magicians, but I didn't get attached to any of the characters. I found Moira slightly annoying and her relationship with Dez really hard to believe. The plot jumped around a lot, and I was confused for a majority of the book.
I did not read the first installment in this series, so perhaps that affected my experience with Girl in the Shadows. I was really excited about this book's plot, but something just didn't work for me. I appreciated the descriptions of famous magicians, but I didn't get attached to any of the characters. I found Moira slightly annoying and her relationship with Dez really hard to believe. The plot jumped around a lot, and I was confused for a majority of the book.
melbethz's review
5.0
Quick. Read
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a nice continuation of the story. If you like circus stories and mysteries you will like this.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a nice continuation of the story. If you like circus stories and mysteries you will like this.
kristinjaques's review
4.0
4 1/2 stars. I felt like this book had a different tone than Girl on a Wire. This book had more magic and mystical elements. I felt that it was written for a more mature audience. There was more swearing (including an f-word) and off page sex. Also, I didn't feel as invested in the love story as I did in the romance between Jules and Remy in Girl on a Wire.
I still throughly enjoyed the circus atmosphere. I enjoyed the main character (Moira) and I loved how Gwenda Bond explored the character Dita (from Girl on a Wire) more.
I still throughly enjoyed the circus atmosphere. I enjoyed the main character (Moira) and I loved how Gwenda Bond explored the character Dita (from Girl on a Wire) more.