Reviews

The Ladies of the Secret Circus by Constance Sayers

stacey_stacey's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

jess_mango's review against another edition

4.0

I don't know there is just something about a circus story that I find appealing, so when I was given a chance to review The Ladies at the Secret Circus I jumped at the chance.

The Ladies of the Secret Circus bounces back in forth in time from present day Virginia to Paris in the mid 1920s. Lara Barnes fiance disappears on her wedding day. Soon she discovers her great-grandmother's journals and through them discovers the existence of the "secret circus" and a supposed curse that has affected females in her family for generations. The circus was a dark and magical place that was only visible to those who held a ticket. The story is full of dark magic, twisted love stories and jazz-age Paris. It is definitely an atmospheric read.


Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!

papagenothehedgehog's review against another edition

1.25

Badly written and badly edited. So much telling and so little showing. 

marinaemoore's review against another edition

5.0

*I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book from a goodreads giveaway in exchange for a fair review.*

Lara Barnes knows about her family’s circus legacy... or so she thinks. Upon finding her great grandmother’s diaries, Lara discovers a much darker truth about her family’s magical circus ties. Can Lara save her family from a curse that’s been haunting them for generations?

This book was absolutely magical, and I was in awe of the world Constance Sayers created. Sayers is a very descriptive writer, and the detailed imagery shines through from page to page. I couldn’t put this one down.

beccablock's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

Not as good as Night Circus, but still an interesting take on a supernatural circus and family

gehrkecheryl's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

slicciardi's review against another edition

4.0

I’m a sucker for circus books. This was right up my alley!

lkwood's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

cahlacarla's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

tmathews0330's review against another edition

3.0

The idea behind this book is enchanting, I just longed for more of the enchantment and less of the details.