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emmakchapman's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal cruelty
courtneyrose521's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.0
This book was frustrating and it ended in a way that was disappointing.
jasmine_elizabeth's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot. I loved that Nell loved to perform on stage but still had her fear of the people and how they perceived her as less than a human. I enjoyed her romance with Toby and her motherhood with Pearl. I am glad that Jasper gets his comeuppance, in the end he was just greedy and stupid. He saw his performers as his creations.
5tarbuck's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
cathyatratedreads's review against another edition
3.0
Circus of Wonders is an interesting novel, a view on a time period where humans were trotted out as “monsters” for the entertainment of others, and some of them then reclaimed their uniqueness and made the best out of what they were given to come out on top — a sleight of hand in which their inferiority became fame and fortune and a little bit of power. I just didn't really love it.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com:
https://ratedreads.com/circus-of-wonders-historical-fiction-book-review-carnival-england/
*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com:
https://ratedreads.com/circus-of-wonders-historical-fiction-book-review-carnival-england/
*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
ginadale's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
silver_lining125's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up.
I was really excited for this Victorian historical fiction book about a 'Circus of wonders," sadly though it fell a little flat for me. Set in 1860s England at the height of the popularity of all things different and macabre. Jasper Jupiter and his brother Toby aspire to create a circus to rival that of Barnum and Bailey's. The stars seem to align for the brothers when they come across Nell, a young woman with mottled skin, whose father sells her to the circus for a pittance.
Told in alternating perspectives from Jasper, Toby and Nell we get to see the rise of the circus, Jasper's growing ambition, Toby's growing love for Nell and Nell finding a confidence and self-acceptance she never would have had in her tiny village home. Overall it was interesting and if you enjoyed books like The night circus, Water for Elephants or The museum of extraordinary things by Alice Hoffman, this might be right up your alley. For me, it was hard not to make comparisons and this story just wasn't quite on the same level as the others. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy!
I was really excited for this Victorian historical fiction book about a 'Circus of wonders," sadly though it fell a little flat for me. Set in 1860s England at the height of the popularity of all things different and macabre. Jasper Jupiter and his brother Toby aspire to create a circus to rival that of Barnum and Bailey's. The stars seem to align for the brothers when they come across Nell, a young woman with mottled skin, whose father sells her to the circus for a pittance.
Told in alternating perspectives from Jasper, Toby and Nell we get to see the rise of the circus, Jasper's growing ambition, Toby's growing love for Nell and Nell finding a confidence and self-acceptance she never would have had in her tiny village home. Overall it was interesting and if you enjoyed books like The night circus, Water for Elephants or The museum of extraordinary things by Alice Hoffman, this might be right up your alley. For me, it was hard not to make comparisons and this story just wasn't quite on the same level as the others. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy!