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readingrobin's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I appreciate the great message about acknowledging your emotions and problems straight on instead of running away from them, but I don't think there is much here that sets it apart from other junior fiction with the same lesson. There is some great development from our main character, you can really see how she gets from point A from point B in her growth, but really I can't think of anything else that stuck out to me.
The end is probably the stickiest thing. Where I don't mind the whole ending of "we did some reverse the clock shenanigans so none of the bad stuff actually happened", given how often it appears in other children's media, I can't actually decide if it caused a paradox or not? It just made a few things a bit more confusing in hindsight .
I think the target demographic would be a bit more interested in this book, what with the dreamy imagery and the slight mysterious air to the circus.
I think the target demographic would be a bit more interested in this book, what with the dreamy imagery and the slight mysterious air to the circus.
librarygirlreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bechug's review against another edition
4.0
This was such an imaginative story. It teaches the lesson that you should deal with your problems by not running away in an attempt to forget them, but by facing them with courage. In that process you will find growth.
fallingletters's review against another edition
1.0
Review originally published 7 July 2023 at Falling Letters.
There seems to be a niche of middle grade books that really isn’t for me. These books involve a speculative fiction journey by the protagonist, the journey being an allegory or avenue for resolving some challenge in their ‘real’ life. The speculative elements often feel to me extremely contrived and limited in imagination, there only to serve a particular plot. The worlds don’t come to life for me. A few titles I can think of that fit this niche are [b: The Clackity|59365597|The Clackity (Blight Harbor)|Lora Senf|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1654100019l/59365597._SX50_.jpg|93536958], [b: The Prince of Nowhere|58733672|The Prince of Nowhere|Rochelle Hassan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1635101334l/58733672._SY75_.jpg|84719835], and The Circus of Stolen Dreams. I have yet to meet a child to whom I would recommend books in this niche, but I suppose they’re out there somewhere! I didn’t dislike The Circus of Stolen Dreams as much as The Clackity, but I did skim the later half of the book. There just wasn’t anything to keep my attention. The intrigue of Reverie never lives up to its promise, with the dreams explored especially feeling like simple plot points. I was also a uncomfortable with how Andrea’s brother apparently being kidnapped in the middle of the night without a trace is addressed throughout the story. This is definitely not one of those books that you give to a child who has experienced the trauma within.
There seems to be a niche of middle grade books that really isn’t for me. These books involve a speculative fiction journey by the protagonist, the journey being an allegory or avenue for resolving some challenge in their ‘real’ life. The speculative elements often feel to me extremely contrived and limited in imagination, there only to serve a particular plot. The worlds don’t come to life for me. A few titles I can think of that fit this niche are [b: The Clackity|59365597|The Clackity (Blight Harbor)|Lora Senf|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1654100019l/59365597._SX50_.jpg|93536958], [b: The Prince of Nowhere|58733672|The Prince of Nowhere|Rochelle Hassan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1635101334l/58733672._SY75_.jpg|84719835], and The Circus of Stolen Dreams. I have yet to meet a child to whom I would recommend books in this niche, but I suppose they’re out there somewhere! I didn’t dislike The Circus of Stolen Dreams as much as The Clackity, but I did skim the later half of the book. There just wasn’t anything to keep my attention. The intrigue of Reverie never lives up to its promise, with the dreams explored especially feeling like simple plot points. I was also a uncomfortable with how Andrea’s brother apparently being kidnapped in the middle of the night without a trace is addressed throughout the story. This is definitely not one of those books that you give to a child who has experienced the trauma within.
amanduhh_lo's review against another edition
5.0
Read this out loud with my children and really enjoyed it. The story follows Andrea who's life is turned upside down after the disappearance of her brother, Francis. When she discovers a magical dream world called Reverie in the woods near her home, Andrea jumps at the chance to escape her pain and go inside. Once inside, Andrea discovers tent after tent of dreams come alive, but she soon realizes that not all of Reverie's dreams are meant to delight and she realizes Reverie is not an escape; it's a trap. The story deals with a lot of big emotions like loss, guilt, and fear but illustrates how using something else to escape facing your big feelings can backfire. My kids and I were all riveted from beginning to end.
eleana_p's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! Lorelei Savaryn is such a wordsmith. This was a gorgeously written book, the language drew me into the dreamworld and I didn't want to leave. The language is complex (not in a way to hinder meaning) but will be a good challenge for stronger readers to enhance their vocabulary- the descriptions are a marvel.
There are moments of poignancy that many MG readers may not fully grasp but as an adult reader, I really appreciated the messages of hope and resilience that the author imbued into the story. For kids who are going through tough challenges, it's important to hear. This is a story of loss, redemption, and hope; life is not always easy but we can get through it.
MG readers will love the eeriness of the Circus, there is just enough to keep you off-kilter and give a jolt of fear from time to time. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to future offerings from this author.
There are moments of poignancy that many MG readers may not fully grasp but as an adult reader, I really appreciated the messages of hope and resilience that the author imbued into the story. For kids who are going through tough challenges, it's important to hear. This is a story of loss, redemption, and hope; life is not always easy but we can get through it.
MG readers will love the eeriness of the Circus, there is just enough to keep you off-kilter and give a jolt of fear from time to time. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to future offerings from this author.
sciencewithkrystal's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thecriticalreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75