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kleonard's review against another edition
5.0
A quirky and lovely book about friendship, grief, anger, and love. When Chelsea, a ghost, decides to travel from New York to San Francisco for her brother's wedding--which was delayed because of her death two years earlier--she's unexpectedly accompanied by Carmen, also a ghost, and Cyndricka, a mortal woman who is one of the few in the world able to see and hear ghosts, and who is a mime. Together they encounter other ghosts, some in need of help and others who are a threat; a kitten; helpful and malicious people; and, finally, some truths about themselves, their pasts, and their futures. The characters are diverse in race, sexuality, disability, and more; there's a lovely emphasis on the value of learning languages and on questioning cultural norms. This would be a great book club read, or a parent-and-kids read.
hsinjulit's review against another edition
3.0
Chelsea Shu died a tragic death on NYC Subway tracks and never got to attend her brother Osric’s wedding. After discovering an afterlife as a ghost, she befriended Carmen, a fellow spirit, and Cyndricka, a homeless mime-performing human. The three of them, incidentally the Triple Cs, set out on foot for a cross-country trip to attend Osric’s postponed wedding in San Francisco. They understood it would be a difficult journey, but little did they know what was actually in store for them throughout the months-long walk.
I have to say I enjoyed the book. It is unique in concept and opened up the possibility of me reading more paranormal fiction. Also, I love the fact that all three main characters grew along the way, finding themselves amid mutual companionship. At its core, the book is an adventure novel involving ghosts and many characters who happened to be queer. While very entertaining, I sensed that some events were inserted as afterthoughts. Maybe the plot lines could have been more well-thought-out, but it was good nonetheless.
McFall critiqued our current world through the form of fantasy. Race and social status are crucial in the book, making it a condensed replica of the real world. The story hinted at the multiple discriminations against Cyndricka, who suffered from many years of abuse from not speaking, being Black, and homeless. In addition, she converses in ASL and is queer, making her the intersection of many minority identities. Through this journey, we get a glimpse of her life and have the chance to rethink how we treat actual homeless people, especially those belonging to multiple marginalized groups.
Under McFall’s conscious choice (when she is presumably white), nearly all important characters were people of color. These include the Chinese-American Shus, Mexican Carmen, a hospitable Filipino family, and many more. As an East Asian, I am happy to say that I did not sense misrepresentation and I appreciate McFall’s effort in making this novel a narrative for the various oppressed.
The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus is a book about closure, friendship, and purpose. It is definitely worth a read as it questions humanity, priorities, and prods readers to ponder over letting go and moving on.
I received an e-ARC from Atthis Arts via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
And I like to hear what ghosts thought of their funerals. It’s like your birthday, but you didn’t get any input. – Cyndricka
I have to say I enjoyed the book. It is unique in concept and opened up the possibility of me reading more paranormal fiction. Also, I love the fact that all three main characters grew along the way, finding themselves amid mutual companionship. At its core, the book is an adventure novel involving ghosts and many characters who happened to be queer. While very entertaining, I sensed that some events were inserted as afterthoughts. Maybe the plot lines could have been more well-thought-out, but it was good nonetheless.
A mournful land filled to the brim with tears that could never fall from the ghosts’ eyes, so instead fell from their bones themselves.
McFall critiqued our current world through the form of fantasy. Race and social status are crucial in the book, making it a condensed replica of the real world. The story hinted at the multiple discriminations against Cyndricka, who suffered from many years of abuse from not speaking, being Black, and homeless. In addition, she converses in ASL and is queer, making her the intersection of many minority identities. Through this journey, we get a glimpse of her life and have the chance to rethink how we treat actual homeless people, especially those belonging to multiple marginalized groups.
Under McFall’s conscious choice (when she is presumably white), nearly all important characters were people of color. These include the Chinese-American Shus, Mexican Carmen, a hospitable Filipino family, and many more. As an East Asian, I am happy to say that I did not sense misrepresentation and I appreciate McFall’s effort in making this novel a narrative for the various oppressed.
“I am so, so jealous of you. Your love moved on, is able to be happy again.” – Carmen
The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus is a book about closure, friendship, and purpose. It is definitely worth a read as it questions humanity, priorities, and prods readers to ponder over letting go and moving on.
I received an e-ARC from Atthis Arts via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
sannareads's review against another edition
5.0
"The languages between them could not have meant less just then, gone in the face of shared experience and shared pain"
I. Love. This. Book.
"The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus" moved me deeply, in a lot of different ways. I'm certain that this is a book that I'll come back to and read over and over again, because that's how much I loved it. It has so many important topics and beautiful quotes that I found it really hard to choose one quote in the beginning of this review.
Chelsea Shu dies at 27 and becomes a ghost. A ghost who mourns her own death and the fact that she can see her family and be by their side, without them noticing her. Luckily she meets Carmen that when the story begins already is her mentor in this undead world of theirs.
The story takes place two years after Chelsea's death when she finds out that her little brother Osric is about to get married to the love of his life. Together the ghostly companions Chelsea and Carmen decide to go there...and with go I literally mean go because ghosts can't travel in cars, airplanes or by train. Homeless, human mime (that both can see and communicate with ghosts) Cyndricka decides to come with her friends...and so the journey of their undead and very alive lives begins.
This book both made me cry, laugh and feel an incredible amount of feelings. All three females stories moved me and their growing friendship makes my heart so full. The characters are very different from one another and I believe that, that is what makes them so great together.
McFalls writing is fenomenal, her characters are beautifully portrayed and the amount of details, action, sadness, happiness and comedy is woven together perfectly. There's simply nothing not to like about this book.
The characters varies a lot both when it comes to sexual orientations and ethnicity which I find absolutely lovely. Like that isn't enough McFall also brings up periods (which might sound like nothing( but the fact that Cyndricka has to see to her menstrual hygiene while on the road is just great. Because how often do we actually get to read about the characters getting their period when they are on their adventures?
As a person who believes in a life after this, this book really meant something for me. I don't know if this book describes what McFall believes happens after death or if it's simply a fantasy story. But this story really made me feel a lot of feelings after losing people close to me and believing that they are still out there somewhere.
Thank you NetGalley and Atthis Arts for the e-ARC of "The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus, I absolutely adore it...and the biggest thanks to Alanna McFall for writing a new favorite book of mine, this really is something different. I loved it. ❤️
❤️You can find this review + a creative picture with the book included over at my Instagram: @sannareads
I. Love. This. Book.
"The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus" moved me deeply, in a lot of different ways. I'm certain that this is a book that I'll come back to and read over and over again, because that's how much I loved it. It has so many important topics and beautiful quotes that I found it really hard to choose one quote in the beginning of this review.
Chelsea Shu dies at 27 and becomes a ghost. A ghost who mourns her own death and the fact that she can see her family and be by their side, without them noticing her. Luckily she meets Carmen that when the story begins already is her mentor in this undead world of theirs.
The story takes place two years after Chelsea's death when she finds out that her little brother Osric is about to get married to the love of his life. Together the ghostly companions Chelsea and Carmen decide to go there...and with go I literally mean go because ghosts can't travel in cars, airplanes or by train. Homeless, human mime (that both can see and communicate with ghosts) Cyndricka decides to come with her friends...and so the journey of their undead and very alive lives begins.
This book both made me cry, laugh and feel an incredible amount of feelings. All three females stories moved me and their growing friendship makes my heart so full. The characters are very different from one another and I believe that, that is what makes them so great together.
McFalls writing is fenomenal, her characters are beautifully portrayed and the amount of details, action, sadness, happiness and comedy is woven together perfectly. There's simply nothing not to like about this book.
The characters varies a lot both when it comes to sexual orientations and ethnicity which I find absolutely lovely. Like that isn't enough McFall also brings up periods (which might sound like nothing( but the fact that Cyndricka has to see to her menstrual hygiene while on the road is just great. Because how often do we actually get to read about the characters getting their period when they are on their adventures?
As a person who believes in a life after this, this book really meant something for me. I don't know if this book describes what McFall believes happens after death or if it's simply a fantasy story. But this story really made me feel a lot of feelings after losing people close to me and believing that they are still out there somewhere.
Thank you NetGalley and Atthis Arts for the e-ARC of "The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus, I absolutely adore it...and the biggest thanks to Alanna McFall for writing a new favorite book of mine, this really is something different. I loved it. ❤️
❤️You can find this review + a creative picture with the book included over at my Instagram: @sannareads
monkreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
jamietherebelliousreader's review
3.0
3 stars. Interesting plot but the characters were not the most interesting people. They absolutely should’ve been but I just wasn’t attached to them in the slightest. The writing was good and it was a quick read but I thought I would enjoy it more than but I wouldn’t mind reading more from this author.
minervacerridwen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I definitely recommend listening to the audiobook read by C.S.E. Cooney, as I think the joyful, beautiful reading upped my rating with yet another quarter star. It was just so much fun!
As the "Traveling" in the title already indicates, this book really takes you on a trip. Not just in the literal sense, because the characters make a long journey, but also emotionally. I met so many beautiful characters, not the least of all little Charlie the cat, and behind every turn there was another small adventure.
Queer ghosts, sign language, a mime and other circus acts (sometimes involving the cat), a scary haunted house from ghost perspective, a wedding, and so much more - this book packs so much joy, and at the same time a lot of other emotions, while also talking about heavy topics like death, the things that make life worth living, and the way our society treats homeless people.
To my book club friends (and everyone else): if you liked "Under the Whispering Door" and would like to find more queer books about death and letting go, "The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus" definitely deserves to be mentioned more often in those lists!
For content warnings, check https://www.atthisarts.com/content/.
As the "Traveling" in the title already indicates, this book really takes you on a trip. Not just in the literal sense, because the characters make a long journey, but also emotionally. I met so many beautiful characters, not the least of all little Charlie the cat, and behind every turn there was another small adventure.
Queer ghosts, sign language, a mime and other circus acts (sometimes involving the cat), a scary haunted house from ghost perspective, a wedding, and so much more - this book packs so much joy, and at the same time a lot of other emotions, while also talking about heavy topics like death, the things that make life worth living, and the way our society treats homeless people.
To my book club friends (and everyone else): if you liked "Under the Whispering Door" and would like to find more queer books about death and letting go, "The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus" definitely deserves to be mentioned more often in those lists!
For content warnings, check https://www.atthisarts.com/content/.
sofievg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Really enjoyed reading this! A cat, an original interpretation of ghosts, and an amazing friendship, what not to love 😊 made me feel like I want to go on a long walk with my best friends too.
kathrynhoss's review against another edition
4.0
The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus is a unique book by a debut author. We follow the ghost of recently deceased Chelsea, older 1970s ghost Carmen, and their human mime friend Cyndricka as they walk cross-country to get to Chelsea's brother's wedding.. First off, I love a ghost story, love a road trip novel, love a queer new adult novel. This is all three.
I was hooked from the first chapter when we see Chelsea's untimely demise firsthand, but I did get a bit bogged down in the middle. I was not surprised to learn that the first draft had been written for National Novel Writing Month. This book is both what is great and difficult about NaNoWriMo-- it is immensely creative (if you know NaNoWriMo lore, look out for the Shovel of Death), but sometimes I felt like the author didn't know what was going to happen next. For me, this was still a welcome change from the more formulaic memoirs and romance novels I'd been reading lately, but if you are looking for a tightly-plotted story, Incorporeal Circus is not it. It's meandering, but pleasantly surprising. I won't give away any spoilers, but I was not let down by the ending.
It also offers a lot in terms of diverse characters, although it appears that the author is white? As a fellow white person, I don't know how good the representations are. On the surface, the characters can be a bit stereotypical - Chelsea's family is Chinese and they wanted her to be a doctor, Cyndricka is black and homeless. These characters are a lot deeper than that surface stuff, though. I feel like I gained a new empathy and understanding of homelessness through this book?? Also, a newfound respect for the art of the mime.
#TripleC #NetGalley
I was hooked from the first chapter when we see Chelsea's untimely demise firsthand, but I did get a bit bogged down in the middle. I was not surprised to learn that the first draft had been written for National Novel Writing Month. This book is both what is great and difficult about NaNoWriMo-- it is immensely creative (if you know NaNoWriMo lore, look out for the Shovel of Death), but sometimes I felt like the author didn't know what was going to happen next. For me, this was still a welcome change from the more formulaic memoirs and romance novels I'd been reading lately, but if you are looking for a tightly-plotted story, Incorporeal Circus is not it. It's meandering, but pleasantly surprising. I won't give away any spoilers, but I was not let down by the ending.
It also offers a lot in terms of diverse characters, although it appears that the author is white? As a fellow white person, I don't know how good the representations are. On the surface, the characters can be a bit stereotypical - Chelsea's family is Chinese and they wanted her to be a doctor, Cyndricka is black and homeless. These characters are a lot deeper than that surface stuff, though. I feel like I gained a new empathy and understanding of homelessness through this book?? Also, a newfound respect for the art of the mime.
#TripleC #NetGalley
fruity999's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death