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jennyluvlitbooks's review against another edition
4.0
After World War III, the world has gone to chaos. When the bombings subsides, the war torn country suffered reduced population which leads to more male than female. The women lives a harsher life. They are viewed as a commodity; a property to own and to do with as one pleases. Harder still if you are among the mutated ones, the so-called "freaks". Rhea grew up as a slave and tried most of her life to hide that she is a freak. But after rescuing one, her life changed when she was offered to be a member of the circus.
Circus Save Me has been an enjoyable read. Reading a circus themed RH set in dystopian world is a first for me and its fresh, unique combination has captured my interest. It has a lot of room for potential when it comes to world building and character development should the authors continue with the series. The story feels like the tip of the iceberg. It could go through a lot of ways. I definitely would like to know what happens next as I have some observations that needed explanations (Where are they getting the basic commodities like food, water and clothing? If the land is exposed to nuclear, how are they growing the food? How about the technology? The story strikes me that world has gone to basic).
I received an ARC and I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Circus Save Me has been an enjoyable read. Reading a circus themed RH set in dystopian world is a first for me and its fresh, unique combination has captured my interest. It has a lot of room for potential when it comes to world building and character development should the authors continue with the series. The story feels like the tip of the iceberg. It could go through a lot of ways. I definitely would like to know what happens next as I have some observations that needed explanations (Where are they getting the basic commodities like food, water and clothing? If the land is exposed to nuclear, how are they growing the food? How about the technology? The story strikes me that world has gone to basic).
I received an ARC and I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review.
malfy's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome
This book was so great. The world and characters were very interesting. I recommend this book to #whychoose lovers. RH
This book was so great. The world and characters were very interesting. I recommend this book to #whychoose lovers. RH
kellyyoungbl's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
Solid, very unique storyline. However, the relationships (even platonic) moved far too quickly to me. They did not feel organic.
Solid, very unique storyline. However, the relationships (even platonic) moved far too quickly to me. They did not feel organic.
greek_myth5's review
5.0
Can I be part of the circus?
Loved this book, the concept & the characters. Rhea is sassy, sweet & sure of herself in many ways. The guys all have their own stories, some more heartbreaking than others but you can't help but love them all. Worth picking up to read!
Loved this book, the concept & the characters. Rhea is sassy, sweet & sure of herself in many ways. The guys all have their own stories, some more heartbreaking than others but you can't help but love them all. Worth picking up to read!
kristen_joele's review
2.0
Boring and typical RH characters and plot. Such fun potential here! Disappointed.
doctoress's review
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Very quick read. Seemed a little rushed to me. Heroine seemed a bit childish. Skimmed a lot after about the 50% mark.
vinifiedvictoria's review
3.0
This was a quick, guilty read for me.
I've read a several of Knight's other books, and they are all similar. In fact, that is something that did put me off. I felt like I could tell which passages were written by Knight and which O'Kane had a hand in. Knight often reuses the same phrases and has a distinct style, though There isn't much character development and what does occur seems to happen very quickly in the book's timeline. The characters seem to have an infinite wealth of different powers they can suddenly call upon whenever necessary, which just bothered me. They rarely had well developed flaws to their personalities or powers. The monologues seemed forced and unnatural to the character you had been introduced to. The plot holes and inconsistencies seem to be from the collaborative attempt from the 2 authors.
Complaints aside, I did read the 2nd one. As mentioned, it was a quick read. It didn't take much brain power, was easy to skim, and at base, the plot and characters were good enough to keep me interested.
I've read a several of Knight's other books, and they are all similar. In fact, that is something that did put me off. I felt like I could tell which passages were written by Knight and which O'Kane had a hand in. Knight often reuses the same phrases and has a distinct style, though There isn't much character development and what does occur seems to happen very quickly in the book's timeline. The characters seem to have an infinite wealth of different powers they can suddenly call upon whenever necessary, which just bothered me. They rarely had well developed flaws to their personalities or powers. The monologues seemed forced and unnatural to the character you had been introduced to. The plot holes and inconsistencies seem to be from the collaborative attempt from the 2 authors.
Complaints aside, I did read the 2nd one. As mentioned, it was a quick read. It didn't take much brain power, was easy to skim, and at base, the plot and characters were good enough to keep me interested.
beckiebookworm1974's review
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot and it was an intriguing beginning to the series. It’s a medium-burn reverse harem set in a bleak post-apocalyptic landscape. A war has decimated the planet and the fallout has caused mutations in the now mostly male populace which outnumber the females 100-1.
Rhea is a female trying to survive under a cruel master this new-world isn’t kind to females so she tries to keep her head down and survive the best way she knows how. She’s always known she was different but to be labelled the freak she is would place a target firmly on her head. Not able to stand by whilst others are unfairly targeted she places herself in danger earning herself some swift reprisals. Now rescued by these so-called freaks Rhea finds for the first time in her life with the ability to embrace exactly who she is.
I loved the whole circus idea and found this an imaginative easy read. A adored Rhea as a character and felt all of the introduced harem here was distinct in their individual personality’s. We have Nix stoic silent and strong but the protector of the group. Rex is the one that relies on his instincts attune with his animistic self. Jesse is all laughter and boyish charm whilst Blain is the venom and rage. Finally, we have Alcide the ringmaster and puppeteer. Every one of them brings something different and Rhea finds herself falling for them all equally.
We have danger and persecution from outside forces, some added internal strife by Rhea’s sudden addition to the family. This all cultivates in a dramatic showdown that brings them all closer together as a solid unit. This didn’t end in a dramatic cliffhanger but I’m still excited to explore where this will go next and despite this one being of medium burn and heat, there was some definite chemistry combined with lots of building tension. This was an interesting start that easily managed to pull me into the unfolding narrative
Rhea is a female trying to survive under a cruel master this new-world isn’t kind to females so she tries to keep her head down and survive the best way she knows how. She’s always known she was different but to be labelled the freak she is would place a target firmly on her head. Not able to stand by whilst others are unfairly targeted she places herself in danger earning herself some swift reprisals. Now rescued by these so-called freaks Rhea finds for the first time in her life with the ability to embrace exactly who she is.
I loved the whole circus idea and found this an imaginative easy read. A adored Rhea as a character and felt all of the introduced harem here was distinct in their individual personality’s. We have Nix stoic silent and strong but the protector of the group. Rex is the one that relies on his instincts attune with his animistic self. Jesse is all laughter and boyish charm whilst Blain is the venom and rage. Finally, we have Alcide the ringmaster and puppeteer. Every one of them brings something different and Rhea finds herself falling for them all equally.
We have danger and persecution from outside forces, some added internal strife by Rhea’s sudden addition to the family. This all cultivates in a dramatic showdown that brings them all closer together as a solid unit. This didn’t end in a dramatic cliffhanger but I’m still excited to explore where this will go next and despite this one being of medium burn and heat, there was some definite chemistry combined with lots of building tension. This was an interesting start that easily managed to pull me into the unfolding narrative
bunnerz's review
2.0
I love all the guys in the harem and the post-apocalyptic circus setting of the book, but the relationships between the characters were very shallow, and they all felt in love for each other way too easily, especially with Rhea's abused background and the dystopian society.
Blain was an asshole all the time just to be an asshole, and it got pretty irritating after half the book. I understand that he had a bad background that is later revealed, but you would think that he'd learn be more careful with his words.
Alcide the circus owner also kept trying to push everyone's freak powers all the time without common safety measures which was honestly insane. For example, His reasoning was just that everyone needed to push themselves further as quick as possible to protect themselves in case of an attack - pretty weak logic IMO for such harsh training measures.
I also thought that the threat of kidnapping and rape as a breeder got a bit repetitive after a while. Yes, it's a real danger in this dystopian world with few females, but there are more ways to lure Rhea off other than just hitting her in the head and having her wake up chained.
And Rhea herself... was a rather magical Mary Sue. Almost everyone immediately loves her except if they're obviously villainous in the book. Fluffy the mutant lion hated everyone except Rex, but Rhea was immediately able to cuddle with him upon first meeting. Nixon the giant would get in these huge rages that nobody could control (even Alcide with his charming abilities?), but on first meeting, Rhea went up to him and calmed him down. She would get herself into trouble, but she'd always show some new magical ability to save herself in the nick of time, or one of the guys would manage to track her down before anything serious happened. I'm also very skeptical how she could manage to live 20+ years and still remain a virgin in this dystopian world....
The giant mess of a hunter battle at the end of the book was just too much too fast. So many characters were killed off and severely injured, but I didn't feel that much empathy. The "redemption" of
I was pretty meh about this book as a whole, but was especially underwhelmed by the conclusion of this book with the hunter battle. The timing of the intimate scenes and the scenes in general were also a bit awkward and not that steamy. I will not be continuing this series.
Blain was an asshole all the time just to be an asshole, and it got pretty irritating after half the book. I understand that he had a bad background that is later revealed, but you would think that he'd learn be more careful with his words.
Alcide the circus owner also kept trying to push everyone's freak powers all the time without common safety measures which was honestly insane. For example,
Spoiler
shoving Rhea in an enclosed water tank to force her to adapt and make gills when everyone knew she couldn't swim was a bit over the top.I also thought that the threat of kidnapping and rape as a breeder got a bit repetitive after a while. Yes, it's a real danger in this dystopian world with few females, but there are more ways to lure Rhea off other than just hitting her in the head and having her wake up chained.
And Rhea herself... was a rather magical Mary Sue. Almost everyone immediately loves her except if they're obviously villainous in the book. Fluffy the mutant lion hated everyone except Rex, but Rhea was immediately able to cuddle with him upon first meeting. Nixon the giant would get in these huge rages that nobody could control (even Alcide with his charming abilities?), but on first meeting, Rhea went up to him and calmed him down. She would get herself into trouble, but she'd always show some new magical ability to save herself in the nick of time, or one of the guys would manage to track her down before anything serious happened. I'm also very skeptical how she could manage to live 20+ years and still remain a virgin in this dystopian world....
The giant mess of a hunter battle at the end of the book was just too much too fast. So many characters were killed off and severely injured, but I didn't feel that much empathy. The "redemption" of
Spoiler
Esme in the final battle was pretty weak. Considering all the traitorous behavior, I don't think it deserved a second chance in this dystopian world.I was pretty meh about this book as a whole, but was especially underwhelmed by the conclusion of this book with the hunter battle. The timing of the intimate scenes and the scenes in general were also a bit awkward and not that steamy. I will not be continuing this series.
bookish_dandan's review
5.0
This book is so much more than I thought it would be! I absolutely love the characters and how they are starting to develop in this first book! I thought this would be a lot harsher given the trigger warnings, but it was actually so sweet. So excited to see Rhea discover who she is and find her home and family!