Scan barcode
dewey7962's review
Didn't grip me. I kept trying to get into it, but I finally realized I was forcing myself to keep going and didn't care what happened.
bookwormivy's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
virgo_reader's review against another edition
1.0
This was Viano Oniomoh's first book so I'm going to try another one of her books in the future. But this one was rough for me.
The writing felt kind of stilted/juvenile. The world building was confusing and there would be random fact dumps. The "love story" was awkward, rushed, and yet the characters seemed uncomfortable with each other til the end - constant blushing and really cringey text messages.
This book was trying to be a fantasy mystery thriller type story but I think it would have been better as a "finding yourself, finding love, finding your future" story as the main character is running away from home to join the circus. Had it been that story - with the added detail of it being a magical circus - it could have found more solid footing, I think.
The writing felt kind of stilted/juvenile. The world building was confusing and there would be random fact dumps. The "love story" was awkward, rushed, and yet the characters seemed uncomfortable with each other til the end - constant blushing and really cringey text messages.
This book was trying to be a fantasy mystery thriller type story but I think it would have been better as a "finding yourself, finding love, finding your future" story as the main character is running away from home to join the circus. Had it been that story - with the added detail of it being a magical circus - it could have found more solid footing, I think.
alexandratheroux'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? It's complicated
3.75
splash7's review
5.0
I can honestly say, that I've probably read every book by that amazing author that exists and this one is definitely in the top 5. It starts out sweet and fluffy, which it is for the main part, but then there's a major twist coming that you won't be expecting (don't be afraid, nothing majorly bad, and the HAE is still happening). I can only tell everyone to read it. It's really amazing and sometimes pure comedy gold. And if you wanna read more by her (which you should because her writing is amazing) you can always find her on wattpad or patreon - trust me, it's worth it.
josy's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars: 3 stars for the story and 0.5 stars for the beautiful cover.
Congrats to the author for a solid first book.
The most important thing that you will notice while reading this story is the excitement and love the author felt while writing this story. You can practically feel it flowing out of the pages and it's a gift to be part of this and share the author's joy.
This story about Ember and Pyro is set in a kind of other world with different kingdoms, some poor without electricity and transportation, some rich and modern. In this world live magic users, the Medeises, and normal humans, the Cotidians. Some years back the Medeises won the Freedom Fight that allowed them to no longer be outcasted, hunted, and as magic users marked beings without any rights but live as recognized citizens of the kingdoms.
Ember is working as a security guard for the train when one day he watches a street performance to promote the upcoming show of the Aurora Circus and he's instantly enamored with Pyro, a fire Medeis. Ember can't forget about him and the brief but fiery kiss they shared during the street performance, and when his sister-in-law presents him with the opportunity to watch the show, he's instantly game.
The description of the campsite and the performance is a thing of beauty. I felt like I was sitting in that invisible tent, watching rapturously as the Medeises show their different acts. We see Ermers, air mermaid spirits with an ethereal beauty, strongmen with telekinetic gifts, endangered animals, and of course Pyro, who seems to be the star of the performance, judging by the cheers and screams from the crowd.
In a bout of craziness, or insanity, Ember realizes he isn't happy anymore with the way his life is going and decides to join the circus. Of course, a certain fire user named Pyro plays a big part in this decision. All signs of nerves and doubt vanish when Ember arrives at the campsite and realizes Pyro hasn't been able to forget him either and is happy that he found his way to the circus.
The worldbuilding in this story is great and even I, without much imagination of my own, was able to visualize the fantasy world the author created. The romance between Ember and Pyro is very much insta-love, which I have to admit isn't my favorite trope. I was hoping for some kind of magical reason for these two to feel this instant connection and attraction but it really was love at first sight although they took their time to use the L-word.
Unfortunately, the romance turned out to be the part I liked the least and not only because it's built on insta-love. Somehow it was secondary to the events that take place in this book surrounding the circus and the rift between Cotidians and Medeises that still lingers even after the Freedom Fight.
Considering that both MCs are in their mid-twenties, they were too sweet, too shy, too innocent for my liking. The author herself describes her book as "... a sweet coming of age fantasy romance filled with love and magic, with a heavy dose of cheese and happy feels" and that's exactly what it is. In my opinion, the MCs are too old to properly fit into a coming of age story, though, and that's why I couldn't really relate to their overall behavior. And if you expect hot sex you will be disappointed. Despite these two literally starting fires when they kiss (and they kiss a lot), there was only one fade to black scene. On top of that, the dialog between these two seemed halting and unnatural in places. When they interacted with other characters of the story or talked about something other than their relationship, the conversations were much more mature and fluid.
Overall this is a cute fantasy with sweet MCs that also shows some grim truths about being different and deals with the process of overcoming prejudices and the fight for acceptance and equality.
Congrats to the author for a solid first book.
The most important thing that you will notice while reading this story is the excitement and love the author felt while writing this story. You can practically feel it flowing out of the pages and it's a gift to be part of this and share the author's joy.
This story about Ember and Pyro is set in a kind of other world with different kingdoms, some poor without electricity and transportation, some rich and modern. In this world live magic users, the Medeises, and normal humans, the Cotidians. Some years back the Medeises won the Freedom Fight that allowed them to no longer be outcasted, hunted, and as magic users marked beings without any rights but live as recognized citizens of the kingdoms.
Ember is working as a security guard for the train when one day he watches a street performance to promote the upcoming show of the Aurora Circus and he's instantly enamored with Pyro, a fire Medeis. Ember can't forget about him and the brief but fiery kiss they shared during the street performance, and when his sister-in-law presents him with the opportunity to watch the show, he's instantly game.
The description of the campsite and the performance is a thing of beauty. I felt like I was sitting in that invisible tent, watching rapturously as the Medeises show their different acts. We see Ermers, air mermaid spirits with an ethereal beauty, strongmen with telekinetic gifts, endangered animals, and of course Pyro, who seems to be the star of the performance, judging by the cheers and screams from the crowd.
In a bout of craziness, or insanity, Ember realizes he isn't happy anymore with the way his life is going and decides to join the circus. Of course, a certain fire user named Pyro plays a big part in this decision. All signs of nerves and doubt vanish when Ember arrives at the campsite and realizes Pyro hasn't been able to forget him either and is happy that he found his way to the circus.
The worldbuilding in this story is great and even I, without much imagination of my own, was able to visualize the fantasy world the author created. The romance between Ember and Pyro is very much insta-love, which I have to admit isn't my favorite trope. I was hoping for some kind of magical reason for these two to feel this instant connection and attraction but it really was love at first sight although they took their time to use the L-word.
Unfortunately, the romance turned out to be the part I liked the least and not only because it's built on insta-love. Somehow it was secondary to the events that take place in this book surrounding the circus and the rift between Cotidians and Medeises that still lingers even after the Freedom Fight.
Considering that both MCs are in their mid-twenties, they were too sweet, too shy, too innocent for my liking. The author herself describes her book as "... a sweet coming of age fantasy romance filled with love and magic, with a heavy dose of cheese and happy feels" and that's exactly what it is. In my opinion, the MCs are too old to properly fit into a coming of age story, though, and that's why I couldn't really relate to their overall behavior. And if you expect hot sex you will be disappointed. Despite these two literally starting fires when they kiss (and they kiss a lot), there was only one fade to black scene. On top of that, the dialog between these two seemed halting and unnatural in places. When they interacted with other characters of the story or talked about something other than their relationship, the conversations were much more mature and fluid.
Overall this is a cute fantasy with sweet MCs that also shows some grim truths about being different and deals with the process of overcoming prejudices and the fight for acceptance and equality.
morebedsidebooks's review
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Violence, and Confinement
Minor: Death, Child death, and Chronic illness
Discrimination is also a theme of this book.calila's review
4.0
A lovely fairytale of a story about finding and being true to yourself. Ember is okay. He has a job, a family that loves him, a cat he loves. But he is dissatisfied, and knows something is missing. He finds out what when he bumps into performers in the middle of the city, but he doesn't know it until another meeting at the traveling circus. Pyro lights up his world. Ember joins the circus and he and Pyro slowly and sweetly fall in love. Ember grounds Pyro, he helps him open up and trust again. I could've done without the big government conspiracy aspect. I wish there'd been more about the...I forget the word used...but about the creatures for lack of a better word. There's some explanation in a exposition dump but I would've like a more personal in depth view.
More...