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notlikethebeer's review
adventurous
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really really loved this book: an incredible antidote to the furore of 'The Greatest Showman', I particularly enjoyed the reflective author's note at the end. I also enjoyed that each of the main characters was so complex and multi-layered, and that even the parts I thought were predictable had some kind of hidden hook to them. I think my main complaint is that I wish there had been more of the love story - not because I felt it was missing in itself, but because the love scenes were written so gorgeously, it made me greedy for more beautiful prose! And I did get a bit lost with the character's names/identities. In general though, a fantastic book with a wonderful ending!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Ableism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual violence
sannesbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
I like to read about the circus. It always has a magical and mysterious vibe. This is a sad story about a circus in the Victorian era. I think this gives us a good look into these old types of circusses that take advantage of vulnerable humans with 'freaky' and rare conditions. One of the main characters, Nelly, has a rare birthmark condition and, because of this, gets sold to the circus to be used as an curious act.
This book has three point of views: Nelly (one of the circus performers), Jasper (showman, owner of the circus) and Toby (brother of Jasper, photographer at the circus).
I unfortunately didn't feel too emotionally attached to the characters, because of that, the story did not hit that hard. However, I liked the writing, the pacing, and I think the atmosphere was portrayed well. I partly read it physically and partly listened to it as an audiobook. I enjoyed my time reading the book like this.
This book has three point of views: Nelly (one of the circus performers), Jasper (showman, owner of the circus) and Toby (brother of Jasper, photographer at the circus).
I unfortunately didn't feel too emotionally attached to the characters, because of that, the story did not hit that hard. However, I liked the writing, the pacing, and I think the atmosphere was portrayed well. I partly read it physically and partly listened to it as an audiobook. I enjoyed my time reading the book like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, and Chronic illness
Moderate: War, Death, Self harm, Violence, and Sexual content
teresaelj's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
4.75
Ok listen- I truly loved this book. In the realm of great circus books this is number three (replacing book of speculation). This was SO well written and gorgeous storytelling. It spoke to another part of me than other books. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was because I wasn’t as connected with the characters as I have been with books like the night circus and the first bright thing. This story really faces opposites - a quiet comfortable life vs a life of excitement and adventure, love of self vs love of others, and what makes a monster and what makes a man. Elizabeth has such a wonderful way of writing foils; siblings ( Charlie and Nell vs Toby and Jasper), lovers (Stella and Dash vs Nell and Toby), etc. This book takes the “freaks” of the old circus stories and asks - what was it like to be the “freak” and where did they have power. It’s a wonderful story with such a bittersweet ending I am still thinking about it and will probably to continue to think about it for a long time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Animal cruelty, Ableism, and Child abuse
jkeishia's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Ableism
eilatan6991's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Bullying, Ableism, Toxic friendship, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, and Body shaming
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Murder, and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent and Animal death
alivictoria14's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A great book highlighting the horrors within the Victorian freak shows.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and War
Minor: Kidnapping
uhhlexiconic's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Sliding over some interesting parts much too quickly, this book about a woman finding meaning in the circus and the brothers who changed her life- for better and worse- was otherwise hard to put down. Nuanced and romantic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Ableism, and Toxic relationship
charlottesurrey's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
the cover of my edition is so fucking ugly and all the pages fell out whilst i was reading it
anyways:
this historical circus genre is right up my alley but this wasnt a groundbreaking or beautiful book - compared to other of similar subject matters (even the late hetty feather books lol) its really just blah. the main character has a birthmark thing which is why jasper takes her, but she acts like she doesnt have a body or something lol like the other "freaks" she meets could never have a normal life but shes just self conscious? its the thing of making the main character relatable or whatever (ew) and it really takes away any depth the book has? it kinda feels aimed at 10 y/os with a little sex involved so... yeh idk
anyways:
this historical circus genre is right up my alley but this wasnt a groundbreaking or beautiful book - compared to other of similar subject matters (even the late hetty feather books lol) its really just blah. the main character has a birthmark thing which is why jasper takes her, but she acts like she doesnt have a body or something lol like the other "freaks" she meets could never have a normal life but shes just self conscious? its the thing of making the main character relatable or whatever (ew) and it really takes away any depth the book has? it kinda feels aimed at 10 y/os with a little sex involved so... yeh idk
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Ableism, and Animal cruelty
andreapap15's review
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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: Ableism, Animal death, Bullying, and War
Minor: Sexual violence and Sexual content
_carly_'s review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Animal cruelty, Slavery, Physical abuse, and Ableism
Moderate: Sexual assault