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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
emmagreenwood's review against another edition
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Tuppence Middleton - she is very good at creating difference voices for each character but for some reason the audio version made the story less enjoyable to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Toxic friendship, Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Abandonment
hettyreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Body shaming
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Addiction, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Violence
Minor: Drug use
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