Scan barcode
ac223's review against another edition
4.0
This review can also be found at www.thepaperbackaddict.com
I read Menagerie, the first book in this series a few months back and was hooked immediately. Urban Fantasy, supernatural elements set in today's world, is my absolute favorite genre, and Vincent does not disappoint! Her ability to create a world that's new, and addictive when so many have already had their take on it is inspiring. In Menagerie Delilah finds out that she is gifted after being outed and captured for the world to see. Living in captivity after a lifetime of freedom is unbearable, and after making friends with the others they're able to take over Metzger's Menagerie, the traveling circus, and run it for themselves. Using the income provided they are able to live and buy back their friends and family that have been captured and imprisoned by others. Unfortunately, their freedom doesn't last long and they are all recaptured by Willem Vandekamp, the owner of the Savage Spectacle. Vandekamp is a ruthless man who's willing to use the cryptid's in any way that will bring him the most money. Delilah and her friends thought that being chained and starved was the worst thing to happen to them until they were face to face with the cruelty of Vandekamp and his crew. Delilah and those around her intent on gaining back their freedom, but things are run a little differently in their new home, and they must wait for their chance to escape.
***Spoilers***
The Savage Spectacle's owner has created an electronic collar that allows them to not only track the cryptids, but paralyze them and stop them from using their abilities. It's a type of total control that works but also makes them overconfident in their ability to keep the upper hand. While being held prisoner, Delilah is used to serve the clients every desire, nothing is off limits as long as the right amount of money is paid. Gallagher and Eryx are mad to fight brutal battles with other cryptid's until one of them is no longer standing. Killing someone for sport goes against everything Gallagher believes in but he does it after they threaten to kill Delilah if he doesn't cooperate. At the end of the book, they're finally able to escape, but Delilah is pregnant with Gallagher's child. The two of them were forced to have sex when a high paying client wanted to watch the champion and his motivation for winning sleep together. All of the cryptid's split up into groups as they were leaving with no clear plan on where the were going and promises to try and reconnect in the future.
I read Menagerie, the first book in this series a few months back and was hooked immediately. Urban Fantasy, supernatural elements set in today's world, is my absolute favorite genre, and Vincent does not disappoint! Her ability to create a world that's new, and addictive when so many have already had their take on it is inspiring. In Menagerie Delilah finds out that she is gifted after being outed and captured for the world to see. Living in captivity after a lifetime of freedom is unbearable, and after making friends with the others they're able to take over Metzger's Menagerie, the traveling circus, and run it for themselves. Using the income provided they are able to live and buy back their friends and family that have been captured and imprisoned by others. Unfortunately, their freedom doesn't last long and they are all recaptured by Willem Vandekamp, the owner of the Savage Spectacle. Vandekamp is a ruthless man who's willing to use the cryptid's in any way that will bring him the most money. Delilah and her friends thought that being chained and starved was the worst thing to happen to them until they were face to face with the cruelty of Vandekamp and his crew. Delilah and those around her intent on gaining back their freedom, but things are run a little differently in their new home, and they must wait for their chance to escape.
***Spoilers***
The Savage Spectacle's owner has created an electronic collar that allows them to not only track the cryptids, but paralyze them and stop them from using their abilities. It's a type of total control that works but also makes them overconfident in their ability to keep the upper hand. While being held prisoner, Delilah is used to serve the clients every desire, nothing is off limits as long as the right amount of money is paid. Gallagher and Eryx are mad to fight brutal battles with other cryptid's until one of them is no longer standing. Killing someone for sport goes against everything Gallagher believes in but he does it after they threaten to kill Delilah if he doesn't cooperate. At the end of the book, they're finally able to escape, but Delilah is pregnant with Gallagher's child. The two of them were forced to have sex when a high paying client wanted to watch the champion and his motivation for winning sleep together. All of the cryptid's split up into groups as they were leaving with no clear plan on where the were going and promises to try and reconnect in the future.
jennlongb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
nyeran's review against another edition
3.0
- “I'm human.”
- “I've seen you turn into a monster, Delilah.”
- “The two are not mutually exclusive. You and I have that in common.”
♠ Delilah è ancora una protagonista scritta bene. Il libro è scritto bene. La storia è sviluppata abbastanza bene. Però è identica a Menagerie. Questi poveri cristi vengono comprati e segregati in un luogo. Solo che questa volta è andata peggio e il posto è l'inferno in terra. Non contenti, a circa metà libro, di punto in bianco la protagonista non ricorda gli ultimi due mesi di vita, poi scopriamo che si è fatta cancellare la memoria volontariamente e non capiamo mai realmente perché. Non capiamo perché si sia fidata di Tabitha sulla questione del bambino visto che sa benissimo essere una stronza che fa abortire le altre prigioniere e non ha un briciolo di umanità e non ha nemmeno senso che lei, sopratutto inizialmente, si fidi di ciò che dice Vandekamp dopo che lui li ha rapiti, segregati e li vende ai miliardari. Lei gli dice cose. Sopratutto perché, a quanto pare, tra questi ricordi c'è anche il piano architettato per scappare dalla prigione che lei ovviamente non ricorda più e la fuga succede all'improvviso, quando Gallagher entra in infermeria e scopre che lei è incinta. Lui manco sapeva che lei stava li, succede tutto per pura casualità.
♠ A me comunque pare essere sfuggita anche la motivazione per cui Tabitha sia diventata una stronza senza anima, va bene che la vediamo solo una volta e in questa scena la sua finta sorella partorisce una bambina dai capelli verdi che viene uccisa dalla madre però quest'odio da dove spunta? Tant'è che i genitori sembrano anche persone abbastanza per bene visto che hanno protetto la bambina fingendo che fosse figlia loro, crescendola e che lei sembra volerle piuttosto bene.
Non vengono spiegati i surrogati che non mi sembra di ricordare venissero menzionati nel primo libro ma qui a quanto pare sono dei mostri che tutti conoscono ma che il governo ha prima creato e poi rinchiuso perché troppo pericolosi. Forse avranno un utilità nel possimo.
♠ Ora, il rapporto tra Gallagher e Delilah era una delle cose più interessanti visto che per una volta non era mosso da affetto romantico e desiderio sessuale. Invece no, li ha dovuti far scopare e farla rimanere incinta, perché questa giustamente non ha già miliardi di problemi da gestire e sta in una situazione di merda, no, diamole anche questo fardello.
Purtroppo qui si perde anche il rapporto tra i compagni del circo perché pur ritrovandosi rinchiusi nella stessa stanza non possono parlare tra loro e durante la giornata vengono divisi.
La cosa che ti fa veramente arrabbiare è che l'umanità è veramente così. Sopratutto se è ricca la gente continuerà ad approfittarsi di tutto e tutti incurante di morale ed umanità e se questo mondo fosse reale queste cose succederebbero veramente perché la gente è infame. Mi sorprende soltanto che non esistano gruppi di persone che protestino in difesa di questi poveri stronzi.
Intelligente l'uso di SS per le uniformi dei guardiani ma probabilmente proprio la storia è una metafora dell'olocausto con questi 'diversi' che vengono internati, studiati, maltrattati e odiati.
- “I've seen you turn into a monster, Delilah.”
- “The two are not mutually exclusive. You and I have that in common.”
♠ Delilah è ancora una protagonista scritta bene. Il libro è scritto bene. La storia è sviluppata abbastanza bene. Però è identica a Menagerie. Questi poveri cristi vengono comprati e segregati in un luogo. Solo che questa volta è andata peggio e il posto è l'inferno in terra. Non contenti, a circa metà libro, di punto in bianco la protagonista non ricorda gli ultimi due mesi di vita, poi scopriamo che si è fatta cancellare la memoria volontariamente e non capiamo mai realmente perché. Non capiamo perché si sia fidata di Tabitha sulla questione del bambino visto che sa benissimo essere una stronza che fa abortire le altre prigioniere e non ha un briciolo di umanità e non ha nemmeno senso che lei, sopratutto inizialmente, si fidi di ciò che dice Vandekamp dopo che lui li ha rapiti, segregati e li vende ai miliardari. Lei gli dice cose. Sopratutto perché, a quanto pare, tra questi ricordi c'è anche il piano architettato per scappare dalla prigione che lei ovviamente non ricorda più e la fuga succede all'improvviso, quando Gallagher entra in infermeria e scopre che lei è incinta. Lui manco sapeva che lei stava li, succede tutto per pura casualità.
♠ A me comunque pare essere sfuggita anche la motivazione per cui Tabitha sia diventata una stronza senza anima, va bene che la vediamo solo una volta e in questa scena la sua finta sorella partorisce una bambina dai capelli verdi che viene uccisa dalla madre però quest'odio da dove spunta? Tant'è che i genitori sembrano anche persone abbastanza per bene visto che hanno protetto la bambina fingendo che fosse figlia loro, crescendola e che lei sembra volerle piuttosto bene.
Non vengono spiegati i surrogati che non mi sembra di ricordare venissero menzionati nel primo libro ma qui a quanto pare sono dei mostri che tutti conoscono ma che il governo ha prima creato e poi rinchiuso perché troppo pericolosi. Forse avranno un utilità nel possimo.
♠ Ora, il rapporto tra Gallagher e Delilah era una delle cose più interessanti visto che per una volta non era mosso da affetto romantico e desiderio sessuale. Invece no, li ha dovuti far scopare e farla rimanere incinta, perché questa giustamente non ha già miliardi di problemi da gestire e sta in una situazione di merda, no, diamole anche questo fardello.
Purtroppo qui si perde anche il rapporto tra i compagni del circo perché pur ritrovandosi rinchiusi nella stessa stanza non possono parlare tra loro e durante la giornata vengono divisi.
La cosa che ti fa veramente arrabbiare è che l'umanità è veramente così. Sopratutto se è ricca la gente continuerà ad approfittarsi di tutto e tutti incurante di morale ed umanità e se questo mondo fosse reale queste cose succederebbero veramente perché la gente è infame. Mi sorprende soltanto che non esistano gruppi di persone che protestino in difesa di questi poveri stronzi.
Intelligente l'uso di SS per le uniformi dei guardiani ma probabilmente proprio la storia è una metafora dell'olocausto con questi 'diversi' che vengono internati, studiati, maltrattati e odiati.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
4.0
Brutal and thrilling, SPECTACLE is packed with unexpected twists and plot lines, and a harsh look at human nature and the damage it wreaks.
Taking place shortly after the events of MENAGERIE, Delilah and her companions find their new sense of stability disrupted when they are re-captured by a ruthless businessman to be used as private entertainment.
Many of the characters played into their same role as the previous book, though Delilah seemed to be coming into her power more. I still have questions about her abilities and was confounded by some of her choices, yet I respected her cunning and tenacity. Gallagher remained as ruthlessly loyal as ever, truly diving into the depths of his fae nature.
The villains are truly despicable, none of them with any redeeming qualities, as this book does not shy away from blood or cruelty. It makes for some hard reading, and oh so satisfying justice if you are patient.
As for the plot, I’m a little torn. It was compelling and intense, contained within itself, yet it played a little to close to the previous book.
Until the twist. This twist came straight out of nowhere and I struggled to wrap my head around the “why” of it. At one point I wondered if I were reading two books rather than one. It certainly made things interesting but didn’t quite seem to fit where I thought the plot would go.
This all said, I did enjoy SPECTACLE, for all its brutality. I’m invested in the characters and plot threads enough to see how things turn out for Delilah, Gallagher, and the cryptids just trying to be free.
Taking place shortly after the events of MENAGERIE, Delilah and her companions find their new sense of stability disrupted when they are re-captured by a ruthless businessman to be used as private entertainment.
Many of the characters played into their same role as the previous book, though Delilah seemed to be coming into her power more. I still have questions about her abilities and was confounded by some of her choices, yet I respected her cunning and tenacity. Gallagher remained as ruthlessly loyal as ever, truly diving into the depths of his fae nature.
The villains are truly despicable, none of them with any redeeming qualities, as this book does not shy away from blood or cruelty. It makes for some hard reading, and oh so satisfying justice if you are patient.
As for the plot, I’m a little torn. It was compelling and intense, contained within itself, yet it played a little to close to the previous book.
Until the twist. This twist came straight out of nowhere and I struggled to wrap my head around the “why” of it. At one point I wondered if I were reading two books rather than one. It certainly made things interesting but didn’t quite seem to fit where I thought the plot would go.
This all said, I did enjoy SPECTACLE, for all its brutality. I’m invested in the characters and plot threads enough to see how things turn out for Delilah, Gallagher, and the cryptids just trying to be free.
michalice's review
4.0
When I spotted Spectacle on NetGalley I knew I had to read it, and I had every intention on picking this up as soon as I finished my then current read, but life got in the way and my time for reading suddenly dwindled away along with my concentration, and the more I tried to read the more I struggled. When I did eventually get around to reading Spectacle I found it hard to pick up. I struggled trying to remember which character was which cryptid and what their ability was.
Spectacle picks up with the cryptids running the show, those who can pass as human having more free reign when customers are near, but their freedom is short lived and the people of Metzger's Menagerie soon find themselves captured and relocated to a much stricter and dangerous menageie with The Savage Spectacle, were they are locked away and collared to prevent any attempt at escape or discussions about what or where they have been.
As soon as I had got my head around who was who I quickly fell into this world again. It was a nice change to see the cryptids in an environment other than their own menagerie and how they would cope with it. The new situation really brought out a stronger, tougher side to them all and showed what they are really capable of, especially when it comes down to life or death for themselves or friends.
Although I disliked the way Vandekamp treated them, I do admire his development in technology to control them, an how he uses their abilities for his advantage, whether it was kind or not. I loved getting to see Delilah at her best and her worst and how far she has come, her power is stronger and more ready to fight for what is right. Seeing her pair up with Gallagher was jaw dropping and absolute total destruction, and I loved every second of it.
I really like the large variety of characters and cryptids, how there are so many with different abilities. To Delilah, old friend or new they are all treated the same and I like how she is there for every single one, and not just her friends and coworkers.
Final Verdict
Spectacle is a book that has everything, paranormal, romance, friendships, rebellion, and more. It makes for a gripping read and one I couldn't put down once I was hooked. The ending of Spectacle is a cliffhanger, and it has me wanting to see how this all plays out in the next instalment right now.
Spectacle picks up with the cryptids running the show, those who can pass as human having more free reign when customers are near, but their freedom is short lived and the people of Metzger's Menagerie soon find themselves captured and relocated to a much stricter and dangerous menageie with The Savage Spectacle, were they are locked away and collared to prevent any attempt at escape or discussions about what or where they have been.
As soon as I had got my head around who was who I quickly fell into this world again. It was a nice change to see the cryptids in an environment other than their own menagerie and how they would cope with it. The new situation really brought out a stronger, tougher side to them all and showed what they are really capable of, especially when it comes down to life or death for themselves or friends.
Although I disliked the way Vandekamp treated them, I do admire his development in technology to control them, an how he uses their abilities for his advantage, whether it was kind or not. I loved getting to see Delilah at her best and her worst and how far she has come, her power is stronger and more ready to fight for what is right. Seeing her pair up with Gallagher was jaw dropping and absolute total destruction, and I loved every second of it.
I really like the large variety of characters and cryptids, how there are so many with different abilities. To Delilah, old friend or new they are all treated the same and I like how she is there for every single one, and not just her friends and coworkers.
Final Verdict
Spectacle is a book that has everything, paranormal, romance, friendships, rebellion, and more. It makes for a gripping read and one I couldn't put down once I was hooked. The ending of Spectacle is a cliffhanger, and it has me wanting to see how this all plays out in the next instalment right now.
katietopp's review
5.0
Beautiful sequel just as good as the first. Cannot wait for the third this summer. Just in case I wasn’t too in love with Gallagher...like here we are. IN LOVE
beastreader's review
3.0
I could not read the first book fast enough. I was anxiously awaiting this book to come out. I grabbed a copy right away. Yet, I struggled to get into the story. It was stop and go for me. This went on for about several chapters and twice before I put the book down with disappointment. In fact I was ready to walk away for good from this book. However, I thought I would give the book one last try. The third time was better. Not going to say it was a charm as it wasn't. I just was able to focus on the story better this time around but with some speed bumps.
For example, for almost about a third of the way into the story, it was slow going. There was not really a lot happening. I had hints of what Savage Spectacle was about but did not actually experience any of it until a few chapters prior to Part Two (half way mark). If it had not been for my fondness of Delilah, I might have put this book down again. Yet, she showed a strong will as a fighter. Additionally, I was giddy with delight to see Gallagher as well. He will always be Delilah's knight. What made this book less appealing to me is the dark and provocative, fantasy elements that I enjoyed from reading the first book. Yet, this book is dark but not in the same magical way Menagerie. Part Two of this book is better then Part One.
For example, for almost about a third of the way into the story, it was slow going. There was not really a lot happening. I had hints of what Savage Spectacle was about but did not actually experience any of it until a few chapters prior to Part Two (half way mark). If it had not been for my fondness of Delilah, I might have put this book down again. Yet, she showed a strong will as a fighter. Additionally, I was giddy with delight to see Gallagher as well. He will always be Delilah's knight. What made this book less appealing to me is the dark and provocative, fantasy elements that I enjoyed from reading the first book. Yet, this book is dark but not in the same magical way Menagerie. Part Two of this book is better then Part One.
gilmoremk's review
4.0
An enjoyable book 2 of the series. It was just as fast-paced as #1, instead of being filler between books 1 and 3, so that was great. I liked the change of setting, and a view at a different kind of horror for the characters. Did it follow the same general plot arc as the first book? Yep. But it was still very fun, and a page-turner.
hijinx_abound's review against another edition
3.0
A solid book two. A lot of action, unexpected occurrences, and a lot more story left.
kailina's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0