Scan barcode
lollypopkins225's review against another edition
4.0
Not as good as the first one. I think I had the most problem with the ending. It wasn't as good as the first. Also, there was a lot of rehash of the first book. I liked it a lot just not as much as I liked the first one. However, this won't keep me from reading the 3rd book.
fjordic's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A good middle book with interesting thoughts around ethics, autonomy, etc.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review
5.0
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Spectacle was a dark, yet beautiful story. Where the cryptids were taken from relative freedom to a prison more horrible than even their worst nightmares could conjure.
Spectacle was even darker than Menagerie, because Delilah and her companions had managed to live for a while in relative freedom only to be caught by someone far worse than Metzger. At first, Gallagher is taken to a human prison, but this only makes Delilah's anxiety worse, as she hasn't had any news from him since she and some of the other female cryptids from the menagerie were taken to their new dormitory.
I felt every anxious and fearful feeling Delilah and the others felt, and I have to admit that during Spectacle, my heart beat with a heavy and rather fast thump on more than one occasion. The indignity Vanderkamp let on these people was horrific, and especially Delilah, whose DNA is human, was treated with such callous carelessness because of her otherness I shuttered in disgust at how depraved and without feeling he and his wife behaved.
The main theme in Spectacle is definitely otherness, but close behind there is both loyalty and honor, and Delilah's actions proved that she is the kind of heroine I want more of! Her sense of family was very strong, and she felt responsible for all those who had been with her before they were brought to Vanderkamp's dark spectacle of others, where money and shallow entertainment counted more than anything else.
Written mostly from Delilah's point of view, in first person perspective and past tense, there were dialogs to make the story move forward flawlessly, and also to share some insight into the other characters who were part of the plot. The handlers, the bosses, the other cryptids - they all got their say. Spectacle releases tomorrow, so you should hurry and pre-order it so you can enjoy the darkness of the story, but the light of Delilah as soon as possible.
The police were no exception. The worthless pieces of tin pinned to their chests weren't badges of honor, they were badges of authority, and in the human world, authority was little better than a high tower built on a small footing.
He had created push-and-play functionality in his living captives, with a built-in punishment for failure to perform.
"But you really are human?"
"I really, really am. Not that it matters." Not that it should matter. Deciding who should be free and who should be locked up based on chromosomal features made no more sense than basing that decision on eye color.
Spectacle was a dark, yet beautiful story. Where the cryptids were taken from relative freedom to a prison more horrible than even their worst nightmares could conjure.
Spectacle was even darker than Menagerie, because Delilah and her companions had managed to live for a while in relative freedom only to be caught by someone far worse than Metzger. At first, Gallagher is taken to a human prison, but this only makes Delilah's anxiety worse, as she hasn't had any news from him since she and some of the other female cryptids from the menagerie were taken to their new dormitory.
I felt every anxious and fearful feeling Delilah and the others felt, and I have to admit that during Spectacle, my heart beat with a heavy and rather fast thump on more than one occasion. The indignity Vanderkamp let on these people was horrific, and especially Delilah, whose DNA is human, was treated with such callous carelessness because of her otherness I shuttered in disgust at how depraved and without feeling he and his wife behaved.
The main theme in Spectacle is definitely otherness, but close behind there is both loyalty and honor, and Delilah's actions proved that she is the kind of heroine I want more of! Her sense of family was very strong, and she felt responsible for all those who had been with her before they were brought to Vanderkamp's dark spectacle of others, where money and shallow entertainment counted more than anything else.
Written mostly from Delilah's point of view, in first person perspective and past tense, there were dialogs to make the story move forward flawlessly, and also to share some insight into the other characters who were part of the plot. The handlers, the bosses, the other cryptids - they all got their say. Spectacle releases tomorrow, so you should hurry and pre-order it so you can enjoy the darkness of the story, but the light of Delilah as soon as possible.
The police were no exception. The worthless pieces of tin pinned to their chests weren't badges of honor, they were badges of authority, and in the human world, authority was little better than a high tower built on a small footing.
He had created push-and-play functionality in his living captives, with a built-in punishment for failure to perform.
"But you really are human?"
"I really, really am. Not that it matters." Not that it should matter. Deciding who should be free and who should be locked up based on chromosomal features made no more sense than basing that decision on eye color.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
5.0
Spectacle was a dark, but still beautiful story. Where the cryptoids were taken from relative freedom to a prison more horrible than even their worst nightmares could conjure.
billies_not_so_secret_diary's review against another edition
dark
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Spectacle
by Rachel Vincent
Menagerie #2
Fantasy Dark Urban Paranormal
Hoopla Audio
The cryptids of Metzger's Menagerie are captured by The Savage Spectacle, the owner, Willem Vandedamp allows anyone who can afford the cost to 'play' with the cryptids he has captured, including fights, hunts, and parties, big and small including one on one, and there's a wide range of fetishes the rich have.
Even though Delilah's blood tests still say she is human, Willem treats her as he would any other animal, and 'sells' her to those who can pay. But the Fury is watching and he knows it.
Book two of the Menagerie series once again brings disturbing thoughts to mind, and it can't help but imagine all those evil things people will do to those who are considered the lowest of all creatures. There were many times my stomach lurched when something was mentioned, or something was happening, because to do this to another living creature, one must be heartless. And we all know these people are not fictional.
Some of the events I was expecting, some didn't happen as I thought they were going to, but there weren't a lot of 'surprises', most things I saw coming.
There is a lot of adult content and violence so this book/series isn't suitable for readers under 18, and those readers who are extra sensitive should not read this, it will give you nightmares!
Even listening to the audiobook, the story went fast and I didn't want to stop! Thank goodness for hoopla 'cause Scribd took this and the next book away from me until next month and knowing the books were out there, there was no way I could wait that long to find out what happened!
4 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Trafficking, Violence, Blood, and Confinement
hoping4more's review
5.0
Another epic Rachel Vincent book. Loved every second even the awful ones. Can’t wait for book 3!
amichreads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
ginnikin's review
3.0
I quite enjoyed this. It's just as readable as the first, although I had a tough relationship with the start, where they get recaptured after all their work to free themselves in the first. Still, it covered new ground and didn't have that middle book ending where nothing is really resolved because third book. So there's that.
hijinx_abound's review
3.0
A solid book two. A lot of action, unexpected occurrences, and a lot more story left.
ac223's review
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.