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shimauchiha's review
4.0
4.5 stars
This book was exactly what I wanted and expected from reading the synopsis. It was fun, fast-paced, easy to read and most importantly it had a great setting. I have a thing for moving festivals as settings for books, whether they are a [b:The Night Circus|9361589|The Night Circus|Erin Morgenstern|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1387124618s/9361589.jpg|14245059], a [b:Caraval|27883214|Caraval|Stephanie Garber|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1465563623s/27883214.jpg|45697227] or in this case, a whole moving city of performers and debauchery.
On top of that, it had a reasonable plot and cast of characters and the writing was good. In general, there was absolutely nothing glaringly wrong with it. It was a fast, easy pleasure to read.
However, I do feel slightly disappointed, not because it was by any means not a great book, but because it could have been so much more than that. I enjoyed reading it, but I wish it had become one of my absolute favourites, like the other two books I mentioned above.
There were a couple of reasons why it was really great but not quite magical:
1) Predictability: Looking at my favourite books I don't think any of them are without a few twists that left me shocked. There were many reveals here as well, but unfortunately, all of them could have easily been guessed pages in advance. Maybe it's because of its YA nature, but either way it's really quite predictable.
2) Lack of depth: It's relatively short for a fantasy stand-alone, so perhaps I expect too much, however, I do think both the characters and the settings could have been explored more. Going back to my examples, In night circus, the circus is as much of a character in the book as anyone else. You get to know the place intimately. It comes alive. Gamorah certainly had the potential and it came close at times but in the end, I can't say that I could really see it as more than the character's home.
On the same note, In Caraval, it's the characters' depth that moves the story along. Their conflicting interests, their hidden agendas, the constant battle between who can and can not be trusted, those are the things that truly make the book special. Here, however, while Sorina and Luka are likeable enough -and I do like their relationship a great deal- I can't say I really felt like I knew or cared about any of the other characters. Sorina talks about how much she cares about her family but as a reader, it was hard for me to care which of them lived or died because I hardly knew them as more than The bickering twins, The flying girl, The overworked older sister, etc.
Conclusion: It seems as if I've spent most of a positive review pointing out the flaws in the book, so I need to clarify again that I liked this book a lot. I do recommend reading it. I only can't help myself in pointing out the negative aspects because of how absolutely incredible I think it could have been, however, that doesn't mean that it's not a really great read as it is. Besides, how often do we get 500 pages stand-alones in fantasy that are worth reading?
This book was exactly what I wanted and expected from reading the synopsis. It was fun, fast-paced, easy to read and most importantly it had a great setting. I have a thing for moving festivals as settings for books, whether they are a [b:The Night Circus|9361589|The Night Circus|Erin Morgenstern|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1387124618s/9361589.jpg|14245059], a [b:Caraval|27883214|Caraval|Stephanie Garber|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1465563623s/27883214.jpg|45697227] or in this case, a whole moving city of performers and debauchery.
On top of that, it had a reasonable plot and cast of characters and the writing was good. In general, there was absolutely nothing glaringly wrong with it. It was a fast, easy pleasure to read.
However, I do feel slightly disappointed, not because it was by any means not a great book, but because it could have been so much more than that. I enjoyed reading it, but I wish it had become one of my absolute favourites, like the other two books I mentioned above.
There were a couple of reasons why it was really great but not quite magical:
1) Predictability: Looking at my favourite books I don't think any of them are without a few twists that left me shocked. There were many reveals here as well, but unfortunately, all of them could have easily been guessed pages in advance. Maybe it's because of its YA nature, but either way it's really quite predictable.
2) Lack of depth: It's relatively short for a fantasy stand-alone, so perhaps I expect too much, however, I do think both the characters and the settings could have been explored more. Going back to my examples, In night circus, the circus is as much of a character in the book as anyone else. You get to know the place intimately. It comes alive. Gamorah certainly had the potential and it came close at times but in the end, I can't say that I could really see it as more than the character's home.
On the same note, In Caraval, it's the characters' depth that moves the story along. Their conflicting interests, their hidden agendas, the constant battle between who can and can not be trusted, those are the things that truly make the book special. Here, however, while Sorina and Luka are likeable enough -and I do like their relationship a great deal- I can't say I really felt like I knew or cared about any of the other characters. Sorina talks about how much she cares about her family but as a reader, it was hard for me to care which of them lived or died because I hardly knew them as more than The bickering twins, The flying girl, The overworked older sister, etc.
Conclusion: It seems as if I've spent most of a positive review pointing out the flaws in the book, so I need to clarify again that I liked this book a lot. I do recommend reading it. I only can't help myself in pointing out the negative aspects because of how absolutely incredible I think it could have been, however, that doesn't mean that it's not a really great read as it is. Besides, how often do we get 500 pages stand-alones in fantasy that are worth reading?
ameyawarde's review against another edition
4.0
This was a lot more original than most YA fantasy books I've read, and I really loved the world the author built.. but the end felt rushed, there were a few ends that were not tied up, and also, even knowing all the things, I don't necessarily agree that Sorina should have made the choice she did. Plus, it just feels like it was a world built for multiple books, as so much was hinted at and referred to, but this is supposedly a stand alone?! It was a fun book, but AHHH, I need better closure for several of the threads throughout the book, or at least more books!
lucyselim's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.75
angelltheninth's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so immersive! I love all the characters, especially Luca. The murder mystery actually made me guess wrong twice lol. I was so convinced I had it right the second time that I audibly gasped when I realized who was actually the culprit. The only reason I give it 4 stars is because I felt like it wrapped up too quickly towards the end. Otherwise its an amazing.
jane_kelsey's review against another edition
The main character was quite annoying and listening to the audiobook didn't make it any better... sadly I didn't find like continuing listening to it. Something about it didn't work for me.
thebookishunicorn's review against another edition
4.0
“Once upon a time, we were burned to the ground. But we did not die. Instead we kept burning, kept moving, kept growing. The smoke surrounds us, even if we no longer burn.”
Review to come!
Review to come!
simonlorden's review against another edition
4.5
fascinating worldbuilding and really cute romance. Sorina is an illusionist whose illusion creations are her family - but they have their own personalities, likes and desires, just like real people, which is really interesting. the traveling city of the Gomorrah Festival has many other magic-makers, and also some deep secrets.
overall, the worldbuilding was nice, the romance was great, the characters were also nice (Luca my love) and the plot was... okay. it's also occasionally distressing, since the plot is Sorina's family being murdered, and half of her family is kids. ouch.
the main character Sorina is bisexual, although it's only mentioned a couple of times since she hasn't really dated much. the love interest Luca is demiromantic and asexual, although those words aren't used.
also Luca is the best.
overall, the worldbuilding was nice, the romance was great, the characters were also nice (Luca my love) and the plot was... okay. it's also occasionally distressing, since the plot is Sorina's family being murdered, and half of her family is kids. ouch.
the main character Sorina is bisexual, although it's only mentioned a couple of times since she hasn't really dated much. the love interest Luca is demiromantic and asexual, although those words aren't used.
also Luca is the best.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Child death
tiarazard's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
had potential and wasted it.
nicholeb84's review against another edition
2.0
When I read the synopsis of this novel, I was completely sold. It sounded amazing; I couldn't wait to get it home and read it. I was expecting a fast paced, fantasy. It took place in a circus! There was magic! There was a mystery! I was so excited. Sadly, this novel really fell short for me. It was just so slow. I will say that I loved the relationships between the family. I also thought the concept was amazing and the world building was very creative.
That said, I was really bored. I read this novel in a day (about four hours) and it felt much longer. When I finished the novel - I was so thrilled that it was over. Honestly, until the last 15% or so of the novel - NOTHING HAPPENS. They talk a lot, they walk around, and there is not a lot of story telling. Sorina was that person that makes the same stupid mistakes over and over again. She's the girl you scream at in horror movies. The other characters weren't much better - they were all a bit flat.
As I stated before, I think the author had some amazing ideas - it was just too much in one novel.
That said, I was really bored. I read this novel in a day (about four hours) and it felt much longer. When I finished the novel - I was so thrilled that it was over. Honestly, until the last 15% or so of the novel - NOTHING HAPPENS. They talk a lot, they walk around, and there is not a lot of story telling. Sorina was that person that makes the same stupid mistakes over and over again. She's the girl you scream at in horror movies. The other characters weren't much better - they were all a bit flat.
As I stated before, I think the author had some amazing ideas - it was just too much in one novel.