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katieeck's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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
2.5
mtzbookworm64's review against another edition
4.0
A nice story about young love, hidden secrets, family love, struggle and survival. The story touched on handicapped individuals and slightly on adoption and concentration camp internment.
Lena Papadopoulos lives on a circus train with her father Theo. Through a series of events, an orphan, Alexandre, comes into their lives and disrupts everything.
WW2 has changed the tour for the circus and the lives of the performers. Alexandre and Theo are taken by the SS officers and Lena must now survive on her own.
Lena Papadopoulos lives on a circus train with her father Theo. Through a series of events, an orphan, Alexandre, comes into their lives and disrupts everything.
WW2 has changed the tour for the circus and the lives of the performers. Alexandre and Theo are taken by the SS officers and Lena must now survive on her own.
megn317's review against another edition
4.0
A good story! Very imaginative and set against the backdrop of world war 2. It reads more like a YA book but I didn’t mind. There was a lot going on between the circus and the war…and it was crazy to think that some people lived as though the war didn’t affect them and others were living a miserable life in the war. That contrast was tangible as I read. Overall I was invested in the 3 main characters and thought it was a good book!
craftyemma's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A circus train travels throughout Europe, entertaining the crowds with a variety of amazing performers. However the boss, Horace, is an unscrupulous man who hides important documents, only bringing them to attention when it benefits him.
Lena has never been able to walk, due to a disease she had as a baby, but is encouraged by her doctor to try to build her strength. With the help of her father, Theo and her new friend, Alexandre, she embarks on the gruelling task. However, the world has different ideas....
When the second world war breaks out and evolves throughout Europe, the story takes on a different tone, exploring the dangers the train is in and eventually ends badly for some of the characters.
Lena, Theo and Alexandre are all very likable characters, they all have their problems, but they love and respect each other. The confidence they have in each others abilities is beautiful and such a lovely part of this story. The way Amita Parikh has written the characters from different backgrounds and situations, coming together to form such a bond is heart-warming.
The Circus Train is an interesting location and I was never quite sure if it held some kind of magic or not, which made the novel more interesting to me. I loved all the background characters and the descriptions of a sumptuous interior and how richly decorated the carriages were.
Lena has never been able to walk, due to a disease she had as a baby, but is encouraged by her doctor to try to build her strength. With the help of her father, Theo and her new friend, Alexandre, she embarks on the gruelling task. However, the world has different ideas....
When the second world war breaks out and evolves throughout Europe, the story takes on a different tone, exploring the dangers the train is in and eventually ends badly for some of the characters.
Lena, Theo and Alexandre are all very likable characters, they all have their problems, but they love and respect each other. The confidence they have in each others abilities is beautiful and such a lovely part of this story. The way Amita Parikh has written the characters from different backgrounds and situations, coming together to form such a bond is heart-warming.
The Circus Train is an interesting location and I was never quite sure if it held some kind of magic or not, which made the novel more interesting to me. I loved all the background characters and the descriptions of a sumptuous interior and how richly decorated the carriages were.
maeflower4213's review against another edition
5.0
"Your greatest achievements often grow out of the worst circumstances."
I enjoyed this book very much. It was my favorite read of the year so far (albeit that number is very small still). As a historical fiction, it was a fresh take on European communities in the WWII Era. The component of a traveling circus provided a more magical and escapism view of a continent so hard pressed by war for so many years. The romantic storyline in the plot felt natural and genuine. It was believable and did not feel exaggerated or like it would cause one to grimace.
The characters were well written and each of the three main characters had wonderful development throughout the plot. Because the book is told from various perspectives, across roughly twenty-three years, good development was integral. We saw flaws in each person and the changes they went through over time to grow which makes you love them even more.
The elements of suspense, surprise, and plot twists were also used and spaced well throughout. The pacing was slow enough allowing the reader to fall in love with the characters but fast enough that you were always wondering what would happen next. And while I had anticipated aspects of the big plot twist, overall the way it played out took me mostly by surprise.
I enjoyed being able to relate to the main female character despite the fact that she was a child for most of the book with a vastly different background. Family was so important to her as well as her people or found family. She desperately wanted friends and to fit in with the other girls/children. I remember being that way. And though her love of learning was a bit more intense, her curiosity and desire to be able to know and do more rings true for me as well, especially when there's a perceived idea that she couldn't do something.
Lena was a child for most of the story so while there was certainly naivety, she also carried herself with great maturity, beyond her age in some ways. I'll always love a happily ever after.
I enjoyed this book very much. It was my favorite read of the year so far (albeit that number is very small still). As a historical fiction, it was a fresh take on European communities in the WWII Era. The component of a traveling circus provided a more magical and escapism view of a continent so hard pressed by war for so many years. The romantic storyline in the plot felt natural and genuine. It was believable and did not feel exaggerated or like it would cause one to grimace.
The characters were well written and each of the three main characters had wonderful development throughout the plot. Because the book is told from various perspectives, across roughly twenty-three years, good development was integral. We saw flaws in each person and the changes they went through over time to grow which makes you love them even more.
The elements of suspense, surprise, and plot twists were also used and spaced well throughout. The pacing was slow enough allowing the reader to fall in love with the characters but fast enough that you were always wondering what would happen next. And while I had anticipated aspects of the big plot twist, overall the way it played out took me mostly by surprise.
I enjoyed being able to relate to the main female character despite the fact that she was a child for most of the book with a vastly different background. Family was so important to her as well as her people or found family. She desperately wanted friends and to fit in with the other girls/children. I remember being that way. And though her love of learning was a bit more intense, her curiosity and desire to be able to know and do more rings true for me as well, especially when there's a perceived idea that she couldn't do something.
Lena was a child for most of the story so while there was certainly naivety, she also carried herself with great maturity, beyond her age in some ways. I'll always love a happily ever after.
sboselovic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
jordjohn8's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so enjoyable. Not the kind that you finish in one day, but instead the kind that you truly enjoy reading, not wanting to miss any details. I changed my rating from 4 to 5 stars because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this story.
mandyyeff's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75