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lokelani's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rounity's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
shukhia's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ches's review against another edition
3.0
3.25 / 3.5 ish but since goodreads doesn’t allow half stars I rounded down.
I don’t know how to describe this book. It is neither plot or character driven - the characters are underdeveloped & even when something happens to them I don’t care as a reader, so it’s not about the people…but it wasn’t about the story either. It was mostly about the circus. It’s probably the first “place driven” book I’ve read.
It’s set around the year 1900 - the dates given at the start of each chapter are earlier & later, until they eventually begin to coincide. But it could have been set in any time period because there’s nothing other than the author telling you that’s when it’s set to give that away. You can’t tell from the dialogue or descriptions - it feels as though the author chose a period in history to romanticise it.
Pacing wise - it’s very slow. Painfully at first. I spent the first 40% thinking “why do people like this, I’m so bored”. I DNF’d it at 40% but several months later picked it up again. Around 50% in I started to kind of get why people liked their & I enjoyed the atmospheric nature of the book. Around 60% the plot develops for the first time since the beginning of the book & I started to care about the main protagonists.
I didn’t go from hating to loving this book but I did go from “this is boring” to “huh I appreciated this book & I’m glad I read it.” I’m just a tad disappointed that I only enjoyed the last 40% of it & I think it was hugely over hyped a few years ago.
I don’t know how to describe this book. It is neither plot or character driven - the characters are underdeveloped & even when something happens to them I don’t care as a reader, so it’s not about the people…but it wasn’t about the story either. It was mostly about the circus. It’s probably the first “place driven” book I’ve read.
It’s set around the year 1900 - the dates given at the start of each chapter are earlier & later, until they eventually begin to coincide. But it could have been set in any time period because there’s nothing other than the author telling you that’s when it’s set to give that away. You can’t tell from the dialogue or descriptions - it feels as though the author chose a period in history to romanticise it.
Pacing wise - it’s very slow. Painfully at first. I spent the first 40% thinking “why do people like this, I’m so bored”. I DNF’d it at 40% but several months later picked it up again. Around 50% in I started to kind of get why people liked their & I enjoyed the atmospheric nature of the book. Around 60% the plot develops for the first time since the beginning of the book & I started to care about the main protagonists.
I didn’t go from hating to loving this book but I did go from “this is boring” to “huh I appreciated this book & I’m glad I read it.” I’m just a tad disappointed that I only enjoyed the last 40% of it & I think it was hugely over hyped a few years ago.
angiebb's review against another edition
3.0
Could have ended on page 596 with the last kiss. Would have been 5 stars but it dragged on a bit long. And the love story aspect could have been further developed. Entertaining
danielarose's review against another edition
3.75
Very slow start. But a good book with almost magical realism which was fun. I just didn’t feel very connected to the characters
juliabp's review against another edition
5.0
Gets better and better with each reread! The audiobook is magical.
makerbee's review against another edition
3.0
The girls that get it get it, and I’m just not one of the girls