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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
Nice if maybe a bit uneven story. The first half is set in a circus that travels by train across Europe prior to WWII starting. There is a big event midway through (not that big since the book jacket basically tells you what happens). After that the book splits into alternating points of view. Not sure calling it a point of view is accurate since none of the story is told from the characters perspective but instead is narrated by an omniscient person.
While I enjoyed the book, especially the second half once Lena becomes an adult, I never felt connected to any of the characters.
While I enjoyed the book, especially the second half once Lena becomes an adult, I never felt connected to any of the characters.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Xenophobia, Medical content, Medical trauma, War
This is a book that I haven't heard very little about especially in the book-internet spaces but to me, it is such a hidden gem. Parikh's writing is mind-blowing for a debut novel and something about it just sucked me right back in time and into these characters' lives from page one. I got this from Book of the Month the month it came out and it took me a really long time to read because it was never something I gravitated towards. However, if you are looking for a historical romance, this is the book for you. You can tell that the author put a lot of research and passion into this novel that grounded it and created a foundation for a wonderful story full of fictional characters. I don't pick up a ton of historical fiction or romance but something about this book and these characters really made me emotional to the point where I had to stop reading on the train for fear of crying in front of others. I think if you let this story into your heart it will envelope you in emotions.
2.5⭐️
The fact that I put this book down for months tells you that it wasn’t interesting enough to really pull me in or make me feel excited to finish it. I felt like the plot started strong and then halfway took a turn that had me feeling like the story was left unfinished. I think it had a lot of potential to be a beautiful story of love, loss, and the struggles of WWII, but it just didn’t get there for me.
The fact that I put this book down for months tells you that it wasn’t interesting enough to really pull me in or make me feel excited to finish it. I felt like the plot started strong and then halfway took a turn that had me feeling like the story was left unfinished. I think it had a lot of potential to be a beautiful story of love, loss, and the struggles of WWII, but it just didn’t get there for me.
I’m not generally a fan of historical fiction, but I was into this book, so that should tell you something!
Short Synopsis:
Lena and her dad Theo are part of The World of Wonders - a traveling circus. Theo is an in-demand illusionist. Lena has never found her place within the circus so has turned to learning from the local doctor. That is until orphan and Jewish Alexandre enters the circus. At the height of WW2, this book will break your heart.
Thoughts:
I just loved the three main characters. The book spanned over a couple decades and we really got to know them and watch them grow. I couldn’t put it down.
Read if you like:
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Three stars seems both generous and harsh at the same time. I hate it when a book presents itself with such an interesting premise...a young, disabled girl being raised on a circus train during WWII...and squanders it. It feels like this book should be recategorized as YA, but that still wouldn't fully account for the poor character development, lack of depth, and lackluster writing. To sum it up, the love stories were juvenile and the "secrets" were lame.