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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
LOVE!! The novel of the year! This novel left me with a sense of magic, love,& hope. Enticing storyline that flowed perfectly. Captivating and loveable characters!! Couldn't put it down! Great read!
It started SO GOOD but wow this was not historically accurate in terms of characterization. Also there were three books in one here.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lena Papadapoulos has spent her whole life with the World of Wonders, Europe's most magnificent travelling circus, where her father works as the star illusionist. But Lena, wheelchair-bound after a bout of polio during her early childhood, has never fit in at the circus. When an orphaned young boy named Alexandre joins the circus under unusual circumstances, Lena finds herself with a real friend for the first time in her life. They navigate their childhood together, Alexandre shadowed by secrets from his past and Lena determined to overcome the limitations life has set on her. The story is set during the second world war and events conspire to separate Lena from Theo and Alexandre halfway through.
This is a story with a lot of potential. From the author's note, it is clear she has done a lot of research to write about both Lena's struggle with her disability and the fate of the two men after they are separated from Lena.
The execution, however, leaves something to be desired for. There was rather too much telling instead of showing and the only part of the entire book that had me on the edge of my seat was the one where Theo and Alexandre attempt an escape.
One thing that usually annoys me is a story that keeps hinting at secrets for way too long before they are eventually revealed. As was the case with Theo's secret in this book, which I had already figured out long before the reveal.
This is a story with a lot of potential. From the author's note, it is clear she has done a lot of research to write about both Lena's struggle with her disability and the fate of the two men after they are separated from Lena.
The execution, however, leaves something to be desired for. There was rather too much telling instead of showing and the only part of the entire book that had me on the edge of my seat was the one where Theo and Alexandre attempt an escape.
One thing that usually annoys me is a story that keeps hinting at secrets for way too long before they are eventually revealed. As was the case with Theo's secret in this book, which I had already figured out long before the reveal.
slow-paced
The novel is really rich and beautiful, the narrator imojen church was very good in my opinion.
It shows the side of wealthy people in ww2, usually storiea are about brave poor and suffering people, not the people who did not envolve themselves in the war.
I enjoyed it.
It shows the side of wealthy people in ww2, usually storiea are about brave poor and suffering people, not the people who did not envolve themselves in the war.
I enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Gun violence, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, War, Classism
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
Found out about its problematic parts.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
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
I loved reading this book! The research surrounding the 1930’s-1950’s is amazing: she touches on the circus life, WW II, India’s fight for freedom, and the lack of awareness of disabilities, and it is so well done! It has romance, a strong female protagonist, and themes of what it takes to survive as an outsider. I also never though of how many people celebrate the circus as a group, but its individuals may be ostracized outside of that realm. It definitely made me think, feel, and immerse myself in its world.