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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Absolutely enchanting. The writing is lush, the atmosphere is pure magic, and the world feels like a dream you don’t want to wake up from. It’s a slow burn, but every page is worth it. A love letter to wonder and imagination.
A year ago, I wouldn’t have dared to even touch this book, because of something written on its back: „romance“. This singular word would have frightened my pathetic, conceited ass away, convinced that such frivolities were beneath me. It would have, if it weren’t for the recommendation of a friend, whose opinion I value highly. And now, after having actually read this book, I can say to that friend: Thank you. Truly. It was your suggestion, and your suggestion alone that enriched my world. Because I adore everything about this novel. The writing, the characters, the ambience, even the plot structure (you know it’s good when you can get excited about the plot structure) blend together perfectly. In fact, it is so well written that it managed to get my current self (slightly less pathetic and conceited, hopefully no longer an ass) invested in a love story (even though it’s actually so much more than that) of all things, which has only happened once before, in my favorite book ever. And so, there is only one thing left to say, a sentiment that bears repeating: Thank you.
- Some good plot twists with the characters
- The ending just felt quite shallow
- Not a super original or interesting magic system. Not well defined either.
- It felt like most of the characters didn't stand out much in their own personalities
- The idea of a game is well portrayed
- The ending just felt quite shallow
- Not a super original or interesting magic system. Not well defined either.
- It felt like most of the characters didn't stand out much in their own personalities
- The idea of a game is well portrayed
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked this book. The characters were interesting and the setting was fantastic and the plot was very well done.
This book’s biggest flaw was that I spent the whole time reading it comparing it to The Starless Sea. And it did not fare well in that comparison.
This book’s biggest flaw was that I spent the whole time reading it comparing it to The Starless Sea. And it did not fare well in that comparison.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death
I cannot fit all the quotes that I found beautiful and heartwarming in this review. But I don’t need to share my favourite quotes to know that this is going to be one of my top 5 fav books of 2022. I will never smell caramel popcorn the same again.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Death of parent
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, Murder, Alcohol
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
Real score: 80. From: The circus arrives without warning. To: The circus arrives without warning. There is so much that’s cyclical about this book. Friedrich Thiessen tells us that the origin of the word circus is “kirkos meaning circle or ring”. I’m personally cycling back and instantly adding it back to my to read list. Also, when I head to the fabric store later, I will be buying red yarn to make a red scarf because I am undoubtedly now a Rêveur. Read this book: it is magical. That goes without saying in terms of its essence, but it is that and more. I read in a combination of real pages in my hands and the words in my ears, and that too was magical.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book plays on the theory of nature vs nurture, with beautiful magical twist. A competition of wonders that takes place against the backdrop of a traveling circus of wonders.