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esshgee's review
3.0
I was really looking forward to this, and although I liked it, it didn't wow me. I liked the circus atmosphere but the romance was a bit OTT for me, and the PTSD/assault was a huge focal point. The legal part of the story seemed to appear and resolve very quickly. I see that book 2 focuses on different characters, so I may still continue with this series
pantsreads's review against another edition
4.0
Another super swoony and entertaining read from Ellie Marney, but was a little too short to be completely satisfying.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
tiffyofthemonts's review against another edition
3.0
I love Ellie Marney's other books - she's always incredible at developing relationships, and creating tension/chemistry between characters, and writing these intense heart-accelerating moments... so I was curious to read her new series, Circus Hearts.
The circus setting definitely makes the story feel unique - it's like nothing I've ever read before. In fact, don't think I've ever even been to a circus, so it was eye opening to experience all of these new things so vividly through the author's writing. And Ellie Marney really brought every detail to life, from physical environments to costumes and routines.
At the same time, because of the amount of detail, I found all the exposition to be really tedious. It felt like I was getting a crash course into circus life, and for me the setup distracted from the story development.
The other thing that I didn't love was the pacing. There was so much build-up at first, from Colm and Sorsha's journey south, to acclimating to a new life, to training and preparing for a show... that I was totally thrown off when Sorsha finally had to confront her trauma. I felt like I had accidentally skipped 50 pages in the story. The resolution came together too quickly and as a reader I felt cheated of seeing Sorsha do the hard work needed to grow and get to a better place.
I love that All the Little Bones touched on important topics and showed the many responses a person can have to traumatic situations. But ultimately I was underwhelmed by the story and character development. There were a couple of plot lines that remained incomplete, and some characters that felt more like props than fully developed people. But I know the next book in this series centers on one of the characters that I found particularly compelling so I'll be curious to read her story and understand her a little more.
The circus setting definitely makes the story feel unique - it's like nothing I've ever read before. In fact, don't think I've ever even been to a circus, so it was eye opening to experience all of these new things so vividly through the author's writing. And Ellie Marney really brought every detail to life, from physical environments to costumes and routines.
At the same time, because of the amount of detail, I found all the exposition to be really tedious. It felt like I was getting a crash course into circus life, and for me the setup distracted from the story development.
The other thing that I didn't love was the pacing. There was so much build-up at first, from Colm and Sorsha's journey south, to acclimating to a new life, to training and preparing for a show... that I was totally thrown off when Sorsha finally had to confront her trauma. I felt like I had accidentally skipped 50 pages in the story. The resolution came together too quickly and as a reader I felt cheated of seeing Sorsha do the hard work needed to grow and get to a better place.
I love that All the Little Bones touched on important topics and showed the many responses a person can have to traumatic situations. But ultimately I was underwhelmed by the story and character development. There were a couple of plot lines that remained incomplete, and some characters that felt more like props than fully developed people. But I know the next book in this series centers on one of the characters that I found particularly compelling so I'll be curious to read her story and understand her a little more.
avsfan08's review against another edition
5.0
Can Ellie write a bad book? I was hooked into the story from the beginning, with the tension of Sorsha and Colm on the run. You know something awful has happened and each piece of the story gradually unfolds. Even when they reach their destination, they still can't let their guard down. I loved the characters of Sorsha and Colm and their developing relationship. Sorsha might be small but certainly to be feared. Colm is not just a strongman as a circus act, it's his very character and nature. There are so many other wonderful supporting characters who I'm looking forward to seeing more of through the series. I loved the circus setting. It was a different view of something you see from the outside, with its own language and customs. Can't wait for the next book!
slc333's review against another edition
3.0
At is heart this is a sweet YA romance.
Sorscha and Colm are two young circus performers fleeing their troupe in the north to avoid police questioning. It is apparent very early on that the event they are fleeing has given Sorscha PTSD and that while she feels enormous amounts of guilt is is not really at fault.
But this is just the backstory to bring them south to Klatch's Karnival where we meet a diverse and interesting cast of characters, Sorscha struggles to comes to terms with what happened and they fall in love.
Sorscha and Colm are two young circus performers fleeing their troupe in the north to avoid police questioning. It is apparent very early on that the event they are fleeing has given Sorscha PTSD and that while she feels enormous amounts of guilt is is not really at fault.
But this is just the backstory to bring them south to Klatch's Karnival where we meet a diverse and interesting cast of characters, Sorscha struggles to comes to terms with what happened and they fall in love.
foreveryoungadult's review against another edition
Graded By: Mandy C.
Cover Story: Ornate
BFF Charm: Yay
Swoonworthy Scale: 9
Talky Talk: Sweet But Short
Bonus Factor: The Circus
Factor: Series Starter
Relationship Status: In It For The Long Haul
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Ornate
BFF Charm: Yay
Swoonworthy Scale: 9
Talky Talk: Sweet But Short
Bonus Factor: The Circus
Factor: Series Starter
Relationship Status: In It For The Long Haul
Read the full book report here.
melbsreads's review against another edition
5.0
Trigger warnings: drowning, death, violence,
24/6/2020
Everything I said last time still applies. Ellie, I know crime is your jam buuuuut if you ever decide to write a romance book, hit me up if you need a beta reader. Just saying.
24/8/2017
In the interests of full disclosure, I received an advanced copy of this from Ellie because I am demanding and she is delightful. This had no impact on how much I absolutely adored this book. The characters are great, the romance is A+, and there's plenty of mystery to keep you guessing, as you would expect with an Ellie Marney book.
The difference here, though, is that the story is set at a circus. Our protagonist, Sorsha, is a teenage trapeze artist. And she's on the run from the cops after defending herself following a Very Bad Thing that happened outside the circus where she grew up. So now she and apprentice strongman, Colm, have run south to join a circus troop in the big city.
The romance, like I said, is fantastic throughout. I loved both of the leads, and the supporting characters are wonderful too. The circus setting was delightful, and I can't wait to read the other two books in this series over the next few months (because thankfully they're all coming out very close together so that me and my very grabby hands don't have to wait!). If you like Ellie's other books, definitely pick this one up.
Spoiler
attempted rape24/6/2020
Everything I said last time still applies. Ellie, I know crime is your jam buuuuut if you ever decide to write a romance book, hit me up if you need a beta reader. Just saying.
24/8/2017
In the interests of full disclosure, I received an advanced copy of this from Ellie because I am demanding and she is delightful. This had no impact on how much I absolutely adored this book. The characters are great, the romance is A+, and there's plenty of mystery to keep you guessing, as you would expect with an Ellie Marney book.
The difference here, though, is that the story is set at a circus. Our protagonist, Sorsha, is a teenage trapeze artist. And she's on the run from the cops after defending herself following a Very Bad Thing that happened outside the circus where she grew up. So now she and apprentice strongman, Colm, have run south to join a circus troop in the big city.
The romance, like I said, is fantastic throughout. I loved both of the leads, and the supporting characters are wonderful too. The circus setting was delightful, and I can't wait to read the other two books in this series over the next few months (because thankfully they're all coming out very close together so that me and my very grabby hands don't have to wait!). If you like Ellie's other books, definitely pick this one up.
megangw's review against another edition
5.0
Everytime I read a book by Ellie Marney, I get swept away into a new world. The way she writes her stories, captivating you entirely and never letting you go. It has been a long time since I’ve read a book late into the early hours of the morning, and this book achieved that. I just couldn’t put it down!
This world of circus life with high flying artists, strongmen, contortionists and costume designers, is utterly unique. Something I never thought I needed. The colour in this story is absolutely wonderful, adding flair not seen often.
The dark twist in this are so well written. Ellie Marney has approached sensitive topics with easy once again, giving insight that’s very needed. This topic is not the centre of the story but does power it. To overcome an ordeal is not easy, and the hard process of overcoming is not brushed over. These characters loose, and build themselves, in a way only she could write. Once again Marney has hit it hard on and successfully done it.
The romance is heart stopping. The heat constantly being built, but also not overwhelming. No cheesy stupid love story here. This romance is more than a love story, it’s overcoming hardships together. It’s learning about yourself and them at the same time. I can’t say how much I love it. The chemistry between the characters is amazing and could not be better.
This book was heart stopping, stomachs twisting, mind blowing and jaw dropping. The twist and turns leading to guess what’s happening next. Ellie Marney never fails to meet expectations and then break through them too. My heart is now just waiting for them next one...
This world of circus life with high flying artists, strongmen, contortionists and costume designers, is utterly unique. Something I never thought I needed. The colour in this story is absolutely wonderful, adding flair not seen often.
The dark twist in this are so well written. Ellie Marney has approached sensitive topics with easy once again, giving insight that’s very needed. This topic is not the centre of the story but does power it. To overcome an ordeal is not easy, and the hard process of overcoming is not brushed over. These characters loose, and build themselves, in a way only she could write. Once again Marney has hit it hard on and successfully done it.
The romance is heart stopping. The heat constantly being built, but also not overwhelming. No cheesy stupid love story here. This romance is more than a love story, it’s overcoming hardships together. It’s learning about yourself and them at the same time. I can’t say how much I love it. The chemistry between the characters is amazing and could not be better.
This book was heart stopping, stomachs twisting, mind blowing and jaw dropping. The twist and turns leading to guess what’s happening next. Ellie Marney never fails to meet expectations and then break through them too. My heart is now just waiting for them next one...
illuminated_frogs's review against another edition
4.0
So contemporary romance isn't really my thing, but Ellie Marney is a definite exception to this.
I think because of the book's length, Sorcha and Colm's relationship didn't have as much time to develop as it could have, but I still enjoyed it. There were also some nice side characters (I especially liked Ren. I think one of the next ones focuses on her? Which I'm looking forward to.)
There's also a time skip near the end, and while I can understand why you'd choose to do it that way, I think I'd personally have rather had more covering what happened.
I think because of the book's length, Sorcha and Colm's relationship didn't have as much time to develop as it could have, but I still enjoyed it. There were also some nice side characters (I especially liked Ren. I think one of the next ones focuses on her? Which I'm looking forward to.)
There's also a time skip near the end, and while I can understand why you'd choose to do it that way, I think I'd personally have rather had more covering what happened.