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A review by oracle_of_madness
The First Bright Thing by J.R. Dawson
4.5
Sapphic, magical realism, circus, found family, all of this with some very serious and emotional twists.
I had to take a moment after reading this one to really think about it, but I realized in that time that ultimately, I really loved this.
Rin is the ringleader of a magical circus, a place that serves as a refuge to many misfits. Her love for this found family knows no bounds, and when everything is under attack from a man from Rin's past, she does everything possible to save her friends.
Set between WW1 and WW2, this story hits on numerous difficult topics, including xenophobia and homophobia. There is also violence and dangerous situations. Please be prepared for this.
I really wound up loving this story. The magic system was not only gorgeous but also incredibly useful. This starts off seeming like a sweet, cozy read but quickly turns very serious. However, the love in this book overwhelms anything else, and for that, this will be on my mind for a while to come.
Out June 13, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
I had to take a moment after reading this one to really think about it, but I realized in that time that ultimately, I really loved this.
Rin is the ringleader of a magical circus, a place that serves as a refuge to many misfits. Her love for this found family knows no bounds, and when everything is under attack from a man from Rin's past, she does everything possible to save her friends.
Set between WW1 and WW2, this story hits on numerous difficult topics, including xenophobia and homophobia. There is also violence and dangerous situations. Please be prepared for this.
I really wound up loving this story. The magic system was not only gorgeous but also incredibly useful. This starts off seeming like a sweet, cozy read but quickly turns very serious. However, the love in this book overwhelms anything else, and for that, this will be on my mind for a while to come.
Out June 13, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, Xenophobia, and Blood