A review by lizzie24601
Bacchanal by Veronica G. Henry

adventurous mysterious 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

3.0

If you liked The Night Circus, you'll love this book. Honestly, I felt pretty much the same about this as I did The Night Circus - loved the worldbuilding, liked the cast of characters, wasn't thrilled with the plot.

Veronica Henry brings forth a fun cast of characters in the carnival and intricately weaves African mythology with American historical fiction. I liked the few times we switched to other characters' perspectives and got to know them a little more. I especially liked Malachi, Autumn, and Ishe.

Liza is a well-rounded character, with a power she doesn't quite understand, and needs some character growth before she can control it. I liked that Liza has a lot of negative qualities that others find irritating about her, but she finds her friends nonetheless. I enjoyed seeing her grow throughout the book and find a home with the carnival.

 The book ends rather abruptly
and confusingly - Mico was the mom? Did that mean the old man was the dad? I don't understand
but overall it's a fun read.

Additional thoughts on the ending:
RIP Clay and Ishe... You didn't deserve to die in 2 sentences. And love that the whole book was about Liza finding a family and building up this cast of characters who support her and then the carnival ended and she never spoke to any of them again. Whatever.
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