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A review by arabellasbooks
Show Stopper by Hayley Barker
4.0
4.5/5
In this book we follow main characters Ben (Pure, rich) and Hoshiko (Dreg, poor) as they unravel two sides to the horrifics of society in the near future (only 25+ years from now) and on opening night of the Cirque (where Hoshiko is the star attraction), Hoshiko is almost killed by ringmaster Silvio after Ben’s mother (running for government leader) complains of the lack of excitement so far in the show. As the book unravels we see the horrors of the behind the scenes of the Crique (including rehearsals, recruitment and punishments) and we also see Ben start to understand the disgrace and unfairness of society and it’s treatment of the Dregs. As Ben continues to visit the Cirque, he soon runs away from home to save Hoshiko from her inevitable death (decided by his mother) and a huge police hunt ensures where they only narrowly escape (with the help of ‘policeman’ Jack and 6 year old Greta), burning the Cirque to the ground as they leave and blowing up Silvio with it.
This book had me hooked from the very beginning. The alternating perspectives, the characters, the plot building, the pacing, the storyline? Incredible. I won’t say I loved every second because it was highly depressing but this book was so intriguingly heartbreaking and horrific to read and the fact that it is not even all that far fetched in terms of the foundations of the society makes it all the more heart wrenching to read. I quickly fell in love with Hoshiko and want to protect her, and all the other Dregs, forced to perform with all my heart because they all deserve so much better. Also little Greta saving the day was a plot point I loved reading about because it was so unexpected of her from the personality we were shown for her to have throughout the book. Greta and Hoshiko were adorable. The only thing I wasn’t as much of a fan of was the relationship between Ben and Hoshiko as I feel like it all felt quite sudden and could have worked as just as good a plot point if they had formed a strong friendship instead. Other than that this book was incredible and so well paced I could not put it down.
In this book we follow main characters Ben (Pure, rich) and Hoshiko (Dreg, poor) as they unravel two sides to the horrifics of society in the near future (only 25+ years from now) and on opening night of the Cirque (where Hoshiko is the star attraction), Hoshiko is almost killed by ringmaster Silvio after Ben’s mother (running for government leader) complains of the lack of excitement so far in the show. As the book unravels we see the horrors of the behind the scenes of the Crique (including rehearsals, recruitment and punishments) and we also see Ben start to understand the disgrace and unfairness of society and it’s treatment of the Dregs. As Ben continues to visit the Cirque, he soon runs away from home to save Hoshiko from her inevitable death (decided by his mother) and a huge police hunt ensures where they only narrowly escape (with the help of ‘policeman’ Jack and 6 year old Greta), burning the Cirque to the ground as they leave and blowing up Silvio with it.
This book had me hooked from the very beginning. The alternating perspectives, the characters, the plot building, the pacing, the storyline? Incredible. I won’t say I loved every second because it was highly depressing but this book was so intriguingly heartbreaking and horrific to read and the fact that it is not even all that far fetched in terms of the foundations of the society makes it all the more heart wrenching to read. I quickly fell in love with Hoshiko and want to protect her, and all the other Dregs, forced to perform with all my heart because they all deserve so much better. Also little Greta saving the day was a plot point I loved reading about because it was so unexpected of her from the personality we were shown for her to have throughout the book. Greta and Hoshiko were adorable. The only thing I wasn’t as much of a fan of was the relationship between Ben and Hoshiko as I feel like it all felt quite sudden and could have worked as just as good a plot point if they had formed a strong friendship instead. Other than that this book was incredible and so well paced I could not put it down.