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A review by smalltownbookmom
Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal
4.0
3.5 rounded up.
I was really excited for this Victorian historical fiction book about a 'Circus of wonders," sadly though it fell a little flat for me. Set in 1860s England at the height of the popularity of all things different and macabre. Jasper Jupiter and his brother Toby aspire to create a circus to rival that of Barnum and Bailey's. The stars seem to align for the brothers when they come across Nell, a young woman with mottled skin, whose father sells her to the circus for a pittance.
Told in alternating perspectives from Jasper, Toby and Nell we get to see the rise of the circus, Jasper's growing ambition, Toby's growing love for Nell and Nell finding a confidence and self-acceptance she never would have had in her tiny village home. Overall it was interesting and if you enjoyed books like The night circus, Water for Elephants or The museum of extraordinary things by Alice Hoffman, this might be right up your alley. For me, it was hard not to make comparisons and this story just wasn't quite on the same level as the others. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy!
I was really excited for this Victorian historical fiction book about a 'Circus of wonders," sadly though it fell a little flat for me. Set in 1860s England at the height of the popularity of all things different and macabre. Jasper Jupiter and his brother Toby aspire to create a circus to rival that of Barnum and Bailey's. The stars seem to align for the brothers when they come across Nell, a young woman with mottled skin, whose father sells her to the circus for a pittance.
Told in alternating perspectives from Jasper, Toby and Nell we get to see the rise of the circus, Jasper's growing ambition, Toby's growing love for Nell and Nell finding a confidence and self-acceptance she never would have had in her tiny village home. Overall it was interesting and if you enjoyed books like The night circus, Water for Elephants or The museum of extraordinary things by Alice Hoffman, this might be right up your alley. For me, it was hard not to make comparisons and this story just wasn't quite on the same level as the others. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy!