edyth's review against another edition
4.0
One of the weirdest books I have ever read in my life, and I have read some weird shit. Couldn't put it down. Was a little scared I would have a nightmare about clowns :P
catopus's review against another edition
4.0
One of the weirdest books I have ever read in my life, and I have read some weird shit. Couldn't put it down. Was a little scared I would have a nightmare about clowns :P
lvlarly's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
tyler_j's review against another edition
4.5
TW: Homophobia, Fire, Death, Animal Abuse (and death), Murder, Language, Self-Harm, R-word, Drugs
I'm not really sure what to say about this book, other than I loved it! It's horrorific at times, funny at others and tugged at my heart at other times still. It's fast-paced, or maybe that's me as I read it in 3 days because Spookathon. Still I was entertained and wanting to know what was going to happen through-out the entire book. It occasionally made me think. The writing was easy to read.
I fell in love with Jamie. The characters felt well done to me for their purposes. The plot and world-building really shined to me. I fell in love with the carnival! In a weird way sure, but still. Writing a review is difficult for this book but not for lack of love for it! If this sounds at all up your alley give it a shot! I can't wait to get the sequel!
I'm not really sure what to say about this book, other than I loved it! It's horrorific at times, funny at others and tugged at my heart at other times still. It's fast-paced, or maybe that's me as I read it in 3 days because Spookathon. Still I was entertained and wanting to know what was going to happen through-out the entire book. It occasionally made me think. The writing was easy to read.
I fell in love with Jamie. The characters felt well done to me for their purposes. The plot and world-building really shined to me. I fell in love with the carnival! In a weird way sure, but still. Writing a review is difficult for this book but not for lack of love for it! If this sounds at all up your alley give it a shot! I can't wait to get the sequel!
drakaina16's review against another edition
I tried to like it, but if just... didn't. Maybe I'll try again some time.
bgstrong's review against another edition
2.0
I was really excited to read this book because the premise sounded scary - but the story itself wasn’t impressive.
There were some gross moments. There were some shocker moments. But none of it was particularly “scary” and the bits in between were just kind of…boring.
Oh well.
There were some gross moments. There were some shocker moments. But none of it was particularly “scary” and the bits in between were just kind of…boring.
Oh well.
seak's review against another edition
5.0
I almost hate to recommend this book because ... what does that say about me?
The Pilo Family Circus is both completely creepy and absolutely fascinating. If you like clowns, you might change your mind after this. If you already don't like them, you'll probably think I knew it!
Jamie almost runs down an odd-looking clown and quickly finds his life changing forever. He has 48 hours to pass his "audition" and failing is not an option.
With some creativity, he finds himself in a circus that's strange even for circus standards ... and deadly. Monsters lurk in dark corners and out in the open too and you don't even want to mess with the proprietor of the whole thing.
Then there are the factions, some of whom absolutely despise each other, such as the Clowns and the Acrobats and what happens in the circus, even a death or two, is overlooked for the most part.
Couple the imaginative world-building with a knack for storytelling and a dark sense of humor (you know, where you laugh and cringe at the same time) and you've got a book I couldn't put down.
I know I go into sales-pitch mode when I talk about a book I really enjoyed, but this one's highly recommended. The audio on this was astounding too. Mark Stephens does a wonderfully creepy job with his Australian accent. Fishboy alone killed me. This character has a high voice, such as when someone inhales helium, and Stephens stuck it perfectly.
This is an unusual book for me to love, but it's a true love. It's different and gruesome and somehow I couldn't put it down. I stayed longer in the car on my drives, I brought headphones to bed when I usual save bedtime reading for my eyes. This is one of those unique books that really stunned me.
4.5 out of 5 Stars (very highly recommended)
The Pilo Family Circus is both completely creepy and absolutely fascinating. If you like clowns, you might change your mind after this. If you already don't like them, you'll probably think I knew it!
Jamie almost runs down an odd-looking clown and quickly finds his life changing forever. He has 48 hours to pass his "audition" and failing is not an option.
With some creativity, he finds himself in a circus that's strange even for circus standards ... and deadly. Monsters lurk in dark corners and out in the open too and you don't even want to mess with the proprietor of the whole thing.
Then there are the factions, some of whom absolutely despise each other, such as the Clowns and the Acrobats and what happens in the circus, even a death or two, is overlooked for the most part.
Couple the imaginative world-building with a knack for storytelling and a dark sense of humor (you know, where you laugh and cringe at the same time) and you've got a book I couldn't put down.
I know I go into sales-pitch mode when I talk about a book I really enjoyed, but this one's highly recommended. The audio on this was astounding too. Mark Stephens does a wonderfully creepy job with his Australian accent. Fishboy alone killed me. This character has a high voice, such as when someone inhales helium, and Stephens stuck it perfectly.
This is an unusual book for me to love, but it's a true love. It's different and gruesome and somehow I couldn't put it down. I stayed longer in the car on my drives, I brought headphones to bed when I usual save bedtime reading for my eyes. This is one of those unique books that really stunned me.
4.5 out of 5 Stars (very highly recommended)
jennj72's review against another edition
3.0
Ummmm.... I don't think this was a bad book. I just never really got into it. I was fine while reading m, but the minute I put it down I was in no big hurry to pick it back up. I was hoping for more of a Geek Love novel.
thepentheimk's review against another edition
4.0
I found this by pure chance, and I'm delighted that I did. Elliot renders a dark, horrifying world, a world that is defined by the grotesque, and a world that is absolutely impossible to tear yourself away from. This is plain good world-building, and the strength of it carried me through extremely quickly, so fast I was a little surprised when it was over.