camihawk's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting mystery, but I wish so much of it wasn't told from journal entries, it took away some of the tension. Also I wanted more from the Circus? It was a cool idea but I just expected it to be more expansive than it was? Maybe I am just used to comparing it to the Night Circus. Also all the characters seemed bland??? I wanted to like this more than I did but still enjoyed the read.
jayray's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.5
Slow starting but it drags you in and doesn't let go
kculbreath's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
rrickman33's review against another edition
5.0
OK WOW YES THIS BOOK! This is what I wanted Lost Apothecary to be, so why is it not more popular?!
We start on Lara's wedding day when her groom goes missing... and then his car is found but no him. Lara has a little secret though, she has magic. She comes from a long line of circus performers dating back to 1920s Paris and a very famous, very mysterious "Le Cirque Secret" or Secret Circus. We follow Lara and her magical mom, Aubrey, on a journey through America and Paris to solve an old family secret. It's related to her missing groom I promise!
In 1920s Paris we follow Lara and Aubrey's ancestor, Cecile, as a member of this secret circus. She frequents restaurants with famous authors and painters like Picasso and Hemingway. This era of the book was full of old timey Paris glamour and I was here for it.
This book is SMART. The first 100 pages I truly was wondering where this was going, not everything was making sense or seemed to matter but it does. Every character and every plot point comes together in the end, you just have to keep reading! The story really picks up in Part II when the Paris trip takes place so at least get to there before you judge this book.
There was a lot of French in this book and it made my French Minor heart so happy. It did explain the French if there was no direct translation, Sayers rarely left the reader scratching their head at the French used. There were a lot of info dumps in this book, if 50 pages of details had been taken out it would have really been stellar but I loved it all the same.
If you're looking for a book on a secret, dark magic, devil circus, in 1920s Paris AND a modern day true crime, rock and roll, family drama THEN LOOK NO FARTHER. This book had so much to love and was such a joy to read.
We start on Lara's wedding day when her groom goes missing... and then his car is found but no him. Lara has a little secret though, she has magic. She comes from a long line of circus performers dating back to 1920s Paris and a very famous, very mysterious "Le Cirque Secret" or Secret Circus. We follow Lara and her magical mom, Aubrey, on a journey through America and Paris to solve an old family secret. It's related to her missing groom I promise!
In 1920s Paris we follow Lara and Aubrey's ancestor, Cecile, as a member of this secret circus. She frequents restaurants with famous authors and painters like Picasso and Hemingway. This era of the book was full of old timey Paris glamour and I was here for it.
This book is SMART. The first 100 pages I truly was wondering where this was going, not everything was making sense or seemed to matter but it does. Every character and every plot point comes together in the end, you just have to keep reading! The story really picks up in Part II when the Paris trip takes place so at least get to there before you judge this book.
There was a lot of French in this book and it made my French Minor heart so happy. It did explain the French if there was no direct translation, Sayers rarely left the reader scratching their head at the French used. There were a lot of info dumps in this book, if 50 pages of details had been taken out it would have really been stellar but I loved it all the same.
If you're looking for a book on a secret, dark magic, devil circus, in 1920s Paris AND a modern day true crime, rock and roll, family drama THEN LOOK NO FARTHER. This book had so much to love and was such a joy to read.
leigh9192's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lajenn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
5.0
The Ladies of the Secret Circus // by Constance Sayers // narrated by Emily Lawrence
This is one of the books that I definitely judged by its cover. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it and I find myself staring at it on my shelf again and again (I'm one of those people that enjoys just sitting in front of bookshelves, just staring at them). I was also lucky enough to receive the audio ARC as well so I was able to switch between the two formats. For the most part, though, I was listening to this one because I adored the narrator so much. I don't know how accurate her accents were because I don't personally know people with those accents but they sounded so well done to me. The voices she did for each character were great as well, each one so distinct from the others.
I honestly don't have a lot of things to say about this book because I am just that happy with it. It is a great mix of historical fiction, using real places and people (such as world leaders and painters), and what initially feels like magical realism but in the second half definitely turns fully towards fantasy. It also has dual timelines, which I have always loved. I know this part has seen a little criticism but I actually liked the transitions and the only thing I would say is that I wish there were more chapters of the past because they were just so interesting and intriguing! I would've loved to learn more about the secret circus! This book blends fantasy elements with enough realism and mystery to keep you glued to it the entire time, just waiting to find out what happens next and who did what. I haven't read A Witch in Time by this author yet but now I definitely need to add it to my TBR!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of the books that I definitely judged by its cover. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it and I find myself staring at it on my shelf again and again (I'm one of those people that enjoys just sitting in front of bookshelves, just staring at them). I was also lucky enough to receive the audio ARC as well so I was able to switch between the two formats. For the most part, though, I was listening to this one because I adored the narrator so much. I don't know how accurate her accents were because I don't personally know people with those accents but they sounded so well done to me. The voices she did for each character were great as well, each one so distinct from the others.
I honestly don't have a lot of things to say about this book because I am just that happy with it. It is a great mix of historical fiction, using real places and people (such as world leaders and painters), and what initially feels like magical realism but in the second half definitely turns fully towards fantasy. It also has dual timelines, which I have always loved. I know this part has seen a little criticism but I actually liked the transitions and the only thing I would say is that I wish there were more chapters of the past because they were just so interesting and intriguing! I would've loved to learn more about the secret circus! This book blends fantasy elements with enough realism and mystery to keep you glued to it the entire time, just waiting to find out what happens next and who did what. I haven't read A Witch in Time by this author yet but now I definitely need to add it to my TBR!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
ashleyg81's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ja_aska's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
skopsreads's review against another edition
5.0
This book turned out so incredible. Admittedly, when I first started listening to it, it felt a bit slow and I struggled to get interested. Then at some point, it just dug its hooks in and I found myself finding any oppurtunity I had to listen to it.
I could have sworn I saw somewhere mention Practical Magic meets The Night Circus and it fits so perfectly.
I could have sworn I saw somewhere mention Practical Magic meets The Night Circus and it fits so perfectly.