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bobaduckie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Physical abuse, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
jackbifrost's review against another edition
Graphic: Child abuse and Death
Moderate: Infidelity
mdwsn27's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Infidelity, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
bexi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
My point is that I'm not entirely sure what I read and I definitely missed some things, but the experience was lovely despite any confusion. 😅 I'd like to reread this, in just one format, when my mind isn't gobbledygook. 🙈
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse, Infidelity, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty and Suicide
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
atrollreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Infidelity
tays_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Self harm, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Death of parent
zomvi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
At first, I did enjoy the shifting perspectives, but after finishing the book I feel that there wasn't much of a payout. These parts could have been used to pull the reader in better, or have provided more information or foreshadowing. The coming-of-age and passing-of-the-torch tropes seem a bit too convenient. I wish we got to know the characters more - I’m primarily a character-driven reader, and though many are intriguing to a certain extent, I’m not particularly fond of the overwhelming majority of the cast. Tsukiko is probably one character that interests me, but she does seem to be a bit stereotypical in the “eastern mysticism” kind of way that doesn’t really sit super well with me. I want to know more about the contest, the original rivalry that seemingly spawned this competition altogether, and indulge in more world-building, but it’s all a bit too vague. I wish there were specific Shakespeare quotes, instead of vague references as well. I’m also not really a fan of the love-triangle or enemies/rivals-to-lovers tropes, so was looking forward to some twists and turns or subverted expectations somehow,
I did enjoy a lot of the whimsical descriptions of the circus itself, especially the designs and performances or attractions, in particular. The use of color, and the black and white theme greatly complimented the day/night cycles the circus rigidly follows, and the contrasting chapters exploring the many mysterious characters added to the intrigue. I also really loved the food descriptions, and how immersive it felt while Morgenstern gave us the sights and tastes and smells of the scenes.
Regarding the ending,
Overall, glad I finally knocked it off my tbr, but it just wasn’t for me.
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, and Infidelity
thehobbitbarbie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's almost impossible not to wax a little poetic about it because this is a highly poetic book, which is wild considering it's at least partially, basically about Disney adults. All that to say, it was a five-star read for me, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for what I can only describe as a luscious read.
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
itsheyfay's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt