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cpratreads'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? No
4.0
I was not sold on the time jumps in the narrative at first, because they felt quite jilted. I got used to them as the story went along though.
If you like vibes this book is full of them.
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child abuse and Mental illness
theirgracegrace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
My most adored parts of the book are the descriptions of the circus venues, from the enigmatic Labyrinth to the Wishing Tree and the Ice Garden. The symbolism of a circus that is adorned in black and white, and it is the visitors who bring colour to it, shows immaculate sense of the book's themes. I was immediately drawn to the character of Bailey and loved how the narrative slowly incorporates him and the rêveurs. A delightful tale with a bittersweet ending that I look forward to reading next time the circus rolls into town!
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Vomit, and Classism
One of the side characters get hit by a traincraftysnailtail's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
But I think if I had read this rather than listened, I would've liked it a lot more. And even more confusingly, I keep thinking about this freaking book! I've read several very good books since this one, but whenever I space out throughout the week, this book is what pops into my head. The fanciful descriptions of the circus have burrowed under my skin. And that ending! Unlike any other book I've read. I think I would have been missing out if I hadn't gotten to that ending.
This novel really felt like a meandering dream in the most frustrating yet fascinating way... So I have to bump up my rating. I think maybe the author achieved exactly what they meant to. It was just very difficult to stick with it in audiobook form. And you have to be in the mood for a book this unique. Do you want to feel like you're tripping through a magical circus where time moves incredibly slowly? Then this is the book for you!
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
alli3hl13's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, and Murder
One sex scene but no actual detailsabookwormspov's review against another edition
- 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? No
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Dementia, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
tomoonarmy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Addiction, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Alcohol
bi_n_large'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? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicide, Blood, Dementia, and Death of parent
Minor: Eating disorder and Fire/Fire injury
thirdtimesacharm'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? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
uranaishi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
March 26, 2014
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal death, Sexism, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
evieolive's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Suicide
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, and Death of parent