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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. đ I'd like to reread this, in just one format, when my mind isn't gobbledygook. đ
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse, Infidelity, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty and Suicide
bxnny's review against another edition
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Suicide, Torture, Forced institutionalization, and Injury/Injury detail
strawb3rrysugar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, and Sexual content
ramakn22's review against another edition
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Suicide, and Abandonment
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 - Iâm primarily a character-driven reader, and though many are intriguing to a certain extent, Iâm 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 âeastern mysticismâ kind of way that doesnât 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 itâs all a bit too vague. I wish there were specific Shakespeare quotes, instead of vague references as well. Iâm 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 wasnât for me.
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, and Infidelity
kcmg710'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
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol
purplepenning's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Undeniably beautiful writing in a turn of the century fairytale that is groundedly gritty and soaringly ethereal. I don't care for circuses, but it was the exact right venue for this story. This one didn't knock me off my feet quite as much as The Starless Sea, which I read first and with no expectations. Partly, I think, because I wasn't as enamored with Marco as I maybe was supposed to be and I wasn't as satisfied with the ending here, but mostly because:
"The finest of pleasure are always the unexpected ones."
Definitely recommend for fans of The Starless Sea and Alix Harrow's Ten Thousand Doors of January.
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abandonment and Alcohol
Abuse of magic/violation of personal agency: stealing memories, advancing by magically enhanced charm and looksmaeverose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
This review is for my first re read of this book, which I originally gave 4 or 5 stars (canât remember)
!!!This will have spoilers so skip if you havenât read the book!!!
The things I loved:
The things I didnât like:
Marcoâs relationship with Isobel. He was kinda terrible to her. He fell for Celia the moment he saw her, but didnât break up with Isobel until 15 years later⌠like yes Isobel couldâve taken the hint that he didnât like her anymore but it was really sh*tty of him to not just tell her that it was over. He knew Isobel still loved him, or he wouldnât have broken up with her at all. He just let that go on for 15 yearsâŚâŚ another thing about their relationship that bothered me, is if you pay attention, towards the end Isobel says she was younger than Bailey when she met Marco. Bailey was 15 when Isobel met him, Marco was 19 when he met Isobel. So Isobel had to have been 14 at the oldestâŚ. That makes me uncomfortable.
The competition. I liked that it wasnât action heavy, but I felt like there was so little focus on the competition that it just felt a bit low stakes. Not even just that but it hardly felt like there was a competition at all.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Suicide, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Confinement, Cursing, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual content, and Death of parent
A sort of magical equivalent of terminal illness, stabbing, depression, an unhealthy romantic relationship (side romance), pedophilic relationship (14 & 19 when they get together, side romance)zoeelora's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
talonsontypewriters'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death of parent, and Pregnancy