Scan barcode
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
chronicacademia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
aas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Alcohol
elanuruysal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Minor: Suicide and Abandonment
lily_peach'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
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Suicide
vas_17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
gummifrog'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
2.75
However, I am glad I read this. I did get goosebumps at the ending. I loved the setting descriptions and the atmosphere, and all the characters were uniquely quirky and lovable. I want to visit the circus - I would totally be one of the nerds with the red scarves. The magic systems were fascinating and was described in a way that allowed room for imagination, while being so full of beauty and clockwork machinations. I love the idea that magic is always present in the world, and that most people would rather not see it.
Idkkkk I think I'll have to let this one marinate!
Also, I read this on audio and I was not a fan of the narrator. He ascribed so many annoying voices and unnecessary accents to characters that didn't need it (does every red headed person need to speak with an Irish accent? Does every Asian character need to have a vaguely-foreign accent? Come on bro 😭). I might have enjoyed this way more if I'd read it in text form. I may revisit it in several years if I feel in the mood.
Moderate: Suicide and Violence
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Abandonment
imaginaryalchemist'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? No
4.75
Erin Morgenstern is a master of atmosphere, I felt like I was actually at Le Cirque des Rêves, seeing the fantastical performances for myself. The circus itself felt like a character.
I do wish more time had been spent fleshing out Celia and Marco, but that's a minor nitpick. Ultimately the story was more about the circus and it's inner workings, as well as the hidden competition taking place.
My favorite characters by far were Poppet and Widget, they felt the most alive to me. I enjoyed the scenes with them and Bailey exploring the circus. There was a lot of chemistry between Poppet and Bailey.
Overall, I was enthralled by this book. I was drawn into the circus and the world around it. I suppose you could say I've become a rêveur.
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death and Child abuse
Some of what Celia's father, Hector, does can be seen as abusive. At one point he slices open the tips of her fingers repeatedly to get her to practice healing them. There is a brief mention of a dove having its neck snapped. There are mentions of blood and injury. In one scene, Celia stabs her hand with a dagger.rosenau'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
5.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body horror
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 looks