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amichreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ginnikin's review against another edition
3.0
I quite enjoyed this. It's just as readable as the first, although I had a tough relationship with the start, where they get recaptured after all their work to free themselves in the first. Still, it covered new ground and didn't have that middle book ending where nothing is really resolved because third book. So there's that.
hijinx_abound's review against another edition
3.0
A solid book two. A lot of action, unexpected occurrences, and a lot more story left.
ac223's review against another edition
4.0
This review can also be found at www.thepaperbackaddict.com
I read Menagerie, the first book in this series a few months back and was hooked immediately. Urban Fantasy, supernatural elements set in today's world, is my absolute favorite genre, and Vincent does not disappoint! Her ability to create a world that's new, and addictive when so many have already had their take on it is inspiring. In Menagerie Delilah finds out that she is gifted after being outed and captured for the world to see. Living in captivity after a lifetime of freedom is unbearable, and after making friends with the others they're able to take over Metzger's Menagerie, the traveling circus, and run it for themselves. Using the income provided they are able to live and buy back their friends and family that have been captured and imprisoned by others. Unfortunately, their freedom doesn't last long and they are all recaptured by Willem Vandekamp, the owner of the Savage Spectacle. Vandekamp is a ruthless man who's willing to use the cryptid's in any way that will bring him the most money. Delilah and her friends thought that being chained and starved was the worst thing to happen to them until they were face to face with the cruelty of Vandekamp and his crew. Delilah and those around her intent on gaining back their freedom, but things are run a little differently in their new home, and they must wait for their chance to escape.
***Spoilers***
The Savage Spectacle's owner has created an electronic collar that allows them to not only track the cryptids, but paralyze them and stop them from using their abilities. It's a type of total control that works but also makes them overconfident in their ability to keep the upper hand. While being held prisoner, Delilah is used to serve the clients every desire, nothing is off limits as long as the right amount of money is paid. Gallagher and Eryx are mad to fight brutal battles with other cryptid's until one of them is no longer standing. Killing someone for sport goes against everything Gallagher believes in but he does it after they threaten to kill Delilah if he doesn't cooperate. At the end of the book, they're finally able to escape, but Delilah is pregnant with Gallagher's child. The two of them were forced to have sex when a high paying client wanted to watch the champion and his motivation for winning sleep together. All of the cryptid's split up into groups as they were leaving with no clear plan on where the were going and promises to try and reconnect in the future.
I read Menagerie, the first book in this series a few months back and was hooked immediately. Urban Fantasy, supernatural elements set in today's world, is my absolute favorite genre, and Vincent does not disappoint! Her ability to create a world that's new, and addictive when so many have already had their take on it is inspiring. In Menagerie Delilah finds out that she is gifted after being outed and captured for the world to see. Living in captivity after a lifetime of freedom is unbearable, and after making friends with the others they're able to take over Metzger's Menagerie, the traveling circus, and run it for themselves. Using the income provided they are able to live and buy back their friends and family that have been captured and imprisoned by others. Unfortunately, their freedom doesn't last long and they are all recaptured by Willem Vandekamp, the owner of the Savage Spectacle. Vandekamp is a ruthless man who's willing to use the cryptid's in any way that will bring him the most money. Delilah and her friends thought that being chained and starved was the worst thing to happen to them until they were face to face with the cruelty of Vandekamp and his crew. Delilah and those around her intent on gaining back their freedom, but things are run a little differently in their new home, and they must wait for their chance to escape.
***Spoilers***
The Savage Spectacle's owner has created an electronic collar that allows them to not only track the cryptids, but paralyze them and stop them from using their abilities. It's a type of total control that works but also makes them overconfident in their ability to keep the upper hand. While being held prisoner, Delilah is used to serve the clients every desire, nothing is off limits as long as the right amount of money is paid. Gallagher and Eryx are mad to fight brutal battles with other cryptid's until one of them is no longer standing. Killing someone for sport goes against everything Gallagher believes in but he does it after they threaten to kill Delilah if he doesn't cooperate. At the end of the book, they're finally able to escape, but Delilah is pregnant with Gallagher's child. The two of them were forced to have sex when a high paying client wanted to watch the champion and his motivation for winning sleep together. All of the cryptid's split up into groups as they were leaving with no clear plan on where the were going and promises to try and reconnect in the future.
jashanac's review
fast-paced
3.75
I didn't like this one as much as the first one, mainly because as far as the plot and character arc, it's largely the same.
Our MC is once again forced into captivity against her will and hellbent on getting free again. And she is once again a bit annoying at times with how she is always stupidly fighting with her captors in ways that are OBVIOUSLY going to result in a negative outcome for her and those around her. Like girl, shut the hell up for a second. I get it, she's feisty. But does she have to sometimes be so stupid?
Also some of the plot stuff in this one was a bit much... a bit ridiculous and melodramatic... but here's the thing... it's an entertaining read still!
I liken these books to watching Vampire Diaries or The Originals or True Blood... no vampires, but that paranormal drama full of ridiculousness and overwrought scenes and some truly fucked up things happening sometimes seemingly just for the sake of being fucked up... but you can't stop watching because you're entertained regardless.
If I give the third book at least 3.5 I think I'll purchase copies and this will be a "quick read palette cleanser for funsies" reread series for me. Something to read when I just want to read a few books quickly and be entertained with the dramatic mess of it all.
Our MC is once again forced into captivity against her will and hellbent on getting free again. And she is once again a bit annoying at times with how she is always stupidly fighting with her captors in ways that are OBVIOUSLY going to result in a negative outcome for her and those around her. Like girl, shut the hell up for a second. I get it, she's feisty. But does she have to sometimes be so stupid?
Also some of the plot stuff in this one was a bit much... a bit ridiculous and melodramatic... but here's the thing... it's an entertaining read still!
I liken these books to watching Vampire Diaries or The Originals or True Blood... no vampires, but that paranormal drama full of ridiculousness and overwrought scenes and some truly fucked up things happening sometimes seemingly just for the sake of being fucked up... but you can't stop watching because you're entertained regardless.
If I give the third book at least 3.5 I think I'll purchase copies and this will be a "quick read palette cleanser for funsies" reread series for me. Something to read when I just want to read a few books quickly and be entertained with the dramatic mess of it all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Slavery, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Medical trauma
Minor: Infertility and Miscarriage
mojostdennis's review against another edition
4.0
I don't understand why this series isn't more popular.
I actually won this book as a goodreads giveaway AGES ago, but decided not to read it because I thought it might have a cliffhanger ending and I wanted to wait until the third one was out. I'm really glad I did, because now I don't have to wait for it.
I actually won this book as a goodreads giveaway AGES ago, but decided not to read it because I thought it might have a cliffhanger ending and I wanted to wait until the third one was out. I'm really glad I did, because now I don't have to wait for it.
shai3d's review against another edition
5.0
Ms. Vincent's SPECTACLE asks and answers the question of just what makes us human. Is it our bloodline? Is it the special abilities that come from that bloodline? Or is it what is in our hearts?
I didn't get a chance to read the first book in this series, Menagerie, which I do regret simply because I would like to spend more time with Delilah, Gallagher and the rest of the cryptids. SPECTACLE does stand on it's own beautifully and is one of those books that I regret finishing simply because I would be saying goodbye to these wonderful characters.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, urban fantasy or who simply questions the humanity of those around us. There is some graphic violence and sex is mentioned though not shown in this book.
*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.
writingwwolves's review against another edition
5.0
Ahh I am completely obsessed with this series & I’m fairly certain it’s the best series I’ve read this year. Spectacle went even darker than Menagerie & showed the cruelty of humanity in even more detail. Delilah has some of her strength taken from her & Gallagher has to fight against every one of his instincts but they both do everything they can to protect everyone but themselves. I have the final book being delivered tomorrow & I cannot wait!!
⚠️ Captivity & violence toward mythical creatures, references to off-page rape, gore, abuse toward human & non-human children, forced labour/fighting, forced abortions, hunting, & other themes that may cause upset ⚠️
Extended Review to follow.
⚠️ Captivity & violence toward mythical creatures, references to off-page rape, gore, abuse toward human & non-human children, forced labour/fighting, forced abortions, hunting, & other themes that may cause upset ⚠️
Extended Review to follow.
morganlefay's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
sweetcreature89's review
5.0
Spectacle picks up not long after the ending of Menagerie and, though the cryptids have found themselves comfortable in their new roles, they don't get to stay that way for long. Their worlds are turned upside down once again and with these new challenges, we get to discover a whole new side to this world that Vincent has created.
In this book we get to go inside the world of Savage Spectacle (hence the name) and see how the other side of the cryptid world is run. The Spectacle is nothing like what they experienced at Metzger's Menagerie and they're thrown into a whole new dynamic full of issues and problems they never would have had to even begin to think about at the travelling menagerie.
I deeply enjoyed this book. Menagerie was amazing and Spectacle held everything I loved about the first book and more, much much more. These worlds that Rachel Vincent can create are insane and the story she has come up with absolutely blows me away. She paints the picture of each cryptid and each individual setting and emotion so perfectly well that you find yourself immersed in the pages so deeply that you can't put the book down.
I really couldn't get enough of this book and the further the story went along, the further I fell in love with it. Each character is so well formed and each have their true purpose in the story that it's easy to love them and to sympathize with them.
The ending of this book makes it obvious that there will be a third book in the series and I honestly wish it were already out. I totally can't wait to read it and the wait is gonna be torture. I need to know what will come next for Delilah, Gallagher, Eryx, Rommily, and the rest of her beastly friends.
Rating: 5 Stars
In this book we get to go inside the world of Savage Spectacle (hence the name) and see how the other side of the cryptid world is run. The Spectacle is nothing like what they experienced at Metzger's Menagerie and they're thrown into a whole new dynamic full of issues and problems they never would have had to even begin to think about at the travelling menagerie.
I deeply enjoyed this book. Menagerie was amazing and Spectacle held everything I loved about the first book and more, much much more. These worlds that Rachel Vincent can create are insane and the story she has come up with absolutely blows me away. She paints the picture of each cryptid and each individual setting and emotion so perfectly well that you find yourself immersed in the pages so deeply that you can't put the book down.
I really couldn't get enough of this book and the further the story went along, the further I fell in love with it. Each character is so well formed and each have their true purpose in the story that it's easy to love them and to sympathize with them.
The ending of this book makes it obvious that there will be a third book in the series and I honestly wish it were already out. I totally can't wait to read it and the wait is gonna be torture. I need to know what will come next for Delilah, Gallagher, Eryx, Rommily, and the rest of her beastly friends.
Rating: 5 Stars