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jnichols's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Murder, and Sexual harassment
williams_a_i's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was not one of my favorites in the Phryne Fisher series. But it is still a well written and engaging story, with handles classism and disability in respectful manner while still maintaining the discrimination that is accurate to the 1928 setting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Deadnaming, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
Minor: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Sexual harassment
Issues surrounding discrimination across social classes in a theme which flows throughout the story. As this is a story about a circus, representation of physical disabilities are included. While the main characters do treat these characters with respect, the book is set in 1928, so there is discrimination present and the theme 'freak' is used in an unkind manner. Greenwood does not attack anyone, it is merely a correct depiction of the now outdated opinions of the era. This is not a reason to not read the book, but I feel it notable to add here.