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calliek_reads5's review against another edition
4.0
I'll give it a solid 4 for sure. While the writing was perhaps a little repetitive on some ways, the story was enough for me to keep up with it. I'm already looking forward to reading the rest of the series for sure.
A strong MFC visits a carnival she drives by every day but was not open until now? Hmmm... well that's where we head. And it's a pretty entertaining storyline.
A strong MFC visits a carnival she drives by every day but was not open until now? Hmmm... well that's where we head. And it's a pretty entertaining storyline.
pdreed's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
cardaisy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Impossible for me to imagine Simon as a sexy man when I couldn't stop thinking of him as Alastor from Hazbin Hotel
My thoughts on this book are that I remain intrigued but wary. I'm trying not to be *too* nit-picky because this is a dark romance, but there are some things that just kinda rubbed me the wrong way
Nice to see some disabled representation, and that it's ownvoices as the author has talked about having chronic pain and fatigue, but the FMC definitely has some internalized ableism that's not really addressed
I think that the other representation also leaves a bit to be desired. Trent is basically just the stereotypical gay bff, with little else to his personality than being promiscuous and self-centred, and we get very little to make us believe that the FMC and him are actually best friends. There's another male character that's mentioned as being queer in passing and he's also described at one point as being very promiscuous, and also his former partner (a man) is notably dead. We also get 2 descriptions of non-white people (there could be more that haven't been described yet) and one of them is that notably dead man, while the other is being set up as an antagonist in the series. So, like I said, intrigued, but wary
I also think that the plot felt a little bit too dragged out, as this was mostly just set up for the next book and feels like it should've instead been the first act of a longer book. Also the FMC was just a bit too dense at times. But anyway I read this in one sitting, so it was an easy and enjoyable enough read
My thoughts on this book are that I remain intrigued but wary. I'm trying not to be *too* nit-picky because this is a dark romance, but there are some things that just kinda rubbed me the wrong way
Nice to see some disabled representation, and that it's ownvoices as the author has talked about having chronic pain and fatigue, but the FMC definitely has some internalized ableism that's not really addressed
I think that the other representation also leaves a bit to be desired. Trent is basically just the stereotypical gay bff, with little else to his personality than being promiscuous and self-centred, and we get very little to make us believe that the FMC and him are actually best friends. There's another male character that's mentioned as being queer in passing and he's also described at one point as being very promiscuous, and also his former partner (a man) is notably dead. We also get 2 descriptions of non-white people (there could be more that haven't been described yet) and one of them is that notably dead man, while the other is being set up as an antagonist in the series. So, like I said, intrigued, but wary
I also think that the plot felt a little bit too dragged out, as this was mostly just set up for the next book and feels like it should've instead been the first act of a longer book. Also the FMC was just a bit too dense at times. But anyway I read this in one sitting, so it was an easy and enjoyable enough read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Gore, Self harm, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Confinement, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Homophobia, Torture, and Death of parent
Self harm: there's a scene where the MMC has purposefully stabbed into his leg // Gun violence: there's a scene where the FMC pulls a gun on the MMC, but it never actually gets used // Ableism: the FMC has some internalized ableism and there's one point in particular where she states that her life is essentially worth less than her friend'saszramek's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
wildjuicecase's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
shalini_rasamdaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
snoopyhive's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
amandarae327's review against another edition
3.0
3.5⭐️ Definitely an interesting read! This book is about a creepy magic-fueled circus that consumes bits of its patron’s personalities, and our FMC Cora ends up making more than an unwilling contribution.
I really liked that we get Simon’s(The Pupateer) POV. He’s creepy but still kind of hot?
Cora being so thick at times is a bit annoying and I did not like Trent’s character at all. I thought her friendship with him and Emily was focused on with no real meaning to the story.
This book is definitely more out there, and not in a dark-romance dark kind of way, but more so a creepy horror movie way. I am giving the second book a go though because I’m all for a toxic romance, and I want to find out more about the magic each of the circus members have and what becomes of Cora.
I really liked that we get Simon’s(The Pupateer) POV. He’s creepy but still kind of hot?
Cora being so thick at times is a bit annoying and I did not like Trent’s character at all. I thought her friendship with him and Emily was focused on with no real meaning to the story.
This book is definitely more out there, and not in a dark-romance dark kind of way, but more so a creepy horror movie way. I am giving the second book a go though because I’m all for a toxic romance, and I want to find out more about the magic each of the circus members have and what becomes of Cora.