A review by thebrunettebookjunkie
The Ringmaster's Daughter by Carly Schabowski

4.0

When the Germans make their way to Paris in 1940, Michel Bonnet and his friend and neighbor, Bertrand, try to flee the city that they love. In the end, Bertrand decides to stay but secures Michel passage on a train as a stowaway. What Michel quickly discovers is that this is no ordinary train, it belongs to a circus. Ringmaster Wernher allows him to stay to work with the horses which is Michel's specialty but gives him strict rules and guidelines. Michel quickly falls in love with Freida, the raven haired trapeze artist who seems to belong to the ringmaster. There is something else going on within this group of misfits that Michel can't quite put his finger on but with war all around them, will their lives or their secrets stay safe?

I love historical fiction especially stories that take place in Paris and France. Set all that up against the backdrop of a circus and you have a winning recipe for a great book. I fell in love with the characters that Carly Schabowski created. I was enthralled from the beginning just by imagery alone which she does very well. There were plenty of times that the plot wasn't very deep but the story moved along based on her characters and setting. Rarely, do you get a historical fiction novel that leaves you with a truly happy ending but this one does. If WWII fiction can be lighthearted, this one is it.