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The Daring Young Man
This title is out of print.
- GenresYoung Adult
322 pages, Paperback
Published December 10, 2012
348 people want to read
About the author
Jane George
20 books74 followersJane George is an author and award-winning illustrator living in San Francisco, CA with her family. She is a graduate of The California College of the Arts and is an eternal student of the sublime and the absurd. When not writing or painting, she can often be found at an indie rock concert. She writes books for young adults, new adults, and adult adults, often with a tendency toward the romantic and fantastical.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 20, 2013
Dante Delgado has given up on circus life after the death of his parents, his brother's desertion, the ruin of his hand and the loss of their small family circus. Now he works jobs only given to illegal immigrants and associates with lowlives. Then a clown appears when he needs to be rescued and Dante is swept into the magical world (with it's very real problems) of the Mumbo Jumbo Circu, including all of its colorful members. Dante is drawn in against his will when his dead Grandmother promises the Ringmaster their family's Big Top in exchange for making Dante whole again - but he only has a few days to do it! Throw in romance, betrayal, and the possibility of a fresh start and you get the adventure of a lifetime. Can Dante find himself again and save the Circus in the bargain? Or will the evil Cirque Patron destroy Mumbo Jumbo once and for all? Recently I read The Mumbo Jumbo Circus for the first time and really loved it. I truly fell into the world of the circus and all the magic (and heartbreak) involved in it. This book picks up where the first one leaves off, using a new main character to continue the story. Dante was definitely a teenage boy, with his stubborn resistance to accepting his new situation and inability to see beyond a pretty face. But he also had a heart bigger than Texas and a strong sense of loyalty, which endeared him to me enough to keep going. My main disappointment was the way that the relationship between Wally and Evan fell apart. I think that my favorite new character in this one was the mysterious water creature/girl, who shows Dante what's most important in life. The conflict with Cirque Patron continued, throwing in an interesting twist of alternate dimensions (time travel?) through one of their tents. Kind of unexpected to me, but cool all the same. The interaction between Dante and the Pickled Punk (my fave character EVER) was hilarious and made me laugh. I was slightly disappointed by the way he and the Ringmaster were out of commission for most of the book. Overall, a good follow-up to the first book in the series. I am really excited to read the third one and find out about Chandi, the tiger girl from Cirque Patron. I would recommend it to fans of the first book and the young adult fantasy genre in general.
VERDICT: 4/5 Stars
**No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book is now available in stores, online, or maybe even at your local library.**
VERDICT: 4/5 Stars
**No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book is now available in stores, online, or maybe even at your local library.**
February 25, 2013
To see my full review:
http://wp.me/p1jhaj-3fF
This was a very fun read. What I liked about it is that, though the second book in a series, it can stand alone. We have a brand new protagonist in this story, Dante, and while our old cast of characters are back, too, readers don’t need to know all of their background in order to understand the plot of this story, which is great. I love sequels that I can seamlessly melt into, where I don’t have to try to remember what happened in previous books because, let’s face it, I read too many to remember them all. So, a sequel that continues the fun, but doesn’t tax my memory is a wonderful thing.
I’d say that this is a novel that will appeal to most MG readers as the reading level isn’t too difficult. The plotline itself is a bit straightforward, with heavy foreshadowing that foretells much about certain character’s loyalties, but it’s still a fun, easy read. However, the amount of repetitive swearing in Spanish (one word) and the references to sex make it a book I wouldn’t actually give to an MG reader. Instead, I’d peg it for maybe a 15-16-year-old YA reader, even though the reading level might be a bit below that age group. But I’m pretty sure they would get a kick out of it, regardless of age, because, well, I did, and I’m not even close to a teenager in years anymore…
This novel is full of great themes that touch on loyalty, family relations, love, selflessness, and even selfishness. Dante, a lone teen abandoned by his brother, struggles to find his place in the world. With the death of his parents, an accident that left him crippled, and his loss of his dream, he sees no up in life. Even when he finds the circus, his own wants and needs cause him to trust the wrong people and push away those that would help him if he only gave them the chance, and while a lot of his decisions really irked me, his emotions make him very real. I can’t imagine being in his situation, and if I had the chance to do what I’ve always dreamed of doing, well… I might make some of the same decisions Dante does. It’s easy for me to judge him from the comfort of my living room, but we never know how we’ll react in certain situations, and I love that this novel makes me stop and think about that. I also love the magic that George entwines with both this novel, and the prequel, Mumbo Jumbo Circus, as it gives that extra bit of oomph that adds to the fun of the circus in and of itself. Try it and see.
http://wp.me/p1jhaj-3fF
This was a very fun read. What I liked about it is that, though the second book in a series, it can stand alone. We have a brand new protagonist in this story, Dante, and while our old cast of characters are back, too, readers don’t need to know all of their background in order to understand the plot of this story, which is great. I love sequels that I can seamlessly melt into, where I don’t have to try to remember what happened in previous books because, let’s face it, I read too many to remember them all. So, a sequel that continues the fun, but doesn’t tax my memory is a wonderful thing.
I’d say that this is a novel that will appeal to most MG readers as the reading level isn’t too difficult. The plotline itself is a bit straightforward, with heavy foreshadowing that foretells much about certain character’s loyalties, but it’s still a fun, easy read. However, the amount of repetitive swearing in Spanish (one word) and the references to sex make it a book I wouldn’t actually give to an MG reader. Instead, I’d peg it for maybe a 15-16-year-old YA reader, even though the reading level might be a bit below that age group. But I’m pretty sure they would get a kick out of it, regardless of age, because, well, I did, and I’m not even close to a teenager in years anymore…
This novel is full of great themes that touch on loyalty, family relations, love, selflessness, and even selfishness. Dante, a lone teen abandoned by his brother, struggles to find his place in the world. With the death of his parents, an accident that left him crippled, and his loss of his dream, he sees no up in life. Even when he finds the circus, his own wants and needs cause him to trust the wrong people and push away those that would help him if he only gave them the chance, and while a lot of his decisions really irked me, his emotions make him very real. I can’t imagine being in his situation, and if I had the chance to do what I’ve always dreamed of doing, well… I might make some of the same decisions Dante does. It’s easy for me to judge him from the comfort of my living room, but we never know how we’ll react in certain situations, and I love that this novel makes me stop and think about that. I also love the magic that George entwines with both this novel, and the prequel, Mumbo Jumbo Circus, as it gives that extra bit of oomph that adds to the fun of the circus in and of itself. Try it and see.
July 11, 2013
I have just finished this book after winning it in a Goodreads giveaway. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Dante Delgado and the tale of his fight back from his misfortunes. I shall now have to read the first book to learn more of his background. The circus and its assorted characters are vividly brought to life, some enchanting, some truly terrifying but all absolutely fascinating. It reminded me of the tv series Carnivale which I absolutely loved!
January 27, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars Against All Odds, Believe! January 26, 2013
By Marik Berghs
Format:Paperback
In "The Daring Young Man", Dante Delgado, loses the most important things in his life; his mother and father are killed in a car accident and his arm is injured becoming essentially useless, destroying his career as a famous trapeze artist. Dante and his brother are left homeless and without their livelihood as Circus stars. They come to the United States, from Mexico, in search of a new beginning. Then Dante's brother betrays him. During an ongoing struggle to elude a gang intent on recruiting him, Dante is rescued just in time by a magical circus, where anything can and does happen. The danger mounts from without and within. He is afraid to trust anyone, even the circus that has offered to accept him into its "family."
I love this sequel to the "Mumbo Jumbo Circus." George has managed to write a stand-alone book that builds on the characters in the entrancing world of the first book. Once again we witness the magic formula create an entry into the old-fashioned circus world where: a young misfit is called a freak and within moments must say the magic words, whatever they might be. In the process, in both books, the hero unwittingly sets a mutable fate in motion.
Be warned: while the name, Mumbo Jumbo Circus, conjures an image of a cotton candy confection, this series deals with tough issues, as do all of the author's books. The young protagonists' are at the mercy of a harsh world, where they have no options, and no chance of winning. But the many-layered stories unswervingly reveal how the main characters must face their greatest fear and draw upon their own special and unique resources. Ultimately, as in all great hero stories, their success or failure comes from within themselves.
I felt like I was catching up with old friends in this sequel; the pickled punk, the boss clown, the other troubled teens who are in the process of finding their dunvrai (unique magic) or who are still exploring the broad choices of who they can be. In "The Daring Young Man" Dante must find himself before the evil Cirque Patron destroys the Mumbo Jumbo Circus and the magnificent, mysterious and wise ring-master. (Spoiler, I am not-so-secretly in love with the ring-master).
"The Daring Young Man" will be loved by young people who are fighting their own battles of identity, and by anyone who loves to stretch their minds and hearts. How can you not like a book that introduces you to two rich and exotic cultures (circus and Mexican) while spinning an uplifting tale of self-acceptance.
I received a copy of this book to review, not from the author, with no expectation of a positive review, or even of a review. I read the book because I loved the first book in this series and have judged the book on its own merits. I will buy every book this author writes.
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By Marik Berghs
Format:Paperback
In "The Daring Young Man", Dante Delgado, loses the most important things in his life; his mother and father are killed in a car accident and his arm is injured becoming essentially useless, destroying his career as a famous trapeze artist. Dante and his brother are left homeless and without their livelihood as Circus stars. They come to the United States, from Mexico, in search of a new beginning. Then Dante's brother betrays him. During an ongoing struggle to elude a gang intent on recruiting him, Dante is rescued just in time by a magical circus, where anything can and does happen. The danger mounts from without and within. He is afraid to trust anyone, even the circus that has offered to accept him into its "family."
I love this sequel to the "Mumbo Jumbo Circus." George has managed to write a stand-alone book that builds on the characters in the entrancing world of the first book. Once again we witness the magic formula create an entry into the old-fashioned circus world where: a young misfit is called a freak and within moments must say the magic words, whatever they might be. In the process, in both books, the hero unwittingly sets a mutable fate in motion.
Be warned: while the name, Mumbo Jumbo Circus, conjures an image of a cotton candy confection, this series deals with tough issues, as do all of the author's books. The young protagonists' are at the mercy of a harsh world, where they have no options, and no chance of winning. But the many-layered stories unswervingly reveal how the main characters must face their greatest fear and draw upon their own special and unique resources. Ultimately, as in all great hero stories, their success or failure comes from within themselves.
I felt like I was catching up with old friends in this sequel; the pickled punk, the boss clown, the other troubled teens who are in the process of finding their dunvrai (unique magic) or who are still exploring the broad choices of who they can be. In "The Daring Young Man" Dante must find himself before the evil Cirque Patron destroys the Mumbo Jumbo Circus and the magnificent, mysterious and wise ring-master. (Spoiler, I am not-so-secretly in love with the ring-master).
"The Daring Young Man" will be loved by young people who are fighting their own battles of identity, and by anyone who loves to stretch their minds and hearts. How can you not like a book that introduces you to two rich and exotic cultures (circus and Mexican) while spinning an uplifting tale of self-acceptance.
I received a copy of this book to review, not from the author, with no expectation of a positive review, or even of a review. I read the book because I loved the first book in this series and have judged the book on its own merits. I will buy every book this author writes.
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December 17, 2014
Picking up not long after the ending of The Mumbo Jumbo Circus, The Daring Young Man starts with a new recruit: Dante, a sixteen year old, homeless, illegal immigrant. Dante is working at a side-of-the-road fruit stand when the magic words are muttered and he’s called a freak by a little girl, earning him an appointment with the Ringmaster. Dante grew up in a circus family, but after a horrific accident, he lost his parents as well as the use of his right hand. He’s heard of the magic of Mumbo Jumbo, and hopes it can fix his hand allowing him to fly on the trapeze again. However, the Ju-Ju has other plans for him and the trapeze is not his donvrai (true gift).
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy The Daring Young Man very much. I did not find Dante likeable or sympathetic at all. He’s very whiny and his self-pity got on my nerves early on. While I can’t image going through what he did, I felt like he was stuck in the past for much of the book. All he wants to do is “fly again” despite his injury, and this obsession blinds him to other things that he can do in the circus that he even enjoys! Even after he discovers his donvrai, and finds joy in it, he still mopes around about wanting to get on the trapeze, which is just never going to happen for him.
I also didn’t like the romance. Dante is instantly in love with Belinda, whom we met in the first book. In The Daring Young Man, she’s stowed away and Dante finds her and helps her out of her small hiding place. He believes that his rescue has bonded them and he should be her boyfriend. However, Belinda repeatedly offers sex only if he’ll do what she says: like locate the Ringmaster’s Ju-Ju. Dante thinks this is love. I think it’s disgusting. Also Dante gets rescued by a girl named Markie who falls in love with him since she’s rescued him. Dante can’t stand her and finds her ugly and creepy. Apparently being someone’s rescuer makes you fall in love with them, even if they really want nothing to do with you. Weirdest love-triangle ever! Evan and Wally also have a totally useless lover’s quarrel.
The plot was also super predictable. Once again, there’s a traitor at Mumbo Jumbo, and again they’re super obvious. I was just waiting for someone else to realize it, and then confirm it. This person wasn’t sneaky at all. In the end, The Daring Young Man just didn’t work for me. It was missing the fun and excitement of the first book, and I didn’t really like or care about the characters this time. I think it’s time for me to stick circuses in the same category as angels: Not For Me.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy The Daring Young Man very much. I did not find Dante likeable or sympathetic at all. He’s very whiny and his self-pity got on my nerves early on. While I can’t image going through what he did, I felt like he was stuck in the past for much of the book. All he wants to do is “fly again” despite his injury, and this obsession blinds him to other things that he can do in the circus that he even enjoys! Even after he discovers his donvrai, and finds joy in it, he still mopes around about wanting to get on the trapeze, which is just never going to happen for him.
I also didn’t like the romance. Dante is instantly in love with Belinda, whom we met in the first book. In The Daring Young Man, she’s stowed away and Dante finds her and helps her out of her small hiding place. He believes that his rescue has bonded them and he should be her boyfriend. However, Belinda repeatedly offers sex only if he’ll do what she says: like locate the Ringmaster’s Ju-Ju. Dante thinks this is love. I think it’s disgusting. Also Dante gets rescued by a girl named Markie who falls in love with him since she’s rescued him. Dante can’t stand her and finds her ugly and creepy. Apparently being someone’s rescuer makes you fall in love with them, even if they really want nothing to do with you. Weirdest love-triangle ever! Evan and Wally also have a totally useless lover’s quarrel.
The plot was also super predictable. Once again, there’s a traitor at Mumbo Jumbo, and again they’re super obvious. I was just waiting for someone else to realize it, and then confirm it. This person wasn’t sneaky at all. In the end, The Daring Young Man just didn’t work for me. It was missing the fun and excitement of the first book, and I didn’t really like or care about the characters this time. I think it’s time for me to stick circuses in the same category as angels: Not For Me.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
January 12, 2013
I did not read all of this book read several chapters at beginning and then skipped through. It was not a book I liked at all. There was Spanish in it which I didn't know what it meant and very unrealistic for me.
January 25, 2013
Disappointing sequel:(
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews