What do you think?
Rate this book
Carnival of Souls
Carnival of Souls: A Novel By Jazan Wild
Author, Jazan Wild, hands you a 320 page ticket that takes you back centuries ago to climb aboard the first ever Ferris Wheel. Fasten yourself into the first ever rollercoaster, as you ride through time and help Jexter The Clown, collect the oddest of oddities, the most freakish of freaks, and the grandest performers ever to perform under the big-top! This dark caravan of misfits needs just one thing to complete the show fantastical... YOU!
Do not enter a carnival... Enter The Carnival!
"ENTER THE CARNIVAL" "CARNIVAL COMICS" and "CARNIVAL OF SOULS" are Registered Trademarks.
Do not enter a carnival... Enter The Carnival!
"ENTER THE CARNIVAL" "CARNIVAL COMICS" and "CARNIVAL OF SOULS" are Registered Trademarks.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2012
30 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Jazan Wild
53 books17 followersJazan Wild is a bestselling author and musician whose Carnival of Souls, Dandy and Funhouse Of Horrors series are international hits that have been downloaded millions of times around the globe, even gracing Entertainment Weekly's Must List!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 24, 2022
Corny until near the End.
I didn't understand the part about the skull of the laughing God.
There is details but not in the way that builds a better story of the aquititions of the carney acts.
Everyone understands bullies and wanting them punished.
For a 4th grade reader, it should hold the reader's interest.
I didn't understand the part about the skull of the laughing God.
There is details but not in the way that builds a better story of the aquititions of the carney acts.
Everyone understands bullies and wanting them punished.
For a 4th grade reader, it should hold the reader's interest.
August 13, 2024
Wild Ride!
Carnival of Souls is a zig-zagging journey through so many kooky locations and characters that your head may be spinning by the time you’re done but in a good way 🫨
Carnival of Souls is a zig-zagging journey through so many kooky locations and characters that your head may be spinning by the time you’re done but in a good way 🫨
October 7, 2014
A god with a wry sense of humour lives inside an eccentric Egyptian king. Thrilled to share his cagey “surprise” with the world, his wife intervenes and sends him to his death... I mean life! I mean death... aw it’s all the same! The legacy of King Sekani gets passed on to coming generations, slowly but surely building up an army of carnies, because the surprise must not be ruined!
Carnival of Souls had me slightly skeptic and perplexed when I started reading it. However, I have to say that the story really grew on me and although there were some vacuous moments throughout, I found the ending surprisingly touching and intriguing. The narrative of this story felt very haphazard at times, especially during the early chapters. I really tried to keep my imagination wildly open to keep track of what was happening, but at times it was hard to do. One moment, Jexter’s project that he has been building is still lying under tarps, the next moment everything is out and the Ferris wheel is already spinning out of control. Perhaps it is merely reminiscent of the graphic novel style from which it was amended. Further, the numerous grammatical errors were a bit too noticeable.
The characters Jazan Wild created for this tale are fascinating and charming, even if he did vainly name the hero after himself. My favourite two characters were Ingacia and Hilario, sweetly “dazzling” everyone with their queer love story playing off up on the lines.
The concluding events at the end of the story seemed to have a distinct symbolic hint, although in a story as bizarre and twisted as this I think I will still be chewing on it for a while before (or if) it makes sense at all.
In conclusion, I was not captivated by good writing or plot here, but the unique and tragic characters captured my imagination, so much so that I’d really like to read the original graphic novels after this.
Carnival of Souls had me slightly skeptic and perplexed when I started reading it. However, I have to say that the story really grew on me and although there were some vacuous moments throughout, I found the ending surprisingly touching and intriguing. The narrative of this story felt very haphazard at times, especially during the early chapters. I really tried to keep my imagination wildly open to keep track of what was happening, but at times it was hard to do. One moment, Jexter’s project that he has been building is still lying under tarps, the next moment everything is out and the Ferris wheel is already spinning out of control. Perhaps it is merely reminiscent of the graphic novel style from which it was amended. Further, the numerous grammatical errors were a bit too noticeable.
The characters Jazan Wild created for this tale are fascinating and charming, even if he did vainly name the hero after himself. My favourite two characters were Ingacia and Hilario, sweetly “dazzling” everyone with their queer love story playing off up on the lines.
The concluding events at the end of the story seemed to have a distinct symbolic hint, although in a story as bizarre and twisted as this I think I will still be chewing on it for a while before (or if) it makes sense at all.
In conclusion, I was not captivated by good writing or plot here, but the unique and tragic characters captured my imagination, so much so that I’d really like to read the original graphic novels after this.
August 6, 2022
Honestly, this novel was not super substantial but it was still an overall fun read. I honestly preferred the anthology format of the novel in the beginning chapters, rather than its attempt at being a lineral story later on. I'll admit the writing is very immature and the humor is rather forced. Most of the stories are basic origin stories of loss and tragedy. Plus there were numerous grammatical mistakes that I noticed in the novel. Apparently, this novel is based on a series of comics and while it starts off just with the origins of the circus freaks, it proceeds to adapt the entire comic series into a novel. It seems to be more of a disadvantage if you want interested readers to check out the comic. However, I did find this to be an overall fun read in spite of its flaws. Not a super amazing read but if you can get it free on your Kindle, I think it's worth checking out.
March 18, 2020
Clown
So this was my second reading this book and i still love it. I have also read the comics that came from it. If you enjoy something a bit macabre this is an excellent read. If you love a carnival or a creepy clown this is great. If you are expecting really scary you might be disappointed. This story is fun and entertaining and well written. I don't think i will ever tire of it. Give this a try and you won't be disappointed.
So this was my second reading this book and i still love it. I have also read the comics that came from it. If you enjoy something a bit macabre this is an excellent read. If you love a carnival or a creepy clown this is great. If you are expecting really scary you might be disappointed. This story is fun and entertaining and well written. I don't think i will ever tire of it. Give this a try and you won't be disappointed.
July 29, 2014
Really enjoyed the artwork in this graphic novel. The plot was OK but didn't blow me away, but overall its worth a read!
March 17, 2015
this is a test review
June 6, 2016
Loved!
Very well written, as well as gripping. The ending was both predictable but still managed to surprise me a bit.
Very well written, as well as gripping. The ending was both predictable but still managed to surprise me a bit.
October 13, 2016
Well written, great graphics. Interesting with traditional storyline but some twists to keep you interested.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews