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Circus of the Unseen
After an accident at her grandmother's house, Rosie is transported to a strange and sinister world populated by a cast of carnivalesque characters who reside in the Circus of the Unseen. They are reigned over by an old woman called Madam Matushka, who guards the threshold between life and death and has extraordinary powers over all around her.
This is an in-between world, a bizarre and trapped existence, but Rosie is not like the others here. She seems to be hovering between the worlds of the living and the dead, and she is a challenge to Madam Matushka. Can Rosie escape Madame Matushka's malevolent rule and a world in limbo? And can she help resolve another mystery - one at the heart of her grandmother's life?
This is an in-between world, a bizarre and trapped existence, but Rosie is not like the others here. She seems to be hovering between the worlds of the living and the dead, and she is a challenge to Madam Matushka. Can Rosie escape Madame Matushka's malevolent rule and a world in limbo? And can she help resolve another mystery - one at the heart of her grandmother's life?
199 pages, Paperback
First published November 6, 2014
4 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Owen
13 books18 followersJoanne Owen was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and studied Anthropology, Archaeology and Social Sciences at St. John's College, Cambridge. She has worked in children's bookselling and publishing ever since. Joanne plays bass guitar and accordion in a band and lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 21, 2014
I give this book one star for imaginative content, one star for an unusual plot and one more star for writing style. I'll start with the writing style, I gave it one star because its good that Joanne Owen has managed to write from a young teens perspective. We don't actually know how old the main character, Rosie, is but I would put her at around 12-15 years old. Although Joanne did this well, I found the writing style quite annoying at times with many sentences having and this and that and this and that in.
I gave another star for an unusual plotline, which it totally is! You're thrown into weird and wonderful straight away which I love, however I'd love to find out the connection between Vasilisa and Rosie?! Also, I feel like Rosie is in the Circus of the Unseen for the majority of the book and by the end you want a resolution to this but I'm still waiting for it unfortunately!
Imaginative content is definitely a star because the amount of imaginative names, acts and day cycles is crazy! The fact that Mother Matushka changes day with a spin wheel is so imaginative and she controls all is such a lovely idea. Mother to all but never bore a child!
In conclusion, I thought the imagination and effort put into this book shines through ten-fold, however a bit more of a resolution would have made me love this book!
I gave another star for an unusual plotline, which it totally is! You're thrown into weird and wonderful straight away which I love, however I'd love to find out the connection between Vasilisa and Rosie?! Also, I feel like Rosie is in the Circus of the Unseen for the majority of the book and by the end you want a resolution to this but I'm still waiting for it unfortunately!
Imaginative content is definitely a star because the amount of imaginative names, acts and day cycles is crazy! The fact that Mother Matushka changes day with a spin wheel is so imaginative and she controls all is such a lovely idea. Mother to all but never bore a child!
In conclusion, I thought the imagination and effort put into this book shines through ten-fold, however a bit more of a resolution would have made me love this book!
June 22, 2015
(Review copy provided by Hot Key Books! Thank you!)
Truly I think this would be a 3.75, but...
I found myself surprised by this, when I read it, but now about 5 months after first reading it, the plot hasn’t stayed with me. I really liked aspects, where in the Circus the people worked with passion ad a clear love for what they did, but the protagonist was a little frustrating and I wasn’t all that taken up in her part of the story, though aspects of the rest of it did interest and catch me up.
Truly I think this would be a 3.75, but...
I found myself surprised by this, when I read it, but now about 5 months after first reading it, the plot hasn’t stayed with me. I really liked aspects, where in the Circus the people worked with passion ad a clear love for what they did, but the protagonist was a little frustrating and I wasn’t all that taken up in her part of the story, though aspects of the rest of it did interest and catch me up.
January 7, 2018
Weird story. The actual circus part feels too touch-and-go for my taste, and doesn't quite live up to expectations. The premise has potential, but stayed on the surface level rather than explore more.
March 10, 2020
Picked up this book for two reasons: 1) Its gorgeous cover; 2) Dark circus concepts intrigues me.
Circus of the Unseen is a rather light read thanks to its short length, with a subtle touch of darkness in it. To be honest, I was expecting a much darker theme for the story, perhaps something that could send chills to my bones (note: I read the book at 3 A.M.), unfortunately to my slight disappointment, there wasn't enough dark elements to it. The plot feels rather flat and we never actually get to know Rosie personally, except for the fact that she's too curious about her grandmother's past.
But I do like the setting and idea of the circus; I believe I enjoyed the minor characters and wished that their characters had more exposure than just how they ended up at the circus instead. There were not many scenes of the things that they do at the circus either, making it to be rather dull when it could have been a wonderful part of the story.
There are also a few unnecessary characters, or perhaps characters that are supposed to make a point in the story but the author seemed to forget so. For instance, the boy that came to see Rosie before she "fell" into the circus– I mean, who is he? And he even has a sister, which probably only said a sentence or two. I could not see the point of their characters at all. And there were not much being mentioned about Rosie's own sister either. I know she's just a minor character, but her presence could have been made better.
Overall, it was a quick read and a rather enjoyable one too despite its shortcomings. The idea of it was wonderful, and I do like the author's writing style, but it could have been better if the story is extended just a little bit more so details can be added into it. The ending was not quite agreeable to me (I definitely would choose my family first, no matter what), but I guess it is better for Rosie to accept what has happened to her. There are matters that you could not control in this world anyway.
Circus of the Unseen is a rather light read thanks to its short length, with a subtle touch of darkness in it. To be honest, I was expecting a much darker theme for the story, perhaps something that could send chills to my bones (note: I read the book at 3 A.M.), unfortunately to my slight disappointment, there wasn't enough dark elements to it. The plot feels rather flat and we never actually get to know Rosie personally, except for the fact that she's too curious about her grandmother's past.
But I do like the setting and idea of the circus; I believe I enjoyed the minor characters and wished that their characters had more exposure than just how they ended up at the circus instead. There were not many scenes of the things that they do at the circus either, making it to be rather dull when it could have been a wonderful part of the story.
There are also a few unnecessary characters, or perhaps characters that are supposed to make a point in the story but the author seemed to forget so. For instance, the boy that came to see Rosie before she "fell" into the circus– I mean, who is he? And he even has a sister, which probably only said a sentence or two. I could not see the point of their characters at all. And there were not much being mentioned about Rosie's own sister either. I know she's just a minor character, but her presence could have been made better.
Overall, it was a quick read and a rather enjoyable one too despite its shortcomings. The idea of it was wonderful, and I do like the author's writing style, but it could have been better if the story is extended just a little bit more so details can be added into it. The ending was not quite agreeable to me (I definitely would choose my family first, no matter what), but I guess it is better for Rosie to accept what has happened to her. There are matters that you could not control in this world anyway.
August 18, 2019
I picked this book because I was drawn to it because of its cover. However, the book did not disappoint me. There was too much happening in it. Sometimes I was surprised, other times I'd seen it coming. Yes, the end however I was expecting to be different but I think I can live with the end the writer chose for this book.
February 1, 2024
I enjoyed it apart from the ending. 5 star book with a 2 star ending. The age group it is for is probably mature children (but it doesn't quite fit with YA as these days those books all have romance). I found it in the fantasy section of a charity shop and there's a lot of adult readers of fantasy who would like it.
October 29, 2018
4 stars, I loved the concept of this book. In fact I wish this book was longer. So much happened in under 200 hundred pages. Some parts I could see coming, others definitely surprised me. Would recommend this book.
February 5, 2018
It was good, interesting and a bit weird.
May 27, 2019
Loved the idea of this book but it was executed so poorly!!!!! Such a good idea gone to waste :(.
February 7, 2024
I love all things circus & this was a lovely short book. Sweet story, a little predictable perhaps but I don’t mind that.
July 22, 2025
what a precious little story! death dissected in a unique way, tangled with Slavic fables, making up an actually nice light read
January 17, 2015
Reviewed for Confessions From Romaholics
This a little creepy novel about a mysterious circus called the Circus of the Unseen. Told from the perspective of Rosie who happens to find the Circus by chance or is it chance. I won’t explain how she came to find it as it will give away some important parts of the plot but this definitely a darker read as this novel is not what it seems at first.
This book won’t give you bad dreams but it will make you think about this book and the way things are played out. It will give you chills once you figure out what has happened. Told in three parts, it starts seemly normal and draws you in. However when we reach the second part there is a marked difference with the circus being introduced which has every single horror thing you associated about circuses there . It makes this book more than a bit of a spooky read as we learn more about the circus, alarm bells are ringing . The inhabitations talk about things that Rosie remember from the past as if it was yesterday. And there is Mother and the Polish influence of this novel. Mother is the head of Circus and I wondered about her , we never find the complete truth about her and she rules everything with out a fuss from the others. She adds to the creepiness factor in not a good way. There is so much going and with all this going on, I was please to see that the author make sure to provide a lighter side to the novel . There is a story that being played out at the start of each of the three parts that talks about a mysterious doll that adds a nice touch to the novel and a little distraction from the creepiness and that ending.
I was confused a bit by the end as it was missing something. This a short book, it only about 200 pages and I felt it didn’t give a satisfying conclusion for all characters. Only Rosie and a few others had that chance and I wonder what happened with the others that featured in the story. The Polish angle was nice interesting touch and I loved how that tied in with the novel and that was the saving grace for me with this novel
3 couples
For more of my reviews, visit Confessions From Romaholics.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
This a little creepy novel about a mysterious circus called the Circus of the Unseen. Told from the perspective of Rosie who happens to find the Circus by chance or is it chance. I won’t explain how she came to find it as it will give away some important parts of the plot but this definitely a darker read as this novel is not what it seems at first.
This book won’t give you bad dreams but it will make you think about this book and the way things are played out. It will give you chills once you figure out what has happened. Told in three parts, it starts seemly normal and draws you in. However when we reach the second part there is a marked difference with the circus being introduced which has every single horror thing you associated about circuses there . It makes this book more than a bit of a spooky read as we learn more about the circus, alarm bells are ringing . The inhabitations talk about things that Rosie remember from the past as if it was yesterday. And there is Mother and the Polish influence of this novel. Mother is the head of Circus and I wondered about her , we never find the complete truth about her and she rules everything with out a fuss from the others. She adds to the creepiness factor in not a good way. There is so much going and with all this going on, I was please to see that the author make sure to provide a lighter side to the novel . There is a story that being played out at the start of each of the three parts that talks about a mysterious doll that adds a nice touch to the novel and a little distraction from the creepiness and that ending.
I was confused a bit by the end as it was missing something. This a short book, it only about 200 pages and I felt it didn’t give a satisfying conclusion for all characters. Only Rosie and a few others had that chance and I wonder what happened with the others that featured in the story. The Polish angle was nice interesting touch and I loved how that tied in with the novel and that was the saving grace for me with this novel
3 couples
For more of my reviews, visit Confessions From Romaholics.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
December 7, 2014
Joanne Owen weaves together aspects of Slavic folklore and the circus into her own unique mythology. Each section of the story opens with part of a fairy tale; that of a doll which keeps its owner safe. The dolls become a common motif throughout both stories.
The fairy-tale also included Baba Yaga, a well-known witch in Slavic mythology. I’m not sure if Mother Matushka was meant to be a re-working of Baba Yaga or not. Before Rosie crosses the threshold, there are plenty of references to chickens and eggs, so I was expecting there to be more to this connection. There were some similarities but then her name seems to suggest she is more connected to the Matryoshka dolls. Plus she’s not chomping down on children’s bones. I did have a look to see if the dolls were connected to any folklore, but was disappointed to find they are relatively modern (1890).
Whilst I thought the weaving of the fairy tale was wonderful, Rosie’s character development left a lot to be desired. On one hand, fairy tale characters aren’t usually well developed, but the action of modernising her, and giving her a family and real world fears, suggested that she wasn’t meant to be a cardboard cut-out. She made me feel like the book is aimed at a much younger audience.
Rosie uses the word crazy so liberally. Her mother is crazy for being annoyed at her. A horse that bolted is crazy. The acts in the circus are crazy. She feels mad-crazy. With first person narrative, it could just be an affectation of hers, but it’s hard to separate from the writing.
So I loved the fairy-tale feeling and the world-building. For the most part, it felt like it could have been a traditional folk tale. I just didn’t care at all for Rosie and found her presence a bit irritating. Plus she was amazingly slow at picking up on stuff, but not in a way that she was just buying into a magical world. I worked out what the circus stood for quite early on and I didn't feel it needed Rosie not understanding for so long. Again, it's like she was much younger than she was.
Review copy provided by publisher.
The fairy-tale also included Baba Yaga, a well-known witch in Slavic mythology. I’m not sure if Mother Matushka was meant to be a re-working of Baba Yaga or not. Before Rosie crosses the threshold, there are plenty of references to chickens and eggs, so I was expecting there to be more to this connection. There were some similarities but then her name seems to suggest she is more connected to the Matryoshka dolls. Plus she’s not chomping down on children’s bones. I did have a look to see if the dolls were connected to any folklore, but was disappointed to find they are relatively modern (1890).
Whilst I thought the weaving of the fairy tale was wonderful, Rosie’s character development left a lot to be desired. On one hand, fairy tale characters aren’t usually well developed, but the action of modernising her, and giving her a family and real world fears, suggested that she wasn’t meant to be a cardboard cut-out. She made me feel like the book is aimed at a much younger audience.
Rosie uses the word crazy so liberally. Her mother is crazy for being annoyed at her. A horse that bolted is crazy. The acts in the circus are crazy. She feels mad-crazy. With first person narrative, it could just be an affectation of hers, but it’s hard to separate from the writing.
So I loved the fairy-tale feeling and the world-building. For the most part, it felt like it could have been a traditional folk tale. I just didn’t care at all for Rosie and found her presence a bit irritating. Plus she was amazingly slow at picking up on stuff, but not in a way that she was just buying into a magical world. I worked out what the circus stood for quite early on and I didn't feel it needed Rosie not understanding for so long. Again, it's like she was much younger than she was.
Review copy provided by publisher.
January 3, 2016
I'm going to give this book a 2 1/2 - 3 stars. It was a good read that played with some interesting concepts. It was just lacking in places.
The story is sort of interesting. Rather the characters are interesting as well as the world in which the story is set. The themes of life and death and idea of limbo are played with frequently to great effect. It is also interesting the way that a fairy tale is used to introduce each part of the book as well as the way Russian folklore is melded into the story. It is essentially about the main character figuring out where she is, how to get home and what's going on with all the freaky stuff happening around her as well as the mystery of her grandmothers previous life.
However, the main issue that i have with this book is that it's predictable. There are so many clues given throughout the book that by the time we get to the revelations towards the end the majority of readers will already have figured out exactly what's going on and how everything ties together. Now this wouldn't be a huge problem if it wasn't for the fact that this revelation is what is used as the main climax of the novel. Because it comes as no surprise it comes across as more of a 'well yeah, duh' moment. An anticlimax, if you will. Therefore, the whole book sort of falls flat. It just trundles along until you reach an unsatisfying conclusion which puts a real downer on the whole thing.
The writing is very similar to the plot in that it is okay. Not particularly great but not bad either. It trundles along, telling the story and only really standing out in the descriptions of the lake and moon.
To conclude, this book is okay. The concept is fantastic and the way it ties in with fairy tales and folklore is particularly interesting but in the end it just ends up lacking. It's an okay read but will not stay with you long after the cover has been closed.
The story is sort of interesting. Rather the characters are interesting as well as the world in which the story is set. The themes of life and death and idea of limbo are played with frequently to great effect. It is also interesting the way that a fairy tale is used to introduce each part of the book as well as the way Russian folklore is melded into the story. It is essentially about the main character figuring out where she is, how to get home and what's going on with all the freaky stuff happening around her as well as the mystery of her grandmothers previous life.
However, the main issue that i have with this book is that it's predictable. There are so many clues given throughout the book that by the time we get to the revelations towards the end the majority of readers will already have figured out exactly what's going on and how everything ties together. Now this wouldn't be a huge problem if it wasn't for the fact that this revelation is what is used as the main climax of the novel. Because it comes as no surprise it comes across as more of a 'well yeah, duh' moment. An anticlimax, if you will. Therefore, the whole book sort of falls flat. It just trundles along until you reach an unsatisfying conclusion which puts a real downer on the whole thing.
The writing is very similar to the plot in that it is okay. Not particularly great but not bad either. It trundles along, telling the story and only really standing out in the descriptions of the lake and moon.
To conclude, this book is okay. The concept is fantastic and the way it ties in with fairy tales and folklore is particularly interesting but in the end it just ends up lacking. It's an okay read but will not stay with you long after the cover has been closed.
November 12, 2014
'Circus of the Unseen' by Joanne Owen left me wanting more... in a bad way.
The story revolves around your average teenage girl, Rosie. She's staying with her grandmother, and ends up in a magical place called the Circus of the Unseen. Here, she is trying desperately to get home, and is faced with some tough decisions along the way. This novel is told in three parts, each beginning with a segment from the same fairytale.
In this book, I liked the minor characters, setting and writing.
The minor characters in this novel were fun, quirky, and brought a smile to my face- which is what I disliked about the main character for the majority of this short book. I felt like a lot of the characters got little to no development. Most of the characters were just tools to advance the main characters internal conflict, which got a tad annoying. They had no story or life of their own. I mean, they're in a circus- they could have been doing something interesting besides practising and sleeping.
I did really like the setting and how it was described, the eeriness of it all. It was quite surreal and interesting. One of my favourite aspects of the book.
I also enjoyed the actual writing. I thought it was simple and to-the-point, which I like. A bit choppy and awkward at times, but for the most part, great.
With this novel I felt like the blurb was kind of misleading. I wouldn't have used 'mystery' or 'cryptic trial' to describe the events in this novel,but I can see how they could be applied.
This novel is short, sweet, a bit unpolished, but still enjoyable. I would recommend it to anyone, really, especially young adults and fans of Russian myths/legends.
The story revolves around your average teenage girl, Rosie. She's staying with her grandmother, and ends up in a magical place called the Circus of the Unseen. Here, she is trying desperately to get home, and is faced with some tough decisions along the way. This novel is told in three parts, each beginning with a segment from the same fairytale.
In this book, I liked the minor characters, setting and writing.
The minor characters in this novel were fun, quirky, and brought a smile to my face- which is what I disliked about the main character for the majority of this short book. I felt like a lot of the characters got little to no development. Most of the characters were just tools to advance the main characters internal conflict, which got a tad annoying. They had no story or life of their own. I mean, they're in a circus- they could have been doing something interesting besides practising and sleeping.
I did really like the setting and how it was described, the eeriness of it all. It was quite surreal and interesting. One of my favourite aspects of the book.
I also enjoyed the actual writing. I thought it was simple and to-the-point, which I like. A bit choppy and awkward at times, but for the most part, great.
With this novel I felt like the blurb was kind of misleading. I wouldn't have used 'mystery' or 'cryptic trial' to describe the events in this novel,but I can see how they could be applied.
This novel is short, sweet, a bit unpolished, but still enjoyable. I would recommend it to anyone, really, especially young adults and fans of Russian myths/legends.
January 17, 2015
2.5 Stars
Circus of the Unseen divided me, I absolutely loved the world Joanne Owen created but struggled with the narration style and ending. Let’s start with the big top in the in-between realm Rosie finds herself in though, because that was awesome.
Joanne Owen has split the book into 3 parts, each begins with the story with Vasilia and her magical doll. I loved this tale a lot. From there Rosie begins her narration, in part one we learn about her family but it’s part 2 when she find herself in the between world. As I’ve said I adored the big top, the performers and their environment. It has the right balance between creepy and magical.
Maybe because I was so enthused by this world I needed more of it. Rosie’s narration didn’t engage me as I wanted and I was never particularly attached to her as a character. Also I have issues with the ending.
The world building in Circus of the Unseen will entice.
Circus of the Unseen divided me, I absolutely loved the world Joanne Owen created but struggled with the narration style and ending. Let’s start with the big top in the in-between realm Rosie finds herself in though, because that was awesome.
Joanne Owen has split the book into 3 parts, each begins with the story with Vasilia and her magical doll. I loved this tale a lot. From there Rosie begins her narration, in part one we learn about her family but it’s part 2 when she find herself in the between world. As I’ve said I adored the big top, the performers and their environment. It has the right balance between creepy and magical.
Maybe because I was so enthused by this world I needed more of it. Rosie’s narration didn’t engage me as I wanted and I was never particularly attached to her as a character. Also I have issues with the ending.
The world building in Circus of the Unseen will entice.
December 29, 2022
Originally rated this 4.5 stars, but changed it because looking back, it really does deserve 5 stars. Circus of the Unseen is amazing and very underrated! It was so unexpectedly brilliant, one of my favourites now.
A story about a strange and sinister world full of mystery and magic. With such a cool cover, too. What more could you want?
A story about a strange and sinister world full of mystery and magic. With such a cool cover, too. What more could you want?
November 24, 2015
A book about a secret circus inspired by Russian folklore? Yes, please! Go straight to the top of my to-read pile, do not pass go, do not collect £200.
So it's fair to say I was excited about this book, which made the disappointment all the more crushing. There's some nice writing, there are some really interesting concepts, but nothing happens. Literally nothing. It takes forever to get to the circus, and nothing happens there either. And the two big revelations are so clearly signposted that I was confused by the reveals - didn't we already know this?
I think part of the problem is that the book was shelved with YA when it's clearly a middle-grade book. If I'd known that, I probably wouldn't have read it. Or I would have read it very differently.
So it's fair to say I was excited about this book, which made the disappointment all the more crushing. There's some nice writing, there are some really interesting concepts, but nothing happens. Literally nothing. It takes forever to get to the circus, and nothing happens there either. And the two big revelations are so clearly signposted that I was confused by the reveals - didn't we already know this?
I think part of the problem is that the book was shelved with YA when it's clearly a middle-grade book. If I'd known that, I probably wouldn't have read it. Or I would have read it very differently.
September 18, 2015
3.5 Stars for me. This was a fun, quick and easy read. A bit creepy in a light way. I really enjoyed the Russian folklore and especially loved all the circus bits. I only wish it was longer so the good parts weren't so rushed through. I wanted so much more about the circus and about Rose's time there. I wanted to learn more about the supporting characters as well which were fabulous while Rose was pretty bland. I feel like the ending came up short and was too quick in its closing as well, if that makes sense.
January 7, 2015
A lot of trains of thought, many of which didn't go anywhere, to the point where I'm not entirely sure why a lot of things happened. I understood the basic premise of a limbo-land where the dead are circus performers... but why? So much wasn't properly explained, undetailed or just trailed off, which was irritating. It seemed like a great idea in theory, but didn't pay off in practice.
June 26, 2016
This book at first seemed incredibly interesting and something that I would devour and adore. But this was not the case. My love for the gothic and twisted was what inclined me to buy this book but sadly I was disappointed. Our main protagonist had a watery personality that felt so false. So much in the world was unexplained and I was kind of bored and confused for a lot of the story.
January 25, 2015
Russian fairytales and circus magic at the edge of death, but rather simplistic and predictable. (The writing style is aimed at younger readers, but the plot may be a little dark for that age group.)
March 21, 2015
Not Joanne Owen’s best; I expected more.
December 8, 2014
<3 <3 Lovely novel that tugged at the heart strings.
March 22, 2015
I like the premise, as well as the circus and fairy tale imagery, but the plot felt underdeveloped and the ending left me feeling unsatisfied.
October 18, 2015
Enjoyed the start and the whole idea an premise. Sadly all of that was thrown out of the window very soon and really struggled to finish the book. Such a shame!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews