The Lost Spectacular

by Zoé Duhaime

Both magical fable and a tender love story, The Night Circus meets The Midnight Library in this dazzling ode to the life-changing power of books, as childhood loves-turned-rivals chase each other through the stories that shaped them, leaping through classic literature and famous paintings and private letters and family dinners, until all that’s left is to confront the grief they’ve been running from...and decide whether they might face it together, instead.

Everything you love must leave you.

Noon Bonaventure and Munro Forrest weren’t always rivals chasing each other through the pages of books. They grew up listening to stories from Munro’s grandmother and arguing over their favorites. But then one night, they discovered the Spectacular, a mysterious, ever-changing festival glittering with everything lone pearl earrings and apple orchards, abandoned first drafts and shipwrecks, a skyful of umbrellas. This Spectacular, found only by invitation or in the pages of misprints, is the most precious thing in the world. In its wake, stories settle. Noon has always been the sort to move on with grace, and Munro goes into the business of never letting go—their divide starker than ever after a misstep abruptly closes the door on what could have been.

Now long estranged yet forever drawn to one another, Noon and Munro’s differences have defined their ways of life. Munro, an ambitious museum curator, vows his next exhibit will trap the Spectacular and return its lost treasures, while Noon, queen of cat-and-mouse, has been chosen as the next captain of the show.

As opening night for Munro’s exhibit draws closer, he and Noon will have to stop running and finally agree on how their story ends—and perhaps, find a way to start again.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Books About Books, Science Fiction Fantasy

288 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication September 29, 2026

About the author

author and reader in Montreal; occasional illustrator, handspinner, and purveyor of sweet dreams

Reviews

[Erin Mendoza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love books about books. But for some reason, I just didn't love this book.
It was a bit too surreal for my tastes. I never felt like I got a good sense of what was happening. I prefer a bit more world building.
I feel like this was a beautiful story. I feel like Munro showed a lot of character growth. But... I'm not sure. Because I'm not sure what happened 😬
If you are a fan of books like The Starless Sea or The Night Circus, this might be the book for you.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for an early copy for review.

[Jessica (Readingdiaries_)]

Thank you, Solaris, for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this book because of the summary - it sounded so good with a mysterious circus, two childhood friends turned strangers, and with Night Circus vibes.

I really liked the idea of the book, with characters and objects stolen from people and stories, all gathered in a mysterious Circus that appears and disappears. It's such a cool concept, but sadly, the book did not quite hit the mark for me. The concept of two childhood friends linked by a bookstore and a mysterious circus was super interesting, especially the idea of following them as they reconnected. However, from the first chapter, I really struggled with the writing - it was confusing, and I barely understood 80% of what I was reading. The writing was too flowery and disjointed for my liking, with so many places and people mentioned (without us knowing who they were and without being introduced to them in any shape or form). I thought it would get better, but it only became more and more confusing, and I lost interest in the story and the characters.

In the end, I understand what the author was trying to do and the mysterious, mystical atmosphere they were trying to build, but it didn't work for me. I am giving it three stars because I can imagine that some people would love this type of book, but it did not deliver for me.

[The Dragon Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The lost spectacular

You know that strange sensation, when you are having an amazing dream and everything makes complete sense when you are in the dream, but you wake and try and tell someone else about the dream and suddenly nothing makes sense.

That’s how I feel about The Lost Spectacular it both made sense and didn’t make any sense at the same time.

I found the reading hard work, like walking through a dream in real time. If that was a deliberate style choice of the author then I applaud them, mission accomplished.

I am rating this one 3 stars, thank you NetGalley and Zoe Duhaime for the opportunity to read this ARC

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reading copy.

This book is special - the creativity and lore, and the beautifully polished writing caught me off guard and this was my favorite read in a long time. This author clearly has a lifelong, deep passion for books and her reference base alone was astounding aside from the main story. It was a surreal and whimsical read, and I viscerally felt the conflict the conflict between the main characters.

Noon is a great lover and curator of books at the shop which she inherited from her father. She is brought up in a complex compound family with her childhood best friend and first love Munro, who matches her knack for special editions and unique reads. When the shop closes and Noon gets the opportunity to run the mysterious and mythical Spectacular, Munro's jealousy fuels him on a chase of her through countless lost stories.

[Dora | ThePedestalBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing and Zoé Duhaime for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Available Sep 29 2026.

THE LOST SPECTACULAR is a lot of things. It's a circus that exists in and travels through stories. It's Noon Bonaventure and Munro Forrest, childhood friends who had lost their connection after an unfortunate conversation during an important event. It's also The City Not-Unlike Montreal, a museum, and a bookshop, all of which feel as if they were characters as well. And in the end, it's family.

We follow Noon, a young woman who decides to drop her real-life worries to exist at the helm of a magical circus, where she becomes as untouchable as a storybook character. We also follow Munro, the head curator of a museum he opened with his friends, who is desperate to find the very circus Noon gave herself up to. When they were young, and still friends, they followed Munro's grandma into the magical circus, and where Noon was rather indifferent towards the magic of it, Munro became consumed by it. Several familial tragedies later that their friendship could not survive, Noon and Munro find themselves on opposing sides as Munro chases her through stories, and she keeps running further away.

Zoé Duhaime has a distinct writing style, one that had me laughing, crying, and marvelling at the words on the page at the same time. The magic of travelling through stories in a literal sense, characters embedding themselves into other stories' narratives, is the very core of the novel, and it is every bit as ethereal as you would imagine. The Spectacular, which is the name of the circus, is made of umbrellas stolen by the man in the charcoal cloak, whom you get to know through the story itself, but even better through the short inserts of his thievery of umbrellas at the beginning of each chapter. It is also the place where all the lost and forgotten things go, and the crew uses them to create unforgettable experiences for their patrons.

The concept itself is marvellous. The story draws you in with its promises of a magical experience and a love story that will span across years and borrowed narratives, and it does exactly that, with its last third being arguably the strongest. It is a story worth reading in full.

It is not, however, a story that will make doing so easy.

I hate to admit to having bad experiences with books, especially ones that I had so much hope and excitement for. THE LOST SPECTACULAR drags in the middle, or maybe it simply didn't capture me as much as the first third did, and I found myself actively talking myself into continuing to read it. It felt slow - it felt as if nothing was happening. I felt bored. There were many characters mentioned, some popping up for the first time at the halfway point, and at the part where the magic system became important as Munro chased Noon through books, I didn't understand how everything worked. There was a joke, at the beginning, about the author's decision not to explain how everything works - sadly, that is precisely why I couldn't get into something I couldn't wrap my head around.

I haven't read THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY so I can't comment on that, but if you read this expecting it to be similar to THE NIGHT CIRCUS, you will mostly be left disappointed. They share the concept of a circus built on magic and two characters whose love spans through years, working against each other, but that is all. The comparison does a disservice to THE LOST SPECTACULAR, as it sets expectations that it simply does not meet, whereas without them, for all its faults, it makes a fine book on its own.

I would recommend this to those who would like a story built on vibes and a semi-explained magic system, where literary references are a key ingredient to the narrative.

[Aislinn Neale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, effervescent, and experiential. I felt every sentence of this novel under my skin, and I saw every lovingly and deliberately described scene.

Any lover of books will feel the kindred spirit of the author's deep, lifelong love of books, and anyone who has grieved anything, whether it is person or object or even a place or space in time, will resonate with this poignant portrayal of loss.

Everything you love must leave you

My top ten favourite things about this book, in no particular order:

1. Montréal. What can I say, I'm partial to my own city. And I'm extremely partial to this version of my city, which both exists and doesn't at the same time. And I'm a sucker for a love letter to the places where we live and love. What a delight!

2. The homage to the childhood readers, to those of us who devoured books in the hundreds from infancy. To the connections we made between stories, to the ways in which we desperately wanted to live inside them. Every perfect reference to every treasured story world that I adored in my childhood, and that has shaped me into the person I am today. And the acknowledgement that that shaping is important and that the stories we loved as children mean something crucial about our characters as adults.

3. The messy, imperfect, loving tangle of family life and how we resist with every fiber of our being the changes that come with growing older and watching those we love grow older too.

4. Every perfect chapter title, every beginning of chapter umbrella theft, and the dedication.

5. The dreamy museum, and every perfect invented exhibit, and God how I wish they were real.

6. The achingly desperate love and loss of it all. And how sometimes the two things are the same, and how unfair that is.

7. Emerald green. That is all.

8. The yearning. Thrilling, sexy, frustrating and romantic just how I like it :)

9. The language. It's not often that you come across an author who is also a true artist. Every sentence is so perfect I just want to kiss it. Every time I read a novel this impeccably written my conviction is renewed that having a good idea and a good plot is one thing, but writing should be beautiful as well. Every paragraph drips with imagery so luscious I can see it.

10. Noon & Munro. And how everyone has been one or the other of them, or both at different times in a lifetime. Two sides of the same coin, yin & yang, enemies and lovers and friends and two halves of one heart forever and ever.

I can't wait for everyone to get to read this in September!

[Virginia Easthome · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like watching Moulin Rouge for the first time - you're dunked into a world filled with color and lyrical prose and you splash around until you've got your bearings and then you realize you are in the most beautiful world, and continue to bask in the poetry of it all for the next several hundred pages.

I love a book whose world building immerses you into it - you can picture each place you're drawn into, visualize so clearly the rooms and the people and the action, and even hear the sounds - that's how vivid Duhaime's writing is, and I felt as if I'd sunk into a pool of story and was surrounded by it. It absolutely feels as if it belongs to another time.

This is a love letter to every reader who devoured books as a child, enjoyed university reading for the sake of the words, and continues on in the same manner as an adult. It absolutely reads this way, pulling bits and pieces from here and there, gathering and layering emotional arcs and plot points.

Noon and Munro are heart-rending, honestly, they're both so desperately seeking the way into the person and life they believe they're supposed to lead, the grief they want to escape, and future they want to attain, that you can't help but root for them (even though they want opposite things so much of the time). I'd get so excited to see which story they'd jump into next, or to know what they'd abscond with, and found the push and pull of one caring about the disappearances and the other absolutely unable to let it go so brilliantly executed. And the overall themes of families - ones that are biological and ones that you create, are so fiercely poignant, especially when the love is extended over those who make very different life decisions from your own. Their patterns of chase and competition are established so well and early on, and I loved experiencing the Spectacular from the POV of them as children, growing up, and <> - but suffice to say, I loved the ending.

I will also say that I am EXACTLY the audience for this book - I love lyrical prose and immersive world building, and I can already tell that if a reader does not prefer poetry in narrative form, this one won't be for you, but I hope you give it a chance because it's brilliant and beautiful.

*Thanks to Kensington Publishing (Erewhon Books) via NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Jo Kerr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky. That’s my one word precis. But of course, you want more than that so here goes…

The things I enjoyed;
- what a fantastic premise for a story. The ability to enter stories, texts, and paintings via magic… Unusual, interesting and yes - quirky
- Some unusual, evocative writing.(‘Apollonie was starlight in a dish’)
- The odd little, inconsistent, asides from the narrator. I wish this had been more consistent throughout.

However… It’s a good job I had read the book summary before starting to read, otherwise I wouldn’t have had the foggiest what was going on!

The story follows Noon and Munro, once close childhood friends, now grown up (and apart). Their lives are entwined with The Spectacular, a strange paranormal circus where lost things end up. How they view it is completely at odds with each other and this drives the story to a final confrontation, where the magic of the spectacular has them careering from story to story.

So what didn’t resonate so much for me?
- There are a few weird turns of phrase that meant I had to re-read sentences at times eg ‘he had been many late nights spent in his own library…’ or ‘Under her care, there had a faint spaghetti-western atmosphere’
- On occasion it is simply impenetrable, especially at the beginning. I think more clarity about what was going on is required earlier in the story.
- I would have got more out of the overwhelming amount of book scenes quoted if I had read the books referenced. Instead, I felt like I was missing out on an inside joke and it resulted in me feeling a bit disengaged with the story.

So, I had struggles which resulted in me taking a while to get through it. I do wonder if this fantastic idea would be better as a short story or novella, focussed on the section of the pursuit.

As a novel it was too long, the heavy descriptions dragging the pace down, and the lack of clarity about the storyline creating frustration rather than intrigue as it went along.

In conclusion, I wouldn’t read it again, though I would give another book by this author a chance.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Rebellion for the e-Arc.

Overall 2.5 stars, rounded to 3 for GoodReads.

[Elly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, it’s whimsical, but kind of in an overbearing way, smashing it into your face. It’s difficult to get into (you can’t fall into it, it’s a bit more like, climbing, carefully, with diligence and perseverance), because the language is a lot, and it asks much of the reader. There was one point where I genuinely assumed our protagonist had mental health issues, rather than believing in the magic of the book. It’s not a book that eases you in gently.

But once it got going? It was less about mystery and more about punching you in the face with the themes of it all. There’s a segment about the stories we tell ourselves, and just in case you didn’t get it, there’s a line “and her elevator pitch kept her good company even on the worst of days” which is then hammered home with emphasis, two pages later in the paired line “or such was the story he told himself.” It’s like the author doesn’t think we’re capable of understanding their themes, or following the plot.

And okay, yes, there is whimsy. Lion cubs sneaking out behind you, our protagonists slipping between stories, in and out of paintings, letters, dreams, pilfering a little here and there for an idea, a narrative. It’s a bit like a children’s fort, propped up with wide open umbrellas with a blanket thrown over the top, with fairy lights on the inside. Held together with a wish and a bucket of delight in the moment.

But then it gets a bit dark, because adults aren’t children, and they’re trying to one up each other rather than admit their truths, be a bit vulnerable and have a grown up conversation like adults. They’re also really mad at each other, and hurt, too. Misunderstood and feeling wretched about it.

The end, where there was vulnerability, a forgiveness, I think (hard to tell, it stopped a beat early and I think were meant to imagine the ending), and everything got a bit meta, reminding us again of the circular stories, how it’s all intertwined together.

Also, awkwardly, I don’t think the spectacular was ever lost?

I don’t know. It was a cute read, but I found it overly heavy handed.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

[Sanaˢᵉᵐⁱ⁻ⁱᵃ꩜ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well—this book was like a dream... A dream that is lost once we are awake and can never find it.

Let me break it down

Things I loved about this book:

♡The Characters
Each and every characters in this book were so interesting. From the moms to the troupe members to the four curators. Chef's kiss! The character dynamics were so intriguing and more than the plot, I was liking it.

♡The Writing
Now, the writing style might not be in everyone's palate but for readers like me love lush and descriptive writing—and love The Night Circus, you'll love it.
I also have some issues here, but that's for later.

♡Noon & Munroe
Yes—they deserve a separate mention.
I never thought of enjoying a childhood lovers turned rivals until this. Though this is not a proper romance or romantasy, their every moment was dripping with such tension that I couldn't bother about ANYTHING ELSE! The character development of both of them but mainly of Munroe really increased my love for him.
And the way my jaw dropped in chapter 19.... Noon was pretty wild for THAT 😭✋

♡The beginning of each chapter with Lukøje stealing umbrella(s) 😂

Now my issues with the book:

⁣⩩The constant mentions of the books.
I know it IS a book about books so that was expected. But to me? It felt like a distraction. I DIDN'T hate it. It was kinda nostalgic tbh. The books of my childhood being mentioned.
But it diluted the plot a little.

⁣⩩The Writing
Ok—hear me out. No matter how beautiful or lush it was... it was also confusing.
There were moments I wanted a clear groud of whatever hell was happening. I felt so lost at the first quater of this book. But then, either I got used to the beauty, or the characters(Noon & Munroe ofc) were too interesting for me to bother about anything.


˖ ִֶָ𐀔 𓂃 ࣪˖ ⋆


Thankyou Netgalley and the publisher for the arc (my first arc actually🤭)


⭐⭐⭐.75

[Addison &#x1f380; · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting concept and one that I would typically really enjoy, especially since it gave me some similar vibes to The Book Witch by Meg Schaefer. However, I had a harder time connecting with this story than I expected.

The biggest challenge for me was the writing style. I often found myself needing to reread passages because things didn’t feel clearly explained, and at times the story came across as either too vague or a bit rushed. Because of this, it was difficult to fully immerse myself in the world or feel grounded in what was happening.

The shifting points of view also added to my confusion. While multiple POVs can work really well, here they sometimes felt disorienting, and I had trouble keeping track of the narrative flow. This made it harder to stay engaged with both the plot and the characters.

Speaking of characters, I didn’t find myself particularly attached to them, which made it difficult to feel invested in their journeys. I also struggled with the magic system—it had potential, but I didn’t feel like it was explained in a way that made it easy to follow.

Another small thing that pulled me out of the story was the frequent mention of many different books. While I understand the intention behind it, it felt a bit excessive at times and distracted from the overall narrative.

While this book didn’t fully work for me, I can definitely see it appealing to readers who enjoy more atmospheric and layered storytelling.

That said, this isn’t a bad book by any means. There were elements I appreciated, and I can see how it might work well for other readers. For me personally, though, the combination of writing style, pacing, and structure made it difficult to fully connect. The ending also felt somewhat abrupt, which left me wanting a bit more resolution.

The Lost Spectacular was an enjoyable enough read in the moment, but not one that I see myself thinking about much in the future.

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lost Spectacular: Deluxe Limited Edition by Zoé Duhaime Caught my eye with the stunning cover, caught my attention with an intriguing synopsis and caught my mind with an enchinting, whimsical story. I recommend reading this with an open mind, allow yourself to wonder and embrace the magic. It doesn't have to fit a mould, enjoy the spectacular for being...spectacular!

The storyline is delightfully chaotic and utterly surreal, reflecting the minds and souls of the two main characters. Noon Bonaventura and Munroe Forrest enjoyed stories told by Munroe's grandmother, subsequently they follow each other through stories, their rivalry growing more intense with each tale until, the Spectacular...

The Spectacular is only found is the most obscure of misprints, comprised of all things lost that we hope to find again, rather similar to our protagonists subconcsious desire to be reunited and perhaps, more. Their chance arises, when, as adults, their roles cause them to meet again, Munroe, a curator determined to have the Spectacular as his next exhibit and Noon, the new captain of the show

I adored this book for its backbone of journeying through books and the power of storytelling and the bonds it creates as well as breaks. A stunning imagining of a world within that had me enchanted. Absolutely a keeper and well worth reading over and over again

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Kensington Publishing | Erewhon Books for this enchanting ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

[Brittanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Magical and books about books are usually my thing; there’s a lot of untapped potential here. But if you like stories peppered with references to all the classic books of the world, this book is for you.

Starting every chapter with stealing an umbrella from a classic book was an interesting highlight.

“Spectacular” is a mysterious occurrence thrown around a lot in the book. After finishing, I’m still not exactly sure what exactly it is, or how or why we are popping in and out of books.

But, you like wit, you’ll enjoy that this book. It didn’t take itself too seriously “City-Not-Unlike-Montreal in the country for simplicity we’ll call Northland” or “you might not recognize your final straw until it’s in someone else’s milkshake” 🤣

The main characters: Noon, 🤔interesting name for a girl, you will like if you enjoy angsty heroines. 🧐 Munro, (I think of Col. Munro from Last of the Mohicans.) You will like him if you like a MMC who has regular sessions with a therapist. Whatever you think of their turbulent relationship, we can give A+ for this line:

“I don't understand your rules because you never tell them to me. I don't want to fight." 👏

Where you may struggle- it’s hard to find the plot, and the writing is disjointed. Excessive use of “and” and em dashes make long, hard to follow sentences. You may find it challenging to connect with characters. Also, if you don’t love profanity, beware characters swear with no compelling reason.

Received this advance reader copy thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing.

[Valarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into The Lost Spectacular by Zoé Duhaime with high hopes. The premise immediately hooked me. The idea of stepping into stories or works of art and experiencing entirely different lives is so compelling. With comparisons to The Midnight Library, one of my all time favorites, and The Night Circus, I was expecting something immersive and magical.

The concept truly has that kind of potential.

Unfortunately, the execution did not fully land for me. The writing leans heavily into a poetic, abstract style, which at times made the story difficult to follow. Some of the descriptions, especially when entering new books or pieces of art, felt overextended and pulled me away from what was actually happening. I often found myself deciding whether to reread a section or just move forward with a general sense of it.

Because of that, I never felt fully grounded in the story. It sometimes felt like I was skimming the surface rather than being pulled into the worlds the characters were exploring.

I did enjoy parts of the character work, particularly the male lead and his pursuit, which added some emotional continuity. However, the ending left me wanting more. After such an interesting premise, I was hoping for a more satisfying resolution, and it felt a bit open and unresolved.

I really wanted to love this one, and I can see it working well for readers who enjoy more lyrical, interpretive storytelling. For me, the balance between concept and clarity just was not quite there.

[The Lit · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm giving The Lost Spectacular by Zoe Westward a 2-star review. ⭐⭐
​I really hate to say it, but I ended up DNF-ing this at 40%. It was a tough call because the premise sounded so promising, but I just couldn't make that vital connection with the story.
​A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
​The Review
​The story centers around a mysterious and whimsical "Spectacular," promising a world of magic, secrets, and wonder hidden behind the velvet curtains of a traveling show. While the concept is undeniably enchanting on paper, the execution left me feeling a bit lost in the wings.
​The Good
​The initial idea for the book is fantastic; the concept of a "Lost Spectacular" is rich with potential for atmospheric world-building and mystery. There are moments where the setting feels genuinely intriguing, and you can see the bones of a truly magical story trying to peek through. I may even give it another shot later on when I'm in a different headspace, as I think the right reader at the right time might find more to latch onto than I did during this attempt.
​The Not So Good
​My main struggle was a total lack of connection to the characters; I found it hard to care about their individual journeys or the stakes involved. This was compounded by a pace that felt significantly too slow for me. Even at nearly halfway through, it felt like the plot was still in the "set-up" phase without providing enough momentum to keep me turning the pages.

[Mystyc Metrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

For everyone who has ever wanted the whimsy of a circus wrapped up in a love story with a profound message about loss, this one is for you. Noon Bonaventure knows a thing or two about loss, as her father passed away when she was young and she has to close the doors to his struggling bookstore. Growing up in a home with her grandmother and her best friend Munro Forrest, Noon is no stranger to stories and children's literature, and both her and Munro's lives are forever changed when they follow their grandmother to the Spectacular. Carefully curated from lost things plucked from both reality and literature, the show is never the same but always astonishing. Noon, who never really accepted the permanence of real life, is thrilled to join the Spectacular as the ringmaster, because the Sandman felt it was time to pass on the mantle. Munro, however, is haunted by his inability to find the Spectacular so he makes it his life's work to stalk Noon through literature in order to find her. The two engage in a battle of wills culminating in two spectacular exhibits, one in Noon's fairytales and one at Munro's museum. Readers will be riveted as they try to figure out if the two reconcile, to guess what will happen at the next Spectacular, and, honestly, to see how it ends. Noon is our heroine, so I must admit, I was on her side a bit more than Munro's, but the characters are very likable and the story is captivating. Just remember: everything you love will leave you, and this too shall pass.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted to receive an ARC of The Lost Spectacular. This was one of the most enchanting books I’ve read in ages - it’s a lyrical love letter to literature and art (and Montreal), without being inaccessible or esoteric.

I was familiar with the author’s Sweet Dreams series on TikTok, and was thus unsurprised that this novel too feels dreamlike - ranging from nostalgic sweet dreams, cheeky daydreams (whether about a crush or plotting a mischievous revenge), to vivid fever dreams. From world building to turns of phrase, the author’s writing is divine (and faintly reminiscent of Jaclyn Moriarty? And/or even Lemony Snicket at times?). While the style of this book was perhaps a little unconventional, at no point did I find it hard to follow - I was utterly captivated.

Without giving too much away, I loved the ever-changing dynamics in Noon and Munro’s friends-to-enemies-to-lovers plot, and there are some fun spicy scenes interspersed.

I read The Lost Spectacular back-to-back with The Starless Sea. While I enjoyed both, I preferred The Lost Spectacular, finding it to be easier to get into (and follow), and would highly recommend this novel to fans of Erin Morgenstern.

Ultimately, I cannot recommend The Lost Spectacular highly enough, especially for those who enjoy books about books or whimsical love stories, or who have found their way out of grief and loss.

[Haley Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I want to start off by saying that The Lost Spectacular feels less interested in explaining itself than in creating an emotional atmosphere and aesthetic, and whether that works will probably depend on how willing you are to just agree with the book’s dreamlike logic. For me, once I stopped trying to fully understand the mechanics of the Spectacular, the novel became much more rewarding.

What I believe the book is shooting for is a story about the ways people try to preserve what they love long after it has already changed. Noon and Munro’s relationship carries much of that emotional weight and their history together feels shaped as much by shared stories as shared experiences. But the writing is very lyrical in my opinion and may not be for everyone, there were definitely moments where the structure made the story difficult to follow.

What stayed with me most was the book’s sense of longing. What I understood was the longing to return to childhood stories, old versions of ourselves, places we can never fully go back to, it just may have been too flowery in the writing.

This feels like a book for readers who love stories about stories: books like The Starless Sea where atmosphere and emotion matter more than tightly explained worldbuilding.

[Cynde · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Spectacular is a mystical , magical festival that is attended by invitation only and the occasional misprints in books. Each year it brings fantastical stories and artwork to life and is a feast for the senses and the mind. Yoon owns a small failing bookshop in this "not Montreal town" but has her invitation and decides to attend this year. her childhood friend, Munro, is curator of a museum which displays artwork and nostalgia. He is also attending but wants to capture the "Spectacular" and make it an exhibit in his museum. The two had been great friends and shared many adventure and hours listening to his grandmother read stories. Joon is asked to be the next presenter for the "Spectacular" for the coming year. Monroe has other plans. Can they reconcile their differences to become perhaps more than friends or will the "Spectacular' be lost.
A knowledge of classical literature and artwork will help make this book more enjoyable. The read is similar to the current trend where books or libraries help solve problems magically, such as "We'll Prescribe You a Cat" or "the Magic Circus".

[Marietta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lost Spectacular was a beautifully imaginative and emotional read, and I’d give it 4 stars.

The concept alone completely drew me in—this ever-shifting, magical Spectacular woven through books, memories, and art felt whimsical and almost dreamlike. It really captures that sense of how stories shape us and stay with us over time. The writing has a lyrical, soft quality that makes the whole experience feel immersive and slightly surreal.

Noon and Munro’s relationship is at the heart of it all, and I loved the idea of childhood connection turning into distance, rivalry, and something more complicated over time. Their dynamic adds a lot of depth to the story and keeps you invested as their paths continue to cross.

At times, the narrative felt a bit abstract and I found myself wanting a clearer grounding in certain moments, but that hazy, dreamlike feeling also fits the story.

Overall, this is a unique and tender story about connection, memory, and the power of stories.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance!

[Dana Biasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the opportunity to read this ARC from NetGalley.

The Lost Spectacular is a unique story that blends complex interpersonal relationships and fantasy. The story focuses on Munro Forrest, his two moms, grandmother and a very special bookstore. In the three story walk-up lives another family Ariel and Elizabeth Bonaventure and their daughter June Clara aka Noon. Munro and Noon grew up together with all the parents and grandparents raising them like they were one big family. Munro and Noon discover a secret his grandmother has been keeping-the existence of the Spectacular. The Spectacular is a by-invitation-only fever dream of lost things taken from story books and works of art by an enigma called the Sandman. Munro and Noon have a complicated relationship marred by hurts inflicted by one another. Even though they carry this hurt, they have a deep love for each other.

I absolutely loved the creativity and humor of this story. The author’s knowledge of literature and artwork is impressive and is incorporated throughout the story. I enjoyed this story from start to finish.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a good story, it took me a bit of time to get into the style of writing, but once I did I enjoyed it. The descriptions of the environments (rooms, settings and the like) was well crafted and illuminating, allowing visualisation of the world visited.

It was a unique way of building magic into a world, and very cleverly done. What a fun way to live, hiding within the texts of books and the like.

The only thing that spoiled it for me was that I was pulled out of the story several times in a jarring way due to the author addressing the reader directly. I hated that, it unsettled my reading flow and really set me on edge. There must be a dozen other ways of adding a note to the story without resorting to "Dear reader"!! And I'll just leave it at that, otherwise I'll go off onto a full blown rant.

I am thankful to the author, Rebellion | Solaris and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book for free.

[Melissa Givens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was initially drawn to this book by its cover and interesting description, and it definitely delivers on imagination and magical realism. How many times have you wanted to jump inside a book and experience the story yourself? This one brings that idea to life in a unique way. The writing is vivid and descriptive, making the world more immersive.

The story follows Noon and Munro, childhood best friends who were raised together but grew apart over time due to life and past mistakes. I appreciated the emotional depth between them and the character growth they both had throughout the story.

While I did enjoy the overall concept and storytelling, I found parts of the writing—especially in the beginning—to be somewhat confusing. It took time to fully understand the characters and the structure of their world(s), which occasionally pulled me out of the story. That said, once things became clearer, I was able to better appreciate the creativity and heart behind it.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Unfortunately, this book did not really work for me. I was very intrigued by the premise and the cover with comp titles like Caraval and the Night Circus - books I absolutely love. However, the execution of this book is where it lost me. I found the writing a little unusual and hard to follow or understand at times. This also made it hard for me to connect to the characters or the story or stay engaged. I found myself rereading sentences or pages to try and figure out what I had just read. I think the premise of this book is great and I wish the execution had lived up to that.

Thanks again to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book but I just couldn't get into it. I kept getting lost and having to restart chapters. I think the storyline is interesting but I wish there was more set up and world building as for me, that would have helped me a lot more to follow with the story.

I love unusual and quirky books but I just struggled to get into this one. Some parts where written overly poetic and referencing other books and that just made me lost and had to restart the paragraph. Like there was an inside joke and I wasn't apart of it.

Would I read another of Zoé Duhaime books in the future? Yeah, I would as there are parts of the book that I liked, like the story premise and some characters but for this book it's a pass.

[Potato · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher (Kensington Publishing) for giving me this arc.

Alright, buckle up.

This book felt to me the same as if you walked up to someone and started a conversation with "how are you" and they responded with "indeed". Like it sort of makes sense, but not really at all. Once I started reading it I was just really confused the whole time. It was basically a wild fever dream that someone else had that they told me about and I didn't really understand what was going on. There's a line in between doing that, and still making sense.

If I'm just missing the vision Zoe had intended for us to read about, so be it, but I had to DNF 40% through.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Now, you know I love a story with a circus at its center. The Lost Spectacular feels like vaguely-recalled childhood whimsy, or maybe a very good dream; warm, exciting, and gently nonsensical. If you’re a reader that enjoys vibes and minimal plot, this is a beautiful book to pick up. The worldbuilding is very loose, and while some questions will be answered, that isn’t true of all of them. As an avid book lover, I adored all of the classic titles that Noon brought readers through. The reason I’m rating this a solid middle-of-the-road read is because I prefer a more solid through line in my stories, and The Lost Spectacular left me…well, lost in a lot of places, though decidedly happy.

[rayhanah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to netgalley and publishers for the chance to review this arc!!

As a lover of caraval and the night circus, I was intrigued by this book, thinking this would be right up my alley right? boy was i wrong. The writing style was the most arduous, disjointed thing I have ever read. At no point did I have a grasp on what this book was actually about. It was very confusing and difficult to read and I found myself re-reading paragraphs multiple times. I didn't particularly feel any connection to the mcs and my brain didnt appreciate the parkour with all the characters mentioned but no description or link of who they were.
I'm sad this didn't turn out to be (no pun intended) spectacular because it seemed like just the kind of book i'd enjoy.

[Leah]

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

I want to start by saying I do not think this is a bad book, but it just wasn’t for me.

What didn’t work for me-
•I wish I understood more of the literary references.
•I wish the world building was a bit more solidified.
•It was a bit too long with the fantastical/whimsy-like writing style.. which made it difficult sometimes to stay connected.

What did work-
•The author has a beautiful imagination.
•Some really interesting descriptors and word choices.

I do not think I would read this book again, but I would try another book by the author.

[Milena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC✨

The story has a great potential to find its reader, but unfortunately it was just not for me.

I had a hard time getting into the story and too often caught myself re-reading sentences and paragraphs as I couldn't follow the storyline. The writing was nice. Even magical, I shall say, in a way this genre has to be written. So, maybe it is just a "me" thing.

If you like "Caraval" (I love it) or "The Night Circus" (I dnf it) you might enjoy it. In some way it also reminded me of "Our Infinite Fates" (one of my all time favourites).

So, give it a try✨