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Little Mirth
LITTLE MIRTHSome performers are born to gather light. Some are born to become it.
Under the flickering lanterns of the Wonderhouse Circus, Joy—known to the world as the sad Pierrot girl, Little Mirth—possesses a beautiful and heavy gift. She sees the "Joys" people leave tiny, glowing sparks born from laughter and shared secrets. She captures them in her glass jar, feeding their warmth back into the circus to keep its magic alive.
But the circus is a hungry thing, and Joy’s curse is she can hold light for others, but she cannot create a single spark of her own.
When Milo arrives—a juggler with perfect hands and a hollow soul—Joy senses an emptiness that mirrors her own. Breaking the circus’s oldest rule, she gives him one of her hard-earned Joys. For Milo, warmth finally blooms. For Joy, a dangerous cold begins to settle in.
As a brutal storm threatens to tear Wonderhouse apart, Joy must cling to the fading life she knows, or shatter her jar and sacrifice everything to illuminate the world one final time.
Under the flickering lanterns of the Wonderhouse Circus, Joy—known to the world as the sad Pierrot girl, Little Mirth—possesses a beautiful and heavy gift. She sees the "Joys" people leave tiny, glowing sparks born from laughter and shared secrets. She captures them in her glass jar, feeding their warmth back into the circus to keep its magic alive.
But the circus is a hungry thing, and Joy’s curse is she can hold light for others, but she cannot create a single spark of her own.
When Milo arrives—a juggler with perfect hands and a hollow soul—Joy senses an emptiness that mirrors her own. Breaking the circus’s oldest rule, she gives him one of her hard-earned Joys. For Milo, warmth finally blooms. For Joy, a dangerous cold begins to settle in.
As a brutal storm threatens to tear Wonderhouse apart, Joy must cling to the fading life she knows, or shatter her jar and sacrifice everything to illuminate the world one final time.
102 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 18, 2026
About the author
Visha Graves
13 books37 followersVisha Graves writes horror that lingers—where love is not a refuge, but a catalyst for destruction.
Blending dark romance, tragedy, and atmospheric horror, she crafts stories filled with obsession, sacrifice, and emotional unraveling. Though she is the mind behind the *Carnival of the Damned*, her work reaches beyond it, building new stages where suffering is spectacle and every choice has consequences.
There are no easy endings here.
Only necessary ones.
Off the page, Visha is a devoted wife, boy mom, and dog mama, drawn to the quiet rituals of everyday life—an anchor against the darkness she writes.
Every story is a reckoning.
Every ending leaves a mark.
Blending dark romance, tragedy, and atmospheric horror, she crafts stories filled with obsession, sacrifice, and emotional unraveling. Though she is the mind behind the *Carnival of the Damned*, her work reaches beyond it, building new stages where suffering is spectacle and every choice has consequences.
There are no easy endings here.
Only necessary ones.
Off the page, Visha is a devoted wife, boy mom, and dog mama, drawn to the quiet rituals of everyday life—an anchor against the darkness she writes.
Every story is a reckoning.
Every ending leaves a mark.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 18, 2026
Another circus! 🎪 Just as soon as you think you have it all figured out there’s another book and you realize you have nothing figured out whatsoever. Wonderhouse is a sister carnival two the carnival of the Damned series. And this one works you know a whole different capacity.
In the story, we have Joy and Milo and both of them are lacking whatever it is that allows them to feel or create joy and other such emotions. How this brings them together and what it does to the carnival itself as well as to each other was just heartrending, but beautiful.
I loved it and highly suggest this book!
I received an advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In the story, we have Joy and Milo and both of them are lacking whatever it is that allows them to feel or create joy and other such emotions. How this brings them together and what it does to the carnival itself as well as to each other was just heartrending, but beautiful.
I loved it and highly suggest this book!
I received an advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 16, 2026
Little Mirth by Visha Graves
Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Visha's writing has a unique ability to transport readers into her hauntingly beautiful world, with a fast-paced narrative that leaves a lasting impression and evokes intense emotional depth.
Thoughts -
This is definitely one of my favourites so far.
The inner turmoil is absolutely raw and 💔
That ending was a beautiful masterpiece!
I would like to thank Visha Graves, for this fantastic opportunity. I received this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.🖤🖤
Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Visha's writing has a unique ability to transport readers into her hauntingly beautiful world, with a fast-paced narrative that leaves a lasting impression and evokes intense emotional depth.
Thoughts -
This is definitely one of my favourites so far.
The inner turmoil is absolutely raw and 💔
That ending was a beautiful masterpiece!
I would like to thank Visha Graves, for this fantastic opportunity. I received this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.🖤🖤
April 3, 2026
This book is a deeply introspective dark romance that focuses more on internal struggle than relationship dynamics—and honestly, that’s what made it stand out to me.
What really pulled me in was the main character’s inner turmoil. That feeling of being trapped, then slowly unraveling and rebuilding into something new, was written in such a raw and captivating way. Visha Graves does an incredible job making you feel every bit of that emotional shift.
This isn’t your typical dark romance. The connection between characters takes a step back, while the focus stays on desperation, self-discovery, and transformation. It felt less “dark” in a romantic sense and more emotionally heavy and personal.
Overall, this was a compelling read that I appreciated for its depth and focus on inner growth.
What really pulled me in was the main character’s inner turmoil. That feeling of being trapped, then slowly unraveling and rebuilding into something new, was written in such a raw and captivating way. Visha Graves does an incredible job making you feel every bit of that emotional shift.
This isn’t your typical dark romance. The connection between characters takes a step back, while the focus stays on desperation, self-discovery, and transformation. It felt less “dark” in a romantic sense and more emotionally heavy and personal.
Overall, this was a compelling read that I appreciated for its depth and focus on inner growth.
April 20, 2026
Far beyond the crimson and sable banners and tent that devours blood and nightmares there is a circus that feeds on emotions of light. The little glimmers of joy and love that spark around us all ... this is Wonderhouse. Within Wonderhouse is a girl that gathers joy that the audience leaves behind but never keeps any for herself.
This is Joy, the girl that collects the joy to feed the circus until one day that all changes and Joy gives a tiny dim spark to a member of the audience.
Little Mirth is a story of heartbreak and self sacrifice. It is a story meant for those of us that have given everything of ourselves to others but never keep or receive anything of our own. Joy is a girl who sacrifices everything for everyone to keep the circus happy and fed while she herself begins to fade. Meanwhile, Milo is a boy that void of all feeling until Joy provides in one dim little spark that awakens the light within him.
While the circus collapses around them, Milo gleams, and Joy begins to fade. Joy becomes more and more ill until love and light reaches her. When Joy realizes that she can give the little glimmers to the circus and she herself can possess and claim her own light, the story changes. Joy and Milo change but for the better in the amazing poetic tragic way that readers have come to love.
If you are looking for a story that gently breaks you even while leaving a lantern glowing in the darkness to call you home that I highly recommend Little Mirth. Until next time, Happy Reading!
This is Joy, the girl that collects the joy to feed the circus until one day that all changes and Joy gives a tiny dim spark to a member of the audience.
Little Mirth is a story of heartbreak and self sacrifice. It is a story meant for those of us that have given everything of ourselves to others but never keep or receive anything of our own. Joy is a girl who sacrifices everything for everyone to keep the circus happy and fed while she herself begins to fade. Meanwhile, Milo is a boy that void of all feeling until Joy provides in one dim little spark that awakens the light within him.
While the circus collapses around them, Milo gleams, and Joy begins to fade. Joy becomes more and more ill until love and light reaches her. When Joy realizes that she can give the little glimmers to the circus and she herself can possess and claim her own light, the story changes. Joy and Milo change but for the better in the amazing poetic tragic way that readers have come to love.
If you are looking for a story that gently breaks you even while leaving a lantern glowing in the darkness to call you home that I highly recommend Little Mirth. Until next time, Happy Reading!
April 19, 2026
This book has me even more obsessed with Visha’s writing than I already was. The Carnival continues to grow and morph and devour me heart and soul. I will happily live in this dark, demented world, never wanting to be removed from its cold grip. Wonderhouse can keep me for all eternity. One thing I absolutely loved about this book was that this Carnival doesn’t work the same as the one from our previous encounters, but it’s not entirely different either. It’s still just as hauntingly beautiful and deliciously dark though. The story of Joy and Milo had me enthralled from the very start. It’s full of turmoil and tension and genuine rawness. I connected so deeply with the feeling of being trapped that Joy experiences. I felt everything. She feels so wonderfully tragic. Milo reads like an empty abyss and I was lost in it. These two characters complement each other so well. Their connection is genuine and raw and real feeling, but also feels like it could snap at any moment. And what comes from that connection had me in knots. It’s a lesson in what we give and what we receive. And it’s one we learn the hard way.
May 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
🫑
Little Mirth was a hauntingly beautiful story of loving someone who selflessly sacrifices themself. Joy can’t feel joyful emotions herself but chooses to give a joy that she has collected to Milo, who can’t experience emotion himself, at her own expense. As she and the circus she is bound to begin to unravel as a result of that action, Milo is forced to recognize that Joy’s act of mercy towards him cost her everything in return, which tears him up inside. Joy is then faced with the decision of whether to sacrifice all the joys she has collected as well as herself to save everyone or allow the circus to implode and take those she cares for. I was hooked from page one and couldn’t put this one down. Joy’s curse was horrifyingly tragic and I felt for her inability to experience joy. I loved Milo‘s devotion towards Joy and how they completed one another. This one was deeply introspective and made me sit back and wonder how I would have acted if I was in Joy’s position. Overall, I highly recommend picking this one up!
*Check TWs if needed.*
🫑
Little Mirth was a hauntingly beautiful story of loving someone who selflessly sacrifices themself. Joy can’t feel joyful emotions herself but chooses to give a joy that she has collected to Milo, who can’t experience emotion himself, at her own expense. As she and the circus she is bound to begin to unravel as a result of that action, Milo is forced to recognize that Joy’s act of mercy towards him cost her everything in return, which tears him up inside. Joy is then faced with the decision of whether to sacrifice all the joys she has collected as well as herself to save everyone or allow the circus to implode and take those she cares for. I was hooked from page one and couldn’t put this one down. Joy’s curse was horrifyingly tragic and I felt for her inability to experience joy. I loved Milo‘s devotion towards Joy and how they completed one another. This one was deeply introspective and made me sit back and wonder how I would have acted if I was in Joy’s position. Overall, I highly recommend picking this one up!
*Check TWs if needed.*
Review of advance copy received from Author
🎭 Little Mirth absolutely captured my heart in the most haunting, magical way.
This story feels like stepping into a dimly lit circus where every flicker of light carries emotion, memory, and meaning. Joy—our sad Pierrot girl—is such a beautifully tragic character. The idea that she can hold onto everyone else’s happiness but can’t create her own? Gut. Wrenching. 💔
The imagery in this book is stunning—tiny glowing Joys, a living, breathing circus, and a world that feels equal parts whimsical and cruel. And then there’s Milo… his emptiness paired with Joy’s quiet longing made their connection feel so raw and fragile.
What really hit me was the deeper message:
✨ What does it mean to give everything of yourself to others?
✨ And what happens when there’s nothing left?
By the end, I was completely swept away—emotional, reflective, and honestly a little wrecked in the best way.
If you love lyrical writing, bittersweet romance, and magical settings with a darker edge… this one is a MUST. 🎪🖤
This story feels like stepping into a dimly lit circus where every flicker of light carries emotion, memory, and meaning. Joy—our sad Pierrot girl—is such a beautifully tragic character. The idea that she can hold onto everyone else’s happiness but can’t create her own? Gut. Wrenching. 💔
The imagery in this book is stunning—tiny glowing Joys, a living, breathing circus, and a world that feels equal parts whimsical and cruel. And then there’s Milo… his emptiness paired with Joy’s quiet longing made their connection feel so raw and fragile.
What really hit me was the deeper message:
✨ What does it mean to give everything of yourself to others?
✨ And what happens when there’s nothing left?
By the end, I was completely swept away—emotional, reflective, and honestly a little wrecked in the best way.
If you love lyrical writing, bittersweet romance, and magical settings with a darker edge… this one is a MUST. 🎪🖤
May 1, 2026
Sad, haunting, and beautifully written Joy and Milo are both missing whatever spark allows people to feel or create joy, and that emptiness shapes everything about them.
Joy known as Little Mirth collects joy sparks from the audience to feed the circus, even though she can’t feel any of it herself. When Milo enters the picture, he’s the same way: hollow where joy should be. One night, everything shifts when Joy gives a tiny, spark to Milo, and that moment changes both of them.
It’s a sad, haunting, beautifully written short read about heartbreak, inner turmoil, and the weight of feeling nothing at all. A dark romance that focuses more on internal struggle than on the relationship itself, and it works.
A quick, emotional, atmospheric story that lingers after you finish.
Joy known as Little Mirth collects joy sparks from the audience to feed the circus, even though she can’t feel any of it herself. When Milo enters the picture, he’s the same way: hollow where joy should be. One night, everything shifts when Joy gives a tiny, spark to Milo, and that moment changes both of them.
It’s a sad, haunting, beautifully written short read about heartbreak, inner turmoil, and the weight of feeling nothing at all. A dark romance that focuses more on internal struggle than on the relationship itself, and it works.
A quick, emotional, atmospheric story that lingers after you finish.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received an Arc from the author. All reviews are my own.
A chilling story of a girl who always gave too much.
What happens when a boy who finally sees her arrives.
Joy has been cursed to never feel the joys she collects and feeds the circus. Or that is what she believes. When Milo arrives as empty as her she makes a decision that changes everything.
When he finally is given the chance to feel again his spark is bright. But what joy gave him took everything from her and tore the circus apart.
Will they be able to come together to save themselves and the circus..
You need to read this don’t miss out on joys story.
A chilling story of a girl who always gave too much.
What happens when a boy who finally sees her arrives.
Joy has been cursed to never feel the joys she collects and feeds the circus. Or that is what she believes. When Milo arrives as empty as her she makes a decision that changes everything.
When he finally is given the chance to feel again his spark is bright. But what joy gave him took everything from her and tore the circus apart.
Will they be able to come together to save themselves and the circus..
You need to read this don’t miss out on joys story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A story of a girl who always gave too much . She gave the circus everything. Life, light, & joy . Until him. He was empty like her.
He seen her, felt her, was drawn to her and couldn’t stay away. Once she gave a him a spark, everything collapsed.
This was so beautifully and poetically written. It takes you through so many emotions in such a quick time span .
There’s a deeper meaning telling you, warning you , not to give to much , not to give more then you can handle. You deserve joy too. And even when you don’t feel joy, and you are in the dark, you aren’t alone.
He seen her, felt her, was drawn to her and couldn’t stay away. Once she gave a him a spark, everything collapsed.
This was so beautifully and poetically written. It takes you through so many emotions in such a quick time span .
There’s a deeper meaning telling you, warning you , not to give to much , not to give more then you can handle. You deserve joy too. And even when you don’t feel joy, and you are in the dark, you aren’t alone.
March 31, 2026
Have you ever read a book that you just can’t put down because you relate so much?!
I started this book thinking it was a cute little circus romance book and boy was I sobbing and relating so much.
We always give so much and even though we never expect to get anything in return we still wish we are appreciated and respected.
This book has such a deeper meaning than you would even know.
This isn’t just a circus romance. You will be relating to both characters and rooting for their love story and saving one another from the circus ✨
I started this book thinking it was a cute little circus romance book and boy was I sobbing and relating so much.
We always give so much and even though we never expect to get anything in return we still wish we are appreciated and respected.
This book has such a deeper meaning than you would even know.
This isn’t just a circus romance. You will be relating to both characters and rooting for their love story and saving one another from the circus ✨
Review of advance copy
Joy is a perriot girl that captures the sparks of joy from those attending the circus to feed its hungry need for light, only Joy cant feel joy herself. When Milo turns up to the circus a juggler that feels no joy in life she gives up a spark for him to feel joy, only its a catalyst to the circus ever growing hunger will it be the Joys last? This story is utterly captivating, a deeper message on how much we can give of ourselves for others and not get any in return no matter the emotions. A dark read that will have you entranced!
May 1, 2026
This was such a wonderful story that follows young girl, Joy who sees Sparks of joy in people a d captures them for the Wonderhouse Circus. However, she cannot feel any joy for herself. When a young juggler, Milo arrives, Joy feels a connection to him and shares a spark to fill his hollowness. However, things take a tragic turn and Joy has to face the hard reality. The story is beautifully done and the emotions flow through the pages. I enjoyed reading this amazing story of love, friendship and self-discovery.
March 5, 2026
Joy’s mother leaves her at the gates of Wonderhouse and into the hands of the Ringmaster.
Years later Joy has gone and Wonderhouse now calls her Little Mirth to take her place.
She is a thief of small miracles and gathers Joy into little jars.
She meets Milo - a juggler - and then a storm tears Wonderhouse apart and Joy must bring it back together.
Emotional short read. Love Visha Graves’ writing and how she brings the Carnival to life.
Years later Joy has gone and Wonderhouse now calls her Little Mirth to take her place.
She is a thief of small miracles and gathers Joy into little jars.
She meets Milo - a juggler - and then a storm tears Wonderhouse apart and Joy must bring it back together.
Emotional short read. Love Visha Graves’ writing and how she brings the Carnival to life.
Review of advance copy
I loved Little Mirth. Visha has a beautiful way with words. The descriptions are vivid and pull you right into the story.
It’s a quick read, but it takes you through a wide range of emotions. One message that stood out to me was the reminder to be mindful of how much you give, because giving too much can dim your own light- curse or not.
"I can gather joy, I can hold it, and I can give it—but I cannot make my own."
It’s a quick read, but it takes you through a wide range of emotions. One message that stood out to me was the reminder to be mindful of how much you give, because giving too much can dim your own light- curse or not.
"I can gather joy, I can hold it, and I can give it—but I cannot make my own."
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow this story is so beautifully written. The emotions pull you in and hold on tight.
This is a quick read that you are going to want to read.
I loved Joy's journey through her rebirth. And Milo was right there with her. Their feelings paired together drawing them towards each other. This is an emotional love story that will take you through many emotions and the ending is so very perfect.
Visha you are amazing and I love reading your books.
I highly recommend this very magical book.
This is a quick read that you are going to want to read.
I loved Joy's journey through her rebirth. And Milo was right there with her. Their feelings paired together drawing them towards each other. This is an emotional love story that will take you through many emotions and the ending is so very perfect.
Visha you are amazing and I love reading your books.
I highly recommend this very magical book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this! It's a beautiful & sad story. It's Joy & Milo's & it was awesome! Known as Little Mirth she collects joy sparks from the audience, but she doesn't feel it & when he comes onto the scene, he's the same way. This was emotional in the sense that it really speaks to people who give so much of themselves to others & then feel like you have nothing left. It was beautifully written & is a short & quick read. Recommend this novella & author!
April 22, 2026
This was such a captivating story about a girl who gives joy to others but is never allowed to experience it herself. A story built around that saying about "pouring from an empty cup" and it being okay to allow yourself to feel that joy as well. I loved how she pulled the whole story together at the end. I really enjoy Visha's writing and the uniqueness of it. This was a great little read that I would recommend to all of my book loving baddies!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Was a quick read. I loved it. This author has a way with words that just gets me. The way she uses colors as feelings. I felt for the two main characters and I started to get emotional. I love Joy and how she portrays her character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is an emotional rollercoaster. There is so much going on in just 100 pages, and it will have you loving it even more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I couldn't put this book down! I loved everything about it! This book was my starting journey to Visha Graves and I haven't stopped reading her books since.
May 18, 2026
…
This was very interesting to say the least and a quickie at that. If you like the circus with a twist I def say read this because I was not expecting that
This was very interesting to say the least and a quickie at that. If you like the circus with a twist I def say read this because I was not expecting that
Review of advance copy received from Author
I honestly loved this book.
It’s shorter and fast paced! I was so invested and could visually see the story play out.
The way the author focuses on the internal struggle of a relationship not only with another person but with oneself, made the FMC relatable and really pulled at my heartstrings. The ending had me in tears…literally.
The introspective spin on dark romance was unlike anything I’ve read before and I honestly felt like I was part of the circus…just standing by and watching everything play out. The way the lights flickered and the silence in waiting….the shift in emotions and just the raw feelings - it’s just written so well! The characters felt desperate at times and you can’t help but be right there with them - it’s was quite captivating.
The inner growth and transformation of the FMC had you on its grasp. I loved every second of it and couldn’t help but be invested! Thank you Visha for the early read - this one is going to stick with me a bit. All opinions are my own.
It’s shorter and fast paced! I was so invested and could visually see the story play out.
The way the author focuses on the internal struggle of a relationship not only with another person but with oneself, made the FMC relatable and really pulled at my heartstrings. The ending had me in tears…literally.
The introspective spin on dark romance was unlike anything I’ve read before and I honestly felt like I was part of the circus…just standing by and watching everything play out. The way the lights flickered and the silence in waiting….the shift in emotions and just the raw feelings - it’s just written so well! The characters felt desperate at times and you can’t help but be right there with them - it’s was quite captivating.
The inner growth and transformation of the FMC had you on its grasp. I loved every second of it and couldn’t help but be invested! Thank you Visha for the early read - this one is going to stick with me a bit. All opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews