Ring Rider

The Enchanted Circus of Jules Compere #1

by Jane George

A teenage, trailer-park runaway is offered a place to live and work in a struggling, one-ring circus. But nothing at Circus Lunastrata is what it seems, especially not the young circus cook, a guitar-playing, Edgar-Allan-Poe-quoting guy intriguing enough to be dangerous to her off-limits heart.

Soon, she’s risking not only her heart, but her life, as she dares to enter this magical and treacherous new world.

But it’s the only world she’s ever wanted to call home.


Warning: The book you will read is the product of many magical transformations. You may have seen it in its previous stages, most notably as The Mumbo Jumbo Circus. But while lovers of this book's former mysterious mayhem may recognize characters and scenes, Ring Rider most definitely contains enough new twists to keep magic circus lovers turning the pages. But those more faint at heart, who may cover their eyes at the sight of swearing, violence, and mild sexual situations, may want to find a tamer circus elsewhere.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

300 pages, Paperback

Published March 22, 2016

About the author

Jane George is an author and award-winning illustrator living in San Francisco, CA with her family. She is a graduate of The California College of the Arts and is an eternal student of the sublime and the absurd. When not writing or painting, she can often be found at an indie rock concert. She writes books for young adults, new adults, and adult adults, often with a tendency toward the romantic and fantastical.

Reviews

[Barb (Boxermommyreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ring Rider" pleasantly surprised me as I was reading it. Also, I think I'm pretty much mesmerized by circus tales after reading this one. Evan has bounced from foster home to foster home since she was a young child. One evening she finally has all she can take and runs off, only to run into an odd little clown riding an odd little bike in a back alley. He sets up a meeting with her for later than evening with his boss, Jules Compere, and Evan agrees simply because she sees it as a way to get a free meal. Evan meets with Jules, an equally odd but mesmerizing man, who offers her a job with the Circus Lunastrata. Evan agrees and that's when the real fun begins.

Jules Compere is a magical man who hires only the most magical of individuals to help him keep his family's circus legacy surviving. Evan meets all kinds of interesting characters once she joins from other runaways, to small people who can change material things to other material things, to a talking elephant and a whole family of individuals who can transform into polar bears. There is intrigue, fantasy elements, action and some mystery all wrapped up in between the cover of this book and I really couldn't put it down (but had to work and sleep, ya know?) George creates a truly magical world. There is some romance in the book but the author stays away from insta-love and creates more of a "slow burn." While reading this, the reader might initially feel there is a love triangle brewing but if they drive you as crazy as they drive me, give it time because that is certainly not the case.

This is marketed as a young adult read and although not that intended audience, it was still incredibly enjoyable. However, that being said, I am VERY intrigued with Jules Compere and would love to know more about the main adult in this book. If you like circus themed books, you should definitely add this to your TBR.

I received this book from Expresso Books/author in exchange for an honest review.

[Katherine Paschal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evan wishes magic was real so that she could be rid of her foster parents and the sad, lonely life she leads. After an especially abusive encounter, she runs away. While trying to figure out what she will do next with her life, a strange man on a unicycle tells her the Ringmaster is waiting for her. She has been offered a chance to join the circus, to be accepted and to find her true gift. Evan has no idea what that means, but she knows it is an opportunity she can’t refuse.

This was a really cute story full of magic, acceptance, friendship, family and becoming a better person. I went into the book not really sure of what I would get and was rewarded with a fast paced engaging mystery story unlike anything I expected or had read before. The story did have some dark topics like abuse (physical, mental and sexual), self-harm, lack of identity or belonging, and doubt, but the way the author constructed the book it did not make it a dark depressing read. Instead the book focused more on the possibilities instead of the downfalls, which I really liked.

The two things that really stuck out to me the most were the magic and the character development. Everything became magical in the realm of the circus be it the old clothing that looked better than new while during a performance, to the acrobatic feats, and let’s not forget talking elephants and communicating telepathically with a herd of horses. Seriously, everything had a magic touch to it (even Wally's gourmet food had a foodsy magic touch and where can I get his orange sprinkled doughnuts?)

Evan was the main character in this story, but here and there the narration was interjected by the Ringmaster and Wally the runaway musician-hopeful/cook. They were so detailed and human it was if I knew them. I liked quirky Evan and her quest to find herself, and I loved super sweet Wally and his need to be decent to everyone. The Ringmaster was the biggest mystery and I can’t wait to learn more about what he can do and what caused his quest to begin with. All the side characters had personalities and voices, and as a side not the author was great at creating detailed, vivid images with her words so I could see everything I was reading.

I look forward to the next book in the series to learn more about Wally and his origins, as well as keep up with Evan and the Ringmaster… and maybe learn more about the other teens too.

I received this title in return for my honest review.
For more reviews visit my blog at http://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/

[Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon · Rating 3 out of 5]

**** 3.5 Stars ****

Evan, a teenage foster care runaway, finds herself face to face with an offer that may be too good to be true. From Chapter 1, I was rooting for her. I felt her struggle and wanted her to find her future in the one-ring circus. If you've never felt out of place, like she did, I'm sure you knew someone just like her.



The story follows Evan as she tries to find her place in a weird, slightly creepy circus. She meets some interesting characters (is that someone dressed up as a bear...or...) and falls into the truck of a gothic, poetry loving cook. The performers really got to me, I started wanting to know where they came from and how they ended up with Jules Compere. Jules himself, is a dashing, suave Ringmaster that I really need a backstory and book about. He was THE one I wanted to read about, the entire time.



Everyone has different views on the struggling circus, but I was hoping they would come together and save it. However, some circus members aren't as they seem, and don't have Circus Lunastrata's best interest in their hearts. Drama, backstabbing, and risky mayhem ensues, dragging Evan away. It was nice to see some of her friends come together, but that part of the story was a bit confusing and a tad difficult to string together.



Overall, it was nice to get tangled up in the enchanted and mystical world of calliopes, prophets and big tops. Some of the lingo took some getting used too (I did have to google a few words), but it didn't take away from the story, at all!

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a magical dream, this story draws in with calliopes, mystical ju-ju and never ending adventure.

Evan is a trailer-park teen on the run from abusive foster parents. When she runs into a clown, who offers her the perfect escape, it seems to good to be true. Soon Evan finds herself in a circus, where magic overshadows reality and danger lurks in the shadows.

First off, this book does include swearing, violence, and hits upon difficult topics such as child abuse and 'cutting'. Still, the material is not handled tastelessly, haphazardly or without care, but rather concentrates on the difficulties of dealing with and healing from such situations. I'd recommend it for readers ages 14+.

The first chapter dives into Evans harsh life, making it impossible not to feel for her and immediately start rooting for her. Her past hangs like a dark fog much of the way through, but it's her determination which really makes her an inspiring character. The change from an abusive reality to the mystical magic of the circus allows uncertainty and doubt to keep the tension high. It's a lovely mix, which captures hope and dreams along with shadowy nightmares.

The characters in this are as colorful as the big top and have very distinct stories of their own. All are 'damaged' in their own way, making it difficult to discover with whom the real danger lies. There are layers of intrigue and treachery mixed in with the mystery of the magic, which is an intrigue all of its own. It's simply a delightful world to dive into.

[Zanet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, 3 1/2 stars at times. 2 1/2 at others. A really good story. Flows well in places but in others it's like the author is racing to get to some plot point and the story suffers a bit. Seems to jump around to add drama/excitement to the story
But overall I liked it.

[Deb Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great YA read with interesting characters and a circus that makes me want to run away! Magic and adventure and romance--can't go wrong! I can't wait for the next book in this series!

[Sue Hieber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It has magic, intrigue,supernatural beasties, everything one could want. I say again, I loved this book!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enchanted story!