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Ned’s Circus of Marvels #1
Ned’s Circus of Marvels
From exciting debut author, Justin Fisher, comes this rip-roaring, page-turning new magical adventure. Perfect for fans of House of Secrets.
Ned Waddlesworth has always considered his world to be exceptionally ordinary. Until the day he discovers it ISN’T. AT ALL. Because on Ned’s thirteenth birthday he discovers that everything magical he’s ever read about or imagined is REAL.
And without him, the world will soon be engulfed in monstrous beasts and beings.
So with the help of a robot mouse, a girl witch and a flying circus unlike any other, it’s up to Ned to swoop in and save the day!
Roll up, roll up, and prepare to be AMAZED by Ned and the marvellous, magical, monstrous flying circus!
Ned Waddlesworth has always considered his world to be exceptionally ordinary. Until the day he discovers it ISN’T. AT ALL. Because on Ned’s thirteenth birthday he discovers that everything magical he’s ever read about or imagined is REAL.
And without him, the world will soon be engulfed in monstrous beasts and beings.
So with the help of a robot mouse, a girl witch and a flying circus unlike any other, it’s up to Ned to swoop in and save the day!
Roll up, roll up, and prepare to be AMAZED by Ned and the marvellous, magical, monstrous flying circus!
428 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
July 9, 2016
I would like to thank Netgally, HarperCollins UK and the author for a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Full review.
I didn't like this book. Not because it was badly written, but just because it wasn't my cup of tea. I don't really know, if steampunk is the right word for it, but that is the one word that comes into my mind when I think of it.
Obviously I had misunderstood the summary of the book (or it just didn't hit the right mark), because what I thought to be a magical adventure for me, turned out to be a really hard journey. The first part of the book seemed chaotic because nothing really was explained and although some might find it charming to be in the protagonist's place, trying to figure out all that's happening... I wasn't. There seemed to be a lack of descriptions as well, which left me being able to imagine some things very clearly and some - not so much.
The tide changed around the middle, when things were explained and clicked in places, so at last I could connect the things I still hadn't and it got interesting for a bit. But unfortunately I didn't enjoy the ending much - again, because plenty of characters, magical creatures and other things were thrown together.
I wouldn't find the world that was built in this book very successful, it seemed to me like a lot of magical worlds that already exist were thrown together, some magical creatures given new names, new looks (really why?) and yet none of them explained or properly described. Also I found that the building process done by Engineer lacked explanation. I felt that by the end I got a hang of it, yet it is something that the Engineer would learn in the first page of the Engineering book... but I had to second guess it?
I am really sad that I didn't like it, I had such high hopes and was really ready to love it and have a new favourite, but I would encourage others to read it, because as I said - it wasn't my cup, I didn't like it and I don't have arguments or reasons for it, just didn't bond with the book and story and had different feelings than expected.
Full review.
I didn't like this book. Not because it was badly written, but just because it wasn't my cup of tea. I don't really know, if steampunk is the right word for it, but that is the one word that comes into my mind when I think of it.
Obviously I had misunderstood the summary of the book (or it just didn't hit the right mark), because what I thought to be a magical adventure for me, turned out to be a really hard journey. The first part of the book seemed chaotic because nothing really was explained and although some might find it charming to be in the protagonist's place, trying to figure out all that's happening... I wasn't. There seemed to be a lack of descriptions as well, which left me being able to imagine some things very clearly and some - not so much.
The tide changed around the middle, when things were explained and clicked in places, so at last I could connect the things I still hadn't and it got interesting for a bit. But unfortunately I didn't enjoy the ending much - again, because plenty of characters, magical creatures and other things were thrown together.
I wouldn't find the world that was built in this book very successful, it seemed to me like a lot of magical worlds that already exist were thrown together, some magical creatures given new names, new looks (really why?) and yet none of them explained or properly described. Also I found that the building process done by Engineer lacked explanation. I felt that by the end I got a hang of it, yet it is something that the Engineer would learn in the first page of the Engineering book... but I had to second guess it?
I am really sad that I didn't like it, I had such high hopes and was really ready to love it and have a new favourite, but I would encourage others to read it, because as I said - it wasn't my cup, I didn't like it and I don't have arguments or reasons for it, just didn't bond with the book and story and had different feelings than expected.
September 27, 2017
*DNF - stopped at page 354 (so close, but not quite there!)*
A gutsy, imaginative concept - but too frenetic and 'surface' for me.
Normally with a DNF I'd not leave a review or rating - however, I was fairly close to the end on this one, so thought I would. In short - I liked it, it was a fairly interesting read, but I don't think it was the book for me.
Ned is an average boy (startlingly, overwhelmingly average in fact), until he suddenly finds himself plunged into the Circus of Marvels, complete with stroppy ringmaster, fabulous talking gorilla (easily my favourite character, he was lovely!) and a farseer called Kitty. There's all sorts of darkness in this strange new world, and sadly, lots of it is coming right for Ned!
It's a great concept - I was so keen to read this, as I'm a sucker for anything circus-related. However, I got the sense that the author packed so much into the story, that it didn't read 'deep' enough. I wanted to get more familiar with the characters, to understand their lives and their motivations, and instead, I felt it was all quite 'surface'. Also, the pace was so astoundingly quick, I found it tricky to keep tabs on what was going on all the time.
Don't get me wrong, it had bits that were pure gold - I liked the creepy clowns, I loved the author's sheer breadth of imagination, and I respect his ambitions. I'd just like to see the next one slowed down, explored more deeply, and focused more on the characters, rather than the action.
I've now passed it on to my 8 year old son - if he loves it, I'll be sure to come back and update this review accordingly, as he's probably more the target audience than I am!
A gutsy, imaginative concept - but too frenetic and 'surface' for me.
Normally with a DNF I'd not leave a review or rating - however, I was fairly close to the end on this one, so thought I would. In short - I liked it, it was a fairly interesting read, but I don't think it was the book for me.
Ned is an average boy (startlingly, overwhelmingly average in fact), until he suddenly finds himself plunged into the Circus of Marvels, complete with stroppy ringmaster, fabulous talking gorilla (easily my favourite character, he was lovely!) and a farseer called Kitty. There's all sorts of darkness in this strange new world, and sadly, lots of it is coming right for Ned!
It's a great concept - I was so keen to read this, as I'm a sucker for anything circus-related. However, I got the sense that the author packed so much into the story, that it didn't read 'deep' enough. I wanted to get more familiar with the characters, to understand their lives and their motivations, and instead, I felt it was all quite 'surface'. Also, the pace was so astoundingly quick, I found it tricky to keep tabs on what was going on all the time.
Don't get me wrong, it had bits that were pure gold - I liked the creepy clowns, I loved the author's sheer breadth of imagination, and I respect his ambitions. I'd just like to see the next one slowed down, explored more deeply, and focused more on the characters, rather than the action.
I've now passed it on to my 8 year old son - if he loves it, I'll be sure to come back and update this review accordingly, as he's probably more the target audience than I am!
July 30, 2016
Three stars is generous, I think, but there were plenty of things I did actually enjoy about this book, so I'll be nice. If this book had anything, it was certainly imagination and potential, and it's the potential that's probably the most disappointing thing; this book could have been good if more care had been taken in editing.
The main issues were:
1. It was way too long. This book is over 400 pages, but it's repetitious and predictable at pretty much every twist and turn, and there's a lot that could have been cut out without hindering the plot or character development at all.
2. The writer didn't seem to want to stick to a style and it was very annoying. I think he meant to write from Ned's POV in third limited, but the action, description and thought processes were constantly jumping into this trying-to-be-funny omniscient narrator voice that would have worked if it was consistent and not jumbled up into Ned's POV at the same time. It was weird to be getting all Ned's thoughts then jump into an action sequence where we're clearly being shown more than Ned can see/know, to then jump back again with Ned going 'But I don't know what's happening' time and time again. I was never sure whose head I was in, or if I was supposed to be in Ned's head at all. The omniscient voice destroyed a lot of the fear/anticipation/horror of some of Ned's experiences too, so that it felt as though Ned was just sarky about everything, except he wasn't.
3. The utterly predictable and melodramatic plot. Nothing about this plot apart from a few cool bits of magic were new or surprising or interesting. I figured out who the traitor was a good 270 pages before he was revealed (and then had a little rant about all the times he struggled to get Ned to do what he wanted or failed because of them dang kids!-- wait, that's Scooby Doo.) It's full of cliched plot points, conveniently-timed rescues, and most disappointingly of all: the circus itself is barely seen at all. I took this book as a light fun read when I started but the longer it went on, it just dragged and was boring, despite all the melodrama and silliness that would otherwise have been fun.
4. The truck-tons of cliched writing fresh out of the worst children's blockbusters (it literally even has the lines 'I don't know how much longer I can hold them off!' and 'Lucy . . . must save Lucy' (right before character speaking falls unconscious), and I could list a lot more.)
5. Virtually every background character was primarily described by their nationality and an abundance of stereotypes right out of the tropes bin. Even worse though, were the constant use of poorly-done and again stereotypical accent/dialect dialogue. Of course only the main characters speak English properly. Kudos for considering multicultural representation, but seriously poor way of doing it.
6. Renaming things (such as goblins) for no purpose other than to make them phonetic ('gor-balins')? I literally have no idea on this one, but it propped up a lot. Also every monster was described by their teeth, fur, and eyes. I couldn't imagine them any different really unless the name gave a clue as to what they were actually meant to be.
7. Lucy was pretty pathetic, always needed rescuing, and I still don't actually understand how her power differs from Ned's? If Ned can change the atomic makeup of things, surely he can heal a dying cell too? And surely if she can affect such changes, she's doing the same thing he is? I dunno, I think I'd need to ask a scientist, because the way both these powers were explained just sounded the same to me. But also the research was terrible in some places-- such as how fast Ned learns to tightrope walk. Fisher has clearly never spent an hour trying out a slackline, let alone seen kids on one.
8. I don't think I've seen so much ellipsis in one book ever. And it was always done poorly, and just became another annoying thing that made me wonder if this book had been edited.
So overall, there were a lot of problems with this book, but I don't think that they would have been so bad if they weren't all amplified by the length of the book. Had the book been shorter, some of these things wouldn't maybe matter so much because quick fun reads can be predictable and dodgily written sometimes, and still be good for kids who are a lot more forgiving about that sort of thing. I probably won't hang on to my paper copy of this one, but it's not a book I wouldn't give to my younger siblings. I think this can still be enjoyed a lot by kids, especially if it's read aloud by a parent who can do good voices. But I really don't think this one will win any prizes.
The main issues were:
1. It was way too long. This book is over 400 pages, but it's repetitious and predictable at pretty much every twist and turn, and there's a lot that could have been cut out without hindering the plot or character development at all.
2. The writer didn't seem to want to stick to a style and it was very annoying. I think he meant to write from Ned's POV in third limited, but the action, description and thought processes were constantly jumping into this trying-to-be-funny omniscient narrator voice that would have worked if it was consistent and not jumbled up into Ned's POV at the same time. It was weird to be getting all Ned's thoughts then jump into an action sequence where we're clearly being shown more than Ned can see/know, to then jump back again with Ned going 'But I don't know what's happening' time and time again. I was never sure whose head I was in, or if I was supposed to be in Ned's head at all. The omniscient voice destroyed a lot of the fear/anticipation/horror of some of Ned's experiences too, so that it felt as though Ned was just sarky about everything, except he wasn't.
3. The utterly predictable and melodramatic plot. Nothing about this plot apart from a few cool bits of magic were new or surprising or interesting. I figured out who the traitor was a good 270 pages before he was revealed (and then had a little rant about all the times he struggled to get Ned to do what he wanted or failed because of them dang kids!-- wait, that's Scooby Doo.) It's full of cliched plot points, conveniently-timed rescues, and most disappointingly of all: the circus itself is barely seen at all. I took this book as a light fun read when I started but the longer it went on, it just dragged and was boring, despite all the melodrama and silliness that would otherwise have been fun.
4. The truck-tons of cliched writing fresh out of the worst children's blockbusters (it literally even has the lines 'I don't know how much longer I can hold them off!' and 'Lucy . . . must save Lucy' (right before character speaking falls unconscious), and I could list a lot more.)
5. Virtually every background character was primarily described by their nationality and an abundance of stereotypes right out of the tropes bin. Even worse though, were the constant use of poorly-done and again stereotypical accent/dialect dialogue. Of course only the main characters speak English properly. Kudos for considering multicultural representation, but seriously poor way of doing it.
6. Renaming things (such as goblins) for no purpose other than to make them phonetic ('gor-balins')? I literally have no idea on this one, but it propped up a lot. Also every monster was described by their teeth, fur, and eyes. I couldn't imagine them any different really unless the name gave a clue as to what they were actually meant to be.
7. Lucy was pretty pathetic, always needed rescuing, and I still don't actually understand how her power differs from Ned's? If Ned can change the atomic makeup of things, surely he can heal a dying cell too? And surely if she can affect such changes, she's doing the same thing he is? I dunno, I think I'd need to ask a scientist, because the way both these powers were explained just sounded the same to me. But also the research was terrible in some places-- such as how fast Ned learns to tightrope walk. Fisher has clearly never spent an hour trying out a slackline, let alone seen kids on one.
8. I don't think I've seen so much ellipsis in one book ever. And it was always done poorly, and just became another annoying thing that made me wonder if this book had been edited.
So overall, there were a lot of problems with this book, but I don't think that they would have been so bad if they weren't all amplified by the length of the book. Had the book been shorter, some of these things wouldn't maybe matter so much because quick fun reads can be predictable and dodgily written sometimes, and still be good for kids who are a lot more forgiving about that sort of thing. I probably won't hang on to my paper copy of this one, but it's not a book I wouldn't give to my younger siblings. I think this can still be enjoyed a lot by kids, especially if it's read aloud by a parent who can do good voices. But I really don't think this one will win any prizes.
July 16, 2016
I'm eleven and I was worried this would be too young for me but it wasnt. i liked it because it was different and clever and scary. it made me want to go behind the vail like ned does and see all of the legends that live there. I loved the airship and it was a good description as it made like you feel you were there flying in it. i laughed a lot when ned was hit in the face by kitty, i thought she was so funny. its an adventure book and one of my favourites i've read since house of secrets - clash of the worlds. i think i like this more, because i like all the people in it and i think it's more exiting. i read it in a week and i miss it now. my favourite people in the book are george, kitty and alice the elephant who has wings. everything is very different and you feel like you are in a different planet. i want to read the next book now and hope it will come soon. i have given my friend the book to read too so that i can talk to someone about it.
January 16, 2018
I read this book with my 10 year old son and he loved it so much he said to give it 5 stars. For me it was more like 3.5 so we met in the middle and rated it 4 stars.
May 7, 2018
This was nothing at all like I expected it to be, which makes rating it kinda hard. I liked it, but I'm not sure if I had picked it up if I'd known some things before. But let's start at the beginning^^
I found this book in the children's section in the library and on the back it says 'ages 9+'. Therefore I thought it was some magical children's fantasy book. Instead it turned out to be pretty action packed with a very evil and seemingly unstoppable villain. I liked the fast pace and the action, only sometimes it was almost too much and I didn't find it appropriate anymore. Probably it's not a children's book after all.
The characters were interesting, although some were a little flat and I didn't really connect with any of them. George was pretty funny and likeable though!
The world and magic system were interesting as well, but I felt like at times it could've been a bit better developed. The author could've gone into more depth. There were some steampunkish elements to the story, with gears and flying machines and whatever, and that wasn't exactly my kind of thing, but then, I usually don't read steampunk novels so it's just a personal preference.
I liked how the whole plot seemed to build up towards the ending. That itself was well done in my opinion, I liked the conclusion of the story and found myself smiling at the epilogue. I then found out there is a sequel to this, but this book could very well be a stand alone.
So you see, there were parts I enjoyed and parts I didn't like that much, so I rated this 3 stars - I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either and it kept me entertained for a couple of days. I still wouldn't recommend it to children, early middle grade should be fine though.
I found this book in the children's section in the library and on the back it says 'ages 9+'. Therefore I thought it was some magical children's fantasy book. Instead it turned out to be pretty action packed with a very evil and seemingly unstoppable villain. I liked the fast pace and the action, only sometimes it was almost too much and I didn't find it appropriate anymore. Probably it's not a children's book after all.
The characters were interesting, although some were a little flat and I didn't really connect with any of them. George was pretty funny and likeable though!
The world and magic system were interesting as well, but I felt like at times it could've been a bit better developed. The author could've gone into more depth. There were some steampunkish elements to the story, with gears and flying machines and whatever, and that wasn't exactly my kind of thing, but then, I usually don't read steampunk novels so it's just a personal preference.
I liked how the whole plot seemed to build up towards the ending. That itself was well done in my opinion, I liked the conclusion of the story and found myself smiling at the epilogue. I then found out there is a sequel to this, but this book could very well be a stand alone.
So you see, there were parts I enjoyed and parts I didn't like that much, so I rated this 3 stars - I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either and it kept me entertained for a couple of days. I still wouldn't recommend it to children, early middle grade should be fine though.
October 27, 2016
Ned believes himself to be an ordinary, boring boy leading an ordinary, boring life. This is all about to change. In his 13th birthday Ned discovers that his life is not all that it has seemed and is about to be plunged into the most amazing dangerous, exhilarating adventure of his life.
When I read children's literature I usually quickly forget the fact, becoming involved with story and characters just as much as with adult fiction. Sadly, it was not the case with Ned's Circus of Marvels. It is with this in mind that I continue this review. For me the story lacked depth and the characters were never really developed well enough to engage my sympathies. Yes, there was action and tension, and there were moments of real gold, but on the whole it became a bit monotonous and I found myself looking forward to the end.
However, i would never assume to speak for children who may read and love this book. Being old and world worn, I felt that the themes and storylines had been done before. This obviously wouldn't be the case for a young reader and my opinion certainly wouldn't stop me from giving this to a child to read.
When I read children's literature I usually quickly forget the fact, becoming involved with story and characters just as much as with adult fiction. Sadly, it was not the case with Ned's Circus of Marvels. It is with this in mind that I continue this review. For me the story lacked depth and the characters were never really developed well enough to engage my sympathies. Yes, there was action and tension, and there were moments of real gold, but on the whole it became a bit monotonous and I found myself looking forward to the end.
However, i would never assume to speak for children who may read and love this book. Being old and world worn, I felt that the themes and storylines had been done before. This obviously wouldn't be the case for a young reader and my opinion certainly wouldn't stop me from giving this to a child to read.
dnf
March 1, 2021DNF @17%
2017; HarperCollins Children's Publishing
I loved the cover but the book itself fell flat. I skimmed through as the writing style wasn't one that I liked.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2017; HarperCollins Children's Publishing
I loved the cover but the book itself fell flat. I skimmed through as the writing style wasn't one that I liked.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
November 13, 2016
my boyfriend nudged me and erased my entire review. 4/5. cba typing it all again. f u steven. f u.
February 7, 2017
I enjoyed it and I loved George. It was just a nice, cute middle grade paranormal story.
February 4, 2017
A great book. A mixture of adventure and fantasy.
Sometimes too slow to get to the action which for me is the reason it loses a star. It could lose some younger readers at these points.
Sometimes too slow to get to the action which for me is the reason it loses a star. It could lose some younger readers at these points.
May 24, 2020
If you're looking for a rollercoaster of a read with non-stop action and adventure, then this is the book for you. It's amazing how jam packed this book is! I hope it's part of a series because I can't wait to see what happens to Ned next!
There seemed to be the perfect blend of magic, mayhem and mystery. A perfect middle grade read that has complex characters and fantastic description.
A book not to miss!
There seemed to be the perfect blend of magic, mayhem and mystery. A perfect middle grade read that has complex characters and fantastic description.
A book not to miss!
January 25, 2020
Ned’s Circus of Marvels honestly had lots of potential?? The premise sounded so cool. Unfortunately, it was filled with unnecessary conversations and subplots in an attempt to make it more interesting. I think I would have enjoyed the story without the extra bits which made the story drag (I could miss out 100 pages in the middle and still know what’s happening) and there was also a lack of important description in my opinion. Like there was description, but not at the right places? It's just...chaotic. I would probably recommend this for younger children if it were not so long. :/
Read
June 18, 2019I just reviewed this book for Biblion, which of course is a practical review, objective and pointed towards the aimed audience. But I must agree with some of the reviews I have seen on here. This story is not without its flaws, it's lengthy, it doesn't give enough details and characters feel superficial at times. I would say: "perhaps I am too old and as I'm not the target audience I will give this a higher rating then I otherwise would. It is an amazing story for children." But seeing as many others have said so before, I will refrain from giving this story a rating all together. Somehow that seems more honest.
A short breakdown:
I got very excited when I received this book. I mean, the cover is amazing! And perhaps it has set the expectations a bit too high, for when I read the blurb I expected a lot of amazing and marvellous things. Perhaps because the cover reminds me of the more mature children books I have recently come across. Some that can even be fitted into the Young Adult category. But based on the little dents in the road this story had me travel, I will keep it firmly as a B Library book (which is to say for children from 8 - 12). Of course, those who are older can enjoy it just as much, but they might be in need of a bit more depth and would be harsher in their judgement.
When I started reading I thought 'this might be the new Neil Gaiman'. I was amused by the many references to different books and shows. I loved the Terry Pratchett vibe George gave us, with him being a reading monkey. I loved the oubliette and goblin thing that was going on as it kept reminding me of Jareth's tight trousers.
Unfortunately I got stuck somewhere around chapter two or three. Why? Because it was rushing and it was going too slow, both at the same time. How can this be? I missed a lot of details that I really would have loved to receive. And when Ned and his father are running away from killer clowns, that is not quite a big problem. All right, so they are in a hurry and the author skips a few details. The characters still feel superficial and that is quite all right. I mean, we get to read more of their backgrounds later on, I presume. And the fact I am struggling at this point will have to do with my age and my own background, I suppose, for I have a big problem with Ned's family. What happened to his mum? Why is his dad such a prick to forget his birthday? Why is it convenient that of all things in the house, Ned still has that letter in his pocket? How can that mouse be so obedient, shouldn't it have been a rat?
So yes, some of the answers we receive. But fact is that the author glosses over lots of details. I can't imagine how many of the creatures look like. I can't imagine how Ned got from point A to point B. I can't imagine what is going on in this part? I don't even know why some of the things said to be important are supposed to be so. You lost me here.
I got back around page 75, which is nice and not even that far away. But still, like my review, there are lots of questions in Ned's mind being repeated and we know that by now. Give us some more adventure, give us some more plot.
The story in itself is entertaining, and it leaves enough room for the imagination. Many of the elements in here I liked. I had a hard time reading certain parts though. And like many other reviewers here I thought it might be because I am too old for this particular tale and this particular way of narration. The way of narrating changes, but to me the main issue was the lack of descriptions that I felt were needed to convince me of: who these characters are, what drives them, why some things are as they are, why certain creatures and mystical beings have been renamed.
I liked it. I did not love it. I can see this as a great television series for kids though.
A short breakdown:
I got very excited when I received this book. I mean, the cover is amazing! And perhaps it has set the expectations a bit too high, for when I read the blurb I expected a lot of amazing and marvellous things. Perhaps because the cover reminds me of the more mature children books I have recently come across. Some that can even be fitted into the Young Adult category. But based on the little dents in the road this story had me travel, I will keep it firmly as a B Library book (which is to say for children from 8 - 12). Of course, those who are older can enjoy it just as much, but they might be in need of a bit more depth and would be harsher in their judgement.
When I started reading I thought 'this might be the new Neil Gaiman'. I was amused by the many references to different books and shows. I loved the Terry Pratchett vibe George gave us, with him being a reading monkey. I loved the oubliette and goblin thing that was going on as it kept reminding me of Jareth's tight trousers.
Unfortunately I got stuck somewhere around chapter two or three. Why? Because it was rushing and it was going too slow, both at the same time. How can this be? I missed a lot of details that I really would have loved to receive. And when Ned and his father are running away from killer clowns, that is not quite a big problem. All right, so they are in a hurry and the author skips a few details. The characters still feel superficial and that is quite all right. I mean, we get to read more of their backgrounds later on, I presume. And the fact I am struggling at this point will have to do with my age and my own background, I suppose, for I have a big problem with Ned's family. What happened to his mum? Why is his dad such a prick to forget his birthday? Why is it convenient that of all things in the house, Ned still has that letter in his pocket? How can that mouse be so obedient, shouldn't it have been a rat?
So yes, some of the answers we receive. But fact is that the author glosses over lots of details. I can't imagine how many of the creatures look like. I can't imagine how Ned got from point A to point B. I can't imagine what is going on in this part? I don't even know why some of the things said to be important are supposed to be so. You lost me here.
I got back around page 75, which is nice and not even that far away. But still, like my review, there are lots of questions in Ned's mind being repeated and we know that by now. Give us some more adventure, give us some more plot.
The story in itself is entertaining, and it leaves enough room for the imagination. Many of the elements in here I liked. I had a hard time reading certain parts though. And like many other reviewers here I thought it might be because I am too old for this particular tale and this particular way of narration. The way of narrating changes, but to me the main issue was the lack of descriptions that I felt were needed to convince me of: who these characters are, what drives them, why some things are as they are, why certain creatures and mystical beings have been renamed.
I liked it. I did not love it. I can see this as a great television series for kids though.
Read
October 17, 20214 stars.
I’d describe this book as The Night Circus meets Percy Jackson with a sprinkle of Strange the Dreamer.✨
What I liked:
-(kinda) subverted the chosen one trope, so refreshing
-convincing and interesting villain, not at all moustache-swirling one dimensional
-circus whimsies (e.g. fortune teller, talking animals)
-solid world building/magic system. I was quite surprised by how well developed the world was!
-the writing
-likeable MC with a satisfying arc
-Kitty!
What made my interest dwindle:
-save the world plot
-too many names and circus crew to keep track of
-a map would be very helpful
Objectively i want to give it 4 stars but it wouldn't align with my current rating criteria (which I plan to update in 2022), so for now gonna leave it without an official rating!
I’d describe this book as The Night Circus meets Percy Jackson with a sprinkle of Strange the Dreamer.✨
What I liked:
-(kinda) subverted the chosen one trope, so refreshing
-convincing and interesting villain, not at all moustache-swirling one dimensional
-circus whimsies (e.g. fortune teller, talking animals)
-solid world building/magic system. I was quite surprised by how well developed the world was!
-the writing
-likeable MC with a satisfying arc
-Kitty!
What made my interest dwindle:
-save the world plot
-too many names and circus crew to keep track of
-a map would be very helpful
Objectively i want to give it 4 stars but it wouldn't align with my current rating criteria (which I plan to update in 2022), so for now gonna leave it without an official rating!
July 20, 2016
I think it was the quote where Ned says "Great….I love the circus," he managed, with all the enthusiasm of a boy that still loves his father just a little bit more than the truth" which was the beginning of where I moved from liking this book, into LOVING this book.
It's the characters that make this into such an enchanting and enthralling world to escape into, and they do feel somehow...REAL. The imagination that some authors show just amazes me. Some of his descriptions are really very powerful (and intoxicating). You know you're reading something special, when you find your mind wandering towards it, during the day, and you find yourself looking forward to the moment when you're going to get to dive back into it again, and lose yourself to the story, to the adventure and to the excitement.
Some people may be tempted to draw parallels to Harry Potter, but I'm not. It's different. I LOVED Harry Potter and I'm a die hard fan. There is a boy who is more than he thinks he is, but that is where I think the comparison stops and I, for one, am glad about that. I needed it to be different and I willed it to be different, and it was.
I don't want to spoil the story on here, but one thing I can say is that it is a little scary and I was surprised how scary some of the characters are, when I know it's for children - such as the clowns. They are haunting and reminded me of the joker in Batman.
Benissimo is a legendary character and I found myself wanting to know more about him and hoping that there would be more, because he is so magnetic and strong. I'd have liked more about him to be honest.
The eccentric characters of Kitty and George are funny and whimsical and downright bonkers, but it was Lucy I was continuously fascinated by, even more so than Ned somehow, but I don't want to say too much about her on this apart from the fact that she could/should have a story all of her own.
One of the clever things about this book, is that you can't guess at all what's going to happen next or at the end. I was a little worried that some of the best characters wouldn't make it, and some don't……
I loved the places it took me and I think if I was to pick a favourite part of the book it would have to be when they visit Shalazaar. The descriptions are just brilliant. The whole of the world 'behind the veil" is so clever and very well explained and thought out.
My 9 year old son started reading at the same time as me and is about a hundred pages in - but he's a slow reader, I will update when he's made it all the way through. He's loving it so far and it's fun to discuss it with him and find out his favourite bits. He's obsessed by George.
It's the characters that make this into such an enchanting and enthralling world to escape into, and they do feel somehow...REAL. The imagination that some authors show just amazes me. Some of his descriptions are really very powerful (and intoxicating). You know you're reading something special, when you find your mind wandering towards it, during the day, and you find yourself looking forward to the moment when you're going to get to dive back into it again, and lose yourself to the story, to the adventure and to the excitement.
Some people may be tempted to draw parallels to Harry Potter, but I'm not. It's different. I LOVED Harry Potter and I'm a die hard fan. There is a boy who is more than he thinks he is, but that is where I think the comparison stops and I, for one, am glad about that. I needed it to be different and I willed it to be different, and it was.
I don't want to spoil the story on here, but one thing I can say is that it is a little scary and I was surprised how scary some of the characters are, when I know it's for children - such as the clowns. They are haunting and reminded me of the joker in Batman.
Benissimo is a legendary character and I found myself wanting to know more about him and hoping that there would be more, because he is so magnetic and strong. I'd have liked more about him to be honest.
The eccentric characters of Kitty and George are funny and whimsical and downright bonkers, but it was Lucy I was continuously fascinated by, even more so than Ned somehow, but I don't want to say too much about her on this apart from the fact that she could/should have a story all of her own.
One of the clever things about this book, is that you can't guess at all what's going to happen next or at the end. I was a little worried that some of the best characters wouldn't make it, and some don't……
I loved the places it took me and I think if I was to pick a favourite part of the book it would have to be when they visit Shalazaar. The descriptions are just brilliant. The whole of the world 'behind the veil" is so clever and very well explained and thought out.
My 9 year old son started reading at the same time as me and is about a hundred pages in - but he's a slow reader, I will update when he's made it all the way through. He's loving it so far and it's fun to discuss it with him and find out his favourite bits. He's obsessed by George.
Read
October 28, 2016DNF in 45%
Bagi Ned, hidupnya setara dengan penampilan dan prestasinya, biasa-biasa saja. Tapi saat ulang tahunnya yang ke-13 dia terpaksa berpikir ulang tentang hal itu, hidupnya kini jauh dari kata biasa-biasa saja. Dia terdampar di sebuah tempat yang aman, sebuah sirkus misterius yang menampung mahkluk-mahkluk mitologi dan urband legend. Lepas dari covernya yang sangat memikat, sinopnya yang bikin kepo aku terpaksa merelakan buku ini masuk list DNF setelah gagal bonding dengan isi buku ini walaupun sudah bertahan sampai 45% selama 2 bulan. Beberapa hal yang menjadi penyebabnya sbb :
- World building yang rumit tapi tidak fokus. Untuk ukuran fantasy YA middle grade, buku ini betul-betul kompleks. Semua detail world building dan banyaknya karakter/mahkluk-mahkluk/nama/mixed budaya tambahan yang coba di gambarkan penulisnya ini akan membebani pembaca awam yang tidak punya imajinasi HIPERAKTIF.
- Terlalu banyak detail/informasi tak penting. Beliau adalah seorang ilustrator ternama dan dia cenderung untuk mendeskripsikan segala sesuatu dalam narasi super mendetail. Masalahnya dia memaksakan semua hal masuk ke dalam bukunya, padahal belum tentu semua itu akan berperan dalam plot bukunya. Bayangkan semua nama karakter, aneka jenis monster, mahkluk fantasy aneka rupa dari aneka negara, detail steampunk yang sliweran eksis di buku ini.
- Tertele-tele. Dalam 45 persen yang kubaca, si hero Ned masih dalam posisi grey dan tidak tahu apa yang dia hadapi, apa misinya dan bagaimana meningkatkan kemampuan. Dia masih selalu di tolong untuk lolos dari semua situasi. Kadang dalam 1-2 hal aku hanya menemukan 1 alinea yang benar-benar penting. Pangkas 10 chapter dari buku ini kurasa tidak akan mempengaruhi penggambaran karakter dan world buildingnya.
- Alurnya super cepat, penuh aksi sejak awal tapi tidak fokus dan menggelinding liar. Aku serasa tiba-tiba di lemparkan ke medan perang penuh peluru bersliweran tanpa informasi apapun. Seru? Yea. Panik? Banget. Dari serangan badut-badut seram, werewolf, monster-monster darkling dengan nama-nama yang susah dihafalkan (saking banyaknya) sampai Jin Ifrit ikut memeriahkan suasana.
- Konfliknya belum jelas sampai di 45 persen ini. Dan makin membingungkan. Aku sampai mengintip web penulis untuk bisa memahami visinya yang merupakan gabungan fantasy, horror, petualangan dan steampunk ini. http://www.circusofmarvels.com/
Aku betul-betul ingin menyelesaikan dan menyukai buku ini. Tapi untuk saat ini, sorry buku ini bukan untukku. Untuk teman-teman penggemar berat fantasy mungkin kalian bisa mencoba buku ini, siapa tahu kalian bisa menikmatinya lebih dariku.
Bagi Ned, hidupnya setara dengan penampilan dan prestasinya, biasa-biasa saja. Tapi saat ulang tahunnya yang ke-13 dia terpaksa berpikir ulang tentang hal itu, hidupnya kini jauh dari kata biasa-biasa saja. Dia terdampar di sebuah tempat yang aman, sebuah sirkus misterius yang menampung mahkluk-mahkluk mitologi dan urband legend. Lepas dari covernya yang sangat memikat, sinopnya yang bikin kepo aku terpaksa merelakan buku ini masuk list DNF setelah gagal bonding dengan isi buku ini walaupun sudah bertahan sampai 45% selama 2 bulan. Beberapa hal yang menjadi penyebabnya sbb :
- World building yang rumit tapi tidak fokus. Untuk ukuran fantasy YA middle grade, buku ini betul-betul kompleks. Semua detail world building dan banyaknya karakter/mahkluk-mahkluk/nama/mixed budaya tambahan yang coba di gambarkan penulisnya ini akan membebani pembaca awam yang tidak punya imajinasi HIPERAKTIF.
- Terlalu banyak detail/informasi tak penting. Beliau adalah seorang ilustrator ternama dan dia cenderung untuk mendeskripsikan segala sesuatu dalam narasi super mendetail. Masalahnya dia memaksakan semua hal masuk ke dalam bukunya, padahal belum tentu semua itu akan berperan dalam plot bukunya. Bayangkan semua nama karakter, aneka jenis monster, mahkluk fantasy aneka rupa dari aneka negara, detail steampunk yang sliweran eksis di buku ini.
- Tertele-tele. Dalam 45 persen yang kubaca, si hero Ned masih dalam posisi grey dan tidak tahu apa yang dia hadapi, apa misinya dan bagaimana meningkatkan kemampuan. Dia masih selalu di tolong untuk lolos dari semua situasi. Kadang dalam 1-2 hal aku hanya menemukan 1 alinea yang benar-benar penting. Pangkas 10 chapter dari buku ini kurasa tidak akan mempengaruhi penggambaran karakter dan world buildingnya.
- Alurnya super cepat, penuh aksi sejak awal tapi tidak fokus dan menggelinding liar. Aku serasa tiba-tiba di lemparkan ke medan perang penuh peluru bersliweran tanpa informasi apapun. Seru? Yea. Panik? Banget. Dari serangan badut-badut seram, werewolf, monster-monster darkling dengan nama-nama yang susah dihafalkan (saking banyaknya) sampai Jin Ifrit ikut memeriahkan suasana.
- Konfliknya belum jelas sampai di 45 persen ini. Dan makin membingungkan. Aku sampai mengintip web penulis untuk bisa memahami visinya yang merupakan gabungan fantasy, horror, petualangan dan steampunk ini. http://www.circusofmarvels.com/
Aku betul-betul ingin menyelesaikan dan menyukai buku ini. Tapi untuk saat ini, sorry buku ini bukan untukku. Untuk teman-teman penggemar berat fantasy mungkin kalian bisa mencoba buku ini, siapa tahu kalian bisa menikmatinya lebih dariku.
December 24, 2022
The story is about a boy name Ned who taught he is just like another normal boy in town. Eagerly waiting for his thirteen birthday present from his dad but the event happened on his birthday night become the beginning of his journey to weird world. Came to the circus as his father told and suddenly his world changed.
The story start slow and quite boring. It tooks me longer to even manage to read half book. But half way through, the pace start to pick up. The storyline start to became more interesting.
Ned character build up very well. The changes can be seen through out the story. Other characters also put flavour to the story.
The plot is nice and smooth. There are some nice plot twist.
The ending also written nicely. Not to rush. Just nice and steady. I love the ending.
The story start slow and quite boring. It tooks me longer to even manage to read half book. But half way through, the pace start to pick up. The storyline start to became more interesting.
Ned character build up very well. The changes can be seen through out the story. Other characters also put flavour to the story.
The plot is nice and smooth. There are some nice plot twist.
The ending also written nicely. Not to rush. Just nice and steady. I love the ending.
June 29, 2016
Ned thinks his life is exceedingly boring and mundane thanks to his very overprotective father but on his 13th birthday everything changes - in the most magical way. He finds himself part of the troupe of the most gorgeous, intriguing circus , charged with finding a girl whom together with himself, will save the magical and mortal world. I loved this book! Ned's amazing engineer powers are just wonderful and I'm looking forward to meeting many of the other characters in later books - especially Ringmaster Benissimo and Ned's best friend, the huge but cultured ape, George. A fun read that should keep Harry Potter lovers spellbound.
November 18, 2016
they say 'don't judge a book by it's cover'
but the beautiful cover, was actually the thing that got my eyes. I got it for my 16th birthday. The beginning was pretty creepy .. but nearing the middle, I'm addicted. I love the characters, the humour, and the vibes. The plot was quite predictable, but overall satisfying. I'm prepared to be amazed(again) by Ned and Bene's Circus of Marvels
but the beautiful cover, was actually the thing that got my eyes. I got it for my 16th birthday. The beginning was pretty creepy .. but nearing the middle, I'm addicted. I love the characters, the humour, and the vibes. The plot was quite predictable, but overall satisfying. I'm prepared to be amazed(again) by Ned and Bene's Circus of Marvels
August 1, 2020
Ned just wants an ordinary life where he can stay in the same school,same house,stay with the same friends,and sometimes even the same teachers! Can he get the life he really wants or will his effort spin Ned and his dad into a world of tumbling secrets...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2019
This book was good, I enjoyed it. It's about this boy and he goes to a flying circus or something and discovers he can like move and make things with his mind. kind of random.
January 2, 2018
I give this about 2.5-3 stars.
First (without getting into spoilers) I'll illuminate what I liked about this book:
-The sense of adventure.
-The myriad different bits of folklore/mythology utilized.
-Certain parts were well-written and painted a vivid picture of surroundings, events, etc.
Things I didn't like:
-Everything felt very surface level; character personalities, interactions, motives, etc. It all felt very cut and dry, overly simplified, and for some, all over the place. The lack of consistence for certain personalities, had they been done gradually or written with a bit more clarity, might have been believable. There are plenty of mercurial people--fictional and otherwise--after all. But I found these inconsistencies jarring.
-A lot of the time, the dialogue either felt incredibly forced, or just a bit too over-the-top with the different ways the characters spoke. Kitty, for example; most of what she said, because she'd use a certain speech pattern so often, came across as ludicrous after awhile. Aside from her, George, and a couple others, the rest of the cast didn't seem to have individual voices/personalities. Many fell into cliché and archetype territory.
-The PoV inconsistency. I'm aware head-hopping can be an acceptable form of narrative (if not overly preferred) but this wasn't even that. One moment we have just the narrator talking, and the next we're supposedly in Ned's third-person limited--only he suddenly knows things he shouldn't have been able to know, since he didn't witness them himself. Or knowing what another character is feeling/thinking.
-This sort of ties in with this above, but goes further: telling. There was a ridiculous amount of telling and superfluous exposition. The amount of adverbs and adjectives used to describe movements, facial expressions, and tone of voice got to be a bit much--and had the effect of diluting the emotion I might have otherwise taken away from a particular scene.
-And holy ellipses, Batman! There were a ton of them, and seldom appropriately used. Between the narrative and the characters, it felt like the book was intended to be read aloud by William Shatner.
Now, I know some people would be like, "It's Middle-grade/YA, what's the big deal? Kids won't know the difference." Well, the latter is a fallacy, for one, and the big deal is this: I've read a lot of both Middle-grade and YA books in my life (and especially in recent years) and loads of them go beyond surface-level characters and plots that fall flat despite their obvious potential. Loads of them surpass the storytelling of "adult" novels. Sadly, Ned's Circus of Marvels isn't one of them, at least not for me, personally.
The potential was most definitely there. So while I probably won't read the sequels, I would still recommend this book to younger readers, or to others whom enjoy simplistic Middle-grade books.
First (without getting into spoilers) I'll illuminate what I liked about this book:
-The sense of adventure.
-The myriad different bits of folklore/mythology utilized.
-Certain parts were well-written and painted a vivid picture of surroundings, events, etc.
Things I didn't like:
-Everything felt very surface level; character personalities, interactions, motives, etc. It all felt very cut and dry, overly simplified, and for some, all over the place. The lack of consistence for certain personalities, had they been done gradually or written with a bit more clarity, might have been believable. There are plenty of mercurial people--fictional and otherwise--after all. But I found these inconsistencies jarring.
-A lot of the time, the dialogue either felt incredibly forced, or just a bit too over-the-top with the different ways the characters spoke. Kitty, for example; most of what she said, because she'd use a certain speech pattern so often, came across as ludicrous after awhile. Aside from her, George, and a couple others, the rest of the cast didn't seem to have individual voices/personalities. Many fell into cliché and archetype territory.
-The PoV inconsistency. I'm aware head-hopping can be an acceptable form of narrative (if not overly preferred) but this wasn't even that. One moment we have just the narrator talking, and the next we're supposedly in Ned's third-person limited--only he suddenly knows things he shouldn't have been able to know, since he didn't witness them himself. Or knowing what another character is feeling/thinking.
-This sort of ties in with this above, but goes further: telling. There was a ridiculous amount of telling and superfluous exposition. The amount of adverbs and adjectives used to describe movements, facial expressions, and tone of voice got to be a bit much--and had the effect of diluting the emotion I might have otherwise taken away from a particular scene.
-And holy ellipses, Batman! There were a ton of them, and seldom appropriately used. Between the narrative and the characters, it felt like the book was intended to be read aloud by William Shatner.
Now, I know some people would be like, "It's Middle-grade/YA, what's the big deal? Kids won't know the difference." Well, the latter is a fallacy, for one, and the big deal is this: I've read a lot of both Middle-grade and YA books in my life (and especially in recent years) and loads of them go beyond surface-level characters and plots that fall flat despite their obvious potential. Loads of them surpass the storytelling of "adult" novels. Sadly, Ned's Circus of Marvels isn't one of them, at least not for me, personally.
The potential was most definitely there. So while I probably won't read the sequels, I would still recommend this book to younger readers, or to others whom enjoy simplistic Middle-grade books.
May 31, 2018
Never judge a book by it's cover...When will I learn
I picked this up because I liked the cover and I liked what I read in the blurb
The story for me wasn't what I expected, I was trying to focus and get stuck in, until the "killer" clowns came along and then I lost interest.....which was I think maybe within the second chapter.
I didn't like Ned, I thought he was maybe too sure of himself as a 13 year old.
Also every other character had a nickname for Ned which got on my nerves "Old bean", "pup", "old chap" like stop it!!!
I don't know why I just couldn't get into this whirlwind adventure and new world that Ned discovers, it just wasn't for me. I felt there was too much going on and I don't like the way the characters interacted and spoke to each other, seemed ridiculous to me.
Some points in the story didn't make sense to me, so I got confused.
There were bits I did like, such as saying good bye to Kitty, when Ned meets Lucy that was touching and the fight towards the end with the two brothers.
It just was not my favourite
I picked this up because I liked the cover and I liked what I read in the blurb
The story for me wasn't what I expected, I was trying to focus and get stuck in, until the "killer" clowns came along and then I lost interest.....which was I think maybe within the second chapter.
I didn't like Ned, I thought he was maybe too sure of himself as a 13 year old.
Also every other character had a nickname for Ned which got on my nerves "Old bean", "pup", "old chap" like stop it!!!
I don't know why I just couldn't get into this whirlwind adventure and new world that Ned discovers, it just wasn't for me. I felt there was too much going on and I don't like the way the characters interacted and spoke to each other, seemed ridiculous to me.
Some points in the story didn't make sense to me, so I got confused.
There were bits I did like, such as saying good bye to Kitty, when Ned meets Lucy that was touching and the fight towards the end with the two brothers.
It just was not my favourite
July 25, 2019
Would I recommend? Yes, it is a children’s book but a good quick read. .
Things I liked:
I love the characters Kitty, an old lady who constantly wears hello kitty merchandise, and George, a talking gorilla.
A clever thing about this book is that I had no idea where the story was going.
Just elephant with wings, enough said! .
Things I didn’t like:
There were times where I lost track of who Ned was talking to and what was going on but I quickly caught up. .
Overall: I’ve had this book on my shelf for a few a years or so and I finally got the chance to read it. It was full of suspense, action, and a little bit of mystery.
Some people may be drawn to the likeness of Harry Potter, but I was not. It was different. There is a boy who is more than he thought he was and is brought to a new world and exciting that he just learned about, but that is where I think the likeness stops. And I, for one, am glad it does. It needed to be different and it was.
Things I liked:
I love the characters Kitty, an old lady who constantly wears hello kitty merchandise, and George, a talking gorilla.
A clever thing about this book is that I had no idea where the story was going.
Just elephant with wings, enough said! .
Things I didn’t like:
There were times where I lost track of who Ned was talking to and what was going on but I quickly caught up. .
Overall: I’ve had this book on my shelf for a few a years or so and I finally got the chance to read it. It was full of suspense, action, and a little bit of mystery.
Some people may be drawn to the likeness of Harry Potter, but I was not. It was different. There is a boy who is more than he thought he was and is brought to a new world and exciting that he just learned about, but that is where I think the likeness stops. And I, for one, am glad it does. It needed to be different and it was.
December 27, 2024
Justin Fisher’s The Circus of Marvels is an imaginative and intriguing story that casts readers into a world filled with mystery and wonder. The richly detailed setting and unique premise make it an engaging read, drawing you into its fantastical universe.
While the book excels in creating an atmosphere of marvel and excitement, I found the character development to be somewhat lacking. With so much happening at once, it was sometimes challenging to keep track of who was who. As a result, a few of the characters felt lost in the shuffle, leaving me wanting more from them.
Overall, The Circus of Marvels is an imaginative and engaging read, though it may have benefited from a stronger focus on character development and clarity of pacing. It’s a good choice for readers who enjoy a whirlwind of fantastical events, but those looking for deeply fleshed-out characters might find it less satisfying.
While the book excels in creating an atmosphere of marvel and excitement, I found the character development to be somewhat lacking. With so much happening at once, it was sometimes challenging to keep track of who was who. As a result, a few of the characters felt lost in the shuffle, leaving me wanting more from them.
Overall, The Circus of Marvels is an imaginative and engaging read, though it may have benefited from a stronger focus on character development and clarity of pacing. It’s a good choice for readers who enjoy a whirlwind of fantastical events, but those looking for deeply fleshed-out characters might find it less satisfying.
June 16, 2017
You can not judge a book by its cover was probably said for this book. The element of surprise is scarce, if any at all. Also, it almost feels like an encyclopedia (first draft) of supernatural creatures. I have to say that the (somewhat) detailed narrative helps you with visualization.
All in all, it would have been a good read if I was in the age group (pre-teens/early teens) when we Pakistani kids enjoyed watching "Ainak wala Jinn (Jinn with Spectacles)". That show was also good at prolonging story and had all sorts of characters (Jinn, Wizards, Witches, Fairies, Aliens ...).
I would happily recommend this book to a junior bookworm who has not been spoiled by visual media.
All in all, it would have been a good read if I was in the age group (pre-teens/early teens) when we Pakistani kids enjoyed watching "Ainak wala Jinn (Jinn with Spectacles)". That show was also good at prolonging story and had all sorts of characters (Jinn, Wizards, Witches, Fairies, Aliens ...).
I would happily recommend this book to a junior bookworm who has not been spoiled by visual media.
October 16, 2018
When Ned and his father are attacked by evil clowns, he ends up on his own in a circus full of oddball creatures hiding as human and animal performers, where he must find a hidden girl across the globe and keep the Veil from tearing and unleashing demons on the Earth! Fisher delivers a magical and exciting adventure that won't let you down with its enjoyable cast and quick pace. Can Ned overcome his fears to gain the power needed to save the world in time?
April 8, 2019
Read this book to my 8 year old son. It is a fantastic idea for a story but sadly not executed as well as it could have been. The writing was all over the place, descriptors were rather lacking and it read quite flat. There were also jumps in the narrative and some continuation errors.
For what could have been a very exciting story it was a shame that it wasn’t better. Felt like a missed opportunity.
For what could have been a very exciting story it was a shame that it wasn’t better. Felt like a missed opportunity.
December 23, 2019
This book certainly was marvelous. I guessed from the beginning who the spy was and cried whenever someone died especially a particular to people (I won't give away whom. Spoilers!) Fisher's world building is incredible and the characters and places really bring out the magic in the book. Overall I really liked this book and can't read to read the next one.
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