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The Cogheart Adventures #3
Skycircus
When a travelling skycircus arrives in Brackenbridge, Lily and Robert can’t wait to step aboard… But there’s something sinister about the hybrid children who appear as part of the act. And before Lily and Robert can do anything, they’re captured by shadowy figures and whisked off in the mysterious flying circus to somewhere far, far away…
Treachery, tight-ropes and trickery combine in this incredible third Cogheart adventure…
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2018
59 people are currently reading
1101 people want to read
About the author
Peter Bunzl
13 books332 followersPeter Bunzl grew up in South London in a rambling Victorian house with three cats, two dogs, one little sister, an antique dealer dad, and an artist mum. As a child he found inspiration visiting TV and film sets, where his mum worked as a costume designer.
After art college and film school, Peter worked as an animator on commercials, pop videos, and two BAFTA-winning children’s TV shows, and wrote and directed several successful short films.
Peter’s debut novel Cogheart was a Waterstones Book of the Month. It was shortlisted for the Waterstones Book Prize and the Branford Boase Award. Moonlocket was shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Readers Award. Cogheart, Skycircus and Shadowsea were nominated for the Carnegie Medal.
Peter lives in North London with his partner, a fox who visits their garden, and a clutter of house spiders.
After art college and film school, Peter worked as an animator on commercials, pop videos, and two BAFTA-winning children’s TV shows, and wrote and directed several successful short films.
Peter’s debut novel Cogheart was a Waterstones Book of the Month. It was shortlisted for the Waterstones Book Prize and the Branford Boase Award. Moonlocket was shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Readers Award. Cogheart, Skycircus and Shadowsea were nominated for the Carnegie Medal.
Peter lives in North London with his partner, a fox who visits their garden, and a clutter of house spiders.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
November 6, 2019
Similar to Moonlocket (the second book in this series), it's not necessary to have read the prior book in the series to enjoy this one. Lily, Robert, and their snarky mech-animal sidekick, Malkin are back for another adventure featuring a flying circus, a birthday invite gone wrong, and revelations surrounding Lily's mother. While I enjoyed reading Skycircus, it lacked the depth and excitement of Moonlocket.
The plot of Skycircus is relatively basic and while it was fast-paced and entertaining, it lacked a sense of urgency and danger- there was never a moment when I truly believed the characters were in peril despite their circumstances. It didn't have much suspense either but I liked that the plot never dragged and the story came to a neat and tidy conclusion (though there is a fourth book coming out).
Character-wise, Lily and Robert remain the same characters throughout and didn't really grow. They didn't feel as complex or multi-dimensional and overall, were a bit too easy to root for. The villain is a standard baddie with boring evil intentions, however, I did like the commentary on hybrids and the discussion on what it means to be human. Malkin is still my favorite- love that snarky, mech-animal fox!
Overall, not too thrilled about this sequel but would be open to reading the next installment.
*Thank you to NetGalley and North Star Editions for providing a free ARC
The plot of Skycircus is relatively basic and while it was fast-paced and entertaining, it lacked a sense of urgency and danger- there was never a moment when I truly believed the characters were in peril despite their circumstances. It didn't have much suspense either but I liked that the plot never dragged and the story came to a neat and tidy conclusion (though there is a fourth book coming out).
Character-wise, Lily and Robert remain the same characters throughout and didn't really grow. They didn't feel as complex or multi-dimensional and overall, were a bit too easy to root for. The villain is a standard baddie with boring evil intentions, however, I did like the commentary on hybrids and the discussion on what it means to be human. Malkin is still my favorite- love that snarky, mech-animal fox!
Overall, not too thrilled about this sequel but would be open to reading the next installment.
*Thank you to NetGalley and North Star Editions for providing a free ARC
September 11, 2019
3.5 stars. A wonderful new adventure in the Cogheart series! Not another mystery to solve in this book, just a very dangerous circus to escape from.
After searching for Lily’s father and chasing a criminal through London, Lily and Robert get involved in a mysterious Skycircus. We see familiar people return – Tolly, my boy <3 – and old issues like Hybrids being discussed: how should Lily present herself to the world? The wicked Skycircus has a plan for that!
That Skycircus was the highlight of the novel for me. Bunzl really did his best to bring the circus-world alive: from describing the layout of the tent, inside and outside, the slang spoken by the crew, to the set-up of the acts themselves.
The author also uses the circus to really turn up the danger. Walking on tightropes without a safety net, being locked up in a cage full of lions, being subjected to X-ray radiation: talk about heartstopping moments!
But where the setting and the adventure itself were fantastical, the too-mature dialogue really got on my nerves. Especially near the end Lily was way too forgiving about people’s actions (also: the whole radiation-scare was just…brushed aside?!). Seeing 14-year-olds give monologues about acceptance and “standing together” really breaks the middle-grade mood.
Yet the message of this third book is one both kids and adults will appreciate: if you fall, just pick yourself up, and try again. Another fun whimsical adventure, but really Mr. Bunzl, skip the long monologues next time.
Read here my reviews of the other books in The Cogheart Adventure Series: #1 Cogheart | #2 Moonlocket
After searching for Lily’s father and chasing a criminal through London, Lily and Robert get involved in a mysterious Skycircus. We see familiar people return – Tolly, my boy <3 – and old issues like Hybrids being discussed: how should Lily present herself to the world? The wicked Skycircus has a plan for that!
That Skycircus was the highlight of the novel for me. Bunzl really did his best to bring the circus-world alive: from describing the layout of the tent, inside and outside, the slang spoken by the crew, to the set-up of the acts themselves.
The author also uses the circus to really turn up the danger. Walking on tightropes without a safety net, being locked up in a cage full of lions, being subjected to X-ray radiation: talk about heartstopping moments!
But where the setting and the adventure itself were fantastical, the too-mature dialogue really got on my nerves. Especially near the end Lily was way too forgiving about people’s actions (also: the whole radiation-scare was just…brushed aside?!). Seeing 14-year-olds give monologues about acceptance and “standing together” really breaks the middle-grade mood.
Yet the message of this third book is one both kids and adults will appreciate: if you fall, just pick yourself up, and try again. Another fun whimsical adventure, but really Mr. Bunzl, skip the long monologues next time.
Read here my reviews of the other books in The Cogheart Adventure Series: #1 Cogheart | #2 Moonlocket
November 6, 2020
Another fun and cute adventure in this series! This volume was one of my favourites! I just flew right through it :)
May 5, 2020
1st Read- April 2019
- Original Rating- 3 Stars
2nd Read- May 2020 for Medieval-A-Thon (orange on the cover)
- Rating- 4 Stars
It's been so lovely re-reading this series. I knew that I could remember everything from the first 3 books in this series but I just desperately wanted to re-read them before jumping into the fourth book and now I finally can.
- Original Rating- 3 Stars
2nd Read- May 2020 for Medieval-A-Thon (orange on the cover)
- Rating- 4 Stars
It's been so lovely re-reading this series. I knew that I could remember everything from the first 3 books in this series but I just desperately wanted to re-read them before jumping into the fourth book and now I finally can.
May 30, 2021
3,5/5 stars
October 27, 2018
Have loved every moment of this trilogy. Brilliant.
January 10, 2020
Sudah cukup lama sejak aku menyelesaikan membaca Cogheart dan Moonlocket sampai kemarin saat mulai membaca buku ketiganya ini, jadi beberapa ingatan sudah mengendur dan kesan sudah agak berkarat seperti automaton yang lupa diputar kuncinya. Untunglah karakterisasi Lily dan Robert (dan Malkin) lumayan kuat dan aroma petualangan yang menyenangkan cepat menarik perhatianku ke dalam alur cerita.
Di sini Lily, Malkin dan Robert tertipu oleh jurnal Mama Lily dan undangan ke sirkus dengan bintang para hibrida; ada bocah bercapit, ada pemain akrobat bertungkai palsi dan ada malaikat bersayap besi. Mereka bertiga diculik dan Lily -dengan cogheartnya- dipaksa akan dijadikan makhluk hibrida keempat. Bagaimana mereka berusaha meloloskan diri sekaligus membuka kedok si ring mistress dan dokter edan yang berada di balik sirkus aneh ini, sangat enak diikuti. Cukup sederhana dan seru untuk dinikmati sebagai cerita anak-anak, tapi juga cukup memberikan perkembangan karakter untuk tiap tokoh. Angela yang selalu ketakutan akhirnya menemukan keberaniaannya. Keluarga Button memutuskan bahwa mereka sudah cukup terkekang dan mulai memimpin untuk perubahan. Bahkan si penjahat Dr. Croz juga punya simpanan rahasia dan kepribadian menarik di akhir kisah. Tentu saja Lily dan ayahnya juga demikian.
Aku suka bahwa Lily bukan damsel in distress yang menunggu Robert atau John datang untuk menyelamatkannya, ia punya segudang ide dan ketrampilan untuk menyelamatkan dirinya sendiri, dengan bantuan Robert dan Malkin dan ayahnya. Aku suka bahwa di sini digambarkan Grace Hartman adalah wanita yang pandai, mandiri dan berambisi, dan bahwa putrinya, Lily, mewarisi semangatnya ini. Aku suka tiap tokoh di cerita ini punya waktu di mana mereka rapuh dan hampir jatuh, tapi di saat yang sama ada teman dan persahabatan yang menyelamatkan.
Kisah yang bagus, dengan karakter-karakter bagus pula.
#GD
Di sini Lily, Malkin dan Robert tertipu oleh jurnal Mama Lily dan undangan ke sirkus dengan bintang para hibrida; ada bocah bercapit, ada pemain akrobat bertungkai palsi dan ada malaikat bersayap besi. Mereka bertiga diculik dan Lily -dengan cogheartnya- dipaksa akan dijadikan makhluk hibrida keempat. Bagaimana mereka berusaha meloloskan diri sekaligus membuka kedok si ring mistress dan dokter edan yang berada di balik sirkus aneh ini, sangat enak diikuti. Cukup sederhana dan seru untuk dinikmati sebagai cerita anak-anak, tapi juga cukup memberikan perkembangan karakter untuk tiap tokoh. Angela yang selalu ketakutan akhirnya menemukan keberaniaannya. Keluarga Button memutuskan bahwa mereka sudah cukup terkekang dan mulai memimpin untuk perubahan. Bahkan si penjahat Dr. Croz juga punya simpanan rahasia dan kepribadian menarik di akhir kisah. Tentu saja Lily dan ayahnya juga demikian.
Aku suka bahwa Lily bukan damsel in distress yang menunggu Robert atau John datang untuk menyelamatkannya, ia punya segudang ide dan ketrampilan untuk menyelamatkan dirinya sendiri, dengan bantuan Robert dan Malkin dan ayahnya. Aku suka bahwa di sini digambarkan Grace Hartman adalah wanita yang pandai, mandiri dan berambisi, dan bahwa putrinya, Lily, mewarisi semangatnya ini. Aku suka tiap tokoh di cerita ini punya waktu di mana mereka rapuh dan hampir jatuh, tapi di saat yang sama ada teman dan persahabatan yang menyelamatkan.
Kisah yang bagus, dengan karakter-karakter bagus pula.
#GD
December 15, 2019
A great finale to the Cogheart series. Lily is an inspiring character who is a great example of inclusion. This series inspires you to celebrate difference & diversity. Lily is different but that isn't obvious to look at her. She has a clockwork heart which is what keeps her alive after a terrible accident the killed her and her mother. Her father, the inventor, gave her the heart to save one of them, the only problem is that much Of the rest of the world don't trust human mechanical hybrids. This series is about breaking through those boundaries and accepting & embracing the differences, something the world needs to learn in these times.
March 16, 2019
2.5/5 stars
This is the weakest book in this series so far, and it was a really weak book. At this point, I'm not sure I'll bother to read the rest of the series, if there are ever any more books in it.
The writing is still ok, but there's so much repetition and fluff, it felt like it could have been cut at least pages in repetition and such. Ok, that's an exaggeration, but it's what it feels like having read it.
I don't feel that the writing style had evolved all that much since book 1, and that is disappointing, for I felt the language was a little heavy back then, and that hasn't changed.
The story in this book is slow and rather uninteresting. Sure, there are some fun hints to what created steampunk to begin with, but not enough.
And there is a rather important message in this book, one I would like as many kids to read and learn as soon as possible, but that doesn't make up for the slow and boring story.
Then there's the characters.
While Lily thinks about how they've all grown and changed, I can't say that I agree. They're pretty much the same as they were in book one. A somewhat scared but still brave boy, and a spoiled girl. I don't much like them, and the only character I feel any interest n, is Malkin!
As said, this is a children's book, but I don't think that's an excuse to make as grave errors in regard to animal nature as the author did here. It is rather clear that Bunzl focused on doing things that would be exciting for the story, rather than thinking about the belivability - and yes, I know it's a book about a girl with a clockwork heart, but that doesn't make it ok to change something as natural as animal instinct in the way he did here. OK, it is a small thing to be annoyed over, but it really rubbed me the wrong way then it was introduced, and it continued to rub me the wrong way as things progressed. Sometimes, real life is much more scary than what you can come up with, and if that tiger had been allowed to finish the job, it would have been a much greater lesson to the kids.
But sure, let's protect their small, soft hearts from reality *sarcastic*
And this is where I apologize for that last part of the review. I don't know why it annoyed me so much, but it really did. Kids deserves the truth, and in a book with so much focus on telling the truth, having a ''lie'' like that felt really, really wrong for me.
This is the weakest book in this series so far, and it was a really weak book. At this point, I'm not sure I'll bother to read the rest of the series, if there are ever any more books in it.
The writing is still ok, but there's so much repetition and fluff, it felt like it could have been cut at least pages in repetition and such. Ok, that's an exaggeration, but it's what it feels like having read it.
I don't feel that the writing style had evolved all that much since book 1, and that is disappointing, for I felt the language was a little heavy back then, and that hasn't changed.
The story in this book is slow and rather uninteresting. Sure, there are some fun hints to what created steampunk to begin with, but not enough.
And there is a rather important message in this book, one I would like as many kids to read and learn as soon as possible, but that doesn't make up for the slow and boring story.
Then there's the characters.
While Lily thinks about how they've all grown and changed, I can't say that I agree. They're pretty much the same as they were in book one. A somewhat scared but still brave boy, and a spoiled girl. I don't much like them, and the only character I feel any interest n, is Malkin!
As said, this is a children's book, but I don't think that's an excuse to make as grave errors in regard to animal nature as the author did here. It is rather clear that Bunzl focused on doing things that would be exciting for the story, rather than thinking about the belivability - and yes, I know it's a book about a girl with a clockwork heart, but that doesn't make it ok to change something as natural as animal instinct in the way he did here. OK, it is a small thing to be annoyed over, but it really rubbed me the wrong way then it was introduced, and it continued to rub me the wrong way as things progressed. Sometimes, real life is much more scary than what you can come up with, and if that tiger had been allowed to finish the job, it would have been a much greater lesson to the kids.
But sure, let's protect their small, soft hearts from reality *sarcastic*
And this is where I apologize for that last part of the review. I don't know why it annoyed me so much, but it really did. Kids deserves the truth, and in a book with so much focus on telling the truth, having a ''lie'' like that felt really, really wrong for me.
September 11, 2019
Another installment to the Cogheart series and these books can be fairly termed as an adventure rather than a thriller (unlike the other two books in this series).
Lily, Robert, and Malkin are swept into the mysterious and somewhat dangerous world of the Skycircus after Lily receives her mother’s journals in a mysterious package on her birthday. There she meets other hybrids and Angelica, a girl with wings that help her to fly.
If you haven’t heard of the series, ‘Cogheart Adventures’ contains mechanists (people/inventors working with the machine's) and characters who are either entirely mechanical or part machine-part human (hybrids) and a thrilling journey they embark on, with each book.
As familiar people return to this story, we are swept into the cacophony of circus of people, with their tents, slang and various kinds of setups. I was thrilled to read more about life in the circus because it has always fascinated me and the author brought it to life with every passing page.
Other than that, Paris as a backdrop was remarkably done. The streets, people, food and lifestyle was surprisingly pleasant to read amidst children trying to escape from an evil circus.
My problem, however, lies with two things- Characters and dialogue. There are many characters we come across throughout the story, some old and some new. But they weren’t well developed. It's more of mere mentions of the character and the present circumstances rather than insight on what kind of people they truly are.
The dialogues were a bit too mature for a middle-grade novel and drifter more towards monologues and philosophical conversations. Kids that age, talking about their purpose in life and advising adults isn’t exactly very convincing. I would recommend reading the series starting from Book 1, even though all the books can be read as a standalone so that you can familiarize yourself with the characters and the setting.
The plot is extremely entertaining and there are lessons to be learned, such as the need to accept all kinds of people no matter how different or alike they are(hybrids in this case) and the advantages and disadvantages of technology.
Lily, Robert, and Malkin are swept into the mysterious and somewhat dangerous world of the Skycircus after Lily receives her mother’s journals in a mysterious package on her birthday. There she meets other hybrids and Angelica, a girl with wings that help her to fly.
If you haven’t heard of the series, ‘Cogheart Adventures’ contains mechanists (people/inventors working with the machine's) and characters who are either entirely mechanical or part machine-part human (hybrids) and a thrilling journey they embark on, with each book.
As familiar people return to this story, we are swept into the cacophony of circus of people, with their tents, slang and various kinds of setups. I was thrilled to read more about life in the circus because it has always fascinated me and the author brought it to life with every passing page.
Other than that, Paris as a backdrop was remarkably done. The streets, people, food and lifestyle was surprisingly pleasant to read amidst children trying to escape from an evil circus.
My problem, however, lies with two things- Characters and dialogue. There are many characters we come across throughout the story, some old and some new. But they weren’t well developed. It's more of mere mentions of the character and the present circumstances rather than insight on what kind of people they truly are.
The dialogues were a bit too mature for a middle-grade novel and drifter more towards monologues and philosophical conversations. Kids that age, talking about their purpose in life and advising adults isn’t exactly very convincing. I would recommend reading the series starting from Book 1, even though all the books can be read as a standalone so that you can familiarize yourself with the characters and the setting.
The plot is extremely entertaining and there are lessons to be learned, such as the need to accept all kinds of people no matter how different or alike they are(hybrids in this case) and the advantages and disadvantages of technology.
February 27, 2020
ARC REVIEW
Book Three of the Cogheart Adventure. Once again Lily is the focus of this story but in this one she discovers more about her mother that she ever knew before. Like how her mother studied flyology and learning how to fly. It's Lily's 14th birthday and while is bound to be better than last years birthday debacle it seems that her father has forgotten it's her birthday in all the excitement of getting some award. Lily was soon distracted by the anonymous gift that was left for her, her mother's old diary with a flyer for Skycircus and VIP tickets. On the flyer was a drawing of a young girl with wings and from what she read in her mother's journal she thought this winged girl might have information on her mother. So grabbing Robert, Malkin and the visiting Tolly they ditch her father's stuffy dinner party and run off to see the circus. It wasn't what they expected. The ringmasters exploited the hybrids and treated them like freaks and in the end kidnapped Lily, Robert and Malkin leaving Tolly to run to safety and tell her father what happened. Someone from Lily's past is back and is out to make a quick buck exposing Lily for what she is a hybrid. It's up to Lily, Robert, and Malkin to escape and free the circus folk from the prison that has become of their circus.
Overall, another outstanding book for the series and it can be read as a stand alone but I would recommend at least reading Cogheart first, which is where Lily's story starts. These are wonderfully written books with grand adventures and characters that have you rooting for them the whole time.
Book Three of the Cogheart Adventure. Once again Lily is the focus of this story but in this one she discovers more about her mother that she ever knew before. Like how her mother studied flyology and learning how to fly. It's Lily's 14th birthday and while is bound to be better than last years birthday debacle it seems that her father has forgotten it's her birthday in all the excitement of getting some award. Lily was soon distracted by the anonymous gift that was left for her, her mother's old diary with a flyer for Skycircus and VIP tickets. On the flyer was a drawing of a young girl with wings and from what she read in her mother's journal she thought this winged girl might have information on her mother. So grabbing Robert, Malkin and the visiting Tolly they ditch her father's stuffy dinner party and run off to see the circus. It wasn't what they expected. The ringmasters exploited the hybrids and treated them like freaks and in the end kidnapped Lily, Robert and Malkin leaving Tolly to run to safety and tell her father what happened. Someone from Lily's past is back and is out to make a quick buck exposing Lily for what she is a hybrid. It's up to Lily, Robert, and Malkin to escape and free the circus folk from the prison that has become of their circus.
Overall, another outstanding book for the series and it can be read as a stand alone but I would recommend at least reading Cogheart first, which is where Lily's story starts. These are wonderfully written books with grand adventures and characters that have you rooting for them the whole time.
January 16, 2022
Library loan.
An interesting adventure that could make for fun escape read for children that like historical fantasy that has a slightly steampunk vibe.
Not sure why the author needed to inject the anti-male scientist comment in this book, it felt more geared to appeal to parents (?).
Extra: orphans kidnapped and ill-treated. Would suggest pre-reading before giving to a sensitive child ( i had one, and they would have found some of the themes disturbing for them).
An interesting adventure that could make for fun escape read for children that like historical fantasy that has a slightly steampunk vibe.
Not sure why the author needed to inject the anti-male scientist comment in this book, it felt more geared to appeal to parents (?).
Extra: orphans kidnapped and ill-treated. Would suggest pre-reading before giving to a sensitive child ( i had one, and they would have found some of the themes disturbing for them).
January 6, 2019
Actual Rating: 3.5/5
Not my favourite in the series but a quick and enjoyable read anyway!
Not my favourite in the series but a quick and enjoyable read anyway!
October 4, 2021
Makin bagus. Petualangan Peter dan Lily di sini semakin seru.
April 7, 2019
If you liked the previous two books, you'll like this one. It is wonderful and whimsical, with some great messages - be yourself, be honest. It is okay to be different. Failure is fine as long as you always just try again.
"I know that, Papa, but you have to let me make my own mistakes. You can't worry about me flying too close to the sun. Failure is how you learn and how people grow. People need to fly on their own - on the wings they make for themselves - not the ones their parents give them."
Lily and Robert get swept away to Paris by the mysterious Skycircus. This was an amazing setting. Peter Bunzl put a lot of detail into it - how it looks, functions, the people in it, what they wear, how they speak, what they eat, what their talents are. It all came to life for me.
"When you're different to other people they don't believe you're as good as them, and you have to prove it. The trouble is, you have to prove it over and over again. You have to fight every day to be treated the same, and sometimes it gets so wearisome."
"It's like your story, the one about Icarus. If you fail, if you fall short, you pick yourself up and make stronger wings for the next flight. "
There were some plotholes that annoyed me (like items lost/destroyed at the start of the book but magically reappearing later) and there is some dangerous event near the end of the story of which the consequences are just ignored.
All of our favourite characters make their appearance, and we get to meet quite a few new ones as well. All of them are flawed, and most are likable in one way or another.
Overall, this was a fun and whimsical adventure, which sadly concludes this wonderful series.
"I know that, Papa, but you have to let me make my own mistakes. You can't worry about me flying too close to the sun. Failure is how you learn and how people grow. People need to fly on their own - on the wings they make for themselves - not the ones their parents give them."
Lily and Robert get swept away to Paris by the mysterious Skycircus. This was an amazing setting. Peter Bunzl put a lot of detail into it - how it looks, functions, the people in it, what they wear, how they speak, what they eat, what their talents are. It all came to life for me.
"When you're different to other people they don't believe you're as good as them, and you have to prove it. The trouble is, you have to prove it over and over again. You have to fight every day to be treated the same, and sometimes it gets so wearisome."
"It's like your story, the one about Icarus. If you fail, if you fall short, you pick yourself up and make stronger wings for the next flight. "
There were some plotholes that annoyed me (like items lost/destroyed at the start of the book but magically reappearing later) and there is some dangerous event near the end of the story of which the consequences are just ignored.
All of our favourite characters make their appearance, and we get to meet quite a few new ones as well. All of them are flawed, and most are likable in one way or another.
Overall, this was a fun and whimsical adventure, which sadly concludes this wonderful series.
October 6, 2021
Pinjam Dion yang berburu acara diskon.
Meski berseri, buku ini bisa dinikmati tanpa membaca buku sebelumnya. Hanya saja, kita akan kehilangan informasi rinci mengenai beberapa hal yang terjadi pada buku 1-2 dan disebutkan dalam buku ini.
Menarik juga!
Bacaan yang pas untuk remaja yang suka kisah fantasi
Meski berseri, buku ini bisa dinikmati tanpa membaca buku sebelumnya. Hanya saja, kita akan kehilangan informasi rinci mengenai beberapa hal yang terjadi pada buku 1-2 dan disebutkan dalam buku ini.
Menarik juga!
Bacaan yang pas untuk remaja yang suka kisah fantasi
December 5, 2024
Although I still enjoyed this book, I didn't like it as much as the first two.
The not-as-good: Lily and Robert make a very stupid decision. The plot seems repetitive at times and sometimes what happens just seems to fill space. Some of Lily's dialogue doesn't seem to fit what a 14 year old might say.
The good: The circus setting was interesting. I like the characters of Lily, Robert, and Malkin. I also liked the introduction of the new character Angelique. I think that the exploration of how hybrid characters were treated was valuable.
Other thoughts: The style of this book in particular reminded me a lot of "The Series of Unfortunate Events". That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I kept thinking that "The Series of Unfortunate Events" was better and that was distracting me from this story.
Overall: I think that the unique steampunk setting and the main characters elevate this book. Otherwise I think that my rating of it might have been lower.
The not-as-good: Lily and Robert make a very stupid decision. The plot seems repetitive at times and sometimes what happens just seems to fill space. Some of Lily's dialogue doesn't seem to fit what a 14 year old might say.
The good: The circus setting was interesting. I like the characters of Lily, Robert, and Malkin. I also liked the introduction of the new character Angelique. I think that the exploration of how hybrid characters were treated was valuable.
Other thoughts: The style of this book in particular reminded me a lot of "The Series of Unfortunate Events". That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I kept thinking that "The Series of Unfortunate Events" was better and that was distracting me from this story.
Overall: I think that the unique steampunk setting and the main characters elevate this book. Otherwise I think that my rating of it might have been lower.
July 1, 2019
I found skycircus gripping from the very start - I couldn't put it down! I won't give any spoilers but I found this book absolutely amazing. Like the title suggests the book is set on a flying skycircus traveling to Paris. I would recommend this book to ages 10-14. on a whole, a great book that really deserves my 5 stars!
January 29, 2019
What a wonderful final instalment of this fabulous trilogy! I've simply loved reading it to my 11 year old daughter. Just wonderful.
February 11, 2020
To speak the truth we carry deep inside us, within our hearts, no matter how difficult, is the only way we can be free.” Skycircus is about standing up for what’s right, no matter how hard or uncomfortable it might be.
Lily Hartman isn’t normal like other girls. She has a cogheart, a clockwork heart that was used to save her life. This makes her a freak by some people’s beliefs, but she knows that hybrids and humans are all the same, even if others are afraid to accept that. In this installment of the Cogheart series, Lily finally gets the chance to prove that. Nearly a year after her last adventure, she receives a mysterious package on her birthday with her mother’s journal and a ticket for her to attend the Skycircus. She and her friends Robert, Tolly, and Malkin sneak away from Brackenbridge Manor and quickly get tangled up in a frightening plot for revenge. The Skycircus isn’t a normal circus—its a frightening one—filled with acts from both humans and hybrids. Suddenly, Lily is the latest hybrid freak attraction. Held prisoner, she and Robert quickly learn that the people in the circus are horribly mistreated, pitted against each other to fear and distrust one another. “But maybe, just maybe, the circus ring would provide an opportunity for her to speak out, to prove to everyone that humans and hybrids were really no different from each other…” In the Skycircus, the ring masters hold all the cards, and if Lily cannot get everyone to understand that they are all fundamentally the same, if she cannot bring everyone together when it matters the most, they will remain prisoners forever.
This story made my heart so full and left me warm all over. It was my favorite book in the series thus far because it addressed deeper, more mature ideas. The underlying theme throughout was that of equality, an idea each of the previous stories hinted at, but never really dived into. Even though there were differences between each of the characters, like Angelique with her mechanical wings, Dede with her mechanical legs, Luca with his mechanical pincer hands, and Lily with her cogheart, they weren’t the freaks that others believed them to be. By the end, they proved it.
Throughout the story, a dark cloud of mistreatment hangs over the circus performers. Lily and Robert and Malkin worked hard to change that:
“You think you don’t have it so bad because you’re not the ones in here behind bars, like us. But ask yourself this: are you really outside the cage? Or are you trapped too?”
Lily and Robert (with the help of the adorable Malkin) were able to teach the performers in the Skycircus a valuable lesson: taking risks to do what is right matters more than anything else. Moreover, through their forgiveness, they were able to illustrate the power of using failure to learn from one’s mistakes.
“Once you’ve fallen, you pick yourself up and try again. Then you can finally be free.”
Bunzl’s writing is picturesque and succinct. The way he described the Skycircus, along with Lily and Robert’s adventure, sucked me into the pages as if I was truly there in the ring with them, cheering them on through each moment. I’ve really grown to love these characters, especially watching their growth from book to book. It’s an excellent story for people of all ages, but especially for the middle grade audience aimed at. I highly recommend reading the whole series!
A huge thank you to @netgally and @jollyfishpress for allowing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Lily Hartman isn’t normal like other girls. She has a cogheart, a clockwork heart that was used to save her life. This makes her a freak by some people’s beliefs, but she knows that hybrids and humans are all the same, even if others are afraid to accept that. In this installment of the Cogheart series, Lily finally gets the chance to prove that. Nearly a year after her last adventure, she receives a mysterious package on her birthday with her mother’s journal and a ticket for her to attend the Skycircus. She and her friends Robert, Tolly, and Malkin sneak away from Brackenbridge Manor and quickly get tangled up in a frightening plot for revenge. The Skycircus isn’t a normal circus—its a frightening one—filled with acts from both humans and hybrids. Suddenly, Lily is the latest hybrid freak attraction. Held prisoner, she and Robert quickly learn that the people in the circus are horribly mistreated, pitted against each other to fear and distrust one another. “But maybe, just maybe, the circus ring would provide an opportunity for her to speak out, to prove to everyone that humans and hybrids were really no different from each other…” In the Skycircus, the ring masters hold all the cards, and if Lily cannot get everyone to understand that they are all fundamentally the same, if she cannot bring everyone together when it matters the most, they will remain prisoners forever.
This story made my heart so full and left me warm all over. It was my favorite book in the series thus far because it addressed deeper, more mature ideas. The underlying theme throughout was that of equality, an idea each of the previous stories hinted at, but never really dived into. Even though there were differences between each of the characters, like Angelique with her mechanical wings, Dede with her mechanical legs, Luca with his mechanical pincer hands, and Lily with her cogheart, they weren’t the freaks that others believed them to be. By the end, they proved it.
Throughout the story, a dark cloud of mistreatment hangs over the circus performers. Lily and Robert and Malkin worked hard to change that:
“You think you don’t have it so bad because you’re not the ones in here behind bars, like us. But ask yourself this: are you really outside the cage? Or are you trapped too?”
Lily and Robert (with the help of the adorable Malkin) were able to teach the performers in the Skycircus a valuable lesson: taking risks to do what is right matters more than anything else. Moreover, through their forgiveness, they were able to illustrate the power of using failure to learn from one’s mistakes.
“Once you’ve fallen, you pick yourself up and try again. Then you can finally be free.”
Bunzl’s writing is picturesque and succinct. The way he described the Skycircus, along with Lily and Robert’s adventure, sucked me into the pages as if I was truly there in the ring with them, cheering them on through each moment. I’ve really grown to love these characters, especially watching their growth from book to book. It’s an excellent story for people of all ages, but especially for the middle grade audience aimed at. I highly recommend reading the whole series!
A huge thank you to @netgally and @jollyfishpress for allowing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2020
I was really excited to read Skycircus, imagining a big top filled with magical circus performances. Everything from clowns, acrobats, the trapeze and walking the tightrope, maybe even Lily and Robert eating some popcorn and cotton candy. The tag line on the cover also caught my eye, "A Spectacular Showstopper of Trickery and Tightropes." But I must admit the skycircus has a much creepier atmosphere than I expected. Not scary but it is a bit unsettling. The premise begins with the mystery of who sent Lily the message and what exactly they want from her. Once at the circus, there is the initial excitement of the show, but then the reality of what truly is happening is revealed when the audience has left. Our two circus owners, Slimwood and Madame Lyons-Mane play their parts as villains very well, they're cruel and unforgiving. Forcing their animals and circus performers to live in deplorable conditions, always with the threat of harm if they don't toe the line. They separate the hybrids or part human/mechanicals from the remaining circus performers, thus creating a division between the two to keep them under control.
As in previous books, I expected there would be an adventure for Lily, Robert, and Malkin. Yet Skycircus had a much slower pace than its previous books and focused more on conveying the message that differences are just that, differences. That some can be internal versus the external ones of the hybrid circus performers. That one should not judge others. That the choices that we make are important and that we risk being complicit if we don't stand up when we see something wrong. All important messages that took some time to develop in the storyline. The addition of new characters also took up much of the story and I was disappointed when Lily and Robert were separated and had to find a way back together.
Overall, I did enjoy the story and am interested in reading Shadowsea when in releases in the US. Skycircus can be read as a standalone, but I'd recommend starting with Cogheart.
Favorite lines "No one conquers fear easily. It takes practice to reach true heights; a brave heart to win great battles."
*A review copy was provided by Jolly Fish Press in exchange for an honest review.*
As in previous books, I expected there would be an adventure for Lily, Robert, and Malkin. Yet Skycircus had a much slower pace than its previous books and focused more on conveying the message that differences are just that, differences. That some can be internal versus the external ones of the hybrid circus performers. That one should not judge others. That the choices that we make are important and that we risk being complicit if we don't stand up when we see something wrong. All important messages that took some time to develop in the storyline. The addition of new characters also took up much of the story and I was disappointed when Lily and Robert were separated and had to find a way back together.
Overall, I did enjoy the story and am interested in reading Shadowsea when in releases in the US. Skycircus can be read as a standalone, but I'd recommend starting with Cogheart.
Favorite lines "No one conquers fear easily. It takes practice to reach true heights; a brave heart to win great battles."
*A review copy was provided by Jolly Fish Press in exchange for an honest review.*
December 26, 2021
I don't think this was as exciting or as good as any of the other books in the series. Funnily enough it was the book that hooked me into reading the first two - good on it for having a great title and being set in a circus which I think is always a winner. After selecting this book to read and then finding it was book 3, I raced back and read Cogheart and Moonlocket first so this would make sense.
Unfortunately though, it was all a bit of a letdown and while I appreciate it is written for children, with the concepts of mechanics and death and it being a 400+ page story book, I think the audience is advanced enough to deal with some other subtleties and challenges, such as flaws in human nature and character growth.
The trouble with the book is that over the series there is not serious character growth. Lily showed a little more to her character but not so much growth as she reveals a little more than the complete cardboard cut-out she was in Book 1. She is a pretty boring Mary Sue character - the goody goody, the girl with the clockwork heart who will live forever and who wants just what is best for all. The main flaw she has is that her clockwork heart attracts trouble from villains - which she pretty easily gets out of.
Robert experienced a little more growth from the first book as he had to deal with his da's death but since then, not much more to wrangle with and I was hoping to see more. He's fit in nicely and easily.
Malkin is the coolest character. I guess this is to remind us that mechanimals are not just equal to humans, they are more awesome. I would have liked to see more of Mrs Rust as she was great but she fell out of the series.
A circus was a great place to set an adventure but we really needed more intrigue and excitement and a feeling of suspense.
The villains here are very ordinary cartoons, it's like watching finger puppets with Lily and Robert in white and the baddies in black and that's pretty much all you need to know. Just a little too simplistic.
Unfortunately though, it was all a bit of a letdown and while I appreciate it is written for children, with the concepts of mechanics and death and it being a 400+ page story book, I think the audience is advanced enough to deal with some other subtleties and challenges, such as flaws in human nature and character growth.
The trouble with the book is that over the series there is not serious character growth. Lily showed a little more to her character but not so much growth as she reveals a little more than the complete cardboard cut-out she was in Book 1. She is a pretty boring Mary Sue character - the goody goody, the girl with the clockwork heart who will live forever and who wants just what is best for all. The main flaw she has is that her clockwork heart attracts trouble from villains - which she pretty easily gets out of.
Robert experienced a little more growth from the first book as he had to deal with his da's death but since then, not much more to wrangle with and I was hoping to see more. He's fit in nicely and easily.
Malkin is the coolest character. I guess this is to remind us that mechanimals are not just equal to humans, they are more awesome. I would have liked to see more of Mrs Rust as she was great but she fell out of the series.
A circus was a great place to set an adventure but we really needed more intrigue and excitement and a feeling of suspense.
The villains here are very ordinary cartoons, it's like watching finger puppets with Lily and Robert in white and the baddies in black and that's pretty much all you need to know. Just a little too simplistic.
February 11, 2020
The third installment in the Cogheart series is even more adventurous that the first two. In Skycircus, Lily is mysteriously presented with a ticket for her and her friends to get into the exciting travelling Skycircus and maybe even meet Miss Angelique, the girl with wings. Now, any adult would have been suspicious. But on her birthday, Lily was feeling neglected, so off she went with Robert and Malkin. They were sure they could make it home before Papa even missed them.
Of course, the Skycircus is a trap set especially for Lily. And this is where things get a little dark. The main circus attractions are hybrid children. Children who have been used as experimentation subjects and then sold to the circus. Most notably is the headliner, Angelique, the flying girl. But they want Lily to become the new main attraction.
Shall I state the obvious? The circus owners are evil! Lily, Robert and Malkin are not going to make it home before Papa misses them.
As I said, Skycircus is a bit dark, more so that the first two books in the series. We are talking about human experimentation, kidnapping and imprisonment of innocent children. But our adventurers never give up, so you know things are going to be okay in the end. The bad guys will be brought to justice. I can’t say this was my favorite in the series, but I still enjoyed it very much. This adventure, written for middle grade ages, also entertains adults.
Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Of course, the Skycircus is a trap set especially for Lily. And this is where things get a little dark. The main circus attractions are hybrid children. Children who have been used as experimentation subjects and then sold to the circus. Most notably is the headliner, Angelique, the flying girl. But they want Lily to become the new main attraction.
Shall I state the obvious? The circus owners are evil! Lily, Robert and Malkin are not going to make it home before Papa misses them.
As I said, Skycircus is a bit dark, more so that the first two books in the series. We are talking about human experimentation, kidnapping and imprisonment of innocent children. But our adventurers never give up, so you know things are going to be okay in the end. The bad guys will be brought to justice. I can’t say this was my favorite in the series, but I still enjoyed it very much. This adventure, written for middle grade ages, also entertains adults.
Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 5, 2019
❤Skycircus By Peter Bunzl❤
When a travelling skycircus arrives in Brackenbridge, Lily and Robert can’t wait to step aboard… But there’s something sinister about the hybrid children who appear as part of the act. And before Lily and Robert can do anything, they’re captured by shadowy figures and whisked off in the mysterious flying circus to somewhere far, far away…
.
❤I mean, I don't understand how should I sum up this book into words or sentences, it was magical, pure, adventurous yet it was bit confusing. This is the third book in the Cogheart adventure series, though all the three books seem connected but they can be considered as standalone because the adventures in every book have no much connection so if you haven't read the previous ones then also you can pick this one. The book follows a story about this magical circus where the people itself are magical. The best part is, the author is so good at describing each and everything that it will make you feel that you are surrounded by these fictional characters.
.
The book started with a medium pace but it loses it's pace but fortunately gains again. I liked the way how it ended and I am extremely excited to read the next book in the series, though I am not sure when it's gonna come out. The language is good, very minutely detailed. The characters are amazing yet confusing, lala, but true. I definitely enjoyed it and I think everyone should give it a try.
.
Rating: 3.75🌟
When a travelling skycircus arrives in Brackenbridge, Lily and Robert can’t wait to step aboard… But there’s something sinister about the hybrid children who appear as part of the act. And before Lily and Robert can do anything, they’re captured by shadowy figures and whisked off in the mysterious flying circus to somewhere far, far away…
.
❤I mean, I don't understand how should I sum up this book into words or sentences, it was magical, pure, adventurous yet it was bit confusing. This is the third book in the Cogheart adventure series, though all the three books seem connected but they can be considered as standalone because the adventures in every book have no much connection so if you haven't read the previous ones then also you can pick this one. The book follows a story about this magical circus where the people itself are magical. The best part is, the author is so good at describing each and everything that it will make you feel that you are surrounded by these fictional characters.
.
The book started with a medium pace but it loses it's pace but fortunately gains again. I liked the way how it ended and I am extremely excited to read the next book in the series, though I am not sure when it's gonna come out. The language is good, very minutely detailed. The characters are amazing yet confusing, lala, but true. I definitely enjoyed it and I think everyone should give it a try.
.
Rating: 3.75🌟
April 25, 2021
This is the second sequel I've read in this series and my excitement seems to wane with each successive book; nothing reaches the magical heights of Cogheart for me.
I thought that this book might do something interesting with the theme of the Victorian freak show, but no... all we end up with is repeated references to the participants being freaks until the end of the book where they decide to mention the typical 'everyone should be treated the same and be taken on their own merits' kind of sentiment. Throughout, even the word freak remains virtually uncorrected. Apart from the freak show and steampunk airships, I feel like the sense of historical setting is almost entirely gone. The characters have very modern speech and converting that are very advanced for their age.
This feels very much like a bridging book. There's no character development, it feels like our protagonists have just been plonked in another setting solely to have an adventure, which is essentially what has happened. I feel like the soul and difference from the first book is gone and all we're left with is a bit of a hollow sweet; something that readers will enjoy in the moment, but quickly forget. I have the next in the series, but think I'm going to stop with this one, before I forget why I loved Cogheart so much.
I thought that this book might do something interesting with the theme of the Victorian freak show, but no... all we end up with is repeated references to the participants being freaks until the end of the book where they decide to mention the typical 'everyone should be treated the same and be taken on their own merits' kind of sentiment. Throughout, even the word freak remains virtually uncorrected. Apart from the freak show and steampunk airships, I feel like the sense of historical setting is almost entirely gone. The characters have very modern speech and converting that are very advanced for their age.
This feels very much like a bridging book. There's no character development, it feels like our protagonists have just been plonked in another setting solely to have an adventure, which is essentially what has happened. I feel like the soul and difference from the first book is gone and all we're left with is a bit of a hollow sweet; something that readers will enjoy in the moment, but quickly forget. I have the next in the series, but think I'm going to stop with this one, before I forget why I loved Cogheart so much.
May 28, 2020
4,9 / 5
Peter kali ini membuktikan lagi kelihaiannya menulis cerita fiksi, sepertinya ada banyak peningkatan dari teknik dan cara dia menulis, pada buku sebelumnya seperti menaiki mobil dengan solar, perlu pemanasan yang cukup lama sampai akhirnya bisa memahami apa yang dia ingin ceritakan dan mulai menikmatinya
Namun dalam Skycircus ini berbeda, kita langsung dihadapkan dengan cerita yang intens dan cepat, teknik bertuturnya mudah dipahami, lugas dan tepat sasaran, seperti menaiki mobil bermesin Jet. Cepat melesat.
Sangat menegangkan, konflik dibuat memuncak, dan ada beberapa cerita yang berkaitan dengan buku 1 dan 2, degup jantung terus dipacu seiring dengan konflik yang terus naik dari halaman ke halaman berikutnya. Apa lagi yang dicari ketika kau membaca buku fiksi selain imajinasi dalam otakmu yang semakin liar. Bagus sekali Peter.
Lalu ceritanya tentang apa? Lebih baik baca sendiri ya, kurang lebihnya bagaimana Lily dihadapkan dalam situasi yang menjebaknya pada masa lalu, ada kaitan dengan ibunya sehingga dia terperangkap dalam circus jahat bersama Robert dan Malkin
Siapa sangka, disana dia malah menemukan keluarga baru, manusia dan juga hibrida seperti dirinya
Peter kali ini membuktikan lagi kelihaiannya menulis cerita fiksi, sepertinya ada banyak peningkatan dari teknik dan cara dia menulis, pada buku sebelumnya seperti menaiki mobil dengan solar, perlu pemanasan yang cukup lama sampai akhirnya bisa memahami apa yang dia ingin ceritakan dan mulai menikmatinya
Namun dalam Skycircus ini berbeda, kita langsung dihadapkan dengan cerita yang intens dan cepat, teknik bertuturnya mudah dipahami, lugas dan tepat sasaran, seperti menaiki mobil bermesin Jet. Cepat melesat.
Sangat menegangkan, konflik dibuat memuncak, dan ada beberapa cerita yang berkaitan dengan buku 1 dan 2, degup jantung terus dipacu seiring dengan konflik yang terus naik dari halaman ke halaman berikutnya. Apa lagi yang dicari ketika kau membaca buku fiksi selain imajinasi dalam otakmu yang semakin liar. Bagus sekali Peter.
Lalu ceritanya tentang apa? Lebih baik baca sendiri ya, kurang lebihnya bagaimana Lily dihadapkan dalam situasi yang menjebaknya pada masa lalu, ada kaitan dengan ibunya sehingga dia terperangkap dalam circus jahat bersama Robert dan Malkin
Siapa sangka, disana dia malah menemukan keluarga baru, manusia dan juga hibrida seperti dirinya
November 17, 2019
*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
Another great installment of the Cogheart series! I have been a fan of this series since book 1 was glad this book matched the previous two in terms of character, story, and action. Lily and Robert are great characters for young readers to follow and (hopefully) want to emulate. I appreciated that the author continues to examine the loss of Lily's mother and Robert's father - I had concerns in the first book that these topics were too easily set aside. This is a great book to use as a conversation starter about people with disabilities or who may be different from what is considered "normal". I also like that the young characters in this series often have to get themselves out of trouble, but not because the adults are incompetent or do not support them - it gives the message that we have to do things by ourselves sometimes, but that there are always people out there who have our backs if we need them. I look forward to more stories with these characters!
Another great installment of the Cogheart series! I have been a fan of this series since book 1 was glad this book matched the previous two in terms of character, story, and action. Lily and Robert are great characters for young readers to follow and (hopefully) want to emulate. I appreciated that the author continues to examine the loss of Lily's mother and Robert's father - I had concerns in the first book that these topics were too easily set aside. This is a great book to use as a conversation starter about people with disabilities or who may be different from what is considered "normal". I also like that the young characters in this series often have to get themselves out of trouble, but not because the adults are incompetent or do not support them - it gives the message that we have to do things by ourselves sometimes, but that there are always people out there who have our backs if we need them. I look forward to more stories with these characters!
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