Dirt Circus League

by Maree Kimberley

I stumbled towards the Meat House, my body shaking with the violence that raged within me, as the realisation of the mistake I had made in coming here rose to the surface of my mind. This was the last place I should be. That thought was crossed by another, even more terrifying.
This is exactly where I belong.

Asa’s running from a troubled past. To a remote outback town, a disappointing father and a fresh start that’s already souring.

But then the notorious Dirt Circus League arrives. A troupe of outcast teens performing spectacular fight sequences and challenging any who dares to take part.

They’re ruthless. Menacing. Thrilling. And led by the magnetic Quarter. He’s dark, powerful and intensely attractive—and he faces a threat only Asa can see.

Will Asa be drawn into the league’s mysterious community?

And, as she discovers the violent secrets at its heart, will she delve into her own untapped abilities to save herself—and heal those caught in its evil web?

Dirt Circus League is a compelling and fast-paced novel about the powerful allure of danger and the battles we face with our demons in a world beyond our control.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Cults, Family, Australia

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 30, 2021

About the author

Maree (Ree) Kimberley is a writer from Brisbane, Australia. She loves reading, travel, searching for books in second hand stores and everything French.

Her writerly obsessions include weird science, bizarre pets and strange places. She also has a thing for circuses. Maree enjoys combining her obsessions into stories but sometimes she just writes about things that happen.

Maree's genre-busting young adult novel, Dirt Circus League, will be published by Text Publishing in 2021.

Reviews

[Cass Moriarty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strap yourselves in, because DIRT CIRCUS LEAGUE (Text 2021), the debut novel by Maree Kimberley, is quite a ride. This genre-bending story is a violent dystopian fantasy with young adult themes of self-identity and belonging, with an action-packed plot, unusual characters and evil birds. Kimberley has created a strange and unfamiliar scenario set in a familiar world, which only deepens the sense of dislocation and oddness for the reader.
The protagonist, 17-year-old Asa, has run from a troubled past to start a new life in Cairns with her disappointingly uninterested father; his neighbour Karen, an Indigenous woman, shows her kindness and a tough-love attitude and becomes her confidante and the one person who makes her feel safe. But then the infamous Dirt Circus League appears in town. Comprised of a motley gang of outcast teenagers, it first seems to Asa that they are simply a dirty travelling circus, full of petty thieves and scammers performing cheap acrobatic tricks. But the League has a much darker side. Led by the sinister Quarter – mesmerising, chillingly violent, a quiet leader full of menace – the troupe is actually much more ruthless and brutal than Asa realises. Drawn into its thrilling after-hours performances, Asa understands the intensity of this cult-like group who perform spectacular fight scenes and then challenge outsiders to participate, fleecing them of all their money in the process. And the violence is not staged; it is all too real. Quarter is magnetically powerful and attractive and Asa is drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Nothing Karen or anyone can say will persuade her to keep her distance. Soon she is drawn into the dark web of intrigue and violence, she will meet the Surgeon, and she will come to comprehend exactly how dangerous this secretive underworld gang really is, and how far its members are willing to go to fulfil their obsessions.
This is a story about the strange allure of danger, the powerful pull of evil, and how charismatic leaders can entangle themselves into young lives by immersing their charisma into impressionable minds. It depicts a thrillingly perverse world with a sort of Mad Max feeling but set into the ordinary life of teenage Asa. It is about grief, belonging, loyalty, sacrifice, madness, greed, ambition and power. It features characters with unreal powers and abilities. The plot is gripping and page-turning. Kimberley has built a world unimaginable, and yet placed it into the centre of one girl’s (previously) unexceptional experience, with the result that the reader is constantly pulled from the banality of everyday life into a parallel universe where strength, viciousness, passion and force rule.
The opening prologue is like a scene from a mad sci-fi film – the Surgeon performing a live graft from bird to human, and it only gets weirder and more disturbing from there.

[ALPHAreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Release Day!

Yes, yes; this is a book that I represent as literary agent - full disclosure!

And on that ... I actually "discovered" Maree Kimberley's book in-progress via Varuna The Writers House blog back in 2011: Writer-a-Day: Maree Kimberley reading from “Dirt Circus League”

I loved that excerpt so much, and so badly wanted to keep track of this book - that I bookmarked that page and tucked it away, checking in via Google occasionally to see if the book was out yet. Luckily for me, it'd take my becoming an agent in 2016 and reaching out to Maree (who had been busy completing a PhD - no big!) to discover the manuscript was still up for grabs so I could represent Maree, and sell it to Text Publishing...

Because here's the thing; something about this story and the wisps of it I inhaled alllll the way back in 2011, stuck with me. And even more so once I read the whole, finished story. Here was this subversive, genre-pending paranormal and surrealist mash-up set in Far North Queensland, with hints of climate-fiction and Dystopian Disturbia. I could instantly see it as being for fans of Lili Wilkinson, Kelly Link, and Veronica Roth, with some of Maggie Stiefvater’s The Raven Cycle thrown in too.

But it was also wholly unique; about a boy with bird’s eyes, and a girl with second-sight – whose explosive partnership could lead to more than just their own undoing. With themes of belonging, self-acceptance and the links between memory and healing.

The part that really imprinted on me though; was the journey of female protagonist, Asa. Without giving anything away; Maree has written a modern YA heroine in Asa, who totally flips the script on the usual journey and 'Happily Ever After' for female characters in the readership. Re-reading it now, in Australia's current climate of confronting misogyny and the patriarchy - and at the highest levels of Government, no less - it strikes me all over again how important Maree Kimberley's protagonist Asa is, to give readers a different version of how this hero's journey can go for young women ... and where they end up, especially.

I loved Dirt Circus League when I first heard Maree reading an excerpt from it, many moons ago. I so badly wanted it to be a book already, that I could pick up and inhale ... and I'm just so glad that day has finally come!

[Rebecca Hawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ummmmmmm so this book wasn’t really what I expected.... AT ALL! Based on the title and the synopsis, I was expecting a traveling circus troupe up to no good and the main character to become a part of their weird performances or something. That was definitely not the case and I was a little disappointed. I mean don’t get me wrong, I really liked this read in the end, but it wasn’t one that I was expecting. I guess it’s true what they say about assumptions right?

Other than the fact that there was NO CIRCUS, I liked the book. The beginning started out a little rough for me and it took me a minute to immerse myself in this book because I felt that there was no true introduction. The author kind of just threw us into Asa’s world and I was sort of confused on what was going on. We got absolutely no background on the main character so I was sort of taken aback.

I also didn’t much appreciate Asa in the beginning either. She was a little too aggressive for me so it made me just a little apprehensive. However, she really grew on me in the end and I enjoyed watching her evolve into a woman that literally gave everything to help other people. She had courage that I could never have and an attitude of pure bull steel. It was awesome and I ended up really enjoying her and the journey she took me on.

There were a lot of other characters in this book and I enjoyed most of them, but Quarter was not my favorite at all. UGH muscle heads and their bullheadedness was not attractive at all and I was so not on board with this. Their romance was so lame and disjointed from the story and didn’t make sense to me at all. They had some strange connection that was never really explained and Quarter was just not having any of it. I honestly think that this story could have skipped the romance all together and just stuck with paying attention to the bonds and relationships between all the female characters. It was just a great representation of GIRL POWER and I loved that way more than the romance. (I actually never thought I would ever say that, but here we are!

The plot of this book was ABSOLUTELY INSANE and it was such a world wind of creep factor and suspense. There was just so much going on and I wanted to know everything! I was just so engaged with the plot and the characters and the book world that I had to read the book in one sitting because I needed answers!! The mystery behind everything ended up being just a tad predictable, but I just really enjoyed it.
I absolutely LOVED the ending. I was so happy it ended the way that it did and I couldn’t picture it to be any better.

I am so grateful to NetGalley for my ARC copy and can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirt Circus League will always hold a special place in my heart.

I feel a strong connection towards Dirt Circus Leagues’ story, setting and characters, especially Asa and Karen.

It is fun and exciting with the Dirt Circus League, however, it was the deep strength of Asas’ character that I fell in love with. There are so many women out there that can relate and connect to Asas’ background and story. This book is for them - encouraging internal (and physical) strength in young women.

Similarly to Asa, I moved from Brisbane to Far North Queensland and lived with a strong Aboriginal woman. She welcomed me and taught me about connection to Country just as Karen did for Asa. I instantly adored Karens’ character as she reminded me of those beautiful women that hold space and support young women into blossoming and becoming their true selves.

The description and understanding of the landscape in Far North Queensland made it easy to visualise. It reminded me of all the places I explored living in FNQ and was spot on!

I recommend this book for Young Adults who want to read about strong women, community and connection to the land whilst having a kick ass time!

Congratulations to Maree Kimberley, my amazing and talented Mum! I know first hand the hard work, dedication and thorough research that has gone into this book. I have never felt so proud whilst reading Dirt Circus League and I know that you have thought hard about every little detail and it works perfectly. Thank you Text Publishing for also believing in Maree and making her dream come true!

[Alaina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I first saw this, I thought the title was pretty interesting. Then I read the synopsis and I was just had to request it. However, once I dove into Dirt Circus League my opinion was quickly changing.

I'm not going to lie. I was confused for most of this book. It didn't take long for that to really happen because the characters were very frustrating for me. There was zero connection and I didn't really like anyone BUT Karen. She was like the only normal person in this entire book. Everyone else was bonkers.

Other than that, the things that were said by everyone is this weird cult just blew my mind. Again, I was frustrated. I definitely came to the conclusion that they all need to take a sex ed class and stat. Seriously, it needs to happen because wow - just wow.

In the end, I was really surprised by anything or shocked. At one point, you kind of just sit back and think of how this is going to end and realize it is pretty predictable. I'm just going to say that I'm glad that it's over and I'm free to go watch paint dry now.

[Namera [The Literary Invertebrate] · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was massively looking forward to this one, because in my experience Australian YA books are usually excellent. I go in for the contemporaries, and they always have a certain grit and vividness I just don't get from the oversaturated American YA market.

But this particular book was shite. The writing is flatter than Flat Stanley, characters are about as interesting as paper, and the plot makes less sense the more you think about it.

[Text Publishing]

The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing – publisher of Dirt Circus League

‘A gripping and intense genre-bender that doesn’t pull punches.'
Sarah Epstein, author of Small Spaces

‘[Dirt Circus League] depicts a thrillingly perverse world with a sort of Mad Max feeling but set into the ordinary life of teenage Asa...The plot is gripping and page-turning. Kimberley has built a world unimaginable, and yet placed it into the centre of one girl’s (previously) unexceptional experience, with the result that the reader is constantly pulled from the banality of everyday life into a parallel universe where strength, viciousness, passion and force rule.’
Cass Moriarty

'A fascinating mixture of thriller, coming of age and climate change activism...a gripping and unique story.'
ReadPlus

‘Recommended...to YA readers who love a courageous heroine and a fast-paced, thrilling read’
CBCA Reading Time

[Jenni Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an incredible read.
Interesting, engaging, so different from your average YA novels.
I could not put it down and had to finish the book in one sitting.
I was really drawn to Asa the main character who is so courageous and has inspired me to be more so in my life.
I would highly recommend this book

[Kahlia · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I have to admit that I’ve mostly grown out of YA these days, there will always a be special place in my heart for Aussie YA, due to a combination of nostalgia and the fact that Australian YA authors routinely hit it out of the park with stories that are uniquely relatable. Throw in some paranormal elements and I expected to love this book, but sadly it wasn’t the case.

Dirt Circus League follows Asa, who has recently moved to north Queensland from Brisbane, in search of a fresh start. We quickly learn that Asa has had a rough childhood and constantly been let down by those who are meant to care for her, and she has problems trusting others as a result. It’s a classic YA premise that typically works well, but that was where my troubles began with this book. Asa (and the other side characters) had no consistent personality and simply did whatever was necessary to advance the plot. One minute, Asa is deeply suspicious of everyone, the next, she’s throwing herself in with a crazy cult without a second thought. Characters fight and then fall in love in the space between one breath and the next.

I also struggled with the plot itself: frankly, there was way too much happening in Dirt Circus League and none of it came together in a cohesive fashion. The synopsis focuses on the fighting element, but that’s only a small part of this story. This is also an eco-thriller of sorts, about a group of teenagers who worship Gaia and are dedicated to protecting the earth, only Asa sorts learns that their devotion to Gaia has led to a cult-like community which takes ritual sacrifice very seriously. Oh, and there’s a Lovecraftian horror sub-plot involving a creepy surgeon (the only adult in the community) who conducts scientific experiments on the teens, including attempts to develop human-animal hybrids. None of this is built upon or explained in enough detail to make sense of why these things are happening, and it all feels very incongruous when stuck together.

There were a few things I liked about Dirt Circus League: one is where Asa finds herself at the end of the story (which I won’t spoil except to say I found it refreshing for YA fiction), and the other is the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ connection to country in Far North Queensland. But, unfortunately, I can’t say I enjoyed this book or that I would recommend it to others.

Note: I received an ARC from Text Publishing. Dirt Circus League will be released on 30 March 2021.

[Bear Reads Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Asa does not feel like she fits in anywhere, until she see the Dirt Circus League, a troop of outlaw teens that know how to fight for survival, just like her. Upon joining their community Asa quickly realises that something is not quite right, and she is determined to find out more.
This story is fast paced and exciting, but does not fit neatly into a particular genre. It seems like a near future reality landscape, but also hints at elements of Fantasy. Asa, the main character is very well constructed, and it is her experiences that drive this story forward and kept me reading throughout.
The tension and excitement is akin to a mix of Mad Max, Divergent and Fight Club, all in a sanitised YA mould.
I really wanted more detail in the setting of Far North Queensland, which to most readers would be completely foreign and wholly mystical, in keeping with the groups devotion to Gaia,.and feel that it could have added to the story.
I also really wanted more of Asa's abilities, which came to the fore at the right time, but remained under-explained.
Still a great thrill-ride of a novel that packs a lot of punch into the story.

[Trisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Gaia, we worship you," they said in unison."

This book has a gorgeous eye-catching cover that I love. But the story was just not my jam.
I didn't mind the 'lord of the flies' type feel of the League. Their fighting and means of survival were interesting and I liked the Memory Temple.

But this story lost me along the lines of the eyes and really lost me with the whole intuitive line. Both of those inserted into the story just made it all feel jumbled. Was this fantasy? Was this supposed to be realistic? I kept waiting for the story to expand on either one and instead there was just a lot of puking (honestly, so much puking) and scissors. . . I thought Asa was an okay character and I wasn't impressed with Quarter. This one just didn't work for me.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[Reading_seas0n · Rating 1 out of 5]

I believe there was supposed to be the Island of Doctor Moreau meets Environmentally group turned cult vibes to this book, but it was in my own opinion a trainwreck.
The story seemed all over the place, the writing confused me way too much, and the characters' actions were so bizarre or didn't fit with who the character was.
I wanted to DNF, but I forced myself to finish.

[Tien · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such an eye-catching cover! That bright pink on background of pure black with title in eye-popping neon yellow; overall, one of the best covers I've ever seen. And when you add the word 'circus' to the title, I'm a goner. I have to read this book!

Going by the book description, this book could be contemporary or it could be fantasy. Truthfully, I'm finding it hard to place this book in a certain category but I think I'd actually place it as magical realism which is a bit hit and miss for me so unfortunately, this book was closer to a miss.

The setting is a fictional outback town of Australia (possibly in QLD) and it is set in the present time. Asa, the protagonist, is running away from a mother who does not care for her but also of her grief and anger at losing her grandmother who loved her. She came across the Dirt Circus League, became fascinated by the violence, and decided that it may be a good space for her and her anger. What she found at their headquarters, however, was beyond even her imagining and Asa had to decide whether to give in to her anger or accept herself and become better.

As you'd know, magical realism is usually full of strange and at times, wonderful things. In this novel, though, it mostly strange, violent, and more violence. Language wise, I found the novel easy to read and Asa is a pretty easy protag to like despite her anger issues but yet, that's understandable and she came out strong in the end. I just couldn't appreciate all the imagery so this is all on me.

Thank you Text Publishing via Netgalley for the e-copy of this book in exchange of my honest thoughts

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I wanted more.

[Nektaria · Rating 2 out of 5]

*I received an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley (thank you so much) in exchange for an honest review*

I started this book with so much hype, considering how interesting the premise of this book sounded. Asa, a girl facing hardships in her everyday family life, seeks escape at the intriguing "Dirt Circus League", a group living secluded from the rest of the town, warshipping Gaia and having a very unique lifestyle. Oh and there's a high chance they're a dangerous cult and Asa is in trouble! I mean sounds great and the good kind of weird, right? Plus, such a cool cover!

However, I ended up feeling very disappointed with the execution. The whole structure of the Dirt Circus League was explained quite well, but, apart from that, I felt like things were happening very hastily and the actions of the characters were very chaotic and left without explanation. Like, Asa kept mentioning how she feels like she belongs with the warshippers of Gaia, without actually giving any reason or giving an example of her enjoying her time at the League. It's almost as if I'm left to think that it was only because of her crushing over the League's leader, Quarter, considering how boycrazy she's being over him throughout the story even though she knows nothing about him and they never really communicate.
Also, a lot of other things also seem to be quite contradicting each other. Like, the protagonist either being able to sense a bunch of things because of her gift, as we later learn, which is also left with no explanation but being too naive to understand the creepy things happening at the League, which didn't make sense in character.

All in all, I feel like this book was trying to do a lot of different things at once, hastily and without much cohesion and didn't offer such a good execution.

[Ki.Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirt Circus League is a strange, jarring, unforgettable story! I loved the unusual setting in Far North Queensland (Australia), and the mix of realism, fantasy and science fiction.

The protagonist is compelling, tough, impulsive, stubborn and has a streak of violence that drives her to join a bizarre nature-worshiping cult of teenagers. Her search for acceptance and belonging instead leads her into a scary world of power struggles, sacrifice, experimentation, and grief - but many of the characters in the League are also proud, kind and flawed but relatable.

The story feels like a solid portrayal of initiation into a cult-like group; where vulnerable people can be powerfully influenced by charismatic leaders, strict rules, ceremonies and punishments. Asa's confusion, curiosity, longing, and moral sense drive her in different ways - at times she aligns with and then works against the other Dirt Circus League members. The book moves at a quick pace, and I was keen to find out what her final choices would be!

It's a great book if you're looking for something unusual, different and with a uniquely Australian humour and feel.

[Tracey Vince · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was lucky to receive a netgalley arc of Dirt Circus League by Maree Kimberley which is a young adult something and this is my main problem with the book.

Reading through it I was trying to sub categorise it and I could not as it literally was all over the place from magical realism, horror and dystopian and I really wished the author stuck to one.

I found the characters like Asa annoying and her reaction to jump on a bus with complete strangers was a bit out there just because the leader was a hottie. The only decent character of the whole book was Karen I would of actually liked to of seen more of her. The other saving grace were the descriptions of the barracks and the meat house that actually got an extra star rating. I even found Surgeon a bit over the top and could not take their character serious enough I honestly did not see what her purpose was in the story. For all these reasons I gave Dirt Circus League 2 stars

[Liz Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asa is impulsive, landing her in an environment without parental guidance. Teenagers and children need boundaries and, in the absence of adults, they rely upon Gaia’s philosophy for living. Not surprisingly, decisions made by members of the Dirt Circus League reflect a teenagers desire for independence and agency. Violence is not only used for conflict resolution but is practiced with discipline and reverence.

The author ensures the Asa’s journey remains compelling, the reader learning about her past progressively throughout the story to inform the character she becomes.

Similar to Whisper (by Lynette Noni), the story features supernatural abilities, violence, and feeling like an outsider in a new surroundings. However, the greatest battle fought is Asa’s internal fight to accept who she is and being true to her core values.

[Rennai · Rating 2 out of 5]

I almost didn't finish this book (not finishing a book is almost unheard of for me). At times I felt absorbed but in general, I found most of the characters inconsistent or unbelievable.
It's the story of Asa who seems to be addicted to the adrenaline fighting or violence gives her. She has moved up north to live with her father (who falls very short of being a good dad). She is befriended by a neighbour who takes on a nurturing role. A "league" of kids comes to town to perform and Asa is drawn to the secretive "fight club" they have. She runs away to be with them and discovers it is a - spoiler here... cult. All that sounds okay but there was too much that was implausible (for me).

[Lydia Timpson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up at 45%.
The story began ok and I was getting in to the rhythm but Asa's decision to join the circus came from nowhere. Her constant reiteration that she 'felt she belonged' made no sense and it wasn't shown, merely vocalised.
The surgery and violence and cult-like behaviour would have had any sane person running for the hills but Asa blindly followed a thug because he was hot?
And the vision thing came out of nowhere.
It was disjointed and violent for no real reason and I couldn't suspend belief enough for it to make sense.

[TBHONEST · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dirt Circus League is a strange book. It transcends genres, and much like its main character doesn't fit anywhere and is a bit confused.
It's a quirky read that you will either jell with or struggle to finish and understand just what the author was trying to achieve, If you can, perceiver and get to the end as it's worth it.

[Kisha · Rating 1 out of 5]

DIRT CIRCUS LEAGUE: ⭐️
I really didn’t like this book. It felt disjointed and felt too realistic to be fantasy and too fantastical to be realistic. Good idea that needed a better editor.

NOTE: I was provided an arc in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Netgalley!

[Michelle Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! It was scary and fast paced. Great suspense for Young Adult. Great descriptive writing that puts you in the space of the characters. Great morals and values shown by the main character Asa.

[Copper Chloride Kid · Rating 4 out of 5]

An impressive debut! Fight Club meets Lord Of The Flies. The main protagonist is well developed, and there are plenty of sympathetic characters. The male anti-hero is an intriguing character and I feel his story arc wasn't rounded off sufficiently. But that might just set up a compelling sequel.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling, scary and hard to put down.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the setting of the story and the strength of the main character. I think the book portrays the journey of a troubled teen well with a suitable sprinkling of weird! Congrats Maree this was fun.

[Michella Mcintosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5. Little predicable, very crazy bunch of characters. Lord of the flies, fight club & divergent mixed together.
Lots going on, Bizarre nature worshipping and preaching was painful.

[Caitlyn Fisher]

YA CBCA Notables 2022 CRF with odd fantasy element violence cult

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very original idea and I enjoyed the setting.

[Jaq · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast and furious pace, I really could not put this one down.