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The Chaos Circus
All Tessa LaRoche wants is to be the most ordinary person on Barrow Island. After a stint in a mental asylum, she's had quite enough of being anything else, thank you very much. But when a commission at her new reporting job forces her into the path of a not-quite-human murder suspect, Tessa finds that the unordinary is not through with her yet. Spirited away by a devilishly charming Nicolai to the Mirror Lands— a parallel reality manipulated by the immortal Deathless— Tessa loses one of the most precious tethers to her sanity. In order to reclaim it, she must risk entering The Chaos a citywide fair where mortals trade years for prizes in vicious attractions from which the Deathless draw their power. But there's a if Tessa can't defeat the Deathless at their own freakish carnival games, she will lose her mind...and Nicolai will lose his life. Forced to rely on one another despite the secrets that come between them, Tessa and Nicolai embark on a dangerous adventure through the deceptively beautiful life of the Circus, where little is as it seems—even the games, their pasts, and the strange whirlwind of memories that Tessa can no longer recall.
289 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2019
7 people are currently reading
722 people want to read
About the author
Renee Dugan
16 books177 followersRenee Dugan is an Indiana-based fantasy author who grew up reading fantasy books, chasing stray cats, and writing stories full of dashing heroes and evil masterminds.
Now with over a decade of professional editing, administrative work, and writing every spare second under her belt, she has authored THE CHAOS CIRCUS, a portal fantasy novel, and THE STARCHASER SAGA, an epic high fantasy series.
Living with her husband, son, and not-so-stray cats in the magical Midwest, she continues to explore new worlds and spends her time in this one encouraging and helping other writers on their journey to fulfilling their dreams.
Now with over a decade of professional editing, administrative work, and writing every spare second under her belt, she has authored THE CHAOS CIRCUS, a portal fantasy novel, and THE STARCHASER SAGA, an epic high fantasy series.
Living with her husband, son, and not-so-stray cats in the magical Midwest, she continues to explore new worlds and spends her time in this one encouraging and helping other writers on their journey to fulfilling their dreams.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
December 18, 2023
(3.5/5*) “Unordinary can become boring. But you, Tessa… You are extraordinary, and that never tires. It never becomes plain again. It is unforgettable.” Renee Dugan, ‘The Chaos Circus’
Physically I’m here, typing this review, but mentally and spiritually I’m wandering the Chaos Circus in search for my own Nicolai! I just… Ahhh! @reneeduganwriting’s debut was, and here I’m quoting her own words, “a mad adventure”, and I just can’t stop picking up my copy time and time again to revisit my favourite scenes!
Whimsical, mysterious, and dreamlike, ‘The Chaos Circus’ introduces us to Miss Tessa LaRoche, a young woman trying to be ordinary enough to avoid being put in the Splendor House mental asylum she barely managed to get discharged of. But her hopes of “remaining normal” wither away when the necklace that tethers her to sanity is stolen by a mysterious, and not quite human, stranger. To get it back, Tessa will have to cross into the Mirror Lands, ruled by the powerful Deathless, and participate in five wild and lethal trials set in the unruly place known as the Chaos Circus. On her side is Nicolai, a mysterious, charming Deathless whose life, too, is at a stake… Just as Tessa’s, if the secrets between her and Nicolai outweigh their need to hold onto each other to survive.
Fans of ‘Caraval’ and ‘The Night Circus’ are bound to fall in love with ‘The Chaos Circus’. Led by Tessa, one of the most relatable main characters I’ve ever read about, this book is a wild ride that takes us from trial to trial in a whirlwind of colourful descriptions, exquisite worldbuilding, and lavish character building. Although Nikolai Lantsov may have been a tad responsible for my infatuation with Renee’s character, he soon enough became able to stand his ground all by himself as one of my favourite male characters ever. Both he and Tessa are complex, three-dimensional characters, each with their own motivations, fears, vices and virtues. I suspect that one of Renee’s strengths as a writer is, precisely, the character building, because I couldn’t find a single one that didn’t feel real to the point of blurrying the line between the ink and the blood, between paper and flesh.
I also couldn’t find a single sentence in which I wasn’t swept away by Renee’s lovely quill. Although this is her debut, it feels like a tale weaved by an expert storyteller who has decades in the guild behind them! I really can’t wait to keep reading Renee’s stories. If this was her first, I just can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that later works will be EVEN better!
My only complaint is... RENEE, HOW COULD YOU! THAT ENDING, OH DEAREST LORD!!! Now I'll have to spend the rest of my days crying over Nicolai and Tessa as I figure out 30948203948 ways in which their story could go on beyond the last page of TCC. But this book is well worth that sacrifice! Do not hesitate to pick it up!
Physically I’m here, typing this review, but mentally and spiritually I’m wandering the Chaos Circus in search for my own Nicolai! I just… Ahhh! @reneeduganwriting’s debut was, and here I’m quoting her own words, “a mad adventure”, and I just can’t stop picking up my copy time and time again to revisit my favourite scenes!
Whimsical, mysterious, and dreamlike, ‘The Chaos Circus’ introduces us to Miss Tessa LaRoche, a young woman trying to be ordinary enough to avoid being put in the Splendor House mental asylum she barely managed to get discharged of. But her hopes of “remaining normal” wither away when the necklace that tethers her to sanity is stolen by a mysterious, and not quite human, stranger. To get it back, Tessa will have to cross into the Mirror Lands, ruled by the powerful Deathless, and participate in five wild and lethal trials set in the unruly place known as the Chaos Circus. On her side is Nicolai, a mysterious, charming Deathless whose life, too, is at a stake… Just as Tessa’s, if the secrets between her and Nicolai outweigh their need to hold onto each other to survive.
Fans of ‘Caraval’ and ‘The Night Circus’ are bound to fall in love with ‘The Chaos Circus’. Led by Tessa, one of the most relatable main characters I’ve ever read about, this book is a wild ride that takes us from trial to trial in a whirlwind of colourful descriptions, exquisite worldbuilding, and lavish character building. Although Nikolai Lantsov may have been a tad responsible for my infatuation with Renee’s character, he soon enough became able to stand his ground all by himself as one of my favourite male characters ever. Both he and Tessa are complex, three-dimensional characters, each with their own motivations, fears, vices and virtues. I suspect that one of Renee’s strengths as a writer is, precisely, the character building, because I couldn’t find a single one that didn’t feel real to the point of blurrying the line between the ink and the blood, between paper and flesh.
I also couldn’t find a single sentence in which I wasn’t swept away by Renee’s lovely quill. Although this is her debut, it feels like a tale weaved by an expert storyteller who has decades in the guild behind them! I really can’t wait to keep reading Renee’s stories. If this was her first, I just can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that later works will be EVEN better!
My only complaint is... RENEE, HOW COULD YOU! THAT ENDING, OH DEAREST LORD!!! Now I'll have to spend the rest of my days crying over Nicolai and Tessa as I figure out 30948203948 ways in which their story could go on beyond the last page of TCC. But this book is well worth that sacrifice! Do not hesitate to pick it up!
November 26, 2021
ok the plot was so hectic there was never a single boring moment, and the imagery and worldbuilding of the novel is insanely immersive. the last quarter of the book also left me gobsmacked the entire time, and all the plot twists worked pretty well because of how unreliable tessa was - her issues with her sanity and memory made me constantly second guess what was happening.
however, the plot felt a bit too much like caraval. i know they're both circus books but the whole playing of games, solving riddles, going through insane trials to win, was just extremely similar. also, the ending?! absolutely hated it. . anyway, still would recommend if you're in the mood for something wild and fastpaced.
however, the plot felt a bit too much like caraval. i know they're both circus books but the whole playing of games, solving riddles, going through insane trials to win, was just extremely similar. also, the ending?! absolutely hated it. . anyway, still would recommend if you're in the mood for something wild and fastpaced.
September 3, 2020
If there were six stars, I'd give them. My jaw is still in the process of being picked up from the floor. The Chaos Circus takes you on one hell of a ride, and by the end of it, is dragging you through a dazzling show of jaw dropping moments, twists and turns and surprises. I'm so glad I picked up this book, and immediately Renee Dugan becomes an author whose work I will always want to read.
September 17, 2021
How do you review a book when you're speechless after finish it? Stringing sentences together right now is hard.
I was gonna give this 4 stars. The whole book I thought, this is good, but I'm missing a little something. Then I got to the ending and that something was shoved in my face and punched me in the gut and cut my vocal cords. So now I can't review this properly because my throat is raw from internal screaming.
Just read it. I mean. Yeah. That's it. I can't remember how to speak.
I feel like I predicted every single turn of this story and was still surprised by each of them. If that's even possible.
I need more. But I don't. But I do.
I was gonna give this 4 stars. The whole book I thought, this is good, but I'm missing a little something. Then I got to the ending and that something was shoved in my face and punched me in the gut and cut my vocal cords. So now I can't review this properly because my throat is raw from internal screaming.
Just read it. I mean. Yeah. That's it. I can't remember how to speak.
I feel like I predicted every single turn of this story and was still surprised by each of them. If that's even possible.
I need more. But I don't. But I do.
November 28, 2021
4.5 rounded up to a 5. Holy poop this was so good!!! The only reason I knocked off half a star is because I wanted more! At only 200 pages this had room to grow and give us more world building and background on the characters.
But wow wow wow I couldn't stop thinking about this book every time I put it down. The plot line was exquisite! And the ending...ugh I loved it. I will definitely be adding this authors other books to my list!!
But wow wow wow I couldn't stop thinking about this book every time I put it down. The plot line was exquisite! And the ending...ugh I loved it. I will definitely be adding this authors other books to my list!!
November 22, 2020
*takes a deep breath* I adore this book.
It’s a five star. And that’s a rare praise from me!
This is such a well crafted and immersive story. The last book I read in one sitting was The Thief series. (Those are amazing btw). I read this book in under four hours.
The characters are amazing. I loathed the ones that I should dislike and I adored the ones I should love.
Tessa and Nicolai are such sweethearts and yet they aren’t bland. (A problem you can find in a sweetie character.) Tessa has issues *gasp* and Nicolai has secrets *double gasp* . They are fully realized people and I love them.
Like a lot.
.
.
The tropes used in this story are favorites of mine!! (Which helped in my enjoyment I’m sure 😂.) one of the main ones is an Amnesiac MC! (We Stan a confused mc who is just doing their best)
There’s a few branches of Fae and there’s dimension travel (ishhh)—
Other tropes are too spoilery to talk about but just know they are great.
.
.
I said before that the story is immersive. And I stand by that. I wanted to eat the food. I felt Tessas emotions crawl over my own. My heart thundered during some scenes and I nearly cried and swooned during others.
.
.
There is a handful of swear words/cursing in this novel so if you are sensitive/don’t care to read that then be warned. (Only the D and B word I believe. And not very often.)
(The swearing was going to affect my rating but it was so good that it nullified the negative points.)
.
.
All in all this is an amazing story. You waste zero time and money by purchasing it/reading it.
It’s a five star. And that’s a rare praise from me!
This is such a well crafted and immersive story. The last book I read in one sitting was The Thief series. (Those are amazing btw). I read this book in under four hours.
The characters are amazing. I loathed the ones that I should dislike and I adored the ones I should love.
Tessa and Nicolai are such sweethearts and yet they aren’t bland. (A problem you can find in a sweetie character.) Tessa has issues *gasp* and Nicolai has secrets *double gasp* . They are fully realized people and I love them.
Like a lot.
.
.
The tropes used in this story are favorites of mine!! (Which helped in my enjoyment I’m sure 😂.) one of the main ones is an Amnesiac MC! (We Stan a confused mc who is just doing their best)
There’s a few branches of Fae and there’s dimension travel (ishhh)—
Other tropes are too spoilery to talk about but just know they are great.
.
.
I said before that the story is immersive. And I stand by that. I wanted to eat the food. I felt Tessas emotions crawl over my own. My heart thundered during some scenes and I nearly cried and swooned during others.
.
.
There is a handful of swear words/cursing in this novel so if you are sensitive/don’t care to read that then be warned. (Only the D and B word I believe. And not very often.)
(The swearing was going to affect my rating but it was so good that it nullified the negative points.)
.
.
All in all this is an amazing story. You waste zero time and money by purchasing it/reading it.
November 12, 2020
A book to excite your senses, the characters and the setting will worm their way into your heart. The layered storytelling style when paired with the adventurous plot made this book one of my favourites. Totally recommended for the lovers of magic, adventure and mystery.
The author wrote with such creativity, the exemplary use of riddles and fun obstacles in the trials were an added bonus. I would have loved to solve some, but Alas! I did enjoy reading the characters working their way through the events. There were a few places were I felt a lag in the details yet the spark of entertainment didn't die down. I couldn't even explain everything without giving any spoilers!
The enchanting play of words with vivid imagery creates for a refreshing read. The troupe for friends to lovers was one to look forward to. A fantastic book with an extraordinary story to tell!
The author wrote with such creativity, the exemplary use of riddles and fun obstacles in the trials were an added bonus. I would have loved to solve some, but Alas! I did enjoy reading the characters working their way through the events. There were a few places were I felt a lag in the details yet the spark of entertainment didn't die down. I couldn't even explain everything without giving any spoilers!
The enchanting play of words with vivid imagery creates for a refreshing read. The troupe for friends to lovers was one to look forward to. A fantastic book with an extraordinary story to tell!
December 2, 2020
I received a free copy of this book as a reviewer for phase one of SPFBO 6.
Tessa LaRoche doesn’t remember much from before her stay at a mental asylum, but she does know that she wants nothing more than to be normal. Unfortunately, it seems the world has other plans. In an unlikely turn of events, she finds herself chasing a murder suspect, Nicolai, into the Mirror Lands. Here they enter the citywide Chaos Circus where the Deathless feed off the ignorance of human tourists. In order to retrieve her most precious possession, she must attempt to beat the Deathless at their own games through winning five trials with Nicolai as her guide. Along the way, she uncovers her surprising past which helps her realize that being ordinary isn’t all it’s made out to be.
The Chaos Circus features two of my favorite tropes, memory loss and parallel worlds, and so seemed like a great place to start with my SPFBO 6 books. Even so, I wasn’t sure quite what to expect—these tropes can just as easily lead to frustrating confusion as to an engaging story. In this case, however, I was delighted that they were both handled well. Tessa’s memory loss adds a mystery to the story that we get to uncover alongside her, without muddling the rest of the plot. The parallel world of the Mirror Lands is a vibrant setting that works perfectly as the backdrop of this tale.
To maintain her sanity, Tessa must pass five trials at the Chaos Circus. At first, I was worried this would turn out to be formulaic and repetitive. Instead, these trials were remarkably unpredictable and furthered the story by inspiring Tessa’s personal growth and self-acceptance. I was never bored by the trials, and I rarely, if ever, solved them before Tessa did.
The Chaos Circus also has a significant focus on romance. It’s a slow burn distrust to friends to lovers that I found pleasing, though a bit cliché. This might be a good time to note that I found all of the characters in this novel to be distinct and memorable even though we only encountered many of them once or twice.
One pet peeve of mine, which The Chaos Circus unfortunately falls into, is a poor representation of mental health institutions. Of course, this is a fictional world, and there’s no reason that the mental asylum Tessa was committed to should be perfect, but it still rubs me the wrong way to see mental health professionals portrayed as the bad guys. However, this is a small complaint, and it didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the story except perhaps in one scene.
I have the feeling that people are either going to love or hate the ending of The Chaos Circus. For me, it was a bit of both. Regardless of my personal feelings, the ending was obviously very well planned. It doesn’t come out of left field, but it is likely to leave some readers dissatisfied. (Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing! It’s a great way to make your novel memorable.)
The Chaos Circus was a refreshing read. It’s not the perfect novel, but it is one that arrested my attention and affection. You can tell this is a story that’s personal to Dugan, and I’m happy to have had the pleasure of reading it.
Visit my blog for more reviews!
Tessa LaRoche doesn’t remember much from before her stay at a mental asylum, but she does know that she wants nothing more than to be normal. Unfortunately, it seems the world has other plans. In an unlikely turn of events, she finds herself chasing a murder suspect, Nicolai, into the Mirror Lands. Here they enter the citywide Chaos Circus where the Deathless feed off the ignorance of human tourists. In order to retrieve her most precious possession, she must attempt to beat the Deathless at their own games through winning five trials with Nicolai as her guide. Along the way, she uncovers her surprising past which helps her realize that being ordinary isn’t all it’s made out to be.
The Chaos Circus features two of my favorite tropes, memory loss and parallel worlds, and so seemed like a great place to start with my SPFBO 6 books. Even so, I wasn’t sure quite what to expect—these tropes can just as easily lead to frustrating confusion as to an engaging story. In this case, however, I was delighted that they were both handled well. Tessa’s memory loss adds a mystery to the story that we get to uncover alongside her, without muddling the rest of the plot. The parallel world of the Mirror Lands is a vibrant setting that works perfectly as the backdrop of this tale.
To maintain her sanity, Tessa must pass five trials at the Chaos Circus. At first, I was worried this would turn out to be formulaic and repetitive. Instead, these trials were remarkably unpredictable and furthered the story by inspiring Tessa’s personal growth and self-acceptance. I was never bored by the trials, and I rarely, if ever, solved them before Tessa did.
The Chaos Circus also has a significant focus on romance. It’s a slow burn distrust to friends to lovers that I found pleasing, though a bit cliché. This might be a good time to note that I found all of the characters in this novel to be distinct and memorable even though we only encountered many of them once or twice.
One pet peeve of mine, which The Chaos Circus unfortunately falls into, is a poor representation of mental health institutions. Of course, this is a fictional world, and there’s no reason that the mental asylum Tessa was committed to should be perfect, but it still rubs me the wrong way to see mental health professionals portrayed as the bad guys. However, this is a small complaint, and it didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the story except perhaps in one scene.
I have the feeling that people are either going to love or hate the ending of The Chaos Circus. For me, it was a bit of both. Regardless of my personal feelings, the ending was obviously very well planned. It doesn’t come out of left field, but it is likely to leave some readers dissatisfied. (Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing! It’s a great way to make your novel memorable.)
The Chaos Circus was a refreshing read. It’s not the perfect novel, but it is one that arrested my attention and affection. You can tell this is a story that’s personal to Dugan, and I’m happy to have had the pleasure of reading it.
Visit my blog for more reviews!
October 1, 2020
THE CHAOS CIRCUS isn't my typical cup of tea, and so I was hesitant to pick it up. I'm a big fantasy reader so I tend to gravitate towards the more "dragons and swords" kind of stuff, but this year I decided to follow closely with SPFBO 6 and I stumbled across this title.
On top of this being a bit outside my area of fantasy, I also tend to groan at any book with YA tropes, and towards the beginning of this book I was starting to see them emerge, but despite my reluctant nature I kept on reading. I already spent the money after all. A timid, nondescript lonely young girl POV stumbles across a dashing yet snarky man and feels immediately a confusing infatuation? I mean...come on...
BUT! I am so glad I kept reading onward. As the world began to unravel I realized that there was so much more going on, and the characters were MUCH deeper than I had imagined. A far-cry from the painful stereotypes I thought it might have been. The trials turned out to be very clever, each aspect of the Circus was another winding path all leading towards a grand meeting, with an extremely tense and impactful ending.
After finishing the last page I was so glad to have stumbled across this gem, it blew my expectations out of the water. The story had a clear and meaningful moral that left me thinking about myself and the world I live in, and that's truly the mark of a good story.
Okay, so I'm not the best at writing reviews, and it's hard for me to express how thoughtful this book is without giving away spoilers, so if you want to know how it holds up, I recommend you read this book! After all, it isn't that long, so what do you have to lose?
On top of this being a bit outside my area of fantasy, I also tend to groan at any book with YA tropes, and towards the beginning of this book I was starting to see them emerge, but despite my reluctant nature I kept on reading. I already spent the money after all. A timid, nondescript lonely young girl POV stumbles across a dashing yet snarky man and feels immediately a confusing infatuation? I mean...come on...
BUT! I am so glad I kept reading onward. As the world began to unravel I realized that there was so much more going on, and the characters were MUCH deeper than I had imagined. A far-cry from the painful stereotypes I thought it might have been. The trials turned out to be very clever, each aspect of the Circus was another winding path all leading towards a grand meeting, with an extremely tense and impactful ending.
After finishing the last page I was so glad to have stumbled across this gem, it blew my expectations out of the water. The story had a clear and meaningful moral that left me thinking about myself and the world I live in, and that's truly the mark of a good story.
Okay, so I'm not the best at writing reviews, and it's hard for me to express how thoughtful this book is without giving away spoilers, so if you want to know how it holds up, I recommend you read this book! After all, it isn't that long, so what do you have to lose?
November 22, 2020
A SPFBO6 entrant and semifinalist, this NA novel is short but packed with a highly imagined world, memorable characters, and some delightful twists. I enjoyed the story from the start to the end and I voraciously read it through in one afternoon.
The Chaos Circus is packed with delightful, odd, dangerous characters, and fast pacing from the start to the finish. There aren’t many places in the book to catch your breath between events.
A very entertaining read for both adults and NA audiences. If you love a setting of wild magical lands, rifts into the mortal world, and an unlikely protagonist that refuses to give up, you’ll find this novel is a fun and fast paced read with just enough frightening moments that balance the world building.
Where the whimsy and colors and sights of the circus turn from delightful to dreadful. It rapidly becomes life and death stakes packed with tension. Tessa must overcome crippling self doubt as well as the trials set before her by the Circus, and pull back the layered mysteries, including her own forgotten past. Tessa has spent years in a mental institution and all she can remember of her past is the time she spent as a child.
Dugan has the whole package here, and a beautiful cover which perfectly exemplifies the story within.
The Chaos Circus is packed with delightful, odd, dangerous characters, and fast pacing from the start to the finish. There aren’t many places in the book to catch your breath between events.
A very entertaining read for both adults and NA audiences. If you love a setting of wild magical lands, rifts into the mortal world, and an unlikely protagonist that refuses to give up, you’ll find this novel is a fun and fast paced read with just enough frightening moments that balance the world building.
Where the whimsy and colors and sights of the circus turn from delightful to dreadful. It rapidly becomes life and death stakes packed with tension. Tessa must overcome crippling self doubt as well as the trials set before her by the Circus, and pull back the layered mysteries, including her own forgotten past. Tessa has spent years in a mental institution and all she can remember of her past is the time she spent as a child.
Dugan has the whole package here, and a beautiful cover which perfectly exemplifies the story within.
August 25, 2021
My reaction while starting this book: OMG this writing is so beautiful, the prose is oozing with refined and elevated craft and skill.
My reaction in the middle of this book: Ahhh that's what really happened? No wait, now it's not. WTH is going on? I have to keep reading!!
My reaction at the end of this book: ASDFGHJKL that was perfection and more than I could've imagined I'd want in a book and when is the next book by Renee Dugan out?
Seriously, this book is MAGIC and had me SHOOK. Renee's writing is poetic and yet not overly flowery, and I stopped so many times and reread lines that were just so beautiful and unique. The story is complex, the characters are well-developed, and I could feel myself inside the story. I wasn't reading a book, I was in the world. Renee took us on such a wild ride. With so many plot twists, I never knew what to expect! I am looking forward to reading everything that Renee releases because she is such a talented author. She's going to make it big!!
My reaction in the middle of this book: Ahhh that's what really happened? No wait, now it's not. WTH is going on? I have to keep reading!!
My reaction at the end of this book: ASDFGHJKL that was perfection and more than I could've imagined I'd want in a book and when is the next book by Renee Dugan out?
Seriously, this book is MAGIC and had me SHOOK. Renee's writing is poetic and yet not overly flowery, and I stopped so many times and reread lines that were just so beautiful and unique. The story is complex, the characters are well-developed, and I could feel myself inside the story. I wasn't reading a book, I was in the world. Renee took us on such a wild ride. With so many plot twists, I never knew what to expect! I am looking forward to reading everything that Renee releases because she is such a talented author. She's going to make it big!!
May 10, 2019
WOW.
This book blew me out of the water and left me speechless, but I HAVE to gush about it! R. Dugan is brilliant, spinning a spell-binding tale that left me entranced through the twists and turns all the way until the very last word, and beyond. I fell in love with the characters, plot, and emotion. Each scene held a purpose, driving Tessa's internal and external arc forward. And I can't even begin to express how wonderfully crafted her sentences are. I could see, taste, smell, hear, and feel everything that was happening. I'm shocked that this is her debut...it's simply an amazing read and well deserving of 5 stars. I can't wait to read her future novels. I am a super-fan and I'm here to stay.
This book blew me out of the water and left me speechless, but I HAVE to gush about it! R. Dugan is brilliant, spinning a spell-binding tale that left me entranced through the twists and turns all the way until the very last word, and beyond. I fell in love with the characters, plot, and emotion. Each scene held a purpose, driving Tessa's internal and external arc forward. And I can't even begin to express how wonderfully crafted her sentences are. I could see, taste, smell, hear, and feel everything that was happening. I'm shocked that this is her debut...it's simply an amazing read and well deserving of 5 stars. I can't wait to read her future novels. I am a super-fan and I'm here to stay.
March 24, 2020
First thing I want to mention is that I read A LOT of books, and books written by Renee Dugan come quickly became my favorite ones.
The plot of the story and unexpected journey from protagonists is one of the best ones I've read.
I usually have a problem while reading books is that I know what will happen. Not this time. I had million versions how story could go, but I didn't expect the ending! Renee managed to surprise me, which is not easy thing to do!
If you are looking for something to read, choose this book! You won't be disappointed. I was left without words when I finished it, and when I started reading the book I couldn't stop!
The plot of the story and unexpected journey from protagonists is one of the best ones I've read.
I usually have a problem while reading books is that I know what will happen. Not this time. I had million versions how story could go, but I didn't expect the ending! Renee managed to surprise me, which is not easy thing to do!
If you are looking for something to read, choose this book! You won't be disappointed. I was left without words when I finished it, and when I started reading the book I couldn't stop!
September 29, 2021
I loved everything about this book! That is, right up until the ending 😅 I won’t spoil it here, but let’s just say, I’m not a fan of that particular “trope”, but I’m certain that there are others who would really enjoy it. The characters, this magical carnival world of fey, they lured me right in! I would have liked to have seen more resolution to the many social conflicts brought up throughout the book, particularly regarding the enslavement of the mirror folk and the corruption of the Chaos Circus itself. BUT that all being said, this was a very enjoyable ride full of breath-taking excitement and perilous twists and turns!
January 31, 2022
AN ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE!! Criminally underrated, the Chaos Circus is one of my new all time favorite books. Tessa is an awesome main character, Nicolai is one of the best love interests ever (sarcastic but sweet, literally perfect!), and their chemistry is amazing! Incredibly well-written, I was drawn in and could not put it down. So many twists and turns and now that I finished it, I feel like I have to go back and re-read it to see how all the pieces fell into place along the way. I definitely sobbed at the end and stared at the wall for a good 30 minutes after finishing it but it was so amazing, I'm not even mad about it. GO READ IT!!
May 28, 2019
I LOVED THIS BOOK.
The Chaos Circus is a mind-bending ride from start to finish. The lurid, mesmerizing world of the Circus pulls you in right away, terrifying and addictive all at once, and Tessa is a marvelous heroine to take that ride with. In spite of having very few memories, Tessa has a personality all her own, and her emotional journey hits home in a lot of ways for me. The characters in this book were vivid and fantastical, and you never knew who to trust when! The ending SHOCKED me and left me with my jaw hanging open. I can't wait to see what else Renee Dugan has up her sleeve!
The Chaos Circus is a mind-bending ride from start to finish. The lurid, mesmerizing world of the Circus pulls you in right away, terrifying and addictive all at once, and Tessa is a marvelous heroine to take that ride with. In spite of having very few memories, Tessa has a personality all her own, and her emotional journey hits home in a lot of ways for me. The characters in this book were vivid and fantastical, and you never knew who to trust when! The ending SHOCKED me and left me with my jaw hanging open. I can't wait to see what else Renee Dugan has up her sleeve!
February 27, 2021
Clever and chaotic
The Chaos Circus has an interesting take on fae and adventure. I loved the Circus itself, the wondrous attractions and the deadly prices. Tessa's personal mystery kept me on my toes, and the end twist was fantastic. The prose is beautiful, but I will say that some of the word choice was extremely odd. I had to look up more than one word, and they didn't always seem like the best choice (ex. Irrespective, glistering, atavistic), but the descriptions were unique and magical.
The Chaos Circus has an interesting take on fae and adventure. I loved the Circus itself, the wondrous attractions and the deadly prices. Tessa's personal mystery kept me on my toes, and the end twist was fantastic. The prose is beautiful, but I will say that some of the word choice was extremely odd. I had to look up more than one word, and they didn't always seem like the best choice (ex. Irrespective, glistering, atavistic), but the descriptions were unique and magical.
June 22, 2023
There aren't many books that leave me speechless. So totally and utterly lost for words that I cant even begin to describe the thoughts in my mind.
This is one of those few books that do. What a twisty, dark, brilliant tale. What a fantastical, magickal world was created.
I loved every part of this book. Tessa, Nicolai, The Circus, the characters that fill it. It's like a dark wonderland where you quite literally dont know what to expect every time you turn the page.
And the ending is as unexpectedly brilliant as the rest of the story.
This is one of those few books that do. What a twisty, dark, brilliant tale. What a fantastical, magickal world was created.
I loved every part of this book. Tessa, Nicolai, The Circus, the characters that fill it. It's like a dark wonderland where you quite literally dont know what to expect every time you turn the page.
And the ending is as unexpectedly brilliant as the rest of the story.
July 23, 2020
This author has a beautiful way with words. Her descriptions are creative and evocative, and were fitting for the lavish world she created for The Chaos Circle. I enjoyed this circus story so much more than Caraval, which I found lacking in comparison. The plot for TCC was complex and layered, the characters intriguing, and that ending! Very well done!!
June 17, 2021
Okay, so I loved this book. As soon as I started reading, I didn’t want to put it down. I barely did, in fact, and ended up reading it from cover to cover in one evening! The next day, I found myself wanting to go back and read it again. Great summer read with the fair/carnival/circus vibes, and a read I’d recommend if you liked Caraval.
March 4, 2021
So amazing!!
Where do I begin?? I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I will say that everything about this book is so good! The writing is gorgeous, the characters are so dynamic, and the world of the Circus is vibrant and exciting. The mystery or Tessa’s memories and the story and characters as a whole kept me glued to the pages the whole time. If you’re a fan of Caraval by Stephanie Garber, magical circuses, beautiful writing and thrilling characters, this is the book for you.
Where do I begin?? I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I will say that everything about this book is so good! The writing is gorgeous, the characters are so dynamic, and the world of the Circus is vibrant and exciting. The mystery or Tessa’s memories and the story and characters as a whole kept me glued to the pages the whole time. If you’re a fan of Caraval by Stephanie Garber, magical circuses, beautiful writing and thrilling characters, this is the book for you.
May 14, 2022
This book is everything I needed and more. The story was amazing. I was falling in love with all of the characters. I didn’t expect the ending when I started this, but I loved it all the same. Thank you for writing this. I will never forget it.
June 21, 2021
I loved every second of this fast-paced, adventurous, intense, and magical story. This book constantly kept me on my toes with so many fantastic twists that made me gasp and drop my jaw. I never knew what would happen next, and that's one of the things I loved the most about this book. The world-building was fantastic and vivid, and I quickly fell in love with the mysterious, mesmerizing, and dreamlike world Dugan created. Even though it's a pretty short book, it's the perfect length and I found myself wanting it to be longer because I didn't want to say goodbye to the characters.
May 29, 2019
Dive into a world of colorful splendors, mysterious gifts, and dangerous adventures. The Chaos Circus by R. Dugan will hypnotize you and leave you wanting more, even until the very end.
Tessa LaRoche wants nothing more than to be a normal girl, but when an immortal Deathless takes the one thing she holds dear, she’s thrust into a world of magic and deceit. Now she must work to uncover who stole her prized possession while facing tasks that will rip open her conscious thought and challenge everything she knows to be true of herself.
R. Dugan wastes no time thrusting the world of the Mirror Lands on you. With tons of descriptors spread throughout the novel, you’ll feel like you’re walking right alongside Tessa as she discovers more and more about this mysterious land. I will say however, that though the world building was amazing, there were definitely several times where I found that it slowed the pace of the story and pulled me out of the action.
In order to find her enemy, Tessa must complete five deadly games, each meant to test her in a new way. Some are physical, others test her wits, and one puts into question her very reality. With each new game, comes a riddle. While the riddles were an incredible addition to the story, I think they would have been even more fun if we had been presented with enough information to try to solve them on our own. But instead, in her exploration of the lands, we only get to figure them out right along with Tessa. This isn’t a huge problem though as it allows the reader to remain in the same stream of consciousness as the main character.
In the end, the intricate plot line of this story is what truly made my jaw drop. Hints are dropped everywhere about what’s really happening, and yet, the twist at the end still left me in shock!
Despite the world building creating a few lags and the riddles not being deciphered on our own, I still really enjoyed this book and decided to give it five stars. It was truly a unique storyline with twists and turns in every direction.
Tessa LaRoche wants nothing more than to be a normal girl, but when an immortal Deathless takes the one thing she holds dear, she’s thrust into a world of magic and deceit. Now she must work to uncover who stole her prized possession while facing tasks that will rip open her conscious thought and challenge everything she knows to be true of herself.
R. Dugan wastes no time thrusting the world of the Mirror Lands on you. With tons of descriptors spread throughout the novel, you’ll feel like you’re walking right alongside Tessa as she discovers more and more about this mysterious land. I will say however, that though the world building was amazing, there were definitely several times where I found that it slowed the pace of the story and pulled me out of the action.
In order to find her enemy, Tessa must complete five deadly games, each meant to test her in a new way. Some are physical, others test her wits, and one puts into question her very reality. With each new game, comes a riddle. While the riddles were an incredible addition to the story, I think they would have been even more fun if we had been presented with enough information to try to solve them on our own. But instead, in her exploration of the lands, we only get to figure them out right along with Tessa. This isn’t a huge problem though as it allows the reader to remain in the same stream of consciousness as the main character.
In the end, the intricate plot line of this story is what truly made my jaw drop. Hints are dropped everywhere about what’s really happening, and yet, the twist at the end still left me in shock!
Despite the world building creating a few lags and the riddles not being deciphered on our own, I still really enjoyed this book and decided to give it five stars. It was truly a unique storyline with twists and turns in every direction.
October 8, 2021
4.5 stars. The writing could have been better at certain times, but the plot was very original and I was genuinely surprised by the ending.
May 17, 2019
There is an almost lyrical quality to the writing that I thought fit perfectly into the unique world that Dugan created. Her descriptions were vivid and enthralling though at times I did find them to be a little excessive at times and slowed the action down a little for me. This is purely a personal preference as I tend to like minimum descriptions in the books I write and read.
The characters are amazingly complex and relatable. I fell in love with Nicolai after his first few lines of dialogue. His cool charming confidence drew me to him instantly. As you get to know him throughout the book the hidden pain inside him made me love him even more and all I wanted to do was wrap him up in a blanket and give him a hug.
Tessa’s journey to discover herself was so much fun to read. Her struggle between who society thought she should be and who she wanted to be was so relatable. I loved watching her grow more and more sure of herself with each test and slowly cast of expectations of her to find her true self. The inner strength she finds as she struggles to remember her past was inspirational.
The whole book is a great and enjoyable read, but the last 100 pages were absolute perfection. I was blown away with the action, character growth and twists that Dugan brought to the climax of this book. Once I got to this point I could not put it down until I had finished. I highly recommend everyone picks up a copy of The Chaos Circus.
The characters are amazingly complex and relatable. I fell in love with Nicolai after his first few lines of dialogue. His cool charming confidence drew me to him instantly. As you get to know him throughout the book the hidden pain inside him made me love him even more and all I wanted to do was wrap him up in a blanket and give him a hug.
Tessa’s journey to discover herself was so much fun to read. Her struggle between who society thought she should be and who she wanted to be was so relatable. I loved watching her grow more and more sure of herself with each test and slowly cast of expectations of her to find her true self. The inner strength she finds as she struggles to remember her past was inspirational.
The whole book is a great and enjoyable read, but the last 100 pages were absolute perfection. I was blown away with the action, character growth and twists that Dugan brought to the climax of this book. Once I got to this point I could not put it down until I had finished. I highly recommend everyone picks up a copy of The Chaos Circus.
August 31, 2021
(I can't believe I haven't even reviewed this on Amazon yet)
For a debut novel, it's practically perfect in every way.
Tessa is just trying to keep her job, but she's swept away to another world by a mysterious man who needs her help to solve a murder. The Chaos Circus, with all its lights and glamor, has many secrets, and to win, she must play its games.
Well, well, well, if it isn't the good ol' amnesia storyline. I usually have a love-hate relationship with this trope, but I was kept on my toes long enough to love it and this book.
The romance didn't sell me until one scene (spoilers!!), and then I was a goner. I cheered for Tess and Nicolai every step of the way after that. They have great chemistry, and apart from the fact that he's fae, they're pretty much on equal ground. I love that in any relationship.
Both worlds, what very little of "our world" we saw at the beginning and the Chaos Circus itself, were rich and immersive. The imagery was gorgeous, especially when it came to the games, the masquerade, and Moe's booth in particular. I appreciate some good world building, and even though we saw only the circus, it was clear there was a world beyond it. If there were any sequels to this book, I'd like to explore the rest of that world, too.
If I had one nitpick, it would be the very end, but it doesn't matter because that makes rereading the whole book more fun.
All in all, it's engaging, immersive, and it'll keep you guessing.
For a debut novel, it's practically perfect in every way.
Tessa is just trying to keep her job, but she's swept away to another world by a mysterious man who needs her help to solve a murder. The Chaos Circus, with all its lights and glamor, has many secrets, and to win, she must play its games.
Well, well, well, if it isn't the good ol' amnesia storyline. I usually have a love-hate relationship with this trope, but I was kept on my toes long enough to love it and this book.
The romance didn't sell me until one scene (spoilers!!), and then I was a goner. I cheered for Tess and Nicolai every step of the way after that. They have great chemistry, and apart from the fact that he's fae, they're pretty much on equal ground. I love that in any relationship.
Both worlds, what very little of "our world" we saw at the beginning and the Chaos Circus itself, were rich and immersive. The imagery was gorgeous, especially when it came to the games, the masquerade, and Moe's booth in particular. I appreciate some good world building, and even though we saw only the circus, it was clear there was a world beyond it. If there were any sequels to this book, I'd like to explore the rest of that world, too.
If I had one nitpick, it would be the very end, but it doesn't matter because that makes rereading the whole book more fun.
All in all, it's engaging, immersive, and it'll keep you guessing.
May 28, 2019
Once I began The Chaos Circus, I couldn’t put it down! The world, the characters, the descriptions, the plot—every element of this book was written with such careful beauty and purpose. Tessa and Nicolai are richly developed (as are all of the wonderfully fanciful characters you meet in this story) and I LOVED seeing how their story spirals, twists, turns, and ultimately braids into an ending that I NEVER saw coming. I was on the edge of my seat for so many chapters, and when I finally reached the ending I had to take a minute to process this mind-bending, incredible story Renee has crafted. Not only is The Chaos Circus a fun, dazzling, and enchanting read, but it also teaches a lesson that is both resounding and powerful.
This is an incredible debut, and I am so, so excited to see what else Renee Dugan has for us in the future!
This is an incredible debut, and I am so, so excited to see what else Renee Dugan has for us in the future!
August 17, 2022
I need mooooore.
My brain is boggled, I both loved and hated that ending and I need more of the world, more context, more characters just MORE.
I absolutely enjoyed this, the characters and the setting were well defined and beautifully portrayed. It's seriously brave to cram such a highly fantastical world into such a short book, but Renee does achieve it.
I dropped a star because I feel like there's a lot more that could have been said. I want information about Tessa's nan, I want to see Nicolai when he first entered the mirror lands, I want to see what happens post this book's ending. But part of this story's charm is the mystery element, and maybe that's how I'm supposed to feel, forever consumed by The Chaos Circus's mystery.
My brain is boggled, I both loved and hated that ending and I need more of the world, more context, more characters just MORE.
I absolutely enjoyed this, the characters and the setting were well defined and beautifully portrayed. It's seriously brave to cram such a highly fantastical world into such a short book, but Renee does achieve it.
I dropped a star because I feel like there's a lot more that could have been said. I want information about Tessa's nan, I want to see Nicolai when he first entered the mirror lands, I want to see what happens post this book's ending. But part of this story's charm is the mystery element, and maybe that's how I'm supposed to feel, forever consumed by The Chaos Circus's mystery.
January 16, 2023
It’s true what they say: once you enter The Chaos Circus you never want to leave.
I can’t believe that the book is already over! While I love a nice quick read, I would’ve loved to have more just because I’m greedy and love Nicolai and Tessa.
The 5 trials had me on the edge of my seat and Nicolai and Tessa’s chemistry was just *chef’s kiss*.
It’s no secret that I love Dugan’s writing and I honestly don’t know how this book, and this author, isn’t world famous.
This book made me laugh, cry, and yell, all the things a fantastic book should do. And even though I just finished it, I can’t wait to go on that “mad adventure” again.
Lots of love!
I can’t believe that the book is already over! While I love a nice quick read, I would’ve loved to have more just because I’m greedy and love Nicolai and Tessa.
The 5 trials had me on the edge of my seat and Nicolai and Tessa’s chemistry was just *chef’s kiss*.
It’s no secret that I love Dugan’s writing and I honestly don’t know how this book, and this author, isn’t world famous.
This book made me laugh, cry, and yell, all the things a fantastic book should do. And even though I just finished it, I can’t wait to go on that “mad adventure” again.
Lots of love!
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