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Circus Phantasm
Going to the Circus that night was a whim, but it would change their lives forever.When siblings Emma and Nemo Reeve went to the Circus Phantasm, they expected tantalizing glimpses of magic. Instead, they are drawn out of the cage of secrets they have built, and swept away from their small town lives. Here, their hidden magical talents can flourish. They can travel with fantastical creatures. They may even have found--at last--a home.But the Ringmaster has his own dark secrets. His past is coming to haunt him, and now danger stalks them all. Emma and Nemo must determine who to trust, before the Circus unravels, the performers become prisoners, and their growing talents turn them into targets for a greater enemy than they have ever imagined.
- GenresFantasy
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2019
2 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 31, 2019
This book is more a mood and a world than a story. I got lost in it a little bit. It's quirky and whimsical but also surprisingly grounded.
There are a LOT of characters to keep track of. Honestly, I think this feels like a universe that could've used a series, and instead it's a not particularly long standalone. The story is complete, though. It just takes a while to get orientated with all the various factions and characters ... and then it's practically over. I did enjoy the ride, though.
There are a LOT of characters to keep track of. Honestly, I think this feels like a universe that could've used a series, and instead it's a not particularly long standalone. The story is complete, though. It just takes a while to get orientated with all the various factions and characters ... and then it's practically over. I did enjoy the ride, though.
May 13, 2019
A strong debut novel which blends elements of the X-Men with a circus setting in a unique contemporary/urban fantasy universe--or, to put it another way, Hogwarts as a traveling circus instead of a school. The suspenseful plot kept me engaged throughout, and all the characters were distinctive and interesting. I would happily read more stories featuring this cast and/or this world.
May 15, 2019
I wasn't really sure what to expect going into this story, as it was an ARC I offered to read, but it was well written with an engaging plot and cast. I loved the different POVs and how the story slowly unfolded through the characters' eyes and memories. It's a modern-day setting, but there's plenty of magic too--from mages to magical creatures. And the circus was fantastic!
There was also a reference at one point to a dragon king who enjoyed cherries jubilee. If that's not a reference to Kazul from The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, I'll eat my Kindle. XD
5* and recommended to people who enjoy a good urban fantasy that includes magic, a truly epic circus, and light threads of romance.
There was also a reference at one point to a dragon king who enjoyed cherries jubilee. If that's not a reference to Kazul from The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, I'll eat my Kindle. XD
5* and recommended to people who enjoy a good urban fantasy that includes magic, a truly epic circus, and light threads of romance.
December 28, 2019
This is a fun book full of magic, fantastical creatures, and a whole cast of unique characters. I had a bit of trouble keeping track of them all at first and wished there had been a little more character development in some places, but by the end, I knew who everyone was and enough about their background to make the story come together. I felt that there was definitely more of an emphasis on the world and the different factions in it here than there was on plot and characters, but that worked out well enough, largely because it is a really interesting and unique world. I also really liked some of the moral ambiguity there was to the two opposing factions presented in the story. If you're looking for a fun read that will take you to a magical world full of interesting creatures and characters with unique abilities, you need look no further than Circus Phantasm.
May 14, 2019
This book had me WOWED every step of the way. I had the privilege of reading this amazing novel in an earlier stage before publication in the summer of 2018. If it was awesome then, like an aged cheddar or fine wine, it could've only gotten awesomer with time and care. Naomi Cohen sets the standard for masterful storytelling, leading the reader on a thrilling path that anticipates their every question, but only reveals all when the time is absolutely right. I fell in love with the ensemble cast of unique characters, from Aoife to Timaeus, whose fiery, culinary tendencies could put Gordon Ramsay to shame. If you're looking for a wholesome tale of loyalty, love, friendship, and superpowers, Circus Phantasm by Naomi Cohen is where it's at!
July 31, 2025
My stars this was a fun book!
I really loved the unique magic system and the characters were so fun and colorful!
I wasn't sure how the author was going to wrap it up because there seemed so much to finish before the last fourth of the book. I was pleasantly surprised and my only regret is that it wasn't a little longer.
More stories in this world would have been fun! The world-building was so unique!
I really loved the unique magic system and the characters were so fun and colorful!
I wasn't sure how the author was going to wrap it up because there seemed so much to finish before the last fourth of the book. I was pleasantly surprised and my only regret is that it wasn't a little longer.
More stories in this world would have been fun! The world-building was so unique!
April 14, 2020
For Fans of Magic Circuses
I’m a Big Fan of Magic Circuses and this book did not disappoint. Sister and brother, Emma and Nemo, were interesting characters. The plot moved along at a steady clip. Good urban fantasy story world.
I’m a Big Fan of Magic Circuses and this book did not disappoint. Sister and brother, Emma and Nemo, were interesting characters. The plot moved along at a steady clip. Good urban fantasy story world.
September 21, 2019
4.5 stars, rounded up to five, because man did this story blast my expectations out of the water.
First off: THIS IS (so far as I can tell) A STANDALONE BOOK WITH A SATISFYING ENDING.
Yes, there are many potentials for stories set after this one, but the ending wrapped up many questions and settled the main conflict. Apologies for the continued caps lock, but I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I READ A FANTASY STAND-ALONE.
I just finished reading this, and am having a heck of a time figuring out how to organize my excitement (as evidenced by the caps lock above), so here we go (a couple spoilers ahead):
What I expected trope-wise shortly into the book
-Love triangles/hexagons
-Bickering/Marvel-esque siblings (don't get me wrong I love Thor and Loki but their decidedly damaged dynamic doesn't need to be in every sibling story)
-Super fights
-Magic
What I got
Light caution:
-Some cursing in the beginning (it's quickly put to a stop, as Emma hates hearing curses in thoughts, and doesn't want to hear it come out of her brother's mouth)
-High drama (things like torture are hinted at; )
-A bit of innuendo/implications/romance (things like "turning red at the implication" are mentioned; a female is found sleeping in a male character's room and while nothing happened, no one believes it/says they disapprove; light kisses and things like back rubs)
-A character purposely dresses as if he's gay so that he can annoy his dad (this is in the beginning, but it's never mentioned/done again)
Why take off a half star? There were enough small errors (missing paragraph indents for different speakers, a repeated sentence or two, etc.) that they pulled me out of the story a bit. Some of the description was odd as well. The two main things that come to mind are that a) a mermaid character's clothing is only ever described in one or two of her appearances, leading me to believe that she's not dressed half the time (), and b) Emma's complexion/hair color aren't mentioned until the very end (if they were mentioned before, then I must've missed it). It just kind of annoys me a bit when you imagine a character one way, then come across a line of description later on that contradicts that.
However, the circus acts, the magic, the hints at relationships and past wrongs...all beautifully done. Though it was somewhat frustrating at times, in the way that only deep, anticipated backstory can be.
First off: THIS IS (so far as I can tell) A STANDALONE BOOK WITH A SATISFYING ENDING.
Yes, there are many potentials for stories set after this one, but the ending wrapped up many questions and settled the main conflict. Apologies for the continued caps lock, but I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I READ A FANTASY STAND-ALONE.
I just finished reading this, and am having a heck of a time figuring out how to organize my excitement (as evidenced by the caps lock above), so here we go (a couple spoilers ahead):
What I expected trope-wise shortly into the book
-Love triangles/hexagons
-Bickering/Marvel-esque siblings (don't get me wrong I love Thor and Loki but their decidedly damaged dynamic doesn't need to be in every sibling story)
-Super fights
-Magic
What I got
Light caution:
-Some cursing in the beginning (it's quickly put to a stop, as Emma hates hearing curses in thoughts, and doesn't want to hear it come out of her brother's mouth)
-High drama (things like torture are hinted at; )
-A bit of innuendo/implications/romance (things like "turning red at the implication" are mentioned; a female is found sleeping in a male character's room and while nothing happened, no one believes it/says they disapprove; light kisses and things like back rubs)
-A character purposely dresses as if he's gay so that he can annoy his dad (this is in the beginning, but it's never mentioned/done again)
Why take off a half star? There were enough small errors (missing paragraph indents for different speakers, a repeated sentence or two, etc.) that they pulled me out of the story a bit. Some of the description was odd as well. The two main things that come to mind are that a) a mermaid character's clothing is only ever described in one or two of her appearances, leading me to believe that she's not dressed half the time (), and b) Emma's complexion/hair color aren't mentioned until the very end (if they were mentioned before, then I must've missed it). It just kind of annoys me a bit when you imagine a character one way, then come across a line of description later on that contradicts that.
However, the circus acts, the magic, the hints at relationships and past wrongs...all beautifully done. Though it was somewhat frustrating at times, in the way that only deep, anticipated backstory can be.
January 5, 2020
2.75 stars, rounded up to 3.
I struggled to rate this one. The truth of it is, I really wanted to love this story. Heck, I'd have settled with liking it more than I do. But unfortunately, it's between "okay" and "somewhat likeable" for me.
The beginning was good. I won't say it was strong (I'll get into more detail of why momentarily, as it's something that was pervasive throughout the entirety), but it felt a great deal stronger than the rest of the story did. It held such promise, seeming to set the stage for what I thought would be an incredible story once the ball got rolling.
Suffice it to say, the story deviated quite a bit from what I expected. Some of that expectation is greatly influenced by both the cover and title, but equally as much the synopsis. For a story featuring "Circus" in its title and a synopsis that stressed two kids running away to the Circus and a ringmaster with a secret...well, it didn't really deal with the circus aspect of the story overly much. Let me break it down.
Characters: I felt the characters could have used a bit more work. Not only did the dialogue feel forced and unnatural much of the time, there was very little distinguishing one character from another in terms of voice, action/reaction, etc. I frequently forgot Emma and Nemo's ages, because one minute they'd come off a great deal more mature than either was, and other times they came off particularly immature--especially Emma, who was the elder, and who rather irritated me a great deal of the time. While I could appreciate her wanting to take the initiative in dealing with certain circumstances, I found her insufferable overall--in her judgment of Gabriel's actions, in her attitude, in her nosiness regarding things that she had no right to barge into. Granted, there were times when it was warranted; wanting to help people/beings makes sense. But I could have done without her "Holier than thou" nonsense. It wasn't just her, though: none of the characters felt distinctive or consistent. One minute, Gabriel's reasons for avoiding San Francisco made sense (as memories of being tortured came into play). The next, it came off selfish (him wanting to avoid the mental assault of the city, though it still is something I could have sympathized with had it not been watered down and used in place of the reason that made the most sense to me... Or had it been used in conjunction). Overall, I didn't really connect with any of the characters, if I even liked them at all (and for many of them, I didn't find them the least bit likeable. Timaeus actually irritated me a great deal; for a dragon that dislikes formalities, he certainly seemed to like throwing his weight around. But I digress...)
Plot: Like I said before--it didn't feel like it delivered on what either the title or the synopsis promised. In some ways it did, such as Gabriel (the ringmaster) having a dark secret. But everything to do with the circus was very much in the background, and I got the sense a lot of the time that the story didn't really know what it wanted to be. At times it felt very middlegrade. Other times, it seemed to want to be darker and edgier, like upper YA or NA. To summarize, though? It felt by and large like too much was being crammed into one story, so the main plot was diluted beneath a weight of angst, childish feel-good stuff, and padding that did little to add to the story (which would have been okay, had I felt it added to the characters and their relationships, but all it served to do--for me, at least--was make the dynamics more confusing and unclear).
Worldbuilding: This felt very lacking to me. I felt like every setting was just kind of thrown together, and in terms of the Blessings? I felt very little was touched on, aside from learning the elves were the reason some humans had them at all. I also spent the majority of the book believing it was one per person, only for "second Blessings" to be brought up later.
I honestly feel bad having so little good to say about the story, considering there was some good. Like I said, the beginning held promise. There were times when it gave me Studio Ghibli vibes, or even gave me the impression I've gotten from Diana Wynne Jones or Neil Gaiman middlegrade books--but overall, I'm pretty disappointed.
All that said, I encourage people to check the story out for themselves and form their own opinions. At the end of the day, my opinion is largely subjective, and I'm sure many others would find this story a delight. Sadly, it just wasn't for me.
I struggled to rate this one. The truth of it is, I really wanted to love this story. Heck, I'd have settled with liking it more than I do. But unfortunately, it's between "okay" and "somewhat likeable" for me.
The beginning was good. I won't say it was strong (I'll get into more detail of why momentarily, as it's something that was pervasive throughout the entirety), but it felt a great deal stronger than the rest of the story did. It held such promise, seeming to set the stage for what I thought would be an incredible story once the ball got rolling.
Suffice it to say, the story deviated quite a bit from what I expected. Some of that expectation is greatly influenced by both the cover and title, but equally as much the synopsis. For a story featuring "Circus" in its title and a synopsis that stressed two kids running away to the Circus and a ringmaster with a secret...well, it didn't really deal with the circus aspect of the story overly much. Let me break it down.
Characters: I felt the characters could have used a bit more work. Not only did the dialogue feel forced and unnatural much of the time, there was very little distinguishing one character from another in terms of voice, action/reaction, etc. I frequently forgot Emma and Nemo's ages, because one minute they'd come off a great deal more mature than either was, and other times they came off particularly immature--especially Emma, who was the elder, and who rather irritated me a great deal of the time. While I could appreciate her wanting to take the initiative in dealing with certain circumstances, I found her insufferable overall--in her judgment of Gabriel's actions, in her attitude, in her nosiness regarding things that she had no right to barge into. Granted, there were times when it was warranted; wanting to help people/beings makes sense. But I could have done without her "Holier than thou" nonsense. It wasn't just her, though: none of the characters felt distinctive or consistent. One minute, Gabriel's reasons for avoiding San Francisco made sense (as memories of being tortured came into play). The next, it came off selfish (him wanting to avoid the mental assault of the city, though it still is something I could have sympathized with had it not been watered down and used in place of the reason that made the most sense to me... Or had it been used in conjunction). Overall, I didn't really connect with any of the characters, if I even liked them at all (and for many of them, I didn't find them the least bit likeable. Timaeus actually irritated me a great deal; for a dragon that dislikes formalities, he certainly seemed to like throwing his weight around. But I digress...)
Plot: Like I said before--it didn't feel like it delivered on what either the title or the synopsis promised. In some ways it did, such as Gabriel (the ringmaster) having a dark secret. But everything to do with the circus was very much in the background, and I got the sense a lot of the time that the story didn't really know what it wanted to be. At times it felt very middlegrade. Other times, it seemed to want to be darker and edgier, like upper YA or NA. To summarize, though? It felt by and large like too much was being crammed into one story, so the main plot was diluted beneath a weight of angst, childish feel-good stuff, and padding that did little to add to the story (which would have been okay, had I felt it added to the characters and their relationships, but all it served to do--for me, at least--was make the dynamics more confusing and unclear).
Worldbuilding: This felt very lacking to me. I felt like every setting was just kind of thrown together, and in terms of the Blessings? I felt very little was touched on, aside from learning the elves were the reason some humans had them at all. I also spent the majority of the book believing it was one per person, only for "second Blessings" to be brought up later.
I honestly feel bad having so little good to say about the story, considering there was some good. Like I said, the beginning held promise. There were times when it gave me Studio Ghibli vibes, or even gave me the impression I've gotten from Diana Wynne Jones or Neil Gaiman middlegrade books--but overall, I'm pretty disappointed.
All that said, I encourage people to check the story out for themselves and form their own opinions. At the end of the day, my opinion is largely subjective, and I'm sure many others would find this story a delight. Sadly, it just wasn't for me.
September 21, 2024
In this engaging urban fantasy, siblings Emma and Nemo have been hiding their powerful gifts from their family and friends until mysterious strangers take an interest in them. At the same time, a circus has come to town and Nemo, fleeing his bad relationship with his dad as well as the attention of the unsettling strangers, decides to attend. Emma reluctantly joins him and they soon realize that the performers hide much more than meets the eye.
As Emma and Nemo learn their unusual abilities were “Blessings” bestowed by the hidden elf kingdom, they leave their past life behind and decide to throw their lot in with the other magically empowered performers, so they can at least learn to control their own powerful talents. Thus commences a tale that has both fantastical and thriller vibes—and a satisfying dose of romance--as it soon becomes clear the circus must outrun malignant forces seeking to capture the “Blesseds” and exploit their gifts. Along the way, the runaway siblings learn how important their gifts are as they find themselves fighting to defend their new family.
There a lot of fun characters to keep track of in this story, and some complex plot threads and family dynamics. Cohen does a good job balancing it all, especially impressive in a novel that is under 300 pages. This is a stand-alone story, but the universe feels big enough for one or two more books. I would have liked a little more resolution between Emma, Nemo, and their parents, but overall, the humans and magical creatures, such as unicorns and shape-shifting dragons, merfolks, and bats, are pretty well-depicted and have good chemistry together. The world-building and prose are solid. The pacing is a little slow here and there, but I enjoyed that as I prefer a story that takes its time layering the intrigue and the character's relationships. In the case of Circus Phantasm, the result is a fun, old-fashioned story of magic, friendship, and heroism.
As Emma and Nemo learn their unusual abilities were “Blessings” bestowed by the hidden elf kingdom, they leave their past life behind and decide to throw their lot in with the other magically empowered performers, so they can at least learn to control their own powerful talents. Thus commences a tale that has both fantastical and thriller vibes—and a satisfying dose of romance--as it soon becomes clear the circus must outrun malignant forces seeking to capture the “Blesseds” and exploit their gifts. Along the way, the runaway siblings learn how important their gifts are as they find themselves fighting to defend their new family.
There a lot of fun characters to keep track of in this story, and some complex plot threads and family dynamics. Cohen does a good job balancing it all, especially impressive in a novel that is under 300 pages. This is a stand-alone story, but the universe feels big enough for one or two more books. I would have liked a little more resolution between Emma, Nemo, and their parents, but overall, the humans and magical creatures, such as unicorns and shape-shifting dragons, merfolks, and bats, are pretty well-depicted and have good chemistry together. The world-building and prose are solid. The pacing is a little slow here and there, but I enjoyed that as I prefer a story that takes its time layering the intrigue and the character's relationships. In the case of Circus Phantasm, the result is a fun, old-fashioned story of magic, friendship, and heroism.
July 8, 2021
When I picked up this book, I was expecting a secondary world fantasy. When I started it, it turned out to be…urban fantasy of sorts, a conglomeration of genres set in the modern world, but with people with powers. Which was a lot of fun, once I got used to it!
It has elements of the “school for powered kids” trope, but it’s definitely not firmly in that genre. It has epic fantasy elements, urban fantasy elements, and some sort-of superhero elements. In fact, I honestly can’t tell you what genre this story is, exactly—but I like that. It’s fun and original, and I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like it.
Emma and Nemo’s relationship is the heart of the story in many ways—I like a good sibling relationship, and they’re a good sibling relationship. And I love Nemo so, so much. There are a *lot* of characters and plotlines in this book, but they’re all cool and original and they all intertwine to make a complex but never confusing story. (Although it did take me a few chapters or so to keep track of all the people in the circus.) Gabriel is a thoroughly interesting character and I love him. And the dragon. The dragon is the best.
The author manages the large amount of characters and intertwining plotlines nicely—everyone feels like they have their resolution and everything comes together at the end in a way that made me go “oh, so *that’s* why that character/plot was included.” I never felt like the amount of characters distanced me from any of them—there’s a lot, certainly, but the author managed to make me feel a connection to all of them. The worldbuilding is introduced nicely through all these different characters and perspectives, and overall I really enjoyed the way it mashed up a bunch of tropes to make something new.
It has elements of the “school for powered kids” trope, but it’s definitely not firmly in that genre. It has epic fantasy elements, urban fantasy elements, and some sort-of superhero elements. In fact, I honestly can’t tell you what genre this story is, exactly—but I like that. It’s fun and original, and I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like it.
Emma and Nemo’s relationship is the heart of the story in many ways—I like a good sibling relationship, and they’re a good sibling relationship. And I love Nemo so, so much. There are a *lot* of characters and plotlines in this book, but they’re all cool and original and they all intertwine to make a complex but never confusing story. (Although it did take me a few chapters or so to keep track of all the people in the circus.) Gabriel is a thoroughly interesting character and I love him. And the dragon. The dragon is the best.
The author manages the large amount of characters and intertwining plotlines nicely—everyone feels like they have their resolution and everything comes together at the end in a way that made me go “oh, so *that’s* why that character/plot was included.” I never felt like the amount of characters distanced me from any of them—there’s a lot, certainly, but the author managed to make me feel a connection to all of them. The worldbuilding is introduced nicely through all these different characters and perspectives, and overall I really enjoyed the way it mashed up a bunch of tropes to make something new.
September 11, 2021
*review of audiobook*
Circus Phantasm by Naomi P. Cohen is a whimsical tale of a brother and sister who runaway from home to join a circus for gifted individuals.
In this world people with powers ar known as blessed. and you can either join the Circus Phantasm or be enslaved by the evil company.
Emma and Nemo have no idea how close they were to the latter fate when they ran off to join the Circus.
This book really does have it all. Unicorns, mermaids, shape shifters, and dragons. If you love contemporary or urban fantasy, then this book has everything your looking for.
while I did enjoy this story on it's own, and It is complete, it still feels like a pilot episode. There I,s so much more that can be done in this story world. I certainly hopes the author revisits it in a future book.
The Narrator Christopher Klish, does a great job of reading. He does a different voice for every character and he does a fantastic job of emoting with his voice. If you are looking for a narrator that makes it sound like a full cast audio then Klish is one to follow.
*Thank you to author for providing me with a free audible review code. The above review is my own honest opinion of the audiobook experience.*
Circus Phantasm by Naomi P. Cohen is a whimsical tale of a brother and sister who runaway from home to join a circus for gifted individuals.
In this world people with powers ar known as blessed. and you can either join the Circus Phantasm or be enslaved by the evil company.
Emma and Nemo have no idea how close they were to the latter fate when they ran off to join the Circus.
This book really does have it all. Unicorns, mermaids, shape shifters, and dragons. If you love contemporary or urban fantasy, then this book has everything your looking for.
while I did enjoy this story on it's own, and It is complete, it still feels like a pilot episode. There I,s so much more that can be done in this story world. I certainly hopes the author revisits it in a future book.
The Narrator Christopher Klish, does a great job of reading. He does a different voice for every character and he does a fantastic job of emoting with his voice. If you are looking for a narrator that makes it sound like a full cast audio then Klish is one to follow.
*Thank you to author for providing me with a free audible review code. The above review is my own honest opinion of the audiobook experience.*
April 16, 2020
When I started this book, it was more or less as a courtesy. I didn't expect to find within its (figurative; I read the E-book version) pages a story of wonder and fantasy, of humor and heart, of dragons and unicorns and mermaids, of birds and bats and most of all, of two pairs of siblings. While I can't honestly call this book flawless- there were a few minor pacing issues, and there was definitely room for more world building (which hopefully will be addressed in the sequel, should there be one) - I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it. I'll definitely be back to visit the Circus Phantasm, to enjoy the brilliantly written show and the spectacular performances of the unique and fun characters!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2024
Siblings Emma and Nemo go to the circus expecting to see magic but find far more. They both have hidden magical talents, who are known as blessed in this world. Although they don’t know it, they barely escaped being enslaved by an evil company when they joined the circus. They may have found a place that their hidden talents can grow and meet all sorts of magical creatures along the way. They may even have found a home where they can live without hiding. But first they have to figure out who they can trust.
May 24, 2019
*A perfect blend of Erin Morgenstern's, The Night Circus and X-Men*
I had the wonderful opportunity to read an ARC copy of Circus Phantasm. I loved the different character POVs and the fantastical elements of the vanishing circus! Though I wished there were a few more scenes of the circus show, overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
I had the wonderful opportunity to read an ARC copy of Circus Phantasm. I loved the different character POVs and the fantastical elements of the vanishing circus! Though I wished there were a few more scenes of the circus show, overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
June 2, 2019
Unique story set in a unique world. Lots of fun, interesting creatures and twists.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews