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Carnival of the Lost
Children are being sucked into the Thames, and there have been strange sightings of a mechanical monster. The carnival troupe know first-hand that looks only tell half a story - they become determined to find these forgotten children.
Perhaps they will unravel the mystery that has defied even the law!
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
About the author
Kieran Larwood
40 books292 followersKieran Larwood is the author of Freaks, and was the winner of the Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition 2011.
Kieran is one of only two male Reception class teachers on the Isle of Wight.
His days mainly consist of singing nursery rhymes, tying shoelaces, trying to locate who has had an ‘accident’ by sense of smell alone, and vast, endless mountains of paperwork.
Kieran graduated from Southampton University with a degree in English, and also did a foundation year at Falmouth College of Art. Ever since he first read The Hobbit at age six, he has been passionate about stories and storytelling.
Kieran lives with his family on the Isle of Wight. It is his dream to write full time and leave the ‘accidents’ to someone else.
Kieran is one of only two male Reception class teachers on the Isle of Wight.
His days mainly consist of singing nursery rhymes, tying shoelaces, trying to locate who has had an ‘accident’ by sense of smell alone, and vast, endless mountains of paperwork.
Kieran graduated from Southampton University with a degree in English, and also did a foundation year at Falmouth College of Art. Ever since he first read The Hobbit at age six, he has been passionate about stories and storytelling.
Kieran lives with his family on the Isle of Wight. It is his dream to write full time and leave the ‘accidents’ to someone else.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 16, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this somewhat dark tale of a group of misfits saving the day. I feel a sequel is in the offing!
May 18, 2022
I judged the book by its cover when I first saw it in a bookstore, and I ended up buying it thinking it'd make a fun read. My prediction turned out to be 100% correct. The book turned out to be a delightful read.
The fun facts provided at the end of the book were indeed very fun. The author provided the necessary info to understand why that concept was mentioned in the book, but they added their own turn to it, which made it very fun to read.
The mystery is fairly simply put together, but presented in a way that it's hard to guess where the plot will take you.
The thing I liked the most was all the imperfect characters who all seemed rounded. Even though they're all 'freaks' in a freakshow, that characteristic alone doesn't define their whole personality. Sheba, the half-wolf half-girl's main attribute isn't that she's a so-called werewolf. Gigantus, the big and strong 'freak', isn't just one big muscle, but is a romantic and creative soul. The only reason the reader knows they're reading about 'freaks' is because the book is constantly reminding them that they have a carnival show to run in the evenings, or when other characters call them degrading names connected to their looks and abilities that are not considered normal.
The fun facts provided at the end of the book were indeed very fun. The author provided the necessary info to understand why that concept was mentioned in the book, but they added their own turn to it, which made it very fun to read.
The mystery is fairly simply put together, but presented in a way that it's hard to guess where the plot will take you.
The thing I liked the most was all the imperfect characters who all seemed rounded. Even though they're all 'freaks' in a freakshow, that characteristic alone doesn't define their whole personality. Sheba, the half-wolf half-girl's main attribute isn't that she's a so-called werewolf. Gigantus, the big and strong 'freak', isn't just one big muscle, but is a romantic and creative soul. The only reason the reader knows they're reading about 'freaks' is because the book is constantly reminding them that they have a carnival show to run in the evenings, or when other characters call them degrading names connected to their looks and abilities that are not considered normal.
March 4, 2022
Told through the eyes of Sheba the wolf girl, an intelligent if socially awkward young lady, the story moves at a fast pace (perfect to keep the attention of the target audience)Really hitting it's stride as she ends up in London as part of a freakshow along with fellow 'entertainers' Mama Rat, Monkey boy, Sister moon and Gigantus! It is here where the author really nails it with a very vivid description of Victorian London that will leave you holding your nose (or at least opening a window for some fresh air!!) Each of the young heroes get their moment to shine but this was always going to be Sheba's story and you cannot help but sympathise with her as her and her band of friends try to solve a crime that the rest of society chooses to ignore! I find myself avidly waiting for the sequel.
February 26, 2023
I read this book as part of a Book awards at the school I work at as a librarian.
It is suitable for ages 11-12 years.
It isn't my usual genre of book but I really enjoyed it
It is suitable for ages 11-12 years.
It isn't my usual genre of book but I really enjoyed it
January 19, 2023
✨Review time✨ - Carnival of the Lost
I haven't read a middle grade book in a while, this one was amazing through and through. We have an interesting premise and some less then good illustrations but an overall great package.
The story is about Sheba a wolf-girl living in Victorian England. She gets bought by an owner of a troupe that performs in London. She, alongside a strongman, a knife thrower, a self identified imp and a lady that controls rats, get caught up in an investigation of children that are going missing in the Themes.
The writing is amazing, it keeps it simple enough for younger readers, but very interesting even to adults. The characters are all interesting and there is enough to all of them to find out and connect to throughout the story. The mystery itself is obvious at times but very fun to follow nonetheless. The author seems to really like the setting as there are a lot of notes in the back of the book explaining what Victorian London was like, both educational and fun.
I don't like the illustrations. Don't get me wrong the style and quality is good. The problem is that Sheba is inaccurate in all of the drawings she is in. Even on the cover, at the beginning of the book I was checking the cover illustration and connecting characters to how the illustrator imagined them, they all looked good, but I couldn't spot Sheba. That's because, in all of the illustrations she appears in(which is all but one) she is drawn without fur. The book tells you that she has fur even in her human form, it's a big character trait as she comes to love herself towards the end. But every time we get to an illustration I am completely thrown out of the book. Also the crab looks way too goofy for how it's described in the book.
So to sum up, this book is amazingly written I am just very not vibing with the de-furrification of Sheba in the art.
I haven't read a middle grade book in a while, this one was amazing through and through. We have an interesting premise and some less then good illustrations but an overall great package.
The story is about Sheba a wolf-girl living in Victorian England. She gets bought by an owner of a troupe that performs in London. She, alongside a strongman, a knife thrower, a self identified imp and a lady that controls rats, get caught up in an investigation of children that are going missing in the Themes.
The writing is amazing, it keeps it simple enough for younger readers, but very interesting even to adults. The characters are all interesting and there is enough to all of them to find out and connect to throughout the story. The mystery itself is obvious at times but very fun to follow nonetheless. The author seems to really like the setting as there are a lot of notes in the back of the book explaining what Victorian London was like, both educational and fun.
I don't like the illustrations. Don't get me wrong the style and quality is good. The problem is that Sheba is inaccurate in all of the drawings she is in. Even on the cover, at the beginning of the book I was checking the cover illustration and connecting characters to how the illustrator imagined them, they all looked good, but I couldn't spot Sheba. That's because, in all of the illustrations she appears in(which is all but one) she is drawn without fur. The book tells you that she has fur even in her human form, it's a big character trait as she comes to love herself towards the end. But every time we get to an illustration I am completely thrown out of the book. Also the crab looks way too goofy for how it's described in the book.
So to sum up, this book is amazingly written I am just very not vibing with the de-furrification of Sheba in the art.
May 5, 2023
This is another title from this year's shortlisted titles in my school’s annual competition – The Bolton Children’s Fiction Award & I loved it! I have seen Sam Usher’s brilliant black and white illustrations before in The Umbrella Mouse but Kieran Larwood is a new author for me. I’m so glad that I gave this book a try. It is a mystery/thriller set in the Victorian Era. The story is great with loads of interesting characters. The who-dun-it plot kept me guessing and every time it was time to close the book, I would talk myself into reading just a few pages more!
The story is quite different to books I have read before. I love history so the story being set in grim and grimy Victorian London caught my interest. I was also hooked by the strange selection of fantasy type carnival performers. There is Sheba the wolf girl; Pyewacket the witch’s imp; Gigantus the giant and a knife thrower called Sister Moon.
The main character is Sheba. She is part wolf – with amber eyes, sharp teeth and nails, and is covered in hair. She struggles to control herself so that her wolf-side can not break free. She doesn’t know where she came from and doesn’t feel like she fits in anywhere. When Sheba joins the carnival troupe she finally feels like she has found a home where she can be happy, make real friends and learn to perform. However, strange things begin to happen. There are mud larks (children who scavenge in river mud for valuables) going missing along the Thames and there are rumours about a mechanical monster roaming the city. The police won’t help, they try to reassure people but don’t seem to be doing anything to solve the mystery of the missing mud larks. When Sheba’s friend Till is also taken, Sheba and the carnival troupe decide that they will find the lost children themselves!
The story is quite different to books I have read before. I love history so the story being set in grim and grimy Victorian London caught my interest. I was also hooked by the strange selection of fantasy type carnival performers. There is Sheba the wolf girl; Pyewacket the witch’s imp; Gigantus the giant and a knife thrower called Sister Moon.
The main character is Sheba. She is part wolf – with amber eyes, sharp teeth and nails, and is covered in hair. She struggles to control herself so that her wolf-side can not break free. She doesn’t know where she came from and doesn’t feel like she fits in anywhere. When Sheba joins the carnival troupe she finally feels like she has found a home where she can be happy, make real friends and learn to perform. However, strange things begin to happen. There are mud larks (children who scavenge in river mud for valuables) going missing along the Thames and there are rumours about a mechanical monster roaming the city. The police won’t help, they try to reassure people but don’t seem to be doing anything to solve the mystery of the missing mud larks. When Sheba’s friend Till is also taken, Sheba and the carnival troupe decide that they will find the lost children themselves!
March 29, 2022
I absolutely loved the idea of the carnival and love stories set in Victorian England. To be honest, I only really understood the book was for children, once I held it in my hands, the cover should have given it away I guess 😅 That being said, I love the layout, the thick pages, the illustrations and the black edge along the edge of the pages.
The story itself was quick paced and I just loved the characters. Sheba was the main character but I never felt that she needlessly had to outshine the others. A lot of the characters had a background which I wanted to learn more about. There were mechanic crabs and an evil Igor! (OK , that's a Pratchett reference, never mind) 😅
For me the most fun part were the footnotes. They never distracted too much from the story, but you're not obliged to read them if you don't want to. They added some information on the time period and they were absolutely hilarious at times 😂
Also, Gertrude Lacygusset needs her own book! 🤣
A really fun read, one I would definitely recommend to children (be it disguised as adults or not) who love adventure and mystery! And learn that it's possible to find a place where you can be yourself 🥰
The story itself was quick paced and I just loved the characters. Sheba was the main character but I never felt that she needlessly had to outshine the others. A lot of the characters had a background which I wanted to learn more about. There were mechanic crabs and an evil Igor! (OK , that's a Pratchett reference, never mind) 😅
For me the most fun part were the footnotes. They never distracted too much from the story, but you're not obliged to read them if you don't want to. They added some information on the time period and they were absolutely hilarious at times 😂
Also, Gertrude Lacygusset needs her own book! 🤣
A really fun read, one I would definitely recommend to children (be it disguised as adults or not) who love adventure and mystery! And learn that it's possible to find a place where you can be yourself 🥰
July 10, 2022
This book was super fun, it follows a gang of ‘misfits’ who are part of a carnival of curiosities who set about to unravel a mystery and save the day. It’s set in London in 1851, a time where London is very dark and gloomy, seedy and quite dangerous. The way the author describes the city during this time just adds to the suspense and intrigue.
I’m not going to lie, for a children’s book, I found this quite macabre and sinister at times but I know my children wouldn’t view it the way I did. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but there were definitely some parts towards the end that I found a little sinister (but I am a crime/thriller fan so this didn’t bother me).
I really enjoyed this book, I finished it in 3 sittings as it was really fast paced and had you back wanting more. I was satisfied with the ending of this book but the author has left it open for another book I would say :)
Some of the writing in this book was fantastic, I have to say.
Ages for this book. I would say 8+ as I know my son would read it and enjoy it. If you’re child doesn’t like scary (ish) stories though push the age limit up a little.
I’m not going to lie, for a children’s book, I found this quite macabre and sinister at times but I know my children wouldn’t view it the way I did. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but there were definitely some parts towards the end that I found a little sinister (but I am a crime/thriller fan so this didn’t bother me).
I really enjoyed this book, I finished it in 3 sittings as it was really fast paced and had you back wanting more. I was satisfied with the ending of this book but the author has left it open for another book I would say :)
Some of the writing in this book was fantastic, I have to say.
Ages for this book. I would say 8+ as I know my son would read it and enjoy it. If you’re child doesn’t like scary (ish) stories though push the age limit up a little.
March 1, 2022
A fun 1850’s London story, where the heroine discovers a found family of misfits and outcasts against the backdrop of steampunk constructions and mad science. The illustrations by Sam Usher and text capture the cutter and filth of London at that time. A great read.
April 6, 2022
A lovely easy dystopian read. About the misfits in society trying to solve the mystery of disappearing children.
May 21, 2022
Enjoyable
June 17, 2022
Wonderful.....I shall miss being with you all......thank you Kieran
December 26, 2022
Superb!
March 25, 2023
Love Larwood's work - he truly manages to create evocative worlds and characters, whatever he writes about. My 12 year old son loved this one too.
June 4, 2023
Another hit from Kieran Larwood, a little different to his other books... but so enjoyable!
The charectors and scene are so well written 👏 can't wait to read the next one...
The charectors and scene are so well written 👏 can't wait to read the next one...
December 29, 2025
4.5 stars!
July 22, 2022
Last year was the year where I finally started (and ended up finishing) the Five Realms series by this author, and while I’m desperate to see what happens next in that world, I’m very glad to have this rewritten version of Kieran’s debut to tide me over (as well as the sequel, due in July, and the start of a new series from Kieran in October too! We’re truly being spoiled in 2022!). This is very much a different vibe to Podkin and Uki, as it’s much more based in our world, in a Victorian London that’s dangerous and grimy and brutal. It follows a group of characters, led by our heroine Sheba the Wolf Girl, who are part of a Victorian sideshow, as they try and solve the mystery of why so many children have gone missing recently.
Sheba has had a pretty difficult start to life and although being part of a sideshow obviously isn’t ideal in any circumstances, it is lovely to see her become more confident and happier as she is embraced by the other acts in her new home, as up until that point her only friend was Flossy the lamb (who sounds so cute, might I add!).
Really I loved the whole ensemble as they all brought different valuable skills to the adventure and they had a brilliant camaraderie between them as a group, but my favourites were Pyewacket (whose backstory made me cry!!) and Mama Rat, who was just lovely and whose rats were so loyal and brave in helping with the investigation because they loved her so much. Which proves once again that animals are excellent judges of character! There are also some deeply sinister villains, who felt very much like people you may actually meet in our current day world, and there were scenes where I was definitely a bit on edge.
The mystery is incredibly intriguing and there are some great twists, some of which I didn’t see coming and others that I was quite proud to have guessed. The setting and atmosphere were also really well done- the steampunk vibes made Kieran’s version of London really come alive and the descriptions made it almost feel like I was there alongside the characters. I also really liked that this comments on the injustice of these types of acts and also some of the other injustices in Victorian society, of which were there were sadly an awful lot, and are an important part of this period.
After some of the reveals at the end, particularly those concerning Sheba’s origins and what happened to her parents, I’m really looking forward to seeing where this story goes in book 2. I think this would appeal to fans of books like Wild Boy and the Cogheart Adventures!
Sheba has had a pretty difficult start to life and although being part of a sideshow obviously isn’t ideal in any circumstances, it is lovely to see her become more confident and happier as she is embraced by the other acts in her new home, as up until that point her only friend was Flossy the lamb (who sounds so cute, might I add!).
Really I loved the whole ensemble as they all brought different valuable skills to the adventure and they had a brilliant camaraderie between them as a group, but my favourites were Pyewacket (whose backstory made me cry!!) and Mama Rat, who was just lovely and whose rats were so loyal and brave in helping with the investigation because they loved her so much. Which proves once again that animals are excellent judges of character! There are also some deeply sinister villains, who felt very much like people you may actually meet in our current day world, and there were scenes where I was definitely a bit on edge.
The mystery is incredibly intriguing and there are some great twists, some of which I didn’t see coming and others that I was quite proud to have guessed. The setting and atmosphere were also really well done- the steampunk vibes made Kieran’s version of London really come alive and the descriptions made it almost feel like I was there alongside the characters. I also really liked that this comments on the injustice of these types of acts and also some of the other injustices in Victorian society, of which were there were sadly an awful lot, and are an important part of this period.
After some of the reveals at the end, particularly those concerning Sheba’s origins and what happened to her parents, I’m really looking forward to seeing where this story goes in book 2. I think this would appeal to fans of books like Wild Boy and the Cogheart Adventures!
November 28, 2023
couldn't click with this so gave up.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews