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Cirque du Sorcery
Three amateur witches. Two brawny murderers. One awkward traveling circus.
When a standard full moon ritual leads three best friends to witness something awful; they do the only thing they can think of... they run. Quick planning leads the three girls to join a traveling circus. They spend time perfecting their spells and work to convince the ringmaster that they belong on stage. Before long, the new and improved circus is the talk of the nation.
The press swarms in. Audiences are packed. And then they see a familiar face in the crowd... the face of a murderer.
When a standard full moon ritual leads three best friends to witness something awful; they do the only thing they can think of... they run. Quick planning leads the three girls to join a traveling circus. They spend time perfecting their spells and work to convince the ringmaster that they belong on stage. Before long, the new and improved circus is the talk of the nation.
The press swarms in. Audiences are packed. And then they see a familiar face in the crowd... the face of a murderer.
454 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2022
2 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
About the author
Alyssa Lynn
20 books147 followersMy name is Alyssa Lynn and I live in a small town in Central Pennsylvania. I am the mom to three amazing girls and when we aren't shooting each other with Nerf guns, we're shooting each other in a game of Fortnite.
Aside from being an avid reader, I enjoy journaling, writing penpal letters, going for hikes, visiting new areas, crafting for my small business, painting, drawing, and reorganizing my bookshelves.
Aside from being an avid reader, I enjoy journaling, writing penpal letters, going for hikes, visiting new areas, crafting for my small business, painting, drawing, and reorganizing my bookshelves.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 5, 2020
AUTHOR REVIEW
This has been my favorite book thus far. I haven't even left reviews on my other ones. Cirque has some of my all-time favorite characters and the storyline was so much fun to write.
This has been my favorite book thus far. I haven't even left reviews on my other ones. Cirque has some of my all-time favorite characters and the storyline was so much fun to write.
January 1, 2021
Raven, Izzy, and Cora spend most of their time dabbling in witchcraft, determined to master the art. But when they suddenly witness a murder during a full moon ritual, they flee in fear for their own lives. The three witches soon find a place with a traveling circus, stunning audiences with their magical craft. But are they safe among these newfound friends, or will the murderers find them and silence them forever?
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This was such a fun story to read! I haven’t read much of modern day witchcraft, so it was cool to read about it for the first time. The story was engaging and had me looking forward to the next chapter every time. The girls were caught up in so many awkward moments, it was almost cringe-y in some places. And I mean that in the entertaining sense.
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The girls each had their own quirks, but they were truly sisters at heart and they worked well together. In fact, they are rarely separated throughout the story, except in a few places where the cute ringmaster is concerned, wink wink! The circus characters were all very endearing, immediately accepting of the girls without even knowing the trauma they had just witnessed.
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As much as I enjoyed the book, it does need some editing, as there were several grammatical and factual errors and a minor plot hole or two. I also wouldn’t mind seeing more of the actual magic performed, as most of their spells were for luck or protection.
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Ultimately, I’d give it 3.5/5 stars. I truly enjoyed the story, and would recommend it to readers who love modern witchcraft, suspense, romance, or just stories of friendship. I finished reading Cirque du Sorcery thinking, “well that was fun!”
.
This was such a fun story to read! I haven’t read much of modern day witchcraft, so it was cool to read about it for the first time. The story was engaging and had me looking forward to the next chapter every time. The girls were caught up in so many awkward moments, it was almost cringe-y in some places. And I mean that in the entertaining sense.
.
The girls each had their own quirks, but they were truly sisters at heart and they worked well together. In fact, they are rarely separated throughout the story, except in a few places where the cute ringmaster is concerned, wink wink! The circus characters were all very endearing, immediately accepting of the girls without even knowing the trauma they had just witnessed.
.
As much as I enjoyed the book, it does need some editing, as there were several grammatical and factual errors and a minor plot hole or two. I also wouldn’t mind seeing more of the actual magic performed, as most of their spells were for luck or protection.
.
Ultimately, I’d give it 3.5/5 stars. I truly enjoyed the story, and would recommend it to readers who love modern witchcraft, suspense, romance, or just stories of friendship. I finished reading Cirque du Sorcery thinking, “well that was fun!”
October 8, 2020
I don't quite know how to classify this book, it contains too many explicit scenes to be a cozy mystery, but it does still contain a lot of the elements of a 'witchy cozy', although it doesn't have a cat familiar, which seems to be de-rigueur for paranormal cozy stories, and I think that although there are some exciting passages it doesn't quite cut it as a thriller either, also there isn't really a mystery either, as we know exactly what is/has happened, although there is an element of suspense.
But, having said all that I did enjoy reading this book, the story is interesting and well crafted and I did enjoy the characters of the three young women who also happen to be witches, they were very different and their interactions were believable, sometimes a little fractious because of their difference, but still a solid group of friends.
The background of the three having to go on the run and joining a circus troupe is at the same time original and classic, and I thought that it worked really well.
So, if you want a paranormal story with a bit more sex and violence than a 'cozy' would give you, this just may be the book for you.
But, having said all that I did enjoy reading this book, the story is interesting and well crafted and I did enjoy the characters of the three young women who also happen to be witches, they were very different and their interactions were believable, sometimes a little fractious because of their difference, but still a solid group of friends.
The background of the three having to go on the run and joining a circus troupe is at the same time original and classic, and I thought that it worked really well.
So, if you want a paranormal story with a bit more sex and violence than a 'cozy' would give you, this just may be the book for you.
September 26, 2020
If you love magic, romance, with a teensy bit of danger, then READ THIS BOOK.
Raven, Izzy, and Cora are three witches who's bond is stronger than blood. While working on their craft one morning in the woods near their home, their lives are thrown into chaos, forcing them to leave everything and everyone they've known. A chance passing with traveling circus Magic & Mystique gives them a shot at escape, and if they can learn to trust, a home and family.
Alyssa does a fantastic job of creating characters you love and cheer for, even the bad guys. It's a strange tight rope to walk, but she proves that it can be done. And makes it look easy. Somehow. 😂❤️
☕🐱
Raven, Izzy, and Cora are three witches who's bond is stronger than blood. While working on their craft one morning in the woods near their home, their lives are thrown into chaos, forcing them to leave everything and everyone they've known. A chance passing with traveling circus Magic & Mystique gives them a shot at escape, and if they can learn to trust, a home and family.
Alyssa does a fantastic job of creating characters you love and cheer for, even the bad guys. It's a strange tight rope to walk, but she proves that it can be done. And makes it look easy. Somehow. 😂❤️
☕🐱
January 10, 2021
Raven, Izzy, and Cora are three sister-like friends that are working on their witchcraft when they see a murder. Needing to hide, they join a visiting circus and become of the show and making some good friends that have their back. The suspense of getting found or their magic acting up is constant until they see the face of the killer in the crowd. The banter and deep friendship keeps the story grounded. Surprises and twists keep the story on edge and unpredictable. Loved the ending and would love to see more of this group.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 23, 2020
Wonderful book
This is a great book, well written and keeps you on your toes wanting to know more. There were absolutely no boring parts, details were great and the storyline was amazing.
This is a great book, well written and keeps you on your toes wanting to know more. There were absolutely no boring parts, details were great and the storyline was amazing.
January 17, 2021
Great read! This book had me smiling so often, my kids kept asking me what was so funny. The relationship between the girls is the sweetest! There's literally a little bit of everything in this book! I would LOVE to see a 2nd book about these girls :)
November 5, 2020
Cirque du Sorcery was not at all what I expected it to be, in a fantastic way, it is a surprising combination of when thriller and romance meets circus and witchcraft mixed with a little rom com and was a joy to read. I love the twists and turns in this book! It keeps you guessing what will happen. I found it a little slow to get into, however when it gets going it really goes. I loved the humor that the characters have and loved the quirks of all the characters.
April 1, 2021
Cirque du Sorcery
was a fantastic surprise as I admit that I did not start it with the highest expectations. It has definitely increased my interest in reading more from Alyssa Lynn as I loved the world and characters that she created in this novel. There is a lot of enjoyment that came from reading this as it was a good mix of fantasy, mystery, and romance.
Raven, Izzy, and Cora are best friends. They are bonded by the friendship that they share and they have an added layer to this relationship on the magic that they possess. The characters have a bond similar to sisters and I like that they became a family without being related by blood. They communicate with each other and you can trust that they would help out each other whenever they can. On one unfortunate day, they witness a murder while they working on their craft during a full moon ritual in the woods near their home. For their own protection, they must leave everything that they know and love and go into hiding. As the synopsis says, the three of them go on to join a traveling circus! They join Magic & Mystique as it was passing through and hope that they can trust in their newfound “home.”
The author does a fantastic job of creating characters that the reader cares about, no matter if they are on the villains or on the side of good. There are a few characters that I cared about more than others, as is expected in almost all novels. Caring for the characters is one of the key pieces for me, as a reader, to enjoy a novel, and I liked that I greatly enjoyed that I at least somewhat cared for all of them. Our three main characters were not perfect and had their own quirks, but they were a delight overall. They have excellent banter with each other and provide excellent balance to the overall story.
The story does take a minute or two to get fully immersed as everything is introduced, but I became captivated relatively quickly and ended up reading this novel in a single sitting. The concept of the novel is really fun as I absolutely love the idea of joining a traveling circus to run away and hide out. There are a lot of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end. The magic used in the novel was fun to read about and I wish there were more scenes featuring it being used. There are spells here and there, but I wanted even more throughout the chapters. The writing itself is very easy to follow and helped move the story along as the reader does not get caught up in certain places throughout the story.
Overall, I loved that the circus characters embraced the three witches and the general reading experience of the circus setting to be delightful. The suspense of the three of them hiding out with the murderer on the loose was fun and kept me reading to figure out what would happen in the end. The three topics in the story (witchcraft, murder mystery, and relationships – romance and friendship) were woven together well and give the reader a little bit of everything to keep them entertained throughout their reading. Although this is currently a standalone, it would be fun to read about more adventures for these three witches!
**I want to give a special thank you to Booksprout and the author, Alyssa Lynn, for a review copy of this enjoyable novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**
Raven, Izzy, and Cora are best friends. They are bonded by the friendship that they share and they have an added layer to this relationship on the magic that they possess. The characters have a bond similar to sisters and I like that they became a family without being related by blood. They communicate with each other and you can trust that they would help out each other whenever they can. On one unfortunate day, they witness a murder while they working on their craft during a full moon ritual in the woods near their home. For their own protection, they must leave everything that they know and love and go into hiding. As the synopsis says, the three of them go on to join a traveling circus! They join Magic & Mystique as it was passing through and hope that they can trust in their newfound “home.”
The author does a fantastic job of creating characters that the reader cares about, no matter if they are on the villains or on the side of good. There are a few characters that I cared about more than others, as is expected in almost all novels. Caring for the characters is one of the key pieces for me, as a reader, to enjoy a novel, and I liked that I greatly enjoyed that I at least somewhat cared for all of them. Our three main characters were not perfect and had their own quirks, but they were a delight overall. They have excellent banter with each other and provide excellent balance to the overall story.
The story does take a minute or two to get fully immersed as everything is introduced, but I became captivated relatively quickly and ended up reading this novel in a single sitting. The concept of the novel is really fun as I absolutely love the idea of joining a traveling circus to run away and hide out. There are a lot of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end. The magic used in the novel was fun to read about and I wish there were more scenes featuring it being used. There are spells here and there, but I wanted even more throughout the chapters. The writing itself is very easy to follow and helped move the story along as the reader does not get caught up in certain places throughout the story.
Overall, I loved that the circus characters embraced the three witches and the general reading experience of the circus setting to be delightful. The suspense of the three of them hiding out with the murderer on the loose was fun and kept me reading to figure out what would happen in the end. The three topics in the story (witchcraft, murder mystery, and relationships – romance and friendship) were woven together well and give the reader a little bit of everything to keep them entertained throughout their reading. Although this is currently a standalone, it would be fun to read about more adventures for these three witches!
**I want to give a special thank you to Booksprout and the author, Alyssa Lynn, for a review copy of this enjoyable novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**
March 28, 2021
This was a fun read. I enjoyed the three main characters Raven, Izzy, and Cora, so much; their friendship was so much fun. The witchcraft and suspense in this book will keep you on your toes. There’s even some romance to help you fall for this book even faster. A definite read, and I look forward to rereading it again and again. I absolutely adore all of Alyssa’s books, and this was no exception.
April 1, 2021
I was absolutely captivated by this story of circus witches. This grab my attention and didn’t let it go. The circus going national isn’t a very good witness protection program. Izzy, Raven, and Cora’s characters complement each other well. They are thick as thieves. The humor, drama, and the twists and turns in this book keep you guessing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 16, 2021
I enjoyed it
I really enjoyed this book, more than I thought I would. The storyline was unique and wasn’t sure how I felt about the whole joining the circus thing. But once I got into it I found myself getting sucked into what was going to happen next and the ending played out much differently than I expected.
I really enjoyed this book, more than I thought I would. The storyline was unique and wasn’t sure how I felt about the whole joining the circus thing. But once I got into it I found myself getting sucked into what was going to happen next and the ending played out much differently than I expected.
August 8, 2022
Cirque du Sorcery is the story of three best friends (Raven, Cora and Izzy) who practice witchcraft. One day, when they are doing spells in what they think is their secluded area, they witness a murder. The murderers spot the girls, who immediately go back to their apartment, pack up and skip town. The murderers, however, have a different plan and chase after the girls to take care of business.
Overall I really liked this story. I appreciate that I learned a bit about the girls’ practice and I liked seeing their development over the story. I did see a few grammatical and spelling errors throughout (and this distracts me VERY easily) as well as some plot holes. I loved seeing the friendship between the girls and even new friendships develop. Also there is good suspense as far as what happens next. So again, the story is overall enjoyable and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it!
Overall I really liked this story. I appreciate that I learned a bit about the girls’ practice and I liked seeing their development over the story. I did see a few grammatical and spelling errors throughout (and this distracts me VERY easily) as well as some plot holes. I loved seeing the friendship between the girls and even new friendships develop. Also there is good suspense as far as what happens next. So again, the story is overall enjoyable and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it!
August 4, 2022
This book was outstanding. The storyline and characters were out of this world. I loved everything about this book. I was hooked right from the beginning. Alyssa Lynn knows how to pull a reader in and keep you wanting more. This book has so much action going on that you really don't want the book to end. You have a trio of witches who are more than family. You have a circus with a strong sense of family and love. You have of course the hitmen chasing the girls. Last but not lease you have two out of three fallen in love. What more could you ask for. Maybe a second book ........ Anyway you really don't want to miss this one. Believe me you won't be disappointed.
August 17, 2022
Holy witchcraft Batman!!!! This book is intense from the beginning and drew my in like a moth to a flame! I could not and would not put this book down. I lost some sleep and it was WORTH IT!!! Amazing journey these 3 women went on and have in front of them!
October 21, 2024
This book keeps you guessing until the end, couldn't put it down until it was finished. Highly recommend!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 14, 2021
Cirque du Sorcery
by
Alyssa Lynn
I received an ARC of this novel via Booksproutand this is my honest review.
Three witches, Raven and her two best friends Izzy and Cora practice magic and are what appear to be apprentices in the craft. The story begins with a glimpse of their characters and what keeps the trio together. We are soon introduced to Eleanor the owner of The White Cauldron who took the girls in when she discovered they were without families.The bond between the three girls is palpable as the author hints of their previous unfortunate life experiences and as practicing witches their respect for one another is evident with Raven appearing to be the leader and more advanced who also occasionally dabbles in the darker side of magic.
Due to a sense of foreboding by Raven they cast a protection spell but all too soon the “ sense “ becomes a reality as the violent ex-boyfriend of Izzy is murdered and they become first-eye witnesses of the crime with a price on their heads.
In their desperate need to escape being hunted by the perpetrators, the three have a chance encounter with a group of circus performers. Fortune smiles down and their escape route is created along with anonymity...for a while at least.
This is an exciting read , a combination of not-quite-witchy- cozy/thriller/suspense/adventure/romance/new adult...it has a bit of everything including a couple of adult scenes and language but not too much. The reader is conscious of the rapport between the girls where one compliments the other completing the spellcasting threesome. It is definitely not what I expected it to be, becoming a cat and mouse game, the question being how long could the girls retain their obscurity without blowing their coverand hurting others in the process.
The only thing I would have enjoyed to learn about would have been more about the actual craft.
I give Cirque du Sorcery 4 out of 5 stars.
by
Alyssa Lynn
I received an ARC of this novel via Booksproutand this is my honest review.
Three witches, Raven and her two best friends Izzy and Cora practice magic and are what appear to be apprentices in the craft. The story begins with a glimpse of their characters and what keeps the trio together. We are soon introduced to Eleanor the owner of The White Cauldron who took the girls in when she discovered they were without families.The bond between the three girls is palpable as the author hints of their previous unfortunate life experiences and as practicing witches their respect for one another is evident with Raven appearing to be the leader and more advanced who also occasionally dabbles in the darker side of magic.
Due to a sense of foreboding by Raven they cast a protection spell but all too soon the “ sense “ becomes a reality as the violent ex-boyfriend of Izzy is murdered and they become first-eye witnesses of the crime with a price on their heads.
In their desperate need to escape being hunted by the perpetrators, the three have a chance encounter with a group of circus performers. Fortune smiles down and their escape route is created along with anonymity...for a while at least.
This is an exciting read , a combination of not-quite-witchy- cozy/thriller/suspense/adventure/romance/new adult...it has a bit of everything including a couple of adult scenes and language but not too much. The reader is conscious of the rapport between the girls where one compliments the other completing the spellcasting threesome. It is definitely not what I expected it to be, becoming a cat and mouse game, the question being how long could the girls retain their obscurity without blowing their coverand hurting others in the process.
The only thing I would have enjoyed to learn about would have been more about the actual craft.
I give Cirque du Sorcery 4 out of 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews