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Circus of Shadows
When seventeen-year-old Gracie Hart gets caught stealing a ride on a circus train, she expects to be arrested. Instead, she is offered a job as the new assistant to the circus magician and knife-thrower, Jack. He's charismatic and genteel, but his aim isn't perfect-hence the position opening.
The work is better than jail, but once Gracie starts performing with Jack, she begins finding threatening notes hidden in her costume. At first, she thinks she's being haunted by the ghost of the last assistant, but she can't shake the feeling that things are even stranger than they appear.
Plagued by reoccurring déjà vu, cryptic notes, and suspicions that Jack may not be who he seems to be, Gracie is swept into supernatural secrets surrounding Vincenzio's Circus Troupe & Menagerie. And when a second death is discovered in the circus, one thing becomes boldly clear: if Gracie can't figure out the mysteries under the big top, her next venue might be the afterlife.
The work is better than jail, but once Gracie starts performing with Jack, she begins finding threatening notes hidden in her costume. At first, she thinks she's being haunted by the ghost of the last assistant, but she can't shake the feeling that things are even stranger than they appear.
Plagued by reoccurring déjà vu, cryptic notes, and suspicions that Jack may not be who he seems to be, Gracie is swept into supernatural secrets surrounding Vincenzio's Circus Troupe & Menagerie. And when a second death is discovered in the circus, one thing becomes boldly clear: if Gracie can't figure out the mysteries under the big top, her next venue might be the afterlife.
288 pages, Paperback
Published May 7, 2022
6 people are currently reading
344 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 17, 2022
3.5 stars. honestly, this book started out SO strong. and then we started talking about soul stones and stone-inators and it’s such a big switch in plot direction that i started to miss what we once had 😔.
considering this is a debut: would i read another book from this author? mmm, yes. yes i would. would i reread this one? mmm, no. no i would not.
considering this is a debut: would i read another book from this author? mmm, yes. yes i would. would i reread this one? mmm, no. no i would not.
November 5, 2025
My first DNF of the year. It started out strong, and I love circus books! But once it started moving, no matter what happened, I just didn't care. I don't know, the main character was so stereotypical and boring, her reactions to everything were so forced, the Ghostbusters vibe I started getting from Jack's stuff...I'm sure there were more twists but I just couldn't build enough interest to power through. I got about halfway and finally decided to give myself the out.
April 11, 2022
What an unusual idea for a book this turned out to be. A young woman alone desperate to find her family in Chicago turned into a very different story than the one I had expected. In truth her vague backstory about having recently committed murder whilst obviously shocking didn’t add a great deal to the story. No its when she inadvertently gets taken in by a traveling circus and Gracies life really becomes much more interesting. Working as the magicians assistant is a lot more dangerous than anyone could expect !
This very much surprised me as I wasn’t initially sure exactly what magic or trickery was in play here but when things start to get explained it certainly had me taking notice ! It’s less the Illusionist and a whole lot more HG Wells with a strong edge if science fiction woven in. If blunt the characters are not particularly likeable and at times downright annoying but this held my attention and I have to admit does have a happy ending.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
This very much surprised me as I wasn’t initially sure exactly what magic or trickery was in play here but when things start to get explained it certainly had me taking notice ! It’s less the Illusionist and a whole lot more HG Wells with a strong edge if science fiction woven in. If blunt the characters are not particularly likeable and at times downright annoying but this held my attention and I have to admit does have a happy ending.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
June 4, 2022
i love circus books
like the night circus and caraval etc.
i thought that the characters were really unique
and honestly, this concept was really cool.
a super fun and enjoyable read!
like the night circus and caraval etc.
i thought that the characters were really unique
and honestly, this concept was really cool.
a super fun and enjoyable read!
August 7, 2022
Not at all what I was expecting….
July 3, 2022
I don´t know how I feel about this book. It was probably on of the weirdest reading experiences I have ever had. Not because the book was bad, because it wasn´t, but because I never knew what to expect, due to all the plot twists that kept happening. I liked jack, then I didn´t, then I did again, then that big thing happened and we discovered the truth and i didn´t know how the story would end. I was just as confused as Gracie while reading the entire thing. Apart from that, I really liked, due to the curiosity that led me to keep on reading. You can expect the unexpected with this book, and still be surprised. I recommend it to anyone feeling like reading something completely out of the box with a little hint of romance.
July 15, 2022
I have a lot of mixed emotions after reading this book. There were some parts that I really enjoyed but the story overall fell short for me.
I loved the overall concept of the story. It was an amazing idea of not having it take place in the present day but also having the transition between the two places. There were twists that I wouldn’t have even considered and I think the use of multiple perspectives allowed that to happen and convince the readers.
However, there were many things that I believe made the book a lot less enjoyable.
Age: The concept of Gracie of being 17 and Jack being 20 didn’t sit well with me. Although I know there could have been a much worse age gap, I just can’t wrap my head around why Gracie couldn’t be older or Jack younger? Gracie could still have been considered an orphan even if she aged up. She could have still looked for her family too. Not to mention that the whole idea of her finding her family just disappeared for a large portion of the book and only showed up when she wanted to quit. I think the epilogue was just to try and tie it back to the beginning but was also unnecessary considering finding her family became completely irrelevant.
The World Build: Due to the transitions between the two places, one that was built by geniuses and works much differently than how we know the world to work, I believe it could have been described and built a lot more. It seemed like the only time we learn more about the world is just for the plot and so it was hard to picture the entire place.
The Pacing: At some points it felt like there was too much going on and I felt like more details on the events to explain them more would have made the book easier to follow. An example of this could be when Harris turns against Clarice. It just happened and no matter how many times I tried to re-read that one part, it seemed like it was added and the reader was expected to follow along with it. Or like the muder that Gracie committed. That was not built on at all. Sure it was brought up multiple times, but was never fully developed or talked about to the extent that I would have liked. We don’t even get to see Gracie actually reflect on the matter, she just remembers that she did it. It seems like so much was crammed in for the sake of the plot but was never developed when some parts could have been simplified and others developed more.
The relationship between Gracie and Jack: Personally, I wouldn’t have wanted this to happen. However, the real problem for me isn’t just that they got together, it’s that Jack and Gracie’s relationship was never properly addressed. For one, Jack manipulating her all the time and telling her to trust him is not enough and the internal remorse he had did nothing to change my opinion on all the manipulation.
There’s also so many questions I have now that I finished and I don’t feel satisfied finishing the book.
I also noticed that this book has yet to have any reviews on Goodreads, and I would prefer not to post this review on there to lower the rating right off the bat. This means I will be waiting to post this review publicly until more are posted.
I loved the overall concept of the story. It was an amazing idea of not having it take place in the present day but also having the transition between the two places. There were twists that I wouldn’t have even considered and I think the use of multiple perspectives allowed that to happen and convince the readers.
However, there were many things that I believe made the book a lot less enjoyable.
Age: The concept of Gracie of being 17 and Jack being 20 didn’t sit well with me. Although I know there could have been a much worse age gap, I just can’t wrap my head around why Gracie couldn’t be older or Jack younger? Gracie could still have been considered an orphan even if she aged up. She could have still looked for her family too. Not to mention that the whole idea of her finding her family just disappeared for a large portion of the book and only showed up when she wanted to quit. I think the epilogue was just to try and tie it back to the beginning but was also unnecessary considering finding her family became completely irrelevant.
The World Build: Due to the transitions between the two places, one that was built by geniuses and works much differently than how we know the world to work, I believe it could have been described and built a lot more. It seemed like the only time we learn more about the world is just for the plot and so it was hard to picture the entire place.
The Pacing: At some points it felt like there was too much going on and I felt like more details on the events to explain them more would have made the book easier to follow. An example of this could be when Harris turns against Clarice. It just happened and no matter how many times I tried to re-read that one part, it seemed like it was added and the reader was expected to follow along with it. Or like the muder that Gracie committed. That was not built on at all. Sure it was brought up multiple times, but was never fully developed or talked about to the extent that I would have liked. We don’t even get to see Gracie actually reflect on the matter, she just remembers that she did it. It seems like so much was crammed in for the sake of the plot but was never developed when some parts could have been simplified and others developed more.
The relationship between Gracie and Jack: Personally, I wouldn’t have wanted this to happen. However, the real problem for me isn’t just that they got together, it’s that Jack and Gracie’s relationship was never properly addressed. For one, Jack manipulating her all the time and telling her to trust him is not enough and the internal remorse he had did nothing to change my opinion on all the manipulation.
There’s also so many questions I have now that I finished and I don’t feel satisfied finishing the book.
I also noticed that this book has yet to have any reviews on Goodreads, and I would prefer not to post this review on there to lower the rating right off the bat. This means I will be waiting to post this review publicly until more are posted.
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August 11, 2022Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy!
tl;dr
Great atmospheric mystery that shifts into a sci-fi adventure, paired with a haters-to-lovers romance. Main character's development gets set back a few times, which may be frustrating to some readers.
About
Gracie Hart is on the run, and when she's caught stealing a ride on a circus train, she figures joining the circus is probably better than going to jail. But her job as a magician's assistant might be more deadly than she expects, especially with strange notes showing up out of nowhere, and a magician obviously keeping a supernatural secret.
Thoughts
Circus of Shadows, Or: The Gaslighting of Gracie Hart. Okay first off, I absolutely devoured this book. Just blazed straight through it. The writing is well-paced and exciting, with mysteries and tension building upon each other and pushing the reader to get in "just one more chapter." The atmosphere is delightfully spooky and tense, and the first few chapters in particular really roll out a troubling mystery. The genre shifts a bit once some soft sci-fi is introduced, but I feel like it was telegraphed well enough that it fits into the rest of the story. Unfortunately, this is where my biggest gripe comes into play. When I read that this was a gaslamp genre book, I didn't imagine that it would also be about love interests lying to the heroine repeatedly until she questioned her own sanity. But there it is. My least favorite plot device is miscommunication, and this book has willful discommunication in spades. Every time Gracie moved forward as a person, a lie would set back her character development, and we'd lose everything that we just gained in the previous chapter. It felt like an incredible disservice to her as a character to keep taking away her gains like that. It also really dragged the romance down, leaving us with a pair that kept taking steps backwards and retreading old arguments. That being said, if you like some haters-to-lovers romance with a dangerous man of mystery, and a touch of romance triangle, this will definitely scratch that itch. Recommended for anyone looking for an atmospheric read that turns into a sci-fi adventure.
tl;dr
Great atmospheric mystery that shifts into a sci-fi adventure, paired with a haters-to-lovers romance. Main character's development gets set back a few times, which may be frustrating to some readers.
About
Gracie Hart is on the run, and when she's caught stealing a ride on a circus train, she figures joining the circus is probably better than going to jail. But her job as a magician's assistant might be more deadly than she expects, especially with strange notes showing up out of nowhere, and a magician obviously keeping a supernatural secret.
Thoughts
Circus of Shadows, Or: The Gaslighting of Gracie Hart. Okay first off, I absolutely devoured this book. Just blazed straight through it. The writing is well-paced and exciting, with mysteries and tension building upon each other and pushing the reader to get in "just one more chapter." The atmosphere is delightfully spooky and tense, and the first few chapters in particular really roll out a troubling mystery. The genre shifts a bit once some soft sci-fi is introduced, but I feel like it was telegraphed well enough that it fits into the rest of the story. Unfortunately, this is where my biggest gripe comes into play. When I read that this was a gaslamp genre book, I didn't imagine that it would also be about love interests lying to the heroine repeatedly until she questioned her own sanity. But there it is. My least favorite plot device is miscommunication, and this book has willful discommunication in spades. Every time Gracie moved forward as a person, a lie would set back her character development, and we'd lose everything that we just gained in the previous chapter. It felt like an incredible disservice to her as a character to keep taking away her gains like that. It also really dragged the romance down, leaving us with a pair that kept taking steps backwards and retreading old arguments. That being said, if you like some haters-to-lovers romance with a dangerous man of mystery, and a touch of romance triangle, this will definitely scratch that itch. Recommended for anyone looking for an atmospheric read that turns into a sci-fi adventure.
April 15, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Sweetwater Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review
Summary:
Recently having murdered a man, Gracie Hart is on the run trying to make her way to Chicago, in hopes of finding her aunt and uncle, the only remaining members of her family. However, she ends up on a circus train, now working as a magician's assistant. But when she starts finding mysterious notes in her costume she starts wondering if it's safe enough to stay with the circus until it gets to her destination...
Opinions:
I was allowed to read this book in exchange for an honest review. So that's what this review is going to be. Honest. Please also note that this is my own, personal opinion.
I hate to say it but I didn't particularly enjoy this book. The concept behind it is good, but it lacked in quite a few ways. The book is told through multiple third-person povs, however sometimes, especially in Jack's chapters, it's not clear who the sentences refer to. In scenes with both Jack and Harris the use of 'he' and 'his' repeatedly without clarification of which character it was, was very misleading.
So, onto the plot. The overall idea for the book was great and I actually really liked the world and its backstory however, especially towards the first half of the book, many facts and information were said without actually being explained until another couple of chapters. This, in addition to all the different sort of action that was happening simultaneously, made the book confusing and difficult to understand.
Overall, I think the book just lacked in several places and could have been pulled together a bit better. The writing style was good and I think that if the book had been a bit longer and the events which happened were each given a bit more time to develop separately from others, it would have been a definitively better book.
Quotes I liked:
Final rating: 2.75 ⭐ rounded up
Summary:
Recently having murdered a man, Gracie Hart is on the run trying to make her way to Chicago, in hopes of finding her aunt and uncle, the only remaining members of her family. However, she ends up on a circus train, now working as a magician's assistant. But when she starts finding mysterious notes in her costume she starts wondering if it's safe enough to stay with the circus until it gets to her destination...
Opinions:
I was allowed to read this book in exchange for an honest review. So that's what this review is going to be. Honest. Please also note that this is my own, personal opinion.
I hate to say it but I didn't particularly enjoy this book. The concept behind it is good, but it lacked in quite a few ways. The book is told through multiple third-person povs, however sometimes, especially in Jack's chapters, it's not clear who the sentences refer to. In scenes with both Jack and Harris the use of 'he' and 'his' repeatedly without clarification of which character it was, was very misleading.
So, onto the plot. The overall idea for the book was great and I actually really liked the world and its backstory however, especially towards the first half of the book, many facts and information were said without actually being explained until another couple of chapters. This, in addition to all the different sort of action that was happening simultaneously, made the book confusing and difficult to understand.
Overall, I think the book just lacked in several places and could have been pulled together a bit better. The writing style was good and I think that if the book had been a bit longer and the events which happened were each given a bit more time to develop separately from others, it would have been a definitively better book.
Quotes I liked:
"The only distinguishing difference between bravery and stupidity was a healthy dose of fear"
Final rating: 2.75 ⭐ rounded up
April 9, 2022
The secret of a good illusionist was to play off the predictable nature of people, to train their eyes to follow the distractions and overlook the deceptions.
I came for the circus atmosphere. But, turns out this was way more than I bargained for! This took everything I love about a circus story up a notch—and that’s making me a bigger clown than I was going in.
I loved Gracie and Jack’s dynamic. Their chemistry was fab, and the banter is superb! The whole magician’s-disappearing-act twist was something I did not anticipate going in this story. I kinda wished there had been more circus-y bits to really bring out the flavors I crave when reading a circus-themed book. Still loved it, though, regardless of me wanting a little more world-building. The spin on Jack and Harris’ relationship is a twist I should’ve saw coming, but the reveal surprised me still.
Unfortunately the epilogue is my least favorite part about this book. I feel like it could be fleshed out a bit better so that the explanations of Gracie’s past and her newfound family in the end were more satisfying. Everything seemed way too convenient and left me thinking…really?
Anyhow, I’m still buying a hard copy when this is available!
I came for the circus atmosphere. But, turns out this was way more than I bargained for! This took everything I love about a circus story up a notch—and that’s making me a bigger clown than I was going in.
I loved Gracie and Jack’s dynamic. Their chemistry was fab, and the banter is superb! The whole magician’s-disappearing-act twist was something I did not anticipate going in this story. I kinda wished there had been more circus-y bits to really bring out the flavors I crave when reading a circus-themed book. Still loved it, though, regardless of me wanting a little more world-building. The spin on Jack and Harris’ relationship is a twist I should’ve saw coming, but the reveal surprised me still.
Unfortunately the epilogue is my least favorite part about this book. I feel like it could be fleshed out a bit better so that the explanations of Gracie’s past and her newfound family in the end were more satisfying. Everything seemed way too convenient and left me thinking…really?
Anyhow, I’m still buying a hard copy when this is available!
May 2, 2022
Firstly I’d like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the e-arc!! 🥰❤️
I love any books that involve circus’ so this book sounded absolutely amazing 🥰🥰
The story begins with orphaned Gracie attempting to get a train when a strange but attractive gentleman steals her train ticket. She ends up a stowaway on a train that’s transporting a circus and is invited to stay with them and is asked to be Jack’s (who’s a bit grumpy but strangely familiar) assistant.
The overall story is a fun one and I did enjoy reading it but I did find it a little stoppy-starty, like it didn’t really know what sort of book it wanted to be. There’s several brilliant idea woven into the plot line and I enjoyed every single one but when they were put all together it was too confusing for me. I feel like it was a bit much for just one book and would’ve perhaps been better as a duology, that way we could’ve learnt more about the characters and the whole world the story is set in.
I think it’s definitely worth a read and I particularly enjoyed the characters Jack and Harris, their storyline being one that would’ve liked to have learned more about 🥰🥰
I’m giving the book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ because I really feel the potential in the book and would definitely read more books by Kimberlee Turley 🥰🥰
I love any books that involve circus’ so this book sounded absolutely amazing 🥰🥰
The story begins with orphaned Gracie attempting to get a train when a strange but attractive gentleman steals her train ticket. She ends up a stowaway on a train that’s transporting a circus and is invited to stay with them and is asked to be Jack’s (who’s a bit grumpy but strangely familiar) assistant.
The overall story is a fun one and I did enjoy reading it but I did find it a little stoppy-starty, like it didn’t really know what sort of book it wanted to be. There’s several brilliant idea woven into the plot line and I enjoyed every single one but when they were put all together it was too confusing for me. I feel like it was a bit much for just one book and would’ve perhaps been better as a duology, that way we could’ve learnt more about the characters and the whole world the story is set in.
I think it’s definitely worth a read and I particularly enjoyed the characters Jack and Harris, their storyline being one that would’ve liked to have learned more about 🥰🥰
I’m giving the book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ because I really feel the potential in the book and would definitely read more books by Kimberlee Turley 🥰🥰
June 17, 2022
3.5 stars
I loved the story concept and the setting. The circus provided the perfect backdrop for the mysterious and perilous shenanigans that Jack and Gracie found themselves facing. The mystery of the vanishing cabinet added an extra layer to the story that I didn't expect, and I found myself on pins and needles as I waited for the full story to be revealed. The author did a wonderful job of creating a spooky yet completely believable atmosphere. I was drawn into the world and left constantly wondering what might happen next. My only issue was with Gracie. I found it impossible to connect with her character. She seemed to always go into full on accusatory and violent mode any time something didn't go her way, and it made those moments exhausting to read. Even at the end of the book, I could not see any growth in her character. With the exception of that, I adored the story and would happily read another of the author's books without hesitation.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I loved the story concept and the setting. The circus provided the perfect backdrop for the mysterious and perilous shenanigans that Jack and Gracie found themselves facing. The mystery of the vanishing cabinet added an extra layer to the story that I didn't expect, and I found myself on pins and needles as I waited for the full story to be revealed. The author did a wonderful job of creating a spooky yet completely believable atmosphere. I was drawn into the world and left constantly wondering what might happen next. My only issue was with Gracie. I found it impossible to connect with her character. She seemed to always go into full on accusatory and violent mode any time something didn't go her way, and it made those moments exhausting to read. Even at the end of the book, I could not see any growth in her character. With the exception of that, I adored the story and would happily read another of the author's books without hesitation.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
July 30, 2022
Honestly might be one of the most poorly written books I've ever read. It started well, but then took a sharp turn into, "...what?" Interesting concept, but ultimately felt like the author took two or three completely different genres, crammed them into a shotgun, pulled the trigger and let the pieces fall where may in an incoherent mess. Plot holes and inconsistencies all over the place, the enemies to lovers trope woefully executed, and just the most nonsensical and overuse of hyperbole. There were no relatable or likeable characters. Huge plot devices were never truly addressed or fleshed out(like the murder Gracie committed for example). Jack and Gracie's hard shift from loathing to in love is so sloppy and unsatisfying. Half the plot seemed stolen from the Kingdom Hearts video game... all the questions about the world building is more or less explained with "insert generic sci-fi word" and "because".
May 11, 2022
3-3.5 stars
This story was very interesting and had a fun concept. Circus' are fun and I've always wondered how the tricks are performed. Also, the greatest showman is one of my favorite movies so i thought I'd love this story. I enjoyed the story overall but at times I felt the story dragged a bit and wanted the pace to be quicker but I understand that story building was happening. The love story ended up sweet but I'll be honest irritated me at times. The stubbornness of Gracie was too much in my opinion and I didn't connect to her and her love interest until the end. You couldn't really tell they were falling for each other until they voiced it to each other in the last quarter. I still think this was good and still recommend if you like a circus setting and historical fantasy!
This was an honest review in return for receiving an ARC copy from Netgalley and publisher or author.
This story was very interesting and had a fun concept. Circus' are fun and I've always wondered how the tricks are performed. Also, the greatest showman is one of my favorite movies so i thought I'd love this story. I enjoyed the story overall but at times I felt the story dragged a bit and wanted the pace to be quicker but I understand that story building was happening. The love story ended up sweet but I'll be honest irritated me at times. The stubbornness of Gracie was too much in my opinion and I didn't connect to her and her love interest until the end. You couldn't really tell they were falling for each other until they voiced it to each other in the last quarter. I still think this was good and still recommend if you like a circus setting and historical fantasy!
This was an honest review in return for receiving an ARC copy from Netgalley and publisher or author.
May 13, 2022
When Gracie is forced to leave the orphanage in search of the only family she has left, she finds herself traveling with a Circus so she can make it to Chicago. Little does she know she's not the only one there, with secrets. Will her secrets bury her, or will someone else's?
What drew me to this story was the fantasy/steampunk vibe. I feel like it would benefit with some Steampunk PR. Also, I love a good circus setting, though, I wish there were more animal interaction.
Digital ARCs are so tricky because it's hard to keep track of how far into a story you are. I thought I was a lot farther along in the story than I really was. It felt like I was reading a 400 page book, even thought it's not even 300 pages. I don't know if it was long winded language, the story was dragging, or if it was my own lack of intense interest to push through and read it in just a couple days.
What drew me to this story was the fantasy/steampunk vibe. I feel like it would benefit with some Steampunk PR. Also, I love a good circus setting, though, I wish there were more animal interaction.
Digital ARCs are so tricky because it's hard to keep track of how far into a story you are. I thought I was a lot farther along in the story than I really was. It felt like I was reading a 400 page book, even thought it's not even 300 pages. I don't know if it was long winded language, the story was dragging, or if it was my own lack of intense interest to push through and read it in just a couple days.
June 2, 2022
This was the first book I've read in the gaslamp genre and I liked it. The book kept my attention and I thought the plot points were all covered well. I don't think Gracie and Jack belong together. I think that the relationship needed more time to evolve after all of the drama of the cabinet. I also think he never should have been using that cabinet in his magic show, to begin with... but then we wouldn't have a story if he hadn't. With a few changes in the text, it might have helped me as a reader feel a little more comfortable with Jack and Gracie getting together, but as it was I wasn't rooting for them.
I think this author has a lot of potential, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
I think this author has a lot of potential, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
December 21, 2022
I picked this up because it sounded super interesting and would check off the list for my book about a circus on my reading challenge list and then...... I was a bit disappointed. This novel started out good and then took a WEIRD turn and was confusing and dramatic until the very end...and not worth the read. The "love story" doesn't make sense and the entire novel had a weird happily ever after ending that, again, did not make sense. It was just disappointing and took a weird Stephen King's Fairytale type turn that when it was sort of finally explained still didn't entirely make sense. Just not a great novel at all.
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October 2, 2022This book started out so good! I was immediately drawn into the story of a young woman escaping the orphanage to join a circus. The writing was captivating and everything about the time period drew me in. This book lost me when it switched, without warning, into a fantasy. The gem stones and particle capturing soul journey didn’t quite hit the mark. I enjoy a good fantasy read but the book veered very quickly into this genre. I would read other books by this author as I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style. Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2022
This book, Circus Of Shadows, was pretty good. You follow orphan Gracie Hart and magician Jack on this magical circus adventure. Gracie was just trying to get to Chicago to find her family when her train ticket got stolen. She sneaks on board the circus train and gets caught. She winds up joining the circus and becomes Jack’s assistant. This was a quick and easy read and very well written. I found the characters to be a bit annoying at times, but overall the book was an enjoyable read.
June 15, 2022
The cover is so pretty first of all. I’m a big fan of books like the night circus and caraval so I thought I would love this one. It started out very good but I felt that some of the plot was just dragging by so slow. I would still recommend but it wasn’t my favorite. Interesting concept and world. The story did end up being sweet and a good circus setting.
*thank you to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
*thank you to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2022
I got this book from a local author event at the library and got to chat with the author a bit about her book! While the initial twist in the novel, the first of Jack's secrets to be revealed came out of left field but once it became more integrated into the story it was less of an issue. Overall I found the ideas of the novel interesting, though presentation and follow through could have done better.
Still, I think it's a book that a lot of middle school readers could enjoy!
Still, I think it's a book that a lot of middle school readers could enjoy!
April 4, 2022
(Review copy received via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review)
I requested this book because I love circus and historical fantasy (especially gaslamp/steampunk) with maybe a dash of romance and this book didn't disappoint!
I love the main theme and the scientific bits (with a sprinkle of magic, I dare say). I love the writing style and the fast pace of this book. The world building was detailed and immersive. I love how the characters are build. Headstrong Gracie, kind but mysterious Jack, and the troublemaker Harris. I love their relationships and it was fun to see their character growth.
Overall it was a very fun read! I love, love the gaslamp circus theme a lot! The romance is slow burn and there are swoony moments I really adore. I really enjoyed it!
I requested this book because I love circus and historical fantasy (especially gaslamp/steampunk) with maybe a dash of romance and this book didn't disappoint!
I love the main theme and the scientific bits (with a sprinkle of magic, I dare say). I love the writing style and the fast pace of this book. The world building was detailed and immersive. I love how the characters are build. Headstrong Gracie, kind but mysterious Jack, and the troublemaker Harris. I love their relationships and it was fun to see their character growth.
Overall it was a very fun read! I love, love the gaslamp circus theme a lot! The romance is slow burn and there are swoony moments I really adore. I really enjoyed it!
October 2, 2023
The author Kim Turley is my friend, neighbor, and extended family member. I read her book because I know Kim and was interested in her creative project that she had worked on for several years. Otherwise, I would not normally have known about this book because it in a genre I do not browse -- young adult mystery/science fiction/romance. It was good; I enjoyed it. Nice work, Kim!
April 18, 2022
This just wasn’t for me. I didn’t connect with the characters and I felt the plot to be a little too unusual for my liking. I think if you loved the night circus or Caraval you may like this book. Expect strange things.
Thank you NG for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NG for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2022
So this book has an identity problem and it is difficult to get thrown around with it. My favorite circus book is Night's Circus and I hold all other circus books to that standard. This one falls short.
December 7, 2022
4.5 stars!!
I went into this book not knowing anything about it other than it was based around a circus (the title 😅) this book started off so damn strong and I couldn’t put it down, and all the way through reading it never let up, I didn’t expect the supernatural element but it was a brilliant surprise!
it was a joy to read! Highly recommend
I went into this book not knowing anything about it other than it was based around a circus (the title 😅) this book started off so damn strong and I couldn’t put it down, and all the way through reading it never let up, I didn’t expect the supernatural element but it was a brilliant surprise!
it was a joy to read! Highly recommend
August 28, 2025
It seems like the author was trying to show off her fashion knowledge and mild interest in fringe science, but forgot to get an editor for grammar structure and making sure the story could be cohesive. The story was clunky, I could hardly wait finish this chore of a book.
March 25, 2022
I loved reading this book! I found the writing to be very insightful and interesting. I was intrigued by the premise and I enjoyed reading it from start to finish.
April 8, 2022
Any book with circus in the name has my attention! I really enjoyed this book it was a lot of fun to read. It felt very fast paced with a good mysterious element to it.
July 27, 2022
I was a little disappointed with this book. I really Hyped it up in my mind and it just let me down unfortunately
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