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Multiple POV and while I was instantly gripped by Nell for being sold to the circus by her father for twenty pounds due to her notable birthmarks, I didn't feel like I connected to any of the other characters in a meaningful way. I honestly was mad, really mad, or downright furious with each of them except Pearl and she was only four years old and in the last third of the book...

"Pinned down like moths, like squids on rocks. This is a fight women have always fought, their soft bodies turned to battlegrounds, slim bones crushed beneath the solid weight of men. " ??

3✨It went pretty much as expected. I enjoyed it as a #OnceUponABookclub read and circus stories are entertaining for me. I feel like I compared it too much to Water for Elephants which I loved! That is not fair for this book because our main characters are the underdogs of the circus. I understand why the ending happened, but I wasn‘t a fan.

Listening to this audio read while cleaning house, but I just got turkeys yesterday and their chirps are getting me distracted. I mean look at that cute face! 😍

It was okay. Entertaining. Beautiful picture of Victorian-era circus. Meh out of ten if you ask me.

For the most part I did enjoy the story. It was the dividing between three people who threw me. It is Nells story,from her perspective as well as the circus owner who bought her and his brother. Each trying to make their mark on the world. Drastically different ways. I wanted more of Nell. Otherwise while fun, it lacked luster for me; never was a circus fan, never understood it. This really showed the back drama. Well shown men war ptsd
#ouabc

Starting this today, I feel the need to open some gifts! #ouabc

I am not a circus fan. I‘ve never understood the show offs and fame obsession. This story sounds fascinating to me though. Nell was born with birthmarks all across her body, causing her to be ostracized. Her father sells her to a circus as a Wonder of the Human World. Here she grows up, in a sort of enslaved freedom.
#Ouabc

Book mail!😍

The descriptions are beautiful and the author wrote Nell a beautiful story. Everything else that surrounds it, is slightly under par. Give me Nell‘s story alone and this would have been a 5 star read, instead Jasper‘s story takes over and while he was interesting, it just does not shine like Nell‘s.

“Step up, step up! In 1860s England, circus mania is sweeping the nation.”

Will you be adding it to your TBR?

FULL POST: https://tinyurl.com/4jjkhf44

@elizabethmacneal
#elizabethmacneal
@simonbooks

A fascinating historical novel following a Victorian era circus centered on “human wonders“. Colorful, magnificent, intriguing, & gut-wrenching. The writing is flowing & beautiful. Macneal's characters are wholly human & the multifaceted character interactions makes the full range of emotional experiences feel tangible, launching the plot with a full impact. Though a bit of a slow starter, this wrapped itself around my soul for an emotional read.

#NetGalley #ARC

I love books set in the circus. 💚 This one is set in 1860's London and it's lush descriptions will make you feel like you're under the big tent in the Victorian era.

Nell never fit in and when her father sees an opportunity to rid himself of her he sells her to the circus. What follows is a journey of adventure, growing up, and learning to accept people as they are.

1866. In a coastal village in southern England, Nell has birthmarks that speckle her skin. Nell's father sells her to Jasper Jupiter's Circus of Wonders as his very own leopard girl. Nell feels betrayed but she is described as The Eighth Wonder of the World and her fame grows. She decides that this is the best thing that has happened to her. She falls in love with Jasper's brother, Toby, and he eventually has to decide between Nell and Jasper.

I enjoyed the way the story examined the dynamics of fame but, even more so, I loved the way Macneal exemplified envy. She aptly demonstrated the way it rears its ugly head in unexpected and disistatorous ways. The entire atmosphere of Circus of Wonders was both glorious and frightening. I was completely enraptured by every word.

My full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3803367988

“All her life, she has held herself like a bud, so small and tight and voiceless. She has not realized the potential that lies within her, the possibility that she might unfurl, arms thrown wide, and take up space in the world.”

“The light is probably too dim, but it feels important to mark this, to bear witness to the truth of life and its ending, its ugliness and trauma.”

Starting a new ARC tonight —Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal, coming February 1st ‘22! I loved The Doll Factory! I hope this book is as weird and wonderful as The Doll Factory!

#macabre #fantasy #ARC #bookreads #netgalley #elizabethmacneal #atriabooks

#NetGalley
There are only a few literary no-no(s)that I can not abide by & this book has a major one. AT LEAST ONE MAIN CHARACTER MUST BE INTERESTING!! It had loads of potential but it fell flat. Most of the cast were either dull, despicable or annoying. Nothing better than a lush, creepy, freaky, circus yarn (especially around Halloween time)but sadly, if you're in the market for one of those kinds of reads you're going to be disappointed here.

I had pretty high hopes for this one but sadly for me it fell a bit short. Lovely writing but the story left me feeling flat.