Pages: 392
Received: Received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
Release Date: February 5, 2013Buy From Amazon.ca / Buy From Chapters.ca /
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Goodreads Synopsis:
R. H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass—remnants of a mysterious civilisation long gone—are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It’s a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimaera is still there. It’s a place where anyone can hide.
Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist’s apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star.
But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada.
My Review:
This review is a hard one to write, I wasn't really sure what I was going into with this book, but what I came out with was such a beautiful book about coming to terms with who you are. There is so much I want to say about this book, but can't because of spoilers. Many of the characters have their own secrets as to what their real lives are.
Gene is a noble girl who would rather spend her time playing with the boys than by dressing up and really being a lady. And then there is Micah who is a runaway boy trying to live on the streets when he comes to the circus and begins a new life there. The story alternates between these two characters, and comes to what brings these two characters together. There are some really interesting reveals throughout the story of these two characters that I really didn't see coming.
Lam has beautiful descriptions throughout the story, I loved following the circus night after night and seeing how much work is put into getting things right at the circus. She also really shows how those who are inside the circus feel towards outsiders and how hard it is to really get into the circus. I really loved how this story happened around a circus, it was a huge part to the story and a large part of Micah learning about himself. He has to work hard to gain the approval of those in the circus, much like Gene has to gain the approval of her friends around her.
I really enjoyed the characters in this story and what you learn from everyone. This definitely was an interesting story, with readers slowly learning about the characters along the way.
Glad you loved this one, too! It sure was hard to review without revealing too much. But that twist really threw me for a loop! I was so pleasantly surprised how the character development was handled and really appreciated the novel's message. So beautiful!
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