Author: Laura Lam
Series: Stand Alone (with potential for a sequel)
Published By: Strange Chemistry (Feb. 5, 2013)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (In exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 3.5 Stars!
Book Description:
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.
*Amazon*
My Review:
What do you say about a read that is so
uniquely bizarre and interesting that you literally are left
speechless after reading it?
How do you review a book that was
slightly disturbing and beautiful all at the same time? So rich in
detail and setting that you felt like you were a part of this
wonderfully horrific world Lam has created?
Honestly, I really don't know what to
say. Maybe I am trying to write this review a little too soon after
reading it because my mind is still reeling from..well, everything
really. Things I didn't see coming, the perfectly strange storyline,
the crazy characters, the twists, the turns. All of it.
I have only read a handful of books
involving the circus in one form or another and so far have been very
pleased with each read, no matter how strange or curious they are.
This one definitely takes the cake in bizarreness. This one wins hand
down. And even though it was filled with the strange and unique and
to quote Alice in Wonderland, I couldn't help thinking. '”This
is getting curiouser and curiouser.”
Lam has truly created something
original. Something so exotic and surprising that you can't help but
be drawn into the story. Into the world of Ellada. Something modern
and archaic all at the same time.
With the ending I can only assume that
there will be a sequel and while I wouldn't say I loved this one, it
was a little extreme for me at times, I am very curious as to what
will happen next. I mean..yeah. So very crazy.
This was very well written and truly a
story like no other.
I LOVED this book! My review goes up tomorrow (if I remember correctly). I thought the story was stunning and unique and I LOVED the twist in the story. I think it's an important story as well that may help people understand some things (in our own contemporary world).
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it!
I assumed there would be sequel but I didn't check. There BETTER be a sequel! That was an actual cliffhanger. We NEED a sequel!
@Candace, I know! There better be. I couldn't find anything saying there was but...I can totally see one happening!
ReplyDelete@perfumehk, thanks!
This has me so intrigued and your review has me just screaming to know more!!
ReplyDeleteSound unique, but I try to stay away from series. Too judgmental, sorry. I'll think about it.
ReplyDeleteFear not, there is a sequel :-) I'm halfway through agent edits on it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reviewing! x
Bizarre and disturbing - yup, sounds great! lol. This cover doesn't make me want to read it, but the story sounds really interesting.
ReplyDeleteCandace had a review of this on her blog to. Between your review and her's, I am so interested in this book now, especially when I read that it left you speechless.
ReplyDeleteYou have me curious! Beautiful, disturbing, surprising, exotic, and bizarre! That actually has me really interested LOL I do love books with plots involving the circus.
ReplyDelete