To the casual observer Le Grand’s Carnival Fantastic seems just like any other traveling circus with it’s flashing lights, death defying shows and plenty of rides and games to entertain all who visit. But this traveling circus has existed for centuries benefiting from a curse upon one of it’s own while the others enjoy a charm that protects them. All those who perform and work for the circus stop aging at adulthood and accidents never happen to their group as long as the cursed one stays in the box with the circus until the curse can be passed on to another.

Emmaline King has moved back to the small town of Claremore, OK to live with her father while her mother is away overseas working on a grant. Emma has had a bit of trouble adjusting to her mother leaving and trying to reform the friendships she’d once had in this small town but with the circus visiting she’s determined to have a good time with her old friend. Things take a turn for Emma though when she’s left behind only to meet the boy in the fortune telling box.

By a Charm and a Curse by Jaime Questell is a romantic young adult fantasy read. Once I picked this one up I simply couldn’t put it down until finished with it’s fast pace and unique story. The idea behind this traveling circus being charmed with the exception of one poor soul was a rather intriguing concept that I couldn’t wait to find out more about.

The story is told by alternating the point of view between the two main characters of the story, Ben and Emma, both of which I came to like quite a bit during the read. One major positive here too is that Ben and Emma are not the victims of the old young adult insta-love trope, their relationship within the pages builds slowly as the action keeps a fast pace in the story around them. The author did a wonderful job giving the reader just enough at all the right times to keep the story moving and the pages turning Definitely would recommend checking this one out for those looking for something a bit unique in a young adult fantasy.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.