A quick story about what happens to a set of conjoined twins when they are surgically separated and one dies in the process. A lot of this story is set in the carnival that they performed in and you get to see lots of acceptance and understand the sense of belonging that "freaks" experienced.

The art is lovely and expressive.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really interesting graphic novel that is a cross between paranormal and historical fiction. The author clearly researched a good deal about the early freak shows so this book never feels offensive or like she is looking down on the people who performed in these acts. The book begins with us meeting Isabel or "Iss" as she wakes up from surgery to remove her conjoined twin. Upon waking up she learns that her sister has died, from there we see how she and her sister came to join the circus as toddlers and how the choice of surgery came about. I loved watching the growth of Isabel as she is forced by her sister to leave the life she knew behind because after the surgery she has lost everything about herself -- she's no longer a conjoined twin or a freak as she was before.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Isabel and Jane are the Extraordinary Peabody Sisters. Sold to a carnival shortly after they were born as conjoined twins, they are a part of the "Freak Show" in the carnival. When a doctor sees their act, he believes that he can successfully separate them, giving Jane what she's always longed for: her own life separate from Isabel. 

But then the surgery goes wrong, and Isabel is the one to survive. She's then haunted by her twin Jane as she tries to navigate life no longer conjoined and now no longer an asset to the carnival. 

Isabel finds allies along the way, but she also finds that she shouldn't be so easy to trust people. She must find ways to navigate her new life successfully before she can no longer go with the carnival. 

The Phantom Twin is a historical graphic novel that explores the idea of the old school freak shows in a new light. This is a quick read. 


The Phantom Twin releases on March 3.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a graphic novel in one sitting, but this one was gripping! It may have been the idea of a phantom twin, or the sideshow setting, or even the old-school tattoo parlor; most likely a combination of all of the above and the fact that I was drawn (pun intended) to all the characters.

I have pre-ordered a physical copy and will count down the days until its release.

This eerie tale of twins, sideshows, and hauntings is perfect for tweens and teens who love their books on the creepier side. If you have readers who loved Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book and Coraline, or loved Mary Downing Hahn's books, this is the book to hand them. 

At the turn of the 20th century, Isabel and Jane are conjoined twins, sold to a sideshow by their family, where they find a family among the "freaks" in the freak show. The two sisters are opposites, with Jane being the dominant personality. Where Iss would rather stay home, Jane wants to go out, and since she has more motor control over their shared body, Iss finds herself dragged along. Jane starts dating a surgeon who wants to separate them; despite Iss's misgivings, Jane agrees: but doesn't survive the surgery. Iss is left to face life on her own, but feels the phantom of her sister ever-present, like a phantom limb. Iss returns to the carnival, desperate for familiarity and to rebuild her life. Jane, still the dominant personality, tries to assert herself, and Iss finds herself rebelling against her sideshow family and her sister's memory, as she tries to negotiate a life on her own and free of others' expectations.

The Phantom Twin is fabulously creepy with an upbeat twist. It's a feminist tale and a story of life on the fringes as much as it's a story of grief, loss, and starting over. Back matter includes an author's note on sideshows, carnival lingo, and more resources for further reading.

Due to a spare style with minimal text, this book flies by. It manages to perfectly land between heart warming and somewhat creepy. While aimed at adults, middle grade readers and up would likely enjoy.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I was able to read this in exchange for an honest review.
***
The Phantom Twin by Lisa Brown is a beautifully heartbreaking but also heartwarming graphic novel about Isabel being haunted by her conjoined twin Jane whom she loses when they attempt to separate.
Raised in a freak show they knew nothing else and now without her other half Isabel now has to relearn who she is and what she wants.
For as sad as the story was it was also hopeful, it was about family, friends and learning to love yourself. Definitely enjoyed and would recommend.

This is such a heartbreaking/warming graphic novel. Isabel and Jane's story, as well as the stories of the others in their family of "freaks," are tragic but hopeful. The illustrations were lovely and I think quite respectful to the people depicted.

Thanks to First Second and NetGalley for the eARC.

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
I loved this! The illustrations were simple, yet beautiful and the story was odd and lovely. It sort of reminded me of American Horror Story: Freakshow, but not as gory or morbid.

I really enjoyed this graphic novel. It was interesting to read about a fictionalization group of "freaks" and see how un-freak like they actually are. I really enjoyed the art as well. The story was sad and hopeful at the same time. I appreciated the end note which gave a bit of information about freak shows in the early 1900s.

The Phantom Twin is a wonderful graphic novel! The story is sweet and sensitive, brought to life by lovely illustrations. I especially appreciate the author's note about the history of freak shows.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc of this book I received in exchange for a fair and honest review.

It was adorable.

I know that sounds a bit condescending as some of the subject matter—namely, the historical treatment of people with physical disabilities, or basically anything that “othered” them—but honestly, at its heart, this book was about something far more simple. It was about the struggle to find yourself when you feel lost, to learn to accept help when you need it, to trust the people that matter. It was a book that shows we all want the same things: a purpose, love, companionship, community. It was just a very, very sweet read for a quiet fall morning and I enjoyed it a lot.