This was a decent read but I found sometimes the story felt overwritten. It could have done with a little less.

A wonderful setting with captivating characters, and I loved the way the author showed the prejudices of the time throughout but like I said, it felt like it was trying too hard and I found myself thinking less words would have been better.
The first half of the book was very very slow but the second half made up for it.
It was really well written and I could see the talent the author has.

3 stars

When Nell, a young woman who along with her brother, ekes out a living in the Victorian flower industry, is sold by her father to a traveling circus, her life is going to change for the better. Nell, covered with large birthmarks, becomes the star attraction in Jasper Jupiter’s circus of freaks. As her popularity rises, Jupiter becomes jealous. When she’s invited for a private audience with Queen Victoria and he isn’t, things get rough for Nell. To complicate things even further, she finds love and support in Jupiter’s brother, Toby. Toby is considered to be a dullard. He's large and boring, needing his brother’s approval and love. Jupiter, because of his debt to a loan shark, needs to make his circus even more spectacular and gets rid of Nell. Toby would like nothing better than to move to a remote cottage with a blue door and have a family with Nell, but Nell has been pulled into the lure of showmanship and she and several other women from the circus form their own traveling show. Macneal does an excellent job showing how circus owners, including PT Barnum, exploited people in their quest for fame and fortune. And yet for most of these “freaks” their lives are much better than before they became part of the circus.

Atmospheric and rich in historical detail , this is an stunning story. Nell is a remarkable character.
Many thanks to Atria Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was such a beautiful and often heart-wrenching read, with many captivating (and some infuriating) characters. It deals masterfully with exploitation, hubris (I deeply appreciated all of the Frankenstein, and Daedalus references), and sibling rivalry and devotion.

It is not every day that a book about English circuses in the late 1860s comes across my email. When I read the blurb for Circus of Wonders, it immediately caught my attention. I am glad that I read this book, even if it made me uncomfortable in places.

Circus of Wonders had an exciting storyline. Nell is a nineteen-year-old girl living in a village on the coast of England. Nell is an outcast because she is covered in brown birthmarks, including a big one that covers the side of her face. Because of that, she keeps to her cottage. Her everyday life is mundane, packing flowers dipped in sugar and shipping them to London. But then the circus comes to town, and Nell’s life is turned upside down. Sold by her father to Jasper Jupiters Circus of Wonders, Nell finds love and fame. But, Jasper (the circus owner) is jealous that her fame goes beyond his and vows to take her down. Will Nell be able to hold onto her values and her love? Or will she be left in worse straits than when she joined the circus?

Circus of Wonders had a medium-paced storyline that did pick up steam in places. The pacing of the book did it justice. It was a nice, steady pace from beginning to end. It took me around two days to finish Circus of Wonders.

Nell was powerful in this book. She went from this meek, timid girl afraid to show her face to a powerful woman who wasn’t scared to fight for what she wanted. Her character’s growth throughout the book was terrific.

I wasn’t that big of a fan of Toby. I didn’t see what Nell saw in him except that he was safe because he was so big? He was also abnormally close to Jasper, his brother. It creeped me out how close they were. I did like that his character did show some growth during the book. By the end, he was becoming his own person. I wish he had made the right choice (if you read the book, you know what I mean). He would have been so much happier.

I was not too fond of Jasper. He was overconfident, took too many risks, and was cruel. You don’t see how evil he was until his chapters when he was in the Crimean War. After those chapters, his cruelness was more apparent. Also, I wouldn’t say I liked how he treated Toby. From the beginning, he used Toby’s secret to keep him around and constantly reminded him about it. He disgusted me with how he treated his “attractions” (the animals and humans).

I did like the look into how circus life was in the 1860s. I liked the peek behind the big top that the author gave me. I wasn’t surprised at what she described when talking about the human attractions. They were treated as subhuman, like monsters (as Queen Victoria and her Ladies in Waiting described Nell). I like that they showed how everyone became a family unit and protected their own. Even when Brunette ran, they didn’t tell Jasper until he discovered she was gone.

The romance between Nell and Toby seemed a little forced to me. It didn’t do anything for me. I also wasn’t surprised by how it ended. I called it when they first met (not even when they had sex when they first met). Toby was too damaged, and Nell, well, she was a force to be reckoned with.

The end of Circus of Wonders was “blah” to me. I wish that the storyline with Jasper went the way I thought it would. I also wish that Toby had made a different choice when it came to Nell. I liked that the author went 11 years into the future to show where everyone ended up. It was interesting how the tables had flipped. And I loved that dreams were realized!!

I would recommend Circus of Wonders to anyone over 16. There is mild violence, nongraphic sex scenes, and no language.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this e-arc.

Such a visual book, exploring what it would have been like for performers in "freak" shows in Victorian England. The writing is strong, extremely visual, and very descriptive with a well-woven plot, as well as being emotionally driven to deal with the feelings of all the circus performers and their individual physical characteristics/deformities they had that caused Jasper to choose them to be a part of his "circus of wonders." It was interesting how popular the freak shows were in the time period and in England (which I didn't know they were popular there as well). Barnum is mentioned many times throughout the book, so I'm sure the movie <i>The Greatest Showman</i> inspired the author to craft this story, although she paints him in a very negative light, as she does Jasper.

However, I did vacillate back-and-forth at times on liking and not liking this book. I really did like it, but there were moments I was disappointed. It started out so strong for me and then went up and down after that, for me. The issue of The Jackal with Jasper is never resolved; and with how vicious The Jackal was and how prominent that was to Jasper's mental downward spiral, that should totally have been dealt with. The Queen aspect was downplayed as well, and I feel that was a bit left open and could have had more prominence at the end of the book for how much it was mentioned throughout the book. The mystery surrounding Dash's death is really drawn out and plays a very strong part throughout the book for Toby, Stella, and Jasper, so that when Toby reveals what happens it's only to Nell, so that also felt somewhat unresolved to me.

Nell and the circus performers are very strong characters, though the author focuses mainly on the women, other than the brothers Jasper and Toby, so all the male circus performers are only background characters in this book. While I understand the novelty of how people viewed (then and now still) those who were different than them and how hard that would have been, so it was intriguing to see how the author chose to approach the freak/circus aspect of their story as the best option during the time for them to survive and have a more "normal" lifestyle.

Content: Some F bombs (really historically accurate for the mid to late 1800s?? Probably not, so extremely superfluous, in my opinion)

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

When Nell is kidnapped from her quiet Cornwall home to become part of Jasper Juniper's Circus of Wonders, many doors open for her. Her father sells her as a "leopard girl" owing to spots on her skin and she quickly becomes one of the most popular attractions in this exhibition.

CIRCUS OF WONDERS
I’m not sure you’re supposed to feel this passionately about the MC but I think I inadvertently transferred some anger from reading A LITTLE LIFE and it landed at the feet of this one.

I hated the father in the story for who he was and what he did. I hated her brother, who was lost and her handler, who was out for himself despite himself. I hated the main character for becoming what she did.

So much emotion.

And then it kind of fizzled.

Once the story was laid out and the world was built I felt a big drop in presence. I disconnected with the story at some point and all of that hatred and passion from the beginning of the book did not carry the plot.

I feel drawn to stories of the circus for a multitude of reasons but the way the circus is used in this book, as an exploitation of the human predicament, I didn’t enjoy this concept as much as I would’ve liked.

I think this book will appeal to readers looking for a historical fiction story with strained familial dynamics, oddities and spots of intrigue.

For me, ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

4.5 stars, rounded down.

Set in Victorian England, this story followed Nell, a nineteen-year-old girl who was born with birthmarks all over her, deemed a “freak of nature” by those in her home community. When Nell’s father sells her to Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders, Nell is distraught. Over time, she begins to love her performance and those in the circus, though. She becomes bold and shining as she discovers what she was meant to do and finds her place in the world.

I really enjoyed the setting of this book! I love circus/carnival settings, so I thought it was great. The characters were all very interesting, and very different. I liked how they all had their own distinct thoughts and aspirations, and everything was very clear (nothing was very confusing surrounding the character’s motivations and thoughts). I especially liked Nell’s character; she really grew into herself, and I enjoyed watching her story play out. Stella was also an interesting character, and I liked how she was protective over the other women in the circus. There weren’t any female rivalries which I appreciated as well. I initially was a bit disappointed by the end of the book, but after thinking about it a bit more, it's a pretty fitting ending for the story, and it makes sense for all of the characters.

The plot was very intriguing, and the book never really slowed down. It held my attention all the way through to the end! Everything felt very atmospheric, and over all, I really enjoyed this book!

Set in 1866, the book follows Nell, a young girl who is sold to Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders by her father. Nell is covered in birthmarks and is deemed ""leopard girl" for the circus where she quickly becomes the star attraction and finds a new family with her circus friends who understand her uniqueness. The story is told in the perspectives of Nell, Jasper and Jaspers brother Toby. I liked the circus setting and the variety of characters. The book was well written and I enjoyed reading it. Bonus points for the amazing cover – it is so beautiful and fitting for this book.

The Circus of Wonders really captures the feel of the circus in the 1800’s. In many small towns the traveling circus was their only form of entertainment. On the other side, the circus was the place where the “misfits” of society could not only find work, but some could even become stars.

The character development and relationships really sets this story apart. Each character is fleshed out well, and you care about all of them, even those that you don’t like.

You have Jasper Jupiter, the creator of the Circus of Wonders. Egotistical and more concerned with money than with the people he had in his show.

His brother, Toby, who seems content to live in the background of his bigger than life brother. But hints of a secret pepper the story.

Nell, a girl covered in birthmarks, and Jasper Jupiter’s latest acquisition. With his vision and her flair for performing, she is destined to become the star.

A lot going on. Friendship, betrayal, love, family bonds. It’s all there. One thing to note is that there are no real cruelty to animal triggers. I can’t read books where animals are mistreated and I am always afraid that I will find that in any circus books, but this one didn’t really have any

Nell has always been different because of the birthmarks on her skin but she never expected that her father would use that difference to make a profit. When Jasper Juniper’s Circus of Wonder comes to town, Nell’s father sells her to Jasper as a leopard girl.

Jasper sees Nell and sets about making her into the star of his show and his ticket to stardom. When Nell starts to find friendship in her fellow performers and fall in love with Jasper’s brother Toby, the question is whether Toby can separate himself from Jasper and his past and whether Nell will take control of her story.

Thanks to Atria for my review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Nell’s dark birthmarks, making her skin look spotted, made the other residents of their small village uneasy. Her brother Charlie was her biggest supporter, and his dreams of sailing to America and having a farm of his own always included Nell. The family farm, consisting of the edible flowers the Queen loved, required a lot of care, and Nell’s talent for making candied violets kept her constantly busy. When the traveling circus came through town, with the usual collection of oddities, Nell’s father saw his opportunity, and sold Nell to Jasper Jupiter.

Even though the villagers stared, it was nothing compared to being expected to perform in front of hundreds of strangers. Nell was marketed as Nellie Moon, and she flew across the top of the tent on ropes, opening and closing the heavy iron wings she was forced to wear. Surprisingly, Nell found she enjoyed performing, and took comfort from the other troupe members, feeling that she had found a new family.

I enjoyed the storyline, the descriptions of Victorian England were fascinating, and I loved seeing Nell evolve into a strong and confident woman. Still, I’m conflicted, and I can’t pin down my discontent. I can’t even figure out what I didn’t like about the book, and yet I’m left feeling a bit off=balance.

I enjoyed Elizabeth Macneal's debut novel, The Doll Factory. When I read the blurb for this new book, I knew immediately that I just had to read it!

Nell is 19. She's different...birthmarks cover her body, making her a focal point for local villagers' jeers and superstitions. Then the Circus of Wonders comes to town and Nell is sold by her father to the circus. As her fame grows, her life takes a path she never could have imagined.

This story is just a whirlwind of emotion -- both sadness and elation. At times it was hard to keep reading because Nell went through so much....but I just couldn't put the book down. The story is engaging and very emotional. Loved it!

I can't wait to see what this talented author comes up with next! I'm definitely eagerly awaiting her next book!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Atria books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**

I got 30% in and was so bored. Looking for a book that compares to the movie The Greatest Showman? Look elsewhere. Too much animal deaths for me to stomach

I didn’t like the writing style. Even the most banal act was described in a breathless, present tense, melodramatic manner. This wasn’t for me. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

The writing is beautiful, very atmospheric, and I loved the premise of the story as well as the Victorian England setting. I did have a bit of trouble connecting with the characters though, I'm not sure why. I think it's a case of it's a me thing and not the book.

"When Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders pitches its tent in a poor coastal town, the life of one young girl changes forever. Sold to the ringmaster as a “leopard girl” because of the birthmarks that cover her body, Nell is utterly devastated. But as she grows close to the other performers, she finds herself enchanted by the glittering freedom of the circus, and by her own role as the Queen of the Moon and Stars."

The publisher's blurb led me to believe that this book would be about Nell, the other performers, and their relationships. In reality, however, this book is about Jasper Jupiter and his brother Toby. Their relationship is clouded by events that occurred in the Crimean War, and their story is complicated and bleak.

Although Elizabeth Macneal's writing is beautiful and evocative, the story felt flat and repetitive. I will keep looking for the perfect circus book.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for the advance copy of this book.
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