I couldn’t put this book down once I started. Macneal is amazing at building tension as different elements of her story come closer and closer to collision. This story takes place in Victorian era London, partly on the outskirts, where small villages are struggling to survive. But, all classes are fascinated with the rise of traveling circuses and “freak shows.” McNeal delves into the dark side of these acts and how some find redemption in throwing themselves to the hungry masses.

On the surface, this book is about a young woman speckled with birthmarks is sold to a circus run by two brothers where she becomes the star of the show. But there is so much more going on in this story, love, family, societal outcasts, ambition, greed, thirst for fame, and the rivalry between the brothers. So well done. I really could not put it down.

Beautifully written. It's wonderful to see Nell blossom throughout the book and find who she really is and she wants from her life. Not to be missed. A truly wonderful book. Happy reading!

Elizabeth Macneal's Victorian England sings in Circus of Wonders. Balancing historical elegance with entertainment, Macneals' engrossing new novel serves as a worthy follow-up to her debut The Doll Factory

A haunting tale of yearning, empowerment, redemption and loss, if only every piece of historical fiction could live up to the highs in Circus of Wonders.

I enjoyed reading this book which is about a girl who gets sold off to the circus where she grows famous though she falls in love and there are secrets and burdens to be released. When I first read the summary, it sounded kind of like the Greatest Showman but dark so I knew I had to check it out. This book is very well written and I really enjoyed the writing style. The author knows how to bring the world alive in vivid description with a dark and eery tone. I do have to say that the pacing was a little slow in the beginning but the pacing does pick up. I also enjoyed the historical bits of the book which usually I'm a never fan of. Overall the writing was very well done.

There are three main characters in this book; Nell, Toby and Jasper. I enjoyed each character as they all had their own journey to achieve. Nell is sold off to the circus and must fight for her happiness. Jasper is the morally grey type character who loves his circus but loves to be in control. Then there is Toby the love interest (pretty much Julian from Caraval). There are also many side characters in this book that I enjoyed and I love how they all link together through friendship. Friendship is such a strong theme in the book that it was cuter then the romance. The romance is a slow burn/ instant love trope. It was cute but not the best in my opinion with a 1/5 level of steaminess.

The ending was very well done and I enjoyed reading this amazingly written book. It was such a fun read that brought me back to a new world that I kind of missed reading about like carnivals, friendships and family love. I did have some minor problems with the book but the story was still great. I recommend this book to fans of The Night Circus, Caraval, and The Greatest Showman.

Lovely and unique story.

A young woman who is an outcast in her village gets a chance at a new life as a circus performer. Many things happen along the way, but she gains strength and confidence.

This was an enjoyable read, and I would recommend.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this e-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

DNF at 35%. This book was MUCH darker and grittier than the cover led me to believe. I was intrigued by Nell and how she would make a better life for herself out of her circumstances, but I couldn't stand Jasper and the entire circus environment he created.

Thanks to NetGalley for my e-arc of this book. All opinions here are my own.

I loved The Night Circus, but I didn't connect with this story the same way. It was just a miss for me.

While I did enjoy this book- I kept getting this book confused with another book about a circus - or maybe it was about sisters....or maybe it was about a circus that only appeared at night and painters were involved...I don't know, I read too many books about circus people.

Regardless, this is a story and a book about life and it's choices. It's about Nell and her choice to live life by HER rules and her choosing rather than her circumstances. And I think....I think that's really wonderful. It's a book with heart. And sometimes that's what we all need.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The term "circus" brings to mind beautiful men and women swinging on a trapeze, animals interacting with their trainers, colorfully dressed clowns, and feats of strength. Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal contains some of those elements, but none of the beauty. Macneal captures a time where a traveling circus was more of a freak show. The story is set in England and centers on two brothers, Jasper and Toby, who are dysfunctionally intertwined throughout their lives in a manner that eventually leads to the destruction of their dreams. This book is much darker than I enjoy and was a struggle for me to read. None of the characters are particularly likable and the struggle of their daily lives does not provide hope for the future.

3.5 stars
I received an ARC from the publisher and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Circus of Wonders was very much a cover/title acquisition on my part, although the premise also intrigued me.
I’m not naive about the realities of circuses, particularly during Victorian times, especially with the recent-ish discussions around the legacy of P.T. Barnum. And the way that is reflected in this book with the fictional circus is not much different. It’s dark and bleak, sometimes a bit too much so, but I appreciated the multifaceted way a circus extravaganza like this was handled to show the different perspectives.
Nell is the most sympathetic of the major/POV characters in the book, for obvious reasons. She’s sold off by her father due to the fact that she was born with birthmarks all over her body, and she’s taken on as the circus’ “leopard girl.” I felt for her due to this, but also rooted for her as she found success. I really appreciated the sense of companionship she forms with the other performers, who are also in a similar situation to her own.
One of the friendships she forms is with the ringmaster’s brother Toby. He’s perhaps the least compelling of the three. He has an interesting backstory, but while I could understand his position and liked him overall, I wasn’t super interested in his conflicted loyalties.
While Jasper is not likable by any means, he’s well written in that it’s fascinating to delve into his mindset. He is so determined to be successful, but in this quest he may have found himself being overshadowed by Nell, in spite of him taking her on with hopes of her contributing to his success.
Pacing wise, it was a bit odd. It seemed to have a pretty good idea of where it was going, even if it was a bit of a slower build. But the ending felt rather anticlimactic, leaving me feeling unsatisfied.
I enjoyed this book for the most part, even with my issues with it. If you like Gothic historical fiction or are interested in the history of circuses, I recommend checking this one out.

Dear Fellow Reader,

I am reviewing this book a bit early. It will be available on February 1, 2022, for purchase. I was given an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book is another in the continuing saga of me not knowing why I requested this book. What was it about the description of this book that interested me? I have no idea.


Circus of Wonder takes place in 1860s England. Nell was born with birthmarks covering her body. When her drunken father sees a chance to sell his daughter, he eagerly sells her to Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders. At first, Nell was understandably upset about this but then with the circus, she finds her family. Jasper Jupiter makes her famous and she falls in love.

But was loving a man enough?

When Jasper’s insecurities and jealousy overtake him, he sets in motion a series of disasters that may doom all of them.

Okay, the author had me for a long time in this book. But… then I just could not really buy what happened at the end of the book. I was disappointed by Nell’s choice.

I could see where this would not encourage you to read this book. On the other hand, it was absorbing and interesting. I read it fairly quickly and did enjoy it until the end. Perhaps that isn’t bad. The fact that I have seesawed about the end could be the mark of a good book. And it is possible that you will feel that Nell’s choice was right and not surprising. We would have to discuss it.

So, you will have to read it and let me know if you agree or disagree with me.

Thanks for reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for inviting me to read it.

I DNF'd this book rather quickly and I realized that I'm a fan of historical fiction that is a small sliver of titles and not the genre in general.

The rating (if NetGalley forces me to leave one is only reflected cause I need to leave something.)

*Whew* where to start with this book? I was personally reached out to to do a review of this book, and I really thought it sounded like something I would like -- I adore anything Neo-Victorian, and I've always found circuses fascinating and horrifying. Unfortunately, this one was just so-so for me.

Nell was born with birthmarks, some big and some little, all over her body. In the village, she is ridiculed and shunned, as if her deformity could brush off, her only friend being her brother, Charlie, who defends her as best he can. When Jasper Jupiter's Circus of Wonders comes to town, her father, drunk and poor and in his own way, frightened of his daughter, will make a decision that will have ramifications for years to come.

Jasper Jupiter is the consummate showman, with top hat and red cape and a perfectly waxed mustache. He is also a hero of the Crimea, and unlike many of the men who fought, misses the barbarity of war. His greatest dream is to perform for the Queen, and with the help of his "Queen of the Moon and Stars", Nell, it quickly becomes tangible. But what happens when all she wants is to meet Nell, and he's brushed aside, bested by his own creation?

Toby is Jasper's brother, his shadow. He has always followed his brother, even to Crimea, where he was tasked with photographing happier moments to send to a newspaper and convince the world that the war was something good. He is haunted by what he's done, not only the fabrications he concocted, with help from Jasper and Jasper's friend, Dash, but by something he did, something that ended in death. Toby can't remember if it was an accident, or purposeful, and feels he is destined to suffer for it. His life is changed, though, when he sees Nell, diving off a cliff into the ocean. When she joins the circus, they can't help but be drawn to each other.

My biggest issues with Circus of Wonders was the prose, which is mostly made up of sentence fragments that are more distracting than evocative, and while the writing did have strong points (I'm particularly fond of Macneal's similes), it all felt jarring and took me out of the flow of reading. It felt like I was reading, instead of being lost in the words and descriptions and transported to this book's world. I was also let down by the ending, which was anticlimactic at best, and left me feeling like there was little point to the book's journey. It also has a fascinating look into the nefarious world of circuses, and brings in real-life "freaks", like Chang and Eng Bunker and General Tom Thumb, and even mentions the incredibly sad and horrifying life of Sarah Baartman, the "Hottentot Venus", a woman who was a victim of horrifying colonial exploitation. Circus of Wonders was a bit of a slog for me, but that doesn't mean it will be for you, especially if you were a fan of Del Toro's Nightmare Alley, and are looking for similar dark circus stories!

4.5 stars.

Circus of Wonders is a fascinating historical fiction novel that follows Nell, a young girl with a skin condition that marks her with several birthmarks. Set in the end of the 19th century, the fascination of crowds with human "wonders" is in full swing. Jasper Jupiter has created his own Circus of Wonders in the vein of Barnum and his path's collision with Nell's own results in a tale that is colorful, magnificent, intriguing, & gut-wrenching.

The attention paid to the history of "human oddities" is well-handled, with a good evaluation of the historical fact as well as the current sentiment toward the treatment of these individuals. The writing is flowing and beautiful, bringing forth an atmosphere that is at once brilliant and gritty. The allure of the circus comes through the pages, as does the dark side of this often disgraced endeavor.

Macneal creates characters who are wholly human, with imperfections and beautiful personalities, those who see their own worth and those who are struggling to discover it. The multi-POV approach was well executed, with the focus on Jasper's brother, Toby providing a deftly woven tale. The relationship between the ambitious, callous, and narcissistic Jasper and his quiet, talented, insecure younger brother is explored thoroughly in a way that brings both characters well beyond the page. Their individual relationships with Nell and the way their personal situations and characters cause them to view her are interesting and dynamic. The multifaceted character interactions are what really brings this novel out of the dark, making the full range of emotional experiences feel tangible and launching the plot with a full impact.

Though a bit of a slow starter, Circus of Wonders wrapped itself around my soul and really plunged me into the world of the Victorian circus. I was swept from emotional highs to lows with moments of wonder and moments of strong disgust in the handling of the vaudevillian enterprise. I was gripped for the majority of my read and devoured the story with my heart often in my throat. Macneal does a fabulous job with this obviously well-researched novel and I was enchanted by her talent in telling this amazing tale.

* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *

After seeing some of my UK friends review Circus of Wonders, I knew I needed to check it out for its North American release. A big thank you to Netgalley for gifting me an eARC of this book.

Circus of Wonders follows three different POVs in the 1860s. It is a time where Queen Victoria and the world is obsessed with the circus. We follow Jasper Jupitar's Circus Of Wonders as it's owner Jasper tries to rise to fame in London. We also follow Jasper's brother ,Toby, and one of their performers, Nell. The atmosphere of this book gave me The Greatest Showman vibes.

This book wasn't exactly all I was hoping it would be. I loved the atmosphere and following the conflicts that arise in running a circus at this time. However, I didn't really like any of the POV characters we followed and found it hard to really care what happened in the end. Additionally, there were many flashbacks to Toby and Jasper's time in the Crimean war, which I found extremely repetitive. I will say, I did enjoy the author's writing style and would definitely read another book by Elizabeth MacNeal in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, Elizabeth MacNeal, and the publisher, Atria books, for gifting me this eARC for review.

Rating: 3 Stars

I wanted to love this one, I enjoy similar themes in other books, and was excited to read this one. And overall, I think I would have if not for Nell's inconsistency...

She was always changing her mind and could never seem to stick to a decision or settle on a choice, no matter how trivial. It quickly became frustrating to try to understand her better as she didn't even seem so know her own mind more often than not.

That also made enjoying the rest of the story difficult, as with Nell being the MC her constant back-and-forth with indecision made following the story and the mystery more of a chore then it really should have been.

Overall, the concept was interesting, but could have been better if only Nell had a more focused approach. Otherwise, we end up constantly confused and frustrated, which aren't really things I look forward to feeling when reading a new book.

Nell is an outcast in her small village, teased for the birthmarks that cover her entire body. When Jasper Jupiter's Circus of Wonders comes to town, her father sells her to the ringmaster as a "leopard girl". At first she is angry and terrified at her new life, but soon learns that the Circus is her destiny. She's gone from a poor outcast flower farmer to the star of the show and people admire and cheer for her, the Queen of the Moon and Stars. The only threat to her growing fame is her growing feelings for Toby, the gentle and shy brother to Jasper the ringmaster.
There's just something magical about this book... the beautiful writing style, the cast of diverse and wonderful characters, the Victorian Circus setting. I just loved it so much!
I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

4 stars. Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC. It was a beautiful story set in 1860s England. The characters were well developed and the story was easy to get into. The second half slowed a bit, and then the ending seemed too rushed, but it didn’t take away from the story itself. I would have enjoyed more background on the circus performers rather than the flashbacks of the Crimean War, but it really built up the brotherly relationship. I enjoyed reading this book.

I enjoyed this book. It reminded me in a way of the story of P.T. Barnum. But it was also different enough that I didn’t feel like I was reading something I had already heard. I wasn’t a fan of the animal deaths but that is life as part of the circus so including it also seemed appropriate. Overall I enjoyed this book.