I didn't like this story. It was written well, and I finished it because I wanted to see what happened to the "marvels." However, I didn't like all the ugliness of the story (not only the main characters but the people in the background) and it wasn't until the middle I found some understanding. Maybe it was because the ending just did end for me. I am not a "happily ever after" type reader, however in my opinion the story just didn't end.

Theater of Marvels is not for the faint of heart. I found the book incredibly heavy and had a hard time getting through it. Fans of Sara Gruen may love this, but it wasn’t for me. Once I got about half way through, I started just skimming the chapters to get the story but for some reason could not get into it. I have loved similar books like Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert, and The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern. If you like those but a little darker and slower, then this might be for you.

As thrilling as it is heartfelt. Full review posted at BookBrowse: https://www.bookbrowse.com/mag/reviews/index.cfm/ref/pr284544

Zillah is a black actress on the stage in 19th century London, where she plays "The Great Amazonia", a "savage" that was taken from Africa being showcased for the drunken patrons to see. When a black man is in the audience one day, it begins a chain of events that lead to Zillah questioning her motives behind playing "Amazonia" and a journey release a group of Africans who have been brought to London against their will to be showcased in an actual freak show. Along the way there is a love triangle with a viscount, a gang in the slums of St. Giles, and lots

Lianne Dillsworth clearly did a lot of research when writing this book. It's evident that she wanted to portray the history of black people in London during this time. It was fast paced and hard to put down. Readers will love Zillah, and her journey to self acceptance.

SPOILERS BELOW

My only qualms with this book was that the ending happened so suddenly, that it left me feeling unsatisfied. While I do like that Zillah's salvation wasn't because of either man, it felt like the pregnancy came out of left field, and all of the threat against Zillah was suddenly over once Lucian left her on the dock, even though she was being chase d up until that very moment. However, over all I really enjoyed the book, and after sleeping on it, I did enjoy that she didn't end up with Lucien or Vincent, but with the women who clearly supported her and wanted the best for her.

I also wish Barky had gotten to come into his own a little more as well. The reader is meant to deduce that he was gay, but I wish that could have been stated outright and accepted by Zillah at the very least. I understand it can be difficult with the time period setting, but as someone in the LGBTQ+ community, I was really rooting for him.

A young English woman working as an exotic "freak" meets an African merchant who makes her question her performance.