I am extremely surprised at all the wonderful debut novels that have been coming out and this is no exception. This historical fictional book touches upon family, love, and hope and is filled with magic!

I loved the three characters, Lena Papadopoulos, Theo, and Alexandre. The characters were well-developed! Their friendship is touching and I dare you not to have a tear or two as you read this novel, as I found it to be emotional. Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Predictable and full of cliches: 3.75/5
Entertainment - 4/5
Recommend: 5/5

Triggers ⚠️: Child abuse, Holocaust.

Dear The Circus Train,
You are a bookstagram made me do it book. And as usual, bookstagram didn't steer me wrong. I lost myself in your beautiful and heartbreaking story. I loved watching Lena blossom as she fought her way to her feet and into herself. Her and Theo's tender relationship, and her and Alexander's friendship were beautifully written. I loved the concept of a circus on a train, but had a difficult time visualizing how it would all function. There was a magical realism feeling to the whole circus a fantastical element that I enjoyed. The villainy of Horace made him wonderful to hate, and added even more tension to the story. While you were not perfect, I enjoyed losing myself in your world.

I absolutely loved reading this book. It was well written and enjoyable. Great job! Thank you for the arc!

3.5/5 stars, really emotional story but also just long

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for the arc through netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

Going into this, I knew this was a historical fiction book, with hints about World War II, but the circus aspect in history was so interesting. I have not read many books with a story centered around a circus, especially in modern history. That was my favorite part of the book, how unique this felt, but after the first part of the story, this aspect faded a bit into the background. As the story progressed the World War II conflict grew, as well as in general it was just a story of Lena's growth as a young woman in this time period.

This was a very complicated story, and I'm not really sure how to talk about it. One thing that I think dampened my enjoyment of the story was that it felt like it was trying to take on too many things at once. This included things like disabilities, family conflict/what it means to be a family, the World War II impact, and being a woman in this time period. Obviously, all these things that were depicted could have really happened to someone, but it made me disconnect a bit. I'm not really sure what message this was trying to send, or what themes it wanted to point out more specifically, so it wasn't effective in my opinion as it could've been if it had focused on a few fewer things/themes.

Lena as a main character was actually very fun to follow, she's a young girl who has a disability that doesn't allow her to walk on her own, or really at all. This book jumps around to some other characters' perspectives like Alexandre, but at its core, this book is about her. It's about her growth and how she fights for her own rights and what she wants in life, and how she overcomes everything that is thrown at her. However, when the book focuses on Alexandre and their connection as well, more emphasis is placed on overcoming obstacles like the war.

The ending for this book left me feeling a little disappointed, I can't really explain why without revealing spoilers but I was left wanting more. It was in a way a happy ending, but nothing that happened really overjoyed me. I do however recommend this to historical fiction lovers, who are looking for something around the World War II era that doesn't just focus solely on the war.

[TW: death of a mother, disability -> unable to walk, child abuse (physical), childhood polio, war themes, beating, blood and gore, smoking, kidnapping, slum and less than livable conditions, beatings, pregnancy mentioned, cheating mentioned]

I’m such a fan of historical fiction, especially set in WWII and The Circus Train is none like I’ve read before. Parikh really makes you fall in love with the main characters - Lena, Theo, and Alexandre - so much so that once I got going, I couldn’t put this
book down. This story has so many elements weaved in, which is what makes it so enjoyable. This is story of love, courage, and sacrifice and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys WWII historical fiction - it won’t be like anything you’ve read before!

Thanks NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Amita Parikh tells a haunting story full of adventure and intrigue. Her seamless portrayal of a young Jew and his protector during the Nazi genocide interspersed with a girl suffering the aftereffects of polio is riveting.

I loved how the scenery always changed with the traveling circus, yet the story also seemed grounded through the perpetual movement. The maze that Theo built for Lena is nothing short of amazing, and I want one for myself.

Young Alexandre stole my heart though. The poor boy ran from a past he couldn't forget into a future full of doubt and imprisonment. I truly loved Alexandre with all my heart. I was devastated when he and Theo were torn from Lena.

The ending of The Circus Train is what clinched it for me though. I cried so hard with joy that it took me days to pick up another book. The hangover was intense.

I award The Circus Train 4 out of 5 stars. I urge everyone to read this heartwarming tale of love and loss and love again.

I have and will continue to enjoy historical fiction around the Holocaust. Not because what happened wasn't horrific, but because I find the stories around these events fascinating and horrifying. The Circus Train is very much a different take on the Holocaust and WWII than a lot of the books that have been getting traction these days - a lot of those are focused on bookstores and spies - and spends a good portion of the book actually dealing with something other than the Holocaust in how it builds the story of the circus and Lena's struggle with her disability.

The first part of the book is a bit slower in terms of plot, because the bulk is focused on the circus and how it is such a unique space. But at the same time, there are moments where the rest of the book creeps in with the fact that Alexandre is Jewish and the train encounters more and more challenges as the war progresses. I also found it fascinating that the train could move between both sides of the war with what seemed like little resistance because it was a form of entertainment.

The latter parts of the book moved very quickly with the concentration camp and the characters growing up. I don't want to introduce any spoilers, so that's all I'm going to say about the plot. I will say that I really wanted to know the secrets being kept and it was really annoying that I had to wait as long as I did.

The characters are well developed, especially Lena. I did find Alexandre and Theo not as developed for sure and, in parts, I struggled with the fact that the middle section seemed rushed. But all in all the story moves well and is satisfying. I was also happy with how it ended, although no real surprises.

I love reading historical fiction about the circus. I love how much passion there is for both performers and patrons.

The Circus Train stole my heart because it incorporated the circus, romance, and World War II. It's hard to imagine everything they went through or the loneliness Lena endures at the end. But maybe that's why I love it so much - this book took me to another world and allowed me to escape 2023.

This was a beautiful heartwarming story. The author did a wonderful job in developing the characters over time and giving beautiful imagery of the World of Wonders circus during WWII while also showing the realities of Lena who was a survivor of polio. The book is a story of perseverance, redemption, and romance.

I highly recommend this book. Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

Although, this is out my normal genre choice, I did enjoy this story. The author did a good job with the writing and keeping me entertained.

This was a great book and had many themes that I love to read about such as circuses and WWII. I loved Lena's character and it was amazing to read her story and growth throughout this book. It was heavy and emotional at times, but also hopeful. The circus moments were magical and glittery and I loved that. Thank you to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC.

Beautifully written historical fiction. Very atmospheric and immersive. Set in the 30s, the story follows the leader of a circus and the daughter that contracted polio as a baby. A story that spans over years, strong characters prop up this inspiring and captivating novel. An engaging and entertaining read.

The Circus Train by Amita Parikh is an historical fiction novel about two people who grew up in a traveling circus during WWII. Lena’s father Theo is the circus’ illusionist. As a child Lena had polio and has lived most of her life in a wheelchair. One day she stumbles upon a boy who has snuck onto the train. Alexandre is of jewish descent and has no family. Theo decides to hide Alexandre’s identity and make Alexandre his protege if he agrees to be friends with Lena.

I love historical fiction books, and gravitate towards those set during WWII and I also love books about circuses, so this was immediately added to my TBR when I came across it. It did not disappoint! I loved Lena and Alexandre’s friendship. I also thought including a character who had Polio, which I’ve never read about in a book before, was an interesting addition to the story. Apparently it was very prominent during this time, but I have never come across a character whose life was impacted by Polio. This WWII historical fiction book is definitely unique enough to be distinguished from the many other books set during this time period.

Thank you to @penguinbooks and @netgalley for the eARC of this book. Too bad I'm almost 2 months late reviewing it. That's how I roll lately, it seems.

Every time I pick up a really good historical fiction book, I remember why it's my favorite genre. Lena is the daughter of the headline illusionist in a circus back in 1938. She lives her life in a wheelchair after having polio as a small child. Struggling to fit in with the other circus children, Lena finds her chance when she meets Alexandre and rescues him. An orphaned urchin from the streets, he quickly is nursed back to health by the circus doctor.

The story of these two children's blossoming friendship is beautiful. Then, as the two approach puberty things get interesting, especially considering this time frame of history…..hello WWII

This is Anita Paring's debut novel and I can't wait to read more! I loved this one and highly recommend for anyone who loves a fantastic historical fiction.

I liked the straight forward writing style and was intrigued by the premise. The story initially failed to pull me in, but did get more interesting as I stuck with it. However, the story never quite reached the depth the topics called for.

Despite maybe not a perfect match for me, I would still be intrigued to check out this author’s work in the future. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Circus Train follows two children, Lena and Alexandre, as they grow up in a magically extravagant circus at the beginning of WWII.
I really liked the premise of this book and the beginning, but I feel like it lost it's way in the middle and end. I think the turning point of the book where Horace turns Alexandre and Theo in to the Germans was very out of nowhere and out of character for him. Alexandre and Theo's journey after that doesn't hit anywhere near as hard as it should have and seems very light given the circumstances they're supposed to be in. A lot of the characters become unnecessarily melodramatic out of nowhere which makes it hard to relate to them.

Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The World of Wonders was the famous circus group that travelled across Europe. Among the performers were the great and renowned illusionist Theo. Traveling with Theo was his daughter Lena. Lena grew up with the circus, but she was not a performer. Lena was handicapped due to polio and was tied to a wheel chair all her life. Lena longs to be normal and her secluded life is making her sad until the day Alexandre came to the train and became Lena’s friend.

I really like how this book was a different uptake on a WWII representation. Though this book was a bit slow burn for me, I can’t deny the very detailed and intricate narratives of the writing. It is very long to my liking but no worries there because the ending makes the book worth it’s every page. I love the characters, they were all packaged well. Its a good mix of a coming-of-age story in a historical fiction set up. I did have questions in my mind as I was reading but the author’s note in the end is a section not to miss. Albeit lengthy, its a good book over all!

Thanks to Netgalley for the e-copy to read in exchange of my honest review.

A true coming of age story and a tale of star crossed lovers, The Circus Train brings the whimsy and wonder of the circus and the torment and anguish of World War II into a gripping tale of perseverance, grit, family, and love. The cast of characters is so lovable (with a few exceptions that become obvious in time) and you will find yourself rooting for everyone in the end. Told in four parts, the natural breaks in the story drive the plot forward. This book made me laugh and cry, and was a very unique perspective for a historical fiction piece.

I liked this book a lot. It combined three of my favorite settings: the circus, a train & World War II & was full of interesting characters. The writing felt a little simplistic but I was willing to overlook it since I was enjoying the story so much.

This is a very unique novel. It is a war story, a love story, and a look at a perilous time in the world! The three main characters are a part of a circus train that goes from country to country
And tries to hide the fact that a lot of Jewish performers are hiding from the Nazis. You will be hooked on the story from the first page and you will learn a lot about the time period. Enjoy ...