The Circus Train is a rich story that takes place in WWII. The writing style captivates and the characters are well-developed.

ARC was provided by NetGalley and Severn House in exchange for an honest review.

Wonderful World War II historical fiction debut! Hard to put down. Momentous writing that combines history and magic and wonder throughout. Beautiful story. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy!

This book was a page-turner! Parikh's use of different character archetypes evokes empathy with the characters and their story arcs, which I find excellent. Our main protagonist is Lena Papadopoulos, whom I would qualify as the "orphan," followed by Alexandre Robichaud, the "hero," and finally Theo Papadopoulos (Lena's father) who is the "leader."

This book has a strong character-driven plot, and each one is richly developed. In the course of following the lives of these characters (over a period of about 20 years), you become enamored with their personalities and relationships.

Throughout the course of the book, there are elements of tragedy, love, loss, and hope. It was a pleasure reading this book, and I highly recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction with a hint of romance.

5 phenomenal stars! I enjoyed everything about this book! It was set in WWII era, but with a refreshing angle. The following is the books summary:
"1938. Lena Papadopoulos has never quite found her place within the circus, even as the daughter of the extraordinary headlining illusionist, Theo. Brilliant and curious, Lena—who uses a wheelchair after a childhood bout with polio—yearns for the real-world magic of science and medicine, her mind stronger than the limitations placed on her by society. Then her unconventional life takes an exciting turn when she rescues Alexandre, an orphan with his own secrets and a mysterious past.

As World War II escalates around them, their friendship blossoms into something deeper while Alexandre trains as the illusionist’s apprentice. But when Theo and Alexandre are arrested and made to perform in a town for Jews set up by the Nazis, Lena is separated from everything she knows. Forced to make her own way, Lena must confront her doubts and dare to believe in the impossible—herself."

The story had all the components of a heartwarming, exciting, survival story about love and loss. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy!

Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy. I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot about magic and the circus. I look forward to reading more books by Parikh.

Thank you #netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! This one is out now!

I absolutely LOVED this one!! This story follows a traveling circus in Europe with WWII as the setting. But, what I loved, was that this wasn't the main focus. Knowing the setting did help put a lot of things into perspective (like the treatment of Alexandre).

Following the main character, Leena's, story, was magical. Even though this was a fictional piece, it was still truly inspiring watching Leena learn and grow as a person. Not only did Leena's growth inspire me, but also Theo & Alexandre's growth too (especially through the end of the novel).

I would recommend this one for fans of Station Eleven by Emily St.John Mandel, and if you do grab this one, I absolutely recommend pairing it with the audio - it was fantastic!!

What a wonderful debut! I read a LOT of WWII fiction, and this was a unique storyline that brought something new to the table. It’s easy to root for Lena and feel invested in her life.

This book tells the story of Lena, a little girl who survived polio and as a result is wheelchair bound, as well as her father, a talented illusionist named Theo, a Jewish orphan named Alexandre, and a whole cast of circus train characters. It spans two decades of war, love and loss, secrets and perseverance. I read the entire book in one sitting!

The Circus Train kept me wanting to read more because it was written so well, the plot was a totally new one and the characters were very interesting. Most of the story took place on a traveling circus train and included many of the performers. I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced copy for my honest review.

Loved reading Lena's story from birth through young womanhood. This was a different type of historical fiction book in that it had the backdrop of the traveling circus through Europe pre-WW II and during the War. It is a coming-of-age story of triumph, overcoming hurdles, and the importance of family. It is a love story both of a daughter and father and a young couple. Totally delightful read.

This is a very interesting book that evolves into very different genres/books.

The book starts out as a dramatic fiction novel where the MC Lena is in a wheelchair, struggling to make friends and she is raised by her father.

Then the book transitions into a book similar to Water for Elephants. It has a circus charm and feel, but it is still pretty emotional.

Then the next part is like a tragic WWII story that is very intense. I will say, I kind of had no idea how this book would transition into so many different type of books, but it was nicely done without seeming clunky.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

a riveting storyline... but not at all what I was expecting. Not a lot of circus-ing. More of a romance. Started out super engaging then I felt it slowed down but still a captivating and unique story!

The Circus Train was an absolutely beautiful, engrossing tale about a traveling circus during World War II. This book was written so well and the descriptions of the circus, the people and the acts were just incredible. I was swept away with these characters journeys and absolutely loved everything about this book. I look forward to reading more from this author!!

If you're looking to be enthralled by a historical fiction read, this is the book for you. It is poignant, emotional, complex, and multi-layered. The characterization is top notch, and the plot moves the reader forward effortlessly. An unforgettable, amazing read.

This book was beautiful and everything I hoped for. The writing was brilliant and the storyline held me captivated the entire time. I had this on my shelf for about a year because I was waiting for the perfect time, and my only regret was that I wish I read it sooner.
Highly recommend and so glad I got to read this.

4.5 stars

I loved reading this book! It was such a unique story about a European traveling circus in the midst of WWII, and how these characters persevered through their personal struggles.

Lena Papadopoulos was a wonderful heroine, and despite her limitations, her disability didn’t stop her from wanting to achieve more. With a love for science and medicine, she always had her nose stuck in a book or spent time learning what she could from the circus doctor. Her overprotective father, Theo, a headlining illusionist, was determined to protect her from the outside world — and the truth about her past. But when a young orphan named Alexandre showed up and joined the circus, he added some light to Lena’s life and encouraged her to continue pursuing her dreams.

While Alexandre was training as an illusionist’s apprentice, he and Theo were contracted to work and perform for the Nazis for at least a year. During this time, Lena was separated from them and for the first time in her life she had to make decisions for herself and find a way to make it on her own. This is when we truly see the strength and determination that made Lena such an inspiring character. It’s one thing to lose the one’s you love, but to continue and thrive despite everything life has thrown at you, is a true testament to a person’s inner strength.

Highly recommend this book!

*Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing a copy of this book to review.*

Lena as the daughter of the headlining illusionist, has never quite found her place within the World of Wonders - a travelling circus that travels the continent in a luxury steam engine. Brilliant, Lena yearns for the real-world magic of science and medicine, despite the limitations she feels in her wheelchair. young Theo, an orphan jumps aboard the circus train, Lena's life is infused with magic and wonder for the first time in her life due to Theo. . Lena has never quite found her place within the World of Wonders due to the limitations she feels in her wheelchair. World War 2 is about to start. Lena’s world is about to fall apart as she loses everything that is dear to her. To recover what she has lost, she must believe the impossible will happen.

A wonderful novel written by the author. It is a novel that reminds the reader that there can be more than we are. Lena is a courageous woman in a wheelchair who must find her place in that era of changes in the world. It is an amazing story that anyone who reads it cannot help but remember Lena.

I really had to take some time to reflect on how I felt about this book overall. I had moments where I really liked it, mostly times where there were one on one conversations. There we decent stretches where I was bored. And the time jumps really threw me for a loop. They seemed so sudden after being in one time for a good portion of the book. I see why they happened, in order to move the story along, but it ended up feeling rushed at the end, but dragged out in the beginning.

I seem to be in the minority here, but I just felt okay about this novel. It took me a long time to read because I didn’t want to pick it up. It’s fine. It had its ups, but I noticed more downs.

The Circus Train is just the type of historical fiction I love to read. It brings an unusual twist to the time frame of the setting and the characters are well-developed and engaging.
Set during the 1930’s through WWII and into the 1950’s, readers follow the lives of Theo, Lena and Alexandre and they navigate some difficult situations and try to stay together.

Theo, an illusionist, is working on a circus train and takes along his daughter Lena. Lena has suffered from polio and is in a wheelchair, spending much of her days alone. When Alexandre turns up on the train, starving and on the run from something, Theo decides to take him under his wing and eventually work him into his circus act.

As the war looms, things get more complicated for the trio. While Lena was undergoing treatment to learn to walk, they become separated and Lena finds an old mentor to help her.
It’s not until years later that the three are reunited and all the struggles and secrets are brought out into the open.

Historical fiction readers will love this one and it’s a great read for the holiday season.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group, Putnam for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to recommend this and give it my honest review.

"Epimeno" (Stay with, Persevere)

How to describe this beautiful story. A story of love, romance, WWII, and of great courage. A story of a young girl's struggle with polio. The magic of magic and the magic of the circus. The horror of the Nazis and one betrayal that changed so many lives and brought so much heartbreak. One brave girl that triumphed through it all.

The main characters Lena, Theo, Clara and Alexandre were excellent characters for the story. Even the villainous Horace managed to have some redeemable character.

How one brave girl. Lena, triumphed over polio, grew up in a traveling circus, strived to be a woman doctor, and ended up not only having to choose between her career and her love but between two men that loved her. On top of that she had to contend with a secret her father had kept from her all the years she was alive.

It's a magical story and a beautiful romance. I loved this book it was a fantastic read and I enjoyed every page. I recommend it I think you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Thanks to Amita Parikh for writing this beautiful story, to Penguin Group Putnam for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to read and review.

Thank you for allowing me to preview this book.

What a beautiful story that brings to light disabilities and the holocaust without being too much. Many holocaust books are exhausting but this has a good balance and the author knows just the right amount of suffering to be written in without allowing too much pain. I loved the back and forth of storylines. I loved the way the book was finished by the author and I didn't have to make up an ending.
Beautifully written, will definitely recommend