This book did a great job of immersing the reader in the Victorian world of the circus. The author's goal was to demonstrate how a "young girl would have experience and navigated such coercion, opportunity, fame, and objectification, while also retaining a sense of herself." I think she accomplished that mission, but it just left me feeling sad.

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As with The Doll Factory, Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal is dark and a very slow read. The parallels between the two books continue with closely bonded siblings, birth anomalies, collectors of oddities, and the dark Victorian gothic setup. This book is very much character driven. However, other than Nell, is there growth in the characters? Is there enough to keep a reader engaged and invested in their story. Unfortunately, this reader does not find that.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/12/circus-of-wonders.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

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