Sorry but I couldn't get into the book at all. I tried though, I'm so sorry for my ADD brain.

Books with an unexpected cliff-hanger are not my favorite. There were some small problems with the plot as a whole, but the book was generally enjoyable. Cai and Dani were good together, and I enjoyed the setting of the circus school with secrets.

**3.5 Stars**
https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/

Dani wants to respect the memory of her very talented mother so she follows in her footsteps- which leads her to a special high school that will train her in all the circus arts, especially the high wire that she loves. Cai has been tasked with a mission of great importance and he feels the stress of accomplishing his goals weigh on him, so he tries to push all distractions out- including new student Dani. But when Dani's curiosity gets the better of her, she finds out some hard truths and big secrets she was not meant to know.

When I heard what this book was about I knew I had to read this story. It is such a cool idea to have a high school that specializes in circus arts and performing, ranging from showmanship and magic to the high wire and contortionism. I have no idea if this is a real thing but regardless, it is such a cool idea for a book. Add in the fact that there is magic, secrets, mystery and an underlying plot of a select group of people preparing for an ultimate act of revenge. Yes, please! I think it was perfect timing for me to read this story now, right when I am on the high from the ultimate circus movie The Greatest Showman, and I found the story to come alive.

Regardless of everything else plot-wise, this book was about romance. Sure there are other aspects going on in the story such as high school and girl drama, lots of cool circus training that was so well described if felt like I was watching it happen, supernatural in the form of shape-shifters and real magic and a crazy bad guy who needed to be stopped. But really, at least 80% of the story was the forbidden relationship between Cai and Dani, the two main characters. Cai has been tasked with a mission, yet he is distracted by Dani with her innocence and skills. Dani was instantly drawn to Cai from the moment that she tripped on him, so much so that she stumbled across his secrets regardless of the fact he pushed her away. As a side note, Dani is a freshman and Cai is a sophomore in high school, so roughly 14 and 15 years old and they encounter a lot of lust and checking each other out physically, as well as Dani getting a naked eye-full of Cai early on and very much enjoying it- I think I would have enjoyed their relationship a little bit more if they had been older (at 14 I was not super into physically checking out boys and I had no idea what love was, but maybe that is just me) and if it hadn't seemed so much like insta-love (it did end up building, but the first part was too much too soon for me).

I discovered that this is just the first in a series because this book was just a small portion of the bigger picture that the characters are facing. I found this story to be a fun, very fast read, something I blew through in just a few hours. I think this would be the perfect read for someone who wanted to start a teen paranormal romance series full of mystery, intrigue and circus flair.

I received this title for reviewing purposes.

I will be completely honest and say the main reason I signed up to read this book was because the main character is named Dani. Well, Danielle, but she goes by Dani. LIKE MEEEEEEE. I have no shame. I'm like Trump. Put my name repeatedly into something and I'll be more likely to read it.

But actually, aside from a few hiccups in the beginning, this was an enjoyable, quick read. It's sort of connected to The Wizard of Oz, but it's not a retelling, even a loose one. You might recognise a couple of names and a pair of shoes, and it was exciting when little clues and connections were dropped in, but otherwise that's it.

My favourite thing about the book was the forbidden romance element. Dani and Cai have an easy connection, and I liked their interactions. There were so many moments of tension that were interrupted, and it was frustrating to read those, but in a good way. It was a bit insta-lovey, and it got a bit saccharine towards the end, but hey, young love.

I will admit that it was a little cliché at times. The whole mean girls thing sometimes gets a bit much to read, especially as I think that, while there is often a Popular Girls group in high school, they're not nasty by default. If anything, I got more of that BS in middle school, but then high school was more like everyone had their friend groups and only occasionally interacted outside of them for classwork. Maybe I just went to a relatively chilled high school?

There were little inconsistencies in the writing. For example, Dani's age. First, I'm pretty sure we learn she's a freshman, which would put her at about 14, but she was written more like a 16/17-year-old. Later, we learn she's 16, which would make her a bit old to be a freshman. I don't know... I was just confused a lot. Plus, there was a lost moment for some Real Teen Thinking.

Like, if you saw a boy walking out of the woods naked, what would you do? Well, first of all, I wouldn't go running out into the night. But I sure as hell would at least think about his...package. I don't think it could be considered immature at that age for there to be some shock at seeing a guy's ...package... in real life. There was a lost opportunity for some age-appropriate OMGing. (I'm sorry, but I am still shook by this moment and would have been obsessing over seeing a real penis for the first time that wasn't my little brother's when he was a toddler.)

But anyway, I had fun! It was very easy to read, something to happily take your mind off the real world with, pure escapism. I think it's supposed to be part of a series? Because while there is An End, it's not The End by any means.

I will admit, circus books are hit or miss for me. Out of the 3 (three) books I've read, I only liked one (which is also an Entangled Teen published book). Now I can add a second one to the list. And I will be on the hunt for more circus themed books.

This book wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I thought it was going to be a typical circus training book, with Dani trying to adjust to her new school and achieve her dreams of being a high wire star like her mom. But it was more than that. This was a Wizard of Oz retelling with supernatural aspects. Although, I'm not sure how close to the Oz story this book is as I haven't seen the movie and read the book, but I still think it was good. I recognized from the of names and creatures.

Dani was such a likable MC. She was a nerd with a passion for dance and the high wire. She wasn't the most graceful on land but she was amazing in the air. I adored her passion for the wire and her commitment to achieving her dream. My heart also broke for her. Since she was considered "odd" she was bullied a lot and didn't really have friends. She soldiered on even though it was so hard for her. I just wanted to wrap her up and never let her go. I think me and her could have been really good friends.

Overall, I'm happy. I'm anxious to see where this series is going too. (that's presumptuous of me. too assume it will be a series. it ended on a cliff hanger and I mean come on, there has to be more!) Even if this isn't continued, I would still highly recommend this book for those that like circus themed books and for those that like the Wizard of Oz.

Combining the thrill of circus arts with the mystery of performers whose gifts go beyond the realm of possibility, LIONS AND TIGERS AND BOYS spins together a teenage romance full of fierce competition, secret meetings, and the daily dramas that come with being a teenage girl at a new school. An overall fun read that'll leave you curious to see what adventures will unfold next.
I'm not a huge fan of the cover art and the story is written with a very young teenage-sounding voice which to be honest isn't my cup of tea at all, but the concept for the book was undeniably intriguing. I think that young teens will absolutely swoon over this one.
-pooled ink Reviews

Rating: 4.5/5

WOW! What a great YA adventure this story proved to be, I thoroughly enjoyed it and can easily imagine it proving a real hit with able readers aged 10 and over. I’m presuming it is the start of a new series as the story ends on a cliffhanger that has left me eager to read more in the series asap, please!

Dani Gale’s Mum tragically died but left Dani inspired to become a circus artiste. When her Aunt manages to get Dani accepted into the Oswald Zinzendorf School of Circus Arts, Dani is both thrilled and daunted by the prospect of attending a boarding school where she knows no one. Imagine how much worse she feels after being something of a klutz and drawing unwanted attention to herself entering the Hall with all the students and staff by tripping over another student. That other student is Cai Coppersmith. . . . and so the adventures begin!

This is a real page turner, a magical story combined with circus skills, secret plots, lethal enemies, shifters and so much more! The world building for the school is brilliant, you feel as though you’re walking the hallways, darting through the forest, meeting the other characters and become totally immersed in the story. The dilemmas facing the students as the plot unfolds leave them confused and uncertain, so you’re never quite sure what will happen next or just how they’ll react. There are school bullies, hidden agendas, magic and all that you’d expect to find in OZ! I highly recommend taking yourself on a journey into this magical school - you’re never quite sure what you’ll find next! Personally, I hope what I find next is the sequel to this intriguing story - I can’t wait to read more!

I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

This is written in a very mature voice, great imagery, good editing
It is a paranormal storyline, shrouded in mystery, magic, and suspense, shape-shifting, an enchanted campus...
Things are revealed very slowly, like a flower slowly opening its petals. However, the story ends on a cliffhanger so there will obviously be more books coming. I didn’t realize this when I started reading it as the reviews for it weren’t out yet so I am disappointed not knowing how the story ends. I hope the sequel doesn’t take too long to be published.

-‘Professor Marvel possessed many things, theatrical flair and showmanship were just the surface. There was infinite power simmering beneath his skin, always bubbling, always present. There were only a few people in OZ who knew the truth about him. And I was one. It was a secret entrusted to me at the beginning of my first term because of my heritage, and of what I could do. On account of who I was and what had happened to me as a little kid, I learned just how different I was and what others would do to possess those differences. But the burden of it was sometimes suffocating.’-

A great story. Very different. I look forward to reading the rest of the story and hopefully the conclusion when it is released.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ok, first things first. Whoever said you can't judge a book by the cover was right. But people still do anyway. And the cover and title of this book doesn't match the tone of this book. The cover makes it seem like some steamy and primal teen romance (and the boy doesn't match at all what I imagined Cai looking like). Not only that, but the title conveys the same tone as the image.

That is not what this book is AT ALL.

There is an art to subtly that not many authors have mastered, but Tawny Stokes totally hit it on the head in this story. I started reading, not realizing the extent that it played off of The Wizard of Oz, and I was thrilled with her way with words. This is NOT a re-telling of the classic novel, but it weaves in aspects of it in a completely captivating way. Yes, the name of the school that Dani attends can be shortened to OZ, but the focus isn't on any one detail. In fact, if you hadn't read The Wizard of Oz, you would completely miss some of the small details that are thrown in there. 

The story is really about Dani, who desperately wants to be one of the world's best at the high-wire, and who is a threat to those who don't want her to succeed. And it's not just the other girls in the school's high-wire competition who don't want her to win. Those who like her don't want her to win for deep-secret/undercover reasons. I was completely sucked in, and couldn't read it fast enough. 

I loved the characters. And it wasn't just the main characters, Dani and Cai, but I loved all of the supporting characters. They were witty, flawed, likable, and everything in between. (Though Dani and Cai have this insta-love thing going on, which I'm never a fan of.)`

And then the book ended. And I was disappointed. 

The whole book felt like it was building up to something awesome. And I'm sure it was...in the next book...in another year. But instead of giving me some huge event to leave me satisfied until the next book, it just ended. Cai was training for an undercover mission, and Dani was training to win a high-wire spot in a big event, but everything they were training for is in a future book. Lions and Tigers and Boys could have easily been another 100 pages and it wouldn't have felt too long.

In short, I loved this book. I loved the character development and the allusions to Wizard of Oz. But I was so disappointed by the sudden ending, that I'll have to give it 4 stars, instead of the 5 stars I really wanted to give it. 

NOTE: The book is almost 100% clean, with only one or two sexual references

3.5 stars

Okay, so Ocean’s Eleven meets The Wizard of Oz . . . At the circus. Is your mind blown? That’s what I was thinking after the first chapter. But let me explain.

Dani Gale promised her dying mother she would pursue her dream of becoming a tight rope artist. A year later, she enrolls at the Oswald Zinzendorf School of Circus Arts, OZ for short, where her Great Aunt Dottie pulled some strings to get her admitted. On her first day she walks in to an assembly, already underway, and trips over another student. She’s mortified, but on the plus side, that student is the most beautiful boy she’s ever seen.

Cai is a sophomore and a tiger shifter. He’s instantly drawn to Dani, but he’s not supposed to get involved. He and his adopted brother, lion shifter Leander, along with the magically talented members of the faculty are planning a heist. Using the school’s big charity performance as a diversion, they’re going to steal an artifact from a local museum, a pair of sparkly red shoes that can open a portal to another world. They hope to go there and search for their family members, including Cai’s parents, who’ve been taken by a villain known as The Wizard.

You’re probably seeing the Wizard of Oz connection now, but there are more. Like head mean girl Maggie West who’s Dani’s competition for a spot in the show, and Cai’s jealous ex. There may even be some flying monkeys.

Though Lions and Tigers and Boys isn’t labeled as a book one, it should be. By the end of the book, the heist hasn’t actually happened yet. And really, the heist prep isn’t a big part of the story either. What is a big part is a charming high school shifter romance with hints of other magic elements. That’s something I rarely see in YA but I hope becomes more common. The circus setting does seem to be a trend, but this is a lighter take that feels more like a sports romance, with the dark magic elements secondary.

And I guess that’s what bothered me about it. While I loved Dani and Cai’s relationship, I felt like I was going to get more of the story. And then the book just ended. Maybe revealing less about the planned heist would have lessened my expectations, although there are already so many things that are hinted at and left unresolved. Or maybe the book could have been a hundred pages longer – it’s only about 250. I definitely want more, so I’ll be on the lookout for book two.

I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

3.5 stars — Well that was definitely entertaining! I expected a bit of a more dramatic climax, but that could have been just me. I am definitely intrigued to know where the series is going to go though, and how it’s all going to shape up. And if I find out this is actually NOT a series with that ending, well, then this rating would go down. I was left with a LOT of questions, but at least I got some satisfaction with Dani and Kai. I would have preferred to also have a bit more information about the supernatural world stuff, but oh well. But I do believe it is a mistake to not advertise this as a series, as it’s very confusing for both new readers going in, and readers once they’re finished.

I was not really a fan of Dani at the beginning. I get that she was a teenager and all, but she did not start off on the right foot with the reader with how whiny and moody she was in the car with her Dad. I’m not entirely sure what that was all about, it didn’t persist too much in the rest of the story, so it felt really out of place. I was a bit confused with her past as well…at one point it felt like her mother had *just* died (like perhaps in the last year), and then later in the book she said it was a few years ago. I understand that this might have been cleaned up between my ARC copy and the final copy, I sincerely hope so. I guess I just couldn’t get a really good gauge on how she was processing her grief, and I wanted a more well-rounded look at who she was.

If I let some of that go, then I liked how hardworking and determined Dani was. She seemed pretty strong, mostly not letting the bullying get to her much. I did feel for her and how frustrating it must have been to have so much working against her. She was pretty naive though, I couldn’t believe she didn’t question the Dean’s mind reading, or basically anything magical she observed. I don’t mind that she was so accepting, especially with Kai…she was bright and inquisitive, and could be really positive sometimes. But some more questioning would have been nice. I loved her friendship with her roommate Anna, who was seriously delightful. You could really feel how much she cared for her, and wanted what was best for Anna.

I liked Kai more than Dani for the most part. He had his own flaws, and he could feel a bit flat himself at times, but when he shone through he really shone. I loved the way he observed people at the school, and was trying to make better decisions. I liked how he developed as the story went on, and finally stood up for what was right. And as an animal lover, I ADORED the moments with Ozzy and Loki. I liked his friendship with Leander as well, but not as much as Dani and Anna’s friendship.

I thought Dani and Kai together were pretty cute actually. I love the crush feelings they both had for each other, and the connection they seemed to develop. Cute is just kind of the perfect word for it.

As for the world elements, well, I was a bit let down. I’m intrigued by where it’s going, but I kind of wanted more. This isn’t really a retelling so much as an expansion on the world somehow…though I can’t really tell you how, b/c we really just got some tastes here and there and barely any answers. And there really were not a lot of redeeming adult characters in this book. I did like Dani’s high wire teacher though, even if she was in a tough position. And same for Frank.

Maggie has me confused. She’s a very typical mean girl, and I totally get the play with her last name. But occasionally it felt like maybe you were supposed to feel a bit bad for her…but it wasn’t really enough to accomplish that. I guess I’ll reserve judgement, but I wouldn’t mind some gray areas…those always make the bad guys more interesting and three dimensional.

So yeah. It has promise. I felt like there were a lot of areas that could have been tightened up, but it definitely intrigued me enough to want to know where the story is going.

strange things are afoot at the oswald zinzendorf school of circus arts, for one thing dani gale is pretty sure she saw a tiger roaming the grounds on the day of her arrival. she can't quite put her finger on why things seem strange, like the clairvoyant dean vasilev, and the odd undercurrents of power she feels when she crosses paths with maggie west.



the truth is that in lions and tigers and boys there are strange things afoot. cai coppersmith has lived at oz since his guardian frank took a job caring for ozzy and loki, the school's resident tiger and lion. although actually, cai and leander also happen to be the school's resident tiger and lion. currently they're working on a special project with professor marvel, one who's goal is to lure the evil wizard out of hiding in order to discover what happened to marvel's wife, glinda.



and if all these names sound familiar it's because this is a well-executed wizard of oz meets harry potter type mash up. and if i have one complaint about this story is that i was so involved in the overall plot and mystery that when i realized that there was less than 10% of book left i was horrified. apparently this is to be a series, which is fine, but it would have been good to know beforehand because it left me feeling like the ending was a bit rushed. there were so many plot points that were left, not unresolved exactly, but unexplained.



so i'm saying i want more in this world, and i hope we'll get it. because i genuinely enjoyed spending time with these characters.



**lions and tigers and boys will publish on january 8, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (teen crave) in exchange for my honest review.

If you’re anything like me and the first thing that pops into your head when seeing the title of this book is the Wizard of Oz then you would be somewhat correct in the guess that this has something to do with that movie. The story isn’t a retelling but more of taking some of the characters/situations of the movie and writing a new young adult fantasy around those elements.

We start with meeting Cai Coppersmith who attends the Oswald Zinzendorf School of Circus Arts (OZ) and who is also a tiger shifter. Cai is involved in a secret group at the school that is full of magical users training for a mission. One of the group is injured so a spot will be opening up and they need a new high-wire performer.

Dani Gale has just transferred to OZ and finds herself tossed into the competition at the school rather quickly. Cai is one of the only students nice to her and as she’s paired up with him she finds an attraction growing but little does she know Cai is meant to be sabotaging her performance.

The book was a fun, quick read that had a bit of romance mixed with the fantasy and full of little things to remind a reader of the classic Wizard of Oz. Now one might ask why only 3.5 stars for this one then if I found it a fun read? Well, as far as I can find there is no mention of this being the beginning of a series but yet the book seemed to cut off mid story. There was so much still needing to be fleshed out and finished but we seem to stop at the Dani/Cai relationship forming instead of the fantasy and magic story line. I would honestly rate this one a bit higher if I knew for sure there was a second book in the works but as it stands I was a tad disappointed in the ending.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Lions and Tigers and Boys
Tawny Stokes
Book Review: ♥ ♥ ♥

Dani wants to make her mum proud. The traditional education just isn't going to cut it, circus school is her chosen poison. Dani has to work for her elegance that came naturally to her mother, but she is determined. She is starting a new school. One surrounded by mystery- OZ, Oswald Zinzendorf school of circus arts. She wants to master the high-wire.

Cai is Dani's new partner. The magnetism is hard to miss between these two, but Cai has his own secrets. If he gets too close to Dani it may be dangerous. The circus school is more than it seems and some secrets are too big to let romance compromise them.

Dani knows there is something different about Cai. She can't help but be interested in him.

This book has a high school drama theme, a magical element, circus tricks, mystery and romance. It's a fantasy novel with a loose wizard of oz feature. The mean girl is a bully and the male lead is a shifter.

This was an ok read. Some of the ideas were good, but I didn't like all aspects of this book.

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

3 stars out of 5.



ebook, 247 pages

Publication: January 8th 2018 by Entangled Publishing

"Lions and Tigers and Boys" is a great new YA fantasy that is made to read in one sitting (and you'll love it that way because it's a tough one to put down!). I got the impression from the ending that it is the first in a new series, and I am so excited there will be more! This is also to say, as a warning, that the ending is left pretty open and there are a lot of mysteries that have yet to be solved. The book takes place at OZ, the Oswald Zinzendorf School of Circus Arts. Although not one of the best known circus schools, it is shrouded in secrecy- and many of the employees and students have magical talents. This book is a play on The Wizard of Oz, and it has allusions to the book although a completely (in my opinion) new and original plot.

We follow Cai and Dani in alternating chapters. Dani promised her mother, before she died of cancer, that she would follow her dreams of doing the high-wire and performing for Cirque du Soleil. Although she was rejected from the best circus school, her Aunt Dottie was able to get her a position at OZ. Dani is not sure she wants to go, because why bother if it's not the best- but her father helps convince her that this is a step towards following her dreams.

Cai is one of the talented students at OZ- he is a shape-shifter and can transform into a tiger. Originally from Russia, he came to OZ with Frank, the animal tamer, after his parents were captured by the Wizard. We don't learn much about the Wizard in this first book, except that the staff are planning a heist to steal the shoes and get back their loved ones. In the process, they need to fill a high-wire position in their performance troupe, which will be used as a distraction to get the shoes. They need someone reliable and choose the stereotypical mean girl, Maggie. As Dani is her fiercest competition, Cai is partnered with her and told that he needs to sabotage her so that the committee will choose Maggie.

However, this becomes pretty complicated when Cai and Dani begin to have feelings for each other. It was a lovely romance, and I was cheering for them the whole way through. As it's a short book, some of the drama/romance felt a little condensed, but I loved it anyway. We also don't get to learn too much about the side characters, but they were pretty interesting, and I would love to hear more about them in the future (especially Anna, Dani's roommate, and Leander, who transforms into a lion). Maggie was pretty 2-dimensional, not fleshed out, but she does provide an archnemesis for our heroine, and I am hoping she will grow as a person in later books.

The best part of this book is the completely unique scenes/scenarios with OZ and the magical faculty/students- we don't learn all their secrets in this first book, and I was left with so many questions- I NEED the next book now! Overall, this was an intriguing and delightful new YA fantasy, and I can't wait to read more! Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I am a huge fan of re-telling's so coming across a rare Wizard of Oz one, I knew I had to snatch it up and give it a go.
Like most kids growing up I lived in a brief fantasy land where I ran away and joined the circus so this was neat to get a glimpse at what circus school looked like.
I love the subtle hints of the original tale woven here and there through the book. It was interesting to see the author's take on things.
I was not a fan of the love interest. The build up was better then the actual relationship. Once the two admitted and got together, briefly, it just fizzled out for me.
Luckily the actual story made up for it.

Noteworthy experiences while reading this book: I love retellings and this one was great. I loved how the author meshed shapeshifting and the retelling of OZ together.

Check out author's other books? YES
Recommend this book? YES

Notes and Opinions: I wasn't to sure about this book when I started it but I learned early on that it was going to be wonderful. The author did a great job with blending two types of stories together. The normal young adult story of boy meets girl with a twist. This one was well paced with characters that I ended up loving. I cant wait for the next book in the series and I hope that we see even more of the characters of OZ and the circus school was a great idea!

Go Into This One Knowing: Elements of the Wizard of OZ.

This was a really interesting take on The Wizard of Oz. I mean, certainly the characters are there, and some iconic shoes are involved, but even after finishing this book, I'm not entirely sure about who to root for, or what is really going on! And that's why I liked it so much. It isn't just a retelling, it's a total reimagining. Loads of fun, and I can't wait for the next book!

What an adorably clever book!

I didn't realize from the blurb (though the title should have clued me in) that this wonderful (ha!) little story is Wizard of OZ inspired (? Themed? Influenced? Not sure.) Definitely not a retelling, but elements and nods to OZ abound while still being its own tale.

The circus school theme is fabulous and the characters and romance likable and sweet.

I also didn't realize that this is the first book in a series, so I am desperate for more.