Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Just when I thought I was burned out on heart-wrenching World War II stories set in France, I stumbled across The Ringmaster’s Daughter. Circus people have been a catnip of mine ever since a dear friend recommended Geek Love roughly fifteen years ago. So I binge read this novel over the course of three weeknights (while working full days).

Honestly, I was so immersed in my binge reading that the dramatic reveal/plot twist was actually a surprise to me - despite the title of the book. Then again, when I started the novel, I was thinking (hoping?) that it was a secret baby trope; therefore, I was waiting for one of the female characters to announce a pregnancy (or at least a child) by the Ringmaster.

I have mixed opinions about the character development and the world building of this book. They were definitely good enough to keep me engrossed for hours at a time; however, neither was so fully realized that it occupied my thoughts when I wasn’t reading. The novel seemed to rely a lot on archetypes to fill in the reader’s imagination. There was the glittering interwar Paris, the tense occupied Paris, the controlling ringmaster, the brawny sword swallower, the waifish acrobats and trapeze artists, the mysterious fortune teller (complete with tarot cards) and so on right down to the headstrong untamable black stallion. Almost everyone was who they were expected to be, and almost everyone had a heart of gold in the end.

Since I prefer books that have messy endings, I would have preferred that this book ended at the end of Autumn with the lovebirds’ disappearance from the last circus performance. That would have given me something to continue to think about. Instead, the author wrote those last three chapters from a first person point of view to tie up all the loose ends. That seemed to be completely unnecessary.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to read another circus book. Naturally, I would recommend Geek Love and Like Water for Elephants well ahead of this novel because those two have so much better character development and much more tension.

I received this book as a digital advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was disappointed with this book. It centers around a young man, Michel, who leaves his home in Paris in 1940 by hopping on a random train that is headed out of the city. He comes to find out pretty quickly that the train belongs to a traveling circus and he is soon hired to take care of the horses that star in the show. Soon it becomes clear that the circus employees are all running from something, and due to the fact that the German army continues to advance throughout Europe, things get scary fast. Add to that there is woman that Michel falls in love with, who he believes to be married to the ringmaster, and everything about this novel told me that I would absolutely love it.

It was ... okay. Really, not bad, but nothing special and just very underwhelming. I didn't love any of the characters, they felt sort of one-dimensional to me, there was very little excitement with the circus itself - none of the glitz and glam and fantastical elements that I was expecting - and even the elements of the war itself were very toned down. Honestly, I found it sort of boring. I was tempted to put it down so many times and ended up skimming the last 60 or so pages just to find out what would happen in the end.

I can say that I liked the ending, so I'm glad that instead of giving up, I did skip through some stuff to read the final twenty or so pages. I think for me, while The Ringmaster's Daughter had a super promising premise, it just failed to live up to my expectations. It was fine, but for me, there are so many better circus books and World War Two books. It was just okay.

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and author Carly Schabowski for providing me with an ARC of this novel!

I thought this was a wonderful take on World War II Historical Fiction. It was definitely different from anything else I’ve ever read. Circuses and the people involved in them are just so fascinating. I loved reading the author’s note at the end of the novel, only to find out that these were based on true events. I got to know the characters well and I loved the excitement of being under the big top. The writing style was strong and descriptive, and really brought the novel together cohesively. Definitely an original idea that I really enjoyed reading!

Thank you again to those named above for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I’m a huge fan of WWII Historical Fiction. This book was different than anything I’ve read and I’ve read a lot! The circus during WWII..such an interesting take on things. Very good read!

I am fascinated by the genre of books that explores circuses and magicians, but I have never until this book read one that is also historical fiction, set during the Second World War.

The book follows Michel, a young man living in Paris in the 1940s. At the beginning of the book he flees Paris, as the city is being taken over by German forces, and ends up becoming a stowaway on a circus train. He is reluctantly allowed into the circus by the Ringmaster, Werner, on the condition of training the horses. Upon joining the circus, he meets a variety of vibrant characters, including Frieda, a young woman that he falls in love with as they travel all over France to avoid arrest.

After reading the author's letter at the end of the ARC which states that this book is based on true events, it means so much more. I felt the heartache, fear and desperation of the characters living in France at this time, and the hope that was ever present for a better life. At times the side characters (Jean, Giordano, Kacper) were more alive and full of intrigue than the protagonist, and I rooted for them all. Bertrand and Lucien were friends of Michel's that enriched the story further. Michel's feelings for Frieda seemed a little inauthentic at first, as he did not yet truly know her, but by the end I was fully convinced, and the last scene had me tearing up.

The place descriptions, particularly of Paris, were phenomenal. In fact, all of the descriptions - from the food, to the colours and bright lights of the circus, to the characters - added so much to the narrative. This novel was definitely outside of my comfort zone, but I read it in twenty four hours and just could not put it down. A moving, captivating read.

Maybe 2.5 but honestly this was a disappointment. I came here for a circus, full of magic and wonderment. I didn't really ever get that. There was minimal world-building as far as the circus itself went. The historical part of it didn't feel fleshed out well. The MC was unlikable as a whole and the side characters who were much more intriguing just did not get enough page time.

Also, the whole story up to 60ish percent is the MC believing that Frieda is MARRIED to the ringmaster. First of all, it makes him less likable when he is STILL TRYING TO GET WITH HER. But also, the "big reveal" was a waste since the TITLE spoils it.

This is a wonderful story that begins in Paris just as the Germans begin to infiltrate the city of lights. Michel, a young man with no family but a wonderful neighbor who is not only a friend but his protector. Seeing how things were progressing his friend arranges for Michel to stow away on a train that belongs to a traveling circus. What begins as a trial run with Michel helping to train the horses ends with Michel finding a "family" that includes the love of his life. Michel learns the stories of those he now calls family and works to keep them all safe. This is a wonderful story of how family is not just those that are related by blood and the things we have to do to protect those we love. The author does an amazing job with transporting the reader back to the days of Nazi rule and how every moment was experienced with fear.

I thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

This story starts in 1940 in Paris and we travel down to the south of France with a circus. If ever you've felt like running away with the circus, now's your chance.

This is actually inspired by a true story which I found remarkable - a man who helped save Jews from the war by hiding them in his circus and pretending they were part of the crew and acts. IT's quite an ingenious idea and one you wouldn;t think would work.

Life in a circus is wonderful and exciting to read about and I felt part of the action and got to know the characters really well. Despite the glamour of the acts, the danger and the excitement there is always the notion that war is not far behind and the Germans are even closer. This level of uncertainty and danger in the novel works well and I read along the journey with them as they travelled.

It's the characters who are in focus here not so much the war or the places they stop. This is life in the circus and the various journeys of those in the troupe.

Can I just say that cover is glorious!

I didn't understand switching narration from third to first-person towards the end. My personal choice would maybe be that first-person narration was from the beginning.

Michael Bonet tries to escape Paris when the Nazis begin to invade. Hiding on a train and which he soon finds out is a traveling circus train. The premise sounds interesting but for me too much details bogged the story down and it moved so slowly that I only read about 20% and lost interest. I didn't finish the book so not sure how ending was.

I wanted to love this book, but I feel it fell short. It resembles Water for Elephants, but fell short. The title gives a lot away and the first 50% of the book was quite boring and did not hold my interest. Although it picked up at the end, the book did not keep me thinking about these characters or the storyline. I was hoping for much more. Even the love story was somewhat muted.

I really really enjoyed this book overall. The characters are so real and you can’t help but love them. The pace at which their histories are relayed is good but I was disappointed in the two major plot twists. The first was obvious and the second I felt was cheap and unnecessary.

Overall this is a great character study in a new and interesting take on WWII historical fiction. I loved the traveling circus and thought it was well executed.

I love circus stories so I was instantly drawn to pick up this one. I did enjoy aspects of the book and enjoyed the different take on WW2 stories that this novel provided. The thing I struggled the most with was pacing; the story prior to the circus felt like it took a long time to get through and was pretty slow. Overall, a solid read.

3.5 rating
Thanks to NetGalley and Boukouture for an e copy in exchange for a review.
You can easily read the summary of the story for yourself....althought this is the part that drew me in...Circus people don't ask who you were before , or what god you believe in - - when you join the circus, you are family , whatever your past. For me that set the stage for what I hoped to be an interesting story.
I've read a lot of WW II novels over the past two years and part of me thought I just couldn't do another WW II setting. If that is you also - - reconsider this book. The cover of the book is delightful and the war setting is more of a backdrop for a story rich in characters. It is also based loosely on the true story of Adolf Althoff, an Austrian circus owner , who hid a Jewish family of 4 in his circus during the war.
FOr me the book started off slow and I had difficulty getting into the characters - -didn't seem like there was a lot of depth. But 1/2 through , the author really starts to get into the characters, their stories, and why they are all there. So if you feel the same way while reading, I'd suggest sticking with it. The story is a good one and has a satisfactory ending. Worth the read.

As soon as I see the cover for The Ringmasters Daughter, I was intrigued to read the synopsis as I haven’t read many novels to do with circus folk and after reading the synopsis I was looking forward to what sounded like a spectacular read.
The storyline is set in France beginning in Paris in WW11, our leading character Michel was encouraged by a dear old friend to flee Paris as the Germans began to take over. As Michel tries to keep a hold of his freedom, we watch him on his travels which by chance lead him to a travelling circus. Struggling to find his place amongst the circus folk he wonders if he should leave but there is someone who has captured his heart giving him reason to stay.
I was captivated by this storyline, I found the historical background of the events and effects of WW11 on France interesting and this gave a prefect platform for the storyline and made everything feel a little more realistic. The circus theme is not something I have read about much in books which just made me more inquisitive and eager to learn more of their day to day lives and the circus folks struggles and this is certainly something that comes across in this storyline it shows a how hard life is in the circus.
Michel was a young likeable character who hasn’t had the easiest starts in life but he was such a kind, caring and hard working man who we see grow through this storyline and its not long before I found myself hoping for a happy ending for him. There were a vast and varied amount of supporting characters in this novel all who were well developed and many of whom become friends of Michel’s and showed that in times of hardship community spirit is still strong with people going above and beyond to help and protect in any way they can.
I was entertained all the way through this novel and the gentle romance that is woven through this storyline was beautiful and honest although personally the big surprise to Michel was not a surprise to the reader considering the title!
I would definitely recommend this book and it is one that will stick in my mind thanks to its vast lovable characters and entertaining storyline my only criticism was I found the ending felt really rushed to me. The rest of the storyline flowed at a continual pace and was quite in depth but the ending felt rushed and almost like the author had run out of time, it was clear she knew what the outcome was that she wanted for her characters so it wasn’t that she didn’t know how to end the novel but it was just done in a rushed and brief way which let the novel down a little for me because the ending did reveal something that if told in more depth and feeling could have made this book spectacular.
This is a wonderful novel of friendship, survival, romance and traditional entertainment and this is certainly an author whose books I will look out for in the future.

Schabowski's debut novel, The Ringmaster's Daughter, is impressive in both expanse and execution. If I had to describe this novel in 3 words they would be: poignant, earnest, and undaunted. Schabowski is a gifted wordsmith. She writes well and develops engaging and three-dimensional characters. Though there are details that feel stretched (which I won't go into, as they spoil too much), overall this novel is an affecting, entertaining, and intriguing read.

Michel is a young, handsome, Frenchman of little means - though he is kind and romantic in an old-world fashion. After the death of his father and then his mother, Michel developed a deep and meaningful, relationship with his neighbor Bertrand. Bertrand is a kindly widower who loves Michel as a son. As tensions mount and the French army is overcome by the Germans, Bertrand risks much in order to assure Michel's safe passage from the city. Michel ends up a stowaway on a train that turns out to be that of a circus troupe - an eclectic group made up of a bearded lady, a magician, a drunken clown, a fortune teller, strong man, trapeze artists, a beguiling acrobat, ghoulish triplets, an aged lion, an accordion player, his monkey, and an array of horses . When he is discovered by odd couple Jean-Louis and Giordano, he is promised a place among the outcasts of this troupe, however, the ringmaster (Werner) and strong man (Serge) have other ideas - they have little empathy for his plight and he is thrown unceremoniously from the train with his belongings as it is moving. Though this did not happen before Michel first laid his eyes on Frieda, by whom he is utterly captivated.

After sleeping in a field and being proffered the kindness of a French winemaker named, Lucien, Michel crosses paths with the cirque once more. This time, the ringmaster sees his talents with horses, and gives him a very limited and indefinite position with the troupe in exchange for training his beautiful stallion, Beau. But Michel is warned, if he wishes to remain with the troupe, he must not ask questions and he is to stay away from Frieda, the alluring trapeze artist, who appears to be in a relationship with Werner (the older and portly ringmaster). Michel becomes dear friends with Jean-Louis, who also warns him to stay away from Frieda. As the Germans invade further into the French countryside, the troupe's position becomes increasingly precarious, and Michel becomes further entangled in his desire for the alluring Frieda. Tension mount from all sides and eventually give way. In this enduring tale, the human condition is presented raw and emotionally - the readers sees how one person can have many sides and facets and that not everyone gets a happy ending, as occasionally evil prevails. Even villains are not what they seem; sometimes they are not villains at all but simply people trying fiercely to protect what they love and conquer the ghastly evils being committed around them. This novel is a testament to the fact that little is ever black and white, especially when it comes to the hearts of men. But above all, there is something worth fighting for and believing in above all - love.

Maybe I’m just an impatient person, but it seemed to take too long for Michel to actually get to the circus I did enjoy the repartee among the characters, and the scenes with Michel and Beau, but the whole story seemed lacking in emotional depth somehow.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

1940's France, the backdrop of WW2, Michel finds himself packed up and fleeing a Paris that’s expecting the imminent arrival of the Nazis. Inadvertently thrown in with a circus troupe, Michel eventually is allowed to stay, care for, and train horses for the performance. Michel, though many obstacles are thrown in his way, becomes close to many of the performers. Michel learns backstories of the close-nit group of outcasts and finds himself identifying and caring for them.

I struggled with this story, as it carries such a promising premise but I just didn't feel that it completely lived up to it's potential. I love the WW2 backdrop and the circus atmosphere piqued my interest immediately. Who doesn't love a good circus story and make that circus shadowy and mysterious? Yes, please! However, I felt this story ultimately just wasn't for me.

The characters didn't feel well rounded, nor did they develop as the story progressed. Though we were given the backstory to some of the characters I never felt connected to them in any way. It was disappointing because I found myself wanting more from a character or a scene and just not getting it.

What I did like most was how Michel worked with the horses, as well as the descriptive scenes of the cities and country side. But when we get further into the romantic aspect, the horses fell by the wayside. When Michel joined the circus, events began to happen a bit too conveniently. Michel identifies two women who he regards as attractive upon first stepping foot onto the train and eventually, both become his partners in rather awkward ways. I found the romance to be very much insta-love.

Overall, I enjoyed aspects of this story but it did fall a bit short for me.

France 1940, Michel's Bonnet's life is about to change when the germans are trying to take over France( Also are very successful). A very close like family member helps him escape away from Paris. Michel bonnet ends up with a circus that is very unusual and its destination constantly changes.
( obviously depending on the circumstance) The question is why is everyone so secretive about their history? Their destinations are need to know bases, basically everything is. Michel ends up getting a job training horses for the circus. Also suddenly people start walking off and dissapering all of a sudden. Soon they have to Acknowledge from some very rude Nazi's you take Paris then its obviously under German Rule you must succumb to Hitlers rule.

I was asked to pick a quote:
'It does not matter who were are, Michel, we are all here and we work together. That is what matters.'
This is when you are starting to learn everyone in the Circus stories and backgrounds and truly what does matter is that they work together.

I also cried at the ending, did a bunch of oh no's and gasps. I don't think I will ever be emotionally read even if it's fiction for a world war two book especially when it involves the life of people where they are mostly likely going to be rounded up and died no matter who they are.

The Ringmaster's Daughter was a true delight to read. From the very first page, the writing was absolutely gorgeous and painted such a beautiful picture with its imagery:

“Small boats sluggishly cut a path through the water, as if it has thickened to soup”

Even the minor characters were so full of life! They all felt like real people...sometimes more than Michel himself. Once he joins up with the circus there are a great number or characters that keep track of. Again, given how well fleshed out most of them are it was surprisingly easy to keep track of them, but there were a couple (Felix and Hugo) that took me a few appearances before I remembered who they were. It might’ve gone better if so many characters weren’t introduced all at once.

I am a sucker for anything French-related. I LOVED that many chapters has French names (given that I could read them, especially - I can see why someone who doesn’t know French might not like that so much). And all the little touches throughout made it feel so genuine, like this quote:

“Camembert so ripe it was one day away from being inedible - the perfect age.” - YES YES YES. This is so real it made me laugh out loud.

I felt the progression of Michel’s relationship with Freida went from 0 to 100 in a short period of time. I enjoy a slower ramp up so I'm more invested in the culmination - this felt just a little too unbelievable (e.g. going from not talking to calling each other darling). It also may be that it just makes me uncomfortable to read pet names, ha. Maybe I would’ve preferred if they called each other pet names in French?

The switch in POV from third person to first person in the last few chapters didn’t bother me at all, it felt quite natural as he was wrapping up his story to do it in his own words. I teared up at the end - I do love a happy ending!!

This book had intrigue, lovingly designed characters, a fresh take on a very well known historical period, and most of all, the perfect pinch of magic.