One of the most striking aspects of "A Girl Made of Air" is Hetherington's ability to evoke a sense of wonder and magic through her exquisite writing. I am not typically someone who enjoys books about circuses, but the descriptions of the circus, with its vibrant colors, enchanting performances, and the sense of a world apart from the ordinary, are so vivid and detailed that readers can almost hear the music, see the lights, and feel the excitement of the crowd. This immersive quality makes the book a true feast for the imagination.

I was first drawn in by the cover, but quickly found that A Girl Made of Air was a beautifully written, unique story! The story was a little slow paced in some parts, which isn’t always my thing and it had a lot of deep themes that could become a little depressing, but it was well worth the read!

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed reading it the plot was interesting and the characters made me want to know more about them. I highly recommend.

A really interesting concept that didn't quite work for me. I wasn't compelled by the plot or characters but I do love a circus.

This novel seemed promising. However, the story was hard to follow. The plot was confusing and it did not help that there different timelines. Thus, I would have enjoyed it if it was told in a linear format and only one timeline. Therefore, this novel had potential but it was not executed well.

this was a really beautifully done story, the characters were really well done and I enjoyed getting to know them. The story was engaging and kept me invested from beginning to end.

The second I saw this book, I knew I had to read it! It is right up my alley and did not disappoint! I thought it was a fun read. Thank you for the opportunity to read it!

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2022 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2022/01/readers-advisory-announce-2022-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

My request for this book was solely based on the cover, so yeah. Remind me to not do that again. I DNFed it. The alternating timelines was very confusing but most of all the story was confusing too. I didn't know who was speaking or what was happening but I think we get used to it by the end but I didn't stay ling enough to know. It might be the perfect book for you but it didn't work out for me.

The cover was very beautiful and I love the unique concept as well.
Premise
Description
A Girl Made of Air is the story of the greatest funambulist who ever lived, a lyrical debut packed with myth, magic and folklore, perfect for fans of Erin Morgenstern and Angela Carter.

Born into a post-war circus family, our nameless start was unwanted and forgotten, abandoned in the shadows of the big top. Until the bright light of Serendipity Wilson threw her into focus.
Now an adult, haunted by an incident in which a child was lost from the circus, our narrator, a tightrope artiste, weaves together her spellbinding tale of circus legends, earthy magic and folklore, all in the hope of finding the child…But will her story be enough to bring the pair together again?
Beautiful and intoxicating, A Girl Made of Air brings the circus to life in all of its grime and glory; Marina, Manu, Serendipity, Wilson, Fausto, Big Gen and Mouse will live long in the hearts of readers. As will this story of loss and reconciliation, of storytelling and truth.
I have read and surprisingly loved a few circus themed books previously so I really wanted to read this one as well. I sort of got a Water For Elephants vibe and I really enjoyed that book and movie. This one didn’t live up to that for me, but I still enjoyed reading it and hearing some insight from the tightrope artiste and all the magical folklore associated with the circus world.

I could not get interested in this book. It was sad and dark and it just didn't work for me. The pace was slow and the atmosphere was depressed. The child was unwanted , taken in by an aerialist who trained the child to do the act that she did. The child looked up to here with near hero worship because she had taken here in. I did not complete the book , I found it sad and depressing.

Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion. A Girl Made of Air is available now.

I’m always fascinated by the idea of stories being told through collections of letters or diaries. The fact that this revolved around a circus was also intriguing. Ultimately, though, while A Girl Made of Air had a lot going for it, I found some things rather problematic.

The book follows Mouse, a famous tightrope walker, as she recounts her early life and the events that shaped her. She’s an interesting protagonist because the narration matures as the character does. The older she gets, the more complex and adult-sounding the narration becomes. It was a great detail, one that mirrors how people really develop. The book is peopled with distinctive characters: Marina, Mouse’s mother, Manu…and Serendipity Wilson, who is something else entirely. She is the bright light that Mouse is drawn to, and the story is viewed in relation to her. All of the characters were vivid and, in some cases, larger than life. They became almost caricatures of themselves, which was fascinating. I also think that was intentional and it gave the book a fantastical feel.

So, what did I find problematic? First of all, parts of the book felt repetitive. Some bits just didn’t really add to the story or character development at all and I found my attention wandering a bit. Secondly, and this is what really bothered me, is the unexpected rape scene. It was graphic and, as someone who prefers to avoid books with that sort of content, I really wish I’d known it was coming. As it was, I was blindsided and it really upset me. That being said, this isn’t something that will have a big effect on everyone. It just was something that dimmed the enjoyment of the book for me.

A Girl Made of Air meandered a little, but it was an interesting trip. At the end of the day, I’m not the right reader for this book. It would be much more enjoyable to readers who don’t mind a bit of harsh content and like a story with well developed characters.

"I wish I was hidden under the big wagon; I wish I was anywhere but here".

Introducing Mouse-an unwanted circus child. I wish I had more to say about this book but really the only feelings I came up with was sadness and almost a feeling of emptyness as you follow through Mouse's recounts of her treatment in her circus days. Unfortunately for me, this book was my first attempt at reading something so lyrical, and I also learned that this is just not a format that I enjoy. I think I went into this book expecting something that was more magical and mystic(as often compared to) and this one just didn't do it for me. Beautifully written, I have never seen such traumatic events unfold so beautifully, but just not for me.

I loved the idea and the setting of this book but the execution did not work for me. Having the unnamed narrator telling the story through the newspaper articles and third party stories made me feel too disconnected from the character to ever become fully invested in the story.

“I’ve always loved storms. They’re a primordial reminder that we’re not in control.”

This book was completely consuming. It snatches you up immediately and throws you violently into a world of secrets, mystery, and drama. The intoxicating world of the circus post WWII. Nydia Hetherington weaves a tale that reads like no other book I’ve read. And I absolutely loved it.

Synopsis: this is the story of The Greatest Funambulist Who Ever Lived.... Born into a legendary circus family, our nameless star was unwanted and forgotten, abandoned to grow up in the shadows of the big top. Until a woman with flaming red hair arrives at the circus and teaches her how to perform on the wire.

Now to the nitty gritty. This book was deep. Deeper than most fantasy books in the terms of the real world. Nydia touches on several deeply traumatic situations and scenarios that while necessary to the story, could be jolting for some readers. There were chapters in the book I found myself having to go back a few pages to make sure I hadn’t missed a page or two. It always tied up and made sense but in the throes of reading it can be confusing.

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who love fantasy based in reality. Anyone who enjoys the musings of faerie myths and the coming of age of a relatable and likable mc.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read A Girl Made of Air in exchange for my
Honest review.

TW: Abandonment, child neglect, death, suicide, rape, child kidnapping.

boring. it didn't do anything for me and i'd be surprised if it did anything for anyone else. stick to erin morgensten and the night circus if you like the circus aesthetic

This story was filled with magic while still feeling very grounded in reality. "Mouse" was such a captivating narrator and I loved the style of writing, with her old journal entries intermixed with current thoughts and Serendipity Wilson's stories, among other letters. It felt very stream-of-consciousness at times, which I'm usually not a fan of, but I thought that it was done really excellently in this novel. Marina's letter was one of the more impactful parts of the story, and all of Serendipity Wilson's stories made the novel that much more whimsical in nature, while still being very powerful. I figured out the main twist around halfway through the story, but I still thought it was really well done. Mouse's life in the circus was very tragic at times, while still being chock-full of childish hopes and dreams. Her stay in the USA was another very exciting part of the story, and I thought everything came together very nicely in the end. I really enjoyed getting to be in this story for a few hundred pages and will definitely be keeping an eye out for Hetherington's future works.

This novel was different and thought provoking. I enjoyed the circus setting and the context of the novel. There was historical fiction blended in with fantasy of the circus. For the main character being on the tight rope for much of her life you'd think we would read more about it. I will say this book moved at a rather slower pace than I would have liked and some parts did seem to drag on. I will also say I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes a circus read, but it's slow build might deter some audiences.

A Girl Made of Air is the story of a girl nicknamed Mouse and her life in the circus. We learn of her childhood and then she meets a character named Serendipity Wilson and things change. Sprinkled in the story are folk tales that Serendipity would tell Mouse. The characters were really well written and the setting was great. I found the story a bit slow at times but all in all, I enjoyed the book.

A Girl Made of Air tells the tale of a famous tight-rope walker through flashbacks and stories in notebooks compiled throughout her roller coaster of a life. Beginning with her inauspicious birth to a circus performer who could not love her, the underbelly of the circus world is gradually exposed as her career unfolds.

The star of the novel suffers a childhood of isolation until taken in and finally given a name, Mouse, by Serendipity Wilson. As surrogate mother and mentor, Serendipity teaches Mouse to walk the wire while she cares for her as her birth mother never could. Mouse gains confidence and finds her wigwam home a refuge from the cruelty of her abandonment. When things take a turn for the worst, Mouse finds a guiding quest to help her move past the pain of her unstable life.

I have a great fondness for circus stories, and this one did not disappoint. The details of daily circus life were vivid, and Mouse’s observations from her lonely wanderings of the caravan grounds add depth to the narrative. The extent of neglect by her parents is heartbreaking, her feelings of rejection overwhelming. It is satisfying to see her find love and purpose, despite the trying journey it takes her to get there.

While I found the writing to be seasoned and evocative overall, the first quarter of the book is somewhat difficult to follow. The interview, juxtaposed with present thoughts and flashbacks, made the plot a bit cumbersome to navigate. Eventually, however, a flow emerged and I was hooked. Stick with it through the early chapters and it comes together nicely in the end.

If you love circus and sideshow tales and a bit of mystery, grab this one right away! This glimpse into the dichotomy of glamour and seediness of that life is a spectacle in and of itself, and the resolution of Mouse’s great purpose will keep you guessing up to the end.