This book was not for me. Circus books are always so intriguing to me. The writing in this book really bothered me, I didn't feel invested in any of the characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central for providing an ARC of this book!

I really wanted to like this book, and completely expected that I would based on the historical setting, the magical realism, found family - and who doesn’t love a circus?

Unfortunately, this book did not sit well with me, and all the elements that I wanted to love fell flat because of the writing. I had to move on without finishing this book because the writing style was convoluted from the very beginning, and didn’t improve. Even as an avid reader, I struggled to grasp what was happening at times because the language was overly wordy and incomprehensible. I was surprised to find myself struggling with this, because I’ve read and loved so many books with detailed, elaborate prose (The Night Circus included). I couldn’t tell if the author intended to use lofty language to create a sense of mystery, or if she wanted this book to reach a higher audience than me. As this is the author’s first novel, maybe she will find a better balance with future books.

Is the concept unique? Absolutely. Will the subject matter draw in lovers of The Night Circus and other gritty historical fiction? I’m very sure. Sadly this just wasn't the book for me.

This book definitely delivered on the title. I was curious til the very end with several little plot reveals that were very interesting. This is perhaps a darker, more sordid take on the circus storyline but was very well done. It gave feelings reminiscent of The Night Circus bit again, darker. This is a story of revenge and new life, second chances and meaning of family. Found family is an important part of the circus atmosphere and this held up to the trope. I would have appreciated a bit more from somemof the side characters to fully grasp the family aspect but overall I really enjoyed this book. I wouldn't be upset if there were more!

This wasn’t for me. The writing was messy and hard to read. The story itself was uninteresting and I could not enjoy reading it.

I think this book had potential and the premise was interesting, unfortunately the execution fell very short for me.

The pacing was slow. Not much time passes, but lots of things are happening. And we get POVs from almost every character which slows things down. The POVs also jump between characters within the chapters which didn’t bother me at first, but by the end it got old, and I was just waiting for a POV of a character I was interested in and who was more involved in the main storyline.

The romance element in this book was also disappointing. Again, there were hints and potential for a good romance, but just didn’t live up to what the synopsis makes you believe.

Overall, I was disappointed. I saw the potential and enjoyed some of the magical and circus elements, but was sad it didn’t live up to the synopsis.

Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A story about a magical yet creepy, gothic circus that takes place in Victorian London? Yes, please! There is no circus quite like Ashe and Pretorius' Carnivale of Curiosities. And the magic is real. But in order to protect his most vulnerable star attractions, Ashe makes a deal w/ Odilion Rose, a most notorious criminal. The proposition is like making a deal with the devil and the stakes grow even higher when Rose's ward, Charlotte, and Ashe's star, Lucien, are drawn together, an attraction that incites dangerous situations.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central for this e-arc.*

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Aimee Gibbs for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Carnivale of Curiosities coming out July 11, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

In Victorian London, where traveling sideshows are the height of entertainment, there is no more coveted ticket than Ashe and Pretorius' Carnivale of Curiosities. Each performance is a limited engagement, and London's elite boldly dare the dangerous streets of Southwark to witness the Carnivale's ensemble of marvels. For a select few, however, the real show is viewed behind the dark curtain. Rumors abound that the show’s proprietor, Aurelius Ashe, is more than an ordinary magician. People say that for the right price, he can make any wish come true. No one knows the truth of this claim better than Lucien the Lucifer, the Carnivale's star attraction. Born with pyrotechnic abilities, he's dazzled spectators since he was young.

When Odilon Rose, one of the most notorious men in London, calls with a proposition regarding his young and beautiful charge, Charlotte, Ashe is tempted to turn him down. After revealing, however, that Rose holds a dark secret that threatens the security of the troupe's most vulnerable members, Ashe has no option but to sign a contract with the devil.
 
The stakes rise higher as Lucien finds himself drawn to Charlotte and her to him, an attraction that spurs a perilous course of events.

Overall, I liked this book. I thought the first half of the book was really interesting. I love books set in Victorian times. I love the macabre and magic, so I thought it would be an interesting plot. But I think I was expecting a little more from the book summary. I think the second half was a bit of a letdown. I was hoping for something different. I lost some of the focus. It was a little long as well. I prefer books around 300 pages. I would check out other books by this author though.

The Carnivale of Curiosities is Amiee Gibbs' debut novel, and I have to say I really liked it. It has a bit of everything I enjoy in a book, including magic, Victorian England, mysterious characters, revenge plots, found family, and a mystery. Plus, Ms. Gibbs tells an intriguing story.

The best part of The Carnivale of Curiosities is Aurelius Ashe. He is both a larger-than-life master of ceremonies and an enigma. No one knows much about him, although rumors abound. While he may be the flamboyent ringleader for the Carnivale, he takes his self-appointed role as the protector of his curiosities seriously. I have a soft spot for anyone who shelters and cares for the downtrodden. Plus, Aurelius has some great one-liners, and his thoughts about people asking for favors still has me contemplating what he said.

Another aspect of The Carnivale of Curiosities I appreciate is how well Ms. Gibbs shows all of London. We don't just see the pretty parts, like in a Bridgerton novel. Ms. Gibbs spends as much time, if not more, bringing the worst parts of London to life. The Carnivale itself occursin a disreptuable part of the city, and most of the action happens in and around the neighborhood. Not only do we get to see those parts of London most authors keep hidden, we get to understand what life is like for the have-nots and the machinations that keep them from improving their lots in life. It is a side of London that Charles Dickens excelled at showcasing. I believe Ms. Gibbs does an equally good job doing so, with less of her story devoted to description.

In truth, I enjoyed all parts of The Carnivale of Curiosities. From uncovering Aurelius' mysterious power to learning more about Lucien's haunted past, the Carnivale holds a lot of secrets. I suspect Ms. Gibbs only scratches the surface with what she unveils for us. Odilon Rose is quite the character, and there is an intriguing struggle with knowing the truth but being unable to do anything with it because of the lack of money and position.

The Carnivale of Curiosities is a clever little story. There are a lot of layers to it, each of which are intriguing in their own right. Together, they form a cohesive novel that is deceivingly complex. The characters are a little one-dimensional, but they serve their purpose well. I would love to see more of them and this weird, dark world Ms. Gibbs created. I can't wait to see what else she has in store for readers in the future!

Gothic carnivale with a found family and faustian bargains with a dash of murder? This one is for you! The story follows the Ashe and Pretorius' Carnivale of Curiosities, an amazing carnivale that travels in Victorian London. The story is focused on various members POV as well as some antagonist's pov, this is a super heavy character POV kind of story. The story is mixed in with some real historical events, and theres a lot going on. If I'm going to be honest, this one fell flat for me, I really found myself getting bored and disconnecting from the story many times. It felt like a drag to read and I just didn't care all that much for any of the characters which is sad because this book was advertised as being something like a mix between The Night Circus and the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and it felt like neither. Overall, it just was not for me at all, and I would recommend it for fans of gothic historical stories with very little romance but a lot of characters and are into lengthier reads because it sure felt long.

*Thanks Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I got about 25% into this, and called it quits. The story is interesting, but the writing style is just not for me.

DNF @25%. The characters were interesting, although the supposed 'MC' got very little page time, but I just struggled to see where the story was going and struggled so much with the constant switch of POV mid chapter.

"The Carnivale of Curiosities" by Amiee Gibbs is a gothic tale that transports readers to the enchanting world of a Victorian London circus. I found that the prose was elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery of the Carnivale of Curiosities and its intriguing cast of characters, some might find it pretentious.

Speaking of characters, the ensemble in this story is both fascinating and complex. While the main characters may share the spotlight a bit too much, it is the surrounding cast that adds depth and layers to the narrative. The found family dynamic within the circus is heartwarming, showcasing the bonds of loyalty and support amidst the darkness that surrounds them. The author explores the consequences of Faustian bargains and the price one pays for fulfilling their desires in an intriguing way. Another aspect that stood out was the tangled history that connects the characters. Horrific secrets gradually come to light, adding layers of complexity to their relationships.

This is an enchanting read that will captivate fans of Victorian-era settings and mysterious circuses. It masterfully blends dark themes with beautiful prose, creating an atmospheric tale that lingers. With its compelling characters, tangled history, and a touch of magic, this novel offers a mesmerizing journey that is both thrilling and deeply uncomfortable at times.

If you like reading books mostly for the vibes, you’ll love Carnivale of Curiosities. You’ll get dark Victorian-era London, old school circus, found family, and a bit of the supernatural sprinkled on top.

I loved the vibes of this one… loved the overall plot of the story… LOVED the ending.

I didn’t love how hard I had to work to get there. There are a LOT of background characters, and you will get an extensive backstory on almost all of them.

There’s also an obnoxious amount of dialogue. A few times there’d be two characters talking back and forth. Then all of a sudden a third character joins the conversation but the author doesn’t indicate this third character until AFTER they’ve spoken. Maybe this is trivial, but it pulls me out of the story a bit because I have to “reshoot the scene” in my head if that makes sense?

I would have enjoyed this more if the pacing was a little quicker, if it flowed better, and if there was less head hopping, especially with the minor background characters. I only had a vague idea of what was happening throughout most of this book. There’s a lot of unnecessary fluff that could have been cut out.

The Carnivale of Curiosities was appealing to me at first because the back cover talks about carnivals and necromancy, but this book blew away all of my expectations! Amiee Gibbs has written fantastic character portraits woven with history, curiosities, intrigue, and magic. The story follows Luce, Mr. Ashe, and Charlotte as Luce and Mr. Ashe arrive in London and are quickly approached by Mr. Odilin Rose (Charlotte's guardian) who proposes a deal with Mr. Ashe regarding a terminal illness that Charlotte has. The story is told from multiple perspectives, all building toward themes of family, contemplation on evil, and the consequences of bargains.

I loved this book! It kept me engaged and I found the weaving of backstory to be masterful. The characters are written with care and the world is fleshed out through them. The only thing to be wary of is the book is written using the language of the late 1800s. This is not a bad thing, but I did find myself looking up words quite often.

The Carnivale of Curiosities had it all! Mystery, intrigue, fantasy. It was a fun ride reminiscent of the Night Circus.

Thank you NetGalley and Ms.Gibbs for a chance to review "The Carnivale of Curiosities." A cross between "Night Circus" and "Six of Crows," fans of fantasy will enjoy this debut novel by Ms.Gibbs. I was surprised to see the rating in Goodreads since I found it to be a very well written and an enticing novel. However, I would say that this book could be listed as dark fantasy. So readers not expecting this might have been put off. I however really liked the characters and the whole story line. I will definitely be recommending this book.

"A dazzling Gothic tale of Faustian bargains, jealousy, and murder set in a spectacular circus, where star-crossed lovers' destinies are forged at an unexpected price - perfect for readers of V. E. Schwab​'s The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.

In Victorian London, where traveling sideshows are the very pinnacle of entertainment, there is no more coveted ticket than Ashe and Pretorius' Carnivale of Curiosities. Each performance is a limited engagement, and London's elite boldly dare the dangerous streets of Southwark to witness the Carnivale's astounding assemblage of marvels. For a select few, however, the real show begins behind the curtain. Rumors abound that the show's proprietor, Aurelius Ashe, is more than an average magician. It's said that for the right price, he can make any wish come true. No one knows the truth of this claim better than Lucien the Lucifer, the Carnivale's star attraction. Born with the ability to create fire, he's dazzled spectators since he was a boy.

When Odilon Rose, one of the most notorious men in London, comes calling with a proposition regarding his young and beautiful charge, Charlotte, Ashe is tempted to refuse. After revealing, however, that Rose holds a secret that threatens the security of the troupe's most vulnerable members, Ashe has no choice but to sign an insidious contract.

The stakes grow higher as Lucien finds himself drawn to Charlotte and her to him, an attraction that spurs a perilous course of events. Grave secrets, recovered horrors, and what it means to be family come to a head in this vividly imagined spectacle - with the lives of all those involved suspended in the balance."

Say the word "carnivale" and I'm there!

I was enraptured by this book's synopsis, but felt highly let-down by the plot. Although original and atmospheric, I couldn't be immersed as I usually am with gothic literature; I felt disconnected from the characters and the prose veered toward being stilted when it should flow from sentence-to-sentence. There were a number of twists, but I thought them to be fairly predictable.

This is a bit of a hard one to review. The author is clearly a talented writer, but the style wasn’t really for me and I didn’t really like how the POV was done. There were definitely good things about it though - I love a circus theme and a gothic atmosphere, and it had a really interesting and unique group of characters. I did become a bit more invested later on with the mystery aspect and Charlotte’s storyline, and I was mostly satisfied with how it ended. Overall a decent read but not one that I would revisit.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the ARC!

3.5 Stars

This book was not what I was expecting!! I think that it's an interesting story for sure, but it wasn't as captivating and exciting as I thought it would be.

I did appreciate Charlotte - she developed well as a character and was interesting to learn more about, but the plot still left more to be desired from the ensemble of characters as a whole.

There were some good twists and turns that kept me reading to find out how things would play out. I was hopeful we'd focus more on the circus/carnival aspect. I think I was expecting it to be more like American Horror Story meets Caraval.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central publishing for a copy of the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.