This book was major Vibes. A story about a traveling carnival called the Freakslaw arriving in the small repressed Scottish town of Pitlaw. Freakslaw is dark, gritty, queer, and unapologetic. Think a 90’s Scottish version of Something Wicked this Way Comes mixed in with AHS Freak Show and the classic cult film Freaks “One of Us! One of us!” , along with an ancient line to witches and old magiks.

The story is told from multiple POVs, and there were A LOT of characters. I did spend the first quarter of the story trying to keep track of who was who. There is a character list with descriptions at the start of the book, which I suspect may have been added in later to help with confusion.

This is the first novel from Jane Flett . It did feel at times like Flett was trying to do and say so much in this story that unfortunately, it got a bit muddled in the middle. That said, there was a great sense of foreboding throughout and I was completely captivated by all of the characters, wanting to know more about each of them. I think I needed the book to be longer, allowing the story breathe and build up slower to its conclusion. Jane Flett is a talented writer however, and I ended up highlighting sections of her prose often.

Over all, I enjoyed this book and would recommend for those who love Scottish slang, carnival outsider vibes, and aren’t put off by body gore or frank depictions of sex and bodily functions. I am looking forward to reading future work from Jane Flett.

I got about 25% through this and decided to DNF it because the story felt both rushed and slow at the same time. I am vaguely interested in the sinister happenings of the carnival, but the writing and storytelling style was not creating an enjoyable experience for me at this time.

This is the fast-paced, thrilling tale of a traveling carnival known as the “Freakslaw” and their stay in a Scottish town, Pitlaw. We follow the stories not only of the carnival entertainers- specifically Nancy, a teenage, cortornionist and witch, her mom Glorida the fortune teller, and Freakslaw friend Zed (amongst others!). We also follow several town members who become entangled with the Freakslaw- specifically Ruth and Derek, who are exploring their identities and the world of the Freakslaw.

Ultimately this book speaks to the theme of society targeting those who are different and forcing them to make their own space. Only, the Freakslaw want revenge on the past, and the townspeople want the Freakslaw gone.

This is a really entertaining read. At first, I had a hard time following all of the characters and thought the pacing starting a little slow, but it sped up very quickly. I could’ve used a little more of each section since there were so many characters, some were harder to get to know. All in all, this is worth a read for my bookish friends who like a weird book like me! It’s horror, ‘90s, and has some queer love stories woven throughout. 3.5 rounded up to 4!

I really really wanted to like this book. The cover is absolutely stunning and the premise completely drew me in. However, from the very first page, I had my doubts. After a 3-5 page character list, way too many in my opinion, it became hard to keep track of who everyone is. Constantly swapping point of views mid-chapter was jarring and we are continuously swept back and forth between the "Freakslaw" and the characters of the town. I found the writing to be wonderful, I do wish we could have focused on fewer characters and really fleshed them out making them more loveable. It was hard to connect to any characters when there are just that many within the book. I would definitely read more by Jane Flett however as I do find the authors writing to be quite enjoyable.

Thank you to Zando Publishing and Netgalley for providing this free arc in exchange for my honest review.

The writing is fantastic! There are very unique phrases that remind me strongly of Ray Bradbury's writing. This author knew how they wanted to tell this story; and they did a fantastic job of creating a kaleidoscope of sentences that is rarely seen in modern writing. The story itself is straightforward, but the writing structure provides an intricate framework for it to hold its form.

The story itself is fairly chaotic, but in a great way. It flows nicely, almost like a storytelling instead of a book. It allows you to move with the feel of the words rather than rigidly focusing on the end goal. The plot is there, but haphazardly thrown in, again in a wonderful loosey goosey kind of way.

It very much feels like a carnival. How everything can be wild and free and wonderful, but stull confusing and just the tiniest bit of overwhelming.

It is rare for me to come across books that alter my perception, especially in such an interesting way. I will absolutelbe purchasing this book.

Thank you Zando Projects for allowing me to read this wonderful book ahead of release! I look forward to reading more from you!

Freakslaw is a dark, surreal tale that brings together a carnival of misfits with a story steeped in magic, revenge, and acceptance. This novel pulls readers into the gritty, uncomfortable world of the "Freakslaw" performers, a group bound together by a shared history of pain, sacrifice, and defiance against a world that rejects them. As they arrive in the small, bigoted town of Pitlaw, their presence sets the stage for a battle that is as much about vengeance as it is about the ugly truths lurking beneath the surface of society.

The narrative is gritty and graphic, with disturbing imagery that toes the line between horror and splatterpunk. The book does not shy away from uncomfortable topics; blood, gore, bodily functions, and the rawness of human desire. It's a story that will make you squirm, yet you can’t help but be drawn into the world Jane Flett has created. The characters are deeply flawed and often monstrous, but they are also achingly human, full of love, anger, and defiance. It's this duality that makes Freakslaw both repellent and magnetic, a book that leaves you unsettled, yet unable to look away.

However, this is definitely not a story for everyone. The intensity of the themes, the graphic content, and the often grotesque descriptions may be too much for many readers. The book does *not* hold back, making it a challenging and uncomfortable read at times. But for those who appreciate a raw, unapologetic narrative, it offers a cathartic experience that explores the darker sides of human nature and the consequences of repression, violence, and bigotry.

The conclusion is as powerful as it is bloody - a perfect end to a story that is as much about finding family and acceptance as it is about revenge and destruction. Freakslaw is a wild, queer, and unapologetically insane ride, full of magic most people are too afraid to face. If you're prepared to confront the uncomfortable, Freakslaw will leave a lasting impression.

Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Freakslaw by Jane Flett in exchagne for an honest review. All thoughts and opinons are my own and are not influenced by any third parties.

This is a ‘You get it or you don’t’ kind of book but I feel like I’m smack dab in the middle. Maybe I just wanted to get it more than I did. It felt over-romanticized at times. The writing was a little too flowery, when I just wanted it to speak for itself. The freakshow revenge premise really sparked an interest in me but I had to work for, and wait for, any payoff.
I can see many people loving this book and I can also respect the author’s intention with the story. I don’t really want to sway anyone from picking it up- I’d just tell you to expect a more liberating (at times, very gross) story about self expression and bigotry over a thriller/horror book.

A carnival descends on a quiet, repressed town in Scotland in the 90s and scandal, blood, guts, self-discovery and love follow.

This was a lot of fun to read for sure. The colourful characters (Gretchen and Ruth were the highlight, but everyone was well-written and felt real even in their punchy, exagerrated form), the relentless tension, lovely (and lively) writing - all kept my attention until the end. And the ending felt absolutely earned.

The only reason for 4* and not 5* is that perhaps there were too many characters and the story felt stretched a bit too thin at times. And Nancy, as a proper teenage girl should be, sometimes was a bit much for a middle-aged reader like me (only sometimes though).

Overall, a fun gory read full of great lines and fascinating characters. Excellent cover too!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. Okay, you know those posts that are like “Give me recs to match the vibes” *insert photo of 2000s indie grunge teen movie*, this book is that. What an intoxicatingly addictive ride this was! I didn’t really know what this was going to be about but it really impressed me! You follow multiple pov’s(don’t worry there’s a detailed character list at the beginning!) and how they handle the funfair coming to town! Very much recommend.

This was an easy 5 stars, this is the type of horror I absolutely LOVE. Set in the 90's, old school horror, so many colorful characters and small town vibes - think American Horror Story - Freakshow meets Rob Zombie's 31. I finished this in 2 days, I could not put it down. It was fun, it was colorful, it was a wild ride that I didn't want to get off of. I wish it was a little longer! If you love horror and the 90's this book is for you!

Thank you so much to the author, publishers and NetGalley for giving me this ARC, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I enjoyed this story. It's a revenge tale ,which I always enjoy when people have been wronged or made to feel inferior. I also love carnival, freak show types of tales. This one has a lot of characters which was hard to keep up with at times, but just take your time with it and it isn't hard. Look forward to more by this author. Loved the unique storyline. So many books now follow the same old tropes, and this one was something new. So 5 stars for originality, good writing, great characters, and keeping me interested.

This might well be a love it or hate it read for you. It's chaotic, it's got a lot (perhaps too many) characters, and it's a wild take on coming of age and revenge. I liked the concept of the traveling circus and the underlying ideas but was challenged by keeping everyone straight. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Over to others.

I found it to be a very entertaining and enjoyable read! With many surprising moments, it reminded me of the vibes from American Horror Story Freak Show, making me feel like I was reading about a TV show. The writing was beautifully executed, but I felt that the plot was somewhat unclear. Overall, it's a great story and book, but I don't think I will read it again.

Thank you to Netgalley for my arc!

Gay, Scottish ode to Something Wicked This Way Comes with a little bit of American Horror Story vibes. Also it reminded me of the greatest showman lol. I really enjoyed this weird little thing.

This one is more bizarre than scary, but I was hooked from the start. A traveling sideshow arrives in a small town, stirring up chaos, revenge, and plenty of unsettling moments. The writing is vivid, the characters are strange and memorable, and the atmosphere is thick with tension. There’s a lot to keep track of, and I did find myself flipping back to the character guide, but overall, I had fun with it. If you like weird, unsettling fiction with a touch of dark humor, this one’s worth checking out.

This just wasn’t for me, but I think that’s more about my current headspace than the book itself. I’ve been reading a lot of horror and revenge plots lately, and while Freakslaw is incredibly unique, I think I just need a break from the genre. I loved the characters and the weirdness of the carnival folk. I appreciated what the carnival was trying to do for Pitlaw, and the town certainly deserved it, but I found myself more grossed out than intrigued and just not really into it. I do plan to reread this at some point, but for now, it just wasn’t the right fit. It is very specific in what it sets out to do, and I think you really need to be in the right mindset for this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.

Oh, this book. The bright colorful cover catches your eye, then the book ensnares you with lush, candy-sweet words, all with a thread of something sinister running underneath. Much like a carnival or funfair itself. I cannot overstate how beautifully written this book is. The fact that it is the author's debut novel is mind blowing. Freakslaw is gloriously, unapologetically queer. It is so very rare, especially in the types of books that I read, to have characters that celebrate and revel in their differences. Gretchen Etcetera embodies trans joy, and that is so refreshing to see. It's a slow burn, but I delighted in my time at the Freakslaw, even when terrible things were happening. 5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc. The cover to this book made me want to read it. I enjoyed the story and I would recommend reading it.

I can’t sum it up any better than the synopsis that compares it to American Horror Story Freak Show, and that’s a good thing because I truly had fun here.

A wide roster of diverse, and interesting characters, from the town folk to the Freakslaw inhabitants.

I found it very conscious and aware of the content and its characters, and it handled those descriptions and traits of the characters respectfully.

That said, it is not for the squeamish, it’s got quite a bit of body horror, and a whole lot of trigger warnings that might be worth checking out.

My issue was I probably should’ve read the list of characters at the start before reading, because for the first half of the book, I kept struggling to keep up with who was who, and I think it’s a bit of a flaw for characters to be introduced this way.

A bizarre coming of age tale involving carnivals, weirdos, and a straight-laced Scottish town from the 90s that would rather burn out strangeness than embrace it.