First, thanks to Amazon Children’s Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read an e-galley of this title. The book actually was published at the beginning of October, but I did get an e-galley of it right after that I believe. I was very interested in it for several reasons. First, I really enjoyed the other book that I had read by this author, Blackwood. Second, there was a time when I was younger that I really wanted to be trapeze artist, so a story about a girl who was a high wire walker in a circus was definitely interesting sounding. And of course, with American Horror Story being set in a kind of circus/freak show this season, it has really been something that is on my mind lately. And can I say, that I enjoyed this book a lot!! It was a really great story I thought.
The main character is Jules. She is 16 years old and her family has always been a part of a circus, but kind of in a small setting on their own. She and her father are wire walkers, while her mother does tricks with horses. The reason they have worked on smaller shows is because of an old feud between their family and the Flying Garcias. This feud dates back to the time when Jules’ grandmother, who she calls Nan, was a circus performer in the same show as the Garcias. There is a new “big” show called the Cirque American that has asked her family to join. But because the Garcias are a big part of the show, her father tells the man in charge, Thurston, no. Jules decides that’s ridiculous, and she wants to be a part of something bigger than the show that they will probably not be able to keep going much longer. And so she sets up an ultimatum by running away and demanding her father make a deal and take their family to the circus.
When they get there, they get a cold reception from all the other performers. You see, Jules’ grandmother was blamed for several accidents that happened back then, to the point where she was chased out of the show. Upon arriving, Jules goes exploring, and wanders into a tent where she sees a cute boy practicing on the trapeze. And then she realizes that this boy is one of the Garcias, so she leaves quickly. At the big welcome party the owner throws from them, this boy is the first to ask Jules to dance. And she finds that he may not be as bad as the rest. That he may be willing to give her and her family a chance. His sister also seems to be intrigued by Jules’ cousin Sam. But it is their brother Novio that picks a fight with Sam that first night. And when they get home after the fight, it seems their trailer has been ransacked. Soon other things keep happening, symbols of bad luck appear as Jules is doing her act, almost causing accidents. Remy, the first Garcia she met, has found a board, what would be called a murder board on a detective show. And on it there are pictures of the items that seem to be showing up causing the bad luck. And there are lots of clues.
I won’t say who, but one character that you will love will have a disaster happen during one of their acts because of these bad luck tokens. And now Jules and Remy really must figure out who is behind this before anyone else gets hurt. But they must also figure out if there can truly be feelings between them when they come from families with such bad blood between them. They are basically a Romeo and Juliet story, down to their names even.
I loved this story. I feel like the love wasn’t insta-love, but there was the instant attraction, and that’s okay. I think the relationships between the people in the story were portrayed pretty realistically. I love all the stuff about the circus that was in the story. And the disaster I mentioned? Well, if I hadn’t been at work on break when I read that part, I would have been in tears. Instead I had to hold them in and go back to work, still wondering who was behind the sabotage, and how in the world Remy and Jules would solve the mystery. Not to mention, what magic might her grandmother have. And was it really all Nan’s fault what happened in the past, with Remy’s grandfather.
Another great story from Gwenda Bond. Now I must get ahold of The Woken Gods soon, because I’m sure I’ll love it as well. Also she has another book coming out next year that will be one of my WOW posts coming up in the next few weeks.
I picked this up because I loved Blackwood, too. Unfortunately, neither the romance nor the mystery worked for me. But I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Ah, that's too bad. I loved it. Thanks for stopping by and letting me know what you thought!
This sounds really good, I would love to read it! Great review as usual 🙂
Thanks! I really enjoyed it and hope to get it into my high school library for the students to read soon.
Well, this is definitely interesting! I love the cover of this book too and who doesn't love a book about the circus? GREAT review, Lisa. I would love it if you could check out my blog? I haven't been receiving ANY comments lately and i am afraid it has something to do with my comment section not working properly.
I WOULD LOVE if you check it out and take the time to comment and let me know if it works
Your reader,
Soma R.
http://insomnia-of-books.blogspot.com/
I will definitely come check out your blog. I would have since you left me a link for sure!! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
This comment has been removed by the author.
This sounds like a good book! I'm definitely adding it to be TBR list. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Glad it sound good to you! Thanks for visiting!
I'm so excited about this one, I have it in my Kindle library cause it was an auto-buy for me, since I love Gwenda Bond! So happy to hear you loved it and that the insta attraction worked and didn't really feel like instalove, Linda!
I haven't seen the new American Horror Story yet but I've been on the look out for more circus themed literature ever since I read 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern. There's always something interesting going on behind the scenes at a circus so I'm interested in reading this!
This is definitely a fun look at circuses. And a modern day type of story too. Hope you get a chance to read it!
It's great that the love story in the book was portrayed realistically. I'm getting pretty tired of the insta-love trope! I was on the fence about reading this one, but after reading your review I think I will have to add it to my to-read pile. Thanks for the review!
It's definitely not a great idea for the insta-love, even though I think teenagers really do feel like it is love that soon. So it will be somewhat realistic. But most of the time the books don't then show that the "love" doesn't last. Glad you're going to add it to your TBR pile!
this sounds like an interesting story. thanks for presenting it
Thanks for commenting.
great review thanks for sharing.
Thanks for commenting.
I have read about this book, but have passed it over more than once. Now, after reading your review, I will have to go back and really check it out. It sounds like a book, I would totally enjoy. I loved your review. It has made me want to go and read the book. Thank you! 🙂
You should look into it. The circus bit was entertaining, and I enjoyed the characters. Hope you will add it to your TBR list. Thanks for stopping by!
I haven't heard about this book, but your review has interested me a lot. Also, the Circus has been a source of intrigue for me. Thanks!
If the circus interests you, then this should be right up your alley. Thanks for visiting!
i haven't heard about this book! but ur review is great! first time on your blog 🙂
Thanks! Glad you stopped by, and hope you'll be back again soon!
I never really liked circus stories until reading Water for Elephants.
Dede
I don't know that I remember seeing very many stories until Water for Elephants. But like you I loved that story as well. Thanks for stopping by!
I enjoy the circus and the way you write the review and tell a tale of love, diaster and hard feels not to say love and a mystery sure make you want to go get the book and read it. It was a pleasure to read a review that makes you want to read the book and to know the out come Lecasa4@aol.com
Glad you enjoyed my review. Thanks for visiting!
Everyone is fascinated by the circus, at least I am. I haven't read too many books with a circus setting! I enjoyed your review, made me want to read this even more. I will put this on my TBR list and read it.
Judy Cox
That's what I was thinking, not too many books about circuses that I can think of. Hope you get a chance to read it in the future. It was a fun read I thought.
I hadn't heard of this one before now. Looks like a good one. I like circus stories! Great review. Thanks for sharing!
I think you'll enjoy it if you like circus stories. It made me want to read more circus stories.
This sounds like a fun read 🙂
It was a fun read. Thanks for visiting!
I've had my eye on this one for quite some time! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and it's cool that you wanted to be a trapeze artist when you were younger! 🙂
I don't know if I wanted to do the trapeze, or just wear the beautiful outfits they wore. But I remember wanting to be one and live with a circus family. Thanks for stopping by!
I heard about this one and was debating on whether or not to add it to my list – thank you for the review!
Well I hope I swayed you to add it to your TBR list! 🙂
You wanted to be a trapeze artist? You never know what you will learn reading reviews!
When I was a kid and we used to go to the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus every year, I think I used to fantasize about being a trapeze artist and traveling as part of a circus. Silly I know. 🙂
This book sounds pretty good, I can't believe I've never heard of it before. I love books that are set in circus type places because I feel like I'm getting an 'inside view' of the circus life. Awesome review and this book is going on my growing to-read list, thanks!
I feel like this author isn't as well known because she doesn't have as many high profile series. But I have enjoyed the books by her that I have read so far. And I know what you mean about a growing TBR list! Thanks for stopping by!
I don't know which area I am supposed to comment on, so I am doing both the gratitude page and this page. I read the review because I thought I could add this book to my classroom library, but it is of a higher reading level than my 2nd graders are at. (Even my gifted one would struggle with this book.) If I go back up in grades I would buy this book for middle school. A book about circus performers is not currently in my library and I might just buy the book for myself.
You've come to the right place to comment. 🙂 This is definitely a middle grades and higher level book. Not for 2nd graders. But you might enjoy it for yourself. I did. Thanks for visiting!
I love the circus. I always tell my son he could join the circus, because he is a very talented gymnast. This sounds like a book I would love.
Very cool! I was never good at gymnastics, I did dance when I was little. But i still wanted to be a trapeze artist. Thanks for visiting and I hope you get a chance to read this some day.
I love Gwenda Bond's books, so this is a definite must read. I'm so glad you liked it, it has moved up on my TBR list.
Glad to find someone else who loves this author like I do. Hope you get around to it in the near future!
I'm always on the lookout for new books for my niece and nephew. This sounds like another good addition.
Glad I could give you an idea. Thanks for stopping by!
Great review! It's really making want to read this story. It sounds very intriguing and I agree the setting of the circus reminds me of American Horror Story haha.
That's good that it sounds interesting to you, that's what I'd hoped to do with my review. Thanks for visiting!
This book sounds really interesting! I have yet to read any books that have been published by Amazon.
I think this was one of my first, but it was also by an author that I had already read and enjoyed. So I'm glad to promote it!
Wow! This review made me want to read the book! It sounds so intense and interesting! Thank you! 🙂
Well good! I'm glad it sounds like one you'd try out. Thanks for stopping by!
I haven't seen this book yet, it sounds really interesting. I'll be adding it to my TBR list, thanks for the review!
Glad it sounds interesting to you. Hope you get a chance to read it soon!
I was very iffy about buying this book but after reading your review I can't wait to read it so thank you 🙂
I think it is a good book, hope you are able to get it and that you enjoy it as much as I do.
[…] first book of hers that I read, Blackwood. And when I read the first book in her circus series, Girl on a Wire, I couldn’t wait to get back to this world. I don’t know if there will be any more […]