A Reader's Guide to Books and Reviews

Title: The Carnivale of Curiosities

Author: Amiee Gibbs

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Historical Fantasy, Gothic, Steampunk, Paranormal, Netgalley

Date Started: February 1st, 2023

Date Finished: February 2nd, 2023

Status: Finished

Rating: 4.7/5

Sypnosis: 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, 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.

Review: Magical, Gothic, Victorian, and a Carnivale?

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This was everything I expected it to be. The storyline drew me in and held me until the very last pages of the book. The characters are mesmerizing and well-written and will draw you into their world where you will feel like you are part of every word, every scene they offer. The world-building is lush and beautiful. Historical and a bit steampunk sprinkled in.

I loved this book. I could not put it down. No matter what I had to do my Kindle had to come along with me whether it be cooking or having to do things here and there. There was so much going on that I was so afraid to put the book down or I would miss it but isn't it like that for readers like myself? You put a really good book down and you're afraid that you will forget something important or you may feel like you miss something altogether.

This book felt like that. It was engaging and fun to read. I cannot wait for the release of this book.


Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and their publishing company for a chance to read this book and give an honest opinion about its subject.