Such a brilliant and captivating story of a circus in the Victorian era. I chose this novel because I loved The Greatest Showman and the story of circus life: there are mentions of P.T Barnum through out the book as this circus master tries to compete and make his show the greatest show on earth.
The story is told by the POV of three of the main characters, Nell, Jasper (the circus master) and his brother Toby.
Nell is an outcast in her community due to birth marks all over her body. She is sold to The circus by her father, where she flourishes and becomes bigger than the show itself. Jasper not only wants the greatest show but to be the star that everyone is interested in. His brother Toby couldn’t be more different to Jasper. We have a back story of their time together in the Crimean war which shows us why Jasper has such a strong hold over his brother.
This is a story of accepting and embracing who you are and of those around you. It is realistic and raw and dark at times but ultimately a tale of resilience, friendship and love. An enjoyable read that really drew me in allowing me to get a good sense of who each character was and giving me the ability to visualise everything vividly.

Roll up, Roll up! Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders is in town!

This isn’t a glamourous account of a Victorian travelling circus, but the gritty reality of what life was like when you didn’t fit in and the cruel nature of human intent. While the circus is an illusion, showcasing the most wonderous things from around the world, it’s what happens when the show is over that’s most fascinating.

Set in Victorian era England - 19-year-old Nell, whose skin is dappled with birthmarks, a real-life leopard girl if ever you did see one. Has been shunned by the people in her coastal village since she was a child. So, when Jasper’s circus visits, with his human wonders and wild animals. Nell’s Father takes this opportunity to sell her on for a better life, to somewhere she belongs.

Nell doesn’t go willingly, but eventually she relents and allows Jasper’s vision for her to come alive. Finding companionship with Jasper’s kind and quiet brother Toby as well as building close relationships with Stella, the bearded Lady and Peggy, the dwarf. She begins to thrive when performing, eventually outshining Jasper himself, which does not go unnoticed.

This character driven story is fuelled on ambition, jealously and spiteful rage. Told from the perspectives of Nell, Jasper and Toby, they each display these traits, but its Jasper who embodies them all so vividly. He is the catalyst that drives this story. He is brilliantly written and is exactly how you would envisage the owner and showman of a circus.

Nell is strong and feisty, if lacking in confidence. Toby, a gentle giant always the bystander in his brother’s shadow. Jasper has a hold over Toby that is slowly revealed throughout the book, cleverly interwoven through flashbacks, we see their lives from when they were children, through to the Crimean war.

The other members of Jaspers troupe are just as developed as the main characters, with Stella being an obvious highlight. She is smart, confident and looks out for Nell. She too was in Crimea with Jasper and Toby, which adds another interesting layer to this story.

This is a great book, which explores so many interesting themes. I cannot stress enough how superbly these characters are written; you can see them so clearly. I loved how the subtleties in their personalities grew and influenced the decisions they made; it felt entirely genuine and believable. I found the pacing to be spot on and just like the circus itself, there is always an underlying feeling of both threat and excitement that makes you want to keep reading.

I do love a good story about circuses. Nellie has many birthmarks all over her body so she is classed as a Wonder. Back in the Victorian times (Queen Victoria makes a star appearance!) people were amazed by these kind of people (bearded ladies, giants, dwarfs etc) and people back then believed the stories told about their unusual lives (raised by wolves etc) but in today's world it's easy to see it a story to make the person more glamorous. People were fascinated by Wonders and what been to feed that fascination by going along to see Jasper Jupiter's Circus of Wonders!!

Nellie is sold to Jasper as Nellie Moon, Queen of the Moon and Stars and to begin with hates being away from her brother Charlie but then comes into her own and starts to fit in with the family. Brothers Jasper and Toby are the owners and Jasper just wants to build up the circus and goes into debt by borrowing money and the constant threat of debt collecting by sour means. Jasper and Toby also had a secret from a recent war with Stella needing to find out what that secret is and what the circumstances were behind the death of Dash during that time.

A great atmospheric read about life in a circus and the travelling lifestyle.

I was sent a copy of Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal to read and review by NetGalley. A riotous story of wonder and awe, of difference and acceptance, love and hate. Atmospheric and vividly told, you can really visualise the settings and characters as they play their parts. This is a compelling novel that grabs you and draws you into it’s fantastic world. There are two threads woven throughout the book, the circus and the Crimean war. The former being by far the most engaging with the focus on protagonist Nell, who becomes one of the stars of the show, with the latter aiming to give part of the back story of the relationship between circus owner Jasper Jupiter and his brother Toby. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite make the full 5 stars for me as I felt it went on for a little too long and so became a little repetitive. The Crimean aspect especially could have been dealt with much more swiftly without any detriment to the overall story. A great read nonetheless especially if you enjoy a bit of escapism and big top fun!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in return for an honest review

Nell is a lonely girl who looks different from the other people in her village and her father loathes her for it so sells her to Jasper Jupiter's Circus of Wonders.

While there we learn about the ins and outs of running a circus in Victorian London from the POV' of Nell, Jasper and Jasper's brother Toby.

I've not read a book by Elizabeth Macneal before and this certainly won't be the last. The story flowed effortlessly and the worldbuilding was phenomenal. This was a book I was unable to put down.

This book was so beautifully written. It lived up to the expectations that I had and I wasn't disappointed. I loved the characters and the plot. They were developed really well and I wasn't confused at all. What I will say is that it was slightly slow paced at points but I feel like that added to the story.

This is a beautiful, moving novel of a young woman, who is covered in birthmarks and shunned by her village, finding her way in the world and learning who she is and wants to be. Nell’s father sells her to a travelling circus, leaving her in the questionable care of circus master Jasper Jupiter and his brother Toby. Jasper and Toby are former soldiers of the Crimean War and the story includes flashbacks to that time.

I really enjoyed this novel. It’s a quick, easy read- there are some unpleasant scenes retold in the flashbacks but the majority of the story takes place in and around the circus itself. I loved Nell’s relationships with the people around her- her budding romance with Toby; her friendships with Stella, Peggy, and Brunette; her distrust of Jasper. My only complaint is that I would perhaps have liked the ending to have been more fleshed out, it felt a little fast. Otherwise an excellent tale!

Circus of Wonders is set in 1866 following Nell, a young woman isolated from her small town as she is covered in birthmarks. Nell finds herself taken by Jasper, the show master at Jasper Jupiter's Circus of Wonders after her father sells her and she becomes immersed into circus life. Nell soon becomes famous in London and her fame threatens to overshadow that of the show master's and she also begins to fall in love with Toby whose secrets bind him to his brother Jasper.

In my opinion Macneal's writing style is so captivating and found myself immediately drawn into Nell's world and could picture 1866 so clearly. Macneal writes from multiple characters points of view including Nell, Toby and Jasper and I loved the complexity and the dynamics between all the characters and how they developed throughout the plot.

I did find the start of the book a little slow but the pace did become faster. At times I did struggle to recall some of the characters who were also in the circus but I did really enjoy reading this book.

I definitely recommend this book as well as Macneal's debut The Doll Factory as they are both so original.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unedited feedback.

'Circus of Wonders’ is a gritty yet engaging slice of historical fiction, following the life of Nell as she is thrust from quiet village life into the blood, sweat, and glitter of Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders. It’s beautifully written, drawing the reader in and building a gorgeous sense of atmosphere and tension throughout. When the curtain falls – as it must – the story lingers. This isn’t always a happy story, but it’s an evocative and worthwhile read.

In the year 1866, Nell picks violets for a living. Her entire world is her beloved brother, her swims in the sea – and the disdain from the rest of the village for the birthmarks covering her skin. When Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders arrives in her village, Nell’s insular life is thrown into disarray. Sold by her father to Jasper Jupiter as his newest curiosity, she finds herself alone – but, for the first time in her life, she also finds herself admired rather than scorned. Slowly, she finds friendship – and fame. But fame is a fickle beast, and the higher Nell flies, the further she has to fall.

The novel is told from three perspectives – Nell’s, Jasper Jupiter’s, and Jasper’s brother Toby’s. Each lends the story a slightly different angle – but while each is initially cast into a role, as the story goes on each casts free from their initial mooring, becoming far more complex than they first appeared. Nell starts as the victim. Set apart by her birthmarks, she is the subject of mockery in her village, and even her loving brother sees her as different – and thus inferior. When her father sells her, it’s the lowest moment in her life – she feels lower than an animal, trapped in a cage. However, as time passes, she goes from the victim to the hero, the star of the show. The fame is addicting, glorious – and she grows drunk on success, dreaming of dizzier and dizzier heights. She can’t connect to a simple village life like her brother’s any more – not when she can be such a wonder. However, for all her glory, she’s still trapped – still that animal in a cage. Her thoughts on the dichotomy are fascinating. Nell isn’t always likeable, but it’s still impossible not to root for her, and fear for her inevitable fall.

Jasper, of course, starts as the villain. He’s marched into Nell’s peaceful village and purchased her like a prize pony. He’s a bully, beating his workers when they don’t do what he wants and forcing everyone to play along to his whims. He expects the women to cater to his pleasure, and he’s certain Nell will fall in line. However, even villains have other sides to their story. Jasper is selfish and needlessly cruel, but he’s also wounded and grieving. He’s naive, taking risks without paying attention to the consequences. He sees himself as a genius, fills himself up with his own importance – and no-one in his life holds him accountable. No-one ever has. Jasper is a horrible person, but more of a spoilt child than someone deliberately calculating and cruel. His fall is as predictable as Nell’s and, despite everything, by the end it’s hard not to feel sorry for him too.

Where Nell and Jasper are protagonist and antagonist, Toby is the supporting cast. As a child, Toby dreamed of the circus he and his brother would create together – but while Jasper has the strength, charisma, and attractiveness to be a star, Toby is seen as dull. Simple. The sort of person who can only fade into the background. Toby has spent his entire life in his brother’s shadow. He longs to step into the spotlight himself, but he can’t – he’s too scared, and he can’t betray his brother. Initially, Toby is the sort of character to be pitied. However, as his role grows and he starts to take more control over his life, he becomes far more complex. By the end, Toby is my favourite of the main characters. He isn’t entirely a good person – he’s done some awful things, and been complicit in far more – but he’s exceptionally loyal, and he always tries to be better than he is.

The atmosphere this novel creates is incredible. The circus seems to live and breathe, every sense hit in some way. Macneal creates visceral images – not always pleasant, but always a feast for the senses. The plot is almost secondary to the simple feel of the circus in motion. There’s a constant underlying tension. The performers twirl across the stage, reaching dizzier and dizzier heights – but at some point the curtain will come down, and the show will end. The only questions are what the final act will be – and what happens next.

The denouement, when it happens, is a predictable but fitting end. There’s an epilogue, offering a little insight into the fallout. I have mixed feelings about epilogues – I’m a big fan of ambiguity, and allowing readers to muse on their own endings – but this is one of the stronger ones, still leaving the door open for the reader to fill in the gaps.

Overall, ‘Circus of Wonders’ is an engaging piece of historical fiction with an exceptional sense of atmosphere and characters who linger. A recommended read.

Nellie is different from those around her and gets sold to a travelling Circus of Wonders which is led by Jasper. At first there is fear, followed by wonder and excitement. Then love. But Jasper has great ambition and takes great risks. Toby, his brother is torn between his loyalty to Jasper and his love of Nellie. Can this turn out well?
Well written novel and very entertaining. Good characters and an insight into those who stand out from everyday folk.

This is a great second novel by Macneal moving away from the gothis tone of The Doll Factory, to a macabre Victorian Circus/Freak show. This world, and all it's hardships, is vividly created with a cast of fully formed, well-written characters. Running alongside a subplot of flashbacks to the Crimean war this is a magical tale of someone finding themselves, and their freedom.

Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal brings to life the Victorian Circus and one man’s obsession with becoming a renowned showman at all costs. Jasper Jupiter will become famous, he just needs the right novelty act. When a man in a coastal village sells his daughter to Jasper for a meagre sum as a ‘leopard girl’ for his troupe, Jasper realises he finally has found the act to beat his rivals. As Nell is transformed into the popular Nellie Moon, she discovers she has found where she belongs in this world, she is destined to entertain and perform instead of living life hiding herself from society. In the midst of this circus is Toby, Jasper’s younger brother, who has spent his entire life in his brother’s shadow and is drawn to Nell. As Nell’s popularity rises and threatens to outshine the name of her showman, what lengths will Jasper go to to make certain he will not be forgotten?

I enjoyed this book, it really brings to life the Victorian fascination with the circus and ‘human curiosity’ acts, although this sits uncomfortably in today’s society. There are some great characters written in this story and there is a wonderful sense of friendship and community within the members of the troupe. There are parts of this book which touch on the darker side of circus life, such as the buying and selling of ‘acts’ as commodities and the possessiveness of the showmen, these people’s lives belonged solely to them, which is a sharp contrast the glitz and glittering show they produce. Overall, this is a perfectly paced read, after the first few chapters I was completely hooked and desperate to know how it ended, I found I really cared about the characters, particularly Pearl and Toby. I haven’t yet read Elizabeth Macneal’s The Doll Factory, despite it living on my bookcase, so I fully intend to pick this up soon.

Wonderful with a mix of love, betrayal, camaraderie and cruelty.
No messing with is book, straight into the thick of it.
The wonder of the big top, the illusions the trickery.
Nell is covered in birthmarks, the villagers are suspicious of her her Father resents her but her Brother loves and protects her. When Jaspers' circus of wonders comes to the village, her Father sees the opportunity to make money and rid himself of his daughter.
Nell is appalled and heartbroken when she realises what has happened, it does not take her long to warm to the Circus people and feel her value to the show, Jasper makes her his star attraction.
There is a background story of Jasper and his brother Toby in the Crimean war, Toby is a photographer whilst Jasper and his good friend Dash are soldiers, something happens which is only initially hinted at. The brothers have a strong bond and loyalty to one another.
Competition in the world of Circuses is cutthroat, Jasper realises he must expand to survive. Nell and Toby fall in love. A new act is purchased an albino child Pearl, Nell loves and protects her.
Jasper seeks revenge on Nell after a slight by Queen Victoria leading to tragedy.

Sadly I couldn’t really get into this one, despite being a huge fan of The Night Circus and the circus theme generally. The present tense was a little off-putting and I don’t feel that the narration or the story flowed too well as a result. I also wasn’t particularly invested in the characters so this was a bit of a struggle to finish.

That being said, I seem to be very much in the minority and this is a much loved book, so I would definitely recommend it to others!

Jasper and Toby, two brothers who fought in the Crimean War, dreamed of one day owning their own circus. Only now, its only Jaspers name on the posters.

Nell, born with 'leopard spots' has always been seen differently by others and tends to hide away in her cottage. Her father sells her to the circus for £20 but Nell soon realises, she loves the spotlight and has found her place in the world.

I really enjoyed reading this story, it gave me The Greatest Showman vibes. It was fascinating to read about how the circus worked back in the Victorian era. This would have been a five star read if not for the ending, which i felt was a little rushed.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy.

This is the first book that I have read by Elizabeth Macneal.
It’s May 1866 and Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders, full of living curiosities, comes to the coastal resort where Nell lives. Nell grows miniature flowers to sell in London and is regarded by locals as a ‘freak’ because of her prominent birthmarks. Nell’s father sells her to Jasper for £20 betraying her, giving her no choice and exerting his power and control over her.
What follows is a captivating tale, full of atmospheric magic and mystery. The story is told by Nell. Jasper and Toby, Jasper’s brother.
Jasper is blindly ambitious, selfish, seeking fame and fortune at any price, he and his gentler brother, Toby, are haunted by the brutal battlefields of the Crimean War, where Jasper served as a soldier, and Toby as a war photographer, the two bound tightly together by secrets, as they accomplish their dream of running a circus.
The quality of the writing is exceptional, you feel the characters emotions, see the sights, sounds and smells of both circus and war which comes to life before your eyes.
There is so much you could comment on in this book as it contains so much from love to jealousy and hate, guilt and sadness and strong fraternal bonds. The end feels right, it touches your heart and fits the narrative.

I highly recommend this extremely well written book and I will be adding her previous novel, The Doll Factory to my to be read list.
Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an e ARC of Circus of Wonders in return for an honest review.

Good story - wrong year!
Call me oldfashioned, but in times like these I'd like to read about people who solve their problems, who grow and find solace and purpose and love.
This book doesn't give me that.
Which is a shame, because it's well written, the characters are psychologically understandable, the world of the Victorian circus is marvellously described, whithout overlooking the horrors of the time.
But the protagonists stay put in their personal misery and that is not a story I want to read just now.

I'm not quite sure what to think about this, I found it quite middle of the road, nothing really special, quite one note throughout. The writing style was okay, a little bit overwritten for my liking. The characters were okay, nothing special or memorable about them, I found some of their actions to be contradictory and confusing at times.
I didn't feel like there was much of a plot or purpose to the story, the ending was a little bit anticlimactic.
I enjoyed the circus setting and the descriptions of the shows etc. but that's where it ends really.
Overall just an average read that I probably won't think about again.

This is the first book I have read by this author, but I have seen many comments about The Doll Factory. So thought I would try this one first. I’m glad I did.

Set in the Victorian era, and a circus. At a time when if you didn’t look what is thought of as normal you were seen as a freak. A child parents didn’t want to be seen.

Nell grows flowers to sell in London, because she has some prominent birthmarks she is seen as a freak. When Jasper Jupiter’s Circus if Wonders comes to town, Bell’s father sells her for £20 betraying her. I find it hard to comprehend a parent selling a child to the circus. I guess we live in different times. And are hopefully a little more aware of birthmarks and things that are slightly different.

The story is told from Nell’s point of view as well as Jasper and Toby, Jasper’s brother.

This is a beautifully written story you become immersed in the circus learning more about the characters Jasper as he serves in the Crimean War gives you a little insight into how he is as he is, Toby took photographs. Some of the war sections are quite horrific and dark, Toby had been deeply affected by it.

But then the circus provides a colourful contrast to the horror of the war. This is written so beautifully that you could actually be there, the emotions, sights, sounds and smells from both the war and the circus are just so vivid.

Jasper can have a terrible temper, he is in control, and has a deep craving for success, and pushes hard for that. Toby is different he lives within his brothers shadow, he lacks self belief but has much more potential than he gives himself credit for. At times the story becomes tense as Jasper can push too hard which could lead one way or another.

But Nell once settled in the world of the circus is transformed, she finds the life exhilarating and exciting. She has a great friendship with Stella the brearded lady and Toby.

A story that tells of love, strength,, jealousy, guilt, and sadness.

This is a book I would highly recommend, it’s so beautifully written, with some great characters that you will fall in love with . Captivating.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #PanMacmillan #Picador for an eARC of this book in exchange of an honest, fair and unbiased review.

I'm so glad I got to read this, it was such a fun treat and just what I needed and expected from Elizabeth Macneal after loving The Doll Factory. This is set in the mid-nineteenth century, and follows three main characters linked to a circus as they try and achieve their ambitions while navigating their relationships with each other.

Elizabeth Macneal's writing was my favourite part of this book - her use of language is really exciting and creates a vivid image of the circus world, one saturated with drama and intrigue. The central relationship is between two brothers whose jealousy and ambition have tarnished their lives, and while it's really interesting to read about I would have really loved more from the women in the circus. There are lots of really interesting points about the power and constraint they found performing in a Victorian 'freak show' but I wish the story had centred on them more.

I did really enjoy this though, and the emotional intelligence and empathy with which all these characters are written is phenomenal - they all feel so real and flawed. They are not likeable, but they are fascinating and exciting to read about.