An interesting book well written and imaginative, ideal for people who like different genres and period settings

Thank You Netgalley for a copy for an honest review

Creepy yet heartwarming book about the life of carnival 'freak'. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Found this a bit slow in parts, but overall interesting and somewhat tragic. I didn't know it was about a real person until about halfway through when I googled the name of the main character. Seeing photographs and reading a little more about her made the rest of the story really come to life. I thought the writing style a little odd now and then, and didn't get the relevance of the modern-day parts until right at the very end, no doubt as the author intended!

Thanks to the publisher for a digital review copy.

Had I not been given a review copy, I probably would have given up. As it was, I did persist, and now I have finally finished am glad I did, otherwise I would always have wondered what was the point of the book? I am probably being a bit harsh with 3 stars, but I found it very hard to get into, too long, and the 'modern' part unnecessary and too speculative, eventually a bit horrid to be honest. If it had been shorter, tighter, only the more historical part, I would have given it 4 stars. It was fascinating, particularly when you realised it was based partly on fact, but the overwhelming feeling I was left with was sadness. It was very well-written, perhaps if it was more 'my thing' I may have given 5 stars, but I guess I like to read books to escape, and this certainly wasn't one of those.