There are many ways to die at the Circus of the Dead. You’re invited to witness them all. Mom sent me all the way across the country to the Louisiana bayou to join the circus and help my uncle for the summer. Except there is something not quite right on this swampy cursed island, and after having my fortune told, I can’t leave. I try to escape, but Benny, an all too charming ghost gangster tries …
I try to escape, but Benny, an all too charming ghost gangster tries to kill me by feeding me to a tiger.
Thankfully I’m rescued by Samuel, the incredibly hot ringmaster who can’t be a day over twenty. Can he?
In addition to avoiding the human scorpion, staying away from the big cats, and having trouble figuring out who’s dead and who’s alive, I have to find a way to escape this horror show. Will I get out of the circus alive or will I join their army of ghosts and become a murderer myself?
Welcome to the Circus of the Dead.
Fans of Leia Stone, Jaymin Eve, Bianca Scardoni and Laura Thalassa will devouor this tale. If you loved Anna Dressed in Blood or the Night Circus, you’ll adore Circus of the Dead.
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Callie’s plans for summer are ruined when her parents send her to Louisiana to help her uncle in a mysterious circus, in a dark island that hides hundreds of secrets. Each show ends with death, but she can no longer distinguish what’s real and what’s part of the show. Supernatural things start to happen, things that have no logical explanation. Callie’s life is in constant danger and when she finds herself trapped on the island after a really bad tarot card reading, she needs to discover the truth… and find a way to escape from the Circus of the Dead before it’s too late.
I loved the characters in this book. Callie is a strong and determined protagonist, really brave to face so many threats. She didn’t know who she could trust and that created an absolutely captivating game of loyalties, making that every clue and every new event in the story, could change everything. Especially when it comes to Callie’s love interests.
Benny is so adorable and charming, everyone says he’s a good boy and yet he tried to kill Callie. Or maybe not? Of course, his intentions seem to be much more complicated than that, which is why I loved Benny, maybe because he’s one of the most mysterious characters in the story. It caught my attention since the first time he showed up surrounded by black birds.
On the other hand, Samuel keeps even more secrets. He’s the one in charge of the circus, among other things, and everyone says he’s a bad boy, but Callie can’t see that, especially when he saves her life. I loved Samuel. A lot. He’s so intense and I feel that he has a great secret waiting to be discovered. I need to know more about him. Like much more. Actually, they both have that antihero side that fascinates me.
There are also a few interesting secondary characters in this book. I really want to continue this series to get to know each one of them and discover their true intentions. Nobody and nothing is what it seems in this story and that was great. There are some amazing twists in this book, revelations and secrets that came to light and left me completely surprised.
But what I liked the most about this story was the creativity when it comes to the circus shows and their members. And also that supernatural touch that gave me goosebumps and at the same time left me so hooked that I couldn’t stop reading. The author did a great job creating the setting and all the elements related to voodoo and tarot. Actually, the subject of this book was so fascinating and caught me in a really addictive reading. I loved all the mystery and suspense that was created, showing up new clues and revelations all the time.
Also, the story is full of adventures and adrenaline, a lot of action and tension, as well as drama and a very intense and uncontrollable romance. The plot is really interesting and entertaining, it captures the reader’s attention and make it impossible to stop reading. I really enjoyed this book, it hooked me from the beginning to the end. It’s a light and dark reading at the same time, a captivating supernatural thriller that I liked a lot. And the end was so shocking! Can’t wait to read the next book because I’m dying to know what’s going to happen. I was so hooked with this great story and its fascinating characters. I loved it!
Wow just wow! I absolutely loved it! Full of suspense, mystery and so much more. I had a hard time putting this down trying to uncover more about this uniquely twisted circus.
This book was nonstop suspense on the edge of my seat type of ride. From the start you are pulled in to a world of mystery and suspense, not knowing where Callie, a 16 year old California girl, will end up. She lands at her uncle Luke’s place- a creepy crawly circus where death is the main attraction. Immediately Callie wants to go back home but everyone and everything stands in her way. To top it all off, there are two super cute but dangerous boys on the island that might or might not be trying to help her get back. A story filled with magic, curses, and unexplained forces, with tons of twists. You will not know who is who until the very end…. and maybe not even then! Must have the next book!!!! Kimberly Loth
I never know what to expect from Kimberly Loth when starting she starts a new series. The Circus of the Dead is an unexpected journey into a very different world. I loved reading the start of Callie’s story as she tries to find her way in a world and circumstances beyond her control. I can’t wait to read book two to see what happens next.
Oh wow! That was INTENSE! I would love to see Callie get her revenge. Samuel is not nice. I really enjoyed reading this book and can not wait to find out what happens next!
Overall rating: 4.7
The blurb truly did intrigue me and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this. A different direction for thus author, I really loved all the mystery and suspense contains around this storyline. A blend of voodoo and circus life…totally unique. Be aware, this is not suitable for readers whose mind can’t handle very graphics scenes. It’s macabre…intriguing…and will totally drop you unawares off the edge of a cliff do..be forewarned! It’s definitely got me waiting for the next book! All my reviews are always voluntarily written.
This might be the most unique book I’ve ever read! Ms. Loth has hit it out of the park AGAIN! I barely put it down (darn adulting!).
There’s mystery (SO much mystery) and a love triangle (but not the angsty kind) and a VERY smart heroine who is doing her best to not go crazy. 😉
I know who I’m rooting for in this love triangle – but what if I’m wrong? Who’s lying? Who’s a friend? Who’s an enemy? Are there zombies??? Deadly animals????
I’m finding it hard to review without spoiling anything, and that’s the trick with suspense novels, isn’t it?
Let me just say this – I cannot WAIT to get the next book on my e-reader. And I have work I should be doing. But I don’t even care. I have questions, and Ms. Loth promised me answers….and more questions. Can’t wait!
*I received this book ahead of time and made no commitment to leave a review, favorable or otherwise.*
When a teenage girl is sent to her Uncle for the summer she is pretty bummed. But once she gets to the island he lives on she is met by the smell of rotten meat and body odors. If that’s not bad enough, there is a freaky circus that’s main attraction is murder. Thank goodness it is only during the new moon. But the owner of the circus wants her for himself and another guy is trying to kill her. Also she cannot leave the island. What is a teen girl to do? We will have to find out. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing .
Callie is sent by her parents to live with her Uncle Luke in New Orleans for the summer. Luke lives in the swamp at a circus. This circus has its mysteries and not everyone and everything is what it appears to be. Callie is left dodging danger and fending for life while fighting her attraction to the handsome, young ringmaster Samuel and befriends Benny who always has birds around her. It has lots of intrigue, hints of romance, and loads supernatural goodness to keep you on your toes and flipping pages. I volunteered to read this book.
This is a departure from what one has come to expect from this author but it is a spellbinding tale that will have you enthralled until the end. Reading this story is like hearing the theme song of the movie Jaws as you do not know what to expect next. Taking on the mystical aspects of voodoo and combining it with something that brings up feelings of happiness and awe like a circus brings you one heck of read. Callie is supposed to go and help her uncle Luke for the summer per her mother’s instructions. However, when she arrives, all is not as it seems. Instead of listening to her uncle, she decides to venture out and unfortunately gets caught up in a situation that is beyond her control. Has Callie sealed her fate or can she find a way to save herself? Once again Ms. Loth has written an amazing storyline that does contain some graphic descriptions that may not be for everyone. Filled with drama, suspense and captivating characters, you will stay on the edge of your seat until the end but….it ends in a cliffhanger so readers will have to wait until the next book to see where Callie’s journey takes her. I highly recommend this book. I volunteered to read an advance copy of this story.