Without my box I can’t be meKidnapped by a clown close to the seaHe’s torn inside where one equals twoOne I hate, the other I love trueSecrets and lies become alibisSivan is damaged, it’s in his eyesRiddles unravel when you know who mastersNow Imogene’s only home is MastersAn eye playing spy held me togetherWhen I broke, he broke, two ends of frayed tetherWe’re joined by the past like twin souls … tether
We’re joined by the past like twin souls in hell
Innocent angels molested, and fell
I escaped it, but need to go back.
To love the man with his face painted black.
The circus is known for its eternal magic
Our tent of freedom is simply tragic.
Once a little girl fell, then she fell for me
I’m a fool, and she’s a fool for me
There’s a clown inside us all; a purpose
But this life, it’s all just a circus.
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4.5 stars
“You will love me, Imogene. I will make you love this clown.”
I had been waiting for Act 2 to release as soon as I finished Act 1. I loved how the author ended the first book and I was curious to see what would happen in this book. It started out with a bang, and I was excited to see which direction the author would take with this story. It could go either way and Ashleigh is known to throw some crazy plot twists into her stories. If you have read and loved the first Act then you’ll enjoy Act 2 as well. I had a lot of questions and got answers to all of them in Act 2. I loved how everything eventually came together and we got a clear view of what was really going on in both Sivan and Imogene’s life.
“You wanted to run away to the circus. Well, welcome baby, to my circus.”
Just like Act 1 there were a couple of brutal, dark and twisted scenes. I was happy that the author stayed true to the characters. I don’t like it when authors pull a one-eighty on the personalities of the characters. Character development is very important but don’t change the personality completely. I was happy that was NOT the case in this book. Both characters are as broken as they were in the first book. They both had a very traumatic past and still hadn’t been able to work through their issues. The attraction they felt towards each other made sense but will they heal or break each other further? Will Imogene be able to love and accept the Clown? You’ll have to read this book to find out! Act 2 was a great conclusion to Imogene and Sivan’s story. Pick this series up if you love creepy/twisted dark romance.
Oh my goodness! The beginning of this book shocked me. Between Imogene’s realizations and the revelations spoken between Sivan and his mother, I had no idea what was going to happen next. It was all so startling and intense. The first book had me hooked, but Act 2 consumed and owned me. Being able to watch the breakdown and shattering of a person and then the attempts to piece together and rebuild were incredible in this book. These quotes really summed things up for me: “But looking at that face will kill a little bit of my soul every day.”
“I don’t know how to let either of you go.”
I adored these characters and would love to read more about them. I still have questions and a need to see how they will continue to heal one another and move forward. Giannoccaro really outdid herself with this series. The unique world of darkness that she created and the way it was presented page after page was masterful. The circus will definitely live on in me for some time to come.
What a wickedly dark Tale. This book starts right where the last one ends. I loved this twisted story. Poor Sivan Poor Imogene What a twisted bunch of characters. My lord I love them both so much. I am so excited on how this book ended. This author knows how to make you question if your a sick demented person yourself. I loved how dark it got. Most authors seem to shy away from that. Anywho loved both Cirque’s kinda want more. Grab these books.
“No one loves the Clown”… I must be No One because Wow do I love this Clown!!
Act 2 is a continuation of Sivan and Imogene’s story. Act 1 felt more mysterious and magical while Act 2 seemed darker but still so beautiful and magical. It begins in kidnapping and pain but drags me right into the story. I felt like this book kidnapped me!
Imogene is a broken individual, a survivor but just holding on. Sivan is battling himself and is trying to understand his clown.
“No one loves the Clown.”
“And who are you?” I whisper against her ear. Her sweet smell and soft skin are magical. “Imogene,” she sobs. “No, no, my beautiful girl. You are no one. You are no one because you love me, and no one loves the clown.”
The author blurs the lines between sanity and madness. While reading, I felt like I was stepping over into their madness and boy was I glad to be there! I was transported into The Cirque and all its sounds and smells and feels. As I flipped pages I wanted to live in this book and never come up for air!
“Honesty is better than more secrets and lies. I’m talking to a man dressed in a costume almost as bizarre as my own can be, under the darkness of night in an abandoned circus I built out of pure and utter madness. Why lie?”
Cirque Act 1 & 2 were the first books that I’ve read by this author and I can’t wait to discover more! Her words and stories are amazing and magical!
“Without my painted on face the raw aggression and carnal need is gone;…”
my dick isn’t even hard without my face.”
I’m guessing it was hard to finish writing a book about a Clown. I mean how much can your imagination create for a world involving the circus. Well Ashleigh Giannoccaro has done a brilliant job in bringing the story of Sivan and Imogene to an end.
At the start there are subtle hints as to who all the characters are and how they belong within the story. I had a jaw dropping moment when reality hit me straight in the face. Damn Ashleigh, your good!
I thought I knew what was going to happen and how Sivan’s world evolved around him but even his story is not everything it seems to be.
Imogene unravels and bares her secrets to everyone who means the most to her. I know that sounds evasive but I definitely don’t want to be giving away ANY spoilers.
She faces her own demons and fears to come out an even stronger woman than previously portrayed.
Sivan and Imogene still have many obstacles to over come. Will the pull of the circus bring them back together or force them to find their way within a world that they feel they do not truly belong too.
For me Gav and Sam have raised more questions than answers so I’m wondering if this is a pre-preview for their own story. Time will tell.
“You will love me, Imogene. I will make you love this clown.”
Clowns are my worst Nightmare .. and Ash has made me love her clown.
To understand this book you need to read book 1 first, book 2 is darker than book 1!
Secrets come out about Sivan past in this book, that made me feel so sad for him.
I loved Imogene in this book.
I really enjoyed this book Ash writing just sucks you in from the start and you just need more and more. you made the story come to life. through your words.. and thank you for sharing. the clown with us
“Welcome home, Imogene. You wished for the circus for so very long; here it is ready to destroy you.”
Hauntingly beautiful. A story of two broken and shattered people who come together to put their pieces back together the only way they can. It’s dark and twisted but also amazingly perfect and beautiful. I LOVED this series so much! I am really sad to see that it’s over. But it was definitely a perfect ending!