The Carnivale of Curiosities, Amiee Gibbs
The Carnivale of Curiosities, Amiee Gibbs
List: $31.99 | Sale: $22.40
Club: $15.99

The Carnivale of Curiosities

Author: Amiee Gibbs

Narrator: James Langton

Unabridged: 14 hr 14 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/11/2023


Synopsis

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—perfect 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.

Reviews

Goodreads review by J (Midnight Book Blog) on July 19, 2023

I have some mixed feelings on this one What I liked: This book was absolutely immersive. The details and descriptions were incredibly rich, making the story fully transportative. I am a huge fan of magical circus books, and this was both magical and incredibly dark. The characters, both good and ba......more

Goodreads review by Mirko Smith on March 05, 2024

Inaspettatamente ho amato ogni singolo momento di questo libro!......more

Goodreads review by Sarah (i’ll be back in a few weeks) on October 12, 2023

The Carnivale of Curiosities is a dark and gritty tale, exposing the gruesome and awful deeds people will do to hide the truth. Gibbs built an incredible atmosphere with her prose. The Carnivale was imaginative and vivid in detail, leaping off the pages. The grim truth of 1887 London was thinly veile......more

Goodreads review by Sara Booklover on May 25, 2024

Una storia oscura dove la magia esiste e i desideri possono essere avverati, ma bisogna stare attenti ad esprimerli, perché il prezzo per realizzarli potrebbe essere troppo alto. Il carosello delle curiosità è un fantasy magico di ambientazione storica inglese vittoriana, rivolto ad un pubblico adult......more

Goodreads review by Tyler on February 11, 2023

This so not my thing. The writing was pretentious. I didn’t care about anything that happened to anyone in this book. The story was okay. For a debut, you can’t really tell it’s a debut. I will give it 2 stars instead of one for the creativity, but that’s about it. Not a fun experience at all. The w......more


Quotes

"A wonderfully imagined and fiendishly clever debut."—Colson Whitehead, author of Harlem Shuffle

“A mesmerizing, gothic tale of magic and danger, The Carnivale of Curiosities is an enthralling feat of imagination.”—Jenny Jackson, author of Pineapple Street

The Carnivale of Curiosities is a glowing ember of a novel. Amiee Gibbs has expertly crafted a universe that simmers with infinite possibilities and burns with life-altering danger. Her characters—a circus troupe in Victorian London—will stay with you long after reading.”—Clemence Michallon, author of The Quiet Tenant

"Langton employs a gravelly timbre that complements the lyrical writing. His character voices are lively, dynamic, and engaging. He slips into each character, imbuing each with a distinct feel. . . Secrets, horrors, and magical elements crackle with promise as Langton’s bewitching narration captures the ear."—Audiofile Magazine