“The Carnivale of Curiosities” is a 429-page fantasy novel that will most likely appeal to fans of “The Invisible Life of Addie Larue,” which was a book that I rated 5 out of 5 stars. Written by Aimme Gibbs, the captivating novel takes place in London, England. The story follows a traveling circus that showcases extraordinary acts like a fire-breathing performer, conjoined twins, and other unique acts. However, behind the dazzling spectacle, lies a dark secret with bargains, blackmails, dangerous deals, and a fight for survival among the performers as they navigate the desire of greedy and powerful patrons. Lucien, the star performer and one that can manipulate fire, which is a play on the name Lucifer slowly starts to fall in love with Charlotte, a disabled young woman who is caught in a dangerous web of power dynamics.
The plot is very engaging, in fact when I purchased the book the bookseller said that this was a popular book, so I had high hopes. The plot was good, yet occasionally it slowed down. On top of that, it seemed too long to get to the root of the plot. For instance, Charlotte’s story does not come in until about page 100. This was an issue for me because she was one of the main plot points. This can be said about the worldbuilding, which drives the plot. The “oddities” that are present in the novel come together due to society's disregard of them. Aurelius Ashe is the ‘father’ of the oddities and the one who brings them together. Therefore, he protects his family. However, I do not think Ashe and the other characters necessarily drove the plot.
Character development was also lacking. I felt as if I didn’t connect or feel loser to them. Some aspects left me feeling confused or disorientated. Overall, the plot has too much going on. Despite these minor shortcomings, the novel effectively blends elements of fantasy with period writing, creating a unique and engaging atmosphere. The dialogue is proof of its amazing and descriptive writing. It also provides valuable insight into the characters and their motivations. While character development could have been stronger, the author does a good job of making the characters distinct and memorable.
The novel explores the themes of power dynamics between the elite and the marginalized, highlighting societal inequalities and touching upon the theme of how society profits off of those who do not fit in. “The Carnivale of Curiosities” is an ambitious fantasy novel with strength in its world-building and descriptive prose. While it may suffer from pacing issues and a lack of strong character development, the unique setting and intriguing plot are what captivated me and will captivate other readers who enjoy imaginative stories.
I will give this novel 3 out of 5 stars.
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