When a story is set in an invented universe, the line its author must walk is a bit more treacherous than when a tale is set in a recognizable 'real' world. In The Ladies of the Secret Circus, Constance Sayers proves she can walk that line with grace and power ... The novel’s massive network of connections—tactile and ethereal, physical and mystical—makes for a luxurious reading experience, like a rich tapestry. The Ladies of the Secret Circus is a book to get lost in, not just because of the fantasy elements that layer it with intrigue but also because of the emotional connections that tie it all together. Through beautifully orchestrated prose and careful, confident pacing, Sayers constructs a story that feels like sitting down with an older relative and slowly, over hours, getting all the family secrets in one juicy, enchanted package.
Encompassing as many genres as a circus carousel has animals to ride, this is ultimately a story about love ... Highly recommended for lovers of timeslip fiction, readers who enjoy their genres very bent indeed, and those who have dreamed of running away to the circus.
Sayers romance, mystery, and a family curse into a spellbinding historical fantasy ... The rich descriptions and fascinating settings create engagement in both timelines, and the secret of Lara’s bloodline is original and surprising. Fans of Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus will love this page-turning story of dark magic, star-crossed love, and familial sacrifice.
