Mostly dreamy, like a parasol.

I enjoyed listening to this book-- with only a few exceptions:
1) Occasionally, the narrating actress gives sentences a weird emphasis. It's moderately distracting, but rare enough that I didn't get frustrated.
2) I'm no circus performer but I would swear that, once or twice, the author added enough random details to betray the fact that she has a flawed understanding of how an actual safety net works.

Besides this, there were several lovely sections in the main character's voice, plus a few descriptions that added value to the piece, and I look forward to more from this author.

3 people found this helpful

Romeo and Juliet at the Circus

I recently read a bunch of books that were inspired by or retellings of classics. Girl on a Wire was the least obvious retelling of the bunch. In fact, at first I didn't even realize I was reading a Romeo and Juliet tale. Wire-walker Julietta (Jules) Maroni joins the Cirque American with the hope that her family will finally receive the recognition they deserve. However, the Cirque American is also the home of a family of trapeze artists who are the Maroni's rivals, the Garcias. Together and in secret Jules and Romeo (Remy) Garcia seek to unravel the mysteries of the past, discover why their families are enemies, and who wants the past to repeat itself. Gwenda Bond's book is full of mystery and the romance of the circus.

In a lovely coincide I happened to be listening to this book while I was in Sarsota, Florida. Sarasota was were the Ringling Circus had their winter quarters and there is still a bit of a circus presence there with the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and the Ringling College of Art and Design. I saw some of the circus paraphernalia at museum, including the train cars.

3 people found this helpful

Very good

I enjoyed this book very much. The story was packed well and the narrator was on point most of the time. Toward the end I struggled to stay involved, it seem a bit superfluous at times but all in all I enjoyed it. I would listen again.

Missing The Modern

Write about what you know. This author doesn't know modern teenagers. The first place modern teens go for information is the internet. The sleuthing in this book is more of the Jessica Fletcher Murder She Wrote variety. And even if Jules takes her investigation techniques from the black and white movies she usually watches, Remy is cellphone carrying fully modern teen.

Surprisingly engrossing

The question is whether you're into magical circus crime or not. If you don't know, pick this up and check it out for yourself. That's what happened to me.

Before reading this book, I really hadn't thought about the circus at all, ever. I picked this up primarily because I'm a fan of Gwenda Bond and her excellent Lois Lane YA series. Now I'm hooked.

The characters are deep and fleshed out, the world is detailed and spending so much time reading about the circus may just give you a deeper appreciation for something you haven't thought about in years, if ever. All of this is very capably narrated in a way that serves the purposes of the story w/o distracting. I couldn't ask for more.

AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

Sweet Valley High Except with Magic and Death

This book is very much so written for the tween to mid-teen age range, which isn't a bad thing except no longer a teen (by over a decade now) I felt very disconnected from the main character. It was an interesting look into the world of high wires, but as for certain things really bothered me - like not knowing your own aunt and uncle's names, for starters...

I would have devoured this book as a tween, forgiven all of its shortcomings and loved it into my twenties, but as I'm reading this going into my thirties, I'm incredibly aware that this book is not for me.

Kudos on the bisexual, potentially gender-queer kid though. YA representation matters!

A bit of adventure and romance with a twist or two

I look forward to more of the Cirque American and the strong female characters that drive it to the new age. This author has successfully brought a little magic to the world through the well written story.

Just couldn't get into it

I hate giving up on books. I especially hate it when I've given so much time to it (41% through.) But, for some reason, (and, I don't know if I've just somehow missed key points in the narrative, or if the author's style of writing simply doesn't mesh with my brain,) I have no clue as to what's going on. Normally, one would start the book over, but I'm just not interested in it enough to spend several more hours just to get back where I am.

A must read!

Ever wish you could join the circus? This is the story for you! Follow a circus family trying to get back in the "big show" after years of estrangement.

predictable

there were no surprises in this book. you could guess the villain after the first couple of chapters and the romance wasn't very believable. despite its faults I didn't hate it.