Scan barcode
mellabella's review against another edition
2.0
I've read a lot of horror novels in my time. So, that being said there are a few authors who never fail to bring chills. Which is what, most people want in a horror novel. Maybe some gore. I guess it all depends on the person. The Freakshow was a little... Weird for lack of a better word. I've read one other book by this author and it was weird as well. It's about a Freakshow (duh) that goes to small towns, kills everyone and replaces them with clones for world domination.
bigbookgeek's review against another edition
I spent far too much time trying to get into this story. Moving on to better things....
dosxhime's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, War, Body horror, Cannibalism, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Rape, Violence, Vomit, and Blood
linbee83's review
4.0
This is the second book I've read by Bryan Smith. And I must say, out of the 2, I liked this one so much better. Generally, I've noticed that he likes to take 3 or 4 main characters, and have each chapter focus on one of them, until they either die off or converge. This can be a bit confusing if you have trouble keeping characters straight, as I do. I had to sit for a minute trying to think who he was talking about now.
As for this book, I love the characters, and the freaks are pretty cool. This book has a horror, sci-fi feel to it. Very gory, very fun. I already had a fear of clowns and circus, but this book may ensure that I will try to steer clear if I ever see one again.
As for this book, I love the characters, and the freaks are pretty cool. This book has a horror, sci-fi feel to it. Very gory, very fun. I already had a fear of clowns and circus, but this book may ensure that I will try to steer clear if I ever see one again.
dyslexzak's review against another edition
challenging
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This book is a 3/5, but I give it the extra half point because I love that books like this exist. It's unapologetically gratuitous in every way. It's the book equivalent of those old Exploitation films of the '70s and I love it for that.
The setting wasn't really my thing, or else I think it would have been higher.
The setting wasn't really my thing, or else I think it would have been higher.
goblin_town's review
5.0
I really enjoyed it. While it's probably not for everyone, I enjoyed the fast start, relentless pacing and brutality of it. It was a fun read.
paperbackstash's review against another edition
2.0
Pros - plot was unique, creative, and quickly paced. Characters were convincing. Bryan Smith writes with a style that's a joy to read. Cons - just isn't really my kind of book, too in your face shock factor and a bit too much torture/dread. Too much dulls it for me a bit, not because I become too disturbed, but it just makes it all blend together with less impact. I love circus and freak themes and he certainly didn't fail to disappoint with the villains in this one!
mikekaz's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Wow. There was no lead up on this book as Smith jumps us straight into the action. Character introduction happens along with death and mayhem. Personally I liked it; a little more effort to figure out the story threads in my head but also nice because there's a higher likelihood that anyone could die. In other words, the main protagonist that most likely survives the book is not yet set.
The story focuses on The Flaherty Brothers Traveling Circus and Freakshow which goes around to small towns across the country. A strange, mysterious beckoning would bring almost the whole town to the festival. However, this circus and freakshow has a deadlier purpose than entertainment as people are consumed and stolen by the real freaks of the show.
In a normal fashion for Smith's books, there is a lot happening. There are multiple story threads following different groups of people as they survive the chaos they've fallen into. One of the fun things is while the events in one thread will appear and affect other threads, the characters won't necessarily meet. Kind of like real life where someone's actions might affect you despite you never meeting that person. The only other thing I wanted to point out was that I liked how some of the characters were hard to figure out. Were they "good" people? Did they want to help the different people or out for themselves? It kept things slightly off-kilter. Not too much more to say. A good book that I would recommend if you like people trying to survive crazy freaks doing a bunch of weird stuff.
The story focuses on The Flaherty Brothers Traveling Circus and Freakshow which goes around to small towns across the country. A strange, mysterious beckoning would bring almost the whole town to the festival. However, this circus and freakshow has a deadlier purpose than entertainment as people are consumed and stolen by the real freaks of the show.
In a normal fashion for Smith's books, there is a lot happening. There are multiple story threads following different groups of people as they survive the chaos they've fallen into. One of the fun things is while the events in one thread will appear and affect other threads, the characters won't necessarily meet. Kind of like real life where someone's actions might affect you despite you never meeting that person. The only other thing I wanted to point out was that I liked how some of the characters were hard to figure out. Were they "good" people? Did they want to help the different people or out for themselves? It kept things slightly off-kilter. Not too much more to say. A good book that I would recommend if you like people trying to survive crazy freaks doing a bunch of weird stuff.