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katykelly's review
4.0
Wonderful historical detail, a 'Showman'-esque setting that will pique interest.
3.5 stars.
A travelling fair in Georgian England. Mim is the lowest of the low, a mixed race adolescent, not even an act, merely a dogsbody. We can see that she and the one-armed Alex, a boxer, have feelings for each other, but the pair only allow their thoughts to be known to their confidantest - the animals they regularly converse with.
When a wealthy new benefactor attempts to lift Mim up and place her centre stage of the fair as a goddess whose kisses give electric shocks to their recipients - the dynamic among the fair crowd changes, and feelings are unearthed.
I liked the language and setting, very reminiscent of other books set during this period. Mim and Alex were likeable, Mim in particular a gauge of racial and class distinction of the time. One scene in particular shocked me, as Mim is forced to kiss whoever wishes to sample her electric lips, one customer sees the results of this on her face.
I felt the story's drive and momentum slowed down when the story moved away from the fair, and personally I didn't like the chapters where Mim and Alex talk to their animals, but as these ended up being integral to the plot I did see their value and realisation.
With shades of the setting and romance of The Greatest Showman, fans may also like to try this book. As an enthusiast for historical fiction, I enjoyed the setting and plot, at the dawn of knowledge on electricity.
For ages 14 and above.
3.5 stars.
A travelling fair in Georgian England. Mim is the lowest of the low, a mixed race adolescent, not even an act, merely a dogsbody. We can see that she and the one-armed Alex, a boxer, have feelings for each other, but the pair only allow their thoughts to be known to their confidantest - the animals they regularly converse with.
When a wealthy new benefactor attempts to lift Mim up and place her centre stage of the fair as a goddess whose kisses give electric shocks to their recipients - the dynamic among the fair crowd changes, and feelings are unearthed.
I liked the language and setting, very reminiscent of other books set during this period. Mim and Alex were likeable, Mim in particular a gauge of racial and class distinction of the time. One scene in particular shocked me, as Mim is forced to kiss whoever wishes to sample her electric lips, one customer sees the results of this on her face.
I felt the story's drive and momentum slowed down when the story moved away from the fair, and personally I didn't like the chapters where Mim and Alex talk to their animals, but as these ended up being integral to the plot I did see their value and realisation.
With shades of the setting and romance of The Greatest Showman, fans may also like to try this book. As an enthusiast for historical fiction, I enjoyed the setting and plot, at the dawn of knowledge on electricity.
For ages 14 and above.
janaybrazier's review
3.0
It took me a little while to get into this book but about halfway in I was pretty invested in the storyline. I love that my favourite character is a parrot! The last 60 pages were probably the most gripping, and I’d say this is maybe more of a 3.5, but it just wasn’t my favourite. I enjoyed the writing style though and all of the extra additions such as the articles, posters and drawings. It was pretty short but it was just the right length.
veecaswell's review
4.0
I’m not always the biggest fan of historical fiction, however reading the synopsis really pulled me into the story and I am glad I requested this book. A coming of age story for Mim, a teenager who is trying to figure out who she is, The Electrical Venus is a gorgeous read.
The characters throughout this book are really well developed, particularly Mim as she develops into the title character, but also Alex too as the book goes on, leading to a really nice finale. If this book is anything, it’s short and sweet and the characters for the amount of pages really are very good.
The story is okay and I feel like it really does have a nice ending to it with moments in the story that really give this book some drama but I feel like the characters are what steals this story and the fact they are characters you rarely see in fiction, makes this an important (for representation) but also an enjoyable read.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for a honest review).
The characters throughout this book are really well developed, particularly Mim as she develops into the title character, but also Alex too as the book goes on, leading to a really nice finale. If this book is anything, it’s short and sweet and the characters for the amount of pages really are very good.
The story is okay and I feel like it really does have a nice ending to it with moments in the story that really give this book some drama but I feel like the characters are what steals this story and the fact they are characters you rarely see in fiction, makes this an important (for representation) but also an enjoyable read.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for a honest review).
ishouldreadthat's review
3.0
Originally posted to I Should Read That
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.
The Electrical Venus jumped out at me because it is historical young adult fiction -- something I don’t think you see very often. On top of that, the book is set in Georgian England, which is even more of a rarity in YA. Although I didn’t know much about it, I decided to give it a shot.
To be perfectly honest, this book was just not for me. The writing style, the characters, and the story are all just things that I don’t particularly enjoy in books. However, don’t let that sway you because I do think that many people will enjoy The Electrical Venus.
I really liked the fact that this is a historical novel set in an unusual time period for YA. Young adult books can get a little same-y after awhile and it’s so nice to see something fresh and new! It’s an interesting period in time and the inclusion of Doctor Fox and his electricity machine really took advantage of that in the best way. What seems very normal to us would have been a marvel to people of this time and it suited the sideshow setting very well.
I thought the narrative style was interesting, even if it didn’t work for me. There are two point of view characters in this book -- Mim and Alex. Each chapter is told as though they’re speaking to one of the animals in the sideshow’s menagerie. Mim talks to her parrot, who was came with her when Mr. Grainger bought her, while Alex talks to the pig in the menagerie. It was a little strange at first, but you get used to it pretty quickly.
The inclusion of Mim, a mixed race black girl, was refreshing, as some people seem to think that black people just didn’t exist at this period in time -- you rarely get to see diverse casts in historical fiction. She was an interesting character, along with Alex, but I don’t think they’re the kinds of characters I particularly like, nor had the type of romance I usually enjoy. I am a big fan of slow burning romance, which we have in this book, however I don’t like the fact that their issues could have been resolved if they just spoke to each other. The two fight and make up constantly and this just isn’t really my thing.
Overall, The Electrical Venus didn’t really click with me. It’s a hard book to review for that exact reason. However, if you’re looking for books that deal with sex, young romance, or falling for the wrong person, this is a great title to pick up. I think it’s unusual historical setting is very appealing and it’s a fast read.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.
The Electrical Venus jumped out at me because it is historical young adult fiction -- something I don’t think you see very often. On top of that, the book is set in Georgian England, which is even more of a rarity in YA. Although I didn’t know much about it, I decided to give it a shot.
To be perfectly honest, this book was just not for me. The writing style, the characters, and the story are all just things that I don’t particularly enjoy in books. However, don’t let that sway you because I do think that many people will enjoy The Electrical Venus.
I really liked the fact that this is a historical novel set in an unusual time period for YA. Young adult books can get a little same-y after awhile and it’s so nice to see something fresh and new! It’s an interesting period in time and the inclusion of Doctor Fox and his electricity machine really took advantage of that in the best way. What seems very normal to us would have been a marvel to people of this time and it suited the sideshow setting very well.
I thought the narrative style was interesting, even if it didn’t work for me. There are two point of view characters in this book -- Mim and Alex. Each chapter is told as though they’re speaking to one of the animals in the sideshow’s menagerie. Mim talks to her parrot, who was came with her when Mr. Grainger bought her, while Alex talks to the pig in the menagerie. It was a little strange at first, but you get used to it pretty quickly.
The inclusion of Mim, a mixed race black girl, was refreshing, as some people seem to think that black people just didn’t exist at this period in time -- you rarely get to see diverse casts in historical fiction. She was an interesting character, along with Alex, but I don’t think they’re the kinds of characters I particularly like, nor had the type of romance I usually enjoy. I am a big fan of slow burning romance, which we have in this book, however I don’t like the fact that their issues could have been resolved if they just spoke to each other. The two fight and make up constantly and this just isn’t really my thing.
Overall, The Electrical Venus didn’t really click with me. It’s a hard book to review for that exact reason. However, if you’re looking for books that deal with sex, young romance, or falling for the wrong person, this is a great title to pick up. I think it’s unusual historical setting is very appealing and it’s a fast read.
piperbunny's review
This was a DNF from me after reading 67%. I couldn't get into the flow of the book. I liked the characters and I was gripped at the start but I always felt like an observer of the story, not taking part in it. Also two DNF's in a row... I might be in a reading slump :( I have read other Julie Mayhew books and loved them!
literaryleisha's review
3.0
Full review over on my blog https://literaryleisha.wordpress.com/2018/04/14/review-the-electrical-venus-by-julie-mayhew/
hollyp23's review
2.0
** 2.5 stars **
I thought I was going to really enjoy this book and unfortunately ended up being disappointed.
This story follows mixed race Mim who is treated like an animal in her oppressive society, but is chosen by Dr Fox to be ‘the electrical venus’ and gains the headline act in their travelling show but it isn’t all she expected it to be. As well as one armed Alex who struggles with his identity and achieving more than he is expected to be.
Although I enjoyed their relationship to begin with and felt it’s potential, by the end I felt the story was rushed and didn’t flesh it out for me to truly root for them.
I also disliked the characters of Mim who was naive and didn’t develop as the story went on, although I did appreciate the exploration of women’s position in the Georgian era.
One thing I thought was very quirky and unique about this story was how each section was addressed to an animal, such as a parrot or a pig, which I enjoyed and allowed for reflective monologues. However at points the writing did feel immature and unrealistically hyperbolic which meant that I often didn’t enjoy the reading experience.
I thought I was going to really enjoy this book and unfortunately ended up being disappointed.
This story follows mixed race Mim who is treated like an animal in her oppressive society, but is chosen by Dr Fox to be ‘the electrical venus’ and gains the headline act in their travelling show but it isn’t all she expected it to be. As well as one armed Alex who struggles with his identity and achieving more than he is expected to be.
Although I enjoyed their relationship to begin with and felt it’s potential, by the end I felt the story was rushed and didn’t flesh it out for me to truly root for them.
I also disliked the characters of Mim who was naive and didn’t develop as the story went on, although I did appreciate the exploration of women’s position in the Georgian era.
One thing I thought was very quirky and unique about this story was how each section was addressed to an animal, such as a parrot or a pig, which I enjoyed and allowed for reflective monologues. However at points the writing did feel immature and unrealistically hyperbolic which meant that I often didn’t enjoy the reading experience.