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.