I really enjoyed reading this! It's about a biracial "exotic" girl called Mim, and about Alex, who's a one-armed acrobat. The story's set in eighteenth century England, and in a circus (similar to Caraval, but also way way different) - I'm a sucker for a good steampunk novel, so of course I had to read it. 

The layout of the book was so beautiful! The chapter images, changing perspectives, switches between first and third person - they were all so intriguing? I especially loved the little illustrations of animals before each chapter <3

The writing style was really easy to read? It was sort of diary-like, but at times it felt a little dry. A bit too deep in descriptions, maybe. The best part was definitely how they included the feelings of Pig and George the parrot (who, let's be honest, were the true stars of the show). 

I loved the characters so much!! Mim was snarky and funny and a bit headstrong but Alex,, god I would die for him. He's so soft and beautiful and trying so hard and skshskhsjs??? And their relationship was so sweet and unhurried !!!

Something I would've wanted is more backstory? Especially for Abel and Joe, I just feel like it would've brought the whole thing home. Sometimes they felt a little unrealistic.  
I'd recommend it to anyone looking for character-driven historical fiction, or just something breezy and intriguing! 

thank you to the publisher for giving me an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

(and yes, I'm extremely late. sue me.)