When a threat so brutal it has the force to rip the magic right out of the world takes over Vagabond Circus, everyone seeks refuge away from the big top. Finley knows he has to protect the circus he’s grown to love, and its people. But to do that he’ll have to further scar his soul. Jack is relentless to take back what was stolen from him, but in the process he becomes someone he never expected. And this acrobat, who once stole the hearts of millions, accidentally steals a heart he didn’t expect. But it is Titus who is most changed by the events at Vagabond Circus. He’s always been the fearful coward, but with a new threat bearing down on his best friend’s circus he knows he has to invent the courage to become a new man. Zuma watches from the sidelines as the people she loves grow in an effort to save one of the most important ventures in the world.
In this final installment to the Vagabond Circus series, deals will be made, futures tampered with, and everyone’s hearts broken. But the question that will keep the troupe of this circus going is precisely the same one that will plague readers. Can Dr. Dave Raydon’s circus be saved? And if it can’t, then is everything around it doomed?
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
STEP RIGHT UP! The Vagabond Circus is in town. This is no longer the same fun magical circus you want to take you sons and daughters too. This is more dark and sinister like a scary movie you and friends go to in high school and then freak out in the parking lot when you see a cat run across your path. What use to be magical now has an element of fear to it.
Nothing is the same with the circus since Zuma, Finley and Jack return. The performers have to decide do they stay and ride out this evil change or do they turn and run from the only family they have ever known. Jack is recovering from his injuries and is stuck with someone that is great at giving him the motivation to move. I never pictured these two as friends let alone more but they make a great team. Finley is shutting Zuma out although Zume is persistent and keeps pushing him.
This is an emotional read where the twist and turns had me in knots. Not going to lie there were a few times where I was not happy where the people were headed or what happened to them. Like any family some I loved, some I disliked and some I wanted to keep an eye on. Yes, I thought of them as my family this is how great Sarah is at sucking me into this story. There are times I was in shock and had tears streaming as I saw things unfold in front of me. This is not all happy sunshine and flowers there is dark and sinister times at the circus now and no one is safe. Some of my family didn’t make it out alive, others find strength where they thought they had none, and some find love where they least expect it.
Sarah’s series keep getting better and better. The villains get more evil and sinister and the love stories have more depth the more she writes. Sarah has a way of taking you down a path on a warm sunny day looking at the flowers only to have a storm roll in and leave you there in the storm’s path stunned and wondering what just happened and where will we end up. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with for her next book and/or series but I know whatever it is it will be great.
A few of my favorites:
“No, you obviously don’t get it. You’ve lived your perfect world where you haven’t been happy, but you were always safe and the biggest danger was falling to the springy net below. The world you’re in now is actually dangerous,” he said, his face red, his words carrying heat, his finger pointed to the ground under Zuma. “You seem to think I can save you or protect you. I can’t. There’s no net now, Zuma.”
I’m going to live and I’m going to die, and unlike Dave or most people at Vagabond Circus, I’m not full of some greatness
“Titus it takes a good man to admit when he’s been wrong, but it takes a great man to become the person who would no longer make such mistakes.”
Come one, come all for the last installment of the Vagabond Circus! Spellbinding, spine chilling, and incredibly magical! Just WOW! There are a few stories that I have read that have left me “feeling”….I mean, REALLY feeling. This entire series has done that for me. I have read all three and each time I am left with my head spinning and my heart thumping from excitement, surprises, and overall amazement with this story and it’s characters.
Each installment starts right where the other leaves off. In Released, the unthinkable happens and all of the dreamy magic turns to nightmares. Knight is the owner and new ringmaster of the Vagabond Circus. Right from jump things start getting out of control. Knight brings his kids in and Finley is back under his command. Everyone has “creative” intentions but it’s their questionable motives that keep you sucked in. In this captivating world of the circus you will experience everything. The characters are all intriguing. Some frustrating and some are awe inspiring. But most of all the tragedy and love are incredible!
“No, you obviously don’t get it. You’ve lived in your perfect world where you haven’t been happy, but you were always safe and the biggest danger was falling to the springy net below. The world you’re in now is actually dangerous,” he said, his face red, his words carrying heat, his finger pointed to the ground under Zuma. “You seem to think I can save you or protect you. I can’t. There’s no net now, Zuma.”
“She’d know he was a second away from exploding. An inch from the fuse inside him detonating. Zuma was the girl who would want to be there for that. She would endure the shrapnel if she could just be there to hold him up when he finally let it all out and then collapsed.”
“Love really is the most beautiful show. It can’t be rehearsed. It can’t be planned. It is the product of magic. It is what Vagabond Circus is all about.”
I have said it once and I am going to say it again. Sarah Noffke writes tragedy so good it hurts. I love it!!!! “Tragedies bring about great fortunes sometimes.” Well, Ms. Noffke….you have done it again! Bravo! Encore! The show must go on!
