When the worst case scenario befalls the Vagabond Circus, Zuma knows she must ensure it doesn’t fall to doom. Titus’s job is to guarantee the show goes on, while the acrobats seek to avenge and rescue. Jack has no idea that he’s about to levitate himself into a deadly situation, and only Zuma and Finley can save him from a threat unlike what most have ever encountered. In this second whimsical and dark installment of the Vagabond Circus tale, the reader learns just how the ringmaster, Dr. Dave Raydon, rescued everyone in his troupe and also brought love and treasures into their lives. The unveiling of this history only brings more mystery as the true enemy to Vagabond Circus is unveiled. Charles Knight isn’t an evil man with a deadly agenda. He’s the worst kind of human being and he won’t stop until he’s ruined everyone and everything that the ringmaster loves. Paralyzed is an episodic ride that unravels the pieces of this fantasy circus one act at a time.
Oh. My. Gods. The circus is still in town! This is a one of a kind sequel with the perfect tragedy, mysterious villain, that is full of fragile moments of love, sacrifice, and pain, but with the most perfect ending that left me absolutely speechless. There were many moments that made me laugh, kept me on edge, and twisted my heart. Sarah Noffke writes tragedy so good it hurts. By the time the story gets to the end I was so twisted inside…and then left with my mouth hanging wide open! I sat here thinking “What did you do to me?” and while I sat contemplating the hate mail that I wanted to send to the author for another jaw dropping cliffhanger…I took a deep breathe and decided that I will wait (im)patiently for Released to come out because, in true Sarah Noffke fashion, the ending will blow you away!
While the Vagabond Circus is trying to grieve the death of the beloved ringmaster, Finley and Zuma chase after Jack who is going to Knight’s compound to try and avenge the ringmaster’s death. Zuma is extremely upset with Finley and is really trying to punish him. The constant banter between Finley and Zuma in the car ride and seeing them breaking down each others walls was the best. We are introduced to Zuma’s family and Jack’s family. Both are very different and incredible in very different ways. But the story, the story is so much more. It revolves around the entire circus. We get to see snippets about how the ringmaster’s death affect everyone. The tightrope is unraveling and people are feeling helpless everywhere. And so many secrets! Then Boom! THE END! And that’s when I became speechless.
“But what Zuma always discounted was that life didn’t continuously unfold in logical ways. Dave often reminded her of that. Life is full of magic and if you try and explain it all then you lose the opportunity for bewilderment, which is a beautiful thing, he often told her.”
“Zuma reasoned that it was only because in her purest of hearts she had to admit that loving Finley was completely and absolutely unavoidable. She hadn’t forgiven Finley and didn’t know when that would happen, but even after everything she knew she loved him. Loved him with something so pure that it couldn’t be stopped. She’d tried to stop herself from loving him, but it was like changing the rotation of the Earth or snuffing out stars with a single thought. It just couldn’t be done. Such things were the natural order of life. Predators hunt prey. Night precedes morning. Zuma loves Finley.”
“Today we remember the man who brought magic back to this world by lighting a spark in all of you. You are all his legacy. You are the magic of Vagabond Circus.”
I. Can. Not. Wait. For. Released.
Incredible series that is sure to suck you in like gravity. Be prepared to be mesmerized!
Ok, you read the review…what are you waiting for? Go get this book!
Sarah Noffke writes YA & NA sci-fi, fantasy and dystopian. She is the author of the Lucidites, Reverians, Ren, and Vagabond Circus series. She’s been everything from a corporate manager to a hippie. Her taste for adventure has taken her all over the world. If you can’t find her at the gym, then she’s probably at the frozen yogurt shop. If you can’t find her there then she probably doesn’t want to be found. She is a self-proclaimed hermit, with spontaneous urges to socialize during full moons and when Mercury is in retrograde. Sarah lives in Central California with her family.
