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This page is an online journal that shows reviews of the books by Karen Restaino. If you're interested in reviewing the Ringmaster, this page is dedicated to just that. This is an excellent space for people who love sharing their opinions with others... and Karen Restaino loves to hear your thoughts!
Review:
The Ringmaster by Melody Stokes
So, what can I say about this book The Ringmaster?
I've just finished it, and it is the most amazing escapism; one of the best books I have ever read. It had humour, a lot of funny bits in it, even though it's a thriller, and the characters, you just end up falling in love with them, some of them. You feel sorry for them, it has sadness in it. I'll really miss, The Ringmaster, because it really take you away from life's up's and downs and I'd go to bed and I'd think, oh, I'll read one chapter, then you look up at your phone and the time had just shot by.
Beth_Bookblog
The Ringmaster by Karen Restaino
We all know I love Circus stories, especially if they have historical settings. I loved this book- It has a thrilling, fast-paced storyline which grips you to its pages. It also includes wonderfully descriptive insight into the Circus itself. Spanning three generations, we see the same town but different people passing through it. You’d think this would complicate things, but even though their similarities and history seeming to dangerously repeat itself, I felt as if I knew each character individually.
Amy, who is living through the 1930s and Georgia who is living through the 2020s, have eerily similar lives. It’s a little bit creepy! When Amy’s life turns upside down, you feel incredibly anxious for her, but what makes this extra fascinating is the double anxiety you feel. History seems to be repeating itself after all, are the awful things that are happening to Amy, also going to happen to Georgia. This made me want to saviour each and every word, staying in this world for as long as possible.
The overall history and apparent curse of the house and The Ringmaster was creepy. I’d love a whole other book Just on that! Don’t go into the barn folks! There is some heavy content in this book, but it’s written well and adds great shock factor / terror of this situation, constantly building tension and making you wonder: what could possibly be next?
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate The Ringmaster is not supposed to be liked. But my my, he might be a favourite villain for me. That showdown towards the end and the ending itself…what a performance. I pictured it as if I was there
This was excellent. Highly recommended!
Review by @Beth_Bookblog
Review of The Ringmaster
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Post by Jenipher Owino » 24 Sep 2023, 16:00
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Ringmaster" by Karen Restaino.]
4 out of 5 starsShare
This Review
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The Ringmaster is a captivating thriller that takes the reader on a journey through time and secrets, following the lives of three generations of a family linked by a mysterious traction Engine and a series of murders. The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different era and a different protagonist, all connected by the Traction Engine and its dark history.
The first part of the book is set in 1937, when Amy, a young woman living on a farm in Derbyshire, England, meets Jack, a charming circus performer who gives her a broach that he claims shows his love and comittement to her. Amy falls in love with Dan, but soon discovers that he is not who he seems, and that he has a dangerous past that involves a notorious serial killer known as the Ringmaster, who was active in London in the late 19th century. Amy finds herself in peril as Dan's enemies catch up with him, and she has to make a choice between loyalty and survival.
The second part of the book is set in 1979, when Tom, Amy's son, buys a farm and finds the traction Engine in the barn. When he decides to investigate its origins, he learns that it belonged to the Ringmaster, who was the Ringmaster of the infamous Franconi Circus who used his manipulation, to govern his victims .
The third part of the book is set in 2020 when Georgia, Tom's daughter, moves to High Oakham cottage with her father, Len, after the death of her mother. They soon realize that the cottage is haunted by the ghosts of the past, and that someone is trying to kill them. Georgia and Len must unravel the mystery of the Traction Engine and its link to the Ringmaster before it's too late.
The Ringmaster is a gripping and suspenseful novel that keeps the reader hooked from the first page to the last. The author skillfully weaves together the stories of the three generations, creating a complex and intriguing plot full of twists and turns. The characters are well-developed and realistic, each with their own flaws and motivations. The book also explores the themes of family, betrayal, revenge, and destiny, showing how one small change can have significant effects elsewhere.
The book is well-written and engaging, with a fast-paced and thrilling style that suits the genre. The author also uses vivid descriptions and details to create a vivid atmosphere and setting for each part of the book, from the rural farm in Derbyshire to the bustling city of London to the eerie cottage in the Hope Valley, Castleton. The book also incorporates elements of historical fiction, fantasy, horror, and romance, making it appealing to a wide range of readers.
I would rate the book The Ringmaster by Karen Restaino 4 out of 5 stars. It is a very well-written and exciting thriller that keeps the reader interested and entertained throughout. The book has a lot of strengths, such as:
The plot is complex and intriguing, with a lot of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing and surprised. The book also has a satisfying and unexpected ending that ties up all the loose ends and reveals the truth about the Traction Engine and the Ringmaster.
The characters are realistic and relatable, each with their own personality, background, and motivation. The author makes the reader care about the characters and their fate, as well as understand their choices and actions. The book also shows how the characters evolve and change over time, as well as how they are affected by the events and secrets that surround them.
The book is well-researched and incorporates elements of historical fiction, fantasy, horror, and romance. The author creates a vivid and authentic atmosphere and setting for each part of the book, using historical facts, details, and references. The book also uses elements of fantasy and horror to create a sense of mystery and suspense, as well as elements of romance to add some emotion and drama to the story.
The book also has some weaknesses, such as:
The book is sometimes too fast-paced and rushed, leaving some parts of the story underdeveloped or unclear. For example, some of the transitions between the past and the present are abrupt and confusing, making it hard to follow the timeline and the connection between the characters. Some of the scenes are also too short or vague, leaving some questions unanswered or some details missing.
The book is sometimes too predictable or clichéd, using some tropes or stereotypes that are common in the genre. For example, some of the characters are too good or too evil, lacking some complexity or nuance. Some of the situations or events are also too convenient or coincidental, lacking some logic or realism.
Overall, I think The Ringmaster is a very enjoyable and thrilling book that will appeal to fans of thrillers and mysteries, as well as anyone who likes a good story with a lot of surprises. It is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
The Ringmaster is a highly recommended book for fans of thrillers and mysteries, as well as for anyone who enjoys a good story with a lot of surprises. It is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. I must also mention that the book is professionally edited with no grammatical errors or typos detected in it.
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The Ringmaster
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