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Trapeze
How do you trust the ground when all you’ve known is flight?
In this breathtaking debut, Leigh Ansell has created a compelling, heartbreaking, and truly engaging story about a young girl used to flying high only to be faced with living life with her two feet firmly on the ground . . .
Seventeen-year-old Corey Ryder can’t remember a time when she wasn’t gliding through the air of Cirque Mystique’s big top. As a trapeze artist in a traveling circus, Corey wakes up every day in a different place, buzzing for the moment she can suspend gravity during the night’s performance.
When the circus pulls into small-town Sherwood, California, everything seems normal—aside from meeting the exceptionally cute Luke Everett at a local diner. But that night, in the midst of the performance, tragedy strikes and flames overtake the tent. While Corey narrowly escapes, in the ashes of the circus pitch lies the only home she’s ever known.
Repeatedly thrown out of her comfort zone, Corey must learn how to push toward her future without forgetting her past, what it means to be a daughter to a mother she’s never known, and how to navigate the confusing magic of first love, even as she performs the high-wire act of being true to who you really are.
In this breathtaking debut, Leigh Ansell has created a compelling, heartbreaking, and truly engaging story about a young girl used to flying high only to be faced with living life with her two feet firmly on the ground . . .
Seventeen-year-old Corey Ryder can’t remember a time when she wasn’t gliding through the air of Cirque Mystique’s big top. As a trapeze artist in a traveling circus, Corey wakes up every day in a different place, buzzing for the moment she can suspend gravity during the night’s performance.
When the circus pulls into small-town Sherwood, California, everything seems normal—aside from meeting the exceptionally cute Luke Everett at a local diner. But that night, in the midst of the performance, tragedy strikes and flames overtake the tent. While Corey narrowly escapes, in the ashes of the circus pitch lies the only home she’s ever known.
Repeatedly thrown out of her comfort zone, Corey must learn how to push toward her future without forgetting her past, what it means to be a daughter to a mother she’s never known, and how to navigate the confusing magic of first love, even as she performs the high-wire act of being true to who you really are.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published September 10, 2019
About the author
Leigh Ansell
7 books38 followersLeigh Ansell is the author of Trapeze, Human Error, and a number of other titles on Wattpad. Since she began posting her works online at the age of fifteen, she has accumulated over 130,000 followers and her stories have been read over thirty million times. Leigh is the winner of two Watty Awards and the Wattpad Prize for Best Love Story. She lives in Berkshire, England, and has a day job in marketing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
May 13, 2022
Good book, but something was missing.
I think the cover is very pretty, but it sort of odd because the Trapeze artists in the story are sort of rivals with the Ariel Silk girls and the cover picture is an Ariel Silk girl, not a girl on a Trapeze. Despite that, I would have to give Trapeze 3.4 stars. It was good enough to be over three because it held my interest till the very end, but not enough to bump it up to 4 stars because something was just missing. I did like the ending, though it was a surprise. I think that part of the problem may have been when the main character, Corey Ryder was going to school for a while there is seemed that for a while there were some boring descriptions of her days and unnecessary scenes.
The book starts out very well, with great characterizations and a wonderful story about Corey’s life as a 17 year old Trapeze artist in training in the circus. They just have pulled into the town of Sherwood, California. Corey has a tradition of going to the first restaurant she sees in every town where the show sets up and if she has a good experience that means they will have a good opening night.
She meets a cute boy at the diner, Luke Everett, who she invites to the show as she leaves. After practice she finds out she will no longer be in training, but will be the main trapeze artist. However, during the show tragedy strikes and she ends up having to leave circus life and move in with her Mother. She hasn’t lived with her Mom since she was two and doesn’t remember her. But it turns out the reason they came to Sherwood was because her Mother wanted to meet her.
Going forward the book has a ton of angst, which is understandable. There is angst about living with a mother she doesn’t know, about going to school for the first time, about her homeschooling in the circus not being good enough, and most of all about kids finding out she was from the circus.
Then she ends up in a class with Luke and when she does poorly on a test, he offers to be her tutor. I think one thing that could be done much better in the book is the relationship between these two. There are only a few times when they are together that are described in the book. But then at one point it is mentioned that they kiss a lot when they are together at his house. But most of those times were not written about. Yet a bunch of her school days and a trip to her guidance counselors office was.
All in all, I did enjoy the book. It had some dark themes that I won’t get into, because I don’t want to give everything away. Some of these are slowly revealed as you read the story, so it was interesting how it all came out. I did like the ending, which was a HEA. I would like to say more on that, but I don’t want to give that away either. The book was definitely worth reading and wasn’t that long and there aren’t many books with the circus and trapeze artists in them so it is original in that way.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I think the cover is very pretty, but it sort of odd because the Trapeze artists in the story are sort of rivals with the Ariel Silk girls and the cover picture is an Ariel Silk girl, not a girl on a Trapeze. Despite that, I would have to give Trapeze 3.4 stars. It was good enough to be over three because it held my interest till the very end, but not enough to bump it up to 4 stars because something was just missing. I did like the ending, though it was a surprise. I think that part of the problem may have been when the main character, Corey Ryder was going to school for a while there is seemed that for a while there were some boring descriptions of her days and unnecessary scenes.
The book starts out very well, with great characterizations and a wonderful story about Corey’s life as a 17 year old Trapeze artist in training in the circus. They just have pulled into the town of Sherwood, California. Corey has a tradition of going to the first restaurant she sees in every town where the show sets up and if she has a good experience that means they will have a good opening night.
She meets a cute boy at the diner, Luke Everett, who she invites to the show as she leaves. After practice she finds out she will no longer be in training, but will be the main trapeze artist. However, during the show tragedy strikes and she ends up having to leave circus life and move in with her Mother. She hasn’t lived with her Mom since she was two and doesn’t remember her. But it turns out the reason they came to Sherwood was because her Mother wanted to meet her.
Going forward the book has a ton of angst, which is understandable. There is angst about living with a mother she doesn’t know, about going to school for the first time, about her homeschooling in the circus not being good enough, and most of all about kids finding out she was from the circus.
Then she ends up in a class with Luke and when she does poorly on a test, he offers to be her tutor. I think one thing that could be done much better in the book is the relationship between these two. There are only a few times when they are together that are described in the book. But then at one point it is mentioned that they kiss a lot when they are together at his house. But most of those times were not written about. Yet a bunch of her school days and a trip to her guidance counselors office was.
All in all, I did enjoy the book. It had some dark themes that I won’t get into, because I don’t want to give everything away. Some of these are slowly revealed as you read the story, so it was interesting how it all came out. I did like the ending, which was a HEA. I would like to say more on that, but I don’t want to give that away either. The book was definitely worth reading and wasn’t that long and there aren’t many books with the circus and trapeze artists in them so it is original in that way.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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September 10, 2019My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a great first novel by Leigh Ansell. She has been publishing her work on Wattpad for the last 8 years and she has accumulated over 130,000 followers. I see great things in this young author's future. There were entire sections of this novel that were first rate - incredibly impressive, in fact. Leigh Ansell will only get better with time.
Corey Ryder met Luke at the start of her brilliant career as a trapeze artist. But that same night, her career came crashing to a complete stop when the circus tent burned to the ground around her. She was lucky to have escaped with her life. Her Aunt Shelby has no choice but to send Corey to live with her mother. Corey struggles to find a place for herself in an alien and unwelcoming world. There are a few sections of this story that fall into the usual patterns: rowdy, drunken high school parties, bullying from the football star of the high school, having the cutest and most popular boy in the school fall for you, but the author's very good writing style went a long way to make up for her reliance on these standard tropes. I am more than willing to cut this talented author some slack here.
The author did an excellent job in creating the character of Corey Ryder. I admired Corey's physical strength and stamina, as well as her refusal to give up and cry over her plight. The dialogue was often realistic. Luke's character needed a bit more rounding out, but he still came across as real to me.
A lot of the other reviewers complain about the fact that the ending is open ended, but I don't understand why these reviewers are bothered by this. The author was obviously trying to create realistic characters, with realistic outcomes. As time has taught all of us, teen love does not always endure the rigors of separation and new interests and friends.
There is still a tiny germ of hope for those die-hard readers who absolutely insist that Corey and Luke will find their way back to each other. But my philosophy has always been: rejoice that you have loved, even if it only lasted a very short time. Sending out love into this world creates much positive energy. Corey and Luke, being such caring and loving people, are bound to find love again - and who knows, down the road, they might find their way back to each other, after all?! Maybe the author has a sequel in the works? I will certainly be on the alert for any future novels from this author. Well done!
What a great first novel by Leigh Ansell. She has been publishing her work on Wattpad for the last 8 years and she has accumulated over 130,000 followers. I see great things in this young author's future. There were entire sections of this novel that were first rate - incredibly impressive, in fact. Leigh Ansell will only get better with time.
Corey Ryder met Luke at the start of her brilliant career as a trapeze artist. But that same night, her career came crashing to a complete stop when the circus tent burned to the ground around her. She was lucky to have escaped with her life. Her Aunt Shelby has no choice but to send Corey to live with her mother. Corey struggles to find a place for herself in an alien and unwelcoming world. There are a few sections of this story that fall into the usual patterns: rowdy, drunken high school parties, bullying from the football star of the high school, having the cutest and most popular boy in the school fall for you, but the author's very good writing style went a long way to make up for her reliance on these standard tropes. I am more than willing to cut this talented author some slack here.
The author did an excellent job in creating the character of Corey Ryder. I admired Corey's physical strength and stamina, as well as her refusal to give up and cry over her plight. The dialogue was often realistic. Luke's character needed a bit more rounding out, but he still came across as real to me.
A lot of the other reviewers complain about the fact that the ending is open ended, but I don't understand why these reviewers are bothered by this. The author was obviously trying to create realistic characters, with realistic outcomes. As time has taught all of us, teen love does not always endure the rigors of separation and new interests and friends.
There is still a tiny germ of hope for those die-hard readers who absolutely insist that Corey and Luke will find their way back to each other. But my philosophy has always been: rejoice that you have loved, even if it only lasted a very short time. Sending out love into this world creates much positive energy. Corey and Luke, being such caring and loving people, are bound to find love again - and who knows, down the road, they might find their way back to each other, after all?! Maybe the author has a sequel in the works? I will certainly be on the alert for any future novels from this author. Well done!
July 15, 2019
Before I get into my review for this book, I do want to mention some triggers that this book includes. Mentioning some of these triggers may partially spoil some components of the story but I do want to include these triggers in this review because I think it's important for readers to have a warning. If you are worried about the triggers spoiling the storyline for you, skip the next paragraph.
Some of the triggers that this novel includes are: abuse (physical, verbal, and emotional), domestic violence, parental violence, addiction (mentioned but not heavily prevalent), and bullying.
Now, onto my review.
I really enjoyed this novel. This seems like an odd comparison but to me, this felt like reading a Sarah Dessen novel and I mean that in the most complimentary way. The writing flowed so easily and it was easy to get caught up in the story in no time. It was an emotional novel (in multiple ways) but I liked getting to know each of the main characters and their individual complexities.
For those that are interested in reading a story involving the circus and a trapeze artist, I don't think you'll be disappointed but know that there is a good combination and mixture of settings. The circus is not the main focus. I thought that this book was solely going to be in the setting of a circus but it was not, it featured life in the circus as well as life in a small town. In fact, the majority of this story is not set in a circus setting.
I think many will be surprised with the ending (and the resolution of more than one issue). I actually really liked the reality of the ending because I think it was more realistic than what the other alternate ending could've been, especially taking into account the character's ages. As well, I liked how the ending was somewhat open ended and I think readers may interpret different endings.
This was definitely a good read and I would highly recommend it for those who like emotional coming of age stories similar to those written by Sarah Dessen and Morgan Matson.
***Thank you to the publisher for supplying me with a copy of this book via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review***
Some of the triggers that this novel includes are: abuse (physical, verbal, and emotional), domestic violence, parental violence, addiction (mentioned but not heavily prevalent), and bullying.
Now, onto my review.
I really enjoyed this novel. This seems like an odd comparison but to me, this felt like reading a Sarah Dessen novel and I mean that in the most complimentary way. The writing flowed so easily and it was easy to get caught up in the story in no time. It was an emotional novel (in multiple ways) but I liked getting to know each of the main characters and their individual complexities.
For those that are interested in reading a story involving the circus and a trapeze artist, I don't think you'll be disappointed but know that there is a good combination and mixture of settings. The circus is not the main focus. I thought that this book was solely going to be in the setting of a circus but it was not, it featured life in the circus as well as life in a small town. In fact, the majority of this story is not set in a circus setting.
I think many will be surprised with the ending (and the resolution of more than one issue). I actually really liked the reality of the ending because I think it was more realistic than what the other alternate ending could've been, especially taking into account the character's ages. As well, I liked how the ending was somewhat open ended and I think readers may interpret different endings.
This was definitely a good read and I would highly recommend it for those who like emotional coming of age stories similar to those written by Sarah Dessen and Morgan Matson.
***Thank you to the publisher for supplying me with a copy of this book via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review***
September 8, 2019
**I received a copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
This book comes out September 10, 2019
3.5 stars
Summary from Goodreads
How do you trust the ground when all you’ve known is flight?
In this breathtaking debut, Leigh Ansell has created a compelling, heartbreaking, and truly engaging story about a young girl used to flying high only to be faced with living life with her two feet firmly on the ground . . .
Seventeen-year-old Corey Ryder can’t remember a time when she wasn’t gliding through the air of Cirque Mystique’s big top. As a trapeze artist in a traveling circus, Corey wakes up every day in a different place, buzzing for the moment she can suspend gravity during the night’s performance.
When the circus pulls into small-town Sherwood, California, everything seems normal—aside from meeting the exceptionally cute Luke Everett at a local diner. But that night, in the midst of the performance, tragedy strikes and flames overtake the tent. While Corey narrowly escapes, in the ashes of the circus pitch lies the only home she’s ever known.
Repeatedly thrown out of her comfort zone, Corey must learn how to push toward her future without forgetting her past, what it means to be a daughter to a mother she’s never known, and how to navigate the confusing magic of first love, even as she performs the high-wire act of being true to who you really are.
My thoughts
This book reminded me of a Kasie West romance, it was a fun, quick read and I quote enjoyed it. The story flowed nicely and I was immediately drawn into the story.
If you are looking for a book with a main focus on the circus and trapeze this isn't the book for you. We don't spend a lot of time at the circus even though our character is a trapeze artist. There are really only two scenes where she is actually at the circus and both of those scenes are pretty short.
I did feel like there was a little bit of insta love in this book. At one point the character is thinking about how she was drawn to him which was a little cliche. Otherwise I quite enjoyed Corey and Luke's relationship.
Overall
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this book but I would have liked this book to have more focus on trapeze and the circus as it was something that particularly drew me to this book.
Get a Copy!
https://www.amazon.com/Trapeze-Leigh-...
this book comes out September, 10
Or find it at your local library :)
My review will be posted on my blog on August 30
This book comes out September 10, 2019
3.5 stars
Summary from Goodreads
How do you trust the ground when all you’ve known is flight?
In this breathtaking debut, Leigh Ansell has created a compelling, heartbreaking, and truly engaging story about a young girl used to flying high only to be faced with living life with her two feet firmly on the ground . . .
Seventeen-year-old Corey Ryder can’t remember a time when she wasn’t gliding through the air of Cirque Mystique’s big top. As a trapeze artist in a traveling circus, Corey wakes up every day in a different place, buzzing for the moment she can suspend gravity during the night’s performance.
When the circus pulls into small-town Sherwood, California, everything seems normal—aside from meeting the exceptionally cute Luke Everett at a local diner. But that night, in the midst of the performance, tragedy strikes and flames overtake the tent. While Corey narrowly escapes, in the ashes of the circus pitch lies the only home she’s ever known.
Repeatedly thrown out of her comfort zone, Corey must learn how to push toward her future without forgetting her past, what it means to be a daughter to a mother she’s never known, and how to navigate the confusing magic of first love, even as she performs the high-wire act of being true to who you really are.
My thoughts
This book reminded me of a Kasie West romance, it was a fun, quick read and I quote enjoyed it. The story flowed nicely and I was immediately drawn into the story.
If you are looking for a book with a main focus on the circus and trapeze this isn't the book for you. We don't spend a lot of time at the circus even though our character is a trapeze artist. There are really only two scenes where she is actually at the circus and both of those scenes are pretty short.
I did feel like there was a little bit of insta love in this book. At one point the character is thinking about how she was drawn to him which was a little cliche. Otherwise I quite enjoyed Corey and Luke's relationship.
Overall
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this book but I would have liked this book to have more focus on trapeze and the circus as it was something that particularly drew me to this book.
Get a Copy!
https://www.amazon.com/Trapeze-Leigh-...
this book comes out September, 10
Or find it at your local library :)
My review will be posted on my blog on August 30
September 3, 2019
I'm trying to look for diverse YA books here, and no matter what, most of them seem to disappoint me some way or other. Trapeze isn't diverse per se, but I'd liked that this book is about a trapeze artist. But surprise, surprise! There is less than 10% of circus in it :)) It seems as though YA books are just determined to turn out the same these days because this book ended up being just another teen flick. I've to admit though, the writing is reaalllyy good (but too polished?) and kept me hooked nonetheless.
The Plot
Corey is 16 year old, and ever since she has been two, she's worked as a Trapeze artist for the Mystique Circus, moving place to place. She loved the circus folks like family. he found her place, and confidence, high up above in the air with a rope in her hand. Once at a diner in Sherwood, Corey meets Luke, a fellow teen, and they instantly hit it off. But she knows they can't have a lasting friendship. But a twisted fate brings her back to the ground, and she is forced to reunite with and stay with her mother whom she didn't even remember seeing. IN SHERWOOD. Guess whom she meets in her new school? Yep, Luke. Needless to say, Luke agrees to tutor her in math and she doesn't mind his interest in her, considering he's the most popular guy at school. He's also the only one in school who knows her true history - because Sherwood people isn't kind to people like her - circus artists. Like always, secrets don't stay buried for long...
🕳 Those curly fries in the book gave me hunger spasms.
🕳 Let's just say, Corey wasn't the most likeable of human beings. She's an introvert and practically speaks to no one, shut out her friends, ignores her mother, and basically thinks her life sucks.
🕳 But the number of times she had things handed on a silver platter? Countless. As I said, she isn't very likeable. But the moment she steps into Franklin High School, she's dating the most popular guy there, is best friends with the student body president, a.k.a the popular girl and is even the should-have-been mean cheerleader is too nice to her even though she acts likes they don't exist.
🕳 I liked the trapeze moments. I liked the way Corey describes her feelings while on the air. But I certainly wasn't a fan of how few of those scenes there were -_-
🕳 Luke was okay. He's a good guy. But I didn't understand why he was so popular either. I didn't ever see him with anyone, talk to anyone, be friendly to anyone other than Corey.
🕳 Also Kim and George. Best Friends. Welcomed Corey without question. They barely ever speak. WHY???? What's so special in her?
🕳 Basically, there's ZERO actual friendship in this book.
🕳 There were some intense moments in this book though.
🕳 And did I mention I need Joe's curly fries RIGHT NOW??
TW: Physical abuse
Either way, the ending was unexpected but I'm really satisfied with how things turned out eventually. I didn't ship Luke and Corey, they didn't even have a spark of romantic emotion between them, but I liked their interactions. And the circus came back in the end, so there's that 🙂
>> FINAL VERDICT << Nothing memorable.
The Plot
Corey is 16 year old, and ever since she has been two, she's worked as a Trapeze artist for the Mystique Circus, moving place to place. She loved the circus folks like family. he found her place, and confidence, high up above in the air with a rope in her hand. Once at a diner in Sherwood, Corey meets Luke, a fellow teen, and they instantly hit it off. But she knows they can't have a lasting friendship. But a twisted fate brings her back to the ground, and she is forced to reunite with and stay with her mother whom she didn't even remember seeing. IN SHERWOOD. Guess whom she meets in her new school? Yep, Luke. Needless to say, Luke agrees to tutor her in math and she doesn't mind his interest in her, considering he's the most popular guy at school. He's also the only one in school who knows her true history - because Sherwood people isn't kind to people like her - circus artists. Like always, secrets don't stay buried for long...
🕳 Those curly fries in the book gave me hunger spasms.
🕳 Let's just say, Corey wasn't the most likeable of human beings. She's an introvert and practically speaks to no one, shut out her friends, ignores her mother, and basically thinks her life sucks.
🕳 But the number of times she had things handed on a silver platter? Countless. As I said, she isn't very likeable. But the moment she steps into Franklin High School, she's dating the most popular guy there, is best friends with the student body president, a.k.a the popular girl and is even the should-have-been mean cheerleader is too nice to her even though she acts likes they don't exist.
🕳 I liked the trapeze moments. I liked the way Corey describes her feelings while on the air. But I certainly wasn't a fan of how few of those scenes there were -_-
🕳 Luke was okay. He's a good guy. But I didn't understand why he was so popular either. I didn't ever see him with anyone, talk to anyone, be friendly to anyone other than Corey.
🕳 Also Kim and George. Best Friends. Welcomed Corey without question. They barely ever speak. WHY???? What's so special in her?
🕳 Basically, there's ZERO actual friendship in this book.
🕳 There were some intense moments in this book though.
🕳 And did I mention I need Joe's curly fries RIGHT NOW??
TW: Physical abuse
Either way, the ending was unexpected but I'm really satisfied with how things turned out eventually. I didn't ship Luke and Corey, they didn't even have a spark of romantic emotion between them, but I liked their interactions. And the circus came back in the end, so there's that 🙂
>> FINAL VERDICT << Nothing memorable.
July 27, 2019
This review is based on an ARC of Trapeze which I received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher (Wattpad Books).
Maybe some Wattpad novels should stay on Wattpad…
This isn’t the worst book I’ve ever read. I’ve read books not published via Wattpad, books from notable publishers, that are way worse. I did make it through the entirety of this one (barely), so that speaks for its being at least somewhat bearable. However the story comes across extremely amateurish. (Of course, it’s easy for me to talk such big talk when I’m just a nobody critiquing somebody’s creative work. I get that. And I apologize if I sound harsh.) My problem(s) wasn’t even with the prose, voice, characters, or simplicity of the story. My problem with Trapeze is that so much of it just didn’t make sense. Below I have provided a compiled list of queries, concerns, and general annoyances of this fiction. (Note: List is not exhaustive.)
—The girl on the cover is doing silks, not trapeze. Big oof.
—“dull brown hair” (emphasis on the “dull”), because what other hair colors could a Wattpad heroine have?
—“not a normal girl”, because what Wattpad heroine with “dull brown hair” is normal?
—For some reason, there’s inexplicable drama between the different aerialists at the circus??? Even though you've worked together for goodness knows how long and should at least have a professional tolerance towards each other??
—I really really really don’t get why she was even put in high school, honestly. If there was a system at the circus (sort of) figured out for minors to learn to drive and get their licenses, and a version of homeschooling going on, why didn’t Corey just take her GED? Why hadn’t she tried already? You can’t just… not go to school in America. There are laws against that.
—And also why, when she was put in public high school, was she put in Precalculus? I had fairly decent math grades and I never even had to do any Precalc, so what gives?
—The tutoring? Yeah, called that.
—Also, the teacher wrote “See me” on her paper and she never did that. Oopsie?
—She claims to be “best friends” with Kim and George even though they never go out, or text, or call, or really do anything besides have lunch together, which is mostly on Kim, which I also can’t trust as genuine friendship after all Kim said about being Student Body President and what that requires of her in terms of socializing with the Student Body.
—Corey never seemed genuinely upset about her passion and livelihood being ripped out from under her without warning. Even though she said how upset she was, she never showed it in any way.
—
—What’s wrong with being a “circus freak”? I would be living for that title.
—
—I don’t think that the author knows the difference between foreshadowing and bashing the reader over the head repeatedly with glaring neon signs. For future reference, this makes readers feel like they’re being called dumb and it’s not a nice feeling or one you really should aim to evoke.
So, in the end, I didn't give up entirely on this story, which keeps it at two stars. A generous two stars, mind you. Don't get me wrong, tons of people will enjoy this and love it and revel in the cutesy contemporary love story meeting the underappreciated topic of the circus. I am not one of these people.
Maybe some Wattpad novels should stay on Wattpad…
This isn’t the worst book I’ve ever read. I’ve read books not published via Wattpad, books from notable publishers, that are way worse. I did make it through the entirety of this one (barely), so that speaks for its being at least somewhat bearable. However the story comes across extremely amateurish. (Of course, it’s easy for me to talk such big talk when I’m just a nobody critiquing somebody’s creative work. I get that. And I apologize if I sound harsh.) My problem(s) wasn’t even with the prose, voice, characters, or simplicity of the story. My problem with Trapeze is that so much of it just didn’t make sense. Below I have provided a compiled list of queries, concerns, and general annoyances of this fiction. (Note: List is not exhaustive.)
—The girl on the cover is doing silks, not trapeze. Big oof.
—“dull brown hair” (emphasis on the “dull”), because what other hair colors could a Wattpad heroine have?
—“not a normal girl”, because what Wattpad heroine with “dull brown hair” is normal?
—For some reason, there’s inexplicable drama between the different aerialists at the circus??? Even though you've worked together for goodness knows how long and should at least have a professional tolerance towards each other??
—I really really really don’t get why she was even put in high school, honestly. If there was a system at the circus (sort of) figured out for minors to learn to drive and get their licenses, and a version of homeschooling going on, why didn’t Corey just take her GED? Why hadn’t she tried already? You can’t just… not go to school in America. There are laws against that.
—And also why, when she was put in public high school, was she put in Precalculus? I had fairly decent math grades and I never even had to do any Precalc, so what gives?
—The tutoring? Yeah, called that.
—Also, the teacher wrote “See me” on her paper and she never did that. Oopsie?
—She claims to be “best friends” with Kim and George even though they never go out, or text, or call, or really do anything besides have lunch together, which is mostly on Kim, which I also can’t trust as genuine friendship after all Kim said about being Student Body President and what that requires of her in terms of socializing with the Student Body.
—Corey never seemed genuinely upset about her passion and livelihood being ripped out from under her without warning. Even though she said how upset she was, she never showed it in any way.
—
—What’s wrong with being a “circus freak”? I would be living for that title.
—
—I don’t think that the author knows the difference between foreshadowing and bashing the reader over the head repeatedly with glaring neon signs. For future reference, this makes readers feel like they’re being called dumb and it’s not a nice feeling or one you really should aim to evoke.
So, in the end, I didn't give up entirely on this story, which keeps it at two stars. A generous two stars, mind you. Don't get me wrong, tons of people will enjoy this and love it and revel in the cutesy contemporary love story meeting the underappreciated topic of the circus. I am not one of these people.
August 29, 2019
*3.5 stars*
Corey is 17 and has been living in the circus life since she was 2. She is a breakout trapeze artist, and on her debut as lead in a very small town in California, a fire breaks out in the circus tent and she barely makes it out alive. When the only life she’s ever known is in ashes around her, she moves back in with her mother, and begins a real school for the first time in her life. With this life change is a girl trying to find her place in this new world, gaining confidence, finding a new love and dealing with some very tough circumstances.
I have to say this is definitely one of the best Wattpad novels I’ve read. With that being said, there’s quite a bit to unpack here. Let’s start with some trigger warnings. There is physical, emotional and verbal abuse; and bullying. Other things alluded to but not really seen were addiction and domestic violence. I was not prepared for how tough some of these scenes would be to read, but they were written and done incredibly well.
I thought the circus part of the story was creative and different. The details here were quite impressive. You could almost see the circus routines. I do wish that there was more circus in the story because that was my favorite part. There was quite a bit thrown into the middle of the book; a little too much in my opinion. While it was certainly a page turner, it was overwhelming with how many important things were going on, and I really did not like how they were so neatly resolved. The ending was realistic for the heroine’s age and for the storyline, but I still wanted just a little bit more. Overall, this was a solid debut from a young author. I look forward to her future novels.
* ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Corey is 17 and has been living in the circus life since she was 2. She is a breakout trapeze artist, and on her debut as lead in a very small town in California, a fire breaks out in the circus tent and she barely makes it out alive. When the only life she’s ever known is in ashes around her, she moves back in with her mother, and begins a real school for the first time in her life. With this life change is a girl trying to find her place in this new world, gaining confidence, finding a new love and dealing with some very tough circumstances.
I have to say this is definitely one of the best Wattpad novels I’ve read. With that being said, there’s quite a bit to unpack here. Let’s start with some trigger warnings. There is physical, emotional and verbal abuse; and bullying. Other things alluded to but not really seen were addiction and domestic violence. I was not prepared for how tough some of these scenes would be to read, but they were written and done incredibly well.
I thought the circus part of the story was creative and different. The details here were quite impressive. You could almost see the circus routines. I do wish that there was more circus in the story because that was my favorite part. There was quite a bit thrown into the middle of the book; a little too much in my opinion. While it was certainly a page turner, it was overwhelming with how many important things were going on, and I really did not like how they were so neatly resolved. The ending was realistic for the heroine’s age and for the storyline, but I still wanted just a little bit more. Overall, this was a solid debut from a young author. I look forward to her future novels.
* ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
June 23, 2019
I was given a netgalley copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a super quick but super enjoyable read. I really enjoyed the characters and how they progressed throughout the story.
My main issue was that, for a book called Trapeze, there wasn’t very much trapeze in it. I wished there was more about Corey missing it when she wasn’t doing it or even trying to find ways to practice. For something that was her whole world for 15 years, to have her not even think about it after a month seemed a little out of character.
I thought the Luke storyline was also well done and his character seemed morphed by his experiences. (I don’t want to spoil anything so I won’t say what) I think it was true to life the way he dealt with things and I liked that.
Overall it was a really good read that I would recommend to those wanting something soft and easy.
This book was a super quick but super enjoyable read. I really enjoyed the characters and how they progressed throughout the story.
My main issue was that, for a book called Trapeze, there wasn’t very much trapeze in it. I wished there was more about Corey missing it when she wasn’t doing it or even trying to find ways to practice. For something that was her whole world for 15 years, to have her not even think about it after a month seemed a little out of character.
I thought the Luke storyline was also well done and his character seemed morphed by his experiences. (I don’t want to spoil anything so I won’t say what) I think it was true to life the way he dealt with things and I liked that.
Overall it was a really good read that I would recommend to those wanting something soft and easy.
June 16, 2019
I want to thank Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.
Honestly this book was hands down one of my favourite reads so far this year.
I was drawn in by the gorgeous cover and amazing description.
I quite literally could not put this book down it was so good!
I loved the characters and the whole circus element made it even more interesting and magical.
Both main characters come from broken family backgrounds and honestly lukes story broke my heart!
A thrilling read that kept me engaged the whole way through.
It was such a cute romance I can’t say enough how much I loved these characters.
Well deserved 5 stars.
4 stars
Honestly this book was hands down one of my favourite reads so far this year.
I was drawn in by the gorgeous cover and amazing description.
I quite literally could not put this book down it was so good!
I loved the characters and the whole circus element made it even more interesting and magical.
Both main characters come from broken family backgrounds and honestly lukes story broke my heart!
A thrilling read that kept me engaged the whole way through.
It was such a cute romance I can’t say enough how much I loved these characters.
Well deserved 5 stars.
4 stars
March 28, 2015
Oh my goodness I loved this book. One of my favourites by Leigh. It was original, had a great character and plenty of underlying storylines to keep you guessing, and she has a fantastic prose that is unique and only hers. She is intelligent, capable and creative, and this positively shines through in her writing.
Keep up the fantastic work!
Adios, bookworms. x
Keep up the fantastic work!
Adios, bookworms. x
Read
August 8, 2020This was a quick read but an emotionally impactful one. I'm writing this review a few months late, not realizing I never added it to my read shelf and I can still remember the plot and characters and the feeling I got from reading. Can't wait to see what else Leigh publishes!
January 25, 2023
It was a bit hard to get into. It felt a bit sudden and all over the place in the start. But it was enjoyable.
Sometiems it felt like nothing went on and then BAM two - three things at the time, wich was a bit annoying.
I got this eARC from Netgalley
Sometiems it felt like nothing went on and then BAM two - three things at the time, wich was a bit annoying.
I got this eARC from Netgalley
August 4, 2019
“If this is you falling to pieces,” he stated, his voice perfectly level, “then you’ve got to be the most together person I’ve ever met.”
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
Trapeze tells the story of Corey Ryder a seventeen-year old Trapeze artist, who after a tragic accident must ditch her leotard in exchange for a normal high school experience.
From just the synopsis alone, I was intrigued, and I was getting some serious The Greatest Showman vibes. The story begins on opening night at the circus, and we get to delve into Corey’s life as a trapeze artist. I found that this was a refreshing change to a lot of YA contemporaries, and despite the circus not being the main setting. It is clear that her heart belongs to the circus.
I enjoyed reading about all the main characters. And, can I just go to Sherwood High to meet these characters?
- Corey. Corey is our protagonist, throughout the novel she is adjusting to life outside the circus tent. I found that she was a very real and grounded protagonist, and some of her struggles throughout the book were very relatable.
- Luke. Luke is the first person Corey meets at Sherwood. Out of all the characters he's probably the most cliché. He’s popular, good looking and is a straight-A student. However, he’s mysterious and has a secret, which unravels throughout the book.
- Kim and George. These two are probably some of my all-time favourite best friends in YA contemporary novels. While the focus of the novel isn’t on them, I found their friendship incredibly sweet and relatable. Could we please get a prequel or sequel just focusing on them? - Claire. Claire was the character I most expected to fall into the cliché popular girl stereotype. So, it was a breath of fresh air when we find out that she’s genuinely nice. I loved reading about her, I only wish that there was more time dedicated to her ‘reveal’ towards the end of the book.
I really enjoyed the story, and I felt that some subplots were done very well, some of the more sensitive topics mentioned were handled with great care. However, I would’ve liked there to have been more of a focus on the relationship between Corey and her mum. Additionally, I think due to the prominence of some subplots, quite a few things were mentioned in passing, without any real repercussions.
Overall, I’d give this book 4/5 stars. I really enjoyed thepremise and the story. I found the characters really enjoyable, and I’d love to meet them all in real life! I’ll definitely be keeping out for more books by Leigh Ansell in the future!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
Trapeze tells the story of Corey Ryder a seventeen-year old Trapeze artist, who after a tragic accident must ditch her leotard in exchange for a normal high school experience.
From just the synopsis alone, I was intrigued, and I was getting some serious The Greatest Showman vibes. The story begins on opening night at the circus, and we get to delve into Corey’s life as a trapeze artist. I found that this was a refreshing change to a lot of YA contemporaries, and despite the circus not being the main setting. It is clear that her heart belongs to the circus.
I enjoyed reading about all the main characters. And, can I just go to Sherwood High to meet these characters?
- Corey. Corey is our protagonist, throughout the novel she is adjusting to life outside the circus tent. I found that she was a very real and grounded protagonist, and some of her struggles throughout the book were very relatable.
- Luke. Luke is the first person Corey meets at Sherwood. Out of all the characters he's probably the most cliché. He’s popular, good looking and is a straight-A student. However, he’s mysterious and has a secret, which unravels throughout the book.
- Kim and George. These two are probably some of my all-time favourite best friends in YA contemporary novels. While the focus of the novel isn’t on them, I found their friendship incredibly sweet and relatable. Could we please get a prequel or sequel just focusing on them? - Claire. Claire was the character I most expected to fall into the cliché popular girl stereotype. So, it was a breath of fresh air when we find out that she’s genuinely nice. I loved reading about her, I only wish that there was more time dedicated to her ‘reveal’ towards the end of the book.
I really enjoyed the story, and I felt that some subplots were done very well, some of the more sensitive topics mentioned were handled with great care. However, I would’ve liked there to have been more of a focus on the relationship between Corey and her mum. Additionally, I think due to the prominence of some subplots, quite a few things were mentioned in passing, without any real repercussions.
Overall, I’d give this book 4/5 stars. I really enjoyed thepremise and the story. I found the characters really enjoyable, and I’d love to meet them all in real life! I’ll definitely be keeping out for more books by Leigh Ansell in the future!
June 24, 2019
I received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Mystique circus in in town. And Corey is part of it. She is a trapeze acrobat. But due to a tragedy, she has to stay in California with her mom. And she has never seen her! She must attend high school and there she meets another teenagers.
And I can't say anything else. Because I couldn't finish the book. I tried. And I tried. And then I tried some more. For six day. But it was impossible. In my opinion, it was boring and it was dragging on. After 200 pages nothing had happened!
Mystique circus in in town. And Corey is part of it. She is a trapeze acrobat. But due to a tragedy, she has to stay in California with her mom. And she has never seen her! She must attend high school and there she meets another teenagers.
And I can't say anything else. Because I couldn't finish the book. I tried. And I tried. And then I tried some more. For six day. But it was impossible. In my opinion, it was boring and it was dragging on. After 200 pages nothing had happened!
June 14, 2019
Summer is coming, and so are summer reads ! Contemporaries are my to-go genre for the summer, and when I saw Trapeze on Netgalley, I thought it would be a great read for the beginning of June.
First of all, this is a Wattpad book. I used to love Wattpad before so many kids used it ! There were a lot of amazing stories, especially romances, and they were pretty cool to read. I'm sure there are still some around, but they're drowning in horribly written fanfictions now... Anyway, I'm super happy Wattpad one day got the idea of creating a publishing house for the gems on its website.
Some books there really deserved the love, and it's great the group is helping those stories get into the world in a more professional way.
As all teenage romances, Trapeze has a few clichés in it : Corey is the outsider, the "weirdo" and Luke, main love interest is the popular guy with a secret. Family relationships aren't great and drama is never too far, and the "villain" of the story was pretty easy to figure out.
That being said, I must admit a few things surprised me, especially towards the end, and this is why I liked the story. There are some clichés, but everything is not one, and the author still tried to make a few things realistic regarding Corey and Luke.
Moreover, the characters are really likeable, and I found myself rooting for both MCs, but also some background characters, such as Kim and George, two of Corey's friends (that could definitely be more present by the way, they're nice !)
I wouldn't say this is a spectacular book, but it's a nice cute beach read that I thoroughly enjoyed !
First of all, this is a Wattpad book. I used to love Wattpad before so many kids used it ! There were a lot of amazing stories, especially romances, and they were pretty cool to read. I'm sure there are still some around, but they're drowning in horribly written fanfictions now... Anyway, I'm super happy Wattpad one day got the idea of creating a publishing house for the gems on its website.
Some books there really deserved the love, and it's great the group is helping those stories get into the world in a more professional way.
As all teenage romances, Trapeze has a few clichés in it : Corey is the outsider, the "weirdo" and Luke, main love interest is the popular guy with a secret. Family relationships aren't great and drama is never too far, and the "villain" of the story was pretty easy to figure out.
That being said, I must admit a few things surprised me, especially towards the end, and this is why I liked the story. There are some clichés, but everything is not one, and the author still tried to make a few things realistic regarding Corey and Luke.
Moreover, the characters are really likeable, and I found myself rooting for both MCs, but also some background characters, such as Kim and George, two of Corey's friends (that could definitely be more present by the way, they're nice !)
I wouldn't say this is a spectacular book, but it's a nice cute beach read that I thoroughly enjoyed !
June 30, 2019
Do you know how it feels when you find a book that you just connect with from the first page? That is the feeling that I had while reading this book. I grew up from age 6-24 learning the aerial arts so I immediately knew the passion and dedication that goes into the circus. The way this author was able to really mold Corey into a graceful,driven, and independent teenager was amazing.
After tragedy strikes the circus that she calls home, Corey is sent to live with a women who she hasn’t seen or heard from since she was two...her mother. I loved seeing the dynamic between her mother and build into something that resembled a family as the book went on. I also loved that the author didn’t shy away from the awkwardness, but embraced it.
Almost all of the characters were very well rounded and possessed kindness and sometimes cruelty which made this a very interesting read! I loved that I was always expecting the book to go one way but was thrown for a loop when something else happened. In the end, I might not have gotten the ending I wanted, but I think it’s one that needed to be written.
This book was such a quick read that I felt like I was devouring each page! If you want something that will keep you guessing what will happen next and what outcome will this decision have; then please read this book! This is a book that I will definitely be purchasing when it is released to add to my school’s library!
***I received a free copy of this ebook from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ***
After tragedy strikes the circus that she calls home, Corey is sent to live with a women who she hasn’t seen or heard from since she was two...her mother. I loved seeing the dynamic between her mother and build into something that resembled a family as the book went on. I also loved that the author didn’t shy away from the awkwardness, but embraced it.
Almost all of the characters were very well rounded and possessed kindness and sometimes cruelty which made this a very interesting read! I loved that I was always expecting the book to go one way but was thrown for a loop when something else happened. In the end, I might not have gotten the ending I wanted, but I think it’s one that needed to be written.
This book was such a quick read that I felt like I was devouring each page! If you want something that will keep you guessing what will happen next and what outcome will this decision have; then please read this book! This is a book that I will definitely be purchasing when it is released to add to my school’s library!
***I received a free copy of this ebook from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ***
December 21, 2014
"They say time is a circus, always packing up and moving away."
The author of this story has writing skills so incredible, they could put a lot of professional novelists to shame. It's not everyday that you get to come across a tale that catches your attention with the very first sentence (quoted above.) The beginning was beautiful, the ending was beautiful. Most of the stuff in between was a little too dull for my liking. Oh well, I guess I should just stick to full-time circus books. Almost the entirety of Trapeze was set in High School like most contemporary YA romances do. Putting this into consideration, I'd have to say that though the main concept of this story was actually original, most of the events that built up the plot weren't.
September 7, 2019
3.5 stars
This started off so promising! I loved the first 70 or so pages - they were beautifully written and so engaging. Corey was such an easy character to get to know and I loved her meet cute with Luke. But it quickly went downhill after Corey started living with her mum and going to school in Sherwood. It became repetitive and all that happened was calculus and counselling. Again and again and again. I wanted to be invested with Luke and Corey's blossoming friendship and their eventual relationship but it took like 60% to get to their first kiss (IIRC) and before that, they barely spoke to each other. I did really love Luke and Corey though, I just felt like they were the only two well-developed characters in the book. I would still recommend this as it's quick and cute and Corey is a refreshing narrator.
I received a free e-arc of this book from Netgalley
This started off so promising! I loved the first 70 or so pages - they were beautifully written and so engaging. Corey was such an easy character to get to know and I loved her meet cute with Luke. But it quickly went downhill after Corey started living with her mum and going to school in Sherwood. It became repetitive and all that happened was calculus and counselling. Again and again and again. I wanted to be invested with Luke and Corey's blossoming friendship and their eventual relationship but it took like 60% to get to their first kiss (IIRC) and before that, they barely spoke to each other. I did really love Luke and Corey though, I just felt like they were the only two well-developed characters in the book. I would still recommend this as it's quick and cute and Corey is a refreshing narrator.
I received a free e-arc of this book from Netgalley
October 16, 2019
Actual rating 3.5 stars. For this review and many others, please visit - https://bionicbookwormblog.wordpress.com
I really struggled with the rating of this book. I went into it expecting something – a book about the circus, and the inner workings of a trapeze artist. I was desperate for the setting, the atmosphere, and the details of circus life. Yes, we get that in this book, but not nearly enough!!! This ended up being more of a teenage drama story – not that that’s a bad thing! But my expectations got in the way of my enjoyment of this book. In hindsight, by looking at the synopsis again, I shouldn’t have been surprised about that! Even still, I expected a circus story, and I was a little disappointed when the book took on a different direction. I still really liked this book – now let me explain why.
First of all, let me talk about the circus setting. The beginning of this book was flawless! We meet the main character Corey as she’s preparing to take the lead role in the trapeze act. I felt like I could feel her passion and desire for everything trapeze represented in her life. She was a glowing character. The setting though – perfection! The tents, the acts, the smells, the people – I wanted to be there! We had the drama that comes along with a group of people that are stuck in close quarters and working together in stressful and tiring situations. We got the inner workings of the family dynamic that happens with this travelling group of people. There was politics, and a seriously intriguing group of characters. There was just so much excitement!! Then tragedy struck, forcing Corey to go live with her mother that she doesn’t remember due to the fact that she had substance abuse issues. Here’s where I struggled a bit.
Like I said, I went into this expecting a story of a circus and then all of a sudden Corey is sent to live with her mother, go to school, and carry on life as a normal teenager. It’s not that this direction was a bad thing – I quite enjoyed the story. It just took me quite a while to stop comparing the book to what I thought it would be. Once I separated my expectations from reality, stepped back and started taking in the book for what it was, I was able to enjoy myself more. I did still wonder at the end of every chapter if THIS was the chapter that would bring us back to the circus….. spoiler – it doesn’t until the very end.
After tragedy strikes, Corey is sent to live with her mother that she doesn’t remember. She had been raised by her Aunt who worked for Mystique (the circus) and travelled with them ever since. Now that her mother has cleaned up, she is forced to rekindle their relationship. I was NOT invested in this relationship at all. I knew that the mother would be distant. She’s living with a lot of guilt knowing that she chose drugs over her child. Even though she’s clean now it would be impossible not to feel guilt and pain knowing that you didn’t raise your own daughter. The strained relationship was almost non existent. The mother was this clean and organized woman who didn’t know what to say or do with her daughter. And Corey wasn’t sure how to act either. Their relationship wasn’t really all that necessary to the plot of the story either. It would have ended up the same way had the relationship not been in there. I just felt like their relationship was a missed opportunity for further emotional connection.
I’m mentioning this later on in the review for a reason – trigger warnings in regards to parental abuse, both physical and mental. This was handled with care and was very well written actually. The parent is super controlling, lashes out, and causes physical injury as well as mental anguish. The author was able to portray the fear associated with the impending abuse. She also portrayed that the victim is often so used to the act of abuse that they will cover up for the abuser and take the blame. The victim will often get angry that their abuser is getting punishment and try to stick up for and make excuses. It was sad and heartbreaking all at once.
Corey as a main character was a little MEH for me. She was so strong and confident when she was in the circus then, all of a sudden, she’s this quiet and weak girl. I understand why the author did it though. Corey was intimidated with real teenage life. She grew up sort of sheltered as she lived and travelled with the same people in the circus. Then, all of a sudden, her life was flipped upside down and now she’s trying to navigate reality. On top of that change, she kept her identity of a trapeze artist a secret due to the fact that the entire town had low opinions. They thought circus performers were dirty, stupid thieves who were people you stayed away from. The last time the circus was in town, a distant development was vandalized and they blamed it on Mystique.
In the end, this really was an enjoyable read once I set aside my expectations. I was a little disappointed at first because it wasn’t what I hoped it would be BUT, once I finished reading it and reflected on the book for what it was, it was an enjoyable and well written story!
Thank you so much to Raincoast Books Canada and Wattpad Books for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are uninfluenced.
I really struggled with the rating of this book. I went into it expecting something – a book about the circus, and the inner workings of a trapeze artist. I was desperate for the setting, the atmosphere, and the details of circus life. Yes, we get that in this book, but not nearly enough!!! This ended up being more of a teenage drama story – not that that’s a bad thing! But my expectations got in the way of my enjoyment of this book. In hindsight, by looking at the synopsis again, I shouldn’t have been surprised about that! Even still, I expected a circus story, and I was a little disappointed when the book took on a different direction. I still really liked this book – now let me explain why.
First of all, let me talk about the circus setting. The beginning of this book was flawless! We meet the main character Corey as she’s preparing to take the lead role in the trapeze act. I felt like I could feel her passion and desire for everything trapeze represented in her life. She was a glowing character. The setting though – perfection! The tents, the acts, the smells, the people – I wanted to be there! We had the drama that comes along with a group of people that are stuck in close quarters and working together in stressful and tiring situations. We got the inner workings of the family dynamic that happens with this travelling group of people. There was politics, and a seriously intriguing group of characters. There was just so much excitement!! Then tragedy struck, forcing Corey to go live with her mother that she doesn’t remember due to the fact that she had substance abuse issues. Here’s where I struggled a bit.
Like I said, I went into this expecting a story of a circus and then all of a sudden Corey is sent to live with her mother, go to school, and carry on life as a normal teenager. It’s not that this direction was a bad thing – I quite enjoyed the story. It just took me quite a while to stop comparing the book to what I thought it would be. Once I separated my expectations from reality, stepped back and started taking in the book for what it was, I was able to enjoy myself more. I did still wonder at the end of every chapter if THIS was the chapter that would bring us back to the circus….. spoiler – it doesn’t until the very end.
After tragedy strikes, Corey is sent to live with her mother that she doesn’t remember. She had been raised by her Aunt who worked for Mystique (the circus) and travelled with them ever since. Now that her mother has cleaned up, she is forced to rekindle their relationship. I was NOT invested in this relationship at all. I knew that the mother would be distant. She’s living with a lot of guilt knowing that she chose drugs over her child. Even though she’s clean now it would be impossible not to feel guilt and pain knowing that you didn’t raise your own daughter. The strained relationship was almost non existent. The mother was this clean and organized woman who didn’t know what to say or do with her daughter. And Corey wasn’t sure how to act either. Their relationship wasn’t really all that necessary to the plot of the story either. It would have ended up the same way had the relationship not been in there. I just felt like their relationship was a missed opportunity for further emotional connection.
I’m mentioning this later on in the review for a reason – trigger warnings in regards to parental abuse, both physical and mental. This was handled with care and was very well written actually. The parent is super controlling, lashes out, and causes physical injury as well as mental anguish. The author was able to portray the fear associated with the impending abuse. She also portrayed that the victim is often so used to the act of abuse that they will cover up for the abuser and take the blame. The victim will often get angry that their abuser is getting punishment and try to stick up for and make excuses. It was sad and heartbreaking all at once.
Corey as a main character was a little MEH for me. She was so strong and confident when she was in the circus then, all of a sudden, she’s this quiet and weak girl. I understand why the author did it though. Corey was intimidated with real teenage life. She grew up sort of sheltered as she lived and travelled with the same people in the circus. Then, all of a sudden, her life was flipped upside down and now she’s trying to navigate reality. On top of that change, she kept her identity of a trapeze artist a secret due to the fact that the entire town had low opinions. They thought circus performers were dirty, stupid thieves who were people you stayed away from. The last time the circus was in town, a distant development was vandalized and they blamed it on Mystique.
In the end, this really was an enjoyable read once I set aside my expectations. I was a little disappointed at first because it wasn’t what I hoped it would be BUT, once I finished reading it and reflected on the book for what it was, it was an enjoyable and well written story!
Thank you so much to Raincoast Books Canada and Wattpad Books for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are uninfluenced.
July 9, 2021
Book - 3.75🌟
Ending - 4🌟
Skip to the end for an edit!!
This book was enjoyable, not the best I agree but it was still pretty good. It was kind of like the story that you enjoy but it does not stick with you because you did not really bored with it.
One thing I loved about this book was how the main character had such a unique talent and passion. Seeing a trapeze artist in the book is very very rare and it was so refreshing to sit here. I got to learn a lot of new things about trapeze artists and how does circus life works and how it clashes with a teenager’s daily life. That was something very interesting and I feel like it gave the book a new charm.
I like how the main character found solace in such a unique hobby.
In my review I am not saying this book is bad or boring, I’m just saying that I did not connect with it much but I still did like it.
I love any book that has a cosy diner.
I did like how all the characters had contrasting personalities and I light how it made the dynamics between them more interesting.
It was like the first three fourth of this book dragged out a lot I didn’t really feel like anything major was happening or the plot made a lot of sense.
And then a lot of events just quickly took place at the end which is not a pleasant combination.
I also didn’t connect with the setting or the characters much and it felt like only Corey was living in the world and Luke wasn’t explored pretty well despite him being the main character. Luke seemed like an interesting person and had a great story arc potential but I said like the author couldn’t reach it.
I didn’t know his aspirations his dreams his problems and I really wanted to know more of him and more about how the other characters blended into the story.
Still Luke was a cutie.
But I just felt like it was so slow paced and dragged but I don’t know I still enjoyed it but I felt like it could have been better, much better.
Also I hate the friends to lovers trope and so I knew I wouldn’t like their love story much. Which I did not.
I did not feel the chemistry and I was not rooting for these two as much as I would’ve.
None of the characters seemed particularly appealing to me except for Dave and I felt like I wanted to know him more.
I know I have only focused on the negative part but I will say that I did enjoy the book. I agree it could have been a lot more interesting and enjoyable but I did not connect with the author’s writing style and the characters as much as I wanted to.
However overall if you want a book that focuses on teenagers and circus life and high school and friends to lovers then I feel like you would love this book.
Okay shut up
I finished the book
And omg
The ending!!
Fabulous
Good job
Loved it
Luke and Corey and probably old and married sitting at Joe’s Diner - the real regulars
Yay though! I was pretty satisfied with the end ngl
Loved it!
I would, in fact, recommend this book.
Ending - 4🌟
Skip to the end for an edit!!
This book was enjoyable, not the best I agree but it was still pretty good. It was kind of like the story that you enjoy but it does not stick with you because you did not really bored with it.
One thing I loved about this book was how the main character had such a unique talent and passion. Seeing a trapeze artist in the book is very very rare and it was so refreshing to sit here. I got to learn a lot of new things about trapeze artists and how does circus life works and how it clashes with a teenager’s daily life. That was something very interesting and I feel like it gave the book a new charm.
I like how the main character found solace in such a unique hobby.
In my review I am not saying this book is bad or boring, I’m just saying that I did not connect with it much but I still did like it.
I love any book that has a cosy diner.
I did like how all the characters had contrasting personalities and I light how it made the dynamics between them more interesting.
It was like the first three fourth of this book dragged out a lot I didn’t really feel like anything major was happening or the plot made a lot of sense.
And then a lot of events just quickly took place at the end which is not a pleasant combination.
I also didn’t connect with the setting or the characters much and it felt like only Corey was living in the world and Luke wasn’t explored pretty well despite him being the main character. Luke seemed like an interesting person and had a great story arc potential but I said like the author couldn’t reach it.
I didn’t know his aspirations his dreams his problems and I really wanted to know more of him and more about how the other characters blended into the story.
Still Luke was a cutie.
But I just felt like it was so slow paced and dragged but I don’t know I still enjoyed it but I felt like it could have been better, much better.
Also I hate the friends to lovers trope and so I knew I wouldn’t like their love story much. Which I did not.
I did not feel the chemistry and I was not rooting for these two as much as I would’ve.
None of the characters seemed particularly appealing to me except for Dave and I felt like I wanted to know him more.
I know I have only focused on the negative part but I will say that I did enjoy the book. I agree it could have been a lot more interesting and enjoyable but I did not connect with the author’s writing style and the characters as much as I wanted to.
However overall if you want a book that focuses on teenagers and circus life and high school and friends to lovers then I feel like you would love this book.
Okay shut up
I finished the book
And omg
The ending!!
Fabulous
Good job
Loved it
Luke and Corey and probably old and married sitting at Joe’s Diner - the real regulars
Yay though! I was pretty satisfied with the end ngl
Loved it!
I would, in fact, recommend this book.
August 29, 2019
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Review can be found here at Booked J.
As always, a copy of this book was provided by the publisher or author in exchange for my honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way.
A stunning debut! Leigh Ansell's writing is smooth, effortlessly honest and full of life. The good, the bad, the in-between. If you're a fan of Morgan Matson, Susane Colasanti and Sarah Dessen, you'll likely want to keep Leigh Ansell on your radar. Trust me on this one: we're going to hear plenty from her in the future.
Compelling and emotionally charged, Trapeze is primarily about moving forward and all of life's changes. Sprinkle in smalltown life and circus elements, it is a different spin on the more common coming of age stories I've read as of late. And as with most coming of age stories, Ansell tackles multiple topics such as grief, violence and abuse, bullying and more. Trapeze takes these topics and explores them with grace, never once sounding like an after-school special.
Our protagonist is the shining star of Trapeze and this fact becomes clear almost instantly. I find that the story speaks for itself however it wouldn't succeed half as much without Corey. Corey is the perfect main character; flawed, heartfelt and captivating. In short? Corey feels real and I'd grown very attached to her in the course of Trapeze--I think many readers, too, will feel the same.
Fortunately, the other characters featured within Trapeze are just as compelling and likable as Corey. Each stand out in their own right and defy the archetypes that we might have set up for them in our minds. Trapeze toes the line between being a plot-driven contemporary and a character driven one, easing us into the thick of things beautifully. I found myself often thinking that these are the types of characters I'd have loved as a teenager--they felt like friends.
In short, I really enjoyed reading this one. While I felt it had its share of flaws (issues re: things not quite being explained and other subplots that just didn't make sense in context or otherwise) that are worth noting, there was something unforgettable about this book. It has a lot of heart, where so many of its contemporaries don't.
Trapeze was a fantastic read and an eye-catching debut--and it should be at the top of your autumn TBR! If you're looking to ease yourself into the cooler weather this fall, this will likely hit the spot and give you all the warm and fuzzies you need. After all, what's better than a cup of your favourite hot beverage and a sweetened contemporary romance?
As always, a copy of this book was provided by the publisher or author in exchange for my honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way.
A stunning debut! Leigh Ansell's writing is smooth, effortlessly honest and full of life. The good, the bad, the in-between. If you're a fan of Morgan Matson, Susane Colasanti and Sarah Dessen, you'll likely want to keep Leigh Ansell on your radar. Trust me on this one: we're going to hear plenty from her in the future.
Compelling and emotionally charged, Trapeze is primarily about moving forward and all of life's changes. Sprinkle in smalltown life and circus elements, it is a different spin on the more common coming of age stories I've read as of late. And as with most coming of age stories, Ansell tackles multiple topics such as grief, violence and abuse, bullying and more. Trapeze takes these topics and explores them with grace, never once sounding like an after-school special.
Our protagonist is the shining star of Trapeze and this fact becomes clear almost instantly. I find that the story speaks for itself however it wouldn't succeed half as much without Corey. Corey is the perfect main character; flawed, heartfelt and captivating. In short? Corey feels real and I'd grown very attached to her in the course of Trapeze--I think many readers, too, will feel the same.
Fortunately, the other characters featured within Trapeze are just as compelling and likable as Corey. Each stand out in their own right and defy the archetypes that we might have set up for them in our minds. Trapeze toes the line between being a plot-driven contemporary and a character driven one, easing us into the thick of things beautifully. I found myself often thinking that these are the types of characters I'd have loved as a teenager--they felt like friends.
In short, I really enjoyed reading this one. While I felt it had its share of flaws (issues re: things not quite being explained and other subplots that just didn't make sense in context or otherwise) that are worth noting, there was something unforgettable about this book. It has a lot of heart, where so many of its contemporaries don't.
Trapeze was a fantastic read and an eye-catching debut--and it should be at the top of your autumn TBR! If you're looking to ease yourself into the cooler weather this fall, this will likely hit the spot and give you all the warm and fuzzies you need. After all, what's better than a cup of your favourite hot beverage and a sweetened contemporary romance?
August 31, 2019
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Corey had been traveling with her aunt's circus for practically her whole life, but when a fire ravaged the big top, her future as an up and coming trapeze artist was put on hold, and she was forced to settle down with her estranged mother. Faced with so many new and intimidating situations, Corey pushed on as she awaited the fate of future with the circus.
• Pro: I absolutely loved the premise of this story. I am always up for a good fish-out-of-water tale, and having someone from a traveling circus settle down in one place was something I was interested in learning more about.
• Pro: I was captivated by all the trapeze portions of the book. The author's appreciation of the art form was obvious, and I thought she did an impressive job pulling me into that world and helping me see the beauty these artistic athletes create. I actually wish there was more of this, because it was one of my favorite parts of this book.
• Pro: I was so happy with the group of friends Corey found outside of the circus. Kim, George, and Luke were all fantastic, and I enjoyed seeing their friendships grow.
• Pro: I was especially fond of Luke. I shipped these two from their first meeting in the diner. He was just as closed up as Corey, so it was gratifying to see them learn to share more of themselves, even the ugly parts, with others. I was really please with the direction Ansell took his story, even if it didn't go exactly how I had wished.
• Pro/Con: I had such a love/hate relationship with that ending. There were way more positive things than negative things, and I was very grateful for the vast number of plot lines Ansell tied up, but she left a few things a little murky, and it basically made my heart ache. I am known for needing really definitive endings, though, and I do believe others would be ok with it.
• Pro: Corey was a great protagonist. I found myself immediately invested in her story and was torn between wanting her to embrace her new life and wishing she could return to her life on the road. Her struggle with assimilating, catching up, trying to open up to others, and battling her loneliness had me turning the pages, which was a good indication, that I cared.
An interesting fish-out-of-water story, which captivated me with the high flying routines and captured my heart with its exploration of complicated family dynamics, friendship, and romance.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
Corey had been traveling with her aunt's circus for practically her whole life, but when a fire ravaged the big top, her future as an up and coming trapeze artist was put on hold, and she was forced to settle down with her estranged mother. Faced with so many new and intimidating situations, Corey pushed on as she awaited the fate of future with the circus.
• Pro: I absolutely loved the premise of this story. I am always up for a good fish-out-of-water tale, and having someone from a traveling circus settle down in one place was something I was interested in learning more about.
• Pro: I was captivated by all the trapeze portions of the book. The author's appreciation of the art form was obvious, and I thought she did an impressive job pulling me into that world and helping me see the beauty these artistic athletes create. I actually wish there was more of this, because it was one of my favorite parts of this book.
• Pro: I was so happy with the group of friends Corey found outside of the circus. Kim, George, and Luke were all fantastic, and I enjoyed seeing their friendships grow.
• Pro: I was especially fond of Luke. I shipped these two from their first meeting in the diner. He was just as closed up as Corey, so it was gratifying to see them learn to share more of themselves, even the ugly parts, with others. I was really please with the direction Ansell took his story, even if it didn't go exactly how I had wished.
• Pro/Con: I had such a love/hate relationship with that ending. There were way more positive things than negative things, and I was very grateful for the vast number of plot lines Ansell tied up, but she left a few things a little murky, and it basically made my heart ache. I am known for needing really definitive endings, though, and I do believe others would be ok with it.
• Pro: Corey was a great protagonist. I found myself immediately invested in her story and was torn between wanting her to embrace her new life and wishing she could return to her life on the road. Her struggle with assimilating, catching up, trying to open up to others, and battling her loneliness had me turning the pages, which was a good indication, that I cared.
An interesting fish-out-of-water story, which captivated me with the high flying routines and captured my heart with its exploration of complicated family dynamics, friendship, and romance.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
November 23, 2019
In this breathtaking debut, Leigh Ansell has cooked up a compulsive and heart-stirring tale about a young trapeze artist in a travelling circus.
Seventeen-year-old Corey Ryder can’t remember a time when she wasn’t gliding through the air of Cirque Mystique’s big top. Corey wakes up every day in a different place, brimming with anticipation for each night’s performance.
Set in small-town Sherwood, California, everything seems normal, apart from meeting the exceptionally cute Luke Everett at a local diner. But that night, in the midst of the performance, tragedy strikes and flames engulf the tent. While Corey narrowly escapes the fire, the only home she’s ever known lies in the ashes of the circus pitch. Corey must now strive towards a different future without forgetting her past, get to know her estranged mother she’s never known, and negotiate the wonders of first love, as well as being true to who she really is.
First off, I must confess that I was drawn in by the striking cover. Almost all of the characters were very well rounded and possessed traits of kindness and sometimes maliciousness which made Trapeze a fascinating read. Even though I initially thought the plot would be more focused on circus life, there was plenty of scope for a compelling story within the tropes of abuse, bullying, sexuality, and dysfunctional families. Sweet but not too sugary, it was a cracking story and a book that I revelled in all the way through. It brought no disappointments and Leigh Ansell's neat plotting and writing-style helped me to fully grasp the struggles and situation of protagonist, Corey. The changes of direction paved the way for a pleasing denouement. I would love to read more from this gifted story-teller and I am delighted to recommend this book.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my request, from Wattpad Books via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
Seventeen-year-old Corey Ryder can’t remember a time when she wasn’t gliding through the air of Cirque Mystique’s big top. Corey wakes up every day in a different place, brimming with anticipation for each night’s performance.
Set in small-town Sherwood, California, everything seems normal, apart from meeting the exceptionally cute Luke Everett at a local diner. But that night, in the midst of the performance, tragedy strikes and flames engulf the tent. While Corey narrowly escapes the fire, the only home she’s ever known lies in the ashes of the circus pitch. Corey must now strive towards a different future without forgetting her past, get to know her estranged mother she’s never known, and negotiate the wonders of first love, as well as being true to who she really is.
First off, I must confess that I was drawn in by the striking cover. Almost all of the characters were very well rounded and possessed traits of kindness and sometimes maliciousness which made Trapeze a fascinating read. Even though I initially thought the plot would be more focused on circus life, there was plenty of scope for a compelling story within the tropes of abuse, bullying, sexuality, and dysfunctional families. Sweet but not too sugary, it was a cracking story and a book that I revelled in all the way through. It brought no disappointments and Leigh Ansell's neat plotting and writing-style helped me to fully grasp the struggles and situation of protagonist, Corey. The changes of direction paved the way for a pleasing denouement. I would love to read more from this gifted story-teller and I am delighted to recommend this book.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my request, from Wattpad Books via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
May 15, 2021
Where do you even begin talking about the book that proved to be everything you weren’t expecting? From that perfect first line, through to the unexpected, but beautiful conclusion, Trapeze set my heart in motion, swinging this way and that with every shift in Ansell’s orchestration.
Corey’s character was beautifully written, and it was a joy to read about a strong, independent lead navigating a world so well known to the rest of us, and yet so alien to her. At a crossroads between two identities—forced to hide her past in order to protect herself from the wrath of spiteful rumours—you can feel the angst that Corey lives and breathes. Fortunately, there is one person she can let in and share the thrills of her past with. But Luke is keeping secrets too, and it’s not long before Corey secure’s a front seat view to all the hurt he keeps tucked away.
The realism captured by Corey and Luke’s situations was handled delicately, and it was satisfying to see the trust and vulnerability that they shared with one another. There was such depth to both of them, you understood both characters, and you cared, and that alone would have been enough to keep you turning those pages. I loved Luke as a character, and I loved the dynamics between these two, in every way. While things may not have concluded how I’d expected, I loved the direction that Ansell took, and I know that no other ending could have fit more perfectly for this story.
The circus itself may not have featured as heavily as I’d initially expected, but as someone who appreciates a brilliant metaphor, I loved the subtlety of the underlying metaphor of a girl suspended in an unfamiliar world, clinging to the security of the life she knew while simultaneously falling towards the future forced on her, her safety net burned away. Ansell has done a brilliant job with this novel and captured perfectly those elements that make coming of ages novels so great.
Corey’s character was beautifully written, and it was a joy to read about a strong, independent lead navigating a world so well known to the rest of us, and yet so alien to her. At a crossroads between two identities—forced to hide her past in order to protect herself from the wrath of spiteful rumours—you can feel the angst that Corey lives and breathes. Fortunately, there is one person she can let in and share the thrills of her past with. But Luke is keeping secrets too, and it’s not long before Corey secure’s a front seat view to all the hurt he keeps tucked away.
The realism captured by Corey and Luke’s situations was handled delicately, and it was satisfying to see the trust and vulnerability that they shared with one another. There was such depth to both of them, you understood both characters, and you cared, and that alone would have been enough to keep you turning those pages. I loved Luke as a character, and I loved the dynamics between these two, in every way. While things may not have concluded how I’d expected, I loved the direction that Ansell took, and I know that no other ending could have fit more perfectly for this story.
The circus itself may not have featured as heavily as I’d initially expected, but as someone who appreciates a brilliant metaphor, I loved the subtlety of the underlying metaphor of a girl suspended in an unfamiliar world, clinging to the security of the life she knew while simultaneously falling towards the future forced on her, her safety net burned away. Ansell has done a brilliant job with this novel and captured perfectly those elements that make coming of ages novels so great.
February 22, 2024
Not anywhere near enough circus stuff and THAT'S NOT A TRAPEZE!
September 10, 2019
I received an ARC courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, which I greatly appreciate.
Trapeze had a really great premise. The idea of a teenage trapeze artist who then gets dropped into a high school after being homeschooled all her life (much like in Mean Girls) is a really interesting plot. Unfortunately, the book doesn't seem to quite know what to do with a really interesting character like Corey. Corey reacts to situations in such interesting ways. She's very street smart but doesn't behave like a normal teenager because she never had a chance to be one. I really liked Corey as a narrator. I also liked the way the main romance played out, it was a nice twist for a ya romance.
At points in the story, it seems like Corey's going to develop more as a character, but at the end of the novel, it doesn't seem like all that much has changed for her. On the subject of the ending, it seems a tad unrealistic in my opinion. It's very anti-climatic,
I would recommend this book for people looking for a young adult novel that has a fish-out-of-water storyline, as well as to people who want a book with some representation (there are people of color and at least one LBGTQA+ character mentioned in the book). However, the representation isn't the focus.
Here's one of my concerns with the book. There were no trigger warnings at the beginning, and there were graphic depictions of abuse of one of the main characters. I know trigger warnings are controversial with many people because they find it "spoiler-y" but I think general warnings are necessary, and this book definitely warranted them.
Another qualm I have is that for a book name Trapeze, I would have appreciated more circus scenes. And more development of the characters in the circus, aside from Corey.
I would actually rate this book 3.5 stars, but that's not an option on Goodreads, so 3 stars it is.
Trapeze had a really great premise. The idea of a teenage trapeze artist who then gets dropped into a high school after being homeschooled all her life (much like in Mean Girls) is a really interesting plot. Unfortunately, the book doesn't seem to quite know what to do with a really interesting character like Corey. Corey reacts to situations in such interesting ways. She's very street smart but doesn't behave like a normal teenager because she never had a chance to be one. I really liked Corey as a narrator. I also liked the way the main romance played out, it was a nice twist for a ya romance.
At points in the story, it seems like Corey's going to develop more as a character, but at the end of the novel, it doesn't seem like all that much has changed for her. On the subject of the ending, it seems a tad unrealistic in my opinion. It's very anti-climatic,
I would recommend this book for people looking for a young adult novel that has a fish-out-of-water storyline, as well as to people who want a book with some representation (there are people of color and at least one LBGTQA+ character mentioned in the book). However, the representation isn't the focus.
Here's one of my concerns with the book. There were no trigger warnings at the beginning, and there were graphic depictions of abuse of one of the main characters. I know trigger warnings are controversial with many people because they find it "spoiler-y" but I think general warnings are necessary, and this book definitely warranted them.
Another qualm I have is that for a book name Trapeze, I would have appreciated more circus scenes. And more development of the characters in the circus, aside from Corey.
I would actually rate this book 3.5 stars, but that's not an option on Goodreads, so 3 stars it is.
July 4, 2019
FULL REVIEW: https://wordsunfilteredbys.wordpress....
I literally finished reading it about an hour ago and I’m just sitting in awe. I loved this book. It was phenomenal and so, so well written. I did notice some changes from the Wattpad version and if anything, it got even better. Leigh’s writing has always been amazing but it’s only improved over the years, and this version of it is marvelous, honestly. When I finished reading it, I knew that this is a book I will be raving about to all my friends. It touches on the things we try to push away, making us realise that sometimes the cycle we’re in isn’t always right and it isn’t something we should be used to. It makes the reader realise that when seeing something — when finally seeing beneath the surface and the mask someone puts up — that is so awful and harrowing, there needs to be something done about it.
In some ways, it was reminiscent of Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen. I won’t say why. But the latter half of Trapeze really reminded me of that particular book.
Trapeze is a book that has always stood out amongst other Wattpaders, and this version is no exception.
I literally finished reading it about an hour ago and I’m just sitting in awe. I loved this book. It was phenomenal and so, so well written. I did notice some changes from the Wattpad version and if anything, it got even better. Leigh’s writing has always been amazing but it’s only improved over the years, and this version of it is marvelous, honestly. When I finished reading it, I knew that this is a book I will be raving about to all my friends. It touches on the things we try to push away, making us realise that sometimes the cycle we’re in isn’t always right and it isn’t something we should be used to. It makes the reader realise that when seeing something — when finally seeing beneath the surface and the mask someone puts up — that is so awful and harrowing, there needs to be something done about it.
In some ways, it was reminiscent of Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen. I won’t say why. But the latter half of Trapeze really reminded me of that particular book.
Trapeze is a book that has always stood out amongst other Wattpaders, and this version is no exception.
July 29, 2019
2.5 stars
I love the idea of a circus setting. Circus life intrigues me! However, majority of this book does not take place in a circus or on a trapeze. It starts off that way, but it quickly becomes a novel about a teen girl in high school.Unfortunately because of the 'negative stigma' surrounding circus performers, Corey was quick to hide everything that made her different..so what made Corey quirky and different was quickly lost.
Although this book was easy to read, I felt like some things were unexplained and others were not believable. I also wished that there was more emphasis on the time Corey and her mother spent together reestablishing their relationship.
I felt like this was a promising book that ended up being just ok.
Thank you to NetGalley and Smith Publicity for providing an advance copy of this book.
I love the idea of a circus setting. Circus life intrigues me! However, majority of this book does not take place in a circus or on a trapeze. It starts off that way, but it quickly becomes a novel about a teen girl in high school.Unfortunately because of the 'negative stigma' surrounding circus performers, Corey was quick to hide everything that made her different..so what made Corey quirky and different was quickly lost.
Although this book was easy to read, I felt like some things were unexplained and others were not believable. I also wished that there was more emphasis on the time Corey and her mother spent together reestablishing their relationship.
I felt like this was a promising book that ended up being just ok.
Thank you to NetGalley and Smith Publicity for providing an advance copy of this book.
November 5, 2019
DNF at 30%
I really tried loving this book and kept giving it chances over the past two months but it just didn't seem to work out for me.
I couldn't engage with the book or relate to the characters in any way.
The book felt very detached and aloof and since I couldn't bring myself to care much about the characters, the book was very boring for me.
Moreover, while the plot did seem interesting at first, the slow-paced writing made me unwilling to move forward and find out exactly what could have happened.
This book was not for me, but if someone has more patience to move on ahead and see what it can be, I am sure it will be a great book!
I really tried loving this book and kept giving it chances over the past two months but it just didn't seem to work out for me.
I couldn't engage with the book or relate to the characters in any way.
The book felt very detached and aloof and since I couldn't bring myself to care much about the characters, the book was very boring for me.
Moreover, while the plot did seem interesting at first, the slow-paced writing made me unwilling to move forward and find out exactly what could have happened.
This book was not for me, but if someone has more patience to move on ahead and see what it can be, I am sure it will be a great book!
December 30, 2019
Trapeze by Leigh Ansell is an enjoyable fish out of water tale set in a high school. We meet 17-year-old Corey who is a budding trapeze star. When tragedy strikes, she finds herself stuck in a stereotypical suburb and enrolled in high school. The novel deals with not just Corey's struggle to fit into high school, but her journey to reestablish a relationship with her mother, her first love, and domestic abuse.
Ansell wraps up Corey's tale with one too many tropes, but even as I was thinking, "Really?" I was also moved by the character developments. Considering Ansell is only 21, I look forward to her honing her gift of storytelling in future novels. There is an excellent scene when one character gaslights Corey and it is so well written I could feel my skin crawl.
I recommend Trapeze for high schoolers and those us who survived those years, but still like to revisit through YA novels. Considering the number of moral choices that Corey and her friends have to manage, that all high schoolers have to manage, this would also be a good read for parents. I always appreciate books that could lend itself to conversations between teens and parents.
Disclaimer: I received this book from a publicist in exchange for this review. No other compensation was received.
Ansell wraps up Corey's tale with one too many tropes, but even as I was thinking, "Really?" I was also moved by the character developments. Considering Ansell is only 21, I look forward to her honing her gift of storytelling in future novels. There is an excellent scene when one character gaslights Corey and it is so well written I could feel my skin crawl.
I recommend Trapeze for high schoolers and those us who survived those years, but still like to revisit through YA novels. Considering the number of moral choices that Corey and her friends have to manage, that all high schoolers have to manage, this would also be a good read for parents. I always appreciate books that could lend itself to conversations between teens and parents.
Disclaimer: I received this book from a publicist in exchange for this review. No other compensation was received.
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