crossposted from my blog
This Wednesday I’m reviewing a short story – Eddie’s First Circus by Zoe Whitten. I’m aware it’s only a couple of weeks since I last reviewed something of hers, but I’ve been suffering from neck pain since Saturday and it’s been interfering with my reading so I needed something I’d already read and which would be quick to review. Eddie’s First Circus fitted the bill.
Likes:
- This is young adult dark fantasy done right. Serious when it needs to be serious and funny when it needs to be funny. There may be superpowers in this universe, but they don’t solve everything.
- At only three chapters long it’s a very good introduction to Zoe’s writing style without commiting to a longer work.
- As always her characters are finely drawn. The kids have real problems and seem real.
- The emotion really comes through – I empathised with the characters alot.
- It’s dark, but it’s also a great deal of fun.
Dislikes:
It’s actually hard to say what I dislike about this story. I could say that the character’s lack development, but it’s a short story and they develop as much as can be expected for that medium. I’ve said before that Zoe’s writing style isn’t for everyone, but I like it, so that’s not really a dislike. There are aspects of the plot that made me sad, but that’s not dislike either.
It’s a long time since I’ve read a story that I honestly couldn’t name one thing I disliked. I’m sure it’s not perfect, but there’s no major issues I can define with it.
Verdict:
As I said above this is a short story, and thus an excellent introduction to Zoe’s style. Given her idiosyncratic style this is the story of hers to sample if you are new to her work. Like marmite you’ll either love or hate it.
I give it 4.5 stars because while I hate marmite I love this story.
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