PYR BLOG TOUR: Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley - Listicle Spectacular!

HI there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're playing host to a stop along the Penguin Young Readers tour getting YOU ready for an upcoming release you don't want to miss.  It's author Cassie Beasley's follow up to the splendiferous Circus Mirandous and if you haven't read it, you truly don't know what you are missing.  Here's a quick peek behind the circus tent to get you better acquainted...

Circus Mirandous

by

Cassie Beasley

9780525428435

Dial Books

About the book...

Do you believe in magic?

Micah Tuttle does.

Even though his awful Great-Aunt Gertrudis doesn’t approve, Micah believes in the stories his dying Grandpa Ephraim tells him of the magical Circus Mirandus: the invisible tiger guarding the gates, the beautiful flying birdwoman, and the magician more powerful than any other—the Man Who Bends Light. Finally, Grandpa Ephraim offers proof. The Circus is real. And the Lightbender owes Ephraim a miracle. With his friend Jenny Mendoza in tow, Micah sets out to find the Circus and the man he believes will save his grandfather.

The only problem is, the Lightbender doesn’t want to keep his promise. And now it’s up to Micah to get the miracle he came for.

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This was such an AMAZING read.

Honestly, I didn't know what I was missing.

I remember seeing this when it first came out, it even made the school reading lists in my area, and while the title gave me pause, and the cover caught my eye, I never picked it up.  Bad reader, BAD!  Unbeknownst to me, there was a magical world inside with stories to be shared, adventures to be had, awful truths to be revealed, tears to be shed, and hearts to be mended.  I almost broke down several times when Grandpa Ephraim and Micah were together.  Each conversation, each revelation, I could feel what was coming, sense the pulling away, and the inevitable approaching, and yet, much like Micah, I HOPED, I crossed my fingers, I BELIEVED.  The tragic histories we end up privy to are beyond measure, but it also teaches valuable lessons of humility, appreciation, the blessings of giving back, and the power of belief.

It's a wonderful read for the Middle Grade set and beyond, filled to the brim with promise, hope, mystery, and an underlying vein of love that will never die.

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About the author...

Cassie Beasley is from rural Georgia, where, when she’s not writing, she helps out on the family pecan farm. She earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Circus Mirandus is her first novel. Follow her on Twitter @beasleywrites.

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TOP 5

Acts to See at Circus Mirandus

1.  The Man Who Bends Light aka The Lightbender

Top of our list is the "big" man himself.  Whatever name he goes by, he is a master of his craft and while all that acclaim could go to someone's head, rest assured this one has his heart in the right place.  It may not always seem like it, especially when a particular ailing grandfather's miracle comes into play, but trust me when I say, all will be revealed.  He performs his magic for all the children that are called to this miraculous circus to entertain, enchant, and help preserve the belief in all the things that could be that reside just this side of impossible.

2.  Big Jean

It may sound like a rather large person that would be viewed as a spectacle, but this Big Jean is actually a SUPER INTELLIGENT elephant!  I know, right?!  Seriously, she can complete professor level math problems, sing songs, school you on Peru, and her latest skill gathered, knot tying.  Now, I wonder where she picked THAT one up?  Beyond the smarts packed in this pachyderm, she's got the biggest heart (no pun intended), and knows just when a well timed bath can whisk worries away, or at least take a worried mind off things.  

3.  Rosebud

This lively and colorful Circus Mirandus member creates poultices and potions for various purposes.  Try saying THAT five times fast!  She may look out of place among circus performers, but don't be fooled by her little gypsy style cart; her skills are just as magical.  If you happen upon her on your next visit, you might ask her about her special made teas.  I've heard they really put a spring in your step!  Just ask the Tuttles...

4.  Mr. Head's Menegerie

Though lower on my list, it's certainly not any less magical.  I mean, true...this is where Big Jean calls home within the circus, but there are SO MANY OTHER magical creatures within its boundaries, you'd be selling yourself short if you passed this by.  My favorite?  Oh, well, it has to be the newest arrival...a baby unicorn!  I mean if you're going to go all out magical creatures wise, what could be a better addition to your animal brood?!  Just remember, if your belief in things falters, watch out for Bibi...he's been known to be a bit long in the tooth with doubters.

5.  The Amazing Amazonian Birdwoman

Once upon a time, there was a girl who not only could fly, but could interact, talk to, and pretty much control all the feathered friends she encountered.  She discovered her skill quite by accident, but it served her well, and for many years, she was a beloved performer at Circus Mirandus.  One day, things just weren't as satisfying as they were previously and the birdwoman took the stage for the last time...and what a show it was.  Although not a high rating member of this magical troupe, her shows (while they lasted) were no less magical than all the others, so I simply had to include it for posterity.

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Special thanks to Friya at Penguin Random House for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now (with BOOK TWO COMING SOON!) via Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers.  Be sure to check out the rest of the tour as we celebrate the first and relish the next installment in this magical series!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

The Wandbearer Trilogy, Book 1: Juggler In the Wind by Wim Coleman and Pat Perrin

Why hello there!

How are you this fine and freezing morning?

Seriously, it's Florida....and it's also 27 degrees and suppose to go down to 18.

Yep.

Winter is upon us and WOW did it hit fast!

Oh well...I'd much rather it be too cold than too warm.

Why?  Well simply put...you can always put more on, but when taking things off, you sorta reach a point of public decency and then you're stuck....so yeah, BRING ON THE COLD.  Anywho...

You may have noticed the sudden influx of all things contest related here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers, what with five contests currently running (~whispers~ and more to come).  Tis the season is what I say!  The perfect time of year to spread a little cheer to readers round the world and there's a little something for every taste too!  From the Chronicle Books Happy HAUL-idays Giveaway to Toto's Tale, a chance to win Other Goose or the wordy nerdy fun of Euphemania, plus a new addition to the holiday reading fun with The Christmas Chronicles....yep, I'd say there's probably at least one contest to suit each of you, so feel free to enter before you miss out!

Today's post isn't all about holiday magic, though that is available in plentiful amounts, it's about magic in places, things, and people that seem ordinary at face value, but extraordinary up close and personal.  It's about one boy discovering where he comes from and what lies ahead for you see he, himself, may just have a bit of magic about him as well.  Without further adieu, today's book of choice is....

The Wandbearer Trilogy, Book 1:

Juggler In the Wind

by

Wim Coleman & Pat Perrin

Randy Carmichael is a young man with a lot going for him...no really, it's true. He's a star student, rather handy with sets for the drama productions, deemed trustworthy by parents and teachers alike...and happens to have a home life that is a bit less than desirable. His mother works hard to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table but life seems to get the best of her and she often turns to the bottle for support. No worries, Randy is quite safe as she generally keeps the issue under wraps...that is until recently.  Some new arrivals in town have her stressed out even more than usual...but why?  Better yet...who? Good question.  Performers in the Circus Olympus would be the short answer, but that is only skimming the surface of the truth, after all what could possibly stress her about the circus?  It's generally billed as one of the greatest shows on earth?  Ah, but you see this is no ordinary circus and it's one his mother is all too familiar with.  Secrets long forgotten and hazy at best are hidden all around, secrets that involve Randy on a personal level....and ones which he fully intends on uncovering for better or worse. 

I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the WANDBEARER TRILOGY...more so than I even anticipated that I might. The book opens on the arrival of the circus as young Randy catches a glimpse of it through his window.  Ironic how it decides to take up camp so close to the one family that shares in it's mysterious past, is it not?  (More like fate....dun dun dun....)  The opening scenes actually brought to mind a similar sequence as seen in the first few minutes of the Disney movie Dumbo.  You know (or perhaps not....I shall explain....) where the crew is working in the pouring rain at night side by side with animals and performers to raise the roof on the big top (otherwise known as the main arena/tent)?  Subtract the elephants, add in a bear, minus out a few dozen people and  you've got it.  It evokes the same imagery and anticipation verbally as the scenes viewed many times over do.  A grand start if I may say so...moving on...

The storyline was mostly focused on the circus in its travels (and escapes) and Randy's time with them, though exactly why he is there remains veiled (until the end).  He knows why....to uncover its connection to his mother's downward spiral emotionally...but he doesn't understand fully.  Throughout the course of his adventure we learn much about Randy's character, his sense of self, and yet not enough to solve the riddle posed fully.  The performers that make up this often merry band of travellers are quite the group indeed and are unintentionally (or perhaps intentionally?) hiding things from their new friend as well as themselves.  They have powers that are fleeting; noble intentions which flicker into existence like a candle in the wind.  Gumption to move on to the next town and do it all again for a dwindling crowd one moment...and the next they are zapped of both energy and spirit.  It presents a rather interesting quandary but a happy one all the same as it allows for further adventures to be written and the past (and future) of the characters to be uncovered and explored. 

The only thing I had a small issue with (and it was indeed small, but still noticeable) was one part in which Randy, our main character, does a sudden 180 in regards to his confidence. It seemed too sudden and without proper explanation....but the rest of the story flowed quite well and I will certainly be interested in finding out just what is in store for our unlikely "family" as the series continues.  The ending certainly leaves one intrigued for what awaits them once they reach the....oh no you don't...I'm not spoiling it for you.  (hehe)

Recommended reading for fans of the YA genre of all ages. There's nothing questionable in the text that I recall...unless you object to a little mystery, a little magic, or the draw that fate and destiny can have on the soul.  It truly was one of those understated reads that often gets overlooked by the general population; hopefully my review was able to shed a little light on it for you.

Special thanks to Monserrat at Chiron Books for the review copy.  (THANKS!)  To find out more about this new series and their full catalog, feel free to visit them online. 


Until next time...happy holidays...and happy reading!