Kimberly Loth

I give this book 4.5/5 voodoo dolls.

Mother of Goddesses! I can't believe this series is over. The adventures of Gabe and Liv are over. No more running, lies, and secrets. Everything has been revealed and laid out. Anyone that has been hiding a secret has confessed. And my goodness, they were all so shocking and so jaw-dropping. Until now, I am still shaking my head in disbelief.

True that, this book concludes the four-book series of genies and adventures. If you haven't started this series, show more start it now. Right at this minute. You will definitely not be disappointed. If you love magic, love stories, mythical or magical creatures, then this is the story for you. It's so enjoyable that you will find yourself stepping into the shoes of Liv and get carried away by all her experiences, worries, and adventures. A lot of characters here may seem ordinary and not note-worthy, very unassuming characters that will definitely surprise you.

I have read this from the first book and now, this last installment. I have accompanied Liv in all her confusion, her exhilaration, her doubts, and all her fears. If I did not want to be Liv, I'm her older sister who wanted her to succeed in all the challenges that have been thrown to her throughout this story. Her character had developed beautifully as the story progressed and had come to terms with the changes and revelations that were part of her identity. She had surprised all those who wanted to hurt her and had tried so hard to protect those she loved. Here is another teen heroine who took me to various adventures, made me fear for her life, and have made me cry with her. It's sad that this story is ending but it ended with a lot of fireworks that I almost had trouble keeping up because they just came out right after the other without the chance for me to even breathe or think through them.

Again, classic Kimberly Loth with all her surprises coming from everywhere will bombard you endlessly. I did not see these surprises, especially in this last book coming. Never ever. I have no idea. They were totally out of the blue. They just came down raining faster than you can say "What?" Yes, you will end up saying the word "What?" again and again because of the numerous secrets and people owning up to secrets right after the other, literally. That was the best part of this book and I want to relive those moments again. Very priceless. I've never been hit with these multiple revelations before. Totally a first and a one-for-the-books kind of experience.

I only expected that the book will end happily ever after and that the villain will be extinguished. Those expectations were met but what blew me entirely was it was more than I could ask for. Freaking absolutely beyond my imagination. I never ever thought of those twists to come flying right out to me like Aladdin's magic carpet. It was super fantastic. Literally and figuratively, the sky has exploded in this story.

And with that said, I give this book 4.5/5 voodoo dolls. I love the surprises in this story and the whole series in general but I think it's slightly not as emotional as the Stella and Sol series. This is a very good series and I did enjoy it but I just love Stella and Sol even more. I think the Stella and Sol was a more mature story than this one with a lot of depth and drew a lot of difficult and complicated emotions from me. I know where the differences lie between this and the former series and it's also because the main character of this story, Liv, is a teenager and her experiences and what's expected of were totally different from that of Zwaantie but I just can't help but compare the two. Stella and Sol is deep and complicated and this one is loads of fun, lighter. This did not mean that this story disappoints. No, far from it. I absolutely love this though I did point out a few things that I would have wanted to be more on this series. Nevertheless, this book ended with major fireworks which is just beyond any I could ever imagine. And fireworks are always grand.

Mother of Goddesses!
- Kimberly Loth, The Exploding Sky -

Thanks again, Kimberly Loth for the ARC. I'm looking forward for the next series that will again take us to another adventure and get me to meet new characters and creatures. Congratulations! show less

Intoxicating

I have never read a novel like this. It grabbed a hold of me and created such a heady rush, I couldn't put it down. I loved every second. I liked the little chapter intros and the way the author incorporated roses into the story. I loved how she described every interaction the character had by the senses, mostly scent. I knew something was unique about the main character when she could smell different aromas, mostly bad at first, as the horrible people in her life interacted with show more her. And then good things started happening to her and her scents became delicious things. It just so had me hooked.

Naomi is an abused girl, and she finds the beauty in life through her roses. She knows them all by name, and every person that she knows, she associates them with a rose. So neat!

In the beginning of the novel, I was so scared for Naomi. When good stuff happened to her, I got so excited and wanted nothing but happiness for her. But of course, as a story goes, it's never just all roses.

A bit of a love triangle, lots of secrets, (the major one I figured out half way through and was so excited at the end when my suspicions were confirmed.) Just juicy. No other way to describe it. A bunch of clean, sweet kissing, mild language. show less

Loth writes well, I just do not like the set up. That is, this novel sets up the invented world of Sol and Stella. Sol has sunlight: Stella does not. Sol can grow food; Stella has to cross the fog barrier to sell magical trinkets, potions, etc., to be able to buy food. Sol has a voice which is in everyone's head. It is sort of a "Jiminy Cricket" type of conscience that can sort of control people's actions. Stella(ns) are free, and quite individualistic. However, slavery is permitted in Sol show more and even some Stellans choose to be enslaved in order to survive. Also, Sol has a few kingdoms and tends to be rural with some villages. Stella is urban, a big city (maybe more than one? I do not know...that would be revealed in later books in the series).
My point is that Loth is setting up a religiously repressed society and an individualistic "free", rebellious society as a counterpoint. I do not buy this scenario as it seems to be a common worldview being expressed often. Can religion be repressive? Sure. So can political systems. So can elite societies repress those who don't fit the criteria. Loth may well have valid points to make about repression. Maybe, but I am not holding my breath. show less

It's been a while since I last read a Kimberly Loth. I have missed her stories. They've always been so fascinating and intriguing. Waiting for the next book in the series was a pain and a form of torture. But it always ends up all worth the effort because it's always full of surprises that come from nowhere. I will always be an avid fan of her stories. And with this new book, I was reminded of how I have always enjoyed her stories. How her characters have made me hopeful and inspired in show more spite of all the hardships and stresses in the world.

Circus of the Dead is just what it says. A circus full of horrors. Nasty clowns whose goal is not to make someone happy but miserable. A real deadly circus where there's always someone who ends up dead. There are ghosts and vampires too. It's not a place of fun, not unless you're a masochist or a sadist or think that seeing blood is fun. It's a place for the morbid and people who have a death wish. How Callie ends up in this horrible place is unfortunate. What was supposed to be a fun summer vacation with his Uncle in New Orleans, turned out to be a living nightmare she might not get out alive.

This story reminds me of Stephen King's Bazaar of Bad Dreams. The only bright spot in the whole story is Callie who is full of spunk and will never give up. I guess, if it were someone of lesser strength and personality than she is, that person would have succumb to all the temptations already just to end everything. But not Callie. I root for her. Every attempt that she tries to get out of the island, I totally want it to succeed. Unfortunately, some greater magic is at work here that Callie has yet to understand in order to beat it and get out of the island and back to the loving arms of her family.

I think the story is a bit relevant in this current time because with the Covid-19 pandemic, we are all like Callie, trapped in an island in New Orleans and finding a way to get out back to sunny California. And like some of the visitors of the circus, sadly, some people did not know that the time they spent at the circus, whether they were there out of curiosity or due to peer pressure, is actually their last time on earth. And like Callie, we try our best to stay alive in this forsaken island while biding her time until she can think of a way to get out for good.

The Circus of the Dead, just like the current pandemic reminds us of what's important in life. Family, friends and just the basic necessities. All else are unnecessary and we can do without. We will survive if we keep our wits and take one day at a time. And just like Callie, learn about the surroundings, the people and never lose hope. For Callie, she has to stay alive to get out of the island. She can't lose sight of that goal. She has to remind herself of that every day.

I did enjoy the story even though it's a bit morbid and gruesome. But then again, every reader is forewarned. The title itself tells you that. Read at your own risk. But even so, as I have said, Callie's character is just so strong and she's a fighter. I think she was purposely lured to this place because there's something in her. I am not sure if she has a certain special ability of supernatural kind but she is special. And I would hate to say it but Samuel would rue the day he met Callie. I have faith that Callie will beat all odds and get out of the island and maybe bring back sunshine and hope to all the cursed inhabitants there also. But that's just me looking so far ahead.

I give the book 5/5 gutsy fire dancers. This book is not for the faint and chicken-hearted. If you are a fan of Stephen King, you'll definitely love this story. If you've been following Kimberly Loth as I have, this is another story to be excited for. This type of story coming from Loth does not surprise me at all. With her talent of coming up with incredible and fascinating tales of adventures, I, in a way have expected she will likely come up with this one. I am excited and psyched as to what other horrors and blocks Callie has to go through in order to finally be back to the real world and be with her family again. I am also sure that Callie, with her mindset and attitude, will never let anything defeat her. She will find a way. I know she will. I guess, the best thing about Loth's stories are her characters. They're simply not to be messed with. They would find a way to beat the enemy or find a way to go around the obstacle. And I have a feeling that Callie's the type who can think out of the box. With that kind of thinking, I know she will outsmart Samuel. I bet on it. Watch out Samuel!

He's got that look that is dangerous but devastatingly handsome. The kind of guy who is sure to treat you like crap and yet, you run back to him because his kisses curl your toes.

Not very good clowns unless their mission in life is to make everyone else as grumpy as they are.
- Kimberly Loth, Circus of the Dead #1 -

Thank you again, Kimberly Loth for the advanced review copy. I have missed you. I'm looking forward to the next books in the series. show less