Well, where do I start with this?

So intriguing and bizarre, absolutely suitable for a Halloween read, which is when I read it.

This book has a theme of dividing worlds in two. The continent is divided; the cruel, overpowering Up-Mountain and the Down-Mountains who are constantly at war over the enslaving of their people and punishment of anyone not perfect - a 'freak' or jynx-worker, in the name of the Up Mountaineers God - Ovren. The travelling Gomorrah Festival is divided in two; the performing, show-front, the Uphill and the dangerous Downhill

whose citizens actually aid the war.

Then there's the people; the accusations and not knowing who to believe. And throughout the book, Sorina - the lead character, is constantly torn between opinions as she struggles to uncover who is killing members of her her family...

Sorina is daughter of the proprietor of the Festival and a her jynx ability is illusion-work, the only one known at present time. Her family-illusions work with her at their Freak Show in the Uphill. She created them but never imagines their individual 'freak' traits alike her own - she sees without eyes. Her illusions start dying and she needs to find out who is the killer, why they are doing it and also how, for her illusions aren't real? The beautiful part is that although their deaths suggest her illusions were more real then once thought, while reading the characters feel and are so real, that I never thought of them as otherwise. And it is heart-breaking to watch them, including Sorina, battle their daily lives and people with the idea they are not real.

This story is amazing being a YA and not creating a female lead who eventually strides to become a leader. Sorina is trying to take control of her own life but is not afraid or embarrassed to eventually decide leadership is not for her.

As I have only found my love of reading at the start of this year, this is the first book I have read with really clear relationships beyond straight. A few being: the main character is bi-sexual, a member of her family is lesbian and does have lesbian relationships and the love interest of this book is asexual/demiromantic. These were not the focus, there put in as part of the story line - like they should be, and one theme beautifully develops throughout.

This story is set in a world of constant wars, but the story itself takes a more centred look on the war - focusing mainly on the doings of the Gomorrah Festival. Being a stand-alone, this is a interesting approach to create the possibility of such a vast world but only show a small window into it. This book is a great stand alone but at the same time the bigger picture - the next upcoming war, leaves the reader really wanting more.

A 5 star book, and a place on my favourites shelf. I recommend with everything I have, for everyone to read this book. Breaking the current ground rules of YA and being completely original.