4 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

 

“The First Bright Thing” by J.R. Dawson 

 

📕 Edition: ARC Audiobook via @netgalley 

 

Transported into a world where time and magic intertwine beneath the big top of the Circus of the Fantasticals. Rin, the ringmaster, and her wife, Odette, lead a troupe of extraordinary misfits, the Sparks, providing a haven of enchantment amidst the post-World War I turmoil. 

 

Dawson's storytelling shines as threats encircle Rin's world - a looming war, a relentless past, and a rival circus with a sinister ringmaster. The novel weaves a spellbinding tale of love, resilience, and the power of the extraordinary in the face of darkness. 

 

Overall, a captivating odyssey through time and the human spirit, leaving you spellbound from the first page to the last. Dawson's mastery of character and atmosphere creates a vivid and enchanting narrative that will linger in your mind long after the final curtain falls!