I started reading that book because I wanted to have a MMC with edges and not a golden Retriever in disguise. And oooh boy that MMC is what I imagine would happen if Donquiotte Doflamingo and Ascended Astarion would have a lovechild. So I got what I asked for, which kinda makes me question myself a little bit. The FMC is ok, I like that she is a normal relatable person. And she is well aware, that the MMC is very bad news and questions why she is drawn to him at every second. The way the author expresses herself is not really my thing though. Full of repetitions and exaggerations.

3.25 I'm the first one to admit that I don't understand "horror" in books. (I'm not even sure I understand it in movies either lmao) Whatever I do understand is that (I think) this book did a good job of combining horror and carnival. There was a fair amount of repetition of Cora's thoughts about Simon & the Faire as well as Simon's motives for wanting Cora. The dialogues were also often of the "what is going on / you will find out later"- type and there's only so much room for that in a book with less than 300pages. I can't really say that I got any sort of satisfying explanation for a lot of what was happening. The Fairy is just as mysterious at the end of the book as it was in the beginning. I know there are 4 more books and I'm sure somewhere down the line I'll get my questions answered. I just feel like I am missing something but I can't really put my finger on what that exactly is. I will say though that I can see the idea & the vision the author went for and I like it. Will I continue with this series? Yep. Not sure when I'll read book two though. (Shoutout to whoever designed the covers for the whole series; I'm in love)

It's about time I write a review for the first book of my favorite series, now on the third reread. Cora Glass is a good FMC. I can empathize with her thoughts and behavior, and while she has some sass, it's not overdone. Simon Waite is probably my favorite MMC ever. He's a villain, he's insane, and he's hot. He's never so bad that I'd think it's too much, but he's also not boring or just pretending to be villain-y. He hits all the right spots. I also like the way his appearance is described. Their interactions were really enjoyable every single time. I like that, while she's physically attracted to him from the start, she never really just dumbly goes with his manipulations. She's not dumb, she's aware he's dangerous. And while she tries to stay away from him, there's still a connection between them whenever they interact, and some nice banter where it's noticeable they do vibe with each other, despite everything. Aside from all that, the story and setting, too, are absolutely amazing. I don't think I've ever read a book with an unique setting as this. A man-eating murder-circus? Count me in. And it's so nice to read a book where I can't already guess how it'll end (well, back when I read it the first time). It's unique and unpredictable, and I love it.

"Come one, come all, to Harrow Faire, To greet your sweetest nightmare. Rejoin your dreams and memories, Of carnivals and reveries. Seek the truth in mirrored lanes, That show you all the hidden planes. Enjoy the sights, see what we've made, Let all life's sorrows wilt and fade. For like all things, we'll call away, To all the gloom and shaded gray. Join us now, my friend, be brave - Laugh now. Laugh long. Soon comes the grave." Wow! Warum hab ich mit der Reihe nicht früher angefangen? Ich war ja auf der Suche nach einer gescheiten Villain Romance da die meisten ja darin enden, dass die Typen eigentlich gar nicht wirklich twisted und crazy sind, sondern am Ende zum absoluten Schoßhündchen mutieren Also hab ich mich online auf die Suche gemacht und Kathryn Ann Kinglseys Harrow Faire Reihe wurde hier mehrfach erwähnt. Und was soll ich sagen ich wurde echt nicht enttäuscht. Das war nur der Auftakt und so vielversprechend, dass er direkt Lust macht weiterzulesen. Unsere Prota Cora ist definitiv nicht auf den Mund gefallen und Simon hat echt einen an der Waffel. Die Tension zwischen den beiden ist mega und soll noch hotter in Part zwei werden. Ich fand das ganze Mysterie Zirkus, Rummel Setting auch mega und hab das noch nie vorher in dieser Form gesehen. Es wird als Dark Fantasy deklariert und da kann ich auf jeden Fall auch zustimmen. Es war super spannend mit Cora zusammen rauszufinden was da bitte abgeht mit der Harrow Faire. Und das Ende puh arme Cora. Ich liebe Simon, ich liebe den verrückten Puppeteer. Das wird bestimmt noch richtig hot zwischen den beiden, freu mich schon drauf 🙊