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The Carnivale of Curiosities: A Novel Audiobook
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A dazzling gothic tale of Faustian bargains, jealousy, and murder set in a spectacular circus, where star-crossed lovers' destinies are forged at an unexpected price: "A wonderfully imagined and fiendishly clever debut" (Colson Whitehead).
In Victorian London, where traveling sideshows are the very pinnacle of entertainment, there is no more coveted ticket than Ashe and Pretorius' Carnivale of Curiosities. Each performance is a limited engagement, and London's elite boldly dare the dangerous streets of Southwark to witness the Carnivale's astounding assemblage of marvels. For a select few, however, the real show begins behind the curtain. Rumors abound that the show’s proprietor, Aurelius Ashe, is more than an average magician. It's said that for the right price, he can make any wish come true. No one knows the truth of this claim better than Lucien the Lucifer, the Carnivale's star attraction. Born with the ability to create fire, he's dazzled spectators since he was a boy.
When Odilon Rose, one of the most notorious men in London, comes calling with a proposition regarding his young and beautiful charge, Charlotte, Ashe is tempted to refuse. After revealing, however, that Rose holds a secret that threatens the security of the troupe's most vulnerable members, Ashe has no choice but to sign an insidious contract.
The stakes grow higher as Lucien finds himself drawn to Charlotte and her to him, an attraction that spurs a perilous course of events. Grave secrets, recovered horrors, and what it means to be family come to a head in this vividly imagined spectacle—with the lives of all those involved suspended in the balance.
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“James Langton narrates a gothic tale of dark magic and Victorian glamour…Langton employs a gravelly timbre that complements the lyrical writing…Secrets, horrors, and magical elements crackle with promise as Langton’s bewitching narration captures the ear.”
— AudioFile
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“Gibbs crafts a strong sense of time and place through descriptions of the physical world as well as the societal expectations for the rich and poor in Victorian England.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“Subtle worldbuilding elevates the tale’s intrigue without distracting from the action. Darkly enchanting and grimly gratifying.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Gibbs builds an atmospheric historical world with danger and magic around every corner…This vibrant and unusual circus is well worth a visit.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Wonderfully imagined and fiendishly clever.”
— Colson Whitehead, New York Times bestselling author
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About Amiee Gibbs
Amiee Gibbs is the author of her debut novel The Carnivale of Curiosities. She worked for Penguin Random House for thirteen years as a sales manager for independent bookstores, and prior to that, she was an assistant sales manager at Waldenbooks and Borders. She holds an MLA degree with a focus on world literature and creative writing.
About James Langton
James Langton, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, trained as an actor at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and later as a musician at the Guildhall School in London. He has worked in radio, film, and television, also appearing in theater in England and on Broadway. He is also a professional musician who led the internationally renowned Pasadena Roof Orchestra from 1996 to 2002.