Magic awaits, if you dare to believe.
When Phyllo accidentally burns down the big top he can forget his dream of being a magical confectioner. It’s the Circuit for him instead.
Now he must face a daunting string of magical apprenticeships, his first with the Fabulous Volante: the gravity-defying flyers of the high trapeze.
Training is knee-trembling and mind-bogglingly dangerous but when Phyllo is found at the heart of yet another disaster, he realises it’s not just his nerves that are holding him back.
Other acts crumble.
Masked men stalk the cast.
Something dark and evil conspires against them all and, Phyllo discovers, if the Circus of Wonder is to survive, they must solve the problems of the past… or lose the magic forever.
A delicious blend of death-defying circus acts, magic and adventure that reminds us to believe in ourselves and each other.
Assessment:
Plot: Hutton’s novel is precisely plotted and dizzyingly bewitching. The fantasy tropes hit the mark, and the storyline flows smoothly.
Prose/Style: Hutton’s prose is articulate and intoxicating. The lovable central character is perceptive and sincere, with a voice that bears witness to the extraordinary challenges he faces.
Originality: Phyllo Cane and the Circus of Wonder explodes with novelty, bursting at the seams with both classical fantasy elements as well as inspiring worldbuilding.
Character Development/Execution: Hutton’s characters blend into the fantasy world effortlessly. Phyllo Cane leads the pack with his creativity and effervescence, while the rest of his family follow closely behind with fanciful but unwavering dependability. Supporting characters are equal parts sensational and accessible.
Blurb: A fantastical journey of magic, daring, and devotion.
Date Submitted: June 11, 2021
