Book Jacket:
Trix can deal with being an orphan charity case at a snotty boarding school. She can hold her own when everyone else tells her not to dream big dreams. She can even fight back against the mysterious stranger in a silver mask who tries to steal the meteorite her parents trusted her to protect.
But her life is about to change forever. The Circus Galacticus has come to town, bringing acts to amaze, delight, and terrify. And now the dazzling but enigmatic young Ringmaster has offered Trix the chance to be a part of it.
Soon Trix discovers an entire universe full of deadly enemies and potential friends, not to mention space leeches, ancient alien artifacts, and exploding chocolate desserts. And she just might unravel the secrets of her own past—if she can survive long enough.
You can read an excerpt here.
Review:
Circus Galacticus is spritely MG adventure story fun – a light and bouncy read.
A circus in space – what’s not to love about that idea? As far as the science fiction of it all goes, Fagan isn’t exactly treading new territory here, but she is definitely having a heck of a lot of fun playing in the sci-fi sandbox. From a know it all universal communicator to a highly addictive intergalactic soap opera, from a mean teacher of a robot to a mysterious ever changing living spaceship, not to mention special powers and Good and Evil forces battling for the fate of the universe, this book is just a big potpourri of sci fi fun. A story that definitely belongs to the Doctor Who school of merry sci-fi mayhem.
As for our leading lady, Trix, she is also a bundle of fun – spunky and reckless, but always understandably so, it’s highly amusing to watch her mouth run away with her. Quick with a comeback and never one to back down from a dare, Trix makes plenty of mistakes but keeps on coming, and it’s very enjoyable to watch her rampage into, around and through her new life. And of course, at its core, Trix’s story is one we all can relate to – that of a teenager trying to find a place to belong.
That said, this story is, well, light as a feather. Kind of like a stone skipping across the surface of a lake, we only get brief glimpses of deeper waters before we whizz on by – and I was a bit dissatisfied by how the story never really landed. The action steamrollers past any opportunity for substance of plot or grand design, and all in all the story stays pretty cartoony – but there are so many shiny toys and gadgets and alien thingamabobs to distract you, you probably won’t mind too much. This book may be hectic, and it may be more dazzle than substance, but between the circus acts, lurking bad guys and mysterious space rock, you’ll have no problem rollicking along until the end.
So while I wasn’t completely engulfed by this story, I was certainly entertained. A light, fun read.
Byrt Grade: B+
As Levar Burton used to say – you don’t have to take my word for it…
Reminiscent of the juveniles of old, Fagan’s story makes SF fun. It’s loaded with wild coincidences and easily spotted inspirations (X-Men, Doctor Who), yet the underlying idea of valuing diversity, friendship, and self-esteem shines, carried by Fagan’s solid writing, appealing characters, and sprinkles of whimsy.
The Intergalactic Academy says:
This is fairly young middle grade. Don’t get me wrong; I liked Trix, and her story. She’s spunky, heartfelt, and honest. But I wish Circus Galacticus had dug just a little bit deeper. Maybe that’s to come; the novel ends feeling more like the first chapter of a longer journey than a journey unto itself.
The razzle-dazzle of circus life in outer space and the constant action offer plenty of distraction from the sometimes contrived plot, abundant similes and occasionally melodramatic dialogue…A book that reaches for the stars and provides a thrilling ride.
It’s hard not to fall for a concept like this–I bet this one will do well!
I hope so! We need more sci-fi in the YA/MG realm…