Title: Mechanique: A Tale of the Circus Tresaulti
Author: Genevieve Valentine
First published April 23, 2011
284 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781607012535 (ISBN10: 1607012537)
Rating: 3.81
Overview
Step right up and experience the enchanting world of Mechanique: A Tale of the Circus Tresaulti by Genevieve Valentine. Enter a world outside of time and space, where the Mechanical Circus Tresaulti sets up its tents and captivates audiences with their impossible feats.
Witness Ayar the Strong Man, the acrobatic Grimaldi Brothers, and fearless Elena with her aerialists who perform on living trapezes. The world may be at war, but while the Circus is performing, the world is magic.
But the magic is the result of Boss’s careful planning and molding of a mechanical company that will survive the unforgiving landscape. However, even the most careful ringmaster can make mistakes, and two of Tresaulti’s performers are entangled in a secret standoff that threatens to tear the circus apart just as the war lands on their doorstep.
Now the Circus must fight a war on two fronts: one from the outside, and a more dangerous one from within. Are you ready for the show?
About the Author
Genevieve Valentine is a prolific author, having already sold over thirty short stories. Her work has been featured in several publications, including Clarkesworld, Strange Horizons, Journal of Mythic Arts, Fantasy Magazine, Lightspeed, and Apex.
Her writing has also been included in various anthologies, such as Federations, The Living Dead 2, The Way of the Wizard, Running with the Pack, and Teeth.
In addition to her fiction writing, Genevieve has also written nonfiction pieces for Lightspeed, Tor.com, and Fantasy Magazine. She is also a co-author of Geek Wisdom, set to be released by Quirk Books in the summer of 2011.
Genevieve’s debut novel, Mechanique: A Tale of the Circus Tresaulti, is scheduled to be published by Prime Books in May 2011. More information about the book can be found on the Circus Tresaulti website.
Outside of her writing career, Genevieve has a passion for watching terrible movies, which she documents on her blog.
Editoral Review
Mechanique: A Tale of the Circus Tresaulti by Genevieve Valentine is a stunning work of fiction that blends elements of fantasy, steampunk, and circus lore into a beautifully crafted story that captivates readers from beginning to end. Valentine is a celebrated author, having written several novels and short stories that have been widely acclaimed for their imaginative worlds and memorable characters.
With Mechanique, she delivers a unique and compelling story that explores themes of love, loyalty, and the search for identity, all set against the backdrop of a traveling circus. The novel follows the adventures of the Circus Tresaulti, a group of performers who blend human and mechanical elements to create breathtaking spectacles.
At the heart of the story are two central characters, Boss and Bird, who navigate the complex relationships and rivalries within the circus while also battling their own personal demons. Set in an alternate-history world that features fantastical machines and creatures, Mechanique is a thrilling and unpredictable ride that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Valentine’s writing is rich and evocative, bringing to life the sights, sounds, and smells of the circus in vivid detail. Despite its fantastical elements, however, the novel also tackles some weighty themes that are relevant to our own time, such as the role of technology in society and the consequences of greed and ambition.
Valentine’s characters are complex and nuanced, with their own flaws and struggles that make them feel all too human. While some readers may find the plot a bit slow at times or the world-building a bit overwhelming, overall, Mechanique is a tour de force that showcases Valentine’s considerable talents as a writer.
The novel is a must-read for fans of steampunk, fantasy, and circus stories, and is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who picks it up. In conclusion, Mechanique: A Tale of the Circus Tresaulti by Genevieve Valentine is a stunning work of fiction that is sure to captivate readers with its richly imagined world, complex characters, and thrilling plot.
Highly recommend this book for fans of steampunk, fantasy, and circus stories. 4.5/5 stars.
