The Immortal Circus: Act Two (Cirque des Immortels, #2) by A.R. Kahler

The Immortal Circus: Act Two (Cirque des Immortels, #2) Reviews

• 
  Montzalee Wittmann

  The Immortal Circus: Act Two
  By: A. R. Kahler
  Narrated by: Amy McFadden
  Wow, this series just keeps getting better! Read book one first because this book has spoilers for book one. This is wonderful and exciting, lots more suspense and craziness! More deaths, :( A touch of romance, violence, lust, thrills, and great fantasy!
  The narrator is a perfect actress and does wonders for this book. It is so much better with the narrator than just me reading it. Wonderful job.
• 
  Alaina

  OHHHH MYYYYYY EFFFFFFINNNGGG GOOOOODDDD!
  
  The Immortal Circus: Act Two has left me in awe and shock. The amount of twists and turns thrown at me - well, it definitely had my mind completely mind blown. I'm shook.
  
  Vivi and Kingston were my everything. However, the amount of lies and deception from their freaking relationship made me not like them. Then again it's me.. and I'm fickle person. I absolutely loved them together. I could totally forget about this relationship being built on lies. I saw genuine love between these two. However, I was not fucking prepared for what happened.
  
  Nope, not one bit.
  
  The Fairy Queen, also known as Mab, is a god damn bitch. UGH! She made me so mad. Heck, I loved her in the first book but then this book made me suspicious of her so quickly. I knew something was going on because everyone's contracts plus the deaths were so "random" mostly because they weren't.
  
  Mab is a god damn nutcase - right along Lilith. These two are people you should be on the look out for. I'm sure they've killed a shit ton of people. Lilith, also, just fucking creeps me out. I dislike them both so freaking much that I hope they die in the third and final book.
  
  Overall, the amount of deaths shouldn't of shocked me.. but they did. I didn't expect so much or certain people to die. I'm hooked and I NEED to know how this series is going to end!!
  
  Sorry other BR people - I need to listen to the final act right now!!
• 
  Felicia

  HOLY SHIT BALLS BATMAN!
  
  That was intense AF! This book was SOOOO much better than the first. The first I felt like I couldn't really connect with the story or the characters. I'm still not entirely sure why. But in this book... Man, it was so much better.
  
  I feel like I followed the story line better in this one. I found myself giving a shit what happened to the characters. AND! I listened to this book on audio. And since this is my first audio (and I didn't think I'd like audio) that is a feat in and of itself. I went into this book on the fence AND I was listening to audio. So this book had to overcome a lot for me to give it five stars.
  
  The story was so much more in depth in this one. You learn more about Faerie and about Viv herself. Everything throws you for a loop and just makes your jaw drop.
  
  And THAT ENDING! WTF! I am so excited about that ending! And you'll know exactly what I mean when you read this. Because something happens and you're like "oh shit" and then that ending makes you think "oh shit" all over again!
  
  Amazing. Simply amazing. So happy I continued with this story. :D
• 
  Rachel

  This book was an amazing follow-up to THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS. Having read the first in serialized format it was fascinating to read the sequel all at once. Those cliffhangers between episodes are... well... cliff-hanger-y.
  
  This sequel was less mystery more roller-coaster, there was more action, it was definitely darker, more heartbreaking. Just as beautifully written. And with a far more expansive world.
  
  I loved getting all those answers to questions presented in the first book in the series. Even if some of them were surprising... shocking... chilling.
  
  And, well, the end... ahhhh the end. I won't reveal just what happens, but it leaves the story in a place that makes me very anxious for the next book.
  
  As I was a beta reader for this book I won't be reviewing it. But as it was practically bookshelf-ready I am comfortable rating it and saying that I would have given it a six-star off-the-menu rating on the blog.
• 
  Lisa

  This book is so easy to read that I flew through it. It's fantasy set in a circus background with a bit of romance and humour, some horror and a bit of mystery - it's all here you know!
  Looking forward to the next one so much I'm downloading it right now!
• 
  Jennifer

  The Summer Court is still trying to bring down the show, and they seem to have their sights set on Vivienne in particular. As if impending war between the Faerie courts wasn't enough to worry about, Viv's powers seem to be manifesting themselves and a very bloody way. Her memories are slowly trickling back too, leading her to believe that she must escape the circus and return home to trigger the rest of her memories, no matter how painful they may be. Kingston agrees to help her, but at great risk to both of them since both courts will be pursuing them.
  
  This book was messed up - but in a good way, sort of. It was intense. I kept thinking "WTF??" every time a section ended. And the ending - don't get me started on the ending!! I was so upset by something that happened about 3/4 of the way through that I was ready to just trash the whole series I was DONE. But the ending!!!! It gave me just enough hope to want to continue on to book 3. So in other words, this was a great book.
• 
  Lör K.

  It has been a long time since I read
  The Immortal Circus: Act One, and since I first started The Immortal Circus, Act Two. I simply forgot about this masterpiece due to late nights and college work. Finally coming back to it at only 20% into the book, I was able to immediately remember what had happened and come back to this absolutely amazing world that Kahler has created. I was lost, and in just three hours, altogether, I finished reading the rest of the book. It's not often a book has such a grip on you - a book you can't put down even though your eyes are getting too heavy to crack open.
  
  I genuinely didn't think the book series could get any better than the first book, as series go, the second is usually good but not as good as the first, and the third is usually a horrendous book. I haven't even started
  The Immortal Circus: Final Act, but I know it's going to be the biggest, and best book of the series.
  
  I have no words at all to explain the absolutely amazing world that A. R. Kahler has created. There's no way to describe it. The return of all the characters we loved before, the new characters we were warned about, and the twists of characters we thought we knew.
  
  Well, Mab, we all knew she was up to something but holy crap. I was in shock.
  
  Kahler has created an absolutely amazing bridge in this series, continuing on a story that left us wanting more, craving more. This delivered. This delivered more than we were ever expecting it to.
  
  The story in this one was absolutely stunning. Kahler left me in shock, and I lost count of how many times I cried, especially between 70% and 80%. Kingston is my favourite character and well...
  
  image:
  
  I have never cried as much as I have when reading the final third of this book, and let me tell you, I've read
  Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog.
  
  The characters we know and love develop even more than they already did in the first book, and honestly, Vivienne ,,,,
  
  
  
  I have never been prouder of a character's development before and then Vivienne comes out here, I'm just tryna mind my own business and she turns around and kicks ass. I feel like a proud father. Sniffs.
  
  I don't think I could recommend this book enough. There has never been a book series that has kept me so on edge throughout the entire series, and I haven't even started the third yet (I know it's gonna kick my ass more than this). This book series has kept me entranced, amazed and distraught in the space of seconds and sentences. Kahler is an absolute genius. If you haven't read this, you really need to.
  
  Kahler is by far the King of Fantasy, and an artist with a manuscript. I'm going to be so sad to finish this series, and I know I'm going to be re-reading this countless times. I definitely recommend this to anyone, 10 stars out of 5.
  
  Give it a try.
• 
  Steph's Romance Book Talk

  This part of the story picks up three months after the incidents of Act One. It was very interesting but somewhat predictable. Vivian is finding out her past and things are not as they seem. It was good but not run out to get the next book great for me.
  
  This specific video review will be included in the May 2018 wrap-up.
  
  For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Rom Book Talk.
  
• 
  Gypsy Madden

  While the writing and story telling was still topnotch and I adored the first book, this felt very much like a second book. It didn't try as hard to hook the audience, it seemed a bit tired of its characters, and the magic of the first book felt absent. It didn't have any fun scenes with the Shifters, Kingston didn't really show off his powers, Vivienne seemed uninterested in getting to know any other characters in general, and quite a bit of the book was spent dwelling on Vivienne's visions of fire which felt like filler. This book worked on trying to unravel the mystery of Vivienne, and what a bloody, depressing history she had. And then there was the cheapening of Kingston's character. I know it was mainly to add a complication into their blissful relationship, and make it so that he wasn't a pure white character even with past blood on his hands. Even with him sullied, he was still the most interesting and magical character in the story, and to suddenly have him make an exit from the story turned the rest of it rather bland and lacking hope without him. But I still have hope that the third installment will make up for the downfalls of this installment, and turn this installment into a mere middle rung on a ladder to a fullfilling ending.
• 
  Purple Country Girl (Sandy)

  Not as good as the first book but still a mostly entertaining read. Easy to get into but often hard to stay interested in the story this time - "Act One" had my unwavering attention and I finished it in two days - "Act Two" took about two weeks to finish. I was disappointed that the action strayed from the unique circus environment for a good chunk of the book but a lot is explained in those pages...not all to my satisfaction but many blanks are filled in. With the tone and direction of "Act Two," I fear the final book will disappoint as well but I will still read it to find out how everything wraps up.
• 
  Jaclyn

  I enjoyed this book more than I did the first one. In Act One, I didn't really get hooked on the circus storyline and what was happening there. This time around, every aspect was intriguing. I was still interested in Vivienne and Kingston's relationship, and where his true loyalties lie, but secrets were revealed about Viv that changed everything and made everything more interesting. I liked how the story unfolded and was so suspenseful. I'm eager to begin Act Three!
• 
  Olivia

  This one got even more far-fetched than the first one! I had a really hard time finishing this one because I completely lost interest. It was so confusing to keep up with Viv's flashbacks to her past. I just wish there was more circus, less fantasy. I already bought the third book in the trilogy, so I'm going to read it. I really hope it's better than the others.
• 
  Shannon

  Interesting. Completely different than the first book. The powers of Vivienne are being established, questions are being asked, new characters are introduced, and just strange stuff is circling around all. Liked it, but it seems like so much is going on that I'm not sure how the book will wrap up....on to the final book.
• 
  Dhali

  The heroine is whining and repetitive with a knack for stating the obvious in a very annoying way. The story drags for most of the book in way that seems unnecessary.
• 
  Courtney Doss

  On one hand, A.R. Kahler did a lot of things right with this sequel to The Immortal Circus. On the other, though, I feel like Kahler dropped the ball on a few things here, and I think that this book was definitely weaker than the first.
  
  Picking up where the previous book left off, this installment of The Immortal Circus has Kingston and Vivienne enduring the aftermath of the battle with Lilith as the only two (other than Mab) to know what happened. It also revolves around Vivienne's rapid decline as images from her magically forgotten past keep coming up in her nightmares.
  
  In many ways, it was satisfying to finally get a few answers about who the hell Vivienne is. However, a big part of what made me enjoy this book so much was the idea that she was a mortal and not some super ultra powerful something that could single handedly destroy the earth if only it weren't for Mab and when that particular part of the plot came about, I was incredibly disappointed. I was also kind of bummed by the nature of Kingston's relationship with Vivienne, because despite the incredibly sexual chemistry that they maintained through this book, the sheer lack of trust between them was infuriating.
  
  Now, I'm not usually one to talk about stylistic choices of the writer, and I don't get annoyed by writing very often, but I must say that if I have to read one more scene of Vivienne collapsing to the floor in an overwhelming fit of emotion/visions/whatever, I'm gonna be annoyed. It seemed that every few chapters she was having some sort of fit. I wanted her to be a strong character, and instead we have the perpetual damsel fainting every five minutes. I think this is especially frustrating because she is framed as being this bad ass, but all of her bad assery is rooted in her past and not in her personality.
  
  I must say, though, a certain plot decision left me with my jaw agape, as I was definitely not expecting such a thing to occur. If you've read the book, I think you're right there with me and understand exactly what I'm talking about.
• 
  Lora Shouse

  It’s hard to believe, but I think The Immortal Circus: Act II is even darker and more mysterious than the original book. In the end, I think Vivienne is confused. I know I am. Can’t wait to read the third act.
  
  In the beginning, it’s not too bad. The great battle between the Summer and Winter Courts is over (for the time being at least), and the demon Kassia is locked away in the large ruby that adorns Mab’s Ringmaster hat. Vivienne and Kingston are lovers without reservation now, and new performers have been recruited for the circus.
  
  Things are looking good, but Vivienne keeps having bad dreams, and she keeps remembering more and more of her previous life despite Kingston’s magic and despite her contract. Eventually, Kingston decides to take her to explore her past, hoping to lay the dreams to rest, and they set out to visit Detroit where she once lived with an abusive father, an elusive mother, and a sister. The father and mother remain almost as mysterious at the end as they have been all along.
  
  But they also wind up visiting the Summer Kingdom, where Vivienne is caught. She discovers that she has lived before, that she was once Oberon’s lover and a lot of less savory stuff.
  
• 
  mezzogal

  The pacing is quite off in this one. Not much happens in the first half of the book, then suddenly Everything happens. It bounces from event to event way too fast. There's too much action and not enough world-building; which doesn't work for this second book, since they are in a different environment from book one. I don't know exactly what's going on with Vivienne - what is she??? I don't know what's going on plot-wise. It feels very messy and confused. Sudden appearances of figures from the past. Kingston is at times all-powerful and completely powerless. The memory wiping and the Contract are becoming irritating and overused as convenient ways out of a situation. Melody's position also seems to have changed as though the author changed his mind about what to do with her. And the sudden twist at the end... If the author means to mirror how the main character is feeling then it's working. I didn't hate the book, but it's definitely not easy to read and not as compelling as book one.
• 
  CJ

  Similar to the first novel, I had a really hard time with the manner in which the main characters revelations took place. Characters are absolutely more interesting when parts of their lives are hidden, making for tension and suspense. However, so many of the revelations in this novel led to frustration in the main character which in turn led to annoyance by this reader.
  
  I love the concepts and the premise. The characters have the potential to be amazing, however the execution was less than desirable. As I said in the review for the previous novel in this trilogy, I think this is less a fault of the author and more myself realizing that YA, angsty characters are something I have grown beyond. This would probably be an intriguing read for an older teenager.
• 
  Eva

  This book has left me with some serious mixed feelings. I wouldn’t say i enjoyed it , that would definitely be an overstatement, but It wasn’t too bad and I finished it in like 3hrs. But, my issue is mainly with some characters and the fact that the second half of this book made no sense.
  
  I mean, I wish I could expand and explain this review a little better but I just don’t have the words. Would I recommend this book? Yes if you’re looking for a really easy and quick read but not if you want a gripping and story filled with excellent characters. You could literally finish all 3 books in a day so if you want something to read on your kindle whiles you’re waiting for a delivery of new books then give this series a whirl.
• 
  Lindsey Faire

  Really love this story!
  
  I can not wall away from these characters, their stories or the heartbreak. It is a perfect fantasy read for me. Well thought out and developed character arcs, beautiful writing, twists and turns, just enough macabre to be interesting without it being overkill, just enough hinting to add to the story without graphic detail. Even the audio narration is spot on for me. On the next book of the series.
• 
  Hannah Verret

  3.5 stars - Okay, I'm sucked in to this series. Even after finishing Act Two, I still don't really know how I feel about it all.
  ~~SPOILERS!~~
  Kingston is dead?? Wtf dude. Kingston MADE Viv love him? Asshole.
  So much happens in this book & it's important to keep up.
  
  Even though I'm still iffy on this whole dang series, I'm about to go start the last one because I absolutely need to know how it ends.
• 
  fc7reads

  Curiouser and curiouser. This book is the middle of the trilogy and just when you think you understand Viv's story, you learn that you still don't know all there is to know. Viv suffers a devastating loss and just when she feels poised to exact revenge she finds herself even more under Mab's thumb than she was before. How will the final book in the trilogy bring the story to resolution?
• 
  Biwi

  I've been listening to these in audio, and I think I may have liked it better if I read it myself. The narrator matters. It influences the whole perception you have of the characters. I want to like Viv, but I can't help but find her annoying. But maybe that was the point. I'll keep trudging along, I'm not a quitter. One book to go!
• 
  Christine

  I did not enjoy act 2 as much as act 1. Certain characters shifted into irritating and the plot was fairly predictable. I'm diving into act 3 as they are quick reads, but I suspect I know how the whole thing will end
• 
  N.J.

  I do not recommend listening. Things change time and place so fast that you lose track of what is happening. Vivienne's visions become confusing and you will lose interest but if you continue into the book it'll get better.
• 
  Mahalia Gosla

  So now what?
  
  Holy drama and plot twists!! I can't even begin to break down what I just read. Viv is beyond annoy, but I feel for her on so many levels. I now will read the Final Act and hope for the best.