e-ALC, 11:49:54
Narrated by: Elena Rey & Andre Santana
Release Date: February 3, 2026
Published by: Books on Tape
Read from: January 31-February 2, 2026
Stand-alone
Source: PRH Audio App (I received this ALC free from the publisher and app. This did nothing to influence my review!)
Content Warning: Violence, Death, War, Alcohol, Gun Violence, Emotional Abuse, Confinement, Child Deatj, and Child Abuse
For Readers Interested In: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sparkly Covers, Most Anticipated , YAAn unputdownable romantasy following a young woman posing as fortune-teller at a magical traveling carnival, where the handsome boy who once broke her heart resurfaces and warns her that the carnival is more sinister than it appears.
Welcome to the Carnival Fantástico, a spectacle of magic and mischief, and the perfect haven for a runaway. Using her tricks and razor-sharp wit, Esmeralda becomes the carnival’s resident fortune-teller, aiming for the lead role in the Big Top Show. Success would mean freedom from her former employer, the commander of the King’s army.
Ignacio has defected from the army and is on the hunt for evidence of his father’s corruption. But the last thing he expects to find on his father’s trail of lies is the only girl he’s ever loved, spinning false fortunes at a traveling carnival.
Perhaps fortune has thrown them together for a reason. They strike a deal: she’ll help him expose his father if he helps her secure the main act. But old feelings don’t die easily, and the commander’s secret isn’t the only thing they’ll need to confront.
*MY THOUGHTS*
Besides a couple nitpicky things, this is the highest rated fantasy book I’ve read in a long time. Y’all know that fantasy is not my jam, but I couldn’t miss an Angela Montoya novel. And after finishing this, it definitely proved that.
Ok so the best thing about this is the carnival. I loved the trickery, and the people that were in it, I loved the animals, and just everything about it. I think one of the things I liked most was the magic. It was so beautiful but also deadly. Even when everything started crumbling it was still cool, i.e. the fun house and house of mirrors. I just loved the mystery behind it. And of course the talent too. I loved reading about all the different things and different animals that were in that carnival. It was just all magical and cool. Montoya did a bad ass job with the writing style that made this seem so magical and enticing. I was sucked into this magical setting!
The next thing I lied most was the characters. Learning about all the things they were doing was cool, but knowing that they were all just humans and looking for protection was cool too. Like wanting to protect your twin made me think of someone in a different way too. And there was someone who looked out for their bestie, whether against the game maker or against the people who were looking for their fortune told. These people had no fears and I admired that so much.
The romance itself was so cute. I loved them so much. They were boneheads, yes, but I knew it would end up being for a reason. And lo and behold, it definitely was. I was mad af at them for not trusting themselves and each other. They knew the other and they were still influenced from outside forces. Granted those outside forces did a bang up job in making the other look like an asshole, but still. This is actually what brings me to the other nitpicky thing tho. She was so gung ho on getting him back, that she never listened to him and never knew what really happened. And he was so stubborn too. It was just all bad. I was annoyed that they didn’t listen to each other. When they finally got it together it wasn’t enough time! They were just trying to survive by then and they couldn’t enjoy just being happy.
The ending was crazy pants! I don’t even know how to explain it without being too spoilery. All the new revelations and all the new people and just everything was crazy. And the way it was done with the same magical happenings like the rest of the story. Ugh it was so good, but so crazy. And all the while we found out that the people in this book were really assholes. That picking at people and starting unneccessary wars sounded real familiar unfortunately……
I did not expect to like this as much as I did. I am not one who loves fantasies, but I do like a few authors here and there. And Angela Montoya is one author I don’t want to miss. And the narrators in this made this magical book even better! From their accents, to their natural inflections, I had a lot of fun with this book and I hope y’all get as much out of it as I did!
Overall, I give this
OOh nice! I keep meaning to pick this author up as I have this and her last book on my TBR pile as well. This sounds like it’s definitely my jam so I had to get a copy naturally! Glad to hear that you enjoyed it since you’re not as into fantasy books as I am. This gives me great hope for this book! Nice review!