It’s time for dark magical bread and circuses today!
Well, I am eating bread, I don’t know about you. But the circus part is true for all of us because todayyyy I’m featuring By A Charm and A Curse by Jaime Questell and having a Q&A with the author! This book is so good and equal parts whimsical and mysterious with darkness lurking about the edges.
And to top it off, there’s an epic giveaway at the end!
SO ENJOY. BECAUSE I AM.
Thanks to Entangled Teen for organising the opportunity for this fabulous feature!
Le Grand’s Carnival Fantastic isn’t like other traveling circuses. It’s bound by a charm, held together by a centuries-old curse, that protects its members from ever growing older or getting hurt. Emmaline King is drawn to the circus like a moth to a flame…and unwittingly recruited into its folds by a mysterious teen boy whose kiss is as cold as ice.
Forced to travel through Texas as the new Girl in the Box, Emmaline is completely trapped. Breaking the curse seems like her only chance at freedom, but with no curse, there’s no charm, either—dooming everyone who calls the Carnival Fantastic home. Including the boy she’s afraid she’s falling for.
Everything—including his life—could end with just one kiss.
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Jaime Questell is a writer and graphic designer from Houston, Texas. She has also been a bookseller, a professional knitter, a semi-professional baker, and an administrative assistant. None of these jobs involved wrangling corgis, which is quite sad. She lives in the ‘burbs with her husband, children, and pets.
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@PaperFury: I love how By A Charm And A Curse has a magical setting with darkness lurking around the edges. What was your favourite part of the circus to write?
@JaimeQuestell I think you kind of hit on it right there in the question. I loved the idea of this bright and shiny surface with a dark core. So I tried to do that both literally, with the lights and the glitter and horrifying accidents, but also metaphorically, with the charm and the curse affecting the way people treat each other. But on a lighter note, I also really enjoyed writing the dogs. I want a posse of dogs following me around like Mrs. Potter.
@PaperFury: Honestly being followed around by dogs sounds like the perfect kind of life. So how did By A Charm And A Curse get its title? Did it go through many changes?
@JaimeQuestell I am horrible at naming things. (Except my kids. I think I did okay there.) But the title is paraphrased from some dialogue of Ben’s, and it felt so right when I decided on it. It’s said over and over that an author should know that their title can change both when their agent sends it out on submission, or after an editor acquires the project, but I was incredibly lucky that both my agent and everyone at the publisher liked it!
@PaperFury: I definitely relate to naming-pains! I never know how to title my books. But you did A+ with Charm!! Can you tell us a little bit about your debut’s journey to getting published?
@JaimeQuestell Charm started life as a short story. I turned it in to my writing group the last weekend of October 2012, and was promptly told that had to turn this into a novel. So, I used that short story as a catalyst for my NaNoWriMo project that year. I put it away to simmer for a while, then polished it up in 2014. I signed with my fabulous agent, Patricia Nelson of MLLA, in November. We sold the manuscript to Entangled in 2016, and here we are! I like to joke now that even numbered years are my lucky years.
@PaperFury Oh I love knowing that it’s a NaNo novel! That’s so inspiring! Now if you were trapped in Le Grand’s Carnival Fantastic, which job would you pick to work at?
@JaimeQuestell I really want to say that I could be elegant and graceful and wear a sequined costume, but I am SO not coordinated. I’m probably one of the ladies deep frying your candy bar. Oh! Wait. I’ve got it. If I could do anything, I’d have an act like Mrs. Potter, but with ferrets. I had some as pets when I was younger and they’re so smart and so cute! That’s what I’d do.
@PaperFury I think I’d probably end up frying something too haha. So what’s the toughest vs most fun parts of the writing process for you?
@JaimeQuestell Toughest part is that stage of revision between big picture and line edits. Where it’s not a huge fix in one area, but the required changes can ripple out and mean there are other things to edit and that drives me up the wall. But the fun part is the drafting, where everything is new and shiny. Where you can come up with your characters’ names and likes and create friendships. That’s the best part.
@PaperFury And lastly! Has any chocolate been harmed in the making of your novel?!
@JaimeQuestell Oh god yes. I’d like to apologize from the bottom of my heart to all of the bags of chocolate covered peanuts that were devoured in the making of this book.
@PaperFury R.I.P little chocolate covered peanuts. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog, Jaime! It was amazing to get to chat with you about your incredible debut!
(I only read the eBook so full disclosure all the photos are photoshopped ah hahah. I’m clever.)
By A Charm And A Curse totally scored all the points with me for the magical circus setting. Plus it had a darker undertone (yes) and a sinister curse (yessss) and deep dark magical secrets (YESSSSSS). I’m actually not sure why I’m so fascinated by circuses considering I’ve never been to one, but they just seem so magical?!? And in books there’s so much room for trickery. So I’ll just wear a festively fabulous hat and a pocket watch and show up for all the magical circus books. Do not stop me.
So the setting was definitely the highlight for me! I love how we really got to SEE the circus acts happening too (plus there was a variety of events to marvel at). It’s set in a modern world, so to visitors it’s just a death-defying circus with lots of glamour and fantastically impossible acts. But thennnnn…behind the scenes? We know the curse is protecting the actors from failure — at a devastating price. One person suffers terribly for it. I just loved the lights and popcorn and sneaking out to look at the stars and epic flips and ferris wheels. So beauty. Much aesthetic.
It’s dual narrated by Benjamin and Emma. Ben gives us an “insider view” while Emma is the “newbie trapped in this whirlwind of magic and curses”. Also Ben is a total Hufflepuff, with his building and painting and feeling all the things. Emma was a tiny bit bland, in my opinion, especially since her life is destroyed when she’s “snatched” by the circus. But also the curse was maybe numbing her?! So that would make sense.
Also so. much. love. to the secondary characters! They all exploded off the page. Sidney was somehow awful and endearing all at once (aajfdksld Sidney) and Pia and Duncan, the hilariously wonderful psychic siblings, were amazing! Duncan was basically a lightbulb and a gif to this world. Whisky and Gin were totally relatable sisters — they’ll fight and possibly nearly kill each other, buuut they also love each other to death. #RELATABLE #CONTENT. I also loved the moral dilemma of how NICE everyone was, but the darkness of how they had to kidnap someone to keep the curse alive.
- so many feels
- like i did not expect to have my feels stabbed like this
- dark backstories and intoxicating secrets
- stakes that are super high and consequences that are terrifying
- human puppets
- dangerous accidents
- deep sadness
- broken cars
- the writing is detailed and delicious
- I think the moral of the story is don’t trust anyone and don’t kiss anyone?!? And these make so much sense.
- also 10/10 to the fact that once you escape a curse, all you want to do is eat snacks
- HOW IS THIS BOOK SO PERFECT
This book sounds amazing?! Delightfully creepy too. I haven’t read that many circus books, but I remember I read NIGHT CIRCUS years ago because of all the hype, and one of the things I loved most about it was that circus/magical world (and the writing was SO beautiful.) I would definitely LOVE to try this one. And ahhh, it’s so awesome to see NaNo books working out like this!
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I love seeing NaNo books triumph because it gives me hope about my own hot mess NaNo books.😂😂 And also whyyy haven’t I read The Night Circus yet?! I have such an infatuation with circuses so I really should read it!
Uh oh, I’ve added it to my March list of ‘Must Haves’
S
I haven’t been to a circus but I first fell in love with its magic because of Erin Morgenstern’s Night Circus. The author had a writing style that conjures images to the mind and makes the circus come alive. AND THE FEELS OH THE FEELS. I wasn’t contented with the ending but we can’t everything, can we?
I also liked Caraval. It was an enjoyable read and I was kind of sad to know that many people weren’t pleased with it. That book had so many feels too and I JUST LOVE JULIAN.
So it is only natural that I want to get my hands on this book. It’s been ages since I’ve read circus stories and I just want to experience the same magic again.
What are other circus stories that you love? I’m in a mood to read those kind of stories 😉
-R
I seriously need to read the Night Circus!! I mean what’s wrong with me that I haven’t yet?!? (I’m going to have to psych myself up for the ending though, right?!😂) And Caraval was AWESOME. I didn’t like the protagonist but the world was freaking epic and I’m so excited for Legendary!!
I also love Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody if you haven’t tried that one yet! It’s dark AND magical and there’s murder and epic illusion skills and ajfdklsad it’s one of my favourites.
I’ve only ever been to one circus and honestly books have made my expectations wayyyyy higher!
I need magical things there, okay?
Also, food. No deliciously mouth watering food so I would rather read about circuses and hope that those books swallow me.
AGREED. What’s the point of an in-real-life circus if it’s not full of magic.😂😂
OK, so I’m inner squealing over the Greatest Showman gif and I can’t wait for that movie to come out on DVD. I literally had a dream last night of taking my mom to see it & woke up kind of crushed because that’s not happening. 😂
But I’m also legit excited about By A Charm and a Curse. Not only is it set in my part of the world, but it sounds so good! I can’t wait to read it 🙂 The author interview was so fun to read, thanks for doing it!
And she ate lots of peanut butter chocolate while writing, so it’s bound to be fantastic.
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I DO WANT TO SEE THE GREATEST SHOWMAN SO BAD.😂 I mean I’m not really a musical fan, but I’m listening to the soundtrack and wishing it was out so I could see it ah haha.😂 (Related: have you seen The Prestige?! It’s also a Hugh Jackman movie but DARK CIRCUSES. It’s great.)
Oh, I haven’t seen the Prestige. I’ll have to check it out! *quick google* Um, how have I not heard of this, I definitely need to watch this!
Sounds like a cool book. I’ll have to check it out. I have gone to a circus once when I was small. A clown lit his head on fire (it was all part of the stunt, but I didn’t know that) and I was traumatized for weeks.
Omg nooo that would’ve been so distressing if you were really little. 😭
I LOVE the circus, and I’d just finished watching The Greatest Showman when I read By A Charm and a Curse so it was PERFECT. Love love LOVE this book!!!! What a great interview. 🙂 If I were in the circus, I’d have an act with aerial silks. And hey, I’d be protected by the charm so it’s OK that I have never even touched an aerial silk before…. The aerialists are definitely my favorite part of the circus!!
Omg I want to see the Greatest Showman so bad! I loved the Prestige hhehe. (And yes like if you had the charm that protects this circus you could do anything right?!😂)
I always love finding out that people published their NaNoWriMo projects. It’s just so…inspiring? Like maybe everything that comes out of NaNoWriMo won’t forever be complete and utter trash. And despite not liking circuses, and having no intention to ever go to a circus…I love circus books. They’re always so dark with glittery edges. And very foody.
SAME. It’s the best thing to hear ever because it makes me look at my rubbish NaNo stories and say: oh look you do have hope.😂 (And honestly I think an actual-life-circus would be seriously overwhelming for me, but I LOVE books set there.😍)
Ooh, this book sounds awesome! Another book shall be added to my towering TBR list. I’ve never been to a circus, but I LOVE them, which I guess doesn’t make much sense but I’ve visited them in books and that’s the same thing right??? BTW awesome book review thing. I can’t wait to read this!!
I totally relate haha…I’ve never been to one but I can’t get enough of circus books?! Clearly we need an actual magical circus to roll into our towns and fix this for us though.😂
I haven’t been to a circus before, but it’s already on my bucket list. Hopefully one travels near me this summer or sometime soon!
It totally should go on my bucket list too tbh.😂
I have been to circuses before but I LOVE circus books!! They speak to my soul, which sounds insane and pretty weird, but they do.
I totally relate though.😂 Like just the magic of the possibilities behind the tricks and things?! Smoke and mirrors = my favourite thing to read about!
My dad would take me to the circus every year when I was a kid. 🙂
Aww that’s so lovely!! I’ve not yet been to one! 😂
MY LIFE’S DREAM IS TO GO TO A CIRCUS. I’ve been to a carnival, but it was a very small carnival with lots of sad children and even sadder rides.
Maybe the more circus related books I read, the faster this circus sized void in my heart will be filled.
If we keep reading circus books maybe ONE WILL COME TO OUR TOWNS AND WE CAN FULFIL OUR MAGICAL DREAMS.
I’ve only been to the circus once, and it was kind of disappointing thinking about it now. I would much rather go to a circus as described in the summary of this book <3
Totally relate.😂I mean I’ve never actually been to a circus myself but if it doesn’t have magic, then what on earth is going on?! Pfft.
My goodness, this book sounds fabulous! Definitely I must read this. By the way, what happened to Beautiful People? I can’t find new ones here or on Further Up and Further In.
I’m so sorry about BP! We’re working on it and will get back to you soon!!
Who gave this permissions to sound super awesome and end up on my tbr pile!?!!!!!??!!!?!!?
ME. I’M HERE TO RUIN YOUR TBR FOREVER. *laughs in the darkness*
This book sounds AMAZING! And I’m adding it to my immediate TBR now!!
I’ve only been to one circus and that was when I was living in Okinawa, Japan. I was a little girl and thought it was smart to bring my stuffed bunny with me. I took her everywhere so, there you go. Anyway, at some point, my bunny ends up on the nets below the bleachers. Naturally, I panicked and had to rescue her. Somehow I managed to lower myself from the bottom of the bleachers, dangled from my knees and snatched her up.
Hanging upside down at an actual circus is a bit surreal. I don’t think I realized at the time that I, maybe, shouldn’t have got on my rescue mission alone!
Omg I love your story! And they didn’t offer to hire you after that?! For shame.😂
I know, right? Talk about a missed opportunity. Tisk tisk. ROTFL
It has been a very long time since I went to a circus. I have read many books set in carnivals and circuses, but I have been very intrigued by this one. I love a dark tale.
Eeep, I hope you get a chance to try it then!!
I went to the circus once when I was about six. A huge tent one, too! It was in town opposite a supermarket, so my parents said we had to go to town to get some groceries. I believed them, and kicked up an almighty fuss the whole way, haha. Then they pulled into the field that had been set up as a temporary car park, and I just stood there blinking.
I think my only other carnival/circus book I’ve read is Caravel!
Caravel was great though, right?! I’m SO excited for Legendary too! I’m not sure if there’s a circus trend starting but I’m all for it, eeep.
Oh, I love the idea of a dark circus! I’ve only been to a (very small) circus a couple of times when I was young, so I don’t remember it all that well. I think I was mostly indifferent to it. This book sounds fantastic, and I love that it was a NaNoWriMo novel! I always love to hear that.
((Also, RIP to all those poor, unsuspecting chocolate peanuts that never hurt a soul, you monster!))
I’ve never even been to a circus. 😂 I suspect a non-magical one wouldn’t be that great? (C’MON WE DESERVE MAGIC.) And omg the cruelty these chocolates suffer at the hands of writers. :’)
I’ve never been to a circus and now that I think about it I haven’t read a book set in a circus. Will have to remedy that. Apart from this book do you have any others recommendations for books set in the circus?
Ohh if you haven’t tried Daughter of The Burning City by Amanda Foody yet, I definitely recommend it too!! one of my favourites!
*weeps for U.S. giveaway* (Unless. It says “OPEN TO US ONLY”… am I one of “us”?? ;P)
This book sounds amazing! (and a bit like The Night Circus, but not? which I am pleased with, because I didn’t actually like that one.) Thank you for the interview, Cait and Jaime! 😀
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I wish it was open to just “all of us”. 😂😂 SORRY ABOUT THAT.
Lovely interview! Being followed around by a posse of dogs does sound fun lol. And the book sounds great too! Tbh, idk if I’ve ever actually been to a traveling circus, I’ve mostly been to and seen cirque-style shows and acts, but I love reading about all types of circuses!
(Sorry if I’ve left a double comment, my wifi is a mess.)
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I’ve never been to a real circus either.😂 But I kind of want to?! I think it’d be a little overwhelming for me but I looove it in the movies. (Like The Prestige!!)
I actually won tickets to the circus when I was a kid for my A+ coloring abilities! (I colored the elephant pink, btw. Very artistic.)
Um, the only carnival themed book that I recall reading is Fever by Lauren DeStefano, which is the second book in The Chemical Garden series. It was really dark and honestly I loved how when they introduced the universe in the first book that it was really severe and life-or-death and then this book came along and really lulled me into this kind of calm that made me forget that the world outside of their little circus was a huge mess where people died young and girls got kidnapped to be sold as wives to rich guys and honestly, I loved it because it was written in a way that made it feel safe despite the fact that I knew that it wasn’t. I also was re-reading the Goodreads summary and I noticed you marked the first book as to-read AND YOU DEFINITELY SHOULD! It was wonderfully dark and twisted and really kept me turning the pages to figure out what happened! It’s not very popular in a lot of reviews I’ve read because it kind of teeters on the edge with some of the more “suggestive” stuff, but I thought it was great and I definitely think you should give it a shot!
Based off of what you said about By A Charm And A Curse, this is definitely a book I want to read! It sounds so interesting and I’ve gotta love that dark fantasy concept with the curses tying people to this circus! *adds to never-ending TBR*
Also, I know this is kind of forward, but I would love to do a similar interview with you after your book comes out, if you’re not already spoken for. I’ve loved listening to your excitement and eagerness to get published and I would love the chance to get something out there, maybe even ask for some advice on where to start when it comes to breaking into the publishing world. You’re honestly one of my writing idols, despite the fact that I have yet to read your book, because not only are you crazy excited to be published, you started from humble roots and interact with us little people who just love listening to you talk about what you love (even if it often leaves me wanting cake XD)! By the way, if you couldn’t tell, I’m really excited for your book to come out! Normally realistic fiction and music-based books aren’t what I read, but the way you’ve been talking about it has gotten me so hyped that I can’t help but want to read it!
So, um, thanks for being a great blogger!
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I definitely applaud your epic pink elephant colouring skills. You’ll single-handedly change the world with your art, I JUST KNOW IT.
Also yes I want to read that series?!? I actually am so ashamed I haven’t read anything by Lauren DeStefano buuut I didn’t know the second in the Chemical Garden series had a circus so OBVIOUSLY I’M SOLD NOW. 😂 This is what I neeeed. *twirls*
And omg OF COURSE I’ll do an interview with you!! I’d be so honoured! I am here and open for endless interviews ah hahah😂 (I still pinch myself to remind myself it’s real that I’m being published omg.) Do you want to email me? My email is: cait@paperfury.com.
Haha I’d rather change the world with my writing tbh
I literally haven’t read anything else by Lauren DeStefano except The Chemical Garden (that I remember, at least), but it was one of many things I decided to branch out to a couple years ago and I definitely didn’t count on absolutely loving the really dark, bleak future she came up with?? Mostly because the friend that recommended it was like “So I really wasn’t a big fan of this book and it was kind of depressing at times, but it sounded like something you’d read”.
Good friends, I tell ya.
Yes! I will email you (as soon as I think of legit interview questions I was lowkey thinking you’d say know silly me XD)!
Also I have no earthly idea where your comment went. I shall go in search of it…..
No rush for the interview questions! But ANY time. I’m here. 😊😊
Also PS. I think my comment went to spam on your blog!!
I’ve been to the circus once before (Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus) and I really enjoyed the show. However, it was also how I found out I was uncomfortable around clowns.
I haven’t read any books set in circuses, but I’ve been wanting to read Night Circus.
I haven’t actually been to a real circus myself (the movies are great though) but I feel like clowns have no chance of being anything but creepy now?! I’ve watched/read too much horror haha.
WOW! This book sounds interesting. I especially love the sound of the title, A Charm and a Curse is an AMAZING TITLE! I WISH I could come up with something that good, all of my WIP titles are usually one word, and not very interesting. Nice interview! It was HIGHLY entertaining. I enjoyed the chocolate question the most btw. Good post!
Isn’t it just?! SUCH a fan of that epic title and I do wish I had titling skills like that. 😂 We must up our game, Jared. Ah haha. And I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview!
I can’t remember ever going to the circus as a kid. Now that I’ve grown up, I’m put off any circuses that have animals because of the mistreatment in the industry.
I loved The Night Circus, which has a similar premise with the cursed circus and whatnot. The audiobook is fun too because it’s narrated by Jim Dale of Harry Potter fame.
Yes there is that problem with IRL circuses. 😭😭 I would be very cautious about that all too…I hate animals in captivity (unless they’re being saved and helped!!). But I do need to read the Night Circus still!! Also I’ve had the audio recommended to me a ton and fjsdakld must get to it.
Goodness, I keep hearing SO many amazing things about this book! I have not read any books with circuses, I think I’d like to though. I did go the real circus a few times when I was little- we’d go with school and such. But that’s cause I am old and circuses weren’t problematic yet hah. (Or, they were, but no one said so!) Lovely interview, too! Also, now I really wish I had chocolate covered peanuts. Thanks guys.
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I mean IRL circuses are generally a bit of a worry…I guess it depends on how they’re done but with the animals and stuff?! I always feel bad for caged animals. BUT ANYWAY. This book was all just about throwing people around which was gREAT because who cares about people. Dime a dozen. Lots of acrobats and magical curses and fun stuff like that. :’)
Great interview! I’ve heard great things about this book and now I’m even more excited for it.
Thanks for sharing,
~Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
*flails excitedly with you* It’s definitely worth picking up!
This book sounds sooooooo good? I think we all need a kinda creepy read once in a while am I right?
I neeed to read Night Circus – I read Caraval and circus books are becoming my faaaave!
Such a lovely blog-post x
Exactly right?! Who doesn’t need to be creeped out once in a while.😂 And Caraval was amazing!! I’m so excited for Legendary!
I have actually seen Cirque Du Soleil! It was super impressive and there were ladies being tossed back and forth from tall platforms above trampolines between buff men and also hanging by their ankles on chandeliers! Like, yes? I’ve never read By A Charm And Curse but it sounds cool and I’d love to own a copy!
Ooh that sounds amazing and terrifying! I’ve never been to any circus so I live voraciously through books and movies. 😂😂
Loved the author interview Cait, I always enjoy reading journeys to publication! I like the darker undertone of this book along with carnivals, I mean what could go wrong?
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Ahh thank you!! I always ask about authors’ journeys to publication because I’m a big snoop.😂 And it’s fun to know how many different ways there are to get there?!
Thanks a lot for this post. I am always on the lookout for interesting books for my daughter, I am definitely going to add this one to my list.
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