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Circus Galacticus

by Deva Fagan (Goodreads Author)

3.52 of 5 stars 3.52 · rating details · 191 ratings · 72 reviews

Rebel. Champion gymnast. Intergalactic traveler?

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 fo...more

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published November 15th 2011 by Harcourt (first published November 14th 2011)

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Feb 23, 2013 Lolly's rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amazon-vine, young-adult, fantasy-sci-fi

What a fun, thrilling, adventure-filled ride of a book! For anyone who's ever felt different, apart from one's peers, even a bit "alien" to everyone else, this is the book for you, no matter your age. In fact, even as an adult, I still suffer from such distant feelings. As such, I felt an immediate connection to the protagonist, Beatrix "Trix" Ling, the most real, dimensional, interesting character I've yet seen in juvenile fiction. She's adventurous, headstrong, doubtful of herself yet willing...more What a fun, thrilling, adventure-filled ride of a book! For anyone who's ever felt different, apart from one's peers, even a bit "alien" to everyone else, this is the book for you, no matter your age. In fact, even as an adult, I still suffer from such distant feelings. As such, I felt an immediate connection to the protagonist, Beatrix "Trix" Ling, the most real, dimensional, interesting character I've yet seen in juvenile fiction. She's adventurous, headstrong, doubtful of herself yet willing to go out on a limb anyway in order to do what's right and best. What's truly wonderful is she's the least irritating, whiny, mealy-mouthed M.C.; while she has her moments of poor behavior (and don't we all), she's the freshest breath of fresh air I've encountered. Trix is so real, so refreshing, so well-rounded, warm and lovable, I'm absolutely impatient to see more of her.

Trix has always believed she was special. After all, her parents told her so and ever since they died in a tragic space shuttle accident, knowing that they thought she was special has kept Trix going. Especially now. Trix is a charity case at a snobby boarding school, where her smart mouth and headstrong actions tend to get her into trouble. A lot. This last go-round, with the snooty Della, has cost Trix her coveted position on the school's gymnastic team and a trip to the state finals. Beaten, but not yet broken, Trix soon encounters the sinister Nyl, a strange mechanical man who's broken into Trix's room in order to steal the one thing left to her by her parents, a meteorite, a strange chunk of space rock she's promised to keep safe. Thus begins an adventure of a lifetime when Trix chases after Nyl and ends up in the middle of a circus. But this is no ordinary circus and when the charismatic young ringmaster invites her to join, Trix discovers her place in the universe is not so small as she believed. As she unlocks the secrets of her past, she encounters space leeches, new friends, ancient alien artifacts, potential conspiracies, and an exploding chocolate dessert.

Think of this book as kind of a Hogwarts in space. Indeed, if Circus Galacticus doesn't get the acclaim and notice that J.K Rowling's series received, then the good people at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt aren't doing their jobs properly. Breezy, exhilarating, fast-paced, well-imagined and excellently written, Circus Galacticus is a sure-fire winner.(less)

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Oct 21, 2011 Phoebe added it

Shelves: young-adult, sci-fi, space-opera, intergalactic-academy-reviews

Full review at the Intergalactic Academy.

Circus Galacticus is an enjoyable change from most middle grade genre novels–rather than your typical fantasy setting, Deva Fagan offers young readers a lightly science fictional world. Orphan Trix is shocked when her hair randomly turns pink one day–that shock’s compounded when she’s invited to run away and join the space circus by the handsome and mysterious Ringmaster.

He takes her to live under the Big Top–which is actually a spaceship–where she’ll be...more Full review at the Intergalactic Academy.

Circus Galacticus is an enjoyable change from most middle grade genre novels–rather than your typical fantasy setting, Deva Fagan offers young readers a lightly science fictional world. Orphan Trix is shocked when her hair randomly turns pink one day–that shock’s compounded when she’s invited to run away and join the space circus by the handsome and mysterious Ringmaster.

He takes her to live under the Big Top–which is actually a spaceship–where she’ll be sorted according to her natural abilities as a clown, or a star, or a stagehand. If any of this sounds familiar, it’s because this is actually a fantasy novel; Trix starts the story in a boarding school, and though she moves on to a place that is, in name, a circus, Circus Galacticus is actually a magical school novel. All of the elements are there: the houses, the embarrassing cafeteria scenes, the relationship with her roommate–there’s even coursework!

But the props of this world owe more to their science fictional predecessors than most fantasy novels. There’s a dimension bending spaceship and her nameless, charismatic driver; food replicators; and inner-ear translators (so . . . Doctor Who, Star Trek, and Hitchhiker’s, check, check, and check!). These oblique references amused me, but I think they’d serve as an even better entryway into genre for younger readers.

In truth, though, I frequently found myself considering how younger readers would like the book–without getting really absorbed in it myself. 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 into itself. Or maybe I’m just the wrong audience. I think kids will like this–particularly the 8 to 10 set, who dig Doctor Who but might not be ready for the deeper cynicism of comic sci-fi like Douglas Adams.(less)

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May 08, 2013 Jennifer H rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What a fun read! I very much enjoyed this story and was honestly surprised that it wrapped up in one book given the current trend for multiples. And the author did a very clean job of wrapping up - I didn't feel disappointed (although I have to really wonder how long Trix was locked up).

Everyone I think, even if you won't admit it, wants to been seen as special. The main character Trix has exactly this weight to carry, especially since her dead astronaut parents told her she was so and left her...more

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Aug 02, 2012 Cornerofmadness rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction, young-adult

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This one was a decent YA story, not great, not terrible. It’s characters needed to be a bit more fleshed out but over all I liked it. Beatrix ‘Trix’ Ling is an orphan at a snobby boarding school (naturally) and of course everyone picks on her but she is a state champion wanna be in gymnastics, which only crops up now and again when necessary and we’re more often told about it than shown.

The school ends up going on a trip to the Circus Galacticus and only Trix can see special writing on the circu...more This one was a decent YA story, not great, not terrible. It’s characters needed to be a bit more fleshed out but over all I liked it. Beatrix ‘Trix’ Ling is an orphan at a snobby boarding school (naturally) and of course everyone picks on her but she is a state champion wanna be in gymnastics, which only crops up now and again when necessary and we’re more often told about it than shown.

The school ends up going on a trip to the Circus Galacticus and only Trix can see special writing on the circus poster. Also of note, her parents were astronauts who died somehow leaving her with a ‘special’ treasure, a meteor rock. Trix wakes up to someone in the dorm room trying to steal this, a man named Nyl, who warns her away from the circus and its lying Ringmaster. After she fights him off, she wakes up with pink hair.

Naturally she goes anyhow and when he chases her, she ends up backstage and meets the oh so handsome Ringmaster (he has no other name). He invites her to join them and she goes. This is what bothers me a bit. It’s not just a circus. It’s a circus that is a living star ship and they’re all aliens and she doesn’t hesitate. Yeah life sucks at school but she never gives it a second thought. She doesn’t even go back for her belongings or even think about what she left behind (she has the meteor on her). This doesn’t seem particularly realistic and that’s always a problem with this sort of thing with the paranormal or aliens, either people over react or under react (and I’m not sure what a normal reaction would be but at least thinking it over might help).

Trix makes her first friend Nola (and we’re told this ad nauseum) a girl who’s special abilities are technology related. As Trix learns there WAS intelligent design to the universe (but it’s not God), the Mandate went through the universe messing with DNA so everything in the known universe looks human with the basic human colorings/races. The Tinkers on the other hand went through and put in variation of wild sorts. After millennia of warfare both groups have all but disappeared and a Core Government exists in the more civilized parts of the universe. Nyl, naturally is the unimaginative Mandate and Ringmaster and the Bigtop (the ship) and crew are Tinker-Touched. Trix is one of them, or so she believes.

Basically the Bigtop goes around the galaxy performing its acts and they recruit other Tinkers. Here’s where the world building gets a little weak. Why are they only teenagers (besides the fact this is a YA book)? What are they planning to do? Why did the outcasts break off from Ringmaster and the rest? Why is almost everyone on this ship rich to begin with (and are escaping the public eye before the Mandate (which is making a comeback) and the government (which is slowly becoming Mandate controlled) can genetically cleanse them? I’m betting some of these questions will be answered in the next book. Even though this story is complete onto itself (thanks for that) it’s obviously part of a series.

I did like the characters even if they did need more meat on the bone. Yes Trix is the loser/can’t fit in archetype but you do want to see if she fits in with the circus or is forced on her way. I did really like the fact that Ringmaster said something to the affect of you don’t expect to fit in somewhere. You have to MAKE your own place. It wasn’t a bad book. I’d get the next one if the library gets it.
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Apr 18, 2012 Hylary Locsin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Originally posted on my blog: http://libraryladyhylary.blogspot.com ! Check it out for more reviews!

Being an orphan and a charity case at the prestigious Bleeker Academy for Girls isn’t an easy life for fifteen-year-old Beatrix “Trix” Ling. Although she is a talented gymnast, Trix doesn’t feel like she fits in, constantly tormented by the other girls and looked down upon by cruel Headmistress Primwell. To make it through the dreary days, Trix dreams about following in her parents’ footsteps as a...more Originally posted on my blog: http://libraryladyhylary.blogspot.com ! Check it out for more reviews!

Being an orphan and a charity case at the prestigious Bleeker Academy for Girls isn’t an easy life for fifteen-year-old Beatrix “Trix” Ling. Although she is a talented gymnast, Trix doesn’t feel like she fits in, constantly tormented by the other girls and looked down upon by cruel Headmistress Primwell. To make it through the dreary days, Trix dreams about following in her parents’ footsteps as an astronomer. Although they were killed in an accident when she was six, Trix still remembers the stories her mom and dad told her about the stars, and can’t wait until she can leave Bleeker Academy forever and begin studying the mysteries of the universe. What Trix doesn’t realize is that she is about to leave Bleeker, and Earth, for good. As part of a school fieldtrip, Trix and the other stuck-up Bleeker girls go to see the Circus Galacticus: a mysterious and exciting show held under in a large and beautiful Big Top. While exploring the tent, and attempting to avoid Primwell, Trix discovers the truth about the circus: the performers are actually from other worlds, all across the universe, and the Big Top is their spaceship. Trix meets the charismatic and charming Ringmaster who invites her to join the rest of the troupe, leaving her humdrum life on Earth forever. Trix is ecstatic, but doesn’t realize that there is more to her life on the Big Top than cotton candy and circus acts. A dangerous presence in the universe is after her, and she must determine why before it is too late.

Set in a universe that is easily traversed via wormhole, where Earth is in a “boondock galaxy” and a strict government controls how all of the inhabitants look and act, Circus Galacticus, written by veteran author Deva Fagan, delivers a likable protagonist, interesting cast of characters, and original story that is entertaining and enjoyable for tween and teen sci-fi fans. The beginning of the novel introduces a premise that is somewhat common: Trix is an orphan who doesn’t fit in and longs for the life she had with her parents. After the first two chapters, however, the story goes in a very unique direction. The author does an excellent job of world building: describing in vivid detail the Big Top and its inhabitants and allowing the reader to experience the excitement of what they hold with Trix. There is also some interesting mythology that goes along with the universe that Trix discovers, including a centuries old conflict between two opposing powers, the key to which appears to lie in Trix’s past. Although a sequel has yet to be announced, Fagan definitely leaves the story open to at least one more novel. Hopefully Circus Galacticus is the first in a series, as it holds the potential of being something very unique and enjoyable for tween, teen and adult readers alike.

This is one of those novels that I had in my pile of “to be read” for a long time. I hadn’t heard much about it so I wasn’t in a rush to pick it up. I am often very surprised by how the novels that don’t get as much attention are some of my favorites. Circus Galacticus is well-written and truly very easy to enjoy. Deva Fagan does a great job with adding the right amount of humor to the story while still managing to portray the more serious aspects of what Trix is going through below surface level. I was intrigued from almost the first chapter, and wish that I had read this novel sooner, as I ended up really liking it. I hope that the author decides to write a sequel. I would definitely read it right away if she does! (less)

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Apr 03, 2012 Diane rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, fantasy, space-travel, washyarg

Beatrix Ling (Trix) was orphaned when her astronaut parents died in a space accident. She’s incredibly unhappy in her boarding school. Her only treasure is a meteorite her dad gave her with a warning to keep it safe and secret. On a field trip to the circus, she is totally captivated by the show’s performers. After being chased by a strange scary masked man, she falls through a hidden door in the Hall of Mirrors and finds herself backstage among the freaks and clowns. She discovers that the cir...more

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Oct 10, 2011 Jennifer Rinehart rated it 2 of 5 stars

I'm feeling very grumble-grumble-snort after reading this book. For me, it seemed that every time I got excited about something in it, by the next chapter I was disappointed because it never panned out.

Here, in no particular order is what really stirred my interest and then failed to deliver;

1. The main character - At first she was a girl at a snotty rich boarding school who gets blamed for everything and is just biding her time til she can get a gymnastics scholarship and leave. But, as the sto...more I'm feeling very grumble-grumble-snort after reading this book. For me, it seemed that every time I got excited about something in it, by the next chapter I was disappointed because it never panned out.

Here, in no particular order is what really stirred my interest and then failed to deliver;

1. The main character - At first she was a girl at a snotty rich boarding school who gets blamed for everything and is just biding her time til she can get a gymnastics scholarship and leave. But, as the story progresses, she mostly just reacts to sitations, hardly ever asks questions even when the answers seem to be available to pretty much everyone but her. She has a mild to non-existant crush on the top guy and mostly seems pretty okay with just hanging out. In other words, I just did not get her! She pretty much runs away to live with an intergalactic circus and then it all got dull from then on out.

2. The sparkly top hatted Ringmaster or the-many-many-reasons-why-fops-are-not-sexy-or-romantic. He swung from a strange mixed up Willy Wonka man to a reclusive and closed mouthed spiritual guide. Again, I just didn't get him and couldn't understand whyTrix liked him or why everyone deferred to his opinions, why he dressed so oddly, why he liked her, why he carried a cane, what his purpose was and why he wouldn't share information with anyone but his possibly evil robot avatar thingamajig. He really was a head shaking, eye rolling ordeal for me to read about.

3. The ever changing spaceship\circus tent that was alive. I never really warmed up to the idea of it because it wasn't developed enough and the characters themselves seemed just as mystified by it.

4. Trix's dead parents. SPOILER ALERT! DON'T READ PAST THIS IF YOU WANT THE STORY TO HAVE SOME SURPRISES. There was a mystery about her parents and when the final reveal came it was kinda blah, your mom and dad were Mandate and Tinker and your mom came from a long line of evil people whose entire purpose is evildoing and killing, the end. What?! I mean just a few measly paragraphs to explain the whole reason why she could get through the magical mirror yet hadn't manifested a specialty? Not satisfying at all.

5. Magic dancing and acrobatics. So once the big reveal was over, the fact that everyone on the Circus Galactus spends their days training to dance and perform circus acts not only seemed strange, but downright bizarre. Supposedly they are on the run from the evil Mandate yet they seemed to flaunt their strange talents in a circus act? The explanation that the ringmaster gives that the best place to hide is in plain sight seemed rather silly and a downright ridiculous waste of time.

6. The evil agent of the Mandate, Nyl. Again with the cryptic statements and sillyness. He didn't seem very fear inspiring and he wasn't willing to give actual information away, all in all, rather boring. Mostly he showed up and tried to steal the rock which Trix carried around with her with the same reverance and protection of your average ham sandwich.

7. Pink hair, I got the feeling the author just wanted her character to have pink hair, because it wasn't explained and there was no real reason given for it.

8. The meteorite that her parents asked her to guard. The final reveal of it wasn't very well done and in the end, it might as well not have been there at all.

All told, I'm pretty surprised that I finished this book. Each chapter ended pretty much the way the previous did, with more questions, very little action on the part of the main characters and huge buildup to an ending that didn't make a whole lot of sense. I really wavered over giving this book two or three stars, three because I did finish it and wasn't terribly bored, but two stars because it didn't make sense and the story had such a weak ending that was very message-y, you know, trying to teach a lesson of empowerment to young women. I don't like message books that are too blatant like this.
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Sep 30, 2011 Ramie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, sci-fi

Once upon a Trix had parents. It seems that is the end of her happy story. Trix's parents, now dead, have left her with nothing but a rock and a belief that she is special - something that is rather hard to believe when you're locked up in a school, living your life bullied by everyone (even the administrators cannot really be nice to you, what with the other kids' parents to deal with).

But what's this, the Circus is coming to town. That's something right? And oh, is it. Trix finally finds a pla...more Once upon a Trix had parents. It seems that is the end of her happy story. Trix's parents, now dead, have left her with nothing but a rock and a belief that she is special - something that is rather hard to believe when you're locked up in a school, living your life bullied by everyone (even the administrators cannot really be nice to you, what with the other kids' parents to deal with).

But what's this, the Circus is coming to town. That's something right? And oh, is it. Trix finally finds a place where she feels she belongs. As this circus isn't any ole circus, nope. It's a flying spaceship circus, not that anyone but Trix seems to figure this out - that means her parents were right, right? She is special? She belongs somewhere?

But why is the evil Nyl following her trying to get her rock? Can she trust these circus people with it? Is Nyl really evil? Or, well, the Ringmaster, he does disappear a lot and has that creepy electronic evil holographic woman watching over them all. How much does Trix or anyone really know about him? And Trix doesn't seem to have any talent that would make her one of them, why would they pick her? But hey Trix finally has a friend so maybe it'll all be okay, despite all of the questions?

This is a fast fun read. Many children / YA books now focus on a romance - there's hints of he or she like her or him, but you'll find little to no romance here. Nope. This book does what stories for the kids tend to do best - adventure (in a fun and crazy kind of way). There are few adult figures and the ones that there are are either evil or out of the picture nostalgic figures. Nope, the kids are all but on their own, in space to figure it all out on their own. Also the author was wise enough to know the story could be told in the one volume. We get to know the characters we need to, get little hints of who the background characters are, get the story, get resolution. The end. I don't expect a sequel, but if there is one it will be an all new story, this one is complete, no cliffhanger to be found here. It's all wrapped up, satisfactorily so, and then it's left up to imagine where the Galacticus Circus stars are off to as our time with them comes to an end (and yes we do, sort of, find out who is the good guy and who is not -- sort of).

I'd definitely read more books by this author if this is any indication of what to expect. Fast and fun without much filler and without trying to drag it into extra books that it doesn't need. It is exactly what it needs to be, nothing more or less. That's my kind of book.(less)

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Mar 06, 2013 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Enjoyed this book a lot despite the grammatical errors. The Ringmaster was kind of hard to believe in but I liked him

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Jul 06, 2012 Lissibith rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: novel, sci-fi

Let's start with the good. This story about a girl from Earth running away with an intergalactic circus is a fun, quick read. the characters are varied and interesting, the Big Top herself is really interesting and I want to know more, and I think it tries to have a nice message at its heart about how if you feel like you're special and meant for great things, you have to work for them to make them come true.

This is definitely a YA book. Unfortunately, this is not one of those charming YA books...more Let's start with the good. This story about a girl from Earth running away with an intergalactic circus is a fun, quick read. the characters are varied and interesting, the Big Top herself is really interesting and I want to know more, and I think it tries to have a nice message at its heart about how if you feel like you're special and meant for great things, you have to work for them to make them come true.

This is definitely a YA book. Unfortunately, this is not one of those charming YA books that you can still read and fully enjoy as an adult. I fully believe that if someone had put this book in my hands when I was 12, it would have been my favorite thing ever. There's a sweeping sense of scale and wonder the author captures really well. But other things, if they didn't bother me, then they at least pulled me out of the story a little.

First, the story proceeds from one plot point to the next at a pretty rapid pace. On the one hand, it means no filler, but on the other, it sometimes felt like I was reading a book set in fast forward. Nothing developed beyond the bare essentials.

Second, the plot is very.... easy, I guess is the best word. Everything our main character Trix tries, she's pretty much good at. A lot of the time, everything she tries goes right, and even when it goes wrong - really really wrong - there are few consequences besides her thinking to herself what a failure the is. It rings a little hollow.

Third but related, Trix is a special snowflake. Granted she's often good at what she does, but there's a definite feeling that she thinks the rules don't apply to her, and when she breaks them, it's often others who pay the price. The book pays lip service to this by pointing out to her that she may be doing a lot of what she does out of a desire for attention and to stroke her ego. She doesn't ever really take the point except when she wants to feel sorry for herself, however.

But if you're interested in the story as presented in the blurb above, I recommend giving this a read-through. It's fun, and the author really does capture the feelings of wonder and longing that so many of us felt as kids looking out at the stars.(less)

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Nov 06, 2011 Kathy Martin rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a story about the universal desire to be special and have a place in the world. Trix's parents told her she was special. But after their deaths she found herself a charity student at a snobby boarding school and her "special" translated into "freak" in that environment. She is unhappy and has a very uncertain future.

Trix has always dreamed of the stars. So when a traveling circus offers her a chance to travel among the stars, she doesn't hesitate to leave her unhappy, dead-end life on Ea...more

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Feb 08, 2012 faeriemyst rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: amazon-vine, young-adult-fiction, young-adult-sci-fi

Have you ever wanted to run away and join the circus? How about a galaxy-traveling circus complete with your very own Doctor Who-like Ringmaster and spaceship? Sounds pretty awesome, right? While you sadly may not be able to do that in real life, Deva Fagan's Circus Galacticus takes the reader on a voyage through the stars. Okay, so maybe reading instead of experiencing those adventures isn't quite as fun, but it's still a grand ride to hop on while I impatiently wait for my very own Doctor to s...more Have you ever wanted to run away and join the circus? How about a galaxy-traveling circus complete with your very own Doctor Who-like Ringmaster and spaceship? Sounds pretty awesome, right? While you sadly may not be able to do that in real life, Deva Fagan's Circus Galacticus takes the reader on a voyage through the stars. Okay, so maybe reading instead of experiencing those adventures isn't quite as fun, but it's still a grand ride to hop on while I impatiently wait for my very own Doctor to show up and whisk me away to galaxies unknown and unimagined.

Meet the Earther Beatrix "Trix" Ling: miserable, friendless orphan, you know, the usual. On the surface that is. Seriously unhappy at her boarding school, she often gets into trouble due to the fact she's quick to rile and doesn't think things through before acting or speaking. After a few weird events happen to Trix, such as some strange dude breaking into her room and her hair deciding it'd like to be a cotton candy pink, the Circus Galacticus comes to town promising her some answers. Here is where the journey for Trix and the reader begins. Aliens and gadgets abound, as do allies with their own special Tinker power and enemies trying to suppress that power, a spaceship that's alive with many mysterious corridors, and too much to even begin to cover, and really, they'd be better serviced by reading the book instead of this review. This book is like Doctor Who, The X-Men, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory all tossed into a blender to make one scrump-diddly-umptous concoction. Smoothly written, the book moves at a swift pace as Trix struggles to find somewhere she belongs, make and keep friends, and to believe she deserves it. I don't believe there's a person out there that hasn't felt like an outsider at one time or another, though some more-so than others perhaps, and while Trix may make mistakes and may not always follow rules, that only makes her all the more full-bodied as a character. Except a little with the Ringmaster and the circus tent spaceship, Big Top (as much a character as anyone, if not more), the others aren't delved into as much but they each add their own quirks to make the book well-rounded.

And while I'd heartily recommend Circus Galacticus with no reservations, it isn't a perfect book by any means. Trix's age is never mentioned and at one time she describes the others as her age or a few years older. Umm, okay, I don't even know how old you are, chica, so how am I supposed to know how old everyone else is? At first, I surmised she was somewhere between 12-16 until unneeded curse words popped up, so she's probably a teenager. I finally found out how old Trix was by going to the author's site. She's 15. Call me odd, but I like to know the main character's age. The book could also have stood to have a little more meat on its bones, even as little as fifty pages tacked on. This was like a sampler platter and I wanted a full-course meal. With dessert. So many questions were left unanswered and it is just begging for a sequel to explore these more fully. And as I said before, the curse words really added absolutely nothing to the context of the scenes they were in. Other words could have been substituted easily and been more fitting. Sure there weren't many, but this is intended for middle-grade students and except for the cursing, it's good, clean fun. I'm not naive enough to think that children don't come across foul language from many sources, and even use it themselves, but that doesn't mean that books tailored for their age range should include them either.

However, I had a blast travelling through space with the crew of the Big Top. If there is a sequel, and I truly hope there is, you can be sure I'll be there for the next adventure of Circus Galacticus.

If interested, the author has up illustrations of the main characters: http://devafagan.com/circus-galacticu... (less)

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Sep 01, 2012 Kerri rated it 3 of 5 stars

I can't help wondering if Deva Fagan's a Dr. Who fan. I'm a pretty new Whovian myself but there were certainly moments in this book that brought the series to mind. The Big Top for example, a pretty large ship to begin with but much bigger on the inside. Remind you of anything? Then there's the Ringmaster. Only known by his title, mysterious past, connected to his ship on some spiritual level, somewhat eccentric ... I could go on. Noticing those similarities were among the best parts of this boo...more

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Apr 12, 2012 Lisa K rated it 2 of 5 stars

An ok girl-with-a-calling adventure in a SF/circus setting.

This one disappointed me. A promising, witty beginning with Trix running away from a dreadful boarding school to join an intergalactic circus dissolves into complicated factions - plus friend-making and circus acts. The world-building seemed skimpy: circuses are notable for being multi-generational, but this one's just teens? With a 20-ish Ringmaster (who kinda hits on our 14ish heroine at the end)? In it's favor - bff character, Nola, s...more

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Dec 24, 2011 Charles rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a neat book about a girl who runs away with an intergalactic circus. She becomes a player in the war between conformity and individualism, which is represented by 2 different groups of humanoids. While reading this book I wondered how the author was able to write this book, what the process is for crafting such a story. Where did she get the wisdom to create all the different characters? But then I relaxed and enjoyed the story. My sister's friend from college wrote this book. She has a...more

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Feb 18, 2012 Michael Jones rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mike-like

I enjoyed this quirky book very much. The conflicted character of Trix is a little like Katniss in The Hunger Games, thrust into a situation she doesn't understand and cannot control, but Trix triumphs more by luck than by Katniss-style raw power and charisma. Both let their heart control their actions, though, and for both of them things work out in the end, although Trix is left with a much less bleak happy ending than Katniss winds up with.

I just have the book to my 11-year-old son... Let's s...more

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Nov 16, 2011 PopcornReads rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, fantasy, science-fiction, young-adult, ya, deva-fagan

There was just something about the book cover art and title that made me want to read Deva Fagan’s Circus Galacticus. I’ve known three people who previously worked in circuses, which always fascinated me. How cool it would be to have an intergalactic circus! Creatures from every galaxy coming to your hometown – WooHoo! After reading it, I can truthfully say this is going to appeal to people of all ages. After all, hasn’t everyone wanted to run away and join the circus at some point? You don’t ha...more

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Dec 07, 2011 Mindi Ridgeway rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

Not bad, definitely had more of a children's book vibe to me despite the age of the protagonist (14? 16? hard to tell). There was very little background up front, you just dive into the story & that's ok, it's a pretty decent story. But the hits just keep on coming, no pauses, no reflection, just advance, advance, advance, action, action, aaaaannnd done. A good read for anyone that likes fantasy, or space, or the circus. Just don't expect anything too meaty. Best way to describe this book is...more

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Jan 22, 2012 Rene rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: j-ya-fiction

Love the concept, loved the characters and the fast action. It felt a little bit like the Hunger Games...in outer space...in a circus. However, I will not recommend this book to a library patron/parent because of inappropriate language. Why do chapter books for the 9-11 age group feel they have to be cool by slipping in foul language...and why does it often only appear after page 75 or so? Yes, these words are nothing crazy, just a** and d***, but good grief, you could have done without it, and...more

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May 11, 2013 Jocelin rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi-fantasy

The circus holds an innocent strange wonderment to the imagination. Space is a vast mystery unto itself and has thrilled, stumped and mystified so many of us. So when a book about a circus from outer space is on the shelf; your immediate thought is "how cool is that!" Sadly, after reading it this book inspired none of these emotions. The main character Beatrix "Trix" Ling is the main character misfit, orphaned, pink haired, diamond in the rough. The story started out with some promise but quickl...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Angie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-s-fiction, science-fiction, website

Tris is an orphan in a boarding school. She feels like she doesn't fit in and is just waiting for the day she can leave. Her parents were astronauts and she dreams of the stars. The only thing she has from her parents is a black rock, a meteorite and it seems a strange man in a gas mask wants it. One day the Circus Galacticus comes to town and Tris joins the group. She is running from her boring life and the strange man, Nyl. But the Circus isn't just any circus...the Big Top is actually a space...more

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Jan 12, 2012 Keri (The Book Pirate) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, netgalley

What a ride! The blurb above gives a great description of the plot, so I won't waste your time repeating that. It is an adventure of one young girl who doesn't want to waste her life and talents in the shadows of others. Honestly, the blurb was more exciting than the book ever got. I was sorely disappointed in every outcome.

Let's talk about Trix. Life at the boarding school stunk. She didn't fit in, the students teased her, and the staff made her life unbearable. Did she fight? Cause trouble? St...more

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Jul 23, 2012 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, fiction, mystery, scifi-fantasy, young-adult, action

I really enjoyed this book. This story is about a girl named, Trix, who was orphaned when her parents were killed when she was young. They left Trix to guard and protect a mysterious meteorite. Trix expected to have ninjas come after her in the night, but no one ever came. She ended up in Bleeker Academy instead, trying to survive the popular kids. Her hopes for her future seem to go down the drain when a fight with her nemesis ends with her being pulled out of the gymnastics competition that co...more

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Nov 30, 2011 Kate added it

Shelves: read-in-2011

First Impression:
An intriguing cover. Adventure. A circus. The book seemed to have more than enough to get me interested.

While Reading:
Growing up, Trix was always told that she was special. But after a devasting accident killed her parents, it is hard for Trix to believe that she is special anymore. However, there becomes a light at the end of the tunnel once the Circus Galacticus arrives in town.

I have always loved the circus and based on Fagan's writing, I am pretty sure she did too. Fagan mak...more

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Jan 07, 2013 Raina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: creepyish, j, sci-fi

Trix is suffering through her orphaned miserable life WHEN SHE FINDS OUT THAT SHE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN A CIRCUS FLYING PLANET TO PLANET!!!!

That's kinda how this book feels. I cared only marginally about the plot and conflict and wanted to know everything about the space opera Fagan is building. There's all kinds of drama between the supergifted kids performing in the literal flying circus. There's a cool street market that reminded me of something from Harry Potter or Neverwhere. There ar...more

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Mar 18, 2012 Lynette rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

I was hesitating for a long time over giving this book 2 or 3 stars, and finally decided on two for a couple of reasons.
First the characters; they were interesting and mysterious at times, but all in all were just not all that well developed, and just plain confusing.

Second, the plot; There were times (Like when they almost get fried by a giant lighthouse, and torn to pieces by "The most evil creature the Mandate could think up") That just didn't pan out, they just weren't given the tension that...more

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Apr 22, 2013 Christen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi

I found this to be a fun Sci-Fi book. The setting was great, and definitely added to the story. I loved the character descriptions as well. This story was mysterious and you did not know what to expect next. I would have given it another star, but some parts did drag a little. A lot of the characters are mysterious, and it was fun to predict the protagonists and antagonists, but some parts dragged a tiny bit. Even still would still recommend it. It's a fun read, and can be read by both lower and...more

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Dec 28, 2011 Susann rated it 4 of 5 stars

I had so much fun following Trix on her intergalactic adventures. Fagan's quirky outer space is much more along the lines of Douglas Adams than it is like [insert name of hard-core sci-fi writer who doesn't like teenagers and can't appreciate a good dessert]. This is a true circus in the stars, complete with a dazzling Ringmaster.

Fagan spins out the suspense as Trix realizes that the mystery of the rock from her parents is tied up with the mystery of her own identity. I like that the good guy/ba...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Bibliophile rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 19, 2012 Crystal rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was very engaging, it's about a girl who feels out of place and is seeking somewhere to fit in in her world and so, as cliche as it may sound, she joins the circus. But this isn't just any circus but an alien safe house. Each character has unique abilities and personality traits but my favorite has got to be the ring master. This book is empowering and really drives home the idea that everyone is special in their own way.

1 like · like · see review

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About Deva Fagan

I’m Deva Fagan, a writer of fantasy and science fiction for teens and tweens.

My humorous fantasy adventures Fortune’s Folly and The Magical Misadventures of Prunella Bogthistle are available now, and coming in Fall 2011 is Circus Galacticus, the story of Trix Ling, an Earth-girl who runs away to a life of adventure and danger as part of an intergalactic circus.

A few things I love: astronomy, tea,...more

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