I agree with the Carnivale part - there were a few too many similarities for me to not be able to make connections.

Thank you for expressing my opinion so well. :)

I loved "Carnivale" and was completely exasperated to see it canceled. (just when the fate of mankind hangs in the balance between good and evil!)Other than both taking places in old time circuses though, I don't see the comparison. The book had some badly behaving humans and animal cruelty. The HBO series seemed to be more about the battle between good and evil (and those with special powers to make the battle really interesting). But it's been a few years and maybe I'm not remembering everything.
They are making a movie of this due April of next year. The book will probably be much better but hopefully they do a good job.

So funny to see you made the Carnivale reference. I was thinking the same thing the entire time I was reading this book!

I loved Carnivale they cancelled it becasue the producer said they had no where else to take the story. Which I think was completely not the case. Def was a great show though!

Oh, I remember Geek Love! That was weird and unsettling, but so much better than Water for Elephants!