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Filament Lit Nights
236 pages, Paperback
Published August 20, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 21, 2025
There is a lost soul.
A vaudeville that has an extra price to gain entry.
Grief, Love, Sex, Blood, all blend together,
All come together under the filament lights of the Big Top.
At the lowest point of his life Thomas discovers the lights of the funfair, and that night his life goes down a different road, and goes down the road in a liberating and yet macabre way.
Thomas quickly learns that he finds acceptance with the troupe that he has met, they are all from different walks of life, and yet now everyone finds themselves on the same path with the same curse haunting them. The curse never holds anyone back, the curse is actually what brings each and every one of them together.
So, what if instead of destroying you, a curse could actually save you, could help you find the family you were meant to have, and could give all the lost souls in the world a new purpose and real enjoyment in life?
Filament Lit Nights, these are the stories behind the vaudevillians of Lucious Poise's Travelling Vaudeville that has been woven together in this spellbinding, dark, romantic fantasy, where you'll find modern-day vampires and filament lit nights all in the Big Top that come together in an exploration of finding yourself and learning that you can love freely.
Tropes: Found Family, Vampires, Queerness, Mental Health, Love Triangle.
Filament Lit Nights By Ryan M. Shulz. This is the first book by Ryan M. Shulz that I have ever read and I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. What I found in the pages though was a truly beautiful story with characters who developed over time and everything that they all overcame was not only heartbreaking but I also found it to be inspiring. I found that the prologue from the author had me tearing up and that in and of itself told me that this was a book worth reading.
The very concept of this book was intriguing and different and that made me want to read it and get to know all the characters. I did find it took me a bit to get used to the way it was written as it was written in the POV of the 3rd person.
The storytelling was just stunning. The way that Ryan broke down each of the characters' backgrounds without all the preamble at the beginning was amazing. I hope and pray that Ryan Shulz gives us a 2nd book with more about the characters and what happened after this book ended. I still have so many questions and there are so many things that I am just curious about.
This book gave us a new take on everything including vampires and the ending, that ending was a twist and such a shocker. This book is a gothic vaudevillian era and it was written perfectly.
I loved how engrossing this book was and it gave us an interesting take on all the mythical creatures that we know and that was creative and nice to see. I wish we had gotten to see and learn more after we learned the most important bit's though.
I have never read a book like this before. I am not usually one to read a book that is focused on a traveling vampire circus. But, there was just something about this book that called out to me. I am so glad that I took the time to read this novel. There was such an emotional depth to this story that I wasn't expecting to find.
The characters that we got to meet in this book were likeable, and I loved reading their stories. This is found family at its best. And you can really feel the connections between the vaudeville.
My favourite quote from this book had to have been:
“Don’t cast judgement on others for what’s not for you. Live and let live. Love is love”
I loved the way that the performance scenes had all the flair that I would have expected. I loved and appreciated all the nods to the beauty and resilience that you'd find in any of the queer arts, even when it's weighed down by all the prejudice and bigotry.
I can honestly say that the Brighton beach moment was the highlight of the book for me, it was so vivid, emotional, and for me it just felt so personal to the story.
I have to say that after reading Filament Lit Nights, I can't help but say that I would have to recommend this book. It is an enjoyable read that is well written.
A vaudeville that has an extra price to gain entry.
Grief, Love, Sex, Blood, all blend together,
All come together under the filament lights of the Big Top.
At the lowest point of his life Thomas discovers the lights of the funfair, and that night his life goes down a different road, and goes down the road in a liberating and yet macabre way.
Thomas quickly learns that he finds acceptance with the troupe that he has met, they are all from different walks of life, and yet now everyone finds themselves on the same path with the same curse haunting them. The curse never holds anyone back, the curse is actually what brings each and every one of them together.
So, what if instead of destroying you, a curse could actually save you, could help you find the family you were meant to have, and could give all the lost souls in the world a new purpose and real enjoyment in life?
Filament Lit Nights, these are the stories behind the vaudevillians of Lucious Poise's Travelling Vaudeville that has been woven together in this spellbinding, dark, romantic fantasy, where you'll find modern-day vampires and filament lit nights all in the Big Top that come together in an exploration of finding yourself and learning that you can love freely.
Tropes: Found Family, Vampires, Queerness, Mental Health, Love Triangle.
Filament Lit Nights By Ryan M. Shulz. This is the first book by Ryan M. Shulz that I have ever read and I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. What I found in the pages though was a truly beautiful story with characters who developed over time and everything that they all overcame was not only heartbreaking but I also found it to be inspiring. I found that the prologue from the author had me tearing up and that in and of itself told me that this was a book worth reading.
The very concept of this book was intriguing and different and that made me want to read it and get to know all the characters. I did find it took me a bit to get used to the way it was written as it was written in the POV of the 3rd person.
The storytelling was just stunning. The way that Ryan broke down each of the characters' backgrounds without all the preamble at the beginning was amazing. I hope and pray that Ryan Shulz gives us a 2nd book with more about the characters and what happened after this book ended. I still have so many questions and there are so many things that I am just curious about.
This book gave us a new take on everything including vampires and the ending, that ending was a twist and such a shocker. This book is a gothic vaudevillian era and it was written perfectly.
I loved how engrossing this book was and it gave us an interesting take on all the mythical creatures that we know and that was creative and nice to see. I wish we had gotten to see and learn more after we learned the most important bit's though.
I have never read a book like this before. I am not usually one to read a book that is focused on a traveling vampire circus. But, there was just something about this book that called out to me. I am so glad that I took the time to read this novel. There was such an emotional depth to this story that I wasn't expecting to find.
The characters that we got to meet in this book were likeable, and I loved reading their stories. This is found family at its best. And you can really feel the connections between the vaudeville.
My favourite quote from this book had to have been:
“Don’t cast judgement on others for what’s not for you. Live and let live. Love is love”
I loved the way that the performance scenes had all the flair that I would have expected. I loved and appreciated all the nods to the beauty and resilience that you'd find in any of the queer arts, even when it's weighed down by all the prejudice and bigotry.
I can honestly say that the Brighton beach moment was the highlight of the book for me, it was so vivid, emotional, and for me it just felt so personal to the story.
I have to say that after reading Filament Lit Nights, I can't help but say that I would have to recommend this book. It is an enjoyable read that is well written.
August 23, 2025
*I received an ARC of this and in no way has that influenced my opinion of this book*
I'll be honest, when I requested an ARC for this, I didn't read into what this was going to be about. I saw the circus theme on the cover and I was sold. I've always been enthralled by circuses since I was young. The aesthetic, performances, games, food, and atmosphere are so fascinating to me.
I really enjoyed this. It was different to other books I've read in relation to the writing style, and the in-depth context about LGBTQ+ relationships. I fully support the pride community, I just haven't read a story as in-depth as this. This explores a lot about polyamorous relationships, finding love and acceptance in being true to who you are. This definitely has quite a few triggers that one should consider before reading this.
I was completely caught off guard by the vampire curse storyline. Of course I wouldn't have been if I read what it was about...
I like the modern take on the vampire lore and their curses. I appreciated how the representation and actions of their nature didn't change, and that this showed the dark side of vampirism. Like the moment during the performance, iykyk.
I really like how this book nicely encapsulates the stories and lives of each of the vaudevillians and how they came to end up at Lucious Poise's Travelling Vaudeville. Each character's stories were very different and yet similar in a way. Each having felt lost, invisible, silenced and then finding true family and solitude in each other and the travelling vaudeville.
This is quite in-depth with a lot of details. Some of the chapters were, for me, a little long but I was grateful that there were story breaks in those chapters, which gave me the chance to put the book down without losing my place. The twist and ending had me shocked.
The only slight downside is, I wish there were more written interactions between Thomas and Valentin, as well as Thomas and L'Enivrant.
My review doesn't do this story justice. There is so much more I want to say but articulating it into words is proving to be difficult. However, I do recommend this and I will be getting a physical copy.
I'll be honest, when I requested an ARC for this, I didn't read into what this was going to be about. I saw the circus theme on the cover and I was sold. I've always been enthralled by circuses since I was young. The aesthetic, performances, games, food, and atmosphere are so fascinating to me.
I really enjoyed this. It was different to other books I've read in relation to the writing style, and the in-depth context about LGBTQ+ relationships. I fully support the pride community, I just haven't read a story as in-depth as this. This explores a lot about polyamorous relationships, finding love and acceptance in being true to who you are. This definitely has quite a few triggers that one should consider before reading this.
I was completely caught off guard by the vampire curse storyline. Of course I wouldn't have been if I read what it was about...
I like the modern take on the vampire lore and their curses. I appreciated how the representation and actions of their nature didn't change, and that this showed the dark side of vampirism. Like the moment during the performance, iykyk.
I really like how this book nicely encapsulates the stories and lives of each of the vaudevillians and how they came to end up at Lucious Poise's Travelling Vaudeville. Each character's stories were very different and yet similar in a way. Each having felt lost, invisible, silenced and then finding true family and solitude in each other and the travelling vaudeville.
This is quite in-depth with a lot of details. Some of the chapters were, for me, a little long but I was grateful that there were story breaks in those chapters, which gave me the chance to put the book down without losing my place. The twist and ending had me shocked.
The only slight downside is, I wish there were more written interactions between Thomas and Valentin, as well as Thomas and L'Enivrant.
My review doesn't do this story justice. There is so much more I want to say but articulating it into words is proving to be difficult. However, I do recommend this and I will be getting a physical copy.
August 24, 2025
Thank you to the author and Book Funnel for a ARC of Filament Lit Nights.
I was very intrigued with this book when it first crossed my path. The concept reminded me of a more fantasy Rocky Horror, and I was excited by this. I truly was prepared to be blown away with an exciting and enrapturing new take on queer fantasy. Instead I was met with a unique execution that didn't fulfill the desire of the book I was interested in.
Ryan Matthew Schulz did a good job writing a very witty story. There were times where the story made me chuckle and overall the language used for the book was really nice.
To me this story did not feel fully fleshed out the way the third person was set up with the POV switches. it didn't allow me to connect to the characters on a deeper level. I got background on each of the characters but there wasn't any character that I was particularly drawn to.
For me this story really picked up with Aleeria's chapter and that was when I really got into the groove of this story. After that though there was a pattern of a present POV and then learning the background of character, and it became extremely redundant.
Overall this book lacked immersion for me and I found it difficult to be invested with the characters and what happened to them. I think the overall concept of this book was really good but the execution could have been better.
I was very intrigued with this book when it first crossed my path. The concept reminded me of a more fantasy Rocky Horror, and I was excited by this. I truly was prepared to be blown away with an exciting and enrapturing new take on queer fantasy. Instead I was met with a unique execution that didn't fulfill the desire of the book I was interested in.
Ryan Matthew Schulz did a good job writing a very witty story. There were times where the story made me chuckle and overall the language used for the book was really nice.
To me this story did not feel fully fleshed out the way the third person was set up with the POV switches. it didn't allow me to connect to the characters on a deeper level. I got background on each of the characters but there wasn't any character that I was particularly drawn to.
For me this story really picked up with Aleeria's chapter and that was when I really got into the groove of this story. After that though there was a pattern of a present POV and then learning the background of character, and it became extremely redundant.
Overall this book lacked immersion for me and I found it difficult to be invested with the characters and what happened to them. I think the overall concept of this book was really good but the execution could have been better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2025
This was an interesting read, though not always an easy one for me. The story alternates between the main plot and glimpses into the characters’ earlier lives. While this structure sometimes made it harder to follow, I can see how it adds layers and background to the narrative.
The writing style is quite elaborate, with long, descriptive passages and a distinctive rhythm. Personally, I found it challenging at times, as the flow occasionally distracted me from the story itself. Readers who enjoy rich, ornate prose may appreciate it more than I did.
On the positive side, I really liked the way the book explored different kinds of relationships and how people pursue happiness in their own ways. The pseudo-Gothic atmosphere was also a nice touch that gave the setting an intriguing mood.
Overall, while the style wasn’t entirely my taste, there are definitely aspects here that some readers will find appealing.
The writing style is quite elaborate, with long, descriptive passages and a distinctive rhythm. Personally, I found it challenging at times, as the flow occasionally distracted me from the story itself. Readers who enjoy rich, ornate prose may appreciate it more than I did.
On the positive side, I really liked the way the book explored different kinds of relationships and how people pursue happiness in their own ways. The pseudo-Gothic atmosphere was also a nice touch that gave the setting an intriguing mood.
Overall, while the style wasn’t entirely my taste, there are definitely aspects here that some readers will find appealing.
August 14, 2025
Rating this a rounded up 4 stars.
This story was truly beautiful. The characters and what they overcame was not only heart wrenching but inspiring.
I was honestly tearing up in the prologue from the author.
I loved the concept of this book. ( it took me a few chapters to get into because of the 3rd person POV) I do feel like some areas were slightly choppy but the story was amazing nonetheless.
I love the new take on vampires and the twist ending was a shocker! This gothic vaudevillian era was EVERYTHING!
One of my favorite quotes “ Don’t cast judgement on others for what’s not for you. Live and let live. Love is love”
Tropes ~~~
*Found Family
*Vampires
*Queerness
*Mental Health
*Love triangle
I received this as an ARC. And I’m so grateful to the author. Truly incredible storyline and I will be reading future books that come out from him!
This story was truly beautiful. The characters and what they overcame was not only heart wrenching but inspiring.
I was honestly tearing up in the prologue from the author.
I loved the concept of this book. ( it took me a few chapters to get into because of the 3rd person POV) I do feel like some areas were slightly choppy but the story was amazing nonetheless.
I love the new take on vampires and the twist ending was a shocker! This gothic vaudevillian era was EVERYTHING!
One of my favorite quotes “ Don’t cast judgement on others for what’s not for you. Live and let live. Love is love”
Tropes ~~~
*Found Family
*Vampires
*Queerness
*Mental Health
*Love triangle
I received this as an ARC. And I’m so grateful to the author. Truly incredible storyline and I will be reading future books that come out from him!
August 21, 2025
𝙁𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙇𝙞𝙩 𝙉𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 is one of those books that feels like stepping into a velvet-draped tent at midnight—you don’t fully know what’s waiting, but the glow pulls you in anyway. The story follows a young man at his lowest who stumbles into a travelling vaudeville troupe unlike any other. Instead of pure horror, this is a moody, romantic take on vampires—full of longing, belonging, and the strange beauty of people who’ve been broken finding one another.
The writing leans atmospheric, with flickers of candlelight, neon, and shadows setting the stage, while the heart of the book lies in its ensemble cast and their found-family bond. It balances darkness and tenderness, never too heavy but never shallow either. If you love queer romance, melancholy wrapped in magic, and characters who feel like outcasts stitched together into something beautiful, this might just be your next read.
The writing leans atmospheric, with flickers of candlelight, neon, and shadows setting the stage, while the heart of the book lies in its ensemble cast and their found-family bond. It balances darkness and tenderness, never too heavy but never shallow either. If you love queer romance, melancholy wrapped in magic, and characters who feel like outcasts stitched together into something beautiful, this might just be your next read.
August 17, 2025
Rating: 2.5 stars rounded up to 3
The concept had me hooked — gothic horror meets cabaret, burlesque, drag, and vampires — but the execution just didn’t land for me. I liked the idea of showing different relationship types and the varied, often tragic paths that led the troupe together, but I struggled to connect with the characters. Thomas, in particular, was hard to root for, and his choices often felt frustrating rather than compelling.
The performance scenes had flair, and I appreciated the nods to the beauty and resilience of queer arts, even when weighed down by themes of prejudice and bigotry. The Brighton beach moment was a highlight for me — vivid and personal.
Unfortunately overly theatrical elements, an ending that I wasn't sure whether I should be happy or sad about, and pacing issues as well as characters who sometimes felt like caricatures kept this from moving beyond an interesting idea but it just didn’t quite deliver.
The concept had me hooked — gothic horror meets cabaret, burlesque, drag, and vampires — but the execution just didn’t land for me. I liked the idea of showing different relationship types and the varied, often tragic paths that led the troupe together, but I struggled to connect with the characters. Thomas, in particular, was hard to root for, and his choices often felt frustrating rather than compelling.
The performance scenes had flair, and I appreciated the nods to the beauty and resilience of queer arts, even when weighed down by themes of prejudice and bigotry. The Brighton beach moment was a highlight for me — vivid and personal.
Unfortunately overly theatrical elements, an ending that I wasn't sure whether I should be happy or sad about, and pacing issues as well as characters who sometimes felt like caricatures kept this from moving beyond an interesting idea but it just didn’t quite deliver.
August 29, 2025
This story was unique and was a great throw into the mix when you want something a little different. The only complaint I really have about this book is the back and forth timeline. I get it, it adds layers to the story and makes it more interesting - but if I'm not paying attention fully (which happens sometimes), I don't notice it's the past right away and end up confused lol. But that is 100% a me thing - just a fair warning to those like me who do that when there's some back and forth timelines - it happens. Otherwise this book was amazing. I enjoyed the characters, the plot was different, and overall - a good read :) you should give this book a go!
August 17, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ (rounded up)-Obsessed with this take on a traveling vampire circus. There was also an emotional depth to the story that I wasn’t expecting. All the characters were very likeable, so it made their stories fun to read. Found family at its finest. You really feel the connection between the vaudeville. It felt info dumpy at times. I wish I was more fluid.
August 24, 2025
This book is filled with pain, longing, lessons learned, regrets, acceptance, spice, and finding a family.
You start with Thomas, and throughout the book, you learn about each vampire of the traveling vaudeville. You will come deeply invested in each character and what they went through to get to being the star they are, and learning about themselves.
You start with Thomas, and throughout the book, you learn about each vampire of the traveling vaudeville. You will come deeply invested in each character and what they went through to get to being the star they are, and learning about themselves.
September 1, 2025
3.75
I read the blurb and was intrigued by it.
I felt like at times, it was too descriptive? If that makes sense? The 3rd person POV is kind of tough for me. I do love the premise of the book but I felt like it was missing something. I adored the Prologue. Maybe I will re-read at a later time and maybe it'll be better for me
I read the blurb and was intrigued by it.
I felt like at times, it was too descriptive? If that makes sense? The 3rd person POV is kind of tough for me. I do love the premise of the book but I felt like it was missing something. I adored the Prologue. Maybe I will re-read at a later time and maybe it'll be better for me
August 27, 2025
This is a compelling story of mythical creatures that is filled with pain, longing, lessons learned, regrets, acceptance, spice, and finding a family.
It will have all your emotions going like a rollercoaster ride from beginning to end. Great book
It will have all your emotions going like a rollercoaster ride from beginning to end. Great book
September 1, 2025
Quite an interesting short story. I was liked that each chapter told me more about each character . Vampires in a circus was a pretty neat thing to read . It was nice seeing the bond they all had and how welcoming they were . They sure knew how to put on a great show.
August 20, 2025
Besides the formatting issues I experienced, this story really wasn't that bad. It is complex and there was plenty that I felt could have been adjusted and more details could've been given.
August 20, 2025
This story was great, I really enjoyed this read
September 24, 2025
It was alright, I didn't dislike it nor love it. Book is well written and the story is good.
November 9, 2025
Really enjoyed getting to know all the characters in this wonderful story.
August 25, 2025
The story was compelling and the new take on a mythical creature was nice to see. I do wish there had been a bit more written after we learned the most important tid bit about that tho. The storytelling was lovely, I liked the break down of learning each characters' background without ALL the exposition being at the beginning. I cross my fingers that Mr. Schulz will grace us with another epilogue, or perhaps a follow up on the characters. There are so many things I'm curious about and will stick with me.
September 7, 2025
I was excited to read this book! It has vampires, circus, LGBTQIA, found family, second chances. You learn about all the characters and their stories. You can’t help but fall in love with them! I enjoyed this book so much because it shows you love is love. Don’t ever change who you are for someone else. Definitely recommend 👏🏻
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews