Book review: The Circus Infinite by Khan Wong

Book links: Amazon, Goodreads

AUTHOR INFO: After a childhood and early adulthood spent searching for UFOs and attempting to activate psychic powers, Khan eventually moved out west where he built a career in the nonprofit arts, went to a lot of raves and punk shows alike, and eventually got involved with Burning Man culture and the west coast’s underground circus scene. He has played cello in an earnest folk rock duo, published poetry, been an internationally known hula hoop teacher and performer, and created performances incorporating storytelling, dance theater, and circus arts.

Publisher : ‎ Angry Robot (March 8, 2022) Page count: 436 p

I love the cover. It looks great. What about the story, you may ask? Well, less so.

Jes, the asexual and mixed-species protagonist, has fancy gravity powers. There's a bounty on his head. And individuals interested in vivisecting and studying him. Jes seeks refuge on the pleasure moon, where he joins the circus. Unfortunately, a nasty crime boss, Niko Dax, tracks him and forces him to fulfill his requests ( demolition, espionage, torture). If Jes says no, well, you guessed it. Vivisection.

Things go too far when the boss wants the circus and Jes' found family to take the blame for his shady dealings. The friends decide to bring the mobster down. Chaos ensues.

I liked the opening chapters of the story and Jes' narration. He's a genuinely lovely guy. He cares about others and wants to do good. The world is chaotic, but exciting. Everyone on the Persephone-9 wants to party. The world feels inclusive and celebrates the full spectrum of gender and sexuality. Everything is flashy and loud, but it does not feel lived-in; it lacks cohesivity. We get more than a few blocks of exposition that bored me a lot but didn't make the world feel more real.

Jes' friends are a colorful bunch of likable characters. I mean, they work in a circus. They are an odd bunch, outsiders and miscreants who want to live their lives to the fullest and express themselves artistically. Some circus scenes impressed me, others seemed clunky. Although I liked the characters and Jes, I felt their development was abrupt and not rooted in anything. Take Jes, who is cautious, intelligent, caring, and sensible until suddenly, he's not. I prefer a more gradual shift in behavior.

I commend the author for the ability to tell a compelling story. There are darker and more violent moments, but they don't bring down the hopeful tone of the story. Of course, more sensible readers should think twice before starting the book. Some scenes are gruesome and might disturb them.

All in all, it's a solid story, but not the one I loved. A good read, I think.