The Clown
A friendly face and laughing heart¦will be what tears her soul apart.
Finally accepting that there would be no leaving Harrow Faire, Cora sets out to try to find her new way of life as part of the family. With that comes her slow acceptance of her attraction toward and, even worse, her feelings for the Puppeteer. But just as things seemed to be falling into a pattern, they turn upside down - seemingly literally - as Harrow Faire enters "the Inversion".
Cora's troubles don't end there; the mute Clown takes a keen interest in her, one that she doesn't understand...until it's too late. Mr. Harrow took her from her life to become the Contortionist. But it seems the Faire itself has other plans.
- Pages
- 302
- Audiobook
- 8 hr 24 min
- First published
- 2020
- Language
- English
- Edition
- Audiobook
Reviews
Finished September 28, 2025
There is a lot of character development for Cora & Simon. Simon is certifiably insane and he owns it, I've got to give him credit for that. It is funny how dramatic Simon was when she told him he couldn't touch her or talk their first time. He cast his heart into his shadow as the only way to survive. Can I just say how much I love his shadow, who is brimming with as much personality as Simon, they both have flair that is for sure. When Clown said Cora was getting hurt, it had my mind racing with what he meant. Did he mean to hurt her, or was it someone else going to be the cause? Whatever lies ahead for Cora, apparently, she will need Simon's support for it. Leaves you with some bread crumbs to try and figure out the mystery of what is going on and who might be a danger or an enemy to Cora. What an odd man. He was cruel and caring, sweet and sadistic, gentle and harsh, and he managed it all in the same breath. Simon Waite. What an odd, tragic, terrible man. He was a monster, no doubt about it. He was a vicious, cruel, evil, and sadistic thing. Because he’d taken his heart and cast it into his shadow. Because if he hadn’t, there’d be nothing left of him to salvage. He would have ruptured at the seams and become a drooling, catatonic mess. And where would the fun in that be? But he didn’t want her; that was the issue. Wanting things was manageable. He needed her. He was certain he would pull the hair from his head and descend into complete madness if he didn’t get to have her soon. He cared. It was terrible, and he hated it. “However.” He paused and, seeing that she wasn’t going to interrupt him this time, continued. “This is unexpectedly quite wonderful. I enjoy my time with you. I have found a kind of solace sleeping in your arms that I do not think I have ever known. I am…having a great deal of fun. I am planning our day to be filled with each other, because I do not wish to be parted from you.” Oh, Cora was doomed to a path of pain and torment. The road before her was going to be a terrible one. Too bad it wasn’t going to be Simon’s fault. Clown walked away with a shake of his head. It was going to be his. How someone could be so terrifying and powerful in one breath, and a wounded evil puppy the next, she didn’t know. But he pulled it off effortlessly. And the fact he didn’t take himself seriously was just a little too charming. He was clever, witty, and wicked. His sadistic grin sent shivers up her spine in ways that it shouldn’t. He bullied her, but he relished being teased in return. And most of all, it was the look in his freakish eyes when she asked him to stay with her. Like he had been stuck outside in a storm, and she had opened her door and asked if he wanted shelter. “Because some people are worth the damage they cause.” “Simon doesn’t deserve you. But I’m glad he has you. He is what you need—he’s all you’ll need in the end. That is…if loving you doesn’t kill him first. Or vice versa.”
- funnyinformativemysterioustenseMedium-paced
Started July 27, 2025 · Finished July 28, 2025