The First Bright Thing

by J R Dawson

• ISBN10: 1250805546
• ISBN13: 9781250805546
• Publish Date: 13 June 2023
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Tor Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The First Bright Thing is an alt-time fantasy full of found family and good vs. evil, imagined and written by J.R. Dawson. Released 13th June 2023 by Macmillan on their Tor imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out June 11th 2024 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

Based around a traveling circus setting, the performers are all magical savants with different talents. The circus is a haven for a collection of special folks; they're a steely resolute band of psychics, mutants, and savants, who collect people like them, and help change the lives of people at crossroads who need guidance. 

Their forces for good are hampered at every turn by darker forces who want to (literally) own them and control them for their own malign purposes. There is a sense of creeping dread throughout with foreshadowing of an ultimate good vs. evil Armageddon type war coming in the future.

It's very well written and engaging with three dimensional characters. It's not at all derivative in plot or characters, but readers who enjoyed The Night Circus and Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore will likely enjoy this one as well.

Four stars. It would be a good choice for fans of alt-history fantasy, timeslip, and queer-friendly found family books. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

Wow! One of my favorite reads of the 2023.

This book captured all the magic and awe I felt when reading The Night Circus, but there was an added dimension – love and understanding. No matter the evil outside Rin's Circus, as a reader, I felt that her circus was a safe place, an escape from all the horrors happening in the world. For a debut author to create this atmosphere and tie together 3 converging storylines in a seamless fashion, I am in awe and can't stop telling people of this amazing novel.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Quirky Cat]

Book Summary:

Rin, aka Ringmaster, is the best at what she does. She can jump between moments in time. More importantly, she (alongside her wife) can create a safe haven for circus folk. In other words, the people who don't typically fit in with society.

Unfortunately, not all safe spaces are truly secure. There's something after Rin's troupe – and her. It won't stop until it has what it wants, which will put the entire circus in danger.

My Review:

If you're looking for a historical fantasy with circus vibes, The First Bright Thing is the book for you. It's set in 1926 (not long after WWI), though several time jumps follow, so keep that in mind if you prefer more stationary tales.

The rich and vibrant characters make it easy to follow along and appreciate their stories. I adore Rin and her determination to protect the Sparks. Likewise, I loved learning about the Sparks and their different talents.

That worked well, as it made the big bad all the more threatening. There was something at stake here, to put it mildly. It's a classic good versus evil story, with circus vibes and magical elements woven into the mix.

Highlights:
Historical Fantasy
Ringmaster
LGBT+
Post WWI

Thanks to Tor Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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