Set in a near-future England where the poorest people in the land
are forced to sell their children to a travelling circus - to perform
at the mercy of hungry lions, sabotaged high wires and a demonic
ringmaster. The ruling class visit the circus as an escape
from their structured, high-achieving lives - pure entertainment
with a bloodthirsty edge. Ben, the teenage son of a draconian government
minister, visits the circus for the first time and falls
instantly in love with Hoshiko, a young performer. They come from
harshly different worlds - but must join together to escape the
circus and put an end to its brutal sport.
I'm incredibly uncomfortable with the narrative and can't continue.
The concept sounded wonderful but a society racially segregated by those pure of blood and those who are immigrants from diverse backgrounds makes me incredibly uneasy. The latter are referred to as being a blight on society, kept as disposable servants with the intention to eradicate them from society.
After an act of gallantry, I'm assuming Benedict, the male protagonist who is pure of blood will be the white saviour. I have no doubt the racial undertones will be addressed towards the latter of the storyline but it may be too little too late for redemption.
