Menagerie by Rachel Vincent

Book Description

When Delilah Marlow visits a famous traveling carnival, Metzger’s Menagerie, she is an ordinary woman in a not-quite-ordinary world. But under the macabre circus big-top, she discovers a fierce, sharp-clawed creature lurking just beneath her human veneer. Captured and put on exhibition, Delilah is stripped of her worldly possessions, including her own name. As she’s forced to “perform” in town after town, Delilah struggles for her freedom and discovers a strength and a purpose she never knew existed. 

Review

Menagerie is an enthralling, thought-provoking novel. It delves into complex themes, including identity, discrimination, and the blurred line between human and beast. Set in a world where cryptids (supernatural creatures) exist, the story follows Delilah Marlow, who believes herself to be an ordinary human, until she discovers she possesses extraordinary abilities.

The story captured my attention from the first page, drawing me into a world filled with wonder and darkness. Vincent’s detailed descriptions vividly bring the menagerie, an underground carnival where cryptids are exploited and put on display, to life. Delilah’s journey from an unsuspecting human to a cryptid is super sympathetic, making it very easy to care about the character.

The intricate world-building in Menagerie creates a rich, immersive reading experience. Vincent strengthened her world building by delivering detailed lore for the various cryptids. The lore grounded my understanding. It offered a glimpse into each species’ unique abilities and captivating histories, which was helpful because some creatures were new to me.

I enjoyed Vincent’s masterful blending of fantasy and reality in Menagerie. Not only did its believable world enhance my reading experience, it left me wondering about the existence of cryptids long after the story ended.

Human… or not?

Beyond its engaging plot and well-rounded characters, Menagerie tackles significant societal issues. Vincent weaves themes of prejudice and discrimination throughout the narrative. The exploration into the inhumanity that arises when one group considers another lesser or dangerous based solely on their differences was very well done. It made me question my beliefs about acceptance, and empathy for the “other”. The message of the importance of compassion and understanding seemed timely, given what’s been going on in our world.

Menagerie is a remarkable novel. I found its combination of fantasy, social commentary, and human drama utterly absorbing. Rachel Vincent’s world feels both familiar and extraordinary, with characters that stayed with me long after the final word. Although it reads like a stand-alone novel, it is the first of a trilogy, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Content Warning

Animal Cruelty, Captivity, Dehumanization, Discrimination, Emotional Abuse, Exploitation, Oppression, Sexual Assault, Violence

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Ingo Ellerbusch on Unsplash