The First Bright Thing: A Book Review

“If you knew how dark tomorrow would be, what would you do with today?” 

Step back in time starting in the 1920s with a traveling, magical circus under the big top as Sparks share their magic to entertain audiences far and wide in J.R. Dawson’s debut stand-alone novel, The First Bright Thing.  

Rin, the ringleader of the Fantasticals- a group of “magical misfits” is an aging queer Jewish woman who has the ability to time travel and is married to the beautiful, forever-young acrobat Odette. Together along with another Spark friend, Mauve, they are attempting to stop WWII from happening all while fending off the evil circus King that threatens their very existence.  

Rin is a fiercely loyal and captivating show-woman who gives her audience an escape from the world still dismayed from the lingering horrors of WWI. Her and her crew travel through time as threads are literally woven, to warn others about the impending second world war, but the further they go, the more her past creeps up on her.  

Early on, we meet Edward, a brash soldier on the front lines of WW1, and his trepidatious wife Ruth who have special abilities of their own. As time goes on, the two storylines begin to intersect as a sinister and powerful magic force begins to take hold.  

Intrigue, action, magic, strong character development, and a few fun yet slightly dark twists keep the reader engaged throughout for an enjoyable read. As the book touches on dark themes, it always tends to find the bright light of humanity, love, and the power of found family. Dawson’s dramatic writing style makes her an author to watch.  

Readers of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and The Night Circus will find this enchanting historical fantasy a welcome addition to their bookshelves. 

What other reviewers have to say: 

"This is the magic circus book that I have been looking for all my life. It's compelling and brilliant, and made me cry on a public street. I cannot recommend picking up a ticket for Windy Van Hooten's Circus of the Fantasticals highly enough."―Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of Every Heart A Doorway 
 
"J.R. Dawson welcomes us to a time-traveling circus of magical outcasts, forged by love into family. A celebration of artistry and wonder as essential talismans we wield against despair―and with which we triumph against it. Spanning ages and continents, where history repeats its cycles of darkness, Windy Van Hooten’s Circus brings with it hard-won light. I, for one, am here for the show."―Travis Baldree, New York Times bestselling author of Legends & Lattes 

"Dawson mashes up history, fantasy, and the magic of the circus in an emotionally immersive, character-driven story."―Library Journal, STARRED review 

“Fans of gentle, uplifting speculative fiction will find much to enjoy in this heartfelt celebration of difference.” Publishers Weekly 

About the author: 

J.R. Dawson says she like to write about “queer women and other outcasts who are unlikely heroes”. 

J. R. Dawson (she/they) is a writer and educator who has published shorter works in places such as F&SF, The Year’s Best Science Fiction and Fantasy, and Lightspeed. She lives in Omaha with a loving spouse and three dogs. Having earned a BFA from The Theatre School at DePaul, and an MFA in Creative Writing from Stonecoast, Dawson works as a teaching artist. Her clients include assorted Midwestern non-profits that teach kids the power of performance and storytelling.- Pan Macmillian 

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