Spectacle: A Novel (The Menagerie Series Book 2)

Spectacle is the sequel to the dark and eerie tale that started with the Menagerie, the story continues to dive in into the deepest darkest parts of the human soul, to tell a tale that is both amazing and horrific and I loved it.Rachel Vincent is one helluva writer, I finished three-fourths of this book in one day and finished the last part the very next day. Spectacle was just so captivating and I devoured every single word that this book has to offer. The main character, Delilah, finds herself imprisoned again in the Spectacle, the high-end show that the richest most depraved humans pay to participate. Delilah and the Fury in Delilah can't let the injustices stand so Delilah does what she does best, the punishes, she plans and she hopes for a better future. Delilah isn't the type to just take it, she gonna fight back and if they want a spectacle then she will give them one.This story is dark, it shows all the ugly aspects of being human, the slavery, the exploitation, and abuse both physical and mentally. However, it also has endurance, hope, strength, and love. The story is so captivating I love reading it and Delilah is a character that cannot forget. She believes in equality, she sees the injustices but she isn't torn down by them she still endures everything and hopes for a better future.There was nothing that I did not love about this book and my favorite part has to be all the representations of the different supernaturals. I don't think I have ever read so many examples in one book and I highly enjoyed that.One thing that confuses me is the relationship between Gallagher and Delilah. They have been through so much together and were in such dire situations and other aspects, so I understand how they become each world but this book is about romance so they don't have a romantic relationship, it seems like they basically have one but they don't, it's a very close friendship. While I do want them to have a romantic relationship because I think they would be good together I sort of understand why Rachel didn't take that route, the story is centered on dark themes and trauma so a relationship isn't so high on the list but still I would like to see on developing.Spectacle was just so good, I loved every single second of it, I actually ordered the final book while I was still in the middle of Spectacle. Menagerie was amazing, Spectacle was just as good so I am highly anticipating the final book in the trilogy, Fury is gonna be something else. I have no idea how to even conclude a story like this but I can't wait to find out.

Delilah and the other cryptids of Metzger’s Menagerie are recaptured after their all too brief taste of freedom at the end of the last book. Originally, I’d thought that Rachel Vincent was going to take a completely different route in this sequel, but instead SPECTACLE showed us that not all cages have bars. The writing in this series is as exquisite as the horrors are abhorrent, and it’s this unlikely combination that makes the story so enthralling.On the outside, the Savage Spectacle appears to be a relatively humane way of running a freak show, or at least as close as one can come with regards to the barbaric practice of keeping society’s cast outs incarcerated for monetary gain. The occupants have mats to sleep on, healthy food to eat, and their basic personal hygiene requirements are met. However, a prison is still a prison, no matter how shiny it is, and the fact remains that the inhabitants are being held against their will.Vandekamp has set out to revolutionize the way that cryptids are kept with collars that can shock, paralyze, mute, and call their gifts. So, as uncivilized as their previous accommodations were at least the captives could still scream and fight. The owner has also come up with a bunch of different uses for his new technology including work detail, death matches, sport hunting, and engagements. The first three are pretty self-explanatory, but the last basically means that any detainee is available for hire, and as you can imagine, anything goes because cash is king.The plot is once again driven by the need to survive, except in this installment the focus is on the mind instead of the body. It’s one thing to physically beat someone into submission, and quite another to literally take away their free will. The author’s insights into the human psyche are truly haunting in their realism, and will make you side with the monsters much like Anne Bishop did with her THE OTHERS series. Vincent concludes this novel with yet another missile that’ll see the MENAGERIE trilogy drastically shift directions one last time for the finale to Delilah’s tale.Just when I thought that the Speculative Fiction genre has nothing left to give—BOOM—here’s SPECTACLE! ~4.5 Stars

In the 2nd installment of this series we see how the degradation of humanity can reach new lows when we see people as 'other' or 'alien'...when they are different...or even a new or different species than us. The Cryptids are treated with such horrific conditions in book 1 that when they are given clean rooms, clothes, and food, they don't question anything...even when they are collared like dogs. Their words and even their ability to think for themselves are taken from them. They are, for all intents and purposes, merely a Spectacle for others view like art or toys. I loved this book and I cannot wait for book 3!!

Delilah and her fellow cryptids new freedom does not last long. They all get added to "The Savage Spectacle" where Willem Vandekamp lets people with money enjoy the "exotic wildlife." This was a great book, I enjoyed it better than the first book. I think Delilah and Gallagher are my favorite characters, I love their relationship and I think in this book it become much more complicated but much deeper as well. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

I was really looking forward to the next book in the series, hoping it would solve the problem that caused the whole division and prejudices that ripped the species apart. It continued by rehashing book one in a different setting but not touching the base conflict. I wanted to see some political resolve, a scientific explanation, or redemptions for those oppressed. They still have no rights, no privileges, and a blanket extermination order for their existence.

I ordered the first book in this series for an easy read on vacation, and as soon as I got home I had to order this one as well. The story is amazing and I love when an author has a new fresh take on the fantasy genre. I can't wait to get the third one for Christmas

Menagerie was excellent, but it ended at a point where it really could have just been nicely tied up without a sequel with Delilah heading off to rescue various cryptids. And so, Spectacle felt somewhat like a rerun of Menagerie to be honest, as Delilah and her fellow cryptids are kidnapped by another corrupt villain and must unravel what he's up to and how to escape without leaving anyone behind.Despite this similarity to the previous book, there remains to be a host of brilliant bits. I love Rachel Vincent's writing. It flows beautifully, I'm never bored and she manages to make me care about even the most secondary characters. What I also loved was the fine sprinkling of romance (so basically none) and this left me wanting more but also just felt more believable than a mushy love story running around in the background. As I mentioned, the only issue really was that I don't think this story really needed to be told - it dragged out what was already a strong finish.Nevertheless, a fun read with awesome crytpids - it just might feel like you've ridden this ride before.

I liked the first book in this series,The Menagerie ,enough to pre order this the second and im so glad i did.This book was amazing! The world building and characters just get better and better and the plot line is ingenious ,original and full of surprises.We begin the novel where we left the last one with Delilah and the cryptids in charge of the carnival and finally living freely while maintaining the appearance of captivity.However they are soon under threat again and discover that their new captors are even more dangerous and deadly than they could have ever imagined.Brilliant deadline,ideas happily give it ten stars.

So having now read books 1 and 2 of this series, I had to order the concluding book 3. I was delighted to find it was available for kindle. I wish that was the case with all the books they have the first volume of. When you start reading a series on your kindle, it is much better if you can read the whole series using the same medium.

This book picked up shortly after the previous book ended, With Delilah and the cryptids now running the Menagerie, then threw us back in the deep end and into an even worse captive situation. Brilliantly written with equal amounts of heartbreak and thrill. I’m looking forward to reading the conclusion to this series

Vincent delivers yet another engrossing slice of Delilah's dark adventure - and again, I can't get away from the disturbing parallel of all those who are being trafficked in our current society as I read this one. Highly recommended for fans of dark fantasy and paranormal adventure...