CARNIVAL (The Traveling Series #4) by JANE HARVEY BERRICK

‘May the lights never dim.
May the Wheel never stop turning.
May the road never end.
May the ride go on forever…..’

And so we come to the end of the Traveling Series, and it’s been one hell of a journey. Kes, Tucker, Zef and all the colourful carnies we’ve met along the way have entertained us from the comfort of our living rooms, whilst transporting us into their world, thanks the wonderful vivid prose of Jane Harvey Berrick.

We could smell the candy floss, experience the exhilaration of the rides, savour the carnival atmosphere, letting our imaginations fly as we held our breaths ‘watching’ Donohue’s Daredevils thrill us with their death defying skills, feeling the blood sweat and tears of the circus coming to life.

‘There was a city of canvas to build, a world of possibilities.’

Along the way we’ve embraced some wonderfully heart-warming characters, witnessing Kes and Tucker find the love of their lives, and this time around, it’s Zef’s turn to find his soulmate.

Joseph Colton, (known as Zef) hasn’t had the easiest life – losing his parents very young, and then stepping into the role of guardian to his younger brother. Zef had made some silly decisions in his youth, all with good intentions, which saw him spend time in prison. Riddled with guilt, Zef would find his way with his carnie family, becoming a stunt rider with Donohue’s Daredevils in the circus.

Sara Weiss, an eighteen year old runaway sneaks into the circus, easily weaving her way into carnie life, and hopefully into Zeff’s heart. But Zef is wary, after all, Sara is only eighteen, Zef is thirty two, and he’s yet to find out what Sara running from and why?

Whilst Traveling Man (Kes’s) story will always remain our favourite, Carnival was a fitting finale to this series, even if our hearts were ripped out at one point over a beloved character we’ve followed from book one. Oh gosh, that tore us up!

There is a powerful message of acceptance this author weaves throughout this series, and it’s one of acceptance. No matter who or what we are, each one of us is special in our own way, and it is this message we will take away.

‘We’re all different, we’re all amazing. You can be a nerd, a weirdo, a freak, or play varsity ball and be valedictorian – everyone is equal when you’re a carnie. It doesn’t matter if you have a past like mine; what matters is who you are now.’

Beautifully said, Jane. Farewell to these colourful characters, farewell to the stardust and magic. It’s been grand.