Welcome to the Corrupt Carnival—a realm built for the misfits, the castaways, the powerful few who refuse to bow to fear. In Ringmaster and Rebellion, the latest installment of T.R. Oldin’s unforgettable fantasy series, war is no longer on the horizon—it’s here. And I was absolutely glued to every dark, magical, twisty page.

If you haven’t picked up this series yet, let me start by saying this: it’s an experience. Picture a dangerous magical carnival realm, a fierce heroine who creates it in defiance of Lucifer himself, and a war fueled by prophecy, passion, and power. Add a why-choose romance with four distinct and compelling mates, and you’ve got a story that feels like it was written for those of us who love our fantasy a little wicked and our romance deliciously complicated.

This book in particular took everything I loved from the earlier entries—dark magic, intricate world-building, found family dynamics—and dialed it up to eleven. The emotional stakes are higher. The action is relentless. The twists keep coming. And the magic system? Phenomenal. I’m a sucker for a well-crafted blend of paranormal and magical elements, and Oldin nails it. There’s logic to the chaos, even when the fate of the realm hangs by a thread.

What I especially appreciated in Ringmaster and Rebellion was the way it continued to build on the threads laid out in the earlier books while still carving out its own arc. The Fates, the cryptic prophecy, the looming threat of Lucifer’s wrath—it all felt urgent and unpredictable. Yet somehow, it never lost the emotional heart of the story: a woman fighting not just for power, but for love, for justice, and for the people she calls her own.

And let’s talk about that heroine. She’s powerful, determined, and just a little unhinged in the best way. Her leadership is born out of trauma and defiance, but it’s also incredibly inspiring. You feel her desperation, her love, her rage. Her connection to her mates is intense but not rushed—it’s a slow-burn web of trust and electricity that’s just as satisfying as the plot itself.

In short: if you’re craving a dark fantasy romance series with teeth, T.R. Oldin’s Corrupt Carnival delivers. Ringmaster and Rebellion is a standout in the series—an explosive, emotional, high-stakes installment that will have you flipping pages and screaming at the plot twists.

I don’t know what the Fates have in store for these characters next, but I need to find out.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance | Why-Choose | Paranormal | Prophecy-Fueled War

Have you joined the Corrupt Carnival yet? Let me know your favorite moment from the series in the comments!