The First Bright Thing

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 – Seanan McGuire, author of Every Heart A Doorway
This book takes the reader on an audacious, bittersweet journey, underpinned by the magic of theatre and the alchemies of grief and love. A masterpiece of the fantastical and the human – Freya Marske, author of A Marvellous Light
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 … I, for one, am here for the show – Travis Baldree, author of Legends & Lattes, Bookshops & Bonedust and Brigands & Breadknives
Mesmerizing and magical, The First Bright Thing gives friendship, love and found family top billing, puts the audacity of optimism on center stage and delivers a voice with artistry and flair worthy of the Ringmaster herself – Rowenna Miller, author of Torn
If this circus were real, I’d be in the front row; it’s the found family so many of us crave. Richly imagined and vividly depicted, The First Bright Thing shows both the joys and costs of power – Sarah Pinsker, author of A Song for a New Day
This magical novel will invite you into an astounding circus and carry you along on its wild journey through time … The cast of colorful, endearing characters will make you glad to know that, as the Ringmaster says, ’Circus people never say goodbye’ – Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches
The First Bright Thing will break your heart and stitch it back together … It is a wonderful tale of hope and heart and perseverance – Rita Woods, author of The Last Dreamwalker
Fans of gentle, uplifting speculative fiction will find much to enjoy in this heartfelt celebration of difference – Publishers Weekly

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 nonprofits that teach kids the power of performance and storytelling.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.