Instruct: Classify Amazon reviews into positive or negative sentiment
Query: A disappointment...

I bought this book based mostly on its excellent reader reviews. I also figured the circus as a story setting would be fascinating. I had previously read a novel based on circus characters that was incredible. Unfortunately, I didn't see what all the fuss was about in this case. In fact, this was one of the few books in recent memory I had to put down halfway through because I found the plot dull and plodding, the characters flat and lifeless. The writing itself good but lacked the sparkle to overcome those flaws.