The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern
Summary: The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.
But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors.
The challenge must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.
Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.
Review:
This was an incredibly beautiful and enchanting story. It captivated me from the beginning, even when I was unsure where it would go. I am in awe of this story.
When I began, I had no idea what this book would be about, save for a night circus. But what sort of plot will it have? Exactly how many pages can one possibly read before the mystery of the circus is no longer so captivating? I suppose I was afraid that the way I felt reading the beginning would eventually fade, but it didn’t. The author created a magnificent story that kept my attention the entire time and it ended with just as much mystery and magic as it began.
I almost have no words for this book. I don’t think I can really explain what made it so amazing to me. The plot was incredibly interesting and unpredictable. I love the way the the reader is transported into the circus and then into the lives of other people. It’s almost written like a giant puzzle, each section a different piece and you can’t really see the full picture until it’s finished. I was impressed with how the book was presented and executed and also impressed by the story and the plot. It was absolutely magical.
I have no criticism for this book, either. I would definitely recommend it to everyone. There are so many elements present in the story, I imagine it would appeal to all readers. I’ll also add that circuses frequently freak me out. I’m not a fan of weird ones, either. I don’t like clowns or creepy circus elements. I mean, I do, for Halloween, but it terrifies me, too. This book was not a night circus in that it was haunted or creepy or scary or anything like that. The elements of night were more about the mystery and magic of the nighttime. So, even if haunted circuses freak you out, too, this book is not about that and you have no reason not to pick it up.
Labels: Review