The Night Circus
By: Erin Morgenstern
Published: 9/13/2011 by Doubleday
Pages: 512
Synopsis: (found on goodreads)
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, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance.
Overall Rating: 4 / 5 Stars – Thoroughly enjoyed the book though some parts were a little confusing.
Cover: 5 / 5 Stars - Excellent color scheme, intentional lack of detail and just enough mystery.
The Night Circus a very unique blend of romance with different types of fantasy. A circus is always supposed to be a fantastic and whimsical place, but when you add magic into the mix, it takes it to an entirely different level. This book speaks from the viewpoint of a few different characters throughout, but also takes the time to tell you a story through the eyes of an unnamed visitor to the Night Circus. Experiencing the Cirque de Reves from a first person viewpoint gave a different perspective that helped to become immersed in the story. I would recommend reading this story, and will probably read it again someday myself.
One of the most enjoyable parts of this book is the development of the characters. The story revolves around Marco and Celia, two very gifted individuals with unseen ties to the Circus and to each other. The growth of these two; from their very different childhoods and through the separate paths that lead them both to their shared destiny is very interesting and detailed. Their journey at times seems forced upon them, even though the choices they make are uniquely their own. Although they are both set up to be on opposite sides of a decades-long competition, you find yourself rooting for them both. The circus itself is also full of entertaining characters with personalities and histories that you sometimes forget that their stories are secondary to the two at the center.
The main story arc in this book revolves around the discovery and grooming of Marco and Celia to be players in a contest that is mostly unexplained throughout. They will be pitted against each other, the battleground is a Circus, but the rest is unknown. There is magic, mystery, and romance around every tent and attraction, and new performers and circus visitors to meet in almost every chapter. This story held my interest from beginning to end, and though some pieces were a little confusing at times, I will enjoy reading it again to look for parts I might have missed on my first time through.
“You think, as you walk away from Le Cirque des Rêves and into the creeping dawn, that you felt more awake within the confines of the circus. You are no longer quite certain which side of the fence is the dream.”
~Brian
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