Title: The Night Circus
Author: Erin Morgenstern
Pages: 512
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, 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. Amidst the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting of a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone from the performers to the patrons hanging in the balance.
Belle Rating: A+
Bookworm Rating: A
Overall Rating: A
Target Audience: Adults – but Young Adults could read
*Minor Spoilers* – may include plot details such as: important names or small plot points.
Story Notes:
D – I honestly have no idea where to start with this book. It was so beautiful.
L – It is a very visual book. By that I mean that the way Erin Morgenstern weaves her scenery you feel like you can actually see the circus and the events playing out there.
D – Yes. In fact the visuals were so intense, I had to take a break from the book every so often. It was like I was drowning in the beauty of this fictional world and I had to close it in order to breath again. Kinda weird, but amazing nonetheless.
L – My favorite parts of this book are the descriptions of the various tents/attractions that the two dueling magicians (Celia and Marco) create. Not only are the visuals beautiful but each tent that they create perfectly shows their emotional state during that part of the story. They use the tents to communicate with each other to some degree and it really shows the growth of their relationship.
D – That unique way of showing their love for one another was fantastic. Celia and Marco do not talk or have any physical contact with one another for most of the book (mostly because they don’t know who the other is for a while), but it is clear that they have feelings for one another. Just goes to show that a relationship should be more than kissing and hand holding.
L – The story of the book is very well put together as well. You get just enough detail to know what is going on but there is still an undercurrent of mystery that draws you in. This is maintained until the ending of the book when you finally know “everything” and you realize how all of the little seemingly unimportant details fit together. I don’t want to go into too much detail because it really is a book you need to go in knowing very little about (plot-wise).
D – I agree. I honestly had no idea what was going to happen next. I was too caught up in the Circus of Dreams to care much about anything else haha. It makes me wish there was a circus like that to go to…sigh….
L – I’d never leave and if I had to I’d probably try to steal the clock.
D – Not if I steal it first!
Writing Style:
L – As I mentioned above. The writing style of this book is very visually beautiful. I can’t really think of a book that drew me in with the visuals this much. I’ve come across other books where the story hooked me. But with this book it was the beautiful language.
D – It’s breathtaking. It really is. This book will continue to work its magic on you even after you put it back on the shelf. Even now I feel like I just stepped out of the tent. I can still visualize the acrobats, contortionists, illusionists, and the beautiful clock at the center of it all. I will say, though, that at the beginning of every chapter, there is a date. Keep an eye on that. The book jumps around a bit.
Weaknesses:
L – This book is very visual and that is the main thing moving the plot along. This can make the book seem “slow” to certain people. It wasn’t a problem for me but if you’re looking for an action-packed adventure, this probably isn’t the book for you.
D – Agreed. My sister has a hard time reading because she cannot picture what she’s trying to read. This could either be a wonderful way to help with that or a beast to try to get through.
L – The book is also very full of nuances. By this I mean that all the little things that seems unimportant or that don’t “fit” into the story eventually end up being important. You really almost have to read the book twice to really see how all the little individual threads of plot weave together in the end.
D – I’ll eventually read it again. But I have to take a break *whew* it will give your brain a workout. I meant what I said earlier about needing to come up for air every couple of hours.
Strengths:
D – Having all of these details is what makes the book so great. I don’t think I will ever find a book that can stand up to the visual awesomeness that Erin Morgenstern was able to create. Big thumbs up to her.
L – Yep, the visuals really carry the story. So if you’re looking to read a book that takes you to a beautiful world and lets you wander for a bit, definitely pick up The Night Circus.
D – When you know you’ll have the time for it. You won’t be able to put it down!!
The Belle and The Bookworm 