Hardcover, 387 pages
English language
Published Nov. 6, 2011 by Doubleday.
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, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands. True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates …
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, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands. True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per formers 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. - Publisher.
It starts out as a normal novel. You get to know the people and their issues. Then the magic and the circus comes in. All is as finished as possible by the end. Really satisfying.
I enjoyed this fantasy and thought it had enough red herrings and surprises to reward. I am somewhat curious about the prior challenges but would think it tedious for this great book to be turned into a series.
READ THIS BOOK! IT'S BRILLIANT!
As you might have guessed, I absolutely loved Night Circus. It's magical, enchanting, beautifully written and I just want to be there myself. The creation of the circus is inspired and I was fascinated by the magician's duel. I missed this world when I had finished this book and felt quite bereft for several days.
I agonised over this a bit and would say 3.5 stars verging on 4.
This to be honest is not the sort of book that I would normally pick up but I had read a lot of good things and saw it on sale.
The prose was really lovely at times, the circus itself was wonderfully imagined.
I didn't really warm to any of the characters to be honest. The contest didn't provide any tension. The central romance didn't feel real to me either and in fact there wasn't, in a lot of ways, much of a tale told.
This was quite an enjoyable book. I don't think it was as good as The Starless Sea, but it was still fun and had a charming ambience. I wish I could visit a circus as intriguing and magical as this one. The plot jumps a little in time and focuses on the circus and how it relates to the mysterious challenge of the key characters Celia and Marco. The unique setting helps carry the story all the way through.
For a full review, check out my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2023/02/book-review-night-circus-by-erin.html
I could have never imagined that ending, and yet it was the only possible ending. I loved this book and everyone in it. I loved the structure, the dance of whimsy and weight. Absolutely gorgeous.
I loved this book so much, I didn't want it to end. The world it creates - the world of the Cirque des Reves - is such breathtaking one.
Pretty but aimless
I am not certain how to feel about this book. Beautiful writing without a purpose is all I can think.
I really enjoyed this book and will definitely re-read it. Some of the plot was predictable but I enjoyed it anyways because it was interesting how things play out.
I'm actually re-reading this, but it's been long enough and I've forgotten enough that feels mostly new.
Really well written and engrossing, yet halfway through I finally realized it was a goopy romance at heart ugh
Nice enough. Interesting visuals, action not always entirely clear.
A lot of people loved this book but for me I had too many issues with the plot and characters.
The descriptions of the various circus tents are cool though. Which is good because there are a lot of tents throughout this book and they are very relevant to the story.
This is one strange novel. Early it is slow and disconnected; but, it ends with a bang. Stylistically, I'm not thrilled with the novel. I like the message quite a bit, though. If you have not read Erin Morgenstern before, you may be surmised.
Quite enjoyed this. A lovely midpoint between "Something Wicked This Way Comes" and "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell."
