The Night Circus Review

Goodreads/Amazon

The Night Circus

 Title & Author: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Genre: Fantasy

 Release Date: September 13, 2011

 Publisher: Doubleday

 Series Details: Standalone

Page Count: 512 Pages

 Description: “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.”

“The circus arrives without warning.”

There’s magic in that sentence.

That sentence is a game changer.

That sentence hooked me from the first page, and by the time I truly understood its significance I was a goner; lost to the world of Le Cirque des Rêves.

The power of this book is the journey it allows the reader to embark upon. By the time you’ve read the synopsis and taken in the mesmerizing cover art, the anticipation is set. You’re eager to dive headfirst into the narrative and uncover the secrets surrounding the circus, the competition, and the inevitable consequences that will arise from this deadly duel. Within pages the ethereal writing takes on a palpable quality. You can smell the caramel in the air, hear the ticking of Thiessen’s clock, and feel the excitement of the patrons reveling around you.

This book, due to it’s exceptionally intricate imagery, will not provide instant gratification. This is a book that demands to be savored. The details demand attention. The characters demand to be remembered. Because, as stated in the book: “The truest tales require time and familiarity to become what they are.”

Overall:

This is a story that will enchant you long after you’ve read the final passage. I suggest, like the circus itself, you go into it blind. Be patient and allow the elements to coalesce into the dream that Morgenstern has so eloquently crafted.

 

 

 

Favorite quote: “Someone needs to tell those tales…There’s magic in that. It’s in the listener, and for each and every ear it will be different, and it will affect them in ways they can never predict. From the mundane to the profound. You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone’s soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows what they might do because of it, because of your words.”