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innerweststreetlibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is such a lovely book, magical and delightful like a children’s fantasy but with a bit more grit and romance to keep it interesting for adults. The circus tents reminded me a little of the magical worlds at the top of the faraway tree.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Grief
lily_peach's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Suicide
spttsn's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
When someone said this book was 'all vibes, no plot', I should've believed them. The imagery in this book is vivid and compelling. The plot is slow, scattered, and low stakes. I was very close to DNFing this, but stuck around to see how certain pieces of the puzzle fell.
The synopsis teases a fierce competition and a deadly duel, and if you go into it expecting those things you'll be disappointed.
The first 150 pages were setup. The next 250 were interesting, with some unexpected twists. The last 100 were disappointing. If you are someone who doesn't mind a slow plot if the prose and the world building is good enough, then this will probably be for you. If you need a strong plot, I wouldn't recommend.
The synopsis teases a fierce competition and a deadly duel, and if you go into it expecting those things you'll be disappointed.
The first 150 pages were setup. The next 250 were interesting, with some unexpected twists. The last 100 were disappointing. If you are someone who doesn't mind a slow plot if the prose and the world building is good enough, then this will probably be for you. If you need a strong plot, I wouldn't recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, and Suicide
sxndaze's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Gorgeous and intriguing!! It’s been a while since I’ve read this, but Erin Morgenstern’s books are enhanced in audiobook format. I could better catch details by physically reading it, but the atmosphere and the magic really feels captured by the narration in both The Night Circus and The Starless Sea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide
raypaws's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
surprisingly good..
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Death
Minor: Suicide, Blood, and Death of parent
cortneyhehe's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicide and Murder
nicoleisalwaysreading's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ok wow, the atmosphere and the anticipation were fantastic. I loved losing myself in this world and the different timelines.
That being said, very few of the many questions were answered and the characters fell completely flat, while the circus was dazzling. I’m left feeling unsatisfied and maybe even frustrated. Like the MAIN source of “conflict” has a mysterious origin that is never explained and the magic throughout the book is difficult to understand. The world-building is an illusion, just like the circus.
That being said, very few of the many questions were answered and the characters fell completely flat, while the circus was dazzling. I’m left feeling unsatisfied and maybe even frustrated. Like the MAIN source of “conflict” has a mysterious origin that is never explained and the magic throughout the book is difficult to understand. The world-building is an illusion, just like the circus.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Confinement
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent
tiernanhunter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Suicide, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Grief and Fire/Fire injury
writer_a_fox's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Death
Moderate: Suicide
gummifrog's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I had heard so many great things about this book, and I think the hype outshone it for me unfortunately. I like a lot of the idea of this book: magic, magicians, love stories, circuses, the odd and extraordinary. But ultimately the writing felt very dry and rambling, and I wished there were a feeling of greater closeness with Marco and Celia, whose thoughts we almost never get to see.
However, I am glad I read this. I did get goosebumps at the ending. I loved the setting descriptions and the atmosphere, and all the characters were uniquely quirky and lovable. I want to visit the circus - I would totally be one of the nerds with the red scarves. The magic systems were fascinating and was described in a way that allowed room for imagination, while being so full of beauty and clockwork machinations. I love the idea that magic is always present in the world, and that most people would rather not see it.
Idkkkk I think I'll have to let this one marinate!
Also, I read this on audio and I was not a fan of the narrator. He ascribed so many annoying voices and unnecessary accents to characters that didn't need it (does every red headed person need to speak with an Irish accent? Does every Asian character need to have a vaguely-foreign accent? Come on bro 😭). I might have enjoyed this way more if I'd read it in text form. I may revisit it in several years if I feel in the mood.
However, I am glad I read this. I did get goosebumps at the ending. I loved the setting descriptions and the atmosphere, and all the characters were uniquely quirky and lovable. I want to visit the circus - I would totally be one of the nerds with the red scarves. The magic systems were fascinating and was described in a way that allowed room for imagination, while being so full of beauty and clockwork machinations. I love the idea that magic is always present in the world, and that most people would rather not see it.
Idkkkk I think I'll have to let this one marinate!
Also, I read this on audio and I was not a fan of the narrator. He ascribed so many annoying voices and unnecessary accents to characters that didn't need it (does every red headed person need to speak with an Irish accent? Does every Asian character need to have a vaguely-foreign accent? Come on bro 😭). I might have enjoyed this way more if I'd read it in text form. I may revisit it in several years if I feel in the mood.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Violence
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Abandonment