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laurenology's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Minor: Blood, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
theirgracegrace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
My most adored parts of the book are the descriptions of the circus venues, from the enigmatic Labyrinth to the Wishing Tree and the Ice Garden. The symbolism of a circus that is adorned in black and white, and it is the visitors who bring colour to it, shows immaculate sense of the book's themes. I was immediately drawn to the character of Bailey and loved how the narrative slowly incorporates him and the rêveurs. A delightful tale with a bittersweet ending that I look forward to reading next time the circus rolls into town!
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Body horror, Blood, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Death, Pregnancy, Violence, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Murder, and Physical abuse
Minor: Vomit, Classism, and Cursing
One of the side characters get hit by a trainlordcafeine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment and Blood
Minor: Suicide and Death
happysami's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Death, Child abuse, and Blood
pikkumarja's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Kirja ei ihan yltänyt viiden tähden kirjaksi, koska henkilöiden välinen kemia ja yhteys ei aina tuntunut oikeanlaiselta tai perustellulta, vaikka oikeasti pidin monista hahmoista todella paljon ja esimerkiksi illalliskutsut olivat aina hurmaavia.
Kiinnostava fantasiakertomus, joka varmasti jää mieleen.
Moderate: Blood and Death
Minor: Alcoholism
folkofthebook's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
“The circus arrives without warning.”
if you thought caraval was trippy, give this a whirl 🖤
slow-paced, but vivid and fantastical. i admittedly felt a bit bogged down sometimes with the time jump POV changes and would have liked a little more of the romance, but overall erin morgenstern delivers a vividly crafted tale of magic, time, and mystery. she cuts no corners on her lush scenery and revelry, the imagery so vibrant and detailed you can almost taste the caramel popcorn.
“When all of this is over, no matter which one of us wins, I will not let you go so easily. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence and Blood
Minor: Death of parent, Suicide, Death, and Suicidal thoughts
flowersindecember's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Minor: Suicide, Grief, Blood, Child abuse, Death, and Violence
megj23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood, Murder, and Suicide
koyali's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I think for the past half hour after finishing this book, I've been floating. Even now I'm very disoriented typing on my computer, and that means that it is the perfect headspace to write a review.
First of all, I am left absolutely stunned and breathless by the writing style. I've always loved this type of prose, and the way the circus is set up is incredible. The best I can describe it is that I'm very surprised that this story is a book sitting on my desk and not a portal to another world. It's whimsical, fantastical and feels as if a master spun the dreams of a child and made it into reality. If I were to judge this book on worldbuilding alone, it would be easily a 5/5. However, though I remember many details of the circus, I can barely remember what Marco looks like. Perhaps that's an oversight on my part?
Speaking of Marco, I liked his romance with Celia. It wasn't as grand or passionate as I had hoped, and frankly I didn't really care whether they had a happy ending or not. To me, they were more like windows into this insanely intricate world. Can't you tell that I really liked the worldbuilding?
The other characters were far more interesting to me. Bailey, Herr Thiessen, Isobel, and Tara were some of my favorites. All likeable to some extent(unless you don't like Isobel, which is fair) and felt the most human out of all the cast. Which makes sense as most lived their lives outside of the circus, or were more connected to the outside world than others. The characters inside, like the Marray Twins or Celia, felt unreal. Just like the circus I suppose, which I can describe the best as dreamy and foggy.
Also, I am very unashamed to say that Bailey's POV was my favorite. I was very happy whenever I turned the page and saw the date October 1902 (and I think I liked his romance more than the main one, honestly).
I would love to own a copy of this book, just to dissect it and relive it. Not because it was a 5 star read, but because I feel like I would appreciate it much more if I reread it knowing the ending.
Overall, 4.5/5 stars, almost entirely because of the stellar prose. I need to reread this.
Moderate: Blood
eddiroll's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Minor: Suicide, Death, Murder, and Blood