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bxnny's review against another edition
Graphic: Gaslighting, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Moderate: Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, and Torture
zophronia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, and Child abuse
Minor: Animal death
ramakn22's review against another edition
Graphic: Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Violence, Torture, and Animal death
Moderate: Abandonment, Confinement, and Suicide
zomvi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
At first, I did enjoy the shifting perspectives, but after finishing the book I feel that there wasn't much of a payout. These parts could have been used to pull the reader in better, or have provided more information or foreshadowing. The coming-of-age and passing-of-the-torch tropes seem a bit too convenient. I wish we got to know the characters more - I’m primarily a character-driven reader, and though many are intriguing to a certain extent, I’m not particularly fond of the overwhelming majority of the cast. Tsukiko is probably one character that interests me, but she does seem to be a bit stereotypical in the “eastern mysticism” kind of way that doesn’t really sit super well with me. I want to know more about the contest, the original rivalry that seemingly spawned this competition altogether, and indulge in more world-building, but it’s all a bit too vague. I wish there were specific Shakespeare quotes, instead of vague references as well. I’m also not really a fan of the love-triangle or enemies/rivals-to-lovers tropes, so was looking forward to some twists and turns or subverted expectations somehow,
I did enjoy a lot of the whimsical descriptions of the circus itself, especially the designs and performances or attractions, in particular. The use of color, and the black and white theme greatly complimented the day/night cycles the circus rigidly follows, and the contrasting chapters exploring the many mysterious characters added to the intrigue. I also really loved the food descriptions, and how immersive it felt while Morgenstern gave us the sights and tastes and smells of the scenes.
Regarding the ending,
Overall, glad I finally knocked it off my tbr, but it just wasn’t for me.
Minor: Infidelity, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Child abuse
alli3hl13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Child abuse, Mental illness, and Murder
One sex scene but no actual detailsadarose's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Animal death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Addiction, Suicide, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
kcmg710's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Grief, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Sexual content
stupidwittlebaby's review against another edition
- 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
Minor: Sexual content, Animal death, and Blood
myinvinciblesummer's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Minor: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Alcohol, and Death of parent
imaginaryalchemist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Erin Morgenstern is a master of atmosphere, I felt like I was actually at Le Cirque des Rêves, seeing the fantastical performances for myself. The circus itself felt like a character.
I do wish more time had been spent fleshing out Celia and Marco, but that's a minor nitpick. Ultimately the story was more about the circus and it's inner workings, as well as the hidden competition taking place.
My favorite characters by far were Poppet and Widget, they felt the most alive to me. I enjoyed the scenes with them and Bailey exploring the circus. There was a lot of chemistry between Poppet and Bailey.
Overall, I was enthralled by this book. I was drawn into the circus and the world around it. I suppose you could say I've become a rêveur.
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Suicide
Minor: Animal death and Child abuse
Some of what Celia's father, Hector, does can be seen as abusive. At one point he slices open the tips of her fingers repeatedly to get her to practice healing them. There is a brief mention of a dove having its neck snapped. There are mentions of blood and injury. In one scene, Celia stabs her hand with a dagger.