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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is an intriguing blend -- written in a style evoking [b:Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell|14201|Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell|Susanna Clarke|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1357027589s/14201.jpg|3921305], with a forbidden circus romance reminiscent of [b:Water for Elephants|43641|Water for Elephants|Sara Gruen|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348373323s/43641.jpg|3441236], a [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg]-esque system of magic, and stunning visuals that should be adapted to film by someone more imaginative than Tim Burton.
A few specific comments and criticisms:
- This book had one of the strongest opening lines of any piece of fiction I have read in recent memory -- "The circus arrives without warning." -- and there is a great call-back to it at the end.
- One of the most compelling characters -- for good and ill -- is the enigmatic, mysterious circus. The only suitable comparison that comes to my mind is the chocolate factory in [b:Charlie and the Chocolate Factory|6310|Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie Bucket, #1)|Roald Dahl|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1309211401s/6310.jpg|2765786]. Unfortunately, exponentially more time is spent describing minute details of the circus in favor of developing the other characters.
- The much-hyped romance between the main characters a) doesn't start until two-thirds into the book, and b) lacks chemistry, and hence, believability.
- The resolution of the challenge was a cop-out that was telegraphed from 200 pages prior. Fortunately, the sub-plot involving Bailey had me engaged for the final third of the book.
- Kill the Harry Potter comparisons, please. There is little to no action in this book, and no franchise/sequels to be bled from it. While there is magic, it is not the exciting, wand-pointing kind of magic from Hogwarts. Nor is there a great evil being combated here -- just two old, bored rivals, lacking in compassion for their pupils' well-being, engaged in a chess game with a circus and its members as their board and pieces.
- I loved the Shakespeare/Tempest/Prospero references.
- The short chapters interspersed throughout the book in second-person were unnecessary and distracted from what little drive the plot did have.
Despite my misgivings about the plot and characters (and yes, I realize these are big elements of a book to have complaints about), the author's ability to create such an incredible atmospheric experience, and take the reader to this fantastical circus of dreams, made up for a good deal of the book's various other shortcomings.
A few specific comments and criticisms:
- This book had one of the strongest opening lines of any piece of fiction I have read in recent memory -- "The circus arrives without warning." -- and there is a great call-back to it at the end.
- One of the most compelling characters -- for good and ill -- is the enigmatic, mysterious circus. The only suitable comparison that comes to my mind is the chocolate factory in [b:Charlie and the Chocolate Factory|6310|Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie Bucket, #1)|Roald Dahl|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1309211401s/6310.jpg|2765786]. Unfortunately, exponentially more time is spent describing minute details of the circus in favor of developing the other characters.
- The much-hyped romance between the main characters a) doesn't start until two-thirds into the book, and b) lacks chemistry, and hence, believability.
- The resolution of the challenge was a cop-out that was telegraphed from 200 pages prior. Fortunately, the sub-plot involving Bailey had me engaged for the final third of the book.
- Kill the Harry Potter comparisons, please. There is little to no action in this book, and no franchise/sequels to be bled from it. While there is magic, it is not the exciting, wand-pointing kind of magic from Hogwarts. Nor is there a great evil being combated here -- just two old, bored rivals, lacking in compassion for their pupils' well-being, engaged in a chess game with a circus and its members as their board and pieces.
- I loved the Shakespeare/Tempest/Prospero references.
- The short chapters interspersed throughout the book in second-person were unnecessary and distracted from what little drive the plot did have.
Despite my misgivings about the plot and characters (and yes, I realize these are big elements of a book to have complaints about), the author's ability to create such an incredible atmospheric experience, and take the reader to this fantastical circus of dreams, made up for a good deal of the book's various other shortcomings.
If yall found this boring, YOURE the problem. Have some whimsy for once in your life girl.
I’ve heard that this book is about vibes rather than plot or characters. If that’s the case, this was not my vibe. I found the characters unappealing, the plot nonexistent and the atmosphere boring.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I throughly enjoyed this book! Truley magiacal and beautifully written.
I can't wait to read more of Erin Morgenstren's books.
I can't wait to read more of Erin Morgenstren's books.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes