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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My review may not be entirely fair, because I didn't get far into this book. I was hesitant enough about it that I did something I rarely do - come and check the Goodreads reviews before I read any further.
Unfortunately, I have to agree with the reviewer who compared it to one of those really artistic cakes - they look impressive, but when you cut them to eat, you discover they're all icing and no cake.
The descriptions are sumptuous, but I felt uneasy about the substance. I didn't like the two cruel and nasty magicians. I couldn't relate to the two children. I didn't like the central conceit of the novel, which is that all the magic at the circus is real, but the audience assumes it's all fakery. Really? The fans of all the women in the audience turn into birds and fly around the auditorium, and everyone thinks, "what a clever trick"? I know people see what they want to see, but can't believe audiences would come to the circus night after night and see tricks beyond anything previously possible, and absolutely no one would get suspicious and want to investigate.
The other thing was that the magic seemed to be without limits. Even the children can destroy things and put them back together again. Why are these magicians in the circus? Why aren't they living like kings or ruling the world?
I know this is fantasy but I still like my fantasy to be logical. And I like to like the characters.
Unfortunately, I have to agree with the reviewer who compared it to one of those really artistic cakes - they look impressive, but when you cut them to eat, you discover they're all icing and no cake.
The descriptions are sumptuous, but I felt uneasy about the substance. I didn't like the two cruel and nasty magicians. I couldn't relate to the two children. I didn't like the central conceit of the novel, which is that all the magic at the circus is real, but the audience assumes it's all fakery. Really? The fans of all the women in the audience turn into birds and fly around the auditorium, and everyone thinks, "what a clever trick"? I know people see what they want to see, but can't believe audiences would come to the circus night after night and see tricks beyond anything previously possible, and absolutely no one would get suspicious and want to investigate.
The other thing was that the magic seemed to be without limits. Even the children can destroy things and put them back together again. Why are these magicians in the circus? Why aren't they living like kings or ruling the world?
I know this is fantasy but I still like my fantasy to be logical. And I like to like the characters.
dark
hopeful
mysterious
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:
Yes
It's definitely not a book for everyone.
If you're expecting a plot-driven story. This is not for you. The plot is not the focus of this book.
If you're into beautifully descriptive writing, then this book will suck you into its world and make you feel like you are living in it. If I wasn't a plot-driven story reader I would've read this book a couple of times just to imagine myself in it. The author changes from first-person to second-person several times and I got very excited for the first-person parts.
It's a calm magical read.
If you're expecting a plot-driven story. This is not for you. The plot is not the focus of this book.
If you're into beautifully descriptive writing, then this book will suck you into its world and make you feel like you are living in it. If I wasn't a plot-driven story reader I would've read this book a couple of times just to imagine myself in it. The author changes from first-person to second-person several times and I got very excited for the first-person parts.
It's a calm magical read.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Amazing. Incredible description. Would highly recommend and read again. Such great depth of characters and detail. LOVED everything that had to do with the circus and constantly kept me guessing
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
fast-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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The Night Circus dragged me into a world so gorgeously spun that I swear I felt the velvet textures, smelled the caramel, and heard the music echo off starless tents. It opens with a whisper of “The circus arrives without warning,” and immediately I’m hooked—because who doesn’t want unexpected magic delivered to their doorstep at midnight? Celia Bowen, our fierce illusionist, is bound to this circus as her entire life’s art, controlled by a demanding tutor. And Marco Alisdair? Our stoic wizard in black and white, forced into a magical duel he never asked for. When Celia murmurs “I like you,” under flickering lanterns and smoke—it’s not just a confession, it’s a revelation. The romance blooms like moonlight through cracked canvas, delicate but incandescent. And the trickery? When characters vanish into thin air only to reappear in a swirl of lace and petals—it’s Chekhov light and magic and heartbreak all at once, and I was flipping pages like: please don’t let this end.
Now buckle up for the feels—this book is atmospheric euphoria. The writing dances between lush and poetic, always teetering on the edge of dreamy and dangerous, just how I like it. Did I love it? Hell yes—I spent the entire night falling in love with illusions, secret lovers, and rivalries painted in sepia and shadow. Did I hate it? Kind of—because the ending left me breathless and craving more; I needed answers, babe! My favorite character? Hard to pick—Celia with her whispered spells that make hearts ache, or Marco with his quiet, aching devotion that feels like velvet on bare skin. Each line, each tent, each swirl of magic made me want to re-live that world like I was reading it for the first time. Would I recommend it? Babe, 100%. If you crave romance that feels like a midnight promise and fiction that’s as intricate as lace, board that train—err, circus—with no hesitation. It’ll change you before sunrise.
Now buckle up for the feels—this book is atmospheric euphoria. The writing dances between lush and poetic, always teetering on the edge of dreamy and dangerous, just how I like it. Did I love it? Hell yes—I spent the entire night falling in love with illusions, secret lovers, and rivalries painted in sepia and shadow. Did I hate it? Kind of—because the ending left me breathless and craving more; I needed answers, babe! My favorite character? Hard to pick—Celia with her whispered spells that make hearts ache, or Marco with his quiet, aching devotion that feels like velvet on bare skin. Each line, each tent, each swirl of magic made me want to re-live that world like I was reading it for the first time. Would I recommend it? Babe, 100%. If you crave romance that feels like a midnight promise and fiction that’s as intricate as lace, board that train—err, circus—with no hesitation. It’ll change you before sunrise.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No