The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
aus's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
psychedandlit's review against another edition
5.0
The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern
Audio Narrator: Jim Dale
Paperback Publisher: Anchor Books
Pub Date: 2012
Summary: Cecelia is left at a theater where she meets her father for the first time. Finding that Celia has special gifts, her father enters her into a game that has dangerous consequences. Marco is an orphan boy chosen to become the opponent to someone he does not yet know but his life will be tied to hers. Cirque De Reve is created as the perfect place for two young magicians, bound to a wager they did not choose, to duel. As the years pass, those who work within the circus start becoming affected and soon enough the fate of everyone hangs in the balance.
Thoughts: This story was pure magic. Morgenstern's writing was absolutely enchanting. I loved how she used prose filled with whimsy to create this deeply atmospheric setting. There were times I could almost taste the burnt sugar from the caramel on my tongue. It was easy to feel transported into the dream created by the circus. The characters had incredible depth and were easily distinguishable; even the side characters were memorable and played an important role within the story. The plot was much like a chessboard, where Morgenstern wrote with such strategy and purpose. Each step within the story had reason and because of that, there were no plot pacing issues or points where I felt the story ran too long. Trying to understand the competition itself as well as wanting to know how everything would wrap up kept me intrigued until the end. This was truly a memorable story that I know I will be thinking about for a long time to come.
For more on this review and a more in-depth look at other reviews, check out my blog: https://thelitterature.wixsite.com/website
by Erin Morgenstern
Audio Narrator: Jim Dale
Paperback Publisher: Anchor Books
Pub Date: 2012
Summary: Cecelia is left at a theater where she meets her father for the first time. Finding that Celia has special gifts, her father enters her into a game that has dangerous consequences. Marco is an orphan boy chosen to become the opponent to someone he does not yet know but his life will be tied to hers. Cirque De Reve is created as the perfect place for two young magicians, bound to a wager they did not choose, to duel. As the years pass, those who work within the circus start becoming affected and soon enough the fate of everyone hangs in the balance.
Thoughts: This story was pure magic. Morgenstern's writing was absolutely enchanting. I loved how she used prose filled with whimsy to create this deeply atmospheric setting. There were times I could almost taste the burnt sugar from the caramel on my tongue. It was easy to feel transported into the dream created by the circus. The characters had incredible depth and were easily distinguishable; even the side characters were memorable and played an important role within the story. The plot was much like a chessboard, where Morgenstern wrote with such strategy and purpose. Each step within the story had reason and because of that, there were no plot pacing issues or points where I felt the story ran too long. Trying to understand the competition itself as well as wanting to know how everything would wrap up kept me intrigued until the end. This was truly a memorable story that I know I will be thinking about for a long time to come.
For more on this review and a more in-depth look at other reviews, check out my blog: https://thelitterature.wixsite.com/website
stargirlz's review
not what i want to read at the moment but also might not come backÂ
dcrawford0610's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mesa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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? It's complicated
4.5
heidirgorecki's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Fascinating and so different from what I usually read. It was immersive and intriguing and oddly enough the slowness of the book had me even more pulled in because of the little pieces that were so enticing and mysterious.Â
I loved the mystery and the characters, the imagery and detail. It was a book that had me sometimes re-reading sections because the detail and creativity in what was being described demanded my full attention so my brain could truly picture it.Â
I loved the community of the circus members and how love and sacrifice and friendship were introduced as well. Really enjoyed this one a lot.Â
I loved the mystery and the characters, the imagery and detail. It was a book that had me sometimes re-reading sections because the detail and creativity in what was being described demanded my full attention so my brain could truly picture it.Â
I loved the community of the circus members and how love and sacrifice and friendship were introduced as well. Really enjoyed this one a lot.Â
ruthoohing's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
5.0
rennegade's review
3.0
I wanted so badly to give this a 5 star rating. I've always loved the idea of magical circuses, and this novel sounded perfect for me.
To be honest, I would have probably rated it higher if the book contained nothing other than descriptions of the circus. Morgenstern's attention to detail and talent for bringing Le Cirque des Rêves to life is commendable. It is clear that her weakness is in plot and character development. I felt absolutely no attachment to either Celia or Marco nor to the outcome of their competition. Most of the characters were flat, and even the ones with potential (I quite liked Widget and Poppet) never blossomed into fully-formed characters.
The last 50 or so pages left me scratching my head. I see where she was going with that, but it was so lackluster that I almost wish I could go back in time and not read it.
I think Erin Morgenstern has a lot of talent, and hopefully with her next project she will work a bit more with the characters. If she can write a novel with fabulous descriptions (like that drool-worthy clock!) and characters/plot that people actually care about, she could really be one of the next great authors.
To be honest, I would have probably rated it higher if the book contained nothing other than descriptions of the circus. Morgenstern's attention to detail and talent for bringing Le Cirque des Rêves to life is commendable. It is clear that her weakness is in plot and character development. I felt absolutely no attachment to either Celia or Marco nor to the outcome of their competition. Most of the characters were flat, and even the ones with potential (I quite liked Widget and Poppet) never blossomed into fully-formed characters.
The last 50 or so pages left me scratching my head. I see where she was going with that, but it was so lackluster that I almost wish I could go back in time and not read it.
I think Erin Morgenstern has a lot of talent, and hopefully with her next project she will work a bit more with the characters. If she can write a novel with fabulous descriptions (like that drool-worthy clock!) and characters/plot that people actually care about, she could really be one of the next great authors.
anniejohannie's review
3.0
Maybe more like 3 1/2 stars. This book was frustrating and problematic, but I was enchanted and sucked in.