Scan barcode
verybooksessed's review
5.0
Morgenstern has a way of bringing magic into the real world with how she vividly draws the events taking place as if you’re walking in a dream. Every turn of a page brings a newfound sense of curiosity and awe as you travel with the circus wherever it goes. The impossible seems attainable and you can literally close your eyes and see it all happening as if it’s right in front of you.
I love how we bounce between timelines, gaining more knowledge and insight into Marco and Celia’s individual lives and then watching them collide into one. Their characters are so unique in different ways; Celia is kind, quiet and short tempered. Marco is charming, handsome, and a risk taker. Together, they make an interesting and powerful pair who must endure a battle of magic and manipulation.
You would think the tents in this wondrous circus consist of the obvious: lions, jugglers, clowns, and everything that we would normally find in such realms. This is different. Each tent more bizarre than the next, enchanting its way into your mind with its alluring and mysterious symbols. I particularly loved The Ice Garden; somehow, i can picture it exactly in my head, every detail memorized as if I’d actually experienced it
I love how we bounce between timelines, gaining more knowledge and insight into Marco and Celia’s individual lives and then watching them collide into one. Their characters are so unique in different ways; Celia is kind, quiet and short tempered. Marco is charming, handsome, and a risk taker. Together, they make an interesting and powerful pair who must endure a battle of magic and manipulation.
You would think the tents in this wondrous circus consist of the obvious: lions, jugglers, clowns, and everything that we would normally find in such realms. This is different. Each tent more bizarre than the next, enchanting its way into your mind with its alluring and mysterious symbols. I particularly loved The Ice Garden; somehow, i can picture it exactly in my head, every detail memorized as if I’d actually experienced it
shorthannah's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ginaelise's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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
4.0
I might have rated this lower but I was having a particularly rough day at work while reading this and my first thought was “I wish I could escape to my circus book right now” and I think that’s a testament to an immersive story.
I wish the love story received more time and attention. There was some really great built up and tension there that could have been great but it fell a bit flat for me.
I wish the love story received more time and attention. There was some really great built up and tension there that could have been great but it fell a bit flat for me.
flowersofstfrancis's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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
4.25
jessica_esme's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
eengland's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
sarahwisemanx's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
santaliago's review
3.0
2.8 (but I rounded it to three) stars
I had picked up this book very early into my booktok era when it came to hunting down books to read. I was looking for outstanding reads as well as romantic reads and I came across this one from a booktok-er to which I still follow to this day despite not completely liking this novel.
When I first opened this one, I had expected romance (and yes, while there's still romance in it, there's no true focus on it). I was more swept away with the world building of this book and the intricacies of it. The writing gave my mind a run for its money because even then there was a chance even my imagination wasn't enough to bring it to life. The circus was beautiful, and their romance and rivalry matched it well. And although it's ending was bitter sweet for me, the ending could not have inspired more wonder in fantasy than anything ever done before.
This one is a hidden gem among many and I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.
I had picked up this book very early into my booktok era when it came to hunting down books to read. I was looking for outstanding reads as well as romantic reads and I came across this one from a booktok-er to which I still follow to this day despite not completely liking this novel.
When I first opened this one, I had expected romance (and yes, while there's still romance in it, there's no true focus on it). I was more swept away with the world building of this book and the intricacies of it. The writing gave my mind a run for its money because even then there was a chance even my imagination wasn't enough to bring it to life. The circus was beautiful, and their romance and rivalry matched it well. And although it's ending was bitter sweet for me, the ending could not have inspired more wonder in fantasy than anything ever done before.
This one is a hidden gem among many and I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.