Scan barcode
asferrae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jbeck189's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ellwinz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
melsmels's review against another edition
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
altairreads_'s review against another edition
5.0
the book equivalent to a warm embrace by the fire on a snowy winter's evening, the smell of hot chocolate in the air.
theirgracegrace's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
A loving and alluring pastiche of present, past and future, the Night Circus is a great book for lovers of mystery and magic. The plot centres around le Cirque des rêves, a circus that appears suddenly and is only open at night. The circus is a battleground between two magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been forced into a competition that neither participant quite understands. As the magic of the circus deepens, the two get entangled more and more, and the performers begin to suspect something is afoot...
My most adored parts of the book are the descriptions of the circus venues, from the enigmatic Labyrinth to the Wishing Tree and the Ice Garden. The symbolism of a circus that is adorned in black and white, and it is the visitors who bring colour to it, shows immaculate sense of the book's themes. I was immediately drawn to the character of Bailey and loved how the narrative slowly incorporates him and the rêveurs. A delightful tale with a bittersweet ending that I look forward to reading next time the circus rolls into town!
My most adored parts of the book are the descriptions of the circus venues, from the enigmatic Labyrinth to the Wishing Tree and the Ice Garden. The symbolism of a circus that is adorned in black and white, and it is the visitors who bring colour to it, shows immaculate sense of the book's themes. I was immediately drawn to the character of Bailey and loved how the narrative slowly incorporates him and the rêveurs. A delightful tale with a bittersweet ending that I look forward to reading next time the circus rolls into town!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Body horror, Blood, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Death, Pregnancy, Violence, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Murder, and Physical abuse
Minor: Vomit, Classism, and Cursing
One of the side characters get hit by a trainjonisbookquest's review against another edition
2.0
Okay, I do understand that some people might like this book, but it’s not for everyone and it’s definitely not for me.
Lets start on a positive note, the things I liked about this book: the atmosphere. I think the atmosphere was very well done (due to the magnificent writing style).
Now, the things I didn’t like… The atmosphere. I felt like this whole book existed solely to make the readers feel like they were in this magic circus kind of thing. And yes, I was surprised by how vivid the descriptions were and it really felt like I was there, but after 200 pages of descriptions it became so goddamn boring. Literally 80% of this book was just people walking around in the circus or talking about how wonderful it was.
The plot and the characters – in my opinion the most important things in a book – existed solely to convey this wonderful atmosphere of the circus. I didn’t think much about the characters, I didn’t connect with them, I couldn’t really tell what their personality were about, I didn’t feel anything when they died. Also, I really had a feeling that most of the characters weren’t necessary at all. The plot wasn’t anywhere until somewhere around page 200 or so. And even after that… the plot didn’t deliver either. I was promised this kind of rival/love relationship, but both were very underwhelming, since I never felt the rivalry, nor the love.
The romance was totally lame. I didn’t feel any chemistry between Celia and Marco. It felt like they just fell in love with each other for the sole fact that they were rivals. They constantly told each other that they loved one another, but I never felt the love in the air. Especially Marco…
But my biggest problem with ‘The Night Circus’ was the fact that so many things didn’t make sense to me – but maybe I just wasn’t paying enough attention, because I was bored as f*ck.
And on top of al that, the magic system was like nonexistent; not at any moment did I understand how their magic worked. And that’s sad, given the fact that this whole story is about two teachers who both think they are the best at teaching magic.
Overall, the biggest reason why I struggled with this book, was because I found it really boring and it felt like nothing was happening at all (I do think this would have been way better as a short story). But, if you really like a slow paced book with a great atmosphere, I think this is just the story you want to read.
Lets start on a positive note, the things I liked about this book: the atmosphere. I think the atmosphere was very well done (due to the magnificent writing style).
Now, the things I didn’t like… The atmosphere. I felt like this whole book existed solely to make the readers feel like they were in this magic circus kind of thing. And yes, I was surprised by how vivid the descriptions were and it really felt like I was there, but after 200 pages of descriptions it became so goddamn boring. Literally 80% of this book was just people walking around in the circus or talking about how wonderful it was.
The plot and the characters – in my opinion the most important things in a book – existed solely to convey this wonderful atmosphere of the circus. I didn’t think much about the characters, I didn’t connect with them, I couldn’t really tell what their personality were about, I didn’t feel anything when they died. Also, I really had a feeling that most of the characters weren’t necessary at all. The plot wasn’t anywhere until somewhere around page 200 or so. And even after that… the plot didn’t deliver either. I was promised this kind of rival/love relationship, but both were very underwhelming, since I never felt the rivalry, nor the love.
The romance was totally lame. I didn’t feel any chemistry between Celia and Marco. It felt like they just fell in love with each other for the sole fact that they were rivals. They constantly told each other that they loved one another, but I never felt the love in the air. Especially Marco…
Spoiler
I would have no problem believing that he never actually loved Celia and he did all of it just to win the game – would have been a great plot twist and a good message, if you ask me. I mean, Marco is like the biggest jerk of the story anyway, cheating on Isobel like that – I just can’t feel any sympathy for him. And then Isobel apologizes because she broke a protective spell she casted on them? Like, wtf, Isobel, you shouldn’t apologize for that jerk. And then, an other thing in this romance that I really couldn’t take… Celia having sex with Marco just the day after her best friend was killed, like wtf, just no.But my biggest problem with ‘The Night Circus’ was the fact that so many things didn’t make sense to me – but maybe I just wasn’t paying enough attention, because I was bored as f*ck.
Spoiler
Like, Celia and Marco need to play this game until one of them dies, but why are they so fast to jump into death? I mean, they could have just lived on, playing a little more, or am I wrong? And, c’mon Celia, you know this guy for like one year (?) and you are ready to sacrifice yourself for him? And why can this circus not go on without Celia? Didn’t she do just as much as Marco? Wasn’t Marco the one that lit the fire and kept everyone from aging?And on top of al that, the magic system was like nonexistent; not at any moment did I understand how their magic worked. And that’s sad, given the fact that this whole story is about two teachers who both think they are the best at teaching magic.
Overall, the biggest reason why I struggled with this book, was because I found it really boring and it felt like nothing was happening at all (I do think this would have been way better as a short story). But, if you really like a slow paced book with a great atmosphere, I think this is just the story you want to read.
laurenpat's review against another edition
5.0
This was really cool! Not sure what I expected but it was sort of like a mystery about magic. The writing was beautiful.
julowe's review
5.0
This book is strange and fantastical, but it drew me in to embrace and enjoy the uncertainty. It might be the perfect palliative for all this now.