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A review by koyali
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
"It seems like a lifetime ago that he walked to the circus, though it was only a few hours. And more than that, it feels as though the Bailey who entered the circus was an entirely different person than the one leaving it now" (203).
I think for the past half hour after finishing this book, I've been floating. Even now I'm very disoriented typing on my computer, and that means that it is the perfect headspace to write a review.
First of all, I am left absolutely stunned and breathless by the writing style. I've always loved this type of prose, and the way the circus is set up is incredible. The best I can describe it is that I'm very surprised that this story is a book sitting on my desk and not a portal to another world. It's whimsical, fantastical and feels as if a master spun the dreams of a child and made it into reality. If I were to judge this book on worldbuilding alone, it would be easily a 5/5. However, though I remember many details of the circus, I can barely remember what Marco looks like. Perhaps that's an oversight on my part?
Speaking of Marco, I liked his romance with Celia. It wasn't as grand or passionate as I had hoped, and frankly I didn't really care whether they had a happy ending or not. To me, they were more like windows into this insanely intricate world. Can't you tell that I really liked the worldbuilding?
The other characters were far more interesting to me. Bailey, Herr Thiessen, Isobel, and Tara were some of my favorites. All likeable to some extent(unless you don't like Isobel, which is fair) and felt the most human out of all the cast. Which makes sense as most lived their lives outside of the circus, or were more connected to the outside world than others. The characters inside, like the Marray Twins or Celia, felt unreal. Just like the circus I suppose, which I can describe the best as dreamy and foggy.
Also, I am very unashamed to say that Bailey's POV was my favorite. I was very happy whenever I turned the page and saw the date October 1902 (and I think I liked his romance more than the main one, honestly).
I would love to own a copy of this book, just to dissect it and relive it. Not because it was a 5 star read, but because I feel like I would appreciate it much more if I reread it knowing the ending.
Overall, 4.5/5 stars, almost entirely because of the stellar prose. I need to reread this.
I think for the past half hour after finishing this book, I've been floating. Even now I'm very disoriented typing on my computer, and that means that it is the perfect headspace to write a review.
First of all, I am left absolutely stunned and breathless by the writing style. I've always loved this type of prose, and the way the circus is set up is incredible. The best I can describe it is that I'm very surprised that this story is a book sitting on my desk and not a portal to another world. It's whimsical, fantastical and feels as if a master spun the dreams of a child and made it into reality. If I were to judge this book on worldbuilding alone, it would be easily a 5/5. However, though I remember many details of the circus, I can barely remember what Marco looks like. Perhaps that's an oversight on my part?
Speaking of Marco, I liked his romance with Celia. It wasn't as grand or passionate as I had hoped, and frankly I didn't really care whether they had a happy ending or not. To me, they were more like windows into this insanely intricate world. Can't you tell that I really liked the worldbuilding?
The other characters were far more interesting to me. Bailey, Herr Thiessen, Isobel, and Tara were some of my favorites. All likeable to some extent(unless you don't like Isobel, which is fair) and felt the most human out of all the cast. Which makes sense as most lived their lives outside of the circus, or were more connected to the outside world than others. The characters inside, like the Marray Twins or Celia, felt unreal. Just like the circus I suppose, which I can describe the best as dreamy and foggy.
Also, I am very unashamed to say that Bailey's POV was my favorite. I was very happy whenever I turned the page and saw the date October 1902 (and I think I liked his romance more than the main one, honestly).
I would love to own a copy of this book, just to dissect it and relive it. Not because it was a 5 star read, but because I feel like I would appreciate it much more if I reread it knowing the ending.
Overall, 4.5/5 stars, almost entirely because of the stellar prose. I need to reread this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood