A review by artstitute
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I'm a fan of Erin Morgenstern, so understand that when I say this I don't say it with any malice: her books are reliably 0% character, 0% plot, and 1,000% Vibes. And I love it. 
Are you looking for something character driven, in which the protagonists behave as three-dimensional human beings with fleshed out inner worlds? Skip this. Are you looking for something plot-driven, that ties up every loose string and delivers a fleshed-out hard magic system? Pass. Do you want a story full of love, whimsy, magic, beautiful ekphrasis and vivid phantasmagorical imagery that conjures a world of magic in your mind? Then this is the book for you!
This isn't my first time reading this book, but it is my first time since high school, and I found the ending more satisfying this time around.
I think that while before I saw Marco and Celia's ascension (so to speak) as a cop-out, I now see it as them finally freeing themselves from the cycle of abuse perpetuated by Prospero and Mr. A H—. I did still find Tsukiko's role in their ascension a little disappointing, especially how she approached it. I think the twist that she was a former contender needed more room to breathe than it got.
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