When it comes to confusing books (when I say this, I mean I had relatively no clue where it was heading for a solid 300 pages), I either hate or love them. Now this one is definitely the latter. The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern, explores the relationships of a child and parent, rivals, and collaborators. It tells the story of Celia and Marco, opponents pitted against each other who eventually become lovers. Their story revolves around a magical circus created to display their skills. The circus is only open from sundown to sunrise, drawing in and captivating the public, who most, if not all, are unaware of the secrets going on behind the scenes.
This book was nominated for Favorite Book of 2011 and Readers’ Favorite Fantasy in Goodreads. Another notable award the book has received is the Alex Award from the American Library Association; this is an award given to books written for adults that also appeal to young adults, meaning it is a perfect read for teenagers.
Caraval by Stephanie Garber (which I highly recommend) is often compared to this book and immediately put it on my “To Be Read” list. The Night Circus takes place in the real world, but in different time periods. That makes it a little easier on the mind, as there’s no need to learn the rules of a whole new world. Morgenstern’s writing is absolutely stunning, and the way she describes the circus made reading the book feel like an immersive experience.
She uses the magic in the world to connect seemingly unrelated characters and events, allowing the reader to slowly grasp the link between them.
Once it ended, I sat there in a bit of shock, realizing all of the confusion I experienced was all a part of Morgenstern’s brilliant plan. This is the type of book that you’d need to read twice just to catch all of the hints she weaves in. And even after days of reading The Night Circus, I still think back to it and its characters. With that being said, I like to think that any book that leaves an unforgettable impression on me is a good one.
However, in all honesty, there were holes in the writing of the romance. There was a slight love triangle in the book, but it was written rather poorly. The short moments between Celia and Marco remained memorable, but the book may have benefited without them.
Hopefully my view on the romance in this novel doesn’t deter anyone from reading it. After all, I’d only recommend this book if you’re looking for a solid fantasy read. The characters are perceived in a mysterious aspect that’ll constantly make you wonder. It’s safe to say that it was almost too hard to stop reading.