The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern
Book Synopsis: The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it, no paper notices plastered on lampposts and billboards. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.
Within these nocturnal black-and-white striped tents awaits an utterly unique, a feast for senses, where one can get lost in a maze of clouds, meander through a lush garden made of ice, stare in wonderment as the tattooed contortionist folds herself into a small glass box, and become deliciously tipsy from the scents of caramel and cinnamon that waft through the air.
Welcome to Le Cirque des Rêves.
Beyond the smoke and mirrors, however, a fierce competition is under way - a contest between two young illusionists, Celia and Marco who have been trained since childhood to compete in a "game" to which they have been irrevocably bound by their mercurial masters. Unbeknownst to the players, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will.
As the circus travels around the world, the feats of magic gain fantastical new heights with every stop. The game is well under way and the lives of all those involved--the eccentric circus owner, the elusive contortionist, the mystical fortune-teller, and a pair of red-headed twins born backstage among them--are swept up in a wake of spells and charms.
But when Celia discovers that Marco is her adversary, they begin to think of the game not as a competition but as a wonderful collaboration. With no knowledge of how the game must end, they innocently tumble headfirst into love. A deep, passionate, and magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.
Their masters still pull the strings, however, and this unforeseen occurrence forces them to intervene with dangerous consequences, leaving the lives of everyone from the performers to the patrons hanging in the balance.
Both playful and seductive, The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern's spell-casting debut, is a mesmerizing love story for the ages.
I've never been to the circus before, and although I fantasize about going there one day, I will never go to one, and by reading this book, I got as close to the action as I could.
Enter the ringmaster, presenting the amazing contortionist and prepare yourselves for a battle of wits between two great illusionists - Celia and Marco.
To be completely honest, the book was a debut for this author, and I tend to go a little bit easier on them in reviews. It dragged, and dragged, and dragged, and then cue the little tricks and illusions, but still it dragged. I was waiting to be dazzled, to immerse myself in the story and sit in awe as if I was part of the audience. As I waited patiently, and turned each page, I found myself getting a little impatient waiting for the climax to even begin.
I didn't give up on this book and soldiered on. Since I'm not a big believe in magic, I was constantly trying to figure out the method behind the madness. The book was a bit dark and mysterious and I loved the style and flair the author purposefully added in, because each chapter was so short, I was able to quickly finish the book.
All of the flaws aside, I definitely found myself being more than a mere spectator to a fantastical show, it was masterfully written and I was inspired by the words of Erin Morgenstern. My little brother went through a magic phase, that he quickly got over, let's just say that magic should be left to the professionals in Vegas. The concept of this book was unique and I found myself wishing that there was a sequel. Though it is probably not a wish that will be fulfilled.
So join me, and don't miss the circus of dreams because it's one that you should hurry to get tickets to before the circus gets up and moves without any prior warning.
Rating: ★★★★★