Two starcrossed magicians engage in a deadly game of cunning in The Night Circus, the spellbinding bestseller that has captured the world’s imagination.
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.
But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance.
My Take
I loved this book. I wanted the magic to never end. The book was beautiful and a delight to read. The chapters were often (mostly?) brief, so it was easy to pick up and put down. Or to nibble just this one three minute chapter. Okay, another five. And so on. Like the circus itself, the plot is not linear, and almost irrelevant. I didn’t care about what happened, I just wanted more. The characters may never feel fully realized but again, who is what they seem? What is real?