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nicolestrauss's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
buthainna's review against another edition
5.0
what a wonderful book with amazing world building.
I haven't been so engrossed in a fantastical world like this in a long time.
I love how she built the circus in a way that makes it almost possible to exist in our real world. How magic might not be so impossible after all.
The wonderful Le Cirque De Reveres (circus of dreams) is built in colors of black and white only, and there are many tents inside the circus of varying sizes and shapes, sometimes they're deceptively small from the outside but once you go on they're humongous and colorful, and so, so magical.
One room has acrobats, the other has animal trainers, the third consists of a frozen world, the fourth of a maze, the fifth is a fortune teller, etc etc.. but all of these regular attractions are constructed to be so much more interesting and magical. The circus smells of caramel apples and popcorn. Outside the tents there are little shows and attractions strewn here and there.
I'm jotting down random thoughts at this point. I'm just so sad this circus doesn't exist in reality.
I haven't even mentioned the main plot of the book. It's about these two powerful ancient magicians who take up apprentices, train them, and pit them against each other.
These two players are Celia and Marcos.
Of course it's a love story.
The only drawback to this book is the timeline. I absolutely hated the flashbacks. Each chapter starts with the date written at the top, and you frequently travel to the past (sometimes the far past, other times just a year ago) and it was pretty confusing to follow, especially when you're not reading the book on consecutive days.
I hope somebody picks this up for a movie adaptation someday
I haven't been so engrossed in a fantastical world like this in a long time.
I love how she built the circus in a way that makes it almost possible to exist in our real world. How magic might not be so impossible after all.
The wonderful Le Cirque De Reveres (circus of dreams) is built in colors of black and white only, and there are many tents inside the circus of varying sizes and shapes, sometimes they're deceptively small from the outside but once you go on they're humongous and colorful, and so, so magical.
One room has acrobats, the other has animal trainers, the third consists of a frozen world, the fourth of a maze, the fifth is a fortune teller, etc etc.. but all of these regular attractions are constructed to be so much more interesting and magical. The circus smells of caramel apples and popcorn. Outside the tents there are little shows and attractions strewn here and there.
I'm jotting down random thoughts at this point. I'm just so sad this circus doesn't exist in reality.
I haven't even mentioned the main plot of the book. It's about these two powerful ancient magicians who take up apprentices, train them, and pit them against each other.
These two players are Celia and Marcos.
Of course it's a love story.
The only drawback to this book is the timeline. I absolutely hated the flashbacks. Each chapter starts with the date written at the top, and you frequently travel to the past (sometimes the far past, other times just a year ago) and it was pretty confusing to follow, especially when you're not reading the book on consecutive days.
I hope somebody picks this up for a movie adaptation someday
stephm435's review against another edition
5.0
Love love love this book! It bought it by chance one day at my favorite book store mostly because I liked the cover. But the book is amazing. Definitely in my top 10 reads!
nicogeonico's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
senkahawke's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jarvm's review against another edition
4.0
I was surprised by this book honestly. I didn’t think it was going to be as good as it was. I think some people might be upset by what could be seen as a lack of depth in the characters, or by the sort of ethereal floating quality of the plot but I think it’s sort of the point. It’s this contemporary magical realism that feels like a dream itself.
I read most of this but also bought the audiobook. I wish it had not been narrated by Jim Dale who I can only ever associate with Harry Potter.
I read most of this but also bought the audiobook. I wish it had not been narrated by Jim Dale who I can only ever associate with Harry Potter.
bethaniekay's review against another edition
3.0
This book doesn't deserve 4 stars -- but 3 doesn't seem to do it justice, either. I'd give this book 3.5 stars
There is a lot of hype surrounding this book, and some of it feel is deserving, and some is not.
First, the bad: The story is very disjointed, it jumps around back and forth from year to year, place to place, with no rhyme or reason. This isn't terrible, but I felt like I would've had a better understanding of the story and all the players if it was told in a more linear fashion. Speaking of the players -- wow, are there a lot of main characters. Granted, the story is mostly about Marco and Celia, but there are many others who play a part, and I didn't really feel that some of them were vital to the story. I also didn't like the changing POVs and tenses. I'd have preferred just one. Also, I was annoyed that some things in the story were never really fleshed out. Just what was the point of the challenge? What were the rules? Why on earth would they have willingly gone along with the challenge when neither of them particularly cared for their instructors? I guess it was meant to be vague and mystical. Finally, this book is touted as being about 'deep, passionate romance", but it seemed like there could've been more 'heat' to the romance. Although the love did build throughout the story, it was quite annoying that the players were denied that love due to some challenge that wasn't clearly defined, with consequences that never really seemed real.
Now, the good: The author has a beautiful writing style. The imagery she is able to conjure on the pages is, well, magical. I really enjoyed the way she described the people, the costumes, and everything occurring inside the circus. The circus was definitely an enchanting place to read about, and the images inside my mind will stick. I also thought that some of the characters were developed and described very well and were very likeable, like Marco, Celia, and Poppett and Widget.
Although the ending of the story seemed kind of blah, I do think that the story overall was interesting and that many people would enjoy this. I just prefer a story with a bit more clarity, but I recognize that others would appreciate the abstract nature of this book. If nothing else, read this because of the outstanding imagery.
There is a lot of hype surrounding this book, and some of it feel is deserving, and some is not.
First, the bad: The story is very disjointed, it jumps around back and forth from year to year, place to place, with no rhyme or reason. This isn't terrible, but I felt like I would've had a better understanding of the story and all the players if it was told in a more linear fashion. Speaking of the players -- wow, are there a lot of main characters. Granted, the story is mostly about Marco and Celia, but there are many others who play a part, and I didn't really feel that some of them were vital to the story. I also didn't like the changing POVs and tenses. I'd have preferred just one. Also, I was annoyed that some things in the story were never really fleshed out. Just what was the point of the challenge? What were the rules? Why on earth would they have willingly gone along with the challenge when neither of them particularly cared for their instructors? I guess it was meant to be vague and mystical. Finally, this book is touted as being about 'deep, passionate romance", but it seemed like there could've been more 'heat' to the romance. Although the love did build throughout the story, it was quite annoying that the players were denied that love due to some challenge that wasn't clearly defined, with consequences that never really seemed real.
Now, the good: The author has a beautiful writing style. The imagery she is able to conjure on the pages is, well, magical. I really enjoyed the way she described the people, the costumes, and everything occurring inside the circus. The circus was definitely an enchanting place to read about, and the images inside my mind will stick. I also thought that some of the characters were developed and described very well and were very likeable, like Marco, Celia, and Poppett and Widget.
Although the ending of the story seemed kind of blah, I do think that the story overall was interesting and that many people would enjoy this. I just prefer a story with a bit more clarity, but I recognize that others would appreciate the abstract nature of this book. If nothing else, read this because of the outstanding imagery.
books_tea_and_fantasy's review against another edition
5.0
✨REVIEW✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book enchanted me from the first page. It’s such a beautiful lyrically written story which has rendered my speechless. I got completely engrossed in this tale the same way the visitors lose themselves in the magical labyrinth of the circus.
All characters have an elaborate backstory and add an element of mystery and magic to the book. It’s been a while since I’ve read a perfect love story that isn’t problematic, and it was worth the wait.
I had a hard time parting from the enchanting atmosphere and the protagonists which I love dearly. This book will stay with me for years to come.
TW: character death, child abuse
6/60
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book enchanted me from the first page. It’s such a beautiful lyrically written story which has rendered my speechless. I got completely engrossed in this tale the same way the visitors lose themselves in the magical labyrinth of the circus.
All characters have an elaborate backstory and add an element of mystery and magic to the book. It’s been a while since I’ve read a perfect love story that isn’t problematic, and it was worth the wait.
I had a hard time parting from the enchanting atmosphere and the protagonists which I love dearly. This book will stay with me for years to come.
TW: character death, child abuse
6/60
megareads42's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. The mood, the visuals, the plot were all very unique and engaging. However. I prefer a little background/detail with my magic, and I didn't get it. I felt like I really didn't comprehend what was going on. It didn't make it less enjoyable, it just made me care about the characters a little less.