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wenxin's review against another edition
1.0
I didn’t finish it, but I don’t think I will ever - not in the near future.
During the book I even questioned myself multiple times if I was just not into books, which can’t be true because while avoiding reading this one I’ve finished more than 5 other books, and I enjoyed them.
Maybe this one is just really not my taste.
During the book I even questioned myself multiple times if I was just not into books, which can’t be true because while avoiding reading this one I’ve finished more than 5 other books, and I enjoyed them.
Maybe this one is just really not my taste.
claudianhi's review against another edition
This was so slow and honestly, not much has happened and I'm over halfway. It feels like a chore to finish and I'm not going to continue to force myself to finish.
janettebm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
stacias99's review against another edition
4.0
A really great read! Beautiful prose marks a somewhat meandering plot with standout characters. The language really is what sets this read apart for me (though I think the unusual format works well for this particular novel also). I enjoyed the plot (jumping through time as it does). Reading this book was mostly fun and easy, but at times haunting and sad. I enjoyed the changes my emotions went through as I read and I was left feeling wistful and wanting more. I was very pleased with the experience and will look for more from Morgenstern.
clace_19's review against another edition
2.0
2.80!
This author has only two books out. This took her around 6 to 8 years to write and the other one "the starless sea" took the author 10 years I think.
I read the starless sea first and tbh I liked it, it was enjoyable the writing style in that improved drastically but there was no plot. So, when I started reading this book. I knew that there won't be any major plot points just vibes and a good writing style.
But oh boy was I wrong. The characters were so vague like there was no sense as to whow as the main character. It has no antagonist. It was just a very vague book.
At some places the writing style excelled at other places it fell but the vibes were there.
Ig if you are reading this. Then lower your expectations alot and just go in knowing there's just a vague sense of plot and read it just for the vibes.
This author has only two books out. This took her around 6 to 8 years to write and the other one "the starless sea" took the author 10 years I think.
I read the starless sea first and tbh I liked it, it was enjoyable the writing style in that improved drastically but there was no plot. So, when I started reading this book. I knew that there won't be any major plot points just vibes and a good writing style.
But oh boy was I wrong. The characters were so vague like there was no sense as to whow as the main character. It has no antagonist. It was just a very vague book.
At some places the writing style excelled at other places it fell but the vibes were there.
Ig if you are reading this. Then lower your expectations alot and just go in knowing there's just a vague sense of plot and read it just for the vibes.
muliejazza's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
sewfrench's review against another edition
2.0
There was a lot of mystery and areas left to your own imagination.
I walked away with more questions, about unexplained things, than I had enjoyment for it. It left me with the feeling that things couldn't be "explained" beyond "it's magic." Not entirely sure even the author understood but instead glossed over those parts.
I enjoyed the interaction between characters. I wanted to jump right into this book and experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the circus. Then... I had a really hard time finishing this book.
Now that the film rights to The Night Circus have been optioned maybe the movie will explain it all and, for once, be better than the book!
I walked away with more questions, about unexplained things, than I had enjoyment for it. It left me with the feeling that things couldn't be "explained" beyond "it's magic." Not entirely sure even the author understood but instead glossed over those parts.
I enjoyed the interaction between characters. I wanted to jump right into this book and experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the circus. Then... I had a really hard time finishing this book.
Now that the film rights to The Night Circus have been optioned maybe the movie will explain it all and, for once, be better than the book!
aliciamanatee's review against another edition
3.0
The writing and world building is beautiful, but the plot was not strong. I like very plot driven stories so this just wasn’t my favorite. It definitely captured my attention and I enjoyed listening but at about 70% started wondering what the point of all of it was. The ending was ok. It all felt anticlimactic. The world created was magical and I could imagine it vividly, I can see how it’s a favorite for a lot of people.
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