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rainbowofcrazy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book enraptured me. The writing immediately drew me in, held me tight, and didn't let me go until it was all over. (And let's be real. It still has a hold on me.) The story was refreshing and fun and so damn mysterious. I love the not knowing in a book. If you can pique my curiosity, you got me good, and this novel got me so good. The charm, the touches of darkness, the romance and whimsy. The magic! Oh, the magic. The involvement of tarot greatly pleased my tarot loving ass too. There are some time skips and jumping around but nothing that felt too confusing.
The plot started off strong, but unfortunately it eventually left something to be desired. But I'll be honest: by the end of it all, I really didn't mind that it didn't quite hit the mark because I was already so happy wrapping myself up in all the lovely writing and imagery and imagining the existence of this whimsical magical little circus world. I'm not really one to reread books but I'd be more than happy to reread this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
wren_cat's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
oceanbluetay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
boring.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Deadnaming, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
eclipse799's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
lipstickitotheman's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is really lovely. I was confused at the time switches, so I would've had a hard time reading an ebook or audiobook version.
The imagery is so vivid that I could for real add each element to a mental picture that I could easily construct. Your images will look different, even given the same description, and I think that's what the circus is all about.
The imagery is so vivid that I could for real add each element to a mental picture that I could easily construct. Your images will look different, even given the same description, and I think that's what the circus is all about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
autumnxrose's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
One of the most masterfully written books I've ever read. What is confusing and mysterious at first fall into place by the end. The characters are incredibly endearing and the setting is stunning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
cicizzy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I really liked the original story.
Listening to the audio book version it was a bit difficult to keep up with the time jumps.
It’s not something I would have usually read so it was a bit out of my comfort zone.
Listening to the audio book version it was a bit difficult to keep up with the time jumps.
It’s not something I would have usually read so it was a bit out of my comfort zone.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Murder
gothlawyer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Beautifully descriptive. While at times slow, the author creates excitement and intrigue with detailed dreamlike descriptions of the circus. Lovely story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
bobaduckie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Physical abuse, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
paigeteeman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Someone needs to tell those tales. When the battles are fought and won and lost, when the pirates find their treasures and the dragons eat their foes for breakfast with a nice cup of Lapsang souchong, someone needs to tell their bits of overlapping narrative. There's magic in that. It's in the listener, and for each and every ear it will be different, and it will affect them in ways they can never predict. From the mundane to the profound. You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone's soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows what they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift. Your sister may be able to see the future, but you yourself can shape it, boy. Do not forget that... there are many kinds of magic, after all.
General Thoughts
For context, I've been in a long reading slump and this is one of the first novels I've finished in a long time. I don't think this was the novel to break a reading slump because of its slow pace as there were a number of times I set the book down for months and didn't pick it back up. If you're looking for a novel that transports you to a world of magical realism that leaves you wanting more and satisfied with its conclusion at the same time, this is the novel for you.
Favorite Moments
This novel had so many good moments. I absolutely loved the detail in which Morgenstern goes into the different tents of the circus. One of my favorite parts was following Bailey's perspective as he discovers the circus for the first time, and returns years later. Bailey's perspective, in a way, is the reader's perspective on the circus. As he experiences each tent for the first time, so do we. However, I think my absolute favorite part is the ending, when everything is revealed. After the competition ends, we find out more information about its origin and have an opportunity to contemplate on the bigger themes of the story and life with some of the characters. The ending was reflective and eloquently wrapped up such a complex tale, that it's hard to top.
Plot & Pacing
The plot is a bit convoluted by time jumps and revolving character perspectives at times, and can be hard to discern a timeline. The plot is so interconnected and winding that I believe this is a novel that will be better on the second read, as you have additional context and can pick up on the subtle foreshadowing moments throughout the novel. Despite this, the story is entirely compelling, drawing you in as you try to understand what is going on, and the weaving plot adds to the whimsical nature of the story.
Setting & Worldbuilding
The winding nature of the story and Morgenstern's whimsical writing style truly mirrors the nature of the circus and places the reader directly in the setting. Throughout the novel, she embeds short vignettes in 2nd person POV, walking you through the circus and its tents as if you were experiencing it for yourself. The tangibility of the circus is palpable throughout the novel, as if you can smell the scents of the circus and taste the flavors of the food. Morgenstern's worldbuilding is complete with a diverse cast of characters that make up the performers, a loyal following of circus patrons known as the Reveurs, and a magic system that seems entirely convoluted until the end, which adds to the mystical nature of the plot.
Characters
This novel has a diverse range of side characters that offer different perspectives on the circus. Most are unaware of the competition even taking place, and serve as a playing pieces in the game, waiting for the competitors to make their next move. Some of my favorites were Poppet, Widget, and Bailey, who bring a childlike perspective of the circus as they discover its secrets with time. Tsukiko and Madame Padva were fun, quirky characters that really lightened the plot. This novel is not short on characters to fall in love with.
Celia and Marco, our main characters are juxtaposed from the beginning of the novel, training under vastly different circumstances. Celia has a natural talent for magic, or manipulation as it’s often referred, and studied under the abusive practices and limelight of her father, who is a famous magician. Marco is a learned magician, trained in isolation through lectures by his instructor, who serves as a father figure. Their budding romance is a slow burn that doesn't truly pick up until halfway through the novel, however its implication on the circus and the competition is one to capture your attention.
Originality & Writing Style
Morgenstern's writing is truly magical and transports you into the book with the characters. I personally think this novel will be analyzed by literary scholars in the future, if it’s not already. The complex nature of her storytelling offers excellent opportunities to deconstruct and analyze the novel, drawing conclusions about human nature. The concept of the circus as a venue for this convoluted competition is like nothing I’ve read before and truly made this novel more mystical and mysterious.
Overall Enjoyment & Emotional Impact
Overall, I loved this novel. I'm giving this 4.5 stars, only because I think it will be better on the second read. I'm honestly frustrated that it took me so long to finish reading this novel because the ending is eye-opening. As I progressed further in the novel, I was captivated by the mystery of the circus and the competition. You're left in a state of confusion, similar to the characters throughout most of the novel until the ending when all questions are answered. It's one of those novels where you can't predict how it will end and it will leave you thinking about it for days after finishing the book.
For context, I've been in a long reading slump and this is one of the first novels I've finished in a long time. I don't think this was the novel to break a reading slump because of its slow pace as there were a number of times I set the book down for months and didn't pick it back up. If you're looking for a novel that transports you to a world of magical realism that leaves you wanting more and satisfied with its conclusion at the same time, this is the novel for you.
Favorite Moments
This novel had so many good moments. I absolutely loved the detail in which Morgenstern goes into the different tents of the circus. One of my favorite parts was following Bailey's perspective as he discovers the circus for the first time, and returns years later. Bailey's perspective, in a way, is the reader's perspective on the circus. As he experiences each tent for the first time, so do we. However, I think my absolute favorite part is the ending, when everything is revealed. After the competition ends, we find out more information about its origin and have an opportunity to contemplate on the bigger themes of the story and life with some of the characters. The ending was reflective and eloquently wrapped up such a complex tale, that it's hard to top.
Plot & Pacing
The plot is a bit convoluted by time jumps and revolving character perspectives at times, and can be hard to discern a timeline. The plot is so interconnected and winding that I believe this is a novel that will be better on the second read, as you have additional context and can pick up on the subtle foreshadowing moments throughout the novel. Despite this, the story is entirely compelling, drawing you in as you try to understand what is going on, and the weaving plot adds to the whimsical nature of the story.
Setting & Worldbuilding
The winding nature of the story and Morgenstern's whimsical writing style truly mirrors the nature of the circus and places the reader directly in the setting. Throughout the novel, she embeds short vignettes in 2nd person POV, walking you through the circus and its tents as if you were experiencing it for yourself. The tangibility of the circus is palpable throughout the novel, as if you can smell the scents of the circus and taste the flavors of the food. Morgenstern's worldbuilding is complete with a diverse cast of characters that make up the performers, a loyal following of circus patrons known as the Reveurs, and a magic system that seems entirely convoluted until the end, which adds to the mystical nature of the plot.
Characters
This novel has a diverse range of side characters that offer different perspectives on the circus. Most are unaware of the competition even taking place, and serve as a playing pieces in the game, waiting for the competitors to make their next move. Some of my favorites were Poppet, Widget, and Bailey, who bring a childlike perspective of the circus as they discover its secrets with time. Tsukiko and Madame Padva were fun, quirky characters that really lightened the plot. This novel is not short on characters to fall in love with.
Celia and Marco, our main characters are juxtaposed from the beginning of the novel, training under vastly different circumstances. Celia has a natural talent for magic, or manipulation as it’s often referred, and studied under the abusive practices and limelight of her father, who is a famous magician. Marco is a learned magician, trained in isolation through lectures by his instructor, who serves as a father figure. Their budding romance is a slow burn that doesn't truly pick up until halfway through the novel, however its implication on the circus and the competition is one to capture your attention.
Originality & Writing Style
Morgenstern's writing is truly magical and transports you into the book with the characters. I personally think this novel will be analyzed by literary scholars in the future, if it’s not already. The complex nature of her storytelling offers excellent opportunities to deconstruct and analyze the novel, drawing conclusions about human nature. The concept of the circus as a venue for this convoluted competition is like nothing I’ve read before and truly made this novel more mystical and mysterious.
Overall Enjoyment & Emotional Impact
Overall, I loved this novel. I'm giving this 4.5 stars, only because I think it will be better on the second read. I'm honestly frustrated that it took me so long to finish reading this novel because the ending is eye-opening. As I progressed further in the novel, I was captivated by the mystery of the circus and the competition. You're left in a state of confusion, similar to the characters throughout most of the novel until the ending when all questions are answered. It's one of those novels where you can't predict how it will end and it will leave you thinking about it for days after finishing the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Murder