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pleaseimgonnavomit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse and Death
Moderate: Suicide and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
craftysnailtail's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
But I think if I had read this rather than listened, I would've liked it a lot more. And even more confusingly, I keep thinking about this freaking book! I've read several very good books since this one, but whenever I space out throughout the week, this book is what pops into my head. The fanciful descriptions of the circus have burrowed under my skin. And that ending! Unlike any other book I've read. I think I would have been missing out if I hadn't gotten to that ending.
This novel really felt like a meandering dream in the most frustrating yet fascinating way... So I have to bump up my rating. I think maybe the author achieved exactly what they meant to. It was just very difficult to stick with it in audiobook form. And you have to be in the mood for a book this unique. Do you want to feel like you're tripping through a magical circus where time moves incredibly slowly? Then this is the book for you!
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
bxnny's review against another edition
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Suicide, Torture, Forced institutionalization, and Injury/Injury detail
ceruleanshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
“The circus arrives without warning.”
if you thought caraval was trippy, give this a whirl 🖤
slow-paced, but vivid and fantastical. i admittedly felt a bit bogged down sometimes with the time jump POV changes and would have liked a little more of the romance, but overall erin morgenstern delivers a vividly crafted tale of magic, time, and mystery. she cuts no corners on her lush scenery and revelry, the imagery so vibrant and detailed you can almost taste the caramel popcorn.
“When all of this is over, no matter which one of us wins, I will not let you go so easily. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence and Blood
Minor: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Death of parent
megj23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide, Blood, and Murder
unicornialism's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Self harm and Suicide
readerette's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
There's beautiful imagery for the circus's various tents and performers. However, I found there to be way too much of it, at the expense of a coherent plot and well-developed characters. If most of the first 3/4 of the book were expunged, its plot and character relationships would still make just as much sense--maybe even more so since there wouldn't be as much fluff between plot points and character development moments--and would read as quickly as it should given its relatively simple plot (for a fantasy novel).
Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death and Blood
theaceofpages's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I'd definitely forgotten a lot of what happened! While it wasn't quite the same as reading it for the first time, it was still such a great experience. The writing is just as beautiful as I remember it being. I loved the mysterious tranquillity of the circus. And the clock! I love the clock. Being able to explore some of what it contains was definitely my favourite part of this book! I will say that, like last time, I found keeping track of all the characters was a little confusing, although it was better this time around. (also, a side note here. The original adults are terrible! I had forgotten or maybe didn't even realise the first time just how bad they are...
I'd love to be able to see some of Bailey's circus to see how it has changed because while it was definitely a dark place for a while, the people who worked there still managed to make it something beautiful. He's definitely one of my favourite characters in this. I can only imagine what it could become when someone who loved the circus for its magic rather than seeing it as a competition field took over and became its caretaker and owner. The ending... That last part was so beautiful. (Now all I have to do is find this mysterious circus...)
I know this book is recommended a lot and I love it, but I can understand why others struggle with it. Be aware that this is a meandering walk through space and time (although in a magic way rather than a scifi one!) full of descriptive writing for most of it. You might enjoy this less if you need a lot of action to keep you engaged. There is action, but it takes quite some time to get there. But if you are the kind of reader who enjoys the journey to the climax, this might be the book for you!
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Grief, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Suicide, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
thehobbitbarbie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's almost impossible not to wax a little poetic about it because this is a highly poetic book, which is wild considering it's at least partially, basically about Disney adults. All that to say, it was a five-star read for me, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for what I can only describe as a luscious read.
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
biobeetle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Injury/Injury detail