Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - The Night Circus

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The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

71 reviews

bobaduckie's review against another edition

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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

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elladee's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

it's a great story, but I don't think it's for me.

writing, worldbuilding, atmosphere - all of it was extremely well done, but sometimes it felt like the story was lacking the beating heart it needed. I didn't root for the main love story as much as I wanted to, possibly because the characters took a backseat to the setting. that isn't quite what I want in a book, so although I recognize that it's beautifully and wonderfully well written, it didn't land well with me.

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paigeteeman's review against another edition

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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.

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madi_brown's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging 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? No

3.25

Wow was this book crazy. This book definatley fit the storybook vibe, and it made me feel like I was reading the story of Celia and Marco's lives. I really enjoyed this book and the characters; however I did find a few issues.

Number 1: THIS BOOK WAS SO SLOW!! When I tell you there are parts of the summary that don't even become a part of the story until the second half of the book, you know it's slow. Some people could probably get past the pacing, but ocassionally having a semi-interesting bit of info every 30 pages or so doesn't cut it for me.

Number 2: I wish we learned more of some of the side characters' stories. I was left wanting to know more about Isobel and Tsukiko and their lives outside of the circus. I understand that the author wanted to focus on Celia and Marco more because of a desired effect (not knowing everyone's story and life outside of your experiences with them), but come on! I want more Kiko!

Number 3: I did not enjoy the subtle time jumps that happened almost every chapter. It made it hard for me to get very into the story becuase the time line was all over the place. i.e. going from like 1886 to 1902 in the most causual manner and then in the next chapter going back to like 1889.

Overall I think this would be a book that is better to be an assigned reading at school rather than on your own because there is a lot of symbolism and it involved quite a bit of Googling for me because I don't know tarot meanings or things of that nature.

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mysteryharvey's review against another edition

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mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

This book is gorgeous and an absolutely breathtaking twist on the circus. It follows two young people being brought up and raised for a challenge neither can comprehend. This book 100% has a plot but it is a bit tricky in the beginning. The book is not linear nor does it stick to one perspective but the characters and the premise and the beautiful descriptions keep you so hooked that you can figure out the book fairly easily. Also if you are looking for an audiobook, it is read by Jim Dale (reader of the Harry Potter books and narrator of pushing daises) and he does an excellent job of keeping this huge cast of characters clear.

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