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a_venting_flynn_'s review against another edition
3.0
This book had a lot of hype and it was probably something i didn't enjoy as much as i thought i would. It is still a very good book it just wasn't to my taste. For me the pacing was off with this book with a lot of ranging chapter sizes. From a lot of small chapters to sizeable chapters as soon as you got your momentum and your pacing it was thrown off again. It took me a while to get through this book. I loved the idea and I love the story I just did not like how it was written. Additionally I didn't feel familiar with all the characters, and when the other Burgess sister died as a result I didn't feel much towards the death or that it was really necessary. It was necessary plot wise. But as a a character when she got hit by a train I sort of shrugged my shoulders and carried on like not much had happened. Overall I did enjoy this book and I will definitely read it again to wrap my head around it more. But from a first read it was something that really annoyed my brain.
breadandmushrooms's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
hailssb's review against another edition
4.75
this swept me off my feet fr. everything felt so alive and i loved the dynamic of it all. it was different than anything i've read
lilaznbookluva's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
emilyinlibraryland's review against another edition
2.0
I had been hearing about this book everywhere and was really excited to have to read it for my book club, but for me it just did not live up to the hype.
My main problem with it was that nothing really happens. The romance is kind of haphazardly thrown in towards the end, without much tension or build-up. The "competition" that is the main plotline driving the story also felt pretty pointless. The only reason the reader even knows it is happening is because the characters keep telling us about it, not actually doing competition-y things. I think it was supposed to be mysterious and keep the reader guessing, but I honestly didn't care and once I found out what the rules/end goal of the competition were, I cared even less because it was just pointless.
I'd also heard a lot about how beautiful the writing was, and how great the descriptions of the circus were, but I wasn't super impressed there either. It felt a little forced to me, and I found the jumps between third- and second-person narrative jarring and unnecessary. The main narrative also jumps around in time, which I found confusing and again, unnecessary.
**edit: I did learn one new thing from reading this book! I was reading other bad reviews and that led me to look up the meaning of the term "purple prose." This is that! Yay, learning!**
Overall, I just found the story really boring and I honestly don't understand why this book has been so huge. Maybe it's just me?? **edit 2: per other reviews, it's not just me!**
My main problem with it was that nothing really happens. The romance is kind of haphazardly thrown in towards the end, without much tension or build-up. The "competition" that is the main plotline driving the story also felt pretty pointless. The only reason the reader even knows it is happening is because the characters keep telling us about it, not actually doing competition-y things. I think it was supposed to be mysterious and keep the reader guessing, but I honestly didn't care and once I found out what the rules/end goal of the competition were, I cared even less because it was just pointless.
I'd also heard a lot about how beautiful the writing was, and how great the descriptions of the circus were, but I wasn't super impressed there either. It felt a little forced to me, and I found the jumps between third- and second-person narrative jarring and unnecessary. The main narrative also jumps around in time, which I found confusing and again, unnecessary.
**edit: I did learn one new thing from reading this book! I was reading other bad reviews and that led me to look up the meaning of the term "purple prose." This is that! Yay, learning!**
Overall, I just found the story really boring and I honestly don't understand why this book has been so huge. Maybe it's just me?? **edit 2: per other reviews, it's not just me!**
rahnawyn's review against another edition
5.0
The most common thing that I had heard about this book before picking it up was that it was very slowly paced. I both agree and disagree with this. Yes, there was a lack of quick action that you find in many other books, but at the same time the pace was perfect for this story. Though it was 'slow' it grabs you and drags you into the setting, into the circus, keeping you there until the wee hours of the morning when you finally finish the book.
And it's just so gosh darn pretty. Everything about it is beautiful. The writing manages to flourish without going too far - the descriptions are lavish without crossing over that fine line.
I loved it, but I can see why people wouldn't.
And it's just so gosh darn pretty. Everything about it is beautiful. The writing manages to flourish without going too far - the descriptions are lavish without crossing over that fine line.
I loved it, but I can see why people wouldn't.
angevba's review against another edition
4.0
No estoy segura si esto es un 3.5 o un 4.
Este libro es muy distinto a todo lo que he leído. La forma en la que está escrito es única y su trama también es especial.
La forma de describir las situaciones es simplemente hermosa, aunque haga que el libro en cierto modo se sienta mucho mas lento de lo que es.
Por otro lado, a pesar de lo que dice la sinopsis, esta no es exactamente una historia de amor. Si hay amor, pero no es el punto principal de la trama, razón por la cual muchos podrían comenzar a leer este libro esperando algo distinto a lo que van a encontrar, como fue mi caso.
Este libro es muy distinto a todo lo que he leído. La forma en la que está escrito es única y su trama también es especial.
La forma de describir las situaciones es simplemente hermosa, aunque haga que el libro en cierto modo se sienta mucho mas lento de lo que es.
Por otro lado, a pesar de lo que dice la sinopsis, esta no es exactamente una historia de amor. Si hay amor, pero no es el punto principal de la trama, razón por la cual muchos podrían comenzar a leer este libro esperando algo distinto a lo que van a encontrar, como fue mi caso.
mahi_nad's review against another edition
2.0
This book wasn't it for me.
I DNF'd it after a couple of chapters, and I will try to give you the most reliable review I can based on what I've read.
Clearly, this book is meant for people who love slow stories, incredibly long and brilliantly written descriptions, and a dang ton of imagery. Unfortunately, that's not me. I can tolerate imagery when it complements the plot, not substitutes it.
When I first got into this book, I was immediately confused. What was going on?? (Anyone noticing the trend that is my confusion :D). Anyways, I didn't understand what was going on. It didn't hook me in, and I'm not the type of reader to force myself to read through books if I don't feel a certain... connection with it, if that makes sense. And this book just didn't deliver that for me.
I read through reviews before reading this, and I'm honestly a little glad I didn't force myself. Other readers talked about the immediate love that sparks between the two main characters, and although I cannot personally attest to that since I DNF'd it, might as well read other reviews after this to see for yourself.
BOTTOM LINE:
DNF'd it pretty early on due to confusion and lack of "pull" from the book. Maybe it's good, maybe not. I'm not reading this book and forcing myself. You can try it though, if you'd like.
I DNF'd it after a couple of chapters, and I will try to give you the most reliable review I can based on what I've read.
Clearly, this book is meant for people who love slow stories, incredibly long and brilliantly written descriptions, and a dang ton of imagery. Unfortunately, that's not me. I can tolerate imagery when it complements the plot, not substitutes it.
When I first got into this book, I was immediately confused. What was going on?? (Anyone noticing the trend that is my confusion :D). Anyways, I didn't understand what was going on. It didn't hook me in, and I'm not the type of reader to force myself to read through books if I don't feel a certain... connection with it, if that makes sense. And this book just didn't deliver that for me.
I read through reviews before reading this, and I'm honestly a little glad I didn't force myself. Other readers talked about the immediate love that sparks between the two main characters, and although I cannot personally attest to that since I DNF'd it, might as well read other reviews after this to see for yourself.
BOTTOM LINE:
DNF'd it pretty early on due to confusion and lack of "pull" from the book. Maybe it's good, maybe not. I'm not reading this book and forcing myself. You can try it though, if you'd like.
hollowthesun's review against another edition
4.0
This book is like reading a dream (fittingly).
It's overwhelmingly wondrous and joyful, but there's just enough darkness stirred in that it never feels saccharine or pointless.
I could gush about the vibes of the book for a long time. It almost reminds me of an Alcest album, the way it makes you nostalgic for something you've never experienced.
There's something of the sublime captured in the Cirque des Réves. Even though through the story we learn who built it, when and why, it still feels like the circus is an element of nature; or something even beyond nature.
This book is so close to perfection
So. Agonisingly. Close.
The nature of "the game" provides a lot of mystery to the story, and honestly I'm not sure I'm completely satisfied with how it was resolved. Mostly because I don't really see how the "moves" made by either side could really have any impact on the outcome. If the game is just to see who survives longest, how does conjuring a garden made entirely of ice advance the interests of either side? I understand leaving the game a mystery, but it would be nice if the "gameplay" that we see at least appeared to have some sort of purpose to it.
That issue doesn't bug me quite as much though, as the romance between the two leads, Marco and Celia.
It did feel to me like they were in love just because they were the main characters and they needed to be in love for the story to happen. It seemed to progress quite quickly, and I don't think they had a particularly strong base relationship (or a base relationship of any kind, really) from which to build a romance. I could overlook that, and just accept the romance for the sake of the story, if it weren't for a couple other issues.
Marco's cheating on Isobel is never reckoned with. He never shows any kind of guilt or remorse, in fact when he and Celia are together, I don't think Isobel is ever mentioned by either of the characters, or by the narrative. It's as if she doesn't exist. She's used as a convenient plot mechanism to tie Marco to the circus, and dropped immediately when that purpose no longer needs to be served. A good relationship can be born from infidelity (at least in fiction), but it does leave a bad taste in my mouth when that infidelity isn't reckoned with, and is barely acknowledged.
When Marco does break up with Isobel, we don't get dialogue; it's all done quickly and quite coldly, as if the author forgot they were ever together (which judging by the rest of the book, she might have) and had to quickly rectify that mistake.
I do not like Marco and Celia's romance at all. It feels contrived, and no judgement is passed by the author on it's problems.
That said, I do think the romance is an unfortunate stain on a book which is otherwise basically perfect. It's enough that I can't rate it 5 stars, but in no way does it overshadow how amazing so much else of the book is; and it won't stop me from wholeheartedly recommending it whenever I have the opportunity.
It's overwhelmingly wondrous and joyful, but there's just enough darkness stirred in that it never feels saccharine or pointless.
I could gush about the vibes of the book for a long time. It almost reminds me of an Alcest album, the way it makes you nostalgic for something you've never experienced.
There's something of the sublime captured in the Cirque des Réves. Even though through the story we learn who built it, when and why, it still feels like the circus is an element of nature; or something even beyond nature.
This book is so close to perfection
So. Agonisingly. Close.
The nature of "the game" provides a lot of mystery to the story, and honestly I'm not sure I'm completely satisfied with how it was resolved. Mostly because I don't really see how the "moves" made by either side could really have any impact on the outcome. If the game is just to see who survives longest, how does conjuring a garden made entirely of ice advance the interests of either side? I understand leaving the game a mystery, but it would be nice if the "gameplay" that we see at least appeared to have some sort of purpose to it.
That issue doesn't bug me quite as much though, as the romance between the two leads, Marco and Celia.
It did feel to me like they were in love just because they were the main characters and they needed to be in love for the story to happen. It seemed to progress quite quickly, and I don't think they had a particularly strong base relationship (or a base relationship of any kind, really) from which to build a romance. I could overlook that, and just accept the romance for the sake of the story, if it weren't for a couple other issues.
Marco's cheating on Isobel is never reckoned with. He never shows any kind of guilt or remorse, in fact when he and Celia are together, I don't think Isobel is ever mentioned by either of the characters, or by the narrative. It's as if she doesn't exist. She's used as a convenient plot mechanism to tie Marco to the circus, and dropped immediately when that purpose no longer needs to be served. A good relationship can be born from infidelity (at least in fiction), but it does leave a bad taste in my mouth when that infidelity isn't reckoned with, and is barely acknowledged.
When Marco does break up with Isobel, we don't get dialogue; it's all done quickly and quite coldly, as if the author forgot they were ever together (which judging by the rest of the book, she might have) and had to quickly rectify that mistake.
I do not like Marco and Celia's romance at all. It feels contrived, and no judgement is passed by the author on it's problems.
That said, I do think the romance is an unfortunate stain on a book which is otherwise basically perfect. It's enough that I can't rate it 5 stars, but in no way does it overshadow how amazing so much else of the book is; and it won't stop me from wholeheartedly recommending it whenever I have the opportunity.