elle_nilsson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Child abuse
Moderate: Suicide, Blood, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual content and Death of parent
lily_peach's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual content and Suicide
marippe's review against another edition
I really wish it started with the mysterious circus arriving rather than jumping into the lore behind it. It kinda felt like if Charlie and the Chocolate Factory started with Willy Wonka's backstory before showing off the Factory. That's just not fun. None of the characters are that interesting either. I'm just not that patient enough for a book that I don't gain much from.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
sxndaze's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
Gorgeous and intriguing!! It’s been a while since I’ve read this, but Erin Morgenstern’s books are enhanced in audiobook format. I could better catch details by physically reading it, but the atmosphere and the magic really feels captured by the narration in both The Night Circus and The Starless Sea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Physical abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide
vas_17's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Alcohol, Abandonment, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Blood, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
raypaws's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
surprisingly good..
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Death
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, and Suicide
nicoleisalwaysreading's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ok wow, the atmosphere and the anticipation were fantastic. I loved losing myself in this world and the different timelines.
That being said, very few of the many questions were answered and the characters fell completely flat, while the circus was dazzling. I’m left feeling unsatisfied and maybe even frustrated. Like the MAIN source of “conflict” has a mysterious origin that is never explained and the magic throughout the book is difficult to understand. The world-building is an illusion, just like the circus.
That being said, very few of the many questions were answered and the characters fell completely flat, while the circus was dazzling. I’m left feeling unsatisfied and maybe even frustrated. Like the MAIN source of “conflict” has a mysterious origin that is never explained and the magic throughout the book is difficult to understand. The world-building is an illusion, just like the circus.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Confinement
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death of parent and Suicide
myinvinciblesummer's review
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The world described is gorgeous and well done, but the story that goes along with it falls flat and I kept waiting for something to happen.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Alcohol, and Death of parent
gummifrog's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
2.75
I had heard so many great things about this book, and I think the hype outshone it for me unfortunately. I like a lot of the idea of this book: magic, magicians, love stories, circuses, the odd and extraordinary. But ultimately the writing felt very dry and rambling, and I wished there were a feeling of greater closeness with Marco and Celia, whose thoughts we almost never get to see.
However, I am glad I read this. I did get goosebumps at the ending. I loved the setting descriptions and the atmosphere, and all the characters were uniquely quirky and lovable. I want to visit the circus - I would totally be one of the nerds with the red scarves. The magic systems were fascinating and was described in a way that allowed room for imagination, while being so full of beauty and clockwork machinations. I love the idea that magic is always present in the world, and that most people would rather not see it.
Idkkkk I think I'll have to let this one marinate!
Also, I read this on audio and I was not a fan of the narrator. He ascribed so many annoying voices and unnecessary accents to characters that didn't need it (does every red headed person need to speak with an Irish accent? Does every Asian character need to have a vaguely-foreign accent? Come on bro 😭). I might have enjoyed this way more if I'd read it in text form. I may revisit it in several years if I feel in the mood.
However, I am glad I read this. I did get goosebumps at the ending. I loved the setting descriptions and the atmosphere, and all the characters were uniquely quirky and lovable. I want to visit the circus - I would totally be one of the nerds with the red scarves. The magic systems were fascinating and was described in a way that allowed room for imagination, while being so full of beauty and clockwork machinations. I love the idea that magic is always present in the world, and that most people would rather not see it.
Idkkkk I think I'll have to let this one marinate!
Also, I read this on audio and I was not a fan of the narrator. He ascribed so many annoying voices and unnecessary accents to characters that didn't need it (does every red headed person need to speak with an Irish accent? Does every Asian character need to have a vaguely-foreign accent? Come on bro 😭). I might have enjoyed this way more if I'd read it in text form. I may revisit it in several years if I feel in the mood.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Suicide
Minor: Death, Abandonment, and Death of parent
artstitute's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
I'm a fan of Erin Morgenstern, so understand that when I say this I don't say it with any malice: her books are reliably 0% character, 0% plot, and 1,000% Vibes. And I love it.
Are you looking for something character driven, in which the protagonists behave as three-dimensional human beings with fleshed out inner worlds? Skip this. Are you looking for something plot-driven, that ties up every loose string and delivers a fleshed-out hard magic system? Pass. Do you want a story full of love, whimsy, magic, beautiful ekphrasis and vivid phantasmagorical imagery that conjures a world of magic in your mind? Then this is the book for you!
This isn't my first time reading this book, but it is my first time since high school, and I found the ending more satisfying this time around.
Are you looking for something character driven, in which the protagonists behave as three-dimensional human beings with fleshed out inner worlds? Skip this. Are you looking for something plot-driven, that ties up every loose string and delivers a fleshed-out hard magic system? Pass. Do you want a story full of love, whimsy, magic, beautiful ekphrasis and vivid phantasmagorical imagery that conjures a world of magic in your mind? Then this is the book for you!
This isn't my first time reading this book, but it is my first time since high school, and I found the ending more satisfying this time around.
Spoiler
I think that while before I saw Marco and Celia's ascension (so to speak) as a cop-out, I now see it as them finally freeing themselves from the cycle of abuse perpetuated by Prospero and Mr. A H—. I did still find Tsukiko's role in their ascension a little disappointing, especially how she approached it. I think the twist that she was a former contender needed more room to breathe than it got.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death
Minor: Blood, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
The first solid chunk of this book is just a detailed description of child abuse and neglect.