Monday, January 2, 2012

Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Synopsis: (Custody of Goodreads)
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des RĂªves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.



Before the book:
Before reading book, I had been fan-girling for a LONG time! I wanted the book like there was no other. And when I finally had the chance to read it, I jumped on it.



First impression:
When the story started, I was captivated. I loved the story! It was very unique. I was disturbed by Celia's father, Hector, who taught Celia in the most gorey way. Poor Celia was abused. I got so angry while reading the story, I just want to read on and hope on the ending. When Marco appeared, I REALLY want a happy ending! Marco is just the perfect young English man. I still remember when I read the first chapter, I immediately thought of this book has a similar feel to Water for Elephant.

I loved how the story is not base on romance, but magic. As I mentioned before Hector's teaching style is like authoritarian while Alexander, Marco's "teacher" was passive. I love the time setting, the turn of 1800 is just a magical time by itself and when you add real magic to it. It is like an explosion! I love the change in POVs. :) But I'm sad to say that I don't like how there are so many characters that you can lose track of them.


Later Into the Book:
The story began to slow. Sometimes it feel like I read for hours but never seems to move anywhere. I think this was because the story is very descriptive so it allows the readers to see and feel what Erin wanted the readers to feel. This got in the way of the plot. The story was just like a boat without its orbs, going no where. I was quite disappointed parts of the book where it lacked in action. There was a lot of description, and talking, never anything happening. I was hoping for some SHAZAM!


I did love the language used by Erin. As the story progress, I saw what more of Erin's writing and felt in love with . It was the kind of fit between sophistication and simple communication. You just can tell Erin is not just a wannabe writer that just had a good idea for a book. She actually know how to write. Her style is complex but not like you have to read the sentence a few times over to understand it. To tell you the truth I really want to write like that.

As I realized how she uses her language, the story became complex. From making the different ways the magicians use their powers to the delicate details of the circus is just so brilliant. I cannot imagine how much planning went into this book! I also really enjoy the conversations between the characters. They were all so witty, serious, and whimsical. I particularly enjoy the conversation between Celia and Marco when they first actually had a full conversation. This is because they seem to converse like two intelligent lawyers arguing in a subtle way, both counter with sassy comments, but you know they were flirting, j'adore! ♥


I love the subtle love story. It was not like a YA novel where it always seems like a forced love; Erin doesn't make the love story appear fast. It was like a slow cooker; it cook at a low temperature but the result was tender food. It was just like the love story, beautiful and exotic in its own way. That said, this love was scattered through the half end because of all the POVs.

When I got more into the book, it reminded be of Howl's Moving Castle because of all the magic and the twisted imagination. Sometimes it gets confusing and amazing at the same time.


Final Thought:
This book was great but it didn't live quite to my expectations. I wanted more actions and "dark magic" feel to it. I want the night to explode with evil clowns and axe killers, but I guess that was not Erin was trying to do. Overall, this book was a 4 out of 5 stars.

18 comments:

  1. I have been looking forward to reading this book for quite a while now. I heard it doesn't quite deliver but its still a good book to read. Oh well.

    I'm glad the romance slowly develops. It's a change of pace and something fresh in the YA genre.

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  2. Yeah, it had so much potential. :/ I was a little disappointed.

    Yes! Fast pace romance happend too often! I think that was why I loved the romance so much that I wanted more. :P

    Thank you for stoping by! <3

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  3. This book sounds really interesting. Great cover and unique premise. Too bad it wasn't quite a 5 star book, but I'll still have to check it out!

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  4. I tried reading this and didn't get into at first. I'm thinking I gave up too early and need to give it another shot even if it didn't meet expectations... still sounds pretty good. :D

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  5. I've had this on my TBR and TBB list for a while. Great review :)

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  6. Thank you all for passing by~ :)

    @Bonnie, I think I almost had that issue as well. But I just kept going since I had waited way too long to get my hands on it. I hope you will pick it up again and enjoy it the second time around :)

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  7. I still want to give it a shot - even with the mixed reviews :) But who knows when I will have time! By the way i loved where you said " it was like a slow cooker" great description !

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    1. Haha, my passion for books and food had been discovered xD

      Thanks for stopping by <3

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  8. I agree with your review for the most part. The "slow cooking" love is different from most love stories, that is true. However, I felt that they never really fully met until the night they fell in love, like in Romeo and Juliet.

    You did an excellent job with this review. When I tried to summarize the book and give my input for a book report, it came out all jumbled and messed up. I was so embarrassed. Good job!!!

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    1. Good point Angie :) I guess I meant that the romance didn't appear first in the book and that the book was not based on the romance. :)

      Haha, this book was SUPER hard to summarize, hardest one I had ever written. I bet yours was great!

      Thanks for stopping by <3

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  9. I haven't read this book, but I'm determined to read it before school starts, guess I need to quickly borrow from my friend.

    I can't say I haven't read reviews like yours, saying the slow pace of the story got on the way of the plot and such. Well, I still want to read it.

    helpful review! Hope I won't be too disappointed with the book!

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  10. I wasn't sure about this book before reading your review and I'm kind of undecided still... I know how hard it is to be super excited about a book only to feel you were kind of shorted something... Thank you for such a great and honest review!!

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  11. Oh this review is really great! A few weeks ago I saw this in a bookstore and was thinking of buying it, but I didn't. Only because a friend of mine has it and I want to know what she thinks first. But the books really sounds amazing from what I read in this review so thanks for sharing!

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  12. AAH I want to read this so much! My friend told me it was amazing when she got it at a book signing (lucky duck!) ;_; I'll have to be getting it very soon! Thanks for the review :D

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  13. I love this book. Really great and interesting! :) Nice review! :)

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  14. So, I am still on the fence about the book. I think it looks amazing, but there is something about it that keeps holding me back. I did enjoy your review, but I don't think it alleviated my on-the-fenceness. Thanks so much for your review and if I decide to jump the fence in the direction of READ I will let you know how it goes!

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  15. Great review! I've been meaning to read it but the thickness is intimidating... Plus, I'm not a fan of really descriptive books!

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  16. I´ve been dragging my way to get to this book, maybe some day lol!!!! it sounds amazing, great review

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