Book review: The night circus

Author blurb

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 Rêves, 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 both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance

The Night Circus

Published: 2012

Author: Erin Morgenstern

Where do I even begin to talk about this multi-layered masterpiece? The night circus is a story within a story - perfectly reflecting the placement of the circus - which covers everything from destiny to competition, loss to new life and love to inevitability all tied together by magic and a brilliantly twisting story line.

Not only does the story line twist and turn in a deliciously intriguing way, making it near impossible to put down, but so do the time settings of the adventure. Although this did make me somewhat concerned that I, and the plot, may get confused the very fact that I didn't even notice the time travel-esque thing that was going on until about three quarters of the way through is high praise of Morgenstern's pure talent and writing ability. Also, this writing style, I can see now, is the perfect representation of the complexity, yet familiarity of the circus as well as the mystical forces guiding the characters, linking them in an intricate web so subtle that your kept guessing until the end.

The characters, the players, are also so incredibly well written and developed throughout that you just can't help but identify and identify with at least some part of each and everyone one of them. From the ambitions of Prospero to the sense of inevitability felt by Celia there is something of everyone woven into the lives and backgrounds of everyone involved.

The night circus is a gem, a real rarity of gem. Never before have I come across a book that is so relatable and fantastical, so deep and light and so very very imaginative.

Rating:5/5 - Everybody read it!