The Night Circus

This Post is Spoiler Free!

Oh my. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I… honestly don’t know where to start with this book. On one hand, there were two things that bothered me a bit, enough to mention them here (obviously). But on the other hand, this book left me with such an intense feeling that I don’t even know how to describe, those two measly little things seem inconsequential. It’s all very confusing.

I suppose I should write those two things down. They were the only things about this book that distracted me from the story and the magic. So maybe take them as a warning? Not to keep you from reading the book, but to prepare you so you can appreciate the rest of it more fully.

1. It was difficult to get into. This isn’t because of the narration or even the storyline. It was because of the characters. There were simply too many of them at once, and it took me roughly 100 pages before I truly felt comfortable with the characters and all of their storylines. That isn’t to say I had to slog through those 100 pages—Erin Morgenstern’s writing is too beautiful to have to slog through. However, I wasn’t as invested as I wanted to be. Until, again, about 100 pages in. If you are reading this book and are thinking of DNFing within that first 100 pages, please hold out just a little longer. It is completely worth it!

2. There is one character who acted strangely at the very end (like… second to last chapter sort of end). I won’t give away any spoilers, but it took me out of the story just a little bit with how this character was talking (though, the sentiments being talked about all resonated within my dear-little storytelling, magic-believing heart).

That’s it. Those were my only qualms with the story. Everything else can only be described as pure magic. The narration, the characters, the descriptions, the non-linear storyline (a story that isn’t told chronologically, but has bits from the past and the future filtered in as if it is all being told in the present). It all was incredible. 

I feel like I’m not doing this book justice. Like Morgenster’s The Starless Sea (which I read last year… you can find my review HERE), it is a book about stories and magic. It is made out of intrigue and curiosity. It contains love and fear and an almost childish wonder. It honestly made me cry more than once, both out of sorrow and joy. It left me breathless and a bit speechless, and I hope I’m making some semblance of sense because I have rewritten this review about five times now.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that The Night Circus is amazing. Honestly, it made me feel loved, and despite the two things I listed above (which would normally be enough to knock a book down a star), I’m giving it a full five stars. There’s no way I can’t. I think it would hurt me to give it only four stars… So yeah, it gets a five star rating, and I will definitely be rereading it sometime in the future. If you haven’t yet, you should consider giving it a read. I can’t guarantee you’ll love it (everyone’s preferences are different, after all), but I certainly hope you do. I hope it resonates with you and leaves you feeling loved.

I think it’s time to stop spilling my mess of emotions and jumbled thoughts to y’all, so I’ll leave you with a question. What books have you read that you’d describe as pure magic? Or that resonate with you so much that you always recommend it to other book lovers?

The Night Circus

Other Books by Erin Morgenstern

The Starless Sea

My Next Read

The Grisha Trilogy
By Leigh Bardugo