The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern (2011)
This is one of the first fantasy books I’ve ever read (I again apologize to Rachel for having never read Harry Potter – I promise I’ll get to it), and I think it did a great job at some things, and an okay job at others.
I’ll start by saying that this book absolutely ruined circuses for me, due to Morgenstern's incredible scene-setting talent. If I go to a circus and it’s not as she describes it in this book, then I don’t even want to go. The scenery and backdrop was set perfectly. The descriptions as the characters were walking through the circus touched upon all five senses, from the extravagant visuals to the wafting smells of circus fare that the characters would eat. Not to mention, the whole process of setting up the circus in the first part of the book was fascinating.
But while Morgenstern’s writing provided an excellent background for a story to take place, the plot’s timing felt a bit off. The beginning was extremely gradual, which might have been okay, but then the end felt a bit rushed. That being said, don’t let this review deter you from picking up this absolutely charming novel.