For the June book club at The SITS Girls I read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I had not heard of the book before it was chosen for the book club but it sounded intriguing.  I wasn’t sure if it was up my alley or not but I figured I would give it a shot.  Here is what the synopsis from Amazon says:

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.

I must admit that it took me a while to get into the story.  I’m talking about 100 pages.  I was a little confused by the split narrative that told the story of a young circus goer.  It made me a little impatient until I decided that it must play into the main story at the end so I should enjoy the different point of view.  Once I did that, I was able to settle into the ride.

There is a lot going on here.  A lot of imagery and magic and I think that helps to paint a nice picture in your head.  There are many characters along with the main characters, Marco and Celia, and I like how those characters contribute to the main story even if we don’t end up knowing all to much about their background.

It is a long story that plays out over decades.  And Marco and Celia spend much of the story apart so it is not a typical romance.  But the tale and the characters are interesting and the conclusion I believe is satisfying and fitting for the story.

All in all, I found it to be a good read.  I would define it as an intricate tale like a Harry Potter book rather than a romance.  If you like imagery and magic and characters wrapped in a fantastical story, you will likely find this book a good fit.  If you like a quick read or a typical romance, this is not for you.

Also, don’t forget to check out my giveaway for my blogaversary!

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