Lovers of YA discussion

Our BOTM for March is The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.



Synopsis:
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it, no paper notices plastered on lampposts and billboards. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.

Within these nocturnal black-and-white striped tents awaits an utterly unique, a feast for the senses, where one can get lost in a maze of clouds, meander through a lush garden made of ice, stare in wonderment as the tattooed contortionist folds herself into a small glass box, and become deliciously tipsy from the scents of caramel and cinnamon that waft through the air.

Welcome to Le Cirque des Rêves.

Beyond the smoke and mirrors, however, a fierce competition is under way--a contest between two young illusionists, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood to compete in a "game" to which they have been irrevocably bound by their mercurial masters. Unbeknownst to the players, 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.

As the circus travels around the world, the feats of magic gain fantastical new heights with every stop. The game is well under way and the lives of all those involved--the eccentric circus owner, the elusive contortionist, the mystical fortune-teller, and a pair of red-headed twins born backstage among them--are swept up in a wake of spells and charms.

But when Celia discovers that Marco is her adversary, they begin to think of the game not as a competition but as a wonderful collaboration. With no knowledge of how the game must end, they innocently tumble headfirst into love. A deep, passionate, and magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

Their masters still pull the strings, however, and this unforeseen occurrence forces them to intervene with dangerous consequences, leaving the lives of everyone from the performers to the patrons hanging in the balance.

Both playful and seductive, The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern's spell-casting debut, is a mesmerizing love story for the ages.

Discuss as you read, but please use spoiler Tags as needed, as everyone may start at different times and reads at different speeds. (Check out the 'some html is ok' box above the post box for spoiler tags.)

Who's going to be reading this, this Month? Are you excited to read this? Have you read this before? Are you going to be re-reading this?

I've already read this, and honestly I don't really remember what happened in it. I gave it a 4 star, but I remember it taking me awhile to get through it. I must have enjoyed it in the end given the rating I chose.

Great. I started reading this about a week ago and I've read the first part so I'll participate :)

Here are my thoughts so far

Something about the story (view spoiler)[ and writing style creates a magical atmosphere. Especially the interludes describing what the reader sees as he enters the circus. I just saw this horse show (Apassionata - Cinema of dreams) in February and this gives me the similar dreamlike feeling. I do get why some people have said in her review that the writing feels like a classic. There are definitely such features but compared to the other classic I'm reading right now this book is a piece of cake :) (hide spoiler)]

I find the story (view spoiler)[ interesting enough but I'm dying to know what this competition/game actually is. Also I can't wait to really see inside the circus. I mean, obviously it will be more than just watching artists perform. And I wonder when the dreamlike circus will turn into a nightmarish one (at least it says on the cover of my copy that there will be something nightmare like). (hide spoiler)]

I feel bad for both (view spoiler)[Celia and Marco for having such an isolated childhood...and not especially a pleasant one for that matter. At least Celia's father was almost downright cruel. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished part 2.

I still like this book a lot. The atmosphere is so magical. I wonder (view spoiler)[ when they will actually reveal the rules of the game. It's frustrating not really knowing, though I have some idea what's going to happen. I'm glad Celia finally figured out who her opponent is and that they had a talk about their magic and the competition. I did guess they will fall in love but I'm glad to see it actually happening anyway. (hide spoiler)]

I feel a little sorry for (view spoiler)[ Isobel. It's quite obvious Marco does not care about her the way she cares about him. (hide spoiler)]

I love the scenes describing (view spoiler)[ the circus and the contents of the tents. They have an air of mystique about them that makes me want to enter the circus myself. However, some of the acts are almost frightening....like the contortionist folding herself up in that tiny box and then filling the box with smoke. And the fact how people can't seem to get out of the tents before the show's over...with doors disappearing and all. (hide spoiler)]

I don't really dislike (view spoiler)[ any of the characters but I find some more interesting than others. I quite like Celia and Marco's story but I also find Poppet an Widget very interesting. I'm not the biggest fan of Bailey but I guess he'll have a part to play in Poppet's story. (hide spoiler)]

There's something really unique about this book and I've gotten well into the story now. can't wait to keep reading :)

Anybody else reading this?

I read this book a couple of months ago. A beautiful story. Enjoy.

I'm definitely ejoying it. Just finished part 3 and can already feel things breaking apart around and inside the circus. It'll be interesting to see how it all ends!

I just finished and I loved it so much! The story was so beautiful and magical! Definitely a unique book.

I read this book two years ago and thought it was freaking amazing. Good stuff. Great character development and really exciting reading.

I picked it up as part of this group read and recently finished it. This was an OK read for me....

love this book 5 stars