Latest Read: The Night Circus

Here are the basics ...
Book: The Night Circus
Author: Erin Morgenstern
Blog: http://erinmorgenstern.com/blog/
Category: Fiction 




My thoughts ...
One sentence summary: Behind the scenes of the circus, Le Cirque des Rêves, is a duel between two young magicians - Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood to participate in this game.

The good: I don't know why but I'm finding it a little hard to describe what it is I liked about the book (not a good sign, I know).  Truthfully, there were a handful of things that I enjoyed.  First and foremost, the circus - which was so vividly described that I wished it were real.  Secondly, the main characters and eventual relationship between Celia and Marco.  It was a slow burn (a little too slow!) but once their story took center stage, that's what really interested me.  And lastly, the other characters (who I can't all name without giving too much away).  

The bad:  The book started off way too slow and the pace continued to be really slow for the majority of the book.  As much as I appreciated the detail of the circus, for me it was the characters Celia and Marco - as individuals, pawns in this duel of magic and later as lovers - that I felt was the most important.  And I don't think the author spent enough time exploring that.  Instead she had all these other subplots going on which didn't feel connected to the overall story until later (and even then, I could've done without them).  

Do I recommend?: I'd have to say.. maybe.  While I loved the premise, I don't think it was executed as well as it could have been.  However, if you like really descriptive prose over a fast-paced plot or "action", then you'd probably enjoy this. But it wasn't for me.  

Happy reading!