The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Growing up, going to the circus was something I looked forward to every year. The acts, and the mystery of it all was so intriguing to me. When I heard about The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, I knew I was in for a magical treat. This circus is unlike any that I’ve ever seen or heard of before.

Book Summary        
The story begins with a very alluring description of this circus that comes into town with no warning. It is nothing like a traditional circus with lots of color and excitement surrounding it. Everything was in black and white and didn’t open until after sunset. As the crowds grew to see this circus, no one was there to greet them with warm smiles at the entrance. Just when the people are about to lose hope and go home, the lights of the circus come alive and the name of it is revealed, Le Cirque des Rêves or the Circus of Dreams.
        As the real story begins, we get to take a closer look inside the circus as we meet Celia Bowen whose mother committed suicide when she was five-years-old. She must now be raised by her father, Hector Bowen, who popularly known as Prospero the Entertainer. Hector is not to fond of the idea of raising Celia until he witnesses her display inbred magical talent. Hector then contacts his old friend, Alexander, who is more widely known by his stage name, Mr. AH, to arrange the terms of a duel that will test the old ways of magic versus the new. This duel will occur at an unspecified time in the future between Celia and a pupil Mr. AH trains. Mr. AH then goes on to adopt Marco Alisdiar from an orphanage and immediately begins teaching him the old ways of magic.
        When Marco reaches the age of eighteen, he is sent off to work for Chandresh Christophe Lefevre, an eccentric millionaire who founded the Night Circus. By orchestration of her father, Celia is also hired by Chandresh to work as an illusionist. Mind you, Marco and Celia do not know why they are truly there. As the story progresses, Marco and Celia finally begin to suspect that they are opponents of one another and attempt to outdo the other, using the Night Circus as their stage. As they compete, their grueling competition evolves into love, which becomes dangerous to those around.- Follow Celia, Marco, and the rest of the Night Circus characters to see if Marco and Celia’s love ends as a tragedy or a magical fairytale.

Why You Should Read This Book
        The Night Circus is a great book for all ages from teens to the elderly. It takes every memory or thought you’ve ever had of a circus and turns it into something magical yet intriguing. Morgenstern elegantly combines a teenage love story and theatrical enchantment all into one book. The complexity and dimension of the circus itself made the story that much more interesting. Adding in the characters and the actual plot of the story had my heart racing with anticipation and joy as I stayed up many of nights to finish the book. If you’re looking for a dark, mysterious, yet romantic fantasy, The Night Circus is definitely your book.

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