April 30, 2013

Book Review: The Night Circus

I loved it. I almost didn’t finish it. I’m so confused.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/505089719

Bottom line: I had issues, but would recommend giving it a shot* 🙂

–

*(As A.M.B. noted, I might not recommend shelling out a lot of money for it, but read a sample, borrow it from a friend, get it from the library… try before you buy, maybe? You might love it)

About Kate Sparkes

Kate Sparkes was born in Hamilton, Ontario, but now resides in Newfoundland, where she tries not to talk too much about the dragons she sees in the fog. She lives with five cats, two dogs, and just the right amount of humans. USA Today bestselling author of the Bound Trilogy (mature YA Fantasy), Into Elurien, and Vines and Vices. Writing dark, decadent, and deadly Urban Fantasy as Tanith Frost. www.katesparkes.com www.tanithfrost.com View all posts by Kate Sparkes

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 30th, 2013 at 12:39 pm and tagged with book review, review, te Night Circus and posted in book reviews, books. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

10 responses to “Book Review: The Night Circus”

A.M.B.
April 30th, 2013 at 12:47 pm

As you may remember, I had issues with this book, too. The ending is particularly awful. I’m glad to hear you liked it enough to recommend it to others–it’s one of the few books on my “it’s not worth the money or time” list.

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- katemsparkes
  April 30th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
  
  I think for a certain type of reader, it’s definitely worth the time, and I think it was a valuable experience for me, as a writer. I learned a lot from my own reactions, both positive and negative. And I know a lot of people don’t share my negative feelings. I don’t regret owning it or reading it, but you’re right, I’m glad I got it as a gift and didn’t shell out for the hardcover. That might have negatively impacted my review 🙂
  
  Reply
  - A.M.B.
    April 30th, 2013 at 12:58 pm
    
    Thankfully, I didn’t buy the hardcover, but I still don’t think it was worth the $9.99 I spent for the ebook. It should’ve come an explicit warning: “Minimal plot, distant characters, lots of atmosphere.” I would’ve liked the book had Morgenstern paired up with someone who could develop a plot and characters. The writing style isn’t bad, just not my taste.
    
    Reply
- katemsparkes
  April 30th, 2013 at 12:56 pm
  
  (and as I said in my review, I actually liked the ending, but I’d have been just as happy if Marco and celia had blown each other up. Wouldn’t have cared, as long as Poppet and Widge were OK)
  
  Reply
  - A.M.B.
    April 30th, 2013 at 1:04 pm
    
    I wish Marco and Celia had blown each other up! I actually liked Poppet and Widget, too. The whole book should’ve been about them.
    
    Reply
    - katemsparkes
      April 30th, 2013 at 1:05 pm
      
      Agreed.
      
      Reply
L. Marie
April 30th, 2013 at 12:58 pm

Great review! And I agree. I kept putting this book down. I loved the concept and worldbuilding, but had trouble caring about the protagonists.

Reply
- katemsparkes
  April 30th, 2013 at 1:05 pm
  
  Glad it’s not just me. 🙂
  
  Reply
Emily Witt
May 1st, 2013 at 2:19 am

I had the same trouble with this book, and ended up not finishing it (I had a library copy, and I wasn’t invested enough to renew my loan when the due date came). I loved the language too, and went through a bit of an old-timey-circus phase due to it, but just nothing seemed to be happening, and I didn’t care for the main characters either.

Also, I took the liberty of adding you on GoodReads, hope you don’t mind! I’m the one with the rainbow rose avatar.

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picturemereading
May 1st, 2013 at 7:06 pm

I love the descriptions but I felt the plot meanders and doesn’t have a strong end..I think it will make an awesome movie though 🙂

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