Le Cirque des Reves…

The Night Circus or The Circus of Dreams, has some romance, but what really catapults this novel into “epic read” status is the circus itself and the writing. It begins like this:

“The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.” I am intrigued, please go on.

“The towering tents are striped in white and black, no golds or crimsons to be seen. No color at all, save for neighboring tress and the grass of the surrounding fields. The ticket booth clearly visible beyond the gates is closed and barred. The tents are still, save for when they ripple ever so slightly in the wind. The circus looks abandoned and empty. But you think perhaps you can smell caramel wafting through the evening breeze, beneath the crisp scent of autumn leaves. A subtle sweetness at the edges of the cold.” I can picture it in my head now!

“The people around you are growing restless from waiting, a sea of shuffling feet, murmuring about abandoning the endeavor in search of someplace warmer to pass the evening. You yourself are debating departing when it happens. First, there is a popping sound. It is barely audible over the wind and conversation. A soft noise, like a kettle about to boil for tea. Then come the light. All over the tents, small lights begin to flicker, as through the entirety of the circus is covered in particularly bright fireflies. Someone near you gasps. A small child claps his hands with glee at the sight. When the tents are all aglow, sparkling against the night sky, the sign appears.”

I love her writing! The writing flows so perfectly and the wordplay is beautiful, I want to go to this circus and live there! While telling the story of the lovers she paints an amazing picture of a circus only open at night that is not like a circus at all, it is a flight of fantasy! When she describes the tents and the wonders contained inside, I find myself longing to experience them myself. There is a game going on, a magical game between two people who are unsure exactly who they are up against and what the game actually is. The detail and the writing of this novel really heightens my imagination. I love a book that can transport you to another world and remove the realities of everyday life just for a little while. Adulting can be draining and books are a way to escape that isn’t as expensive as a vacation!

I have read this book multiple times. When you read it for the first time there are some things that make more sense when you are finished reading the novel. This book really benefits from multiple readings, getting better and better each time. I don’t want to give away the story to anyone who has not read it yet, so I won’t go into more details. This is book is for someone who truly enjoys reading and notices the subtleties in the writing. The turn of phrase, the almost poetic writing, the descriptions that paint a picture in your head are all here in this novel.

Her new novel, The Starless Sea is a fantasy novel that revolves around books and I am beyond excited for this book! It has it all, fantasy, conflict, secret societies, mystery, romance and respect for the written

word. I have no doubt that it is going to be elegantly written and all consuming. If you enjoy a turn of phrase this is the author for you! If you loved this author’s work as much as I do please leave me a comment!