Good or bad. What did you think??

[Chad]

Personally, I loved the book but I've heard from others that they didn't. What's your opinion?

[Nicole]

Loved it. Slow at the beginning, but then it had me. I couldn't put it down. The sights, smells, and textures were all so palpable. I felt like I was there.

[Rhine]

I looooved it!! One of my new absolute favorites. I think some people don't like because it's rather slow and descriptive.

But not every book has to be fast-paced in order to be good, as long as it still gives you something to "work with".

I just loved how it makes you use your imagination and how in its complexity you can't ever really guess what's going to come next. Yes, the plot was complicated, but that takes all the predictable clichés away that I've grown tired of.

[Chad]

Rhine wrote: "I looooved it!! One of my new absolute favorites. I think some people don't like because it's rather slow and descriptive.

But not every book has to be fast-paced in order to be good, as long as ..."

I couldn't agree with you more!

[Mandy]

I didn't see any complexity in this story. I saw a story that had a lot of stand-alone scenes and isolated conversations and drawn out descriptions of useless activities. Can anyone describe what was so wonderful and complex about the plot? I'm really baffled.

[Sonia]

I've noticed when reading reviews that people tend to either really, really love it, or really, really dislike it. The people who dislike it tend to focus on characters, and the people who like it pay more attention to the circus and the general atmosphere of the book. Personally, I love it. I'm also really excited because this is Erin Morgenstern's first book, and every now and then you could tell. That means that whatever she writes next is going to be even better! I can't wait. :)

I predict a small cult following of this book to spring up fairly soon wearing white and black with a splash of red, and calling themselves reveurs...

[Mandy]

I had a really hard time finishing this book, and it wasn't because I tend to focus on characters, or didn't pay attention to the circus or atmosphere. I could tell when I was reading about the circus, or the atmosphere, and that was nice and all, but the story wasn't there. I got the impression that the author was a little bummed that she had to work her descriptions "into" something, and that they weren't publishable standing alone. It seemed she did the minimum to create a story. As a reader, I expected more.

[Nicole]

Hmmmm. At first, I agree, I wasn't sure where the narrative was going, and the descriptions of the circus did seem to be an art-for-art's-sake kind of situation, but once the two main characters were developed, I thought it got interesting. Instead of setting up a confrontation in the end, the author created something more collaborative and complex. The characters all intertwined in unpredictable ways. For instance, I wasn't expecting Isobel to have the kind of power that she did. Also, I'm a sucker for a good love story and that is what this was.

[Mandy]

I didn't feel the love, and I really enjoy a well-written romance. Some people criticize the romance for just "happening." That doesn't bother me, because love is kind of crazy and unexplainable. However, there were no scenes or conversations between them that made me see Marco as lovable.

Also, I thought there needed to be more explanation of what Isobel was capable of doing and exactly what she did do in the end. I still can't tell you what happened, other than the fire went out at some point but no one would explain what happened. For example I had a real problem with the scene between Bailey and that Tsuiko (spelling?) where she kept telling him that she couldn't tell him what happened. I felt the author didn't want to work to come up with a feasible explanation, so just hid it behind the character saying "I can't tell you." I've never felt so befuddled by a novel before.

[Karen]

I really loved the book. My favorite passages were the descriptions of the tents and the magic behind them. There were so many passages that I reread for the sheer poetry!

[Elizabeth]

I really enjoyed this book. The writing was so descriptive that I was completely drawn into the story.

[Candice]

I sat down to read the first few chapters at a bookstore to see if it would grab me and I was hooked. I thought the descriptions were amazing, her writing was lush and loved her small interjections of first person. But somewhere around chapter 4 or 5, I noticed that I was losing interest. Typically I'm glued to a book until I finish it, but this one sat on my bedside dresser for awhile before I forced myself to see it through. It wasn't the pacing, I like to peel apart the layers of a slow working novel as much as I like to race through a fast paced read, but more like a detachment from the story itself. I guess you can say I just didn't feel anything. I didn't fall in love with the book and I didn't hate it. It was just a very pretty read.

On a side note, some things that bothered me were: Bailey. Definitely wanted a little more on his story and how he was chosen as major player. And, Marco and Claire. I didn't find myself feeling much for their love story. It just seemed to lack something that I couldn't put my finger on. I agree that love sometimes just sort of happens, but it just didn't feel very realistic to me.

I did like the ending though. Particularly the fact that the question of whether or not they would be happily ever after in that "state" arose from one of the characters. Very original.

[Karole]

Totally loved this book. I was only sorry that I listened to it on CD rather than read it directly because the time changes were somewhat confusing in the beginning, but I did get it in the end. Would love to see this made into a movie!!

[Jenn]

I rather enjoyed this fresh new read by an up and coming author. It was slow and very descriptive , but still lured you into reading more. I felt as if i were actually there, i wish i was!

[Valerie]

I loved it. It took a little getting used to, but in the end it totally won me over. There's something about Erin's writing that hints that she knows everything, and that's the best type of writing possible.

[Genny]

Love love love this book. I was drawn in immediately. It was so nice not knowing exactly where the story was going, and not wanting it to end. Pure magic.

[Beth]

Very well written. But I lost interest because the characters were not sufficiently developed. I did not care what happened to them. Actually the only character was the circus, which did dazzle.
The author has talent and great potential, so although I gave this book a '2', it is worth taking a look at her future novels.

[Diana]

I loved this book. I read it just before Christmas and it totally transported me to another world. I loved the visualisations and the variety of characters and I thought it was very original. I was quite at a loss when I finished it.

[Louise]

I really enjoyed this book - different and creative. Looking forward to other books this author might write

[Veronica]

It's a very unique story. A very slow, yet magical read.

What is it with circuses? "Water for Elephant" was a magical book too even with the abuse and murder...

[Sara]

I LOVED this book. I felt I was there . . . at the circus. I did not find the writing to be overly descriptive - mainly as it was describing something magical (unseen, unknown) and not something one could imagine clearly without these details. I love the idea that a magical realm could exist right in front of us and we just cannot see it unless we have been trained to do so. This book left me feeling as if it were possible - who is to say? The writing was excellent and refreshing. I have not enjoyed a book as much as "The Night Circus" in years and will keep my fingers crossed for a sequel.

[★ Mist ☆ Cassidy ★]

I loved this book. At first, I found it to be a bit slow but after the Circus began it was all action, all the time. After reading, I want to go to a circus just like the one in the book and experience all the magic for myself :)

[Staci]

This book was amazing. Normally, I rush through a book that catches my interest. This book made me want to slow down and savor every minute I got to spend with it.

[Sheila]

I really enjoyed this book. Once I started reading it I could not put it down! I did not find it slow at all and I enjoyed her descriptive writing. I was swept away and felt as though I was there. I would absolutely love to see this made into a movie!

[Erica]

I enjoyed this book ,but I do have to say it felt like I was building up to a major conflict that , for me, just fizzled but never blew up the way I was expecting. It is safe to say I was disappointed in the ending and it left me wanting to know more about what happened. The characters also never quite "got there" for me either and I wasn't able to form strong bonds with them. That being said I adore the world she paints with her words, it was beautiful which is why I gave it 4 stars.

[Veronica]

Erica wrote: "I enjoyed this book ,but I do have to say it felt like I was building up to a major conflict that , for me, just fizzled but never blew up the way I was expecting. It is safe to say I was disappoin..."

Completely agree!

[Mary]

Couldn't put it down. At first it just intrigued me but then it pulled me in. Thoroughly loved it and was sorry it had to end!

[Sierra~Kelley]

I couldn't completely understand the story.The characterization was dissapointing.I thought that towards the end of the book my questions would be cleared but it just left me more confused than ever.Am i the only one here who didn't like this book?

[Mandy]

No you are not alone Kelley. Sometimes I wonder if the publishers sent out two different copies of this book, and I got the bad, confusing, ultra-boring edition and others got some five-star, magical experience edition that they couldn't put down.

[Emily]

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. I was so drawn into the book. I could picture everything. I loved the characters. I guess I'm one of the weird ones who found the magic in the book.

[Sierra~Kelley]

Mandy wrote: "No you are not alone Kelley. Sometimes I wonder if the publishers sent out two different copies of this book, and I got the bad, confusing, ultra-boring edition and others got some five-star, magi..."
I couldn't agree with you more

[Marisa]

I love it.. gave it to my brother to read, and he loved it.. gave it to my father to read, and he loved it.
So there you have a late-twenties female, early-twenties male and mid-fifties male who wish the Night Circus would come to town! :)

[Bluebird]

I love it. I don't really see what people mean when they say they don't understand various parts. Sure, the plot is slightly erratic, and the beginning is kind of slow, but on the whole, its a clear story.

I highly recommend it.

[Tonia]

I loved this book. I thought that it was beautifully written, very creative and unlike anything I have read before. I could clearly picture everything in my mind as I read the story. I thought it was magical.

[Erica]

I couldn't finish it.

[Stef]

Mandy wrote: "No you are not alone Kelley. Sometimes I wonder if the publishers sent out two different copies of this book, and I got the bad, confusing, ultra-boring edition and others got some five-star, magi..."

Sadly this is the way I felt about this book too :/

[Ellie]

This was really good, mostly. I so wish I could have been at the circus.

[Linda]

I loved the ethereal feel of the black and white, with the dash of red from the followers. What a great visual! The beauty of the images was enough to keep me hooked while the narrative wandered. Loved this book

[Ella Huang]

Nah,in a big picture, it is good however not really what I expected. There should be more magic scenes/dramas going on... well, maybe I did not get the book or whatever.

[Amanda Joyce]

I loved it. The characters were raw, the plot was descriptive, everything about it was perfect. Glad for it to have been one of the first books that I read to kick off the new year!

[Luciana]

Amaaaaazing descriptions, decent characters, lazy plot.

[Veronica]

Luciana wrote: "Amaaaaazing descriptions, decent characters, lazy plot."

Yeah, the plot kind of confused me. I don't see how them getting "transported" to another "dimension" or whatever solves there problems. I would think that since they can still interact with the real world, the game would still be going...

[chinami]

Veronica wrote: "Luciana wrote: "Amaaaaazing descriptions, decent characters, lazy plot."

Yeah, the plot kind of confused me. I don't see how them getting "transported" to another "dimension" or whatever solves th..."

The ending was confusing, but i believe if widget gives that magician a good story, the game will end.

[Jenna]

I was extremely disappointed in this book. While the story and descriptions were wonderful, the characters didn't have the depth or texture that the circus had. It was surprising how well the author could paint scenery, but not her characters.

[Ellie]

Veronica wrote: "Luciana wrote: "Amaaaaazing descriptions, decent characters, lazy plot."

Yeah, the plot kind of confused me. I don't see how them getting "transported" to another "dimension" or whatever solves th..."

I didn't get that part at all.

[Lisa]

. . . couldn't finish it . . . yuk . . .

[[deleted user]]

it was okay

[Katy]

It was okay for me, not love but not hate. I think Bailey was chosen because he was someone who absolutely loved the circus and would be willing to run away it. It seemed almost like they were turning it over to the new generation (Bailey, Poppet and Widget).

So did the manipulation of the employee files create a loophole through which they could "keep the fire going?" I was pretty confused by the end, too.

And I never buy into these love-at-first-sight stories (cynical, yes)! They wouldn't see each other for long periods of time, but they were so madly in love ... whatever. I wish they'd had more of a competitive confrontation like I expected.

I have to admit I liked to role Widget plays in the end.

[Denise]

I absolutely loved this book as well! I was confused by the layout at first (the circus descriptions and the dates), but once everything fit together I couldn't put the book down. I thought it was very creative, imaginative and I too wanted to be a part of the circus!

[Veronica]

Katy wrote: "It was okay for me, not love but not hate. I think Bailey was chosen because he was someone who absolutely loved the circus and would be willing to run away it. It seemed almost like they were tu..."

I thought it was going to be an epic love story but it just wasn't! :(