I did not read Night Circus until just recently (January/February 2024). I actually read it as I read someone on Tor.com (now Reactormag.com) write about how they had also not read it (sadly, I cannot seem to find the article that I read, as the changeover from Tor to Reactor is still a little chaos, it seems). They finally picked it up and were surprised at how good it was.
I was about to be between books and decided that I too would give Night Circus a chance. One point the article made, that did not necessarily influence my decision at the time, was about how many people gushed over the book and jumped its train when it came out. Sometimes, this kind of reception can put me off, or did when I was younger, I don’t seem to pay much attention any more.
The blurb on the back of the book did not exactly inspire me, it was not terrible, it simply was not drawing me in either. I had danced around the book, looking at it since it came out, and never choosing to give it my time.
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.
But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance.
As stated, I didn’t have anything in the fiction queue at the time and it seemed worth a shot. I could always put it down if it did not stir my noodles.
I was quite surprised when the book pulled me in, gently and welcomingly. The story was well done and the characters were engaging. The flow of the story was well handled and I never felt that loss of attention that comes with loss of interest in the prose.
Overall, I am quite glad that I read it and would recommend that others might enjoy it as well.