The Night Circus comes without warning. The black and white striped tents hold the enrapturing pleasure of the circus. A bonfire burns in a rusted cauldron at the centre as if it were fueling the contortionist’s every bend or the illusionist’s every trick. However, the Night Circus is simply a venue for a game which has bound two players since their youth. Young illusionists Celia and Marco are bound to the game and inevitably to each other by the ring-like scars around their fingers, destined to play a seemingly eternal game without knowledge of the rules or their opponent. Innocently, both fall in love when they meet.

This book is absolutely amazing. The world-building is my favourite part because it is woven to create an elaborate universe inside the novel. For the majority of the novel I had the sensation that I was physically there. Each character had emotional depth and I understood their personalities, morals, struggles, and obstacles. The relationships were significant players in the flow and overall plot of the book, which I felt was beautiful. However, I personally felt that the circus itself was personified with the continuously described atmosphere and building of the elements that made the circus so enrapturing. The writing was some of the most beautiful I’ve read! Morgenstern weaves the story with words so perfectly and provokes the imagination to amplify the magic of the novel. Moreover, she uses human perception, playing to our senses in an amazing way.

I would recommend this book to everyone! Of course, it would be better understood by older readers, teen and up, because it was originally intended for adults. Similar books for younger readers include the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, and Inkheart by Cornelia Funke.