Get ready to be sucked head-first into “The Night Circus,” a world where everything is not as it seems, where a magical circus mystifies and casts a spell on all who experience it. Le Cirque de Rêves‒The Circus of Dreams‒is a circus unlike any other, existing entirely in black and white, opening only as the moon rises. Experience the birth of the circus and its mechanisms, and discover the fierce contest behind it all, as two young magicians, Celia and Marco, take part in a competition they were raised for. Unbeknownst to them, the contest holds a dastardly secret, the fate of the circus, and much more, resides at the finishing line.

Erin Morgenstern paints a beautiful picture of love, destiny, and illusion in a world where to the reader, magic exists seemingly at the tips of the fingers. The story unfolds beautifully, with surprises hidden in unlikely places. The pace of the story engages and excites, and hundreds of pages fly by in the eager search for the conclusion. This story will not disappoint. It’s so much more than just a love story, as many different characters come into play. With beautiful and thought-out world-building, elements of magic become evident in many facets of daily life, and the details spread throughout are delightful. 

Although this book was not released  recently, published in 2011, it does not show its age. This book was a wonderful read, and remains one of the most intriguing books that I’ve ever read. The mix of mystery and magic creates an amazing world that I wouldn’t hesitate to live in. The characters are complex, whose stories continue to unfold over the course of the story, and the plot is unexpected. It is not difficult at all to fall in love with this book, and it deserves a place on every “to-read” list over the holidays.