The Night Circus, or Le Cirque Des Rêves (The Circus of Dreams) certainly lives up to its name. The Night Circus is a book of dreams, of magic and wonder, but fantastically dark at the same time. It is a fantasy as well as a beautiful love story, and never have I wanted to visit a fictional place more than the circus. 'Opens at dusk, closes at dawn,' reads the sign on the circus gates. I am desperate to walk through those gates, to smell the scent of salted caramel and popcorn and to be surrounded by the black and white tents, the impossible magic of the circus.
It is impossible to explain the plot of The Night Circus as it is so complex and intertwined, and also without spoiling any aspect of the book. And nobody can say 'it doesn't matter because I won't read it.' I won't allow it. If you only read one more book in your life, if you only read one book at all: make it The Night Circus.
Erin Morgenstern has unbelievable skill in world building. No detail is missed out or forgotten, yet never do her descriptions feel too lengthy or boring. When you are reading The Night Circus it feels as if everything comes to life around you, the tents being constructed around your bed as the acrobats leap overhead.
I also loved the hidden darkness of the book, which slowly becomes more apparent as you read on. It becomes that little bit more sinister, that bit more mysterious, with every page you turn. Things that seemed fine at first glance seem wrong.
I would rate The Night Circus 11/10. I can easily say that it is the best stand alone book I have ever read, if not the best book I have ever read. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. It cannot fail to draw you in until you are left at the end feeling wistful and a little sad that you can't be in the story yourself, that you will never walk through those gates.
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
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