The Night Circus

I have a fascination for circus stories and this one started appearing on people's top ten lists so I was intrigued. In turn-of-the-century London (19th to 20th century), a travelling circus billed as the Cirque des Rêves appears and is only open at night. It's constructed entirely in black and white and serves as the backdrop for a contest between two magicians, Celia and Marco. But it's not as straight-forward as it sounds.

The first third of the book was very cool as it established a mysterious, dream-like quality, and you quickly come to understand that real magic is masquerading as illusion. The writing is solid and evocative. But then for me the middle third seemed to meander and by the last third I was impatient for things to wrap up. I thought the first third was fantastic, I loved the writing and the atmosphere. But I get annoyed when something is billed as a love story and you don't understand why the characters fall in love except for it being convenient to the story. I thought the love story in The Time Traveler's Wife was much more satisfying. This story has a “fairy tale” sensibility and many people love it. I just didn't find the denouement as compelling as I would've hoped.

(2 1/2 stars, really)