Book Review - The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Title: The Night Circus
Author: Erin Morgenstern
Genre: Fantasy
Age Range: 14+

TV Guide Snippet: Two magicians have pitted their wards against each other in a magical competition where the mysterious Le Cirque des Rêves is the stage.

Plot Summary: Le Cirque des Rêves shows up unannounced yet always anticipated. Shaded only in black and white, the various tents hold wonders beyond imagination and belief. These flawless wonders that can only be viewed from sundown to sunrise.
While the facade of Le Cirque is as pure as porcelain, behind the scenes exposes the fierce competition between Celia and Marco to create the wonders patrons view in the tents. Bonded to each other, Celia and Marco fall tragically in love. Problems arise at Le Cirque des Rêves after their love is announced, lives are lost. Who else will fall into the wreckage of the competition?

Anything Critical: There is no wonder that this book is being made into a movie. The descriptions are just as magical as the plot. The visuals are well crafted pieces of prose that really open up the mind's eye to the world that these two magicians inhabit. With that said, the love story and plot beyond the magical competition is lacking. I found myself feeling the middle of the book slowdown. It's like the author threw a few deaths into the fire to rekindle the plot for its conclusion. 

Curriculum Ties: English, Creative Writing (Examples of the visuals as inspiration)

Challenge Issues: Magic

Program Ideas: Le Cirque des Rêves- hire a magician for an evening performance for the 13+ to adult audience. Theme it as a black tie event with formal invitations and a few of the refreshments mentioned in the book like caramel popcorn.