#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.
But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.
True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.
Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.
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"I loved this book! It jumps around a little in time and location, with a couple if intertwining story lines, but I love that. It kept me engaged and excited to see what would be in the next chapter. I also imagined that this would make for a stunning film visually, plot/character too."
— Lauren (5 out of 5 stars)
Playful and intensely imaginative, Erin Morgenstern has created the circus I have always longed for . . . This is a marvelous book.
— Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler’s WifeA world of almost unbearable beauty. This is one of the best books I have ever read.
— Brunonia Barry, author of The Lace ReaderWelcome to Le Cirque des Rêves: Within these nocturnal black-and-white-striped tents lies an utterly unique experience, a feast for the senses. Beyond the smoke and mirrors, however, a fierce competition is under way—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to the players, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination.
But when Celia and Marco innocently tumble head first into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands—their masters intervene with dangerous consequences.
Erin Morgenstern’s singular and spell-casting debut is a mesmerizing love story for the ages.
A riveting debut . . . pulls you into a world as dark as it is dazzling, fully realized but still something out of a dream. You will not want to leave it.
— Téa Obreht, author of The Tiger’s WifeSo magical that there is no escaping its spell. If you choose to read just one novel this year, this is it.
— Danielle Trussoni, author of AngelologyPure pleasure . . . You can be certain this riveting debut will create a group of rêveurs all its own.
— Aimee Bender, author of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake“A gorgeously imagined fable . . . An enchanting read." Such a wonderful read.... beautiful story, beautifully written. I did not want it to end. "
— 11/23/2022" I can't wait til the circus comes to my town. "
— Caleb, 2/17/2014" Fantastic imagery, great concept, but somehow I just never cared about the characters "
— Marji, 2/15/2014" Well, I can't quite say that I read this one. While the imagery was fanciful and creative, the story was a bore and I put it down, never to pick it up again. The author seems to have lumped her dreams and visions of magic and the use of black and white all into this book, but forgot to make the characters interesting. "
— Jill, 1/21/2014" Great for book club, not long or heavy read. Lots of different aspects (romance, mystery, drama) so appeals to large dynamic. "
— Sarah, 1/5/2014" This book was amazing. I hope the author writes or has written others. Her descriptions were so vivid, it was like a movie in my head. "
— Lauri, 1/4/2014" First half: 4 stars; Second half: 2 stars. "
— Jie, 12/18/2013" How do you mark read 1/2a book? Does that tell you enough? "
— Linda, 12/4/2013" Mesmerizing! I fell in love with the characters and their magical world. There was only one obscenity near the beginning of this book, and all it did for me was detract from the otherwise beautiful story. "
— Brailynne, 11/30/2013" This book was enthralling. A fun read and very imaginative. Her website is fun too. I wish she'd write another book. "
— Ruth, 11/16/2013" This book was surprisingly good. I loved the visual descriptions. The book dragged on for a bit towards the end but I really enjoyed it. "
— Iheartbooks, 10/26/2013" This was not a book I would probably pick on my own to read, but it was a book group selection. I enjoyed the read. "
— Becky, 9/28/2013" Absolutely loved it! Was such a fun read, definitely recommend it to all. "
— Vicky, 7/31/2013" A friend offered this description of the book "it is like unwrapping a piece of expensive dark chocolate. ". Which proved to be true but regretfully the chocolate ended with about 65 pages left. Everyone agrees the arc drops off to soon. But the book is lovely. I read t in two days. "
— ben, 7/22/2013" The story was entertaining. I wouldn't say it's the most outstanding book ever, but it was fun to read. I did have a hard time keeping up with the dates changing back and forth. "
— Alli, 7/14/2013" Vanlig sirkus vil aldri bli det samme etter denne!! For en fantasi:-D "
— Trine, 6/5/2013" Easy read, well written. Fun characters interesting idea. Although I wasn't completely drawn to any one character, the concept was super fun. "
— Janeen, 5/19/2013" This book painted such a beautiful picture that it's one I would like to see as a movie. Normally I don't see movies of books I've read because they don't do the book justice. But I'd make an exception for this one. "
— Diane, 3/15/2013" Pleasant read! I couldn't put it down. Loved the narration as I listened to the audiobook. It is read by Jim Dale who also read the Harry Potter series. I recommend this one! "
— Tanya, 1/9/2013" switched to audio halfway throgh: definitely more enjoyable! "
— e, 7/4/2012" I enjoyed this book quite a lot. I thought it was very clever. I also felt like it fell apart in the end. It seemed rushed - and I would have liked to know a little bit more about how the circus survived and what happened to everyone. I will recommend this book to my friends and family. "
— Sue, 5/6/2012" Really liked this book. It was so different than anything else I'd read lately. It really put my imagination to work. "
— Lenora, 4/22/2012" It took me a while to get into it and figure out who was who, but I really enjoyed it. "
— Pam, 2/25/2012" I LOVED this book. It really caught me up into it. "
— Leslie, 12/28/2011" just got done reading. Wonderful, exquisite, magical. like nothing i have EVER read before!!! "
— Susan, 12/5/2011" Good story; fascinating and creative. The solution to the main problem felt a little clunky but overall this was an enjoyable read. "
— Annie, 11/8/2011" Well-written, unique storylines, character development...the recipe for an amazing book, yet I can't put my finger on what didn't amaze me. I liked this book, but I don't know why I wasn't pulled in stronger. Worth reading, though. "
— Brigid, 11/8/2011" Beautiful writing. Interwoven plot lines. Memorable characters. Quirky story. Very visual. This book might catch the attention of a director like Tim Burton. "
— Melissa, 11/7/2011" Loved this book & can't wait to read it again. The story was beautiful and mysterious. Morgenstern developed her characters well -- their story grabbed my attention & had me reading every chance I got. "
— Wendy, 11/7/2011" It's a cross between The Book Thief and Water For Elephants. It's romantic and confusing and beautifully written, with an end that gives closure but keeps you yearning for more. "
— Casey, 11/7/2011" A beautiful story full of magic and reality reversed that reminded me of Isabel Allende. Fascinating ideas about motivation and manipulation, face value and looking deeper, and what it sometimes costs to hold things together. "
— Helen, 11/7/2011" Great book. A little mystery, magic and romance. "
— M, 11/7/2011" I loved this fantasy. The ending was perfect, but a little abrupt for me. Lovely combination of magic and love. "
— Anita, 11/7/2011" I think if I had had lower expectations I would have like this book better -- it was over hyped. <br/> <br/> "
— Erica, 11/7/2011" Best book i read this year. simply awesome. "
— Veronica, 11/7/2011Erin Morgenstern is a writer and a multimedia artist, who describes all her work as “fairy tales in one way or another.” She lives in Massachusetts.
Jim Dale is the voice of all the characters in the Harry Potter audiobook series. As a narrator he has won two Grammy Awards, seven Grammy nominations, fifteen AudioFile Earphones Awards, and ten Audie Awards. As a stage and screen actor, he has won a Tony Award, four Tony nominations, four Drama Desk Awards, and two Academy Award nominations. In 2004 he was made a member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth.