Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus

Author: Erin Morgenstern

Publication Date: September 13th, 2011

Publisher: Doubleday

Genre: YA/Fantasy/Romance

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Synopsis:

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.

My Thoughts: Oh my goodness. I have literally just finished this book and I feel like I am in a state of shock. Finishing this book was one the hardest things to do ever. This is definitely the most spell binding, magical, enchanting book I have read in a long time. I will be recommending this book to everyone one I meet from this day forth, of that much I am positive.

This book plunges us into the mystery, beauty, and wonder of magic in a way that I have only encountered once before. That was in reading Harry Potter, not that these two stories are in any way alike aside from that. But they both completely encapsulate you in their world of awe inspiring magic and fantasy and gave me that same feeling of being hopelessly lost in a fantastical world that I so desperately wanted to be a part of.

I am at a loss for the words I need to give this book the credit it deserves. I feel speechless and awe struck. The romance weaved into this story was all consuming, desperate, and so real and contained so much depth. I literally felt warm and fuzzy whenever romance was involved. And that was more than you'd think. This story seems to carry a certain romance all throughout it. Something about each page is alluring and enchanting. Making you admire it and feel the need to have more. So even when there wasn't your literal romantic happenings, it was still there in the atmosphere, teasing you and constantly reeling you in.

This is definitely a book I could see myself re-reading. I could easily have closed the last page and started over again right then and there and probably would have loved it even more the second time around. This book is a masterpiece. And as much as it about magic, I feel like Morgenstern herself had to be a magician of sorts to write a story like this one. The way it made me feel was amazing and it's something readers constantly search for in books. And when they find it, they treasure it always. I know I will treasure this story and I will attempt to share it with whoever is willing to crack it open. I'm definitely placing this among my favorites. If Erin is to put out any other book, I know I will be snapping it up immediately. She obviously has incredible talent, and a writing style that literally does cast a spell on you.

Review: You Are Mine by Janeal Falor

You Are Mine

Author: Janeal Falor

Expected Publication Date: May 6th

Publisher: Self-Published

Genre: Fantasy/YA

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Synopsis:

Serena knows a few simple things. She will always be owned by a warlock. She will never have freedom. She will always do what her warlock wishes, regardless of how inane, frivolous, or cruel it is. And if she doesn’t follow the rules, she will be tarnished. Spelled to be bald, inked, and barren for the rest of her life—worth less than the shadow she casts. Then her ownership is won by a barbarian from another country. With the uncertainty that comes from belonging to a new warlock, Serena questions if being tarnished is really worse than being owned by a barbarian, and tempts fate by breaking the rules. When he looks the other way instead of punishing her, she discovers a new world. The more she ventures into the forbidden, the more she learns of love and a freedom just out of reach. Serena longs for both. But in a society where women are only ever property, hoping for more could be deadly.

My Thoughts: This book took no time at all to sink it's teeth into me. Only a couple pages in and I was already completely intrigued. This is an astounding debut novel for Janeal Falor and  I just know there will be even more greatness in books to come.  I will definitely be in line to read more of her work :).

I found this to be  a very unique take on Warlocks and how they work, and what a world run by them would be like. It was also a spectacular insight to the life of women when we were placed at such an inferior level. With a big helping of fantasy, magic, and fantastical beings, we get a real glimpse at what it was like for women to be owned, controlled, dominated, and labelled for one use only; breeding.

But Serena is not like other women, she is not at all ready to obey. She never really has been. Even growing up in her home with her father she was always the cause of disturbance and receiving uncounted punishments. Even throwing herself in front of her many sisters to protect them. She shows   boundless strength, inspiring determination, and refreshing adversity. She will do what she thinks is right and pay for the consequences if need be. I admired her immediately, and that admiration steadily grew throughout the novel.

Watching Serena take terrifying steps toward changing life for all females was a roller coaster ride of emotions. I was scared, depressed, joyful, and angry with her. I was ready to fight for and with her. And I know if I had of met her in that time and place I would have seen her as someone to follow and believe in.

I would definitely recommend this story to all fantasy lovers, as well as all YA fans. It's a brand new story from a brand new author, filled with refreshing and exciting new ideas. This is one debut novel you don't want to miss because I'm positive the future of writing is bright for Janeal Falor.