The Night Circus

If I had to sum up The Night Circus in one word I would use spellbinding but there is no one word that can describe this beautifully written debut novel by Erin Morgenstern. In the first chapter spectators ask "What kind of circus is only open at night?" It is Le Cirque des Reves, the Circus of Dreams, and indeed it is.Celia and Marco, illusionists,  have been bound into a competition since childhood by their masters, two rivals that have more concern for who will win the competition than for the consequences of victory. The circus becomes the platform for the competition with each illusionist trying to top the other with feats beyond wildest imaginations. Though the competition is between the two of them it effects the lives of all those involved from the circus owner to the fortune teller to the twins born into the circus on opening night. None will remain unchanged and not all will remain undamaged.

Once Celia learns that Marco is her competitor they begin collaborating rather than competing. Their passion for illusion soon turns to a passion for each other and they seek to halt the competition. What they do not know is that for the game to end only one can survive.

An amazing read that will leave you wondering what is real, what is illusion and is there truly a difference.