Erin Morgenstern's debut novel is set in the late 19th to early 20th century and is about two dueling magicians who set up a contest unto death between their pupils. The ``Cirque des Rêves", the Night Circus, forms the arena of this contest where each pupil must outdo the other, but will never be told how they are faring. The book is full of prose art that spins words into visuals, much like le cirque's shape shifting contortionist. Although it is about magic, the book thankfully does not dwell into the specifics of the magicians tricks, for there are almost no tricks that can seem magical in the starkly lit 21st century! Instead it revolves around the relationships between the two main characters and their relationship with the characters that create their arena. There are elements of The Prestige, in this book, especially the hubris of the magicians. Why is it that fictional magicians seem to always be dueling or seeking immortality?
Overall, a good read.
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