What a fantastic debut! The imagery was phenomenal; I felt as if I were walking the paths of the Gomorrah Festival, taking in the sights and sounds myWhat a fantastic debut! The imagery was phenomenal; I felt as if I were walking the paths of the Gomorrah Festival, taking in the sights and sounds myself. I almost want to be one of Sorina's illusions so I can experience the magic of the festival and the Menagerie. The characters were so well crafted and so intriguing. And then there's the mystery aspect, which made me feel like I was running in circles half the time. It was confusing and convoluted and half the time I didn't know where Sorina stood with anyone, yet I wouldn't have had it any other way. I was just SO captivated by this story. I think it's a stand-alone (bless!), but I saw a sophomore novel listed on GR and it, too, sounds amazing and compelling and I already can't wait to get my hands on it....more
Oh, I am so glad I re-read this via audio. It just put my head in a better reading space for the new year, if that makes sense. I needed to experienceOh, I am so glad I re-read this via audio. It just put my head in a better reading space for the new year, if that makes sense. I needed to experience the whimsy, the magic, the beauty all over again. I actually felt more like one of the red scarf-wearing rêveurs this time around, knowing what to expect but also knowing that it would still be different and amazing and thrilling. Such a lovely, lovely story.
An ARC of this title was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts are my own. This review can also be found at The StarAn ARC of this title was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts are my own. This review can also be found at The Starry-Eyed Revue.
Lovely from start to finish.
******
Have you ever seen a murmuration of starlings with your own eyes? It is truly something lovely and awesome to behold. Sorta like this book. The Weight of Feathers takes the Romeo & Juliet story and turns it on its head, making it so much more magical and intriguing than I ever thought the original story was.
Don't get me wrong. I adore stories of forbidden love. But Romeo was a fickle man and not worth dying for, in my opinion. No, I love the stories of feuding families and digging deeper into what started the feud and why it doesn't matter to the couple who find themselves in love in spite of it. And that's exactly what this book does.
Boy, does it ever. The thing I think I liked best about this book was that it was twisty without being tricksy. I was never misdirected, only led astray by my own observations and the assumptions I made because of them. I had theories about the rift between the families, about that fateful day twenty years ago, but I still didn't see it for what it was. Not until I was blinded by it.
And that's mostly because I was so focused on what was developing between Cluck and Lace and what their families were doing to them at this point, not in the past. Secrets are a big part of this story, as is each of the characters' heritage. It's easy to see their roots throughout -- their different superstitions and beliefs -- and to see how that may have led to their status as rival entertaining families and then as plain old enemies.
But Lace and Cluck fall in love not knowing they're supposed to be bitter enemies. Or at least believing that maybe they shouldn't be, or at the very least...that they don't have to be. You could read their genuine affection for each other, something they both needed. There was magic in that, as well as in them. But the magic isn't overt or obvious. In fact, the families keep it hidden -- from their audiences and from anyone who isn't a part of the family. It only shows in a lost feather here or a scale there.
Until a lady straight up bursts into feathers. That part had me transfixed to the story because up until that point, the magical elements to the story had been so subtle and most of the story read like a contemporary. But there were moments when the reader gets a glimpse of something magical but not quite magic. And those moments were beautiful and poignant and what left me feeling light as a feather while reading.
I don't think I realized this story was going to feature magical realism based on what I read of the summary, but that's okay. As I said, it's really understated, and I think that's what makes it such a thing of beauty. This was such an impressive debut, and I can't wait to read more from Anna-Marie McLemore.
GIF it to me straight:
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Magical, mysterious, and oh so beautiful....more
If the beautiful and unique cover weren't enough to pique my interest in this novel, that clever title surely was. Truth be told, in all my thirty yeIf the beautiful and unique cover weren't enough to pique my interest in this novel, that clever title surely was. Truth be told, in all my thirty years, I've never actually been to the circus. Even as a kid, I just never really had the desire to do so. It seems that Lexi, our main character, feels the same way. Except now she's got no other choice. She has to find her mom, and since her estranged mother was last known to be performing with a traveling circus, that's where Lexi is headed.
Lexi had been through quite the ordeal prior to her excursion via Greyhound bus to Florida. Everything that happened during the week or so leading up to her departure from New York is actually the reason for her trip, the reason she needs to find her mother. But as the reader, you don't know what all she's endured, at least not from the start. Lexi's story alternates between the past and the present, with each chapter heading informing you as to what time period she is in her life. Some of the story flashes back months prior to the "incident" to give the reader a better background on her relationships and her state of mind at the time. Other chapters reflect on how she's surviving after fleeing to the circus. Focusing on the story from the past and present angles really brought the novel full-circle and provided a more in-depth view into Lexi's world as opposed to just having her dredge up a couple memories.
Once Lexi arrives at the circus, she realizes her mother is no longer there and that she is well and truly alone. To survive on her own, Lexi performs a number of odd jobs for the ringmaster of the circus, who has reluctantly taken the poor kid under his wing. My first glimpse of Louie had me worried, with his gruffness and lack of sympathy, but like everyone else in the circus family, he grew on me. Everyone eventually warmed up to Lexi and she even made some new friends, friendships that seemed unattainable when she first showed up. For awhile there, it even seemed like she'd forgotten about her search completely.
And then someone from her past shows up to wreck everything. Lexi has got some seriously confusing and complicated relationships going on. She kisses no less than three boys in this book, which nearly results in her losing one of the new friends she's made at the circus and could cost Lexi the ex-best friend she thought she'd lost for good. Watching Lexi navigate all of her friendships and relationships took some compassion but it also ended up being a lot of fun once she moved passed the heartache.
What started out as a rather discouraging story ended up being really cute and hopeful. I reveled in the importance placed on music throughout the book, as it is a constant source of comfort for me, as well. This novel contains lessons about love and loss and everything in between, but it isn't preachy or emotionally-fraught by any means. It's just about a girl, triumphing over a rough patch in her life and trying to get back to normal. And the circus is just one brief stop along the path.
Thanks to Scholastic & Netgalley for the review copy!
The Night Circus is as achingly beautiful in its descriptiveness as it is eerie in its setting. You'll be riveted by the magicians' duel and captivateThe Night Circus is as achingly beautiful in its descriptiveness as it is eerie in its setting. You'll be riveted by the magicians' duel and captivated by the circus, as well as its inhabitants. This story is heartbreaking in its loveliness and lovely in its heartbreak.
The events surrounding The Night Circus encompass the late 1800s and early 1900s, and the depiction of the time period feels very authentic, right down to Marco's bowler hat. The circus itself is created as an arena for the young magicians to showcase their talents and prove themselves the more worthy opponent. It is described in beautiful, flowing prose, and at times, I was so engrossed in the author's lovely words that I forgot to properly visualize what I was reading. This novel begs to be read slowly and with focus in order to attain the maximum visual effect. The author incorporated breath-taking imagery as described not only by the patrons of the circus but also from the point-of-view of those whose lives ARE the circus. Though the story is shown from many different vantage points in order to show the many facets of the circus, it was most entertaining to read how the circus was viewed from both sides of the gate.
As lovely and unique as the circus is, though, the characters are even more engaging. From the devious masters instructing Celia and Marco to the woeful magicians themselves, there are no bit players. They are all bound to the circus, and as such, they are bound to each other. The story may focus on the young magicians and their struggles and loves, but anyone attached to the circus quickly finds themselves attached to Marco and Celia's story, as well. The characterization in this novel is phenomenal. By the time each character's story has been told, you may have the urge to don your red scarf and run away with the Reveurs in order to spend more time with them at The Night Circus.
This is a story not to be rushed through. It should be read at night…preferably under a blanket of stars. It is a story for dreamers, for those who refuse to grow old. It is a story so incredibly delightful that I wish it were true.
starryeyedjen
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