The narrative is intriguing from the get go and though it eventually weaves all the lose threads into one structured plot, it keeps adding new lose threads to the story, simultaneously. For the same reason that I have found the story to be intriguing, many have stated that they found it tiresome or straight out boring. But it is the mystery that adds to the charm of the plot, the night circus.

As the tangible world of materials clash with the intangible and human relations are conditioned by a mysterious wandering circus, the plot thickens to the point where the progress is not even discernible. With the introduction of various point of views and non-linear time, the book is a little difficult to keep up with. As two perspectives are somewhat united, two more are introduced. The threads of fate keep weaving the characters’ destiny to that of the curious circus.

People are drawn to this monochrome wrapped mysterious circus for its charming presence and sudden appearance. A circus that opens at nightfall. A circus where magic is veiled as illusions. Breathtaking tents, housing nothing short of miracles, reel the circus-goers in and they keep coming back for more. Surprisingly, they are never disappointed as the circus, itself, is a constantly developing artwork that keeps adding to its wondrous collection of tents.

The love story that binds the plot and complicates it, is one of yearning and rivalry. Everything about the story is shrouded in a fog like haze that is not even completely dissipated in the end. The plot follows three generations of magic wielders and the readers are bound to notice the subtle differences that make each generation of magicians distinct from the other. The emphasis on choice and conscious decision comes into play when Celia Bowen and Marco Alisdair choose their successor, an option that they were never afforded.

The game that they play is something unclear, they participate without understanding the consequences of the agreement and the lives of others are at stake. The diverse characters who are brought in to the plot, add to the charm of it. There is magic, wonder, awe, violence and love, all wrapped into one circus. The curious characters and their descriptions are equally magical, makes the reader wonder if words themselves don’t have a bit of magic in them. A clock-maker, an engineer, an eccentric entrepreneur, a fashion designer, a magicians daughter and an accountant, the people, maybe not exactly ordinary, come together to form this magical wonder that reaches out to the dreamers of the world. With Bailey Clarke, the readers, the circus-goers, the spectators are made a part of the story. With him inheriting the circus, it is similar to the reader keeping the Night Circus alive in their mind.

The circus comes alive though the vivid descriptions that are afforded to it. The air of mystery around all the characters, keeps the readers guessing and you would not see the end coming. The narrative is poetic to an extent. The Shakespearean allusions add to that factor.

The dynamics between the blood relations and the members of the circus are curious, to say the least. There is a lot going on under the monochrome covers of that particular circus and it is an adventure of a lifetime that awaits. I would rate this absolutely unputdownable book, 4 stars out of 5.