Over the last few weeks there has been a lot of talk about The Night Circus and how it could be the next this or that – the comparisons are endless. But no one’s talked about the content that lies between the covers.

So let’s start off with what it isn’t. First, it is not the next Harry Potter or Twilight. I have read both those series as well as The Night Circus and there is little to compare. There are magicians (not wizards), the love story builds over time but is not the only focus, and there isn’t a vampire in sight. The book is also not Young Adult. That is not to say that it won’t have major crossover appeal, but it won’t be shelved in the YA section.

Now that any preconceived notions have been addressed let’s talk about what it is. The Night Circus is one of the most stunning books I have ever read, and I read a lot of books. The story is not told in a linear fashion and includes first person descriptions about the circus. This allows the reader to experience the circus as if they were wandering through it. The imagery transports you inside the circus to experience it for yourself. The writing is so lush and atmospheric it is easy to get lost in the book for hours without noticing.

The Night Circus is a tale full of magic, beauty, romance, and curiosity. The story begins with two magicians, who have similar powers, but disagree about the proper methods utilizing of them. They have a history of challenging the teaching methods of each other by training students for competitions against each other. The venue of the current challenge is the circus. The student magicians are charged with creating something more fantastical than the other. In the process they create a circus which takes on a life of its own and holds secrets beyond imagination. It is challenging to say too much about the book without giving away key information. It is truly something you have to discover for yourself.

The Night Circus is a well crafted enchanting debut novel. Erin Morgenstern invites you into a circus that could only be found in dreams.

The book will be released on September 13th. Is The Night Circus something you are interested in reading?