The Night Circus

I enjoyed this book because it is internally consistent, builds skillfully on shared fantasies which many cultures have, and delivers a fair amount of excitement within a structure that is beautifully realized through the author's imagination. As an artist and musician, it was intriguing to think of ways the impossible things in the book could be realized and that was a wonderful bonus. There are only a few books I've read throughout my life where I wish, and believe, that something in a book could be made real and this is one of them. To be able to be part of, or even experience, the night circus would be both thrilling and enchanting.

Many of the characters are so compelling that it's hard to believe one doesn't know them.

I don't generally like fantasy novels - or, at least, most of the novels which are relegated to that genre. But, it's not because I don't like to escape into an unreal world which I can never experience in life. It's because most fantasy novels are derivative to the point of deadening boredom. When someone comes up with an idea that is this well realized, which lives vividly in the memory, in a unique and pleasurable way, I am willing to suspend disbelief for as long as the author gives me the opportunity.