Thursday, September 29, 2011

Review & Giveaway - The Night Circus


The Night Circus
BY: Erin Morgenstern
PUBLISHED BY: Doubleday
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-385-53463-5
Pages: 387
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Over the past few months there has been a lot a buzz over the debut novel of Erin Morgenstern. I was delighted and honored to receive a review copy from Doubleday. When I removed the book from the packaging, the enchanting cover dazzled me. After I finished reading another book, I picked up The Night Circus and entered into a new magical world that I have never seen before. As I began reading, I couldn’t help but think of the book Something Wicked This Way Come by Ray Bradbury, where a mysterious night circus suddenly appears. Obviously the author is heavily influenced on old fairy tales. The descriptions are written in such detail that I could imagine being right there in circus tent, even breathing in the air.

Despite all the hype, I think the book was somewhat flat in places, especially at the beginning, where there was too much telling and not enough showing. The second  half of the book is written better and is more intriguing to read. The love story between the two illusionists is realistically written, but there was just something missing from the characters - not enough depth to them. However, I did enjoy the Burgess sisters. The Night Circus does have originality to it, but it is not flawless as critics have observed. It is a decent debut novel, full of magical descriptions and a refreshing plot. I look forward to Erin Morgenstern’s next novel.

*I would like to thank Doubleday for sending me a copy to review.





GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

2 copies of The Night Circus courtesy of Doubleday. 
Open to followers of this blog with a US mailing address
Ends October 13, 2011

(+2) Old GFC Followers
(+1) New GFC Followers
(+1) Each for Twittering, Facebook Share/Like, or Google Buzz/+1 this post
(+3) For "Like" my Facebook page, following on Twitter, Shelfari, or Goodreads.


You must leave a comment to enter.


Your comment should also include any of the above actions for additional entries and your email (EXAMPLE: coffeeramblings AT hotmail.com)

The two winners will be announced in a seperate post on October 14, 2011.




CymLowell

15 comments:

  1. I could not agree more! Personally, I was really expecting more out of it and it did not deliver. With the mass positive reviews out there, it's nice to see an opinion that mirrors my own. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would love to win a copy thanks!

    I'm an old follower
    I follow on goodreads and shelfari

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. old follower! and i liked the fbook page!

    lindsaycummings20 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am a long time follower and have such great reviews about this book.
    +2

    aprilmom00 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would love to win a copy!! :)

    Old follower.

    fullmoonbites[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  6. New follower! I follow you as zaira_faith on GFC

    megnate at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like you on facebook (same name)

    megnate at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi! I'm a new follower! Would LOVE to win!

    I liked your facebook page
    I'm following on Twitter, Goodreads and Shelfari!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Laura Kay
    anovelreview(at)yahoo(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for the giveaway!

    +1 new GFC follower-Throuthehaze

    +3 like on FB (Rae Pavey) and goodreads friend (Raelena aka Throuthehaze)

    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the honest review.

    Stopping by from Cym's Book Review Party.

    Elizabeth

    http://silversolara.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. My mother's bookclub is planning to read this, and I often compare my reaction with theirs. I'm pretty critical. I'll review the book, too, and post the review in various places online.

    I'm a new follower.
    I liked you on Facebook.
    I'm following you on goodreads

    ReplyDelete
  12. I want to read this book so bad but I'm on a book buying restriction. *cough* someone went a little crazy at the borders closeouts if you know what i mean! Did I mention I really want to read this book? (and I'll review it since I review over at
    Pabkins @ Mission to Read
    tlabunski **((gmail))**

    (+1) New GFC Follower pabkins
    (+1) Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/Pabkins/status/124344174362365952
    (+1) shared the giveaway on Facebook
    (+1) shared on google buzz
    (+3) "Like"d your Facebook
    (+3) for following on Twitter
    (+3) added as Goodreads friend

    So is that 13 or 14 entries? told you I was hot to trot for this book *cackles madly*

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great giveaway. I'm a follower.

    seaklos at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you so much for such a wonderful giveaway, I'd love to win a copy :D
    Mary D
    zenrei57 (at) hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. thanks for this giveaway! so many people have been talking about this book, can't wait to read it and review it :D.
    im a new follower
    liked your fb page (Juhina elmajdoub)
    twitter: @juhina_

    mc.jay.jay(at)hotmail(dot)com

    - juhina

    ReplyDelete

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