Advance reviews that I read for this book portrayed it as the next Harry Potter sensation. Not even close, in my opinion. That being said, I loved reading it. The descriptions of the circus were enchanting and most of the characters were interesting. The plot had a couple of flaws--mainly I felt like the competition could have been better defined. The ending was satisfying, allowing some of the magic to carry into the future.

I really liked and did not like this book at the same time. I really enjoyed the whole circus. I would go visit in a heartbeat! The way she discribes the sights, sounds and smells make you feel like your really there.I also liked how she writes in second person. Not many writers bring you into the story in this way. What I did not like is the pace of the book and the way the timeline flips back and fourth. In places it was so slow I thought about putting it down, but I saw it to the end. The main two Characters were ok but not really memoriable. I enjoyed hearing about the other characters more. The love story is weak and the competition never really amounted to anything. Good idea but poorly thought out competition. I might read another one of her books but then again I might not. It would be an interesting movie if the right people got a hold of it.

The love story element is appealing, but everything involving the circus and the secondary characters appear to be thrown together haphazardly and in the end, the abrupt little chapters don't add up to a whole. The competition between the magicians starts out interesting but then completely fizzles into cliché. Disappointing.

I quite enjoyed this book. It would be interesting to see what FX could be employed in a film adaptation. Recommended.

Not much to add that hasn't already been said by the people who loved this book. Just wanted to say that I put it down on purpose several times to delay finishing it because I just didn't want it to end! Very satisfying story overall.

Magical! The book held me in thrall and was unable to shake it until I read the whole story. Well written. Immediately takes you to another place and time; where magic is real. A love story and a story of a dream I wish I could walk into ~ what a circus!! What a writer!! Gets my full applause!!

I thought that this book would be really good, as it was a bestseller. It was really bad. Ever been reading and accidentally skip a page? And think, wait, what? That is how I felt throughout this book. (as much of it as i read, that is) I was about halfway through, and nothing really had happened. I was as clueless as too what was happening as when i started. i thought, man this is the slowest starting book i have ever encountered. I kept reading for a while longer because my friend said this book was good, but eventually i good so bored of it i quit, and i wish i quit sooner. i never felt like i knew the characters. the author does not tell us what the characters know, and doesnt say what is going on. also, the chapters do not all happen in the order they are written. this only added confusion to confusion.

This book carries all the elements to a YA novel, and so much more. I highly encourage young adults to read this novel!! I would read it all over again!!

Before the book: Before reading book, I had been fan-girling for a LONG time! I wanted the book like there was no other. And when I finally had the chance to read it, I jumped on it. First impression: When the story started, I was captivated. I loved the story! It was very unique. I was disturbed by Celia's father, Hector, who taught Celia in the most gorey way. Poor Celia was abused. I got so angry while reading the story, I just want to read on and hope on the ending. When Marco appeared, I REALLY want a happy ending! Marco is just the perfect young English man. I still remember when I read the first chapter, I immediately thought of this book has a similar feel to Water for Elephant. I loved how the story is not base on romance, but magic. As I mentioned before Hector's teaching style is like authoritarian while Alexander, Marco's "teacher" was passive. I love the time setting, the turn of 1800 is just a magical time by itself and when you add real magic to it. It is like an explosion! I love the change in POVs. :) But I'm sad to say that I don't like how there are so many characters that you can lose track of them. Later Into the Book: The story began to slow. Sometimes it feel like I read for hours but never seems to move anywhere. I think this was because the story is very descriptive so it allows the readers to see and feel what Erin wanted the readers to feel. This got in the way of the plot. The story was just like a boat without its orbs, going no where. I was quite disappointed parts of the book where it lacked in action. There was a lot of description, and talking, never anything happening. I was hoping for some SHAZAM! I did love the language used by Erin. As the story progress, I saw what more of Erin's writing and felt in love with . It was the kind of fit between sophistication and simple communication. You just can tell Erin is not just a wannabe writer that just had a good idea for a book. She actually know how to write. Her style is complex but not like you have to read the sentence a few times over to understand it. To tell you the truth I really want to write like that. As I realized how she uses her language, the story became complex. From making the different ways the magicians use their powers to the delicate details of the circus is just so brilliant. I cannot imagine how much planning went into this book! I also really enjoy the conversations between the characters. They were all so witty, serious, and whimsical. I particularly enjoy the conversation between Celia and Marco when they first actually had a full conversation. This is because they seem to converse like two intelligent lawyers arguing in a subtle way, both counter with sassy comments, but you know they were flirting, j'adore! ♥ I love the subtle love story. It was not like a YA novel where it always seems like a forced love; Erin doesn't make the love story appear fast. It was like a slow cooker; it cook at a low temperature but the result was tender food. It was just like the love story, beautiful and exotic in its own way. That said, this love was scattered through the half end because of all the POVs. When I got more into the book, it reminded be of Howl's Moving Castle because of all the magic and the twisted imagination. Sometimes it gets confusing and amazing at the same time. Final Thought: This book was great but it didn't live quite to my expectations. I wanted more actions and "dark magic" feel to it. I want the night to explode with evil clowns and axe killers, but I guess that was not Erin was trying to do. Overall, this book was a 4 out of 5 stars.

What a great read this book was. Something totally different. The characters and story line draws you into a world of magic and illusion.