The Night Circus

Enter the world of fantasy and magic with The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.  London, circa turn of the century, is where most of the excitement for this book comes from.  The circus comes to life only after dawn with a set of characters who are involved in a game that they aren’t even aware of (or at least many of them).  Two magicians mentor their protégés to engage in a game – a battle to the finish, leading to one’s death, but along the way the two (not knowing they are in this game) fall in love!  The two magicians, Prospero the Enchanter and Mr. A.H, knew each other as Prospero was Mr. A.H’s student but they disagreed on the proper approach to magic, either it is an innate talent, represented by Prospero's daughter Celia, or whether as a skill that can be learned through a teacher, such as by Mr. A.H's orphan young boy Marco. The story includes subplots that include a local boy, Bailey, who falls in love with Poppet (the twin of Widet) and needs to decide should he leave his farm for the escape and intrigue of the circus; and also Tsukiko, the contortionist, who was in her own game of challenge as a student of Mr. A.H 83 years previous.  Morgenstern lays out a story that is engaging and a love story for the ages.  Who couldn’t fall for two people pulled apart by their on-looking mentors and aren’t aware of their feelings until years into knowing one another?   There is a lot happening in this relatively short book.  This is a bonus read that a former RA suggested be added to the list.  A recent publication (2011) so you may want to pick it up.  Let the circus begin!