The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is unlike any novel I've read. It is strangely compelling, and although it is very dark, it is a love story at the same time, and it's difficult to put down. In this story, Marco and Celia, two illusionists, are unwittingly pitted against each other in a mysterious competition. Le Cirque des Reves, or the Circus of Dreams, is the arena for this competition. No summary of the novel can effectively prepare the reader for this haunting, suspenseful, strange, wonderful story.
One of the most interesting aspects of the novel is the fact that it is told from many different perspectives and points of view. At times, the story is even told in the second person, as if to draw the reader in and make him a part of the circus and feel as if he is really there. First person and third person points of view are also present within the story, and this novel would be exemplary in a lesson on point of view. As enticing as this novel is, it is written in a sophisticated fashion that would be appropriate for older or more advanced readers. Struggling or reluctant readers may be turned off by the elevated style the author uses.
Divergent by Veronica Roth is close to 500 pages, and I read it in two days. I hadn't expected it to be so captivating and difficult to put down, and I was very pleasantly surprised. My first impression was that it would be a Hunger Games rip-off, and there were definitely similarities, but I found myself even more enthralled with this novel than I was with The Hunger Games series. Like Suzanne Collins' novels, Divergent has something for everyone: action, suspense, and some romance; however, the love story does not take over the main events of the plot, and the main character Tris is a strong, believable character. Adults and teens alike will enjoy this story, and I wouldn't be surprised if a movie is on the horizon.
I found a fan-made book trailer on YouTube that I feel perfectly captures the tone and excitement of the novel. The follow-up, Insurgent, is just as captivating, ending with a nail-biting cliffhanger. The last installment of the trilogy doesn't come out until the fall of 2013, and I will be not-so-patiently waiting for its release!
I love recommending this book to my students, but the length scares some of them away. Sending them to YouTube to view this trailer would be a great way to draw them in. Once they start the book, they're hooked!
(check out the Veronica Roth video bar in the sidebar to the right for author interviews and other video clips!)
