Overall, I was disappointed. The hype around The Night CIrcus, that still continues, just didn't meet expectations.

Mixed feelings about this book. I read the ARC from NetGalley on my Kindle and I think this is a book that is experienced better in traditional print form. Loved the imagination behind the circus--the attractions, the performers, the sights and smells. Thought the competition between the two young magicians fell flat; neither is as compelling as the circus itself. The story dragged on for too long of a time period. Toggling between two storylines in two slightly different time periods was somewhat confusing, but it all worked out in the end. I read this in a very disjointed way (sporadically, a few pages at a time, mostly) which may have contributed to my disjointed perception of the book. Overall, the strength of the circus almost makes up for the other flaws. I recommend this for those who are willing to stick with a sometimes slow-moving story and who enjoy rich, descriptive, magical imagery.