Hi friends!. I’m back today with a couple reviews of some of my latest reads and today, it’s all about magic. Two magical kind of reads I’ve been anticipating reading for a little while now… and they did not disappoint.
There are no spoilers in these reviews.
The Wicked Deep, Shea Ernshaw
Published by Simon Pulse, March 6th, 2018.
The Wicked Deep had been on my radar ever since I heard about this book, before it was released, even. I know I read lots of contemporaries, but there was one time when I was obsessed with witches stories and… I’ve been looking forward to reading more again.
I ENJOYED…❤️
?
- One of things I loved the most about The Wicked Deep, was the atmosphere. The writing was beautiful, so immersive and sensory. Right from the first page, I was thrown into this world. It was compelling and I couldn’t stop reading, really needing to find out what would happen next.
- The narration switches between past and present as we find out the past of the city of Sparrow, the curse, the mystery. I loved the rhythm and dimension it gave to the story.
- The characters were interesting to follow and I really liked following Penny, from beginning to end. She was painted as such a, normal teenager, somehow I could find myself relating to her a whole lot at the start of the book and that’s obviously a great point.
- I also appreciated how her relationship with Bo started, grew and changed and her conflicted feelings, from beginning to end that gave this story a great dimension, too. Some people found it insta-lovey and, if I found it a bit fast, I still really liked following their interactions, especially as the book went on.
I HAD A HARD TIME WITH…?
?
- Sadly, the one thing that bothered me while reading this book, is that I felt that it was a bit predictable and I kind of saw the big twist coming around, something that unfortunately made me a bit sad.
OVERALL
The Wicked Deep is definitely a book I’d recommend if you’re a fan of magical, compelling mysteries and small-town settings, with gorgeous writing and atmosphere, too.
Final rating: 4 drops!
Trigger warnings: murder, death, drowning, loss of a loved one, grief and abduction. Dubious conscent (due to possession)
✨✨✨
The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern
Published by DoubleDay, September 13th, 2011.
Everyone has been screaming at me to read The Night Circus for AGES. (Yes Kat I’m looking at you) I am so, so, so happy I finally did and understood what all that hype was about. The Night Circus certainly was one kind of magical read.
I ENJOYED…❤️
?
- Well, you’ll forgive me, but I need to mention the atmosphere here first, just as well, because The Night Circus deserves all of the praise for that. With the compelling, gorgeous prose and storytelling, it’s easy to see why so many people love it. It was just stunning to read and I really loved that.
- This is a story that completely immerse you into the characters’ lives, from their childhood to their adult days, as the circus grows and changes, as the world takes on new dimensions for these characters, too. SO. compelling, really.
- There were many characters to follow in this story, yet all had a unique voice and added a unique dimension to the story, too, helping it come alive.
- The romance was mesmerizing, really. I thought I wouldn’t enjoy it, because sometimes it made me feel a bit confused, yet there were these stolen moments in time, these first encounters and kiss, this undeniable chemistry and tension, well… I couldn’t help but fall for it, completely.
I HAD A HARD TIME WITH…?
?
- Despite the incredible storytelling, I sometimes had some issues with the pacing of the book, it felt a bit slow and… very disorienting, at times. The plot is confusing for a good part of the book and, if that did not stop me from reading or enjoying the writing, the characters and wanting to know more, I also sometimes just wondered, why. That’s the beauty of magical realism and the frustration of it, too.
OVERALL
?
The Night Circus was as beautiful as everyone told me it would be. If there were some slow, some confusing moments, too, I couldn’t help but be captivated by it all from beginning to end. A beautiful story, a classic, really, I’d recommend for anyone wanting to get away.
Final rating: 4 drops!
Trigger warnings: murder.
Did you read any of these books? Did you enjoy them? If you didn’t read them, are you planning to?
Do you have any recommendations of magical, very atmospheric reads, or witchy reads? I’d love to read more! Let me know in comments!
The Night Circus is one of my all-time favorite books. After reading your review, I think I’ll give the Wicked Deep a go.
Ahh I’m happy to hear it, it is such a beautiful, unique book! 🙂
I hope you’ll give The Wicked Deep a try and will enjoy it as much as I did! 😀
Eee, I’ve been wanting to read the night circus since like FOREVER. Winter seems like the perfect time to read it though. I might pick it up x Lovely post, Marie <3 I love the aesthetic Pictures!
Ahh, it is such a great book, I hope you’ll get to read it soon and will love it 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! <3
I’m so happy you enjoyed both, Marie! I have The Wicked Deep on my tbr, and The Night Circus made more sense the second time around 😀
I can’t wait to hear what you think of The Wicked Deep!! I’m glad to hear that, I felt a bit confused at times, but… it was still a very atmospheric read 😀
Thank you so much! <3
wonderful reviews Marie! I have had the Night Circus on my shelf for what feels like forever. Your review makes me want to crack it open!
Ahhh thank you so much, you’re so sweet! <3 I hope you'll get to The Night Circus soon, it took me a while to get there just as well, but I really loved it 😀
I’m pretty sure I’ll love it! I keep telling myself I’m waiting for the right time. I’m hoping to pick it up over the holiday next month!
I get that, this is the kind of book you have to be in the mood for to really get into 🙂 I hope you’ll love it when you read it! 😀
Thank you Marie, me too!
I am so glad to hear you loved The Night Circus! It’s one of my favorites. Such gorgeous writing and magic, what’s not to love?!
Agree, it has such gorgeous writing, it’s a magical read for sure 😀
Thank you Angela! 😀
Wonderful reviews, love! I’ve had both of these on my tbr, and I’m such a sucker for great atmospheric reads! ❤️
Oh thank you Kelly! I hope you’ll read them soon and will love them as much as I did 🙂
Great reviews, Marie!! I’ve been considering reading The Wicked Deep, but I also know one of my pet peeves is predictable books. It’s good to know that before I actually read it, so I’m prepared. I’ve heard about The Night Circus around the blogosphere but only in passing. It sounds a lot like Caraval!
Thank you so much Tiffany, I’m happy you liked my reviews! <3
I get that – I think some people didn't found it quite predictable, but I was buddy-reading it and both she and I guessed the twist early on. Still it was thrilling to see we were right and the book had an incredible atmosphere, I think 😀
Oh The Night Circus did not read itself like Caraval at all, though it might seem a bit similar at first glance 🙂 the story is way more…. well, three dimensional, at least it was for me, spanning through time and characters and setting an incredible, gripping and magical atmosphere with the writing, too. Oh and the circus, magical, too 🙂 I hope you'll give it a try! 🙂
Ooo ok now I’m definitely more interested in The Night Circus 🙂 I didn’t particularly love Caraval, but the concept of it appealed to me a lot. I’ll definitely try to pick it up in the future!
I hope you will, I’d love to hear what you think of it 😀
I haven’t read them but the Wicked Deep is on my shelf since YALC London this summer. I have always been hesitant to buy The Night Circus as I’ve heard that it’s peculiar and I was afraid to dislike it…
I hope you’ll love The Wicked Deep! 🙂
I was a bit nervous about The Night Circus, too, for that exact reason. The story is a little… well, it’s a little confusing at times and slow at first, but the writing is beautiful, really and it transported me completely. Maybe trying to read the start of the book, in a bookshop or library or over on amazon, to get an idea of the writing style, might help you decide 🙂
Thank you for stopping by! 😀
I really enjoyed reading The Night Circus! It’s definitely one of the most beautiful books I have ever read and I think I need to reread it soon, because I don’t remember much about it. I do agree with you on the pacing, though, and that it could get a little bit confusing at times ?
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed it as well, it is such a beautiful book! <3 It was a bit confusing at times, I agree, but.. I'm thinking it might be a bit less confusing on the second read haha 🙂
Thank you Hannah!! <3
LOVELOVELOVE Night Circus! I am going to check out the other book!
Thanks for the recs!
I’m glad you enjoy it too! 🙂
Thank you for your sweet comment! 🙂
Oh I have been waiting for you to post your review for The Night Circus ever since you read it Marie. 🙂 I love how your first point was the atmosphere because that’s what had me from the start, there’s a reason The Night Circus is my go-to answer for tag questions about what bookish world I’d love to visit. I do get what you mean about the pacing though, the first time I read the book I remember it being slow and a story I struggled to get into in the beginning but since then every time I’ve re-read this book that hasn’t been an issue at all, possibly because now I know the story so well.
The Wicked Deep is still on my TBR list, I’ve heard some good things about it though so I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😀
Great reviews. 🙂 <3
I think that The Night Circus makes more sense the second time around maybe, ahah. I adored the atmosphere SO much, really it was, incredibly addictive, in a way, and magical, too<3 I get why you love it so much 😀
Thank you, Beth!! <3
I am still so happy you finally read the Night Circus and didn’t hate it haha the pacing and the confusing parts sometimes were deal breakers for people and I totally get that haha but I will forever campaign for it to become a movie or mini series or regular TV show!
Also, I don’t know if I have mentioned it before, but I actually have Wicked Deep on my kindle! But I also have a couple physical books now (the book my mum sent me is A Very Large Expanse of Sea <3 I am so excited to read it after Juliet, Naked).
Great reviews!!
OH YES. I would campaign with you for it to be a mini series or TV show, that would be INCREDIBLE, that atmosphere transcribed on screen and everything – honestly it would be SO good, I’d watch it! <3 <3
Oh that's great!! I can't wait to hear what you think of the wicked deep when you can read it 🙂
I've heard so much about A Very Large Expanse of Sea, I hope you'll love it, I can't wait to hear what you think <3
Thank you so much Kat! ❤❤
The book was optioned for what felt like forever, but then the production company backed out. I think even my current company considered developing it once, but it is a daunting task. There’s a lot you need to take into consideration with how it all looks and it’s probably not cheap either haha but I hope it will happen someday (soon)! <3
Oh yes, I guess it has to be really complicated. I can just imagine, though, if done right, that end result could be fascinating and gorgeous, really ❤️ I hope it will happen someday, too!
I loved The Wicked Deep. I remember being captivated by the writing, the story, and the romance. Sorry you were disappointed by the twist.
I’m so glad you loved it! 🙂 I was a little sad to have figured it out, but still it was a wonderful read 😀
Thank you for stopping by! ❤️
Haven’t read either of them but they’re both on my tbr! Great mini reviews 🙂
I hope you’ll give them a try someday! 🙂
Thank you so much Taryn, I’m glad you enjoyed them! ❤️
I’ve heard so many good things about The Night Circus, now I guess I have to pick it up!?❤️❤️❤️
Ahhh yes you should when you get a chance. It was a wonderful read ❤️
Thank you for your comment! 😀
I love atmospheric reads! They sound like the perfect books to read on a cold day where you would love to have some hot chocolate at hand. With that said, I enjoyed reading your review Marie. Though those types of books are not usually up my alley, The Wicked Deep piqued my interest. It’s always interesting to read about intertwined stories. I’m still gauging if I’ll give Night Circus a go, but I guess it will be up to me to figure out.
Ahhh yes that’s exactly it, they’re the perfect kind of cozy reads on a cold day, perfect to get away 🙂
I would recommend The Night Circus, because I really enjoyed it, but it has a particular writing and kind of storytelling for sure. If magical realism / stories where you don’t grasp exactly everything that’s happening at the first hand tend to frustrate you, well… I think that one might be a bit frustrating to read haha 🙂
Thank you so much Bianca!! ❤️
OOH I need to read The Night Circus! I have a feeling I’m going to love it for the gorgeous atmosphere and writing. *_* I’ve heard it can be quite complicated at times so I’ll need to focus on it when I read it. 🙂
It is a bit confusing at times and it’s best to be completely focused on it, for sure, but it’s a magical read! I hope you’ll love it 🙂
thank you so much Kyra!! ❤️
Great reviews! I loved both of these books <3 I'm so glad the author of The Night Circus is finally bringing out a new book!!
Aww thank you so much, I’m happy you enjoyed these too! 🙂
YES! I’ve just heard about the new book, too, that’s so exciting, I can’t wait!! ❤️
Oooh interesting to hear about The Night Circus from you. I’ve never picked it up but that book was everywhere for a while!
Magical Realism is certainly a funny one. I find that I’m constantly trying to find meaning beyond the page whenever I read it which does detract from my enjoyment at times. It’s one of those beautiful but definitely in moderation styles I think!
Oh yes, that book was everywhere and still now it often comes up when people mention their favorite books, so…. I had to read it and I’m glad I did 😀
I understand – it can be very frustrating and I couldn’t read only that genre, I’d get mad at times, for sure haha 🙂
I hope you’ll pick up The Night Circus someday though, I’d love to hear what you think of it! 🙂
Great reviews, Marie! I haven’t read these books but I have The Night Circus on my TBR list! I’m planning to pick it up in December!
Thank you so much Raven, I’m so glad you enjoyed them 🙂
I hope you’ll love The Night Circus ❤️
I read The Wicked Deep earlier this year, I did enjoy it, the atmosphere was wonderful. I also liked the writing, but I feel like the author completely avoided talking about anything that had to do with the plot twist, and in doing so gave it away. I feel like otherwise it would have been a fantastic plot twist.
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it overall – that atmosphere was really, really good! ❤️ and I agree with you – somehow it could have been better, I don’t know, I just kind of saw it coming after a little while and it made me a bit sad.
Still I’ll be looking forward to reading more from the author 😀
Thank you so much for your comment! ❤️
I definitely agree with you completely on The Wicked Deep! The atmosphere was just incredible, but I did think it was a bit predictable. I still enjoyed it though, like you! I actually was worried that I’d be confused by the Night Circus, I don’t even know why- but I do want to read it someday. I mean, probably. Also love your picture choices, they’re gorgeous (and go great with the book atmospheres!) Great reviews, glad these were mostly good for you!
I’m glad you agree about The Wicked Deep, Shannon! It was a good read, I’m just sad it was a bit predictable, but I will be looking forward to more from the author, that’s for sure 😀
I hope you’ll read The Night Circus – not going to lie, it feels a bit confusing at times, but the story still is great and the atmosphere, just for that, it’s so worth a read! <3
Thank you so much!! <3
i LOVE these bullet point reviews theyre so easy to read and they present the books in an objective way ??
yayyy for good books, im so glad to hear you enjoyed them both and im so looking forward to picking up the wicked deep!
Aww thank you May, I’m so glad you like themm!! ❤
I hope you’ll enjoy the wicked deep, I can’t wait to hear what you think of it!! ❤
I read The Night Circus a few months ago (I bought it as a gift for my friend because I wanted to read it and finished it after she did, haha) and I really agree with your assessment! I was soooo confused about what the point of Bailey was for the entire book and I found all the jumping around in time quite confusing but also it was so engrossing and really just very very good <3
I’m so glad to hear you felt the same way, Shar! I really liked the writing and atmosphere and I felt compelled to read on, even if some parts were confusing and YES, I was a bit lost with Bailey as well at first haha 🙂
Thank you so much!! <3
I am glad that you enjoyed both these books, Marie. I have heard mixed reviews about both of them actually. People either enjoy them a lot or not. But as per your reviews, it seems as if they were magical especially because of the atmosphere they created. Hope to read these soon 😀
I feel like these books are either hits-or-miss for a lot of people :/ I’m glad they were hits for me haha, I hope they will be for you, too 😀
Thank you!! ❤
A friend raved about Night Circus and later gifted me a copy. Yet, the mixed reviews were off putting. After reading your review and better understanding the book’s shortcomings, I’m going to read the book over the holidays. No deadlines and time to enjoy reading. ?❤️
I’m so glad my review could help a little bit! <3 It is a … complex book, really, it takes a bit of time to get into it and completely grasp the concept and atmosphere of the book overall, but once I did, I loved it! I hope you will too 🙂 <3
Glad to hear wicked deep was enjoyable and atmospheric, even if it was a tad predictable. Fair enough about the pacing for night circus- I gave it the same rating for that reason- but I also enjoyed it overall. Great reviews!
Thank you so much!! I’m glad you agree with my review about the night circus, it was a bit slow, but still very enjoyable 🙂