A lot of people have plenty of bad things to say about this novel. They must have read a different book than I did. This was a magical story and a great coming of age tale set amid the magic of the night circus and the at once creepy and wonderful characters therein. The book never got saccharine or overloaded with imagery, the story was quick and witty and I would read Ms. Morgenstern's next book with pleasure and anticipation. I love tricky characters and this story has plenty, and enchantment to spare. This should be shelved alonside The Graveyard Book, and Stardust.