This is yet another example of a book that I expected to love, but just didn't. After all the rave reviews, I'd expected The Night Circus to be exactly the sort of book that I'd enjoy. After all, the plot revolves around a magical competition, a dreamlike circus, bizarre and unusual circumstances -- so far, so good. 
 In reality, I just never got into it. Perhaps my timing was off, and I simply wasn't in the right mood to appreciate it. Somehow, I think the issue is more than that. 
 The Night Circus is a story of magic and fantasy, and in each chapter, more and more fantastical elements are introduced. The descriptions and flights of fancy are all quite lovely, but in truth, it took me about 200 pages to feel connected to the story, and that connection didn't hold up until the end. I never really understand what made the characters tick, and the love story felt forced and rushed. A lot of time and ground is covered during the story, but it all felt like an outsider's point of view, without a real access point and no real means of investment. 
 That said, some of the images were truly lovely, but for me, the story just didn't hold together. Even as I approached the climax of the story, I never got so wrapped up in that I just couldn't put it down. And that, I suppose, is what it all boils down to for me. I actually could put it down, and that's not a good sign.