Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinion was not affected by the free copy.

I technically did not read this book all the way through. I got to about 45% before I got bored and then skipped to the last 20% of the novel. Judging by what I liked and didn't like, I think I got to read at least some of the cool parts. One thing this book has taught me is to not be fooled by the taglines and comparisons. Yes, this book does have elements that reminded me of Moulin Rouge and Phantom of the Opera, but the story didn't keep my interest and the stuff I did like didn't seem like it was going to be featured much.

I don't understand why authors start off with cool ideas and then immediately go into something completely different. This book starts off amazing with Kallia as a performer in this club, basically acting as Satine/Christine while Jack is our stand-in for Harold Zidler/the Phantom-- though he's a lot more Phantom. Jack is a magician who manipulates reality and deals in people's memories. This sounds incredible and I was really excited to see where this was going. Where it ended up going was Kallia running away to join a magic competition that women aren't usually allowed to be in. Because we sure haven't ever read that plotline before. I tried to power through despite my interest plummeting, and found that any time Jack's presence was mentioned or threatened I was interested again. And of course he makes the climax so good. Why couldn't he be in the whole book?

Kallia was kind of an interesting protagonist until she got away from Jack. Then she turned annoying and kind of stuck up. She does these dangerous stunts with her magic and when people tell her off, she gets mad at them. Another magician tries to give her some helpful advice and she ignores him and acts like she can do no wrong. Dude, I don't care how good you are, you can always improve yourself. Maybe you should listen to people when they say not to do dangerous stunts that could hurt others, or just admit when you do something wrong. Sure, sometimes characters who act this way are interesting, but I feel like the narrative was trying to make it read like Kallia was right and they were wrong and it was all due to her being a woman that they were scolding her.

There's also a romance but as I didn't read much of it, I'm only judging the parts of it I read. And the beginning was a basic 90's romance where the two argue all the time and there's constant misunderstanding. I guess I'm glad it wasn't insta-love, but I'm not sure if this is much better. Plus the question I'm always wondering when romance is in these books: was it necessary? Did it add anything? Could the story be told without it? Even if this part was inspired by Phantom, I can safely say that the other guy being a love interest didn't feel necessary to the story. Jack of course was necessary but should've been in this a lot more.

So yeah, the good parts for me were whenever Jack was involved with anything. I love the idea of illusions and manipulating reality and memories. The relationship between them and their chemistry was fantastic. It was captivating and made me uneasy all at the same time. If more time had been given to it, I think the reality manipulation and illusion could've eventually affected the readers to where even they aren't sure what's real and what's an illusion. That was done well in the climax but from what I read, most of the middle section is pretty standard magic competition stuff mixed with gender politics and probably relationship building between Kallia and the other guy. That's all stuff we've seen a million times.

I don't think this is bad by any means. The magic is pretty good and again, all the stuff with Jack is fantastic. I just wish the book had kept it to just him and the relationship between him and Kallia. The sequel seems like it's going more in that surreal direction, so who knows.

Love the world building, the tension, and especially the main character’s determination to break that magical glass ceiling!

But also- this book has FRIENDSHIP.

Women supporting women!

And a male/female platonic friendship where they really can just be there for each other without weird unwanted romantic undercurrents.

We need more friendships in books.

Plus, there is still romance for all you romance lovers, and I actually loved it.

I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

This story was breathtaking from start to finish. The writing, the settings, the intricate weavings of the plot were a feast I couldn't step away from. I could live in this world for book after book. It's rare to find a unique YA read that skips the tropes and formula and just lets the characters breathe no matter where it may take them and the readers.

Thank you, Angeles, for giving my skeptical heart a breath of fresh air.

The only downside is that I've read it - but release is too far away to shower copies around for Christmas.

This book is an interesting debut book that (for me) did not deliver. The world building was good but the pacing was slow until the end wich felt rushed. The characters where complex and you never who who was good or bad, however I didn't like the main character.
I think my favorite part of the book was the Hellfire House and the illusion and mystery surrounding it and I kinda wish that theme was explored more rather than a magical competition. (I'm not a fan of books based around competition plots.) This is all my personal preference, while I did not enjoy the book I would recommend it if you are into fantasy, magic, mystery and romance. Many who read this have said that if you like the Night Circus you will like this.