My visit with Erin Morgenstern the other night still has me thinking about her novel, The Night Circus, and how it has so many of the wonderful things that I like reading about most in books, particularly stage magicians. Because of that, I thought I'd do a 10 on Tuesday roundup for you of books that I think are particularly excellent that have magicians (stage or otherwise) in them, plus a few that just have the general feel of The Night Circus to them.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell | The Prestige | The Ladies of Grace Adieu
Normally, I would put these first two on my list, but since Ms. Morgenstern herself cited them as strong influences on the book, I'll just link them up again for you and then move on to my official list. Let it be understood that I recommend both of these whole-heartedly. (Let me also add that if you haven't read Susanna Clarke's collection of short stories, you should rectify that problem quickly, as well.)
Carter Beats the Devil | Something Wicked This Way Comes
(1 & 2) Gold's novel is one of the best about stage magicians that I've ever read. He perfectly captures the time period in this great rambling novel; unfortunately, he's not written anything that lives up to my expectations of his work since. Bradbury's novel is just a classic; I think that Morgenstern has done an excellent job of capturing the sensory feel of the circus, much as Bradbury does in all his novels.
The Magicians and Mrs. Quent | The House on Durrow Street | The Master of Heathcrest Hall
(3) I've only read the first book in this series, but it has that delightful mix of magic and manners that I enjoy so much more than just manners alone.
The Magicians | The Magician King
(4) I can't rave about these books enough. Such a perfect combination of the fantasy novels from my youth, combined with a cynical, adult, literary fiction. I'm still waiting on information about Book #3 to be released.
Sorcery and Cecelia | The Grand Tour | The Mislaid Magician
(5) This trio is such fun. Again, it's a combination of magic and manners, with a delightful sense of humor. The novels are written in epistolary-style, which normally I hate, but in this instance, it works incredibly well, because each author takes a character, so there are two very distinct voices at work. Obviously, these are YA, but they remain some of my favorites in this subgenre.
A College of Magics | A Scholar of Magics
(6) These two take tales of magic and manners one step further -- they're both set on college campuses. And not just any college, but colleges for magic! Squeee! Spazzing aside, the first novel in the series is fantastic; the second is waiting patiently in a stack next to my bed, hoping to be the book I pick up next.
Soulless | Changeless | Blameless | Heartless | Timeless
(7) This series, known as The Parasol Protectorate series, is just a lot of fun. These are quick, light reads that combine the best of paranormal romance, Regency manners, and even a touch of steampunk.
The Stress of Her Regard | Hide Me Among the Graves
(8) This Tim Powers novel (and its sequel, which will be released in March -- YAY!) is much darker and scarier than The Night Circus, but it still gives me that same kind of feeling. Powers is known for writing "secret histories," which focus on historical events that are influenced by magic.
Thirteenth Child | Across the Great Barrier | The Flight of Michael McBride
(9) These novels move the mixture of magic and manners from Regency England to the Old West. The first two are a series by Pat Wrede (who co-wrote the Sorcery and Cecelia series listed above), and the Snyder book is listed because it fits in so perfectly with these other two. Wrede's series will eventually feature a third book, of course.
Neverwhere | The Twelfth Enchantment
(10, Bonus) Gaiman's novel really doesn't share any similarities with Morgenstern's novel, except that his "Other London" has the same feel -- what's around the next corner? -- as The Night Circus, so it's more an issue of mood, I think. The Liss novel is a bonus -- I've never read it, but I came across it while compiling this list, and it looks interesting, so it's going on my own to-read pile.
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