5 Must-Reads for Fans of The Night Circus

At the top of my stack? The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern. I’m pretty sure I’ve told every single book person in my life to read it. Magic, love, betrayal—it has everything I love in a good book, blended together with lyrical, beautiful prose. It tells of a star-crossed, Romeo-and-Juliet-esque romance that takes place within the black and white (with a little red) landscape of a traveling, magical circus, and it’s stunning. And you should definitely read it.
But if what if you’ve already read Morgenstern’s novel, and are looking for a little more of that bewitched feeling? Don’t worry. Here’s a list of magical YA reads you’ll certainly become enchanted with. You know, because magic. Sorry. Let’s go.

Girl on a Wire, by Gwenda Bond
In Bond’s novel, readers are introduced to Cirque American, a circus where Jules Maroni finally finds herself. Her dream? She wants to be a high-wire walker, just like her father. And her family’s invitation to this new circus just might be her ticket to the spotlight she’s always wanted. But thanks to another family, the rival Flying Garcias, things might not go as planned…particularly as sabotage seems to be on the mind of someone in the circus.

The Weight of Feathers, by Anna-Marie McLemore
Dahlia revealed the cover for McLemore’s debut novel back in February, which meant I got to spend several months lashing around waiting for the book. In another novel of rival circus performers with feuding families, a disaster draws Lace and Clark, two teens on opposite sides of the battle, together. There’s magic and forbidden romance galore in this one.

Pantomime, by Laura Lam
There’s so much happening in Laura Lam’s Pantomime, and all of it is fantastic. Though born into the world of aristocrats, Gene isn’t interested in the high life. She’d rather live life in the circus, avoiding the magical visions and ghostly relics that have been lurking in the shadows throughout her life. There are a lot of twists in this one, so I’ll avoid getting too in depth. Pick it up and avoid the spoilers.

Circus Mirandus, by Cassie Beasley
This upper–middle grade title, new this year, is a worthy crossover for YA fans. It’s very Big Fish + Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, with a protagonist who has grown up hearing his grandfather’s stories of magical, outrageous things—magicians, invisible tigers, bird-women. Little Micah believes in all the magic his grandfather has shared, and wants to locate its source: the Circus Mirandus, a place that just might hold the power to save his grandfather.

Big Fish, by Daniel Wallace
And speaking of books that cross over for YA fans, it’s hard to talk about Morgenstern’s novel without bringing up adult title Big Fish. In this wonderful novel of magical realism, readers meet Edward Bloom, a man who has been spinning tall tales for his son, William, his entire life. Even now, on his death bed, he doesn’t stop. It’s through these moving and hilarious stories that William finally comes to terms with who his father is and always has been. Stories of circuses, giants, enormous fish, witches, and more abound in a heartwarming tale that is, underneath all the magic and quirkiness, a story about family. Be warned. You will cry.