The Night Circus

Do you believe in magic? You will after you read this book. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is a fairy tale for adults. The circus opens on October 13, 1886. The black and white tents of Le Cirque des Reves appear without advertisement. There is only a simple sign that says "Opens at Nightfall, Closes at Dawn." Reality is suspended. Illusion becomes real. One tent holds a garden made entirely of ice. In another tent, you can relive a happy childhood event. There are illusionists, white tigers, living statues, and performing cats.  As quickly as it comes, the circus disappears leaving visitors with a longing for its return. The time and place of its next appearance is unknown.

The circus, however, is more than entertainment. As the circus evolves, it becomes more and more

Hunted Healer

I really enjoy Maria Snyder's female heroines.  They are smart, tough, and often a little stubborn.  In her most recent book, Touch of Power, Avry is all of those things.  She has the magical ability to heal people by taking on their illnesses or injuries.  She was apprenticed to the Healer's Guild shortly before a plague broke out.  The problem was any Healer who tried to cure a plague victim always died.  When they stopped trying people turned on them and hunted them down.  Even though Avry was only an apprentice they came after her too.   She has survived by running and hiding, but her desire to heal always compromises her identity.