The Night Circus

If you're looking for the perfect winter escape, look no further.  The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern's debut novel, has all the magic of Harry Potter, poised in sophisticated prose and storytelling that will appeal to anyone with an imagination.

The plot of The Night Circus is framed around a game between the novel's two main characters, Marco and Celia, who've been trained to compete since they were children, without knowing their opponent, or what the game's outcome will be.  The backdrop to this competition is the magical "Cirque Des Reves" (or, "Circus of Dreams"), which travels the world enchanting people of all ages.  Of course, this is no average circus:  the fantastic abounds, growing increasingly more fantastical as the story (and competition) progress.

Marco and Celia eventually discover each other, and the magic intensifies when they fall in love.  Ultimately, they find they must cooperate to win this competition in order to avoid a tragic end.  Highly recommended for teens and adults.