Reviews

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

emmasdrg's review against another edition

3.0

a month to read it. it was cool but not cool enough. it was really heavy and long. but the writing is really beautiful and poetic i loved it BUT CAN THE AUTHOR MAKE SENSE IT WAS REALLY MESSY I DIDNT UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING??? anyways i enjoyed it but not enough :)

halleycos's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

kelsielovesbooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

chloelyons16's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

theyarelex's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

pbillo's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

madartyst's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

vaenadal's review against another edition

5.0

If you're a grown-up who still hopes your Narnia adventure is waiting for you, this is a good book for you. I also loved the fairy tale feel of the world of the Starless Sea and all of the stories within stories and getting to see how all of the disparate pieces of the puzzle connect. I saw a review that called this book "a love letter to storytelling" and that description is spot on. All in all, I thought the Starless Sea was thoroughly enchanting.

With that said, I can see where this book wouldn't appeal to everyone. It's not fast-paced or plot driven. The first section especially moves slowly and I can see where someone might be confused with all of the stories within stories interrupting Zachary's story. However, I also think that if a reader sticks through the beginning, and starts to see how the different threads of the story come together, they'll be hooked.

jo_22's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Writing was immersive and I liked the last 30% of the book. Beginning was decent but middle was long and hard to follow with lots of confusing symbolism & abstract world-building. I’d like to reread this, I think I would like it better second time around 

johanna08's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5