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fallandfox's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
The plot of the book is not linear in the course of it, we have stories that involve folk tales, biographies, etc. In the end, all the stories come together to create the context and finish everything not in a perfect way in the way that it needs to end.
I read together with the Wilted Rose Book Clube (Instagram → @wiltedrosebookclub) for the January book pick.
The book had an interesting plot and execution, it beguine to be a fun reading when you start to get used to the strange way the author decided to structure it.
I’m used to reading fantasy with magic, this was in my ally and the author was capable to make me feel like I haven't read magic before.
I liked the writing, with the parts where the author described food and the use of doors being my favourite parts.
The writing was easy to read and consistent with the structure of the story.
The main protagonist's of the story were Zachary (or the fortune teller son) who is a grad student specialized in games that finds the book Sweet Sorrows that guides him into the fantastic, Mirabel a mysterious woman that Zachary meets at a party and helps him in his quest to understand the book and Dorian a former guardian that meets Zachary and has his journey entwined in the party and he is also Zachary soulmate.
The relationship between Zachary and Dorian is good and very raw to a point in that you just feel like it was always there.
The book is set in New England and a magical hotel in some parts with world-building being an important part of the construction of the book. I liked the way that the starless sea was described and was interesting to see when it was used.
I read together with the Wilted Rose Book Clube (Instagram → @wiltedrosebookclub) for the January book pick.
The book had an interesting plot and execution, it beguine to be a fun reading when you start to get used to the strange way the author decided to structure it.
I’m used to reading fantasy with magic, this was in my ally and the author was capable to make me feel like I haven't read magic before.
I liked the writing, with the parts where the author described food and the use of doors being my favourite parts.
The writing was easy to read and consistent with the structure of the story.
The main protagonist's of the story were Zachary (or the fortune teller son) who is a grad student specialized in games that finds the book Sweet Sorrows that guides him into the fantastic, Mirabel a mysterious woman that Zachary meets at a party and helps him in his quest to understand the book and Dorian a former guardian that meets Zachary and has his journey entwined in the party and he is also Zachary soulmate.
The relationship between Zachary and Dorian is good and very raw to a point in that you just feel like it was always there.
The book is set in New England and a magical hotel in some parts with world-building being an important part of the construction of the book. I liked the way that the starless sea was described and was interesting to see when it was used.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury
falltumn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
actual story content is solidly a 5 star, but the way the book is structed is 4.25/4.5 out of personal preference. i highly recommend reading book 1-3 in the order of the short, abstract stories first in Whole, and then reading the rest of the book. i found the constant interrupting of events grating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death
spookily's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Blood, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Stalking, and Lesbophobia
libbyhb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.5
This is such a pretty, well-written, and well-conceived story. I love a story about stories, and this is a perfect example of that concept done well. The main story following Zachary was interesting, but what made The Starless Sea great was the interweaving of that narrative with excerpts from other stories that all came together to create the full picture of the world by the end. This is kind of a difficult book to describe/review, but the vibes and writing were wonderful! Loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Fire/Fire injury
traeumenvonbuechern's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
CN: alcohol, death, fire, suicidal ideation, forced drug use, removal of a tongue, branding, kidnapping, drowning, animal death
If this book was a smell, it would be the smell of old books. If this book was a taste, it would be the taste of honey. If this book was a feeling, it would be the feeling of finally finding a place where you belong.
I read and loved The Night Circus when I was younger, but this book... this book made me feel things I didn't know I was capable of feeling. It's magical, atmospheric and breathtakingly beautiful. It's a story about pirates, bees, lovers, swords, doors and keys. But most importantly, it's a story about stories.
This book is definitely not for everyone. Some will find it too long, some will find it too confusing, some will just find it boring. But for me, The Starless Sea is the perfect book.
If this book was a smell, it would be the smell of old books. If this book was a taste, it would be the taste of honey. If this book was a feeling, it would be the feeling of finally finding a place where you belong.
I read and loved The Night Circus when I was younger, but this book... this book made me feel things I didn't know I was capable of feeling. It's magical, atmospheric and breathtakingly beautiful. It's a story about pirates, bees, lovers, swords, doors and keys. But most importantly, it's a story about stories.
This book is definitely not for everyone. Some will find it too long, some will find it too confusing, some will just find it boring. But for me, The Starless Sea is the perfect book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, and Injury/Injury detail
li_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicide, Blood, Grief, and Pregnancy
oliverreeds's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.75
i really, very greatly enjoyed this book. the book is basically a set of artfully woven stories from the past, present, future, and fairy tales that all feed into each other and all connect in literally the most beautiful ways. the characters are fleshed out. the writing is easy to read and yet poigniant. it was a little slow getting into the book because every other chapter is a "random" fairy tale which made getting to know the characters a little difficult for me, but less than half-way in, i was hooked. the romance is also magnificent and while important to the book/story, doesn't take away from the world-building or characters. my only issue with this book is that the time spent in the under-world with the starless sea takes up a LOT of time and was very confusing for me to read. i didn't quite understand what was going on (although kat's interludes helped a decent bit and were a fantastic addition to this story), and since i didn't understand, i got bored for like 75 pages. to be fair i was also never super sure what dorian and zachary were doing in the under-world starless sea place. zachary was trying to find dorian and vice versa but there were so many strange side quests that happened, i started getting confused. i also wanted more on the Zachary/Dorian romance. i thought what was written was great, but i wanted more on where it came from. why were they so in love all of a sudden. i think that this book could have benefitted from additional scenes in which we got to see their relationship bloom a little more . all said and done, this book is an incredible display of the author's knowledge of craft, attention to detail, and incredible mind when writing stories. she literally killed it. like every character is so important and it was beautiful and incredible, which is why i gave this book such a high rating despite my two qualms.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
lilifane's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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
14.07.2022 (Reread)
I'm still loving it with all my heart.
What an amazing feeling to be back in this world with these characters. I enjoyed it very much to discover all the small details and references I missed the first time. I will definitely have to return to the Starless Sea at some point.
16.06.2020
I love these characters SO SO SO SO much! They feel so real, like actual friends. They've become so dear to me and will always have a special place in my heart.
I'm in love with the setting, I'm sad I have to leave it behind. My heart breaks when I think about it.
I have so much to say but I can't find the words.
This was just perfect for me. All the details, all the wibbly wobbly stuff, all the fairy tales, all the puzzles, all the different parts of the story coming together in such a chaotic, weird but also satisfying way, all the references, all the meta about story telling, all the scenes that read like point and click adventures or pen and paper RPGs, all the epic locations, all the beautiful writing, the meaningful quotes and the humour. All the love!
I'm still loving it with all my heart.
What an amazing feeling to be back in this world with these characters. I enjoyed it very much to discover all the small details and references I missed the first time. I will definitely have to return to the Starless Sea at some point.
16.06.2020
I love these characters SO SO SO SO much! They feel so real, like actual friends. They've become so dear to me and will always have a special place in my heart.
I'm in love with the setting, I'm sad I have to leave it behind. My heart breaks when I think about it.
I have so much to say but I can't find the words.
This was just perfect for me. All the details, all the wibbly wobbly stuff, all the fairy tales, all the puzzles, all the different parts of the story coming together in such a chaotic, weird but also satisfying way, all the references, all the meta about story telling, all the scenes that read like point and click adventures or pen and paper RPGs, all the epic locations, all the beautiful writing, the meaningful quotes and the humour. All the love!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
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