Scan barcode
chrisljm's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The prose for The Starless Sea was very soft and poetic and yet it came off very artificial to me and made the story much more difficult to digest than it had to be. I definitely agree that this book strongly displays a love for fairytales, stories, as well as the telling of stories, but I would be hard-pressed to describe the plot because the main focus is very much on the writing style. Another reason for that would also be due to the novel being so journey-heavy. You spend most of the novel with Zachary on a journey towards an objective that never really gets revealed to readers, and it's page after page of discovery and yet you never really learn anything concrete, not until it starts to conclude. And for this reason, there also isn't much character or relationship development. There is a romance between Zachary and another character, but you never see that development in the pages of the book. The love interest starts off the story already kind of in love with Zachary, they don't spend much time together, and even less time having any sort of conversation, and so I'm not interested in their love because the author never gave me the chance to get emotionally invested in it.
This book is written with fables and short stories interspersed between the main plot of Zachary in modern day, where you later come to find out that everything is connected and somehow leading to Zachary. However I didn't feel like the short stories were weaved into the overarching plot that well, and so my interest in each separate section would fluctuate, and then it just slowly tapered off towards the end.
The writing is beautiful for sure but it felt very empty and lacking.
The writing is beautiful for sure but it felt very empty and lacking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
latida94's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I would like to know how Erin Morgenstern knows exactly what I want. 2nd book now where a world has been created that I DESPERATELY want to be in. Like take me with you. Even the writing style is my favorite kind. Carries me along in just the way I like that I don't think I've ever gotten from other books.
This was definitely a book for the story lovers. It's got a bunch of different stories but all connected and a part of one story (which is a lot like real life, really).
This was definitely a book for the story lovers. It's got a bunch of different stories but all connected and a part of one story (which is a lot like real life, really).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
madipenn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
Absolutely captivating story telling, blurring the lines from fairytale, fantasy, and wonder with romance, tragedy, and "reality". The moment you think you know what is going to happen next, you're taken on another twisting journey leaving you reaching for the next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is one of my favorite books of all time. It is a love letter to storytelling and finding where you belong.
It crushed my heart, built it back up, and flung opoen a lot of doors to feelings.
It crushed my heart, built it back up, and flung opoen a lot of doors to feelings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Blood and Mental illness
Minor: Stalking
aliyachaudhry's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Death, Grief, Stalking, Pregnancy, Gore, Alcohol, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Torture and Animal death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
theotheleo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Death, Confinement, and Blood
Minor: Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, and Kidnapping
ollieez's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Stalking, Outing, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Outing, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Stalking, Animal death, Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, and Death
toy_masterpiece's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
3.75
⭐️🎧Audiobook Listener🎧⭐️
This slightly mind-bending tale is a fun exploration of what it means to be a part of story and what might happen when you miss your chance to be a part of one. I thoroughly enjoyed slowly getting bits and pieces of the mystery alongside and sometimes before the characters. I can't imagine what it must have taken to coordinate the various pieces both in the story's timeline and the reader's perception of the book. It truly felt like reading 6 books for the price of one in the best way.
I'm sure this is a great reading experience but if you have the chance, listen to the audiobook. We have a talented cast of actors that narrate each book with emotion, personality, and humor when it calls for it. All the readers were great for their part but I have to give it up for Dominic Hoffman. His Zachery felt like Zachery, his Dorian felt like Dorian y'know? It was fun. But the other readers fantastically use their voices, lowered and slowed with reverence, to bring you into a fantasy world.
In the end, I really did enjoy this book. The first half kept me guessing, it was exciting. Then, as with all mysteries, in the last quarter it died down to the point where you were just waiting for the characters to catch up and figure it out. Nevertheless, the ending left me feeling light. Once you get past the part where everyone's lives are one line, it is actually quite a cozy read that comes full circle and is tied up in a neat bow.
The line I'm taking with me (I'm paraphrasing):
This slightly mind-bending tale is a fun exploration of what it means to be a part of story and what might happen when you miss your chance to be a part of one. I thoroughly enjoyed slowly getting bits and pieces of the mystery alongside and sometimes before the characters. I can't imagine what it must have taken to coordinate the various pieces both in the story's timeline and the reader's perception of the book. It truly felt like reading 6 books for the price of one in the best way.
I'm sure this is a great reading experience but if you have the chance, listen to the audiobook. We have a talented cast of actors that narrate each book with emotion, personality, and humor when it calls for it. All the readers were great for their part but I have to give it up for Dominic Hoffman. His Zachery felt like Zachery, his Dorian felt like Dorian y'know? It was fun. But the other readers fantastically use their voices, lowered and slowed with reverence, to bring you into a fantasy world.
In the end,
The line I'm taking with me (I'm paraphrasing):
Stories don't end. They merely change.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Death
augie_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Torture, Death, Stalking, and Kidnapping
mpbookreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Stalking, and Death