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adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
This felt like a combination of Piranesi, because of its dream-like writing style; The Cartographers, because of the magic system, vibe, and somewhat the plot; and Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, because of how the main character, Zachary, is written. It is most comparable to Piranesi, but I would recommend this over it due to the homophobia expressed in the writing of Piranesi’s main antagonist, which is certainly not present in this book. This book is very LGBTQ+ friendly, which is part of why I enjoyed it. I will admit that the plot is stronger in Piranesi, but I am ultimately more likely to recommend this book instead.
I like how all of the different stories are interwoven as the book goes on. Details become recognized, and this adds to the story and the intrigue of the book. The pacing is slow, but I enjoyed that about this book. I definitely spent more time reading this than I typically spend reading a book, but it never felt like the book was dragging on. The individual stories had a more fairytale, timeless writing style that I enjoyed, but each were short enough, or spaced out enough, so that they never overstayed their welcome. These chapters had very flowery, enchanting writing that I enjoyed. It did make it feel more dense, so the chapters in Zachary’s perspective (and eventually Kat’s ) felt fresher, which made it easier to continue reading. I was surprised, but happy, when we got Kat’s perspective towards the end of the book. It helped flesh out the story outside of the the Harbors, as well as bring more to Allegra’s character (whose death felt very sudden and anti-climactic that it initially felt like her character didn’t really have a point; without more involvement in Kat’s perspective, just having the context added about how the guardians’ actions have shifted would have been sufficient and let Allegra’s character be omitted entirely, but I’m glad that she was given more of a role because Allegra’s kind of an icon, and her role as “the painter” (which did surprise me because I always thought, though with some confusion, that it referred to Mirabel) was interesting ). I also liked that Kat’s ending involved her entering into the Harbors/the Starless Sea, hopefully reuniting with Zachary . I honestly would go back to read some of the stories by themselves. I must admit, though, that the significance of the story regarding the dollhouse did not stand out to me, so its return surprised me, and I had to go back and read it in order to fully understand what was going on. This could have been a series, but I enjoyed it as a single book nonetheless.
I liked each character individually, but I wasn’t always sold on the romantic relationships between the characters. I always thought that the intrigue for each relationship was established well and was effective, but I wasn’t necessarily invested in them. For example, Zachary and Dorian’s dynamic had a very solid beginning. I was intrigued in the direction it was going, and I was okay with how it was slowly paced. It was clear that Zachary was attracted to Dorian, but Dorian’s feelings and intentions were unclear, though each conversation they had was always an interesting one that increased my investment in the development of their relationship. However, the shift in their relationship was far too sudden, so when Dorian fell down to the Starless Sea , I wasn’t as invested in them as a couple . Also, the set up for the Keeper and Mirabel actually being Time and Fate, respectively, wasn’t executed well enough, lacking proper foreshadowing (with the exception, perhaps, of the Keeper being Time ), for me to be fully invested in this plot twist. The reveal just left me thinking: “Huh?” However, I will admit that I was happy with the ending of both of these pairs (though more so with Zachary and Dorian than with the Keeper and Mirabel, due to time being spent more with the former than the latter). Simon and Eleanor’s ending (mostly implied) was very satisfactory, and I enjoyed their story, and I think we were given just enough of them to be invested, enjoy it, but also not have them take over the story, but rather complement it (which it did).
I was surprised and unhappy when Zachary died (I am still mad at Mirabel for it) , and I don’t think I would have liked this book as much, or been likely to reread it, if he didn’t come back from the dead to be with Dorian . I think the way this was executed was passable, and I liked that I could see its foreshadowing from the painting he found in the Keeper’s room before descending toward the Starless Sea, so the development of Fate’s heart was well-planned and I liked this ending . This was a solid book, and I think I would reread this. It was a bit confusing at times, and I did enjoy the first half more than the second due to particular setups and plot twist reveals, though I am satisfied with the ending. There is not a particularly strong plot, which I didn’t mind. Reading this was like being transported into an interesting concept and world, including books within books (I liked this aspect, and it felt unique and added to the intrigue), and it is like you are solving its puzzle while reading. If you don’t like being confused or knowing why things are happening, then I don’t think you’d like this book. It’s the type of book that you are there to vibe with, though remembering all the different details of the separate stories helps a lot with feeling satisfied about how everything plays out. I think I am more likely to recommend The Night Circus by the same author over this, but I still enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Stalking, Alcohol
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
TLDR: Slow paced, confusing af, but also, kinda good? It’s like an onion, many layers, def not for everyone. Give it a try though! :)
Definitely a book when you want to slow down and savor a story.
I read with the audiobook and i’m not sure I would’ve made it through without it. The writing is extremely descriptive, but I did feel like I was transported to another place!
I don’t usually go for slow paced books, but I enjoyed this one. Though, I was confused for a decent chunk of the story, and I didn’t particularly like the ending. But, this book is about books and storytelling. You don’t always get the perfect ending. To me, this book was a reminder that there are lessons you can take away from everything, good or bad.
Read this book if you’re in the mood for overly descriptive, magical writing and a slow pace that keeps you wrapped up in another world! :)
Definitely a book when you want to slow down and savor a story.
I read with the audiobook and i’m not sure I would’ve made it through without it. The writing is extremely descriptive, but I did feel like I was transported to another place!
I don’t usually go for slow paced books, but I enjoyed this one. Though, I was confused for a decent chunk of the story, and I didn’t particularly like the ending. But, this book is about books and storytelling. You don’t always get the perfect ending. To me, this book was a reminder that there are lessons you can take away from everything, good or bad.
Read this book if you’re in the mood for overly descriptive, magical writing and a slow pace that keeps you wrapped up in another world! :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Homophobia
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Murder
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Outing
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Writing a story about the power of stories is a brave thing for an author to take on, and Erin Morgenstern shows she’s a master storyteller in The Starless Sea.
I should have been prepared by reading The Night Circus, but I forgot how the author creates a world for the reader to fall in love with before breaking it apart… and resolving the story in the most beautiful and satisfying way. I enjoyed spending so much time at the beginning of the book getting to know the main character and the beginnings of the many threads that later weave into the narrative. Then the second half became an un-put-down-able roller-coater ride!
Morgenstern’s talent for world-building I think comes from the sensory descriptions - the texture of a jumper, the taste of a drink, the richness of a voice, the sense of a space and the smell of a perfume are all given importance. But things are rarely over-described, making it feel like the storytelling is working with the reader’s own imagination.
Overall I think the diversity of the cast of characters was well done, bar a few missed opportunities for trans/nonbinary and better disability representation. Something I particularly noticed was that the main character’s mother is given a significant voice in the narrative, which is unusual in stories like this, and I appreciated it.
I’m really glad I listened to the audiobook; the cast is brilliant, and having different voices read different sections helps follow the flicks between times, people, places and books within books.
I should have been prepared by reading The Night Circus, but I forgot how the author creates a world for the reader to fall in love with before breaking it apart… and resolving the story in the most beautiful and satisfying way. I enjoyed spending so much time at the beginning of the book getting to know the main character and the beginnings of the many threads that later weave into the narrative. Then the second half became an un-put-down-able roller-coater ride!
Morgenstern’s talent for world-building I think comes from the sensory descriptions - the texture of a jumper, the taste of a drink, the richness of a voice, the sense of a space and the smell of a perfume are all given importance. But things are rarely over-described, making it feel like the storytelling is working with the reader’s own imagination.
Overall I think the diversity of the cast of characters was well done, bar a few missed opportunities for trans/nonbinary and better disability representation. Something I particularly noticed was that the main character’s mother is given a significant voice in the narrative, which is unusual in stories like this, and I appreciated it.
I’m really glad I listened to the audiobook; the cast is brilliant, and having different voices read different sections helps follow the flicks between times, people, places and books within books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Confinement, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
adventurous
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Pregnancy
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Loved the message of this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, Stalking
adventurous
challenging
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:
Yes
I was torn between whether or not to give this book 5 stars cause it's truly beautifully written, with all the appeal of the Night Circus but with far more charm and light-heartedness to break up the heavy tone.
Admittedly it's a somewhat challenging book to follow at times but I think that's on purpose. You're not meant to fully understand each part until it's brought together, particularly with the inconsistent chronology (that you may be familiar with from the Night Circus). Technically it's broken into 6 parts but in terms of tone and direction of the plot it has kind of 3 distinct parts that feel like somewhat separate narratives as Zachary moves from the surface, to the harbor, to the starless sea. </ spoiler>
I'll share a quote from the book that feels very self-aware, "Part spy movie, part fairy tale, part choose your own adventure. Epic branching story that doesn’t stick to a single genre or one set path and turns into different stories but it’s all the same story."
Admittedly it's a somewhat challenging book to follow at times but I think that's on purpose. You're not meant to fully understand each part until it's brought together, particularly with the inconsistent chronology (that you may be familiar with from the Night Circus). Technically it's broken into 6 parts but in terms of tone and direction of the plot it has kind of 3 distinct parts that feel like somewhat separate narratives
I'll share a quote from the book that feels very self-aware,
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts