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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
I had no idea what to expect when going in to search for The Starless Sea. The Night Circus was my favorite book, and gave a beautiful introduction to Morgenstern's writing style. Where as, The Starless Sea, ramped it up by an 8 year difference in release and MAN, what a difference it makes.
The poetic, metaphoric way she unravels the story feels unrivaled to me. The story itself leaves so much to interpretation that it's a true ode to storytelling as an artistic medium. When choosing to pick up this book, be aware it can feel disorienting at times, but the meaning is what you make of the pieces along the way. It does not hold your hand.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, as well. I loved how Intelligent and quick witted Zachary is. He felt extremely human and relatable. As someone who falls down the rabbit hole of books and binge reads, I felt heard and understood with all the trails he followed. Dorian was a delight - hesitant, mysterious, and sure footed when he knew he was right about something. The entire cast you meet along the way were perfect for the role they played.
I attempted to read this book a few years ago, but my reading stamina was low. I'm thankful I didn't try to trudge through it then because it would have tarnished how much I felt for this. I'm thankful I picked it up now, and I plan on reading it again.
Not only was it satisfying to read, but the physical book itself has a much different texture than other books I've read. The paper is thin, and creates a dense book. Very happy to have a tangible, pleasant book to turn pages in.
This is a book that will easily require a few read throughs to see multiple sides of the same stories, and to me, that makes a lovely tale.
The poetic, metaphoric way she unravels the story feels unrivaled to me. The story itself leaves so much to interpretation that it's a true ode to storytelling as an artistic medium. When choosing to pick up this book, be aware it can feel disorienting at times, but the meaning is what you make of the pieces along the way. It does not hold your hand.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, as well. I loved how Intelligent and quick witted Zachary is. He felt extremely human and relatable. As someone who falls down the rabbit hole of books and binge reads, I felt heard and understood with all the trails he followed. Dorian was a delight - hesitant, mysterious, and sure footed when he knew he was right about something. The entire cast you meet along the way were perfect for the role they played.
I attempted to read this book a few years ago, but my reading stamina was low. I'm thankful I didn't try to trudge through it then because it would have tarnished how much I felt for this. I'm thankful I picked it up now, and I plan on reading it again.
Not only was it satisfying to read, but the physical book itself has a much different texture than other books I've read. The paper is thin, and creates a dense book. Very happy to have a tangible, pleasant book to turn pages in.
This is a book that will easily require a few read throughs to see multiple sides of the same stories, and to me, that makes a lovely tale.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence
This is a story about stories and literally getting into the stories. There is so much happening and I knew it was all interrelated. I marveled at how it all came together. I loved the stories in the books. The Starless Sea itself was surprising. Imaginative storytelling.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Idk if I’ll ever love a book like this where it’s more about vibes and ambience than a discernible plot with characters
First let me be very clear: I ABSOLUTELY LOVED “The Night Circus.” It was, for the longest time, my favorite book. I still tell everyone to read it.
You can imagine how excited I was to read this book. It started out with the most beautiful voice (I did audio book) and I was thrilled…. Then the POV changed. As did the voice. Ok? I though. Parallel POVs?
Then it got….CONFUSING. CONVOLUTED. COMPLICATED.
I couldn’t keep up. It was beautifully written but I didn’t understand. I haven’t actually seen the movie Inception, but this is like a story within a story outside of another story? I don’t event know.
And it was long. So so long. If I could have understood the MANY plot lines maybe it wouldn’t have felt long. I wanted to quit but my friend convinced me to finished. I can’t say “I’m
Glad I did” because I still don’t get it. I don’t know the point of the plot lines. I don’t feel like there was any resolution… I don’t know. I didn’t like it. I would not attempt to read/listen to it again. I would recommend it only so someone could explain it to me.
It kills me to not like the book given how I much I loved her first book. Maybe if I have read the physical copy? Who knows.
You can imagine how excited I was to read this book. It started out with the most beautiful voice (I did audio book) and I was thrilled…. Then the POV changed. As did the voice. Ok? I though. Parallel POVs?
Then it got….CONFUSING. CONVOLUTED. COMPLICATED.
I couldn’t keep up. It was beautifully written but I didn’t understand. I haven’t actually seen the movie Inception, but this is like a story within a story outside of another story? I don’t event know.
And it was long. So so long. If I could have understood the MANY plot lines maybe it wouldn’t have felt long. I wanted to quit but my friend convinced me to finished. I can’t say “I’m
Glad I did” because I still don’t get it. I don’t know the point of the plot lines. I don’t feel like there was any resolution… I don’t know. I didn’t like it. I would not attempt to read/listen to it again. I would recommend it only so someone could explain it to me.
It kills me to not like the book given how I much I loved her first book. Maybe if I have read the physical copy? Who knows.
4 Stars • Zachary Ezra Rawlins, a graduate student, finds a mysterious book containing a story from his childhood, leading him to the Starless Sea—a magical underground library of stories. With allies like Dorian and Mirabel, he explores this labyrinthine realm, uncovering nested tales of pirates and bees, and facing threats to its existence. As he navigates love, fate, and storytelling, Zachary must decide the library’s future and his place within it. The novel is a dreamy, intricate ode to the power of narratives.
#TheStarlessSea #ErinMorgenstern #Bookish
#TheStarlessSea #ErinMorgenstern #Bookish
Keep in mind that I listened to this, and the performance was really good, so that may have influenced my feelings about it. I don't think so, though. Even though the premise is totally crazy and the story (actually stories) move all over the place, I thought it was really fun and very well done.
I loved the book, and then I could not wait for it to end. The story just kept going and going and going...
It was frustrating and what the heck was all of it for?
It was frustrating and what the heck was all of it for?