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A review by legs_n_chins
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-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
4.75
The Night Circus is my favorite book, so sight unseen this was already an easy sell. I love Morgenstern’s writing style and the way she describes such vivid settings and crafts her world are things that really appeal to me.
That said, this book took a little longer to convince me than The Night Circus. I wasn’t absorbed quite as quickly and I’m still not entirely certain I loved Zachary as the main character. Maybe because the characters were a bit less central than the ones in The Night Circus. I went in expecting something more tied to characters but, understandably, this isn’t tied to the characters as much as the story and setting itself.
In the end, I still came away breathless and smiling. I was thoroughly absorbed once I came around to the halfway point and I definitely got properly emotional in multiple places. It was thrilling and wonderful to read. The world building was really gorgeous, and I think anywhere where I felt there might’ve been holes or incomplete thoughts, I was satisfied knowing that maybe there didn’t need to be answers to everything. The mystery of everything that was happing was really fun, too. I liked not even knowing if I was supposed to be searching for answers or clues and it certainly kept me turning the pages.
This was definitely more narrative-driven than The Night Circus (though I hesitate to call it plot-driven just because there’s not really an obvious plot to point to in the strictest of terms) and for me it really, really worked. I would’ve liked more depth in the characters, but I understand where it maybe isn’t entirely necessary since the point of the characters was only to play a role in the story if not have a story unto themselves.
I really loved the folding and combining of the different stories, how Morgenstern wove all the narratives together and broken them apart. I like how it was all entwined and linked, but also separate. I loved being able to discover who was who in the stories and put names to characters and characters to times and places. It was very satisfying to be able to link things myself and still have surprises along the way. And even still, I feel like I have to reread this a few more times to actually pick up on everything!
Understandably, not for everyone, but it hit all my buttons and I was utterly enamored by it.
Also it was trippy as fuck to see my name as one of these characters lmao.
That said, this book took a little longer to convince me than The Night Circus. I wasn’t absorbed quite as quickly and I’m still not entirely certain I loved Zachary as the main character. Maybe because the characters were a bit less central than the ones in The Night Circus. I went in expecting something more tied to characters but, understandably, this isn’t tied to the characters as much as the story and setting itself.
In the end, I still came away breathless and smiling. I was thoroughly absorbed once I came around to the halfway point and I definitely got properly emotional in multiple places. It was thrilling and wonderful to read. The world building was really gorgeous, and I think anywhere where I felt there might’ve been holes or incomplete thoughts, I was satisfied knowing that maybe there didn’t need to be answers to everything. The mystery of everything that was happing was really fun, too. I liked not even knowing if I was supposed to be searching for answers or clues and it certainly kept me turning the pages.
This was definitely more narrative-driven than The Night Circus (though I hesitate to call it plot-driven just because there’s not really an obvious plot to point to in the strictest of terms) and for me it really, really worked. I would’ve liked more depth in the characters, but I understand where it maybe isn’t entirely necessary since the point of the characters was only to play a role in the story if not have a story unto themselves.
I really loved the folding and combining of the different stories, how Morgenstern wove all the narratives together and broken them apart. I like how it was all entwined and linked, but also separate. I loved being able to discover who was who in the stories and put names to characters and characters to times and places. It was very satisfying to be able to link things myself and still have surprises along the way. And even still, I feel like I have to reread this a few more times to actually pick up on everything!
Understandably, not for everyone, but it hit all my buttons and I was utterly enamored by it.
Also it was trippy as fuck to see my name as one of these characters lmao.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, and Stalking
There’s some themes along the lines of questioning reality or there being multiple realities. Can be a bit mind-bendy.