The Starless Sea

[A Quick Note: I’ve had this book on my shelf for ages. I ended up reading The Night Circus first, which is Morgenstern’s first book. I can now say this author writes masterpieces. They’re geared towards a reader who wants something different, so proceed with caution!]

“𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞. 𝐈𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.” —Erin Morgenstern

A story about stories that celebrates books?!? Where do I sign up?

I loved the Starless Sea. It’s the most refreshing read I’ve encountered in a while. I know it’s got mixed reviews and isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (hence the quote I picked). Proceed with caution because this one will make you WORK for it. Personally, I ADORED it, even though the beginning made me slightly nervous. Like the Night Circus, it’s a story that builds and builds; there’s a bit of patience involved. The author hands you random puzzle pieces. You get to look at each one in depth, study and understand it, but it’s your job to figure out where those pieces go.

Isn’t that the whole fun of it?

Besides the uniqueness of storytelling, the actual story was beautiful. The idea that Fate and Time are doomed to repeat the same ending over and over, ripped apart, never allowed to be together forever? Their love is tested repeatedly, and eventually, they find a way to rewrite their ending. There are books within books. Stories within stories. Parallels and metaphors and analogies. THIS BOOK IS A BOOK LOVERS DREAM. It’s all about how stories must change in order to be meaningful. There are tons of pop culture references, as it’s set in modern day times (contrary to the Night Circus). I wasn’t sure I’d like that, but most of the book is spent in an underground fantasy world anyway.

Speaking of…

The world building was creative and beautiful. It swept me off my feet and transported me to a ream of caves that become an infinite number of rooms created from your wildest dreams. There are library rooms, ballrooms, a dollhouse room, a cafe, cozy reading nooks, hallways upon hallways with secret doors (lots of doors!), and entire cities!!! It’s all there, found within the many harbors of the starless sea.

What, exactly is the Starless Sea? Well, my friend, that’s all part of the journey. I’d be spoiling it if I told you. But I can say it’s magnificent! And even a little…SWEET (pun intended!)

This is a book I need to read a second time. I’m still a little confused about things. How can I be confused but still love it?? Huh. Mostly because there is SO MUCH detail to hold on to. But that means that reading it a second or even a third time means peeling back layers I didn’t spot the first time.

𝐌𝐘 𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝟓/𝟓⭐️