The Starless Sea

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Author: Erin Morgenstern

Published: November 5th, 2019

Pages: 498

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Far beneath the surface of the earth, upon the shores of the Starless Sea, there is a labyrinthine collection of tunnels and rooms filled with stories. The entryways that lead to this sanctuary are often hidden, sometimes on forest floors, sometimes in private homes, sometimes in plain sight. But those who seek will find. Their doors have been waiting for them.

Zachary Ezra Rawlins is searching for his door, though he does not know it. He follows a silent siren song, an inexplicable knowledge that he is meant for another place. When he discovers a mysterious book in the stacks of his campus library he begins to read, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, lost cities, and nameless acolytes. Suddenly a turn of the page brings Zachary to a story from his own childhood impossibly written in this book that is older than he is.

A bee, a key, and a sword emblazoned on the book lead Zachary to two people who will change the course of his life: Mirabel, a fierce, pink-haired painter, and Dorian, a handsome, barefoot man with shifting alliances. These strangers guide Zachary through masquerade party dances and whispered back room stories to the headquarters of a secret society where doorknobs hang from ribbons, and finally through a door conjured from paint to the place he has always yearned for. Amid twisting tunnels filled with books, gilded ballrooms, and wine-dark shores Zachary falls into an intoxicating world soaked in romance and mystery. But a battle is raging over the fate of this place and though there are those who would willingly sacrifice everything to protect it, there are just as many intent on its destruction. As Zachary, Mirabel, and Dorian venture deeper into the space and its histories and myths, searching for answers and each other, a timeless love story unspools, casting a spell of pirates, painters, lovers, liars, and ships that sail upon a Starless Sea.

My Review:

We are all stardust and stories.”

I admit I’ve never read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern before, and after reading The Starless Sea I might have to. I did hear through the reviewer grape vine that The Starless sea was a good book to listen to as an audio, so I purchased it. I did enjoy the audio, but I think I will purchase the real book for a re-read. One of the main narrators for the audio book had a bit of a monotone voice which made the narrative seem boring and slow at times.

Be brave…Be bold. Be loud. Never change for anyone but yourself. Any soul worth their star-stuff will take the whole package as is and however it grows. Don’t waste your time on anyone who doesn’t believe you when you tell them how you feel.”

I really loved Zachary Ezra Rawlins, the main character. He was so introspective and sweet. I liked that he battled his depression by diving into books. One of my favorite side characters was Eleanor, and I enjoyed her and Simon’s romantic side story. I also really liked Zachary’s friend Kat who refused to give up on him until the end.

The descriptions of the scenery as the story progressed from one scene to another were amazing. The dresses, the dancing, and the music were described in great detail. Then we would be transported to book mazes, ships, and snow covered Inns. I could almost feel the wind and the freezing snow on my face as I read.

Strange, isn’t it? To love a book. When the words on the pages become so precious that they feel like part of your own history because they are.”

This was a book within a book and stories within a story, I’ve never read anything like it. The writing was poetic and entrancing. I was transported to this fairy tale like world containing mysterious books and secret libraries, and honestly I did not want to leave. This story was a book lover’s dream come true, and it’s hard to describe how it was lovely and confusing at the same time. After I was done my mind was spinning in circles, but I will be glad to do a re-read soon. I’m sure even after a few re-reads I will still be a bit confused, but happy. I highly recommend this one to all book worms out there looking to get lost for a while in The Starless Sea.

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this review. However, if you click on my link and end up buying the book Amazon will pay me a small fee. Thank you for supporting a small blog like mine 🙂