The Starless Sea

by Erin Morgenstern

Much like in my review of The Night Circus, I didn’t really know what to expect from The Starless Sea except that everyone was obsessed and excited for it. And, again, I expected it to grip me because a lot of people said they liked The Starless Sea better than The Night Circus, that they had a hard time putting it down.

I did not.

Now, I WAS more motivated and wanting to read it mid-read more than The Night Circus, but, again, I had no problem putting it down. It also was a slower read for me – but I’m guessing that’s just how my brain processes Erin Morgenstern’s style. Again, not a problem, just a note worth mentioning.

And, again, Erin Morgenstern’s style reads very “old fashioned” [still got the feeling I was reading a less-wordy Dickens], which is by no means a bad thing. But definitely don’t pick this book up expecting a more “modern” feel to the writing style, because you’ll end up disappointed and hating hating the book through no fault of the book’s content.

And, again, I didn’t feel as submerged in the story [I’ve since decided the best way to describe it is watching the book play out on the other side of a crystal-clear window – everything is easy to view and imagine, but you feel detached], but I felt MORE submerged in this than The Night Circus.

This time, there wasn’t an intentionally over-withheld amount of information. While there is still MORE intentionally withheld information, it’s about the amount you’d expect from this sort of story-line [sort of spoilers, feel free to read past my usual “spoiler warning line” for more info, if interested], and it didn’t detract at all from the story.

I’m also adding my recommendation note here: if you’re open to a norm-defying world written in an old fashioned writing style with the potential to feel separated from the characters/story, then definitely give this a go. [I know that hit a little sarcastically, but I meant it sincerely. It’s a good read, just not for everyone.]

[Gentle reminder that this review is spoiler review up until the spoiler alert. Then only read on if you’ve read the book or you don’t mind spoilers!]

This book is full of wonder and mystery from the beginning. There isn’t much the reader knows about in the first, say, 50ish pages. However, it doesn’t discourage the reader from wanting to learn more, to stick around to try to get to the bottom of the mysteries, to learn what they don’t know.

Zachary is an interested character. His flaws are pointed out through the book, keeping him as believable and realistic as possible. Many of the characters make mistakes throughout the book, but they manage to make the best of their situations [wherever possible].

Dorian is a multi-layered character that becomes more and more complicated as you read about him. There’s still some things about him left unknown at the end of the book, but these leftover mysteries don’t necessarily detract from his overall character arc, nor the overall enjoyment of the book.

Mirabel, however, is even more complicated, is not at all what she seems [not really, anyway], and her story is even deeper and more complicated than Dorian’s.

**SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT. DON’T READ FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT SPOILERS. DON’T BLAME ME IF YOU KEEP READING AND FIND SPOILERS. YOU’LL JUST GET UPSET FOR AN AVOIDABLE REASON.**

The love story between Zachary and Dorian seemed . . . lacking. There wasn’t much by the way of feelings being built – Dorian told Zachary a story while Zachary was blindfolded [and Zachary, at the time, didn’t know anything about Dorian, having never met him], then Dorian set Zachary up on a dangerous mission with very little to go on, and then spends very little time with him afterwards, but they have an incredibly deep connection and love story? That hits almost more like how teenagers feel about their first crushes/relationship even though they know almost nothing about them [more often than not].

Mirabel’s love story, however, comes across as a lot more believable and a lot deeper. There are stories and LIFETIMES she spends with the same man, always fighting to make that time the time they get to finally, truly be together. I support Mirabel and the Keeper more than I do Zachary and Dorian.

The prophecy story-line for this story was definitely an interesting new plot than the author did in The Night Circus. It explained some of the information withholding, making the little bit withheld feel more like a mystery than intentional withholding.

I do like the overall message that things have their time, but their time will always, eventually, come to an end. Or it’s evolve into something new, and that’s ok. The idea that everything wil always stay the same forever and that’s what you should want, while not exactly toxic, isn’t a great mindset to have. Rarely anything stays EXACTLY the same forever. That’s just not how life, or time, really works, not on things.

The destruction of the books throughout the book, though, hurts. I get that even they can’t escape the whole “things can’t stay exactly the same forever”, but damage or destruction to books will always hurt me.

I also have no idea where people were coming from, saying The Starless Sea is a prequel of sorts to The Night Circus. While they could be in the same universe, it’s equally likely that they aren’t. But maybe I just missed something.

Until next time, Vixens and Todds, be kind to each other and keep reading!