I've been trying to type up a review that would properly express how much I connected with this book but the words just aren't there. What I CAN say is this "The Starless Sea" is beautifully written, achingly wistful, and just creates such a fascinating world of stories that really spoke to me in a multitude of ways. I can absolutely see how people wouldn't like this book; it's a bit weird, and it doesn't provide a bunch of upfront answers and conclusions, plus the narratives sort of hop all around at points. And I feel like that should annoy me but it didn't at all, and I loved that I almost didn't know what I was going to get when I turned the page. I really think certain books come to people at the right moment in their lives, and this was one of the books for me. ( )

I don't exactly remember what led me to read The Starless Sea, but that seems fitting. Perhaps I encountered a painted door of my own. That metaphor, which may not mean much to the uninitiated, is as poetic and amorphous as the beginning of the book. Morgenstern's fantasy has its sharp edges, evident from the violence and captivity described in the initial pages. But the wardrobe,
at least initially, does not quite lead to Narnia here, and we are better for it.

Zachary Ezra Rawlins, who is half-heartedly chipping away at a Master's degree in "Emerging Media,"would rather just read. He hides out in a Vermont college library during the term break, only to encounter a strange book that changes his life forever.

Yes, there are definitely Neverending Story tropes here, as well as Narnia tropes (the latter made transparent by the author), but Morgenstern weaves stories within stories that seem so distinctly unique yet familiar at the same time. This is, as Joseph Campbell recognized, the power of mythmaking--to hold on to the common themes, but dress them up in an unending variety of costumes. Most of the characters stay behind a gauzy curtain of mystery by necessity, but not without character development. Most endearing is Zachary's friend Kat, whose sense of humor and self-awareness provides moments of utter charm: "I accepted because mysterious ladies offering bourbon under the stars is very much my aesthetic" (464), she tells us, explaining her choices. Kat, notably, also gives a shout out to Campbell via a quip regarding the Hero's journey.

There were moments when the journey felt a bit too drawn out -- a choose-your-own-adventure without being able to choose, and being taken down every possible path. There are things--crucial things--that are never really explained, and that's part of the point. One doesn't mind so much, and comes to accept the truths of the novel as fantasy and reality begin to blur. Time and Fate are leading players in all worlds, it would seem. What we protect is not always what we love, and we don't always protect that which we do love. These are some of the wisdoms that Morgenstern reveals through paper stars, bees, owls, keys, and swords.

This is a book that will benefit from more than one reading, no doubt unearthing layers upon layers. It deserves to be savored, not rushed. And if you happen to like cats, you'll be an even more willing participant. ( )

I soooooo wanted to love this book like I loved "The Night Circus." I soooooooo want to support a novelist trying to follow up on her massively successful debut -- that has got to be so hard.

But about 200 pages in, I realized I really didn't care much for any of the characters. 300 pages in, I was ready to quit. The choppy narrative style, fuzzy character development, etc. were seeming more like a self-absorbed conceit.

Still, I was pretty sure if I stuck it out, the method to the madness (and long stretches of tedium) would be revealed. So I do respect and understand her ideas. And the paean to books throughout is lovely.

But.

I wish I had not discovered the connection between the story (-ies) and computer gaming, other than the mention early on that the main protagonist was a game creator in grad school (no spoiler here, not a big thing.). Because yeah, in the last quarter or so of the book, it feels like I am acid tripping in Leisure-Suit Larry or Space Quest.

I respect what she was doing. I bow to her HUGE artistry with words. But in the end it felt like an exercise in style over substance: affected and self-conscious. And desperately in need of a dispassionate, ruthless editor.

Glad I finished it, but a bit sorry I will never get those hours and hours and hours of my life back. I adored Night Circus, but can't in good conscience say more than huh. Well, alllll-righty then.

Final verdict: so terribly sad to say a hot mess of "Meh.."
( )

1 word to describe this book.....Beautiful. ( )

A modern fairy tale and exploration of stories. This book is soaked in the honey of symbolic metaphors. I can see where this book is not for everyone, but those that enjoy it will be very pleased. ( )