Book Review: Dive Into The Enchanting World of The Starless Sea

“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. ” ~ THE STARLESS SEA

There are some books which leave me speechless after I finish reading it. I was in a trance and didn’t have any words to express what I was feeling when I was done with The Starless Sea. I still don’t think I can do justice by writing a review for this book because I’m going to struggle in putting my thoughts into words. Nevertheless, I will try.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

Zachary Ezra Rowlins is a graduate student, writing a thesis on video games. He spends his free time reading and accidentally finds his own childhood story inscribed in a mysterious book Sweet Sorrows which he borrows from the uni library. Though entranced by stories of pirates, acolytes, and key collectors, he is bewildered and is trying to make sense of how his own life was recorded in the book that is older than he is.

Zachary finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into a labyrinthine collection of tunnels and rooms filled with stories- The Starless Sea. He uncovers a series of clues –
a bee,
a key,
and a sword
and now he has to open his door! The fierce pink-haired painter Mirabel and the handsome Dorian changes the course of his life. As they venture deeper into 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.

Review of The Starless Sea:

Believe me, the blurb or synopsis doesn’t give you an idea of the story. It is much more than that. It is magical, it is enchanting! It is an experience that will challenge and change you in ways that you never imagined.

Erin Morgenstern’s writing style is unparalleled. The book hooked me from the word go and when I say I finished this book in about 14 hours, you’d know what I mean. A humongous book of 500 pages, this is something you should take time to savor. But all I did was dive straight into her magical story.

I’ll admit that I couldn’t make head or tail of it when I started reading The Starless Sea. It sort of, began as a collection of short stories only that it made me ponder. Things fall in place eventually and you’d heave a sigh.

I had goosebumps and I teared up. I wished I could live in Morgenstern’s imagination for a while.

There are stories about Fate and Time, The Owl King, Swordsmiths, Pirates, the Sun and the Moon. When you pick up this book, be on the lookout for the story ‘The Inn At The Edge of the World‘. I had goosebumps and I teared up. I wished I could live in Morgenstern’s imagination for a while. It was truly beautiful. It was like dreaming with your eyes open, like being in a daze.

This is a book for book lovers. All the literary references, even Harry Potter and Narnia will make you go aww. It’s a book about books, bookshelves, (coffee and croissants), magical doors, and escapism. It oozes warmth. It feels like home.

“How are you feeling? Zachary asks. “Like I’m losing my mind but in a slow, achingly beautiful sort of way.”

The prose is lyrical with similes and analogies. You’d have to give your everything while reading this book. I’d even say, that you should be in a particular zone to enjoy a story like this. With intertwining short stories and even characters, you need the patience to get through with this. There are things that are still not clear to me as the book is rich with metaphors. I’m hoping to listen to the audiobook the next time because I’d really love to get to the bottom of it.

That said, my only criticism is I was left wanting for more. Maybe it’s a good thing. More romance and more everything. I hope there is a sequel to the book. Fingers crossed!

Have you read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern?

Favorite Lines from The Starless Sea

I probably should quote the entire book because it truly is, out of the world.

1. “We are all stardust and stories.”
2. “It is easier to be in love in a room with closed doors. To have the whole world in one room. One person. The universe condensed and intensified and burning, bright and alive and electric.”
3. “Important things hurt sometimes.”
4. “I love you but I will not sit here and wait for this story to change. I am going to make it change.”
5. “Anything is for girls.”
6. “Be brave,” she says. “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.”
7. “Reading a book four times in one day is perfectly normal behavior.”
8. “Everyone wants the stars. Everyone wishes to grasp that which exists out of reach. To hold the extraordinary in their hands and keep the remarkable in their pockets.”

Do I Recommend? Yes!! It’s filled with myth, mystery, adventure, and fairytales. However, you’d either love this with all your heart and soul or you won’t.

5 Paws on 5

Yes! This is the first 5-star read of the decade! Hurray!

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Read for #ReadingWithMuffy 2020 Monthly Reading Challenge | Prompt (Additional): A Book sent by The Big Book Box
PopSugar Reading Challenge: Prompt: At least a four-star rating on Goodreads

That’s all for now, folks! I’d love to hear from you. Have you got your first 5-star read of the decade?