Join a book club that is reading The Starless Sea: A Novel!
The Starless Sea: A Novel
NATIONAL BESTSELLER - From the bestselling author of The Night Circus, a timeless love story set in a secret underground world--a place of pirates, painters, lovers, liars, and ships that sail upon a starless sea.
Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a mysterious book hidden in the stacks. As he turns the pages, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, and nameless acolytes, he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood. Bewildered by this inexplicable book and desperate to make sense of how his own life came to be recorded, Zachary uncovers a series of clues--a bee, a key, and a sword--that lead him to a masquerade party in New York, to a secret club, and through a doorway to an ancient library hidden far below the surface of the earth. What Zachary finds in this curious place is more than just a buried home for books and their guardians--it is a place of lost cities and seas, lovers who pass notes under doors and across time, and of stories whispered by the dead. Zachary learns of those who have sacrificed much to protect this realm, relinquishing their sight and their tongues to preserve this archive, and also of those who are intent on its destruction. Together with Mirabel, a fierce, pink-haired protector of the place, and Dorian, a handsome, barefoot man with shifting alliances, Zachary travels the twisting tunnels, darkened stairwells, crowded ballrooms, and sweetly soaked shores of this magical world, discovering his purpose--in both the mysterious book and in his own life.
Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a mysterious book hidden in the stacks. As he turns the pages, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, and nameless acolytes, he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood. Bewildered by this inexplicable book and desperate to make sense of how his own life came to be recorded, Zachary uncovers a series of clues--a bee, a key, and a sword--that lead him to a masquerade party in New York, to a secret club, and through a doorway to an ancient library hidden far below the surface of the earth. What Zachary finds in this curious place is more than just a buried home for books and their guardians--it is a place of lost cities and seas, lovers who pass notes under doors and across time, and of stories whispered by the dead. Zachary learns of those who have sacrificed much to protect this realm, relinquishing their sight and their tongues to preserve this archive, and also of those who are intent on its destruction. Together with Mirabel, a fierce, pink-haired protector of the place, and Dorian, a handsome, barefoot man with shifting alliances, Zachary travels the twisting tunnels, darkened stairwells, crowded ballrooms, and sweetly soaked shores of this magical world, discovering his purpose--in both the mysterious book and in his own life.
BUY THE BOOK
These clubs recently read this book...
Community Reviews
I enjoyed The Night Circus a lot, so when I heard Morgenstern had written another book, I was excited. I was also worried that this book would not be able to match the magicality of her previous one, but I think I ended up enjoying The Starless Sea even more than The Night Circus.
The book had an Arabian Nights feel to it, all the stories and storytellers weaving in and out of each other. I agree that if you really like your books to have a strong plot, this isn't the book for you. While some reviews have criticized this as making the book too confusing and/or boring, I actually think it added to the story. One character even says in the book
I believe Morgenstern purposely wanted this story to have a steady pace by bringing in the quotidian. Additionally, the jumping around of the stories really brought the time-jumping aspect of the story to the reader.
I agree the descriptions were sometimes a bit heavy and overly done, but I think the detail adds to the magical feeling of the book. I liked the characters, and I enjoyed putting together all the pieces of the puzzle as I made my way through. Not everything gets fully explained, but I like it better that way because it didn't feel like she tried to jam too much exposition into the ending. Overall, I definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves fairy tales, and I'll be adding this to my reread list.
The book had an Arabian Nights feel to it, all the stories and storytellers weaving in and out of each other. I agree that if you really like your books to have a strong plot, this isn't the book for you. While some reviews have criticized this as making the book too confusing and/or boring, I actually think it added to the story. One character even says in the book
âYou know how you have real-life time versus story time, how stories leave out the boring bits and condense so much? A long-form RPG has some substance to it, leaves time to wander the desert or have a conversation or hang out in a pub. It might not be the closest thing to real life but pacing-wise it's closer than a movie or a TV show or a novel.â
I believe Morgenstern purposely wanted this story to have a steady pace by bringing in the quotidian. Additionally, the jumping around of the stories really brought the time-jumping aspect of the story to the reader.
I agree the descriptions were sometimes a bit heavy and overly done, but I think the detail adds to the magical feeling of the book. I liked the characters, and I enjoyed putting together all the pieces of the puzzle as I made my way through. Not everything gets fully explained, but I like it better that way because it didn't feel like she tried to jam too much exposition into the ending. Overall, I definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves fairy tales, and I'll be adding this to my reread list.
Great writing, great premise. I am TOTALLY confused by the ending. One side of my brain understands the other side does not. But I did enjoy the mystical and rich ride of the writing. I will likely understand better the next time I read it.
Too many books, too little time. So thank you, but bye & next. We waited 10 years for this?!? Had such high hopes. Thereâs barely a plot, itâs soooo drawn out (and not in a good tantric sex way) and I discovered 50% in I just donât care. Would I like to know what happens to Ezra? Sure. But Iâm not willing to invest anymore time into finding out. Lots of great artists and authors have a sophomore slump. Tarttâs The Little Friend was ho hum compared to The Secret History and then she roared back with The Goldfinch. This reader will patiently wait for Morgensternâs 3rd attempt.
Great imagery but towards the middle, it was too dragged out. Strong beginning, faltering middle and confusing but satisfying conclusion.
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.