The Starless Sea

by Erin Morgenstern
The Starless Sea cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Fantasy
Technical:
  • ID: 1080
  • Added: 2025-09-25
  • Updated: 2025-09-25
  • ISBN: 9781101971383
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Published: 2020-08-04
  • Formats: 17
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

Zachary Ezra Rawlins stumbles upon a mysterious book that contains a story from his own childhood, leading him on a quest to uncover its origins. His journey takes him to a secret underground world filled with pirates, painters, and lovers, where he discovers a hidden library guarded by those who have sacrificed much to protect it. /n/n As Zachary delves deeper into this magical realm, he encounters Mirabel, a fierce protector, and Dorian, a man with shifting allegiances. Together, they navigate the twisting tunnels and darkened stairwells, uncovering the purpose of the mysterious book and Zachary's own role in this enchanting world.

Reviews
Bluntly Bookish · 2025-02-16
mixed 3.50

The language and scenes are breathtaking, but the plot is overcomplicated and the characters underdeveloped. The intricate world-building is impressive, though it sometimes overshadows the story.

The reviewer was captivated by the stunning prose and vivid imagery in The Starless Sea, finding the descriptions truly breathtaking. They appreciated the intricate world-building and the immersive atmosphere the author created. However, they felt the plot was overly complex and at times confusing, which made it difficult to fully engage with the story. Additionally, the characters were not as developed as they could have been, which detracted from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the reviewer acknowledged the book's strengths in its language and creativity.

Quick quotes

    The language and scenes are breath-taking

    The plot was overcomplicated and hampered by the underdeveloped cast of characters

    The intricate world-building is impressive

NPR · 2019-11-03
enthusiastic 4.50

The book is a pleasure to dwell in, offering a delightful experience to dip in and out of. It is perfect for bedtime reading.

NPR's review emphasizes the sheer enjoyment of reading The Starless Sea, describing it as a pleasure to immerse oneself in. They found the book's narrative to be rich and engaging, making it an ideal choice for bedtime reading. The reviewer appreciated the way the story unfolds, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue that keeps the reader hooked. They also noted the book's beautiful prose and the way it weaves together multiple stories seamlessly. Overall, they found it to be a delightful and enchanting read.

Quick quotes

    It's a book that's a pleasure to dwell in

    A delicious experience to dip in and out of

    I took to only reading it before bed, because it felt like a cozy escape

The Guardian · 2019-11-01
positive 4.00

This is an artificial myth, constructed from the bones of skyscrapers, rather than a traditional fantasy novel. The unique narrative structure and imaginative world are praised.

The Guardian's review describes The Starless Sea as a unique and innovative work that defies traditional fantasy tropes. They likened it to an artificial myth, built from the framework of modern structures, which sets it apart from conventional storytelling. The reviewer admired the book's imaginative world and the way it blends different narrative styles. They found the reading experience to be captivating and unlike anything they had encountered before, highlighting the author's creativity and originality.

Quick quotes

    Rather than a traditional fantasy novel, this is an artificial myth in its own right

    Soldered together from the girders of skyscrapers

    A myth from the future

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