The Starless Sea

by Erin Morgenstern

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

The Starless Sea was a book worth waiting for.

The beautiful worldbuilding made me fall in love with The Night Circus despite the slow pacing because it was a world I wanted to be pulled into, to exist within the book’s pages because it is a beautiful place, if somewhat tragic at times. The Starless Sea has that same magical aesthetic. Even after having read it, I feel as though there are so many mor doors to open, so many more paths to walk. It is ripe for a retread, because the Harbor is not a place that can be experienced in one visit. It’s layered and complicated and I love love love it.

Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a likable enough character, his passion is subtle and confusion is sweet. There’s not a lot of fire to the character, but that’s okay, because not all characters can be fiery and dangerous. Sometimes it is the quiet introverts who need an adventure, and they are uncommon protagonists in a book this sized so… I liked it. I liked Zachary and I liked all the small details about him like that his default cocktail is a sidecar and that “It’s dangerous to go alone” from The Legend of Zelda pops in his head every time the next leg of his adventure is about to begin.

Erin Morgenstern’s characters are so bright and perfect that I was just disappointed I couldn’t learn more of all of them. I want the pirate’s story, and more of Eleanor, and where has Simon been all these years? And more than everyone else combine, I wanted to follow Kat and learn the rest of her story, because it seemed to be just beginning.

I think that’s a lot of what I loved about The Starless Sea, and about The Night Circus too… they leave me bubbly and happy and wanting more.

Also? I absolutely adored all the pop culture and video game references. I’m not a proper gamer, but I do indulge and I caught quite a few gaming references as well as various other pop culture references and they’re peppered in perfectly. Pop culture can accent a book, but shouldn’t be too garish or it will date the book. I don’t think that will happen in this case. I admire Erin Morgenstern’s craft – I really do. She’s subtle and clever and every word feels so deliberate. I’m in constant awe.

While it is not problematic for me, I do feel responsible to talk about the pacing. The Starless Sea is very slow paced. For those who delight in breathing in the characters and the setting and honey-dipped aesthetics, the pace is perfectly fine. If you’re looking for something more along the lines of traditional rising action, peak, falling action, and tidy resolution… you won’t find it here. Many things are interpretive and this novel delights in metaphor. It is the type of book that is meant to be read slowly and enjoyed but if that isn’t your thing, I’m afraid that you will be a bit bored.

All in all I am so happy with this long awaited second novel from Erin Morgenstern and I am very much looking forward to digging back in someday and delving deeper into the world and analyzing the details and losing myself in her beautiful writing. I respect that The Starless Sea will not work for everyone, but this book is very much my aesthetic and I through enjoyed the journey.