Erin Morgenstern

I always say that I don't really like fantasy but some authors are able to create a world that draws me in. I was charmed by Morgenstern's The Night Circus when I read it so I thought I'd take a chance on The Starless Sea. I'm so glad I did. I'm equally glad that I listened to the audiobook as the full cast of narrators did an excellent job of embodying the characters. (Narrators make such a difference to the success of an audiobook.)

Zachary Ezra Rawlins (always referred to by his full name) is a graduate student on a campus in the northeastern part of the US. His thesis involves reading many other books and while still on his Christmas break he finds a book called The Starless Sea in the library that the librarian can't find in their catalogue. Zachary takes it back to his room and reads the stories, one of which mirrors an experience he had as a child. He came upon a door in an alleyway that had just appeared there but, although he is intrigued, he decides not to open it. Now, as an adult he wonders what would have happened if he had as other stories in the book tell of a world hidden beneath the surface of Earth that is perhaps key to knowing what is going to happen in real life. Zachary follows clues to a party in a hotel in New York City where he meets a woman who perhaps comes from that hidden world. Although she disappears he finds more clues that lead him to a door which takes him to the Starless Sea. As he progresses through the underground world he meets others and uncovers more information but his way is thwarted by a mysterious woman who seems to want the underground world destroyed. It's a classic tale of good versus evil but nobody is entirely good or entirely evil. And, sooner or later, people have to leave the fantasy behind and emerge into the real world. But the journey is magical and for anyone who loves reading and books and libraries this journey is a dream come true.

This is also a romance for a number of characters meet their one true love while travelling through the underground world. Some of these loves are outside of the traditional male/female partnerships and that's lovely.… (more)

I received an advanced reader copy of A Starless Sea. It was beautiful written. The worlds described and the people who inhabited them were so well developed. Morgenstern is a master of description. And her narrative is genius and unique. But soon something began to feel familiar. Starless Sea followed the same formula of Night Circus. In between the chapter were descriptive passages - short stories - that felt very similar to the tents in Night Circus. It even has the same passive feeling, like the reader was watching throw Zachary’s eyes but in disconnected way. It felt like the narrator did not care at times. Just the basic facts were given very little emotion. When Morgenstern is describing something, this voice she uses, really appeals. You can see what she is talking about. It is like a painting. Still. A perfectly preserved moment. However when life, when movement was needed it could come across flat. This does not spoil the story in way. But I did put the book down several times so I could do something else as I was falling asleep. This is an LBGTQ book. Zachary was gay. This was not a conflict. It was as simple as the fact the starless sea had a harbor. I liked the way she included the courtships. It was just a part of the story, not the main arc. This is important because the story is about so much more. Morgenstern never lost sight of that and became caught up in the romance. This book is about finding life and joy. Love was a factor but not the solution. (Just like the Night Circus). Morgenstern has a very clear voice and strong view point. She has the skill to be a pillar in the Fantasy community. The second novel proves that she is not a one hit wonder but she will be around for a long time… (more)