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Starless Sea
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
From the New York Times 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 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.
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review
Sparklemn
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Pickpick

I really liked this book but agree with other posters that there were repetitive sections that could have been chopped. One recommendation if you do read it -- pay attention to the fables and fairy tales that are interspersed with the main story line as they do have meaning later on in the book!

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BookBr
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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New book for the new year! Back at the office, reading on the lunch hour. A bright spot in the day😊

9 likes1 stack add
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encinarus
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
Pickpick

I liked this but... I think it won't be for everyone. The narrative in this took a while to come together and even after it did I'm not sure all the story lines ended up having a satisfying conclusion. If they did, I didn't entirely understand them. I read this after the night circus and this has a much weirder narrative.

Still enjoyed it, I liked Zach and Dorian and Mirabel and the nested stories woven throughout.

emz711 I've reread so many times! Find something new each time 1y
4 likes1 comment
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merelybookish
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Judgy kitty in a puzzle box. 😼(Toggling between audio and print hoping to get this book finished by tomorrow night.)

vivastory How is it going for you? 2y
merelybookish @vivastory There are some aspects I enjoy and other things I find irritating. I feel like I could slash 50-100 pages easily. 🙃 But I'm invested to see how it ends now. 2y
vivastory I agree that it did feel repetitive in places. Glad to hear it's tolerable for you. 2y
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LeahBergen How does Kitty enjoy being Canadian? 😆 2y
merelybookish @vivastory Yes repetitive. And self indulgent in places. 2y
merelybookish @LeahBergen Loves it. Although misses the shopping. Or maybe that's me. 😂 2y
RaeLovesToRead I love judgy box kitty! 😄 2y
LeahBergen 😆😆 2y
merelybookish @RaeLovesToRead He's actually not that judgy but looks it in this pic. 2y
readordierachel Too funny 😹 2y
75 likes1 stack add10 comments
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merelybookish
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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I have two IRL book club meetings this weekend. Both books are 400+ pages. And I haven't finished either yet. 😬
But their covers go together well!

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Close on either? 2y
merelybookish @Riveted_Reader_Melissa The Hurston is a collection of essays. I've read some but not quite a respectable number yet. I'm about 200 pages into the other one. And kind of hate it. 🤣 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Then ditch the one you hate…not worth your time to finish it. Sorry book club, not sorry…your time is too valuable to waste on a book you hate. 2y
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merelybookish @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Well I'm definitely close to the skim stage. But this is my first time going and it's an old friend who invited me...so feeling some pressure not to be a bad book club member...on my first night. 😆 2y
vivastory I liked Starless Sea, but it doesn't seem like your cup of tea 😂 2y
merelybookish @vivastory You would be correct sir! 😆 2y
Leftcoastzen @merelybookish @vivastory This is a conundrum, I respect both of you for your taste in books , this is on the TBR mountain but I keep having a hunch it‘s a little to magical for my taste? 2y
merelybookish @Leftcoastzen I read her previous book (Night Circus) and liked it. This is very conceptual. Stories within stories within stories. I find it a bit much. Reminds me of 2y
vivastory @Leftcoastzen I'm not sure if you would like it or not...🤔 It's very whimsical & I can see Morgenstern's brand of whimsy being a bit too much. I do think it's a good fall/winter book. I would never read it in the summer fwiw. 2y
kspenmoll Sounds like neither book is for you. It feels like a chore then. Maybe others in the cub won‘t like them either. 2y
merelybookish @kspenmoll I find the Hurston interesting actually and enjoy her style. But it's not a book you can just plough through. But definitely find the other quite irritating so will be curious how others respond. 2y
sarahbarnes Here‘s to a few days of productive reading! 😂 2y
merelybookish @sarahbarnes Haha yes. Lots of cramming! 2y
91 likes13 comments
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HettyG
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Pickpick

Finally finished! I can def understand the criticism that the book is too long, but I still liked it. It‘s very meta, a story teller who tells a story about a story featuring a teller of stories, like that. But I liked thinking about stories and story tellers and whether or not the story tellers are bound by their craft to include an end to the story. Maybe they aren‘t, maybe stories live, like all of us, in the middle. The in-between.

7 likes1 stack add
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HettyG
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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There are certain kinds of books that boldly grab your hand and ask you to follow them into nonsense. My experience with this kind of book is that it will either work or it won‘t with nary a spot of in-between. (The chronicles of narnia, for example, are books of this kind that were never able to pull me in). This one works for me, I can‘t imagine any of this coming into order but I‘m still following along in dark corridors with a smile

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HettyG
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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My weekend audio book, I‘m really enjoying it so far, although judging from the reviews it is not for everyone. all the literary references and nods to other authors are fun, although I‘m sure I‘m not catching all of them. #weekendaudiobook

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galueth28
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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4% in, and this is becoming delightfully meta ❤

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Cathyloves2read
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
Pickpick

I loved this book. I didn‘t love this book. Such mixed feelings! It was beautifully written. What an imagination this author has! No offense, but I am thinking that her imagination had to have been a little “chemically enhanced”. I‘m not sure if this book would be for everyone, it was a tough read! You had to pay attention, and even then so much of the story Is up to interpretation. All in all, I am better for having read this story.

lynneamch Ha! I haven't read it, but I saw her speak at Politics & Prose when visiting DC. I had to laugh at your comment, because she did talk about how much she enjoys gin. 😁 3y
12 likes1 comment
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Ash.on.the.line
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Panpan

Been working on this for awhile. This is completely me on this one. I didn‘t like The Night Circus and I didn‘t like this. The story didn‘t flow for me and I barely knew what was going on. It was my LibraryThing Christmas book and I knew it most likely wasn‘t for me. Some parts were interesting but overall I just didn‘t like it.at least it‘s done. #bookspinbingo

Laughterhp Oh no! I just bought this one used but haven‘t tried it yet. But I loved the Night Circus. 3y
Moonprismpower Agreed. Listened to this one. I kept hoping it would get more plot. But this is one of those literary book without much plot. The descriptions were pretty abut the ending was so vague. That can be frustrating. (edited) 3y
Soubhiville @Laughterhp don‘t worry, if you liked Night Circus you‘re Golden. This is one of my favorite books, and I loved both of them. 3y
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emz711 Nooo! I know it's tough but it's one of my favorite books! Audiobook may have helped 3y
Ash.on.the.line @Laughterhp I think those that enjoyed the Night Circus will like it as @Soubhiville said. Beautiful descriptions but not enough for me. Hopefully you love it! (edited) 3y
Ash.on.the.line @Moonprismpower Yes, definitely needed a plot to follow. I truly forgot the main characters name at one point ha! Beautiful writing. 3y
Ash.on.the.line @emz711 I might give audio a try. I think her writing style just isn‘t for me. I didn‘t like the Night Circus either. Still audio might help 😊 3y
36 likes7 comments
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BookBosomed1
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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“...and wonders how, exactly, he is supposed to continue a story he didn‘t know he was in.” Happy Caturday.

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Bookish.SAM
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Panpan

SO disappointed with this read 😫 I wanted to love this, and in the beginning thought it was such a magical book lovers book. I started with the #audio (eventually flipped to print) and the narration supported that mystical vibe but then it just spiraled, spewing a (limited) word salad of 🔑 🐝 🗡 📖 👑 🪶 ❤️ 🌙 🌞 🍯 ⭐️ 🌊 ad nauseam feeling like the author didn‘t know where to go next. Concept was intriguing, so much potential, but just flopped.

ReadingOver50 Too bad, I really enjoyed this book 3y
FantasyChick I ended up DNFing this one. I can see why some people love it but it definitely didn't hold my interest at all 3y
32 likes2 comments
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CharlesSwann
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
Bailedbailed

Note: I read Tbe Night Circus, found it very enjoyable. Recommend highly.
*This* book, however, is a rambling mess. Starts out interesting: vast secret library reachable through secret doors, stories within stories, evil secret societies... but unravels 1/2 way through. Too many symbols, then more symbols. I do not want to hear about bees, keys, and swords!!! Stop!!! Threw it down in disgust when I finished.....

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bluestocking.book.nerd
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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I hope they never try to put this book on the big screen because they will NEVER do it justice. #booknerdreads

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bluestocking.book.nerd
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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I love thrifting...

4 likes2 stack adds
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mamawray
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
Pickpick

I have never read a more unique story. In a strange way it was like reading a french braid - staring with a few stories, picking up new stories and details along the way, just as new strands combine with others to create a more cohesive story. I enjoyed journeying through the Harbors of the Starless Sea and look forward to future adventures.

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Esmerelda1rm
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Mehso-so

Finished this book today and I‘m still not sure how I feel about it. It was beautifully written with rich details and language however I have absolutely no Idea what the plot was. It felt like the story ended half way through but the characters didn‘t get the memo so they just kept going for another 250 pages. It had an “Alice in Wonderland” vibe.

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BarkingMadRead
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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I don‘t think I‘ll finish another book today, so here are my September Reads. So many good books this month!

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BarkingMadRead
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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#booked2020 Summer edition! This is the first time I didn‘t finish, I never found a YA book by a POC, but I‘ll keep an eye out and try to read one before the year is out. Starless Sea has white type on the cover, Witch Hunt had an eccentric MC, if they aren‘t drinking coffee in Coconut Layer Cake Murder they are drinking wine. Boxed wine. Fahrenheit 451 is a banned book and How the Penguins Saved Veronica was in England and Antarctica.

Cinfhen I would recommend anything by Elizabeth Acevedo, especially on audio for YA PoC 3y
BarkingMadRead Awesome @Cinfhen I‘ll look tomorrow at the used bookstore! 3y
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Cinfhen Congrats on completing the other 5 prompts #Summer #Booked2020 👙🌞🍦📚This is your #OfficialThirdQuarterEntry 🎊🎊🎊 3y
Cinfhen Yay!!! Hope you find something!! I was able to borrow all her books via Hoopla 3y
BarbaraTheBibliophage We all have seasons like that! Good job either way! ♥️📚👊🏻 3y
37 likes6 comments
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BethM
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Just got this from a “secret spooky Litten” with the request to post my preference on hard cover or paperback. Well Litten- thank you for making this emotional pregnant lady smile. Also I don‘t have a preference. I generally go paperback when possible because it usually means I can buy more books for the same amount of money 😂 also hats off to Amazon gift wrap- it‘s beautiful!

cathysaid What a lovely and kind surprise ❤️ 4y
wanderinglynn Aw, that‘s the best kind of surprise. 💜 4y
Avanders Awww that‘s so nice! And what a fun idea! ❤️❤️ 4y
57 likes3 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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August #bookspinBINGO I only got one bingo lol @TheAromaofBooks

emz711 But how good is Starless Sea! 4y
BarkingMadRead Omg I‘m loving it @emz711 I‘m about 2/3 through 4y
emz711 @BarkingMadRun yes! It's the best. Enjoy the journey 🐝🗝🗡 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Fabulous progress though!! 4y
34 likes4 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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#currentread I‘m intrigued so far! #bookspinbingo

47 likes2 stack adds
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Auntynanny
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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I'm so excited to read something new from Erin Morgenstern! I loved the Night Circus! I got this one from Ivy's Bookshop in Victoria, B.C.

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Lova
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Panpan

I really wanted to like this book. Her description are so beautiful it‘s easy to get lost in her words and phrasing but underneath there just wasn‘t anything there. There was no coherent plot. Too much back and forth between characters and stories. And in the end... meh....

readingjedi I felt that way about The Night Circus - all gorgeous style but ultimately, for me, no substance. 4y
14 likes1 comment
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Cinfhen
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Pickpick

This is a story within a story within a story. The narration was key for my following the many descriptive threads. With gorgeous prose and sultry narration, I was dreamily transported to mysterious worlds & dimensions. I enjoyed Zachary‘s storyline and could easily imagine this book as a movie. Erin Morgenstern‘s imagination is limitless & magnificent. Definitely a departure from my usual reading but truly a delightful escape.

Cinfhen It was a tad too long @Kalalalatja @Jee_HookedOnBookz but I did enjoy this whimsical story 🐝🔑⚔️ 4y
KarenUK Yet again, you‘ve made me want to listen to a book I already own in physical form! 🎧💕📚.... 4y
Cinfhen In this case audio really helped keep me engaged @KarenUK I borrowed from my library #OverDrive 4y
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Centique I‘m so glad you liked it. This is a big step into fantasy for you! I‘m rubbing my hands thinking of what else you might like in whimsical worlds! 😍🙌💕 4y
Kalalalatja I‘m glad you liked it! And I can only imagine the audio narration as delightful. 👌 4y
Cinfhen This is my second fantasy book in 6 months @Centique I‘m not sure I‘m up for anymore 😝 4y
Centique @Cinfhen it‘s a slippery slope Cindy! Before you know it you‘ll be knee deep in fairy dust and battling orcs with a crystal sword 😂😂😂 4y
Cinfhen That actually sounds awesome @Centique 🙌🏻😍 4y
Jee_HookedOnBookz So glad you enjoyed this!! 4y
87 likes3 stack adds9 comments
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Cinfhen
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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This book/audio is quite an investment 😛I‘m 15 hours in ....only 3.5 more to go! It‘s a multi cast narration, which is definitely keeping me listening 🎧 I like it but I‘d think I‘d love it as a film 🎞 ♥️

Jee_HookedOnBookz I loved this book! Hope you do too :) 4y
81 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Jee_HookedOnBookz
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Getting a birthday wish from one of my favorite authors definitely made my day!! More so when we share the same DOB!!💃🏽💃🏽🎂🦀🎊🎉

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Wow! That‘s cool! And happy birthday!! 4y
AmyG Happy Birthday! You are both lucky to share each other‘s special day! 4y
See All 8 Comments
Graciouswarriorprincess Happy birthday! So cool! 4y
Jee_HookedOnBookz @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Tq!!! It's just too awesome, isn't it! Although I'd think why I don't I share the same writing talent as her? Why am I not blessed with it?? We are technically twinsies! 😅😂😂 4y
Jee_HookedOnBookz @AmyG thank you so much! Now only if I can write like her!! Life ain't fair! 😅😂😂 4y
52 likes8 comments
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Cinfhen
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Three hours of listening time and only on page 110. For some reason #OverDrive won‘t let me change the playback speed 🤷🏼‍♀️I‘m definitely in a magical dimension and I‘m loving the narration 💫✨💫✨💫✨

Kalalalatja You are giving it another chance? Definitely a book that requires the right state of mind 😊 4y
Cinfhen Yes!!!! My request for the audio came in so I figured I‘d give it another chance and honestly @Kalalalatja I‘m really enjoying the magical world of Erin Morgenstern 4y
Kalalalatja I did too, she really knows how to set the scene 👌 hope you‘ll like it! 4y
Cinfhen Parts seem redundant but im allowing myself to get swept away @Kalalalatja I don‘t think I would have had the patience or headspace to read through all the descriptions but on audio, it sounds dreamy 4y
90 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Cinfhen
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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I‘m not sure what‘s going on but the narration is DREAMY 🥰🎧

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shaynarae
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved this book! I was nervous going into it because (unpopular opinion) I didn‘t care very much for the Night Circus. But the Starless Sea has a very complex meta quality to it, reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland. Stories weave in and out of each other and it was an absolute delight to read!

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mcbeth528
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
Mehso-so

I‘d give this like 3 stars for several reasons. First, I love how it‘s fantasy based in reality for much the reason I love Murakami and I was hoping this book would take me there. Alas, it did not. Second, the love story that arose came literally out of nowhere. Like one minute there were two characters and the next they were basically married. What?!?! Third, it was way too long. Like it just kept rambling.

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Nicki_K
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Pickpick

Not in my usual preferred reading genres but I added this book to my tbr pile after watching Elliasreads on booktube reviewing it and I was so glad that I did. This book was just so magical. I found myself mesmerized by the writing and hoping to find myself in the starless sea also. An absolute delight to read and I will forever think of it whenever I see a bee, a key or a sword. It's one of those books that stays in your heart forever.

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mcbeth528
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
Mehso-so

I‘d give this like 3 stars for several reasons. First, I love how it‘s fantasy based in reality for much the reason I love Murakami and I was hoping this book would take me there. Alas, it did not. Second, the love story that arose came literally out of nowhere. Like one minute there were two characters and the next they were basically married. What?!?! Third, it was way too long. Like it just kept rambling.

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Bibliogeekery
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Next up!

emz711 How was it?! 4y
48 likes1 comment
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SBoos
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Pickpick

As in her other book The Night Circus, this author has created a fantastical and completely original reality. The Starless Sea was a slower start for me than the Night Circus, but worth the work once the plot picked up pace. I most appreciate that Morgenstern's novels bend the construct of "reality" and aren't predictable. Plus this one featured many cat cameos. ?⁣

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Areader2
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Bailedbailed

I wanted to love this book, and at one point I thought the plot was taking hold ,I get the fairy tale aspect but this was just too much, overkill on the fairy tale and nothing seemed to make sense🤷🏼‍♀️I hate not finishing,and honestly I got over half way and finally decided to pull the plug.

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Autumnscribe
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Mehso-so

I really, I mean REALLY, wanted to like, no, LOVE this book. But in the end I found the constant cutting back and forth between stories, storylines, and perspectives to detract from the experience. I was never able to immerse myself in this wonderful world. There were also long stretches of time where nothing really happened and the plot was set adrift upon the starless sea. 😞

Q84 🙁 It has such a lovely cover. I wish you would have enjoyed it like you had hoped. I hate when I have high expectations and get disappointment. 4y
Autumnscribe @Q84 I know me too. Thing is I always feel kind of guilty admitting that I found a book disappointing. Hope you are enjoying g whatever you are currently reading. :) 4y
19 likes2 comments
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GondorGirl
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Quarantine day 3. Audiobook painting.

I've been meaning to paint the door to the garage since we bought the house three years ago, but never got around to it. I think I'll be getting a lot of random projects done while I'm off work.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 4y
62 likes1 comment
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CaliforniaCay
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this one. It's hard to explain. It's a book about books and people who love books. And the magic contained within them and created because of them. Not a perfectly cyclical story. Lots of layers and time skipping and reality jumping. Lots of questions and mysteries. Definitely entertaining and unique though, and I found myself thinking about it when I wasnt reading it and craving more 🖤🐝🗡🗝

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GondorGirl
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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🧡🧡🧡

43 likes2 stack adds
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GondorGirl
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Nebklvr
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Pickpick

This is an enchanting puzzle box of a story. Magic, time, and fate. Past, present, future, and the time out of time. Just glorious as long as you don‘t need a step by step plot.

Karisa Loooved that book so much! 4y
Nebklvr @Karisa I have heard mixed reviews but I thought it was wonderful. Glad to hear from another fan! 4y
59 likes2 comments
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ajewel7
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Pickpick

What a beautiful book. I felt like I just escaped into a gorgeous lyrical fantasy world. This book is a book lovers dream. Erin Morgenstern really knows how to create world's. This is more world building then it is character heavy. But I loved it. For me I drifted away in the Starless Sea and loved every moment of it.

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Autumnscribe
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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I like to take the dust jackets off when I read because I‘d find them distracting; they always slip and slide around when I am trying to read laying down. Usually the unwrapping removes nothing other than a plane cover, but every once in a while there is a surprise laying in wait.

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Cinfhen
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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What does one do when they are in a reading slump?? Buy more books, duh 🙄 In my defense, it was buy one get one free and both covers were calling to me 🖤🔐🌟

BookishMe I wonder if theres a message from the stars ;D 4y
TrishB Well you have to buy two then 😁 4y
erzascarletbookgasm Striking covers and there seems to be a theme... 🌟 4y
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Cinfhen There is definitely some hidden theme/ message @erzascarletbookgasm @BookishMe @TrishB I‘m just waiting for a heart to appear 😉 4y
thebluestocking I‘m sorry you‘re in a slump. I hope it passes quickly. 💙 (edited) 4y
Cinfhen Thanks @thebluestocking it seems to be passing 🙏🏻 4y
109 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Hedgbric
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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“Wonders what makes a woman a witch.”

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Hedgbric
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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I would feel the same way, have the same panicked realization if faced with the idea that I was attending a party with a Famous Author!

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Ubookquitous
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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Pickpick

An amazing read / listen (cast including the awesome Bahni Turpin). Beautiful writing that I slowed down to savor. So many times I caught myself rewinding or rereading sections. Morgenstern is so creative and she has created her own mythological/ fairytale world that feels ancient while still being thoroughly modern.