The Starless Sea, by Erin Morgenstern
Penguin Random House Audio - 2019
Fantasy - Historical
E-book
Narrated by a full cast - Dominic Hoffman, Dion Graham, Bahni Turpin, Fiona Hardingham, Allan Corduner, and Jorjeana Marie
Fantasy - Historical
E-book
Narrated by a full cast - Dominic Hoffman, Dion Graham, Bahni Turpin, Fiona Hardingham, Allan Corduner, and Jorjeana Marie
18 Hours, 37 Minutes
This long awaited story by Erin Morgenstern - author of The Night Circus, did not disappoint.
The story starts for us with Zachary, a university student in Vermont. While in the library one day, he finds a mysterious book. This strangely enchanting book draws him in (as good books often do), but the book becomes even more mysterious when he goes to check it out, only to find that it does not scan out properly. Later, he is stunned to find one of his own memories in the pages. Shocked, he looks closely at the odd book and it reveals three symbols as clues to the mystery - a sword, a key, and a bee - symbols from the memory of his childhood inked into the pages of the book.
He follows those clues, and finds himself attending an exquisite literary masquerade party. The party leads to a person, and the person to a door. Eventually finds himself in an intricate subterranean, labyrinthine, library world, where books are treasures, and his story and the stories of others merge across time and place in the most painfully beautiful way.
I have been waiting for this book ever since I enjoyed The Night Circus, years ago. There is always a concern when a book is so highly anticipated. Often, with that much anticipation I feel let down by the reality - that is not the case with this story. It is every bit as enchanting as The Night circus.
There are several stories being told here, and yet they are ultimately all part of a bigger story. The layers and characters twisting and turning in space and time, slowly weaving themselves into the greater tale. Intricately beautiful, and beautifully intricate.
The greater story is a love story of sorts. it is an Ode to stories and storytelling. There are even subtle references to stories from our real world that will warm the heart of book lovers. I noticed some of these tiny nods to some of my favorite books from over the years and adored the references, even more so for their matter-of-factness or subtlety.
The prose is enchanting, and the world building for this book is incredible. Readers who enjoy portal fantasies will especially enjoy this story, for there are portals within portals in this intricate tale. It has a richness created from the use of elements such as time, fate, and the moon, it tells of pirates, and rituals, and so much more. This really is the kind of story one can get lost in.
This is one of those books that I know I will re-visit in the future, even though I have finished it and loved it. It is just one of those books that you know will reveal even more to you should you read it again, and I know I will.
Narration for this book was provided by a full cast of narrators with extensive credits to their names. If you you listen to audiobooks regularly, you will know the names, or at least you will know their voices - we're talking about some of the best in the industry here! If not, you are in for a treat! Their performances were perfect and well suited to the characters and the story.
The Starless Sea, was worth the wait, and worth the hype. It is a story that has become an instant favorite of mine, and I look forward to reading it again some day.
The story starts for us with Zachary, a university student in Vermont. While in the library one day, he finds a mysterious book. This strangely enchanting book draws him in (as good books often do), but the book becomes even more mysterious when he goes to check it out, only to find that it does not scan out properly. Later, he is stunned to find one of his own memories in the pages. Shocked, he looks closely at the odd book and it reveals three symbols as clues to the mystery - a sword, a key, and a bee - symbols from the memory of his childhood inked into the pages of the book.
He follows those clues, and finds himself attending an exquisite literary masquerade party. The party leads to a person, and the person to a door. Eventually finds himself in an intricate subterranean, labyrinthine, library world, where books are treasures, and his story and the stories of others merge across time and place in the most painfully beautiful way.
I have been waiting for this book ever since I enjoyed The Night Circus, years ago. There is always a concern when a book is so highly anticipated. Often, with that much anticipation I feel let down by the reality - that is not the case with this story. It is every bit as enchanting as The Night circus.
There are several stories being told here, and yet they are ultimately all part of a bigger story. The layers and characters twisting and turning in space and time, slowly weaving themselves into the greater tale. Intricately beautiful, and beautifully intricate.
The greater story is a love story of sorts. it is an Ode to stories and storytelling. There are even subtle references to stories from our real world that will warm the heart of book lovers. I noticed some of these tiny nods to some of my favorite books from over the years and adored the references, even more so for their matter-of-factness or subtlety.
The prose is enchanting, and the world building for this book is incredible. Readers who enjoy portal fantasies will especially enjoy this story, for there are portals within portals in this intricate tale. It has a richness created from the use of elements such as time, fate, and the moon, it tells of pirates, and rituals, and so much more. This really is the kind of story one can get lost in.
This is one of those books that I know I will re-visit in the future, even though I have finished it and loved it. It is just one of those books that you know will reveal even more to you should you read it again, and I know I will.
Narration for this book was provided by a full cast of narrators with extensive credits to their names. If you you listen to audiobooks regularly, you will know the names, or at least you will know their voices - we're talking about some of the best in the industry here! If not, you are in for a treat! Their performances were perfect and well suited to the characters and the story.
The Starless Sea, was worth the wait, and worth the hype. It is a story that has become an instant favorite of mine, and I look forward to reading it again some day.
Happy Reading,
Christine
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