The Starless Sea in Around the Year in 52 Books

Jul 27, 2020 John Warner rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fantasy

When I first began reading this book, I thought it was a collection of short stories. The first three stories were seemingly unrelated: the first was about an imprisoned pirate awaiting execution visited frequently by an infatuated young maiden; the second, about an acolyte who has just dedicated her life to a secret trove of books lining shelf after shelf in a subterranean sanctuary on the shores of the Starless Sea, and the third about a son of a fortune-teller who fails to try to open a three When I first began reading this book, I thought it was a collection of short stories. The first three stories were seemingly unrelated: the first was about an imprisoned pirate awaiting execution visited frequently by an infatuated young maiden; the second, about an acolyte who has just dedicated her life to a secret trove of books lining shelf after shelf in a subterranean sanctuary on the shores of the Starless Sea, and the third about a son of a fortune-teller who fails to try to open a three-dimensional painted door on an alley wall ornamented a realistic door knob. All were sweet stories but I was unsure how these stories related to the book's dust jacket blurb. As I read further I discovered that each of these stories were clues to a larger story, the origin and location of the Starless Sea, which is "hidden from the sun and moon", and filled, not with water, but honey.

These first three stories have been collected in a book called Sweet Sorrows, which one of the novel's protagonists, Zachary Ezra Rawlins, discovers in an university library. No author is noted and it appears that no one has ever checked it out. When Zachary begins to read the novel, he discovers that the third story is about him when as a boy, he took a short cut through the alley. Although the book is misfiled in the fiction section of the library, there appears to be a particular truth behind the stories. This book leads Zachary on a search for the Starless Sea, it secrets requiring Zachary to be confronted by a number of trials and challenges.

Although their is a primary story, the telling is augmented by several stories interspersed within it. The primary plot and fables are beautifully written creating a sense of wonder in this hidden realm on the shores of the Starless Sea. This book doesn't reveal its secrets easily. Like fables, the author uses a number of metaphors. One of the timeless characters draws doors so realistically that they become portals transporting the worthy in and out of this subterranean library. I believed the doors were metaphors for books, which when opened lead the reader on glorious adventures. Although most of these metaphors are not easily grasped, I discovered that these images percolated within me for some time, the book began to reveal its secret. The reader, like Zachary, will find themselves swept on a beautiful journey to the Starless Sea. ...more

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Feb 13, 2020 Ketutar Jensen rated it it was amazing

I just finished it. I'm ugly crying right now.

I love everything about this book. Even the ending, because... it never ends *_* It is a never-ending story. She managed to write a real never-ending story!

(Except this: "I don't jest about tea. I have Earl Grey and peppermint and some sort of immunityboosting thing with ginger".
Urgh. Earl grey is flavored. Pergamot isn't everyone's flavor. I bet you don't have milk either. So you have no tea. Tea IS a serious business. Herbal "tea" is not tea.)

This ...more

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Jun 01, 2020 Ann marked it as couldn-t-finish

Not a true DNF, just can't concentrate enough to read this right now. ...more

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Nov 19, 2019 Ryan Mac rated it it was amazing

I loved the Night Circus and was really excited (and nervous) for this long awaited follow-up. I really enjoyed this book! It does feel a little like The Night Circus with the language and flow of the story although this one bounces around in time and between characters which is a little jarring at first. While there were a few things that bothered me (the connection between Zachary and Dorian didn't feel well established, for instance) but on the whole, I really enjoyed this book. If you liked ...more

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Feb 03, 2020 Maudaevee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: on-the-shelf-owned-rl-copy

Loved this!! I actually think maybe even a tad more than, The Night Circus. I want to give it a good think before I go into my full thoughts (just so I don't spoil anything) but I will come back with more soon. ...more

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Jan 22, 2020 Shannan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, audiobook

She has such a marvelous imagination in characters, world building and weaving together complex and compelling storylines. She immerses you in a stunning world that you can't step away from. If every book she writes is this good, five years will be worth the wait! ...more

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