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Valerie
No horror, not even scary or spooky. Magical and wonderful, filled with books, and candlelight, cats and mystery.
As much as I enjoyed Night Circus, I love, love love this book.
As much as I enjoyed Night Circus, I love, love love this book.
Elizabeth
I loved The Night Circus and was looking forward to this book being just as good. Sadly, I was very disappointed. Although the story has a good concept, it was over-done. There was so much walking through unknown, dark caverns and twists and turns in the landscape, I literally was exhausted just trying to keep up. I did finish the book, but really had to push myself to not give up on it.
Lindsey Smith
It does not hold a candle to The Night Circus. Worth reading, but temper your expectations.
Marge Evans
I absolutely loved this book. In fact I loved it so much, I am going to read it again. It is different then The Night Circus. It should be.
Elise Skidmore
It's not creepy or scary at all. But is is very hard to follow. It jumps around the way the Night Circus did, but much, much more. IMO, it wasn't half as good as TNC.
Kathy Lehman
Not scary or spooky. Lots of magical, mysterious twists and turns. I liked Night Circus, and LOVED this book. Needs to be read slowly and thoughtfully considered to fully appreciate the many stories within the story.
Karen
It isn't remotely scary at all. It is a storyteller's dream. It was, in its way, a hard book to get through. I often read lightening fast and I really had to slow down. But what a joy it has been. This will be the type of book that stays with me for decades as parts re-emerge in my mind in the most unusual of time.s
Hannah Suckle
Listen to the audio book, it's much better as an audiobook.
Ing
No horror. I don't do horror and I loved it. I think it is different from The Night Circus, ut no less awesome. But it does require you to think and ponder as a mystery slowly unfolds and answers arrive. It is in many ways not an easy, light-hearted read, but it is so worth the effort IMO. Her imagination soars.
Shelley Anckner
Not spooky or scary at all. Very complicated and convoluted. It wouldn’t hurt to take notes as the different characters in different appearances. The Night Circus is my favorite book, this one is not in the top 10.
Gretchen
As delightful as The Night Circus
Lauren
It's not scary or spooky at all.
Stephanie Wolfe
I loved, loved, loved this book. Not scary at all. You really have to pay attention but a great read.
Jason Williams
I didn't find it at all creepy or spooky, but more mysterious and otherworldly. I haven't read the Night Circus, but The Starless Sea is probably the best novel I've read in years. The writing is just phenomenal, the world-building is done piece-by-piece, discovered and not narrated. I highly recommend it.
John Bode
It is not at all creepy or scary IMO. I disagree 100% with those who think it is not as good as The Night Circus - it is every bit as good.
I had no issues at all following the story as it unfolded. You will not want to put it down, but you won't want it to end. Wonderful book, great read!
I had no issues at all following the story as it unfolded. You will not want to put it down, but you won't want it to end. Wonderful book, great read!
Meika
There's a little bit of cloak and dagger spycraft in this one, and I thought some of the settings were dark and desolate, but nothing I'd categorize as Horror. It is very different from The Night Circus - personally I thought it was more sophisticated - but your mileage may vary.
Jan
Not scary or spooky or horror. Some magical mystical elements.
Carmen
Thank you all SO MUCH for your thoughts and insights. Thanks to quarantine, I finally read it and have to admit that I loved it. There definitely was some eerie darkness but I thought the way she wrote it never made anything feel scary.
Is it as good as TNC? No. Will anything ever be? Probably not. So, separating it from TNC, I loved it as it's own book and it's own story. It lost a bit of it's captivating nature in the middle but I forged through that part and then it picked up quite a bit again. Sad it's over. And now the quest to find another great book begins :)
Thanks again to everyone who weighed in!!!
Is it as good as TNC? No. Will anything ever be? Probably not. So, separating it from TNC, I loved it as it's own book and it's own story. It lost a bit of it's captivating nature in the middle but I forged through that part and then it picked up quite a bit again. Sad it's over. And now the quest to find another great book begins :)
Thanks again to everyone who weighed in!!!
Ann Busby
On the whole I liked it better than The Night Circus and I really did like The Night Circus. I would say it's less creepy and more fun. It does require perseverance though. I got to a point where I wanted her to stop with the vivid descriptions (although I love them) and get on with the plot. And then she did. It's complicated. I plan to read it again, after I let it sit in my mind a bit.
Karen
There are a couple of short scenes of creepy/scary, but they're very short indeed and over almost before they've started.
MaryLee Eischen
This book is filled with intrigue--but not creepy or scary. There are points where you may feel a bit afraid--due to the darkness. That passes quickly. The book unfolds with multiple characters and some find that challenging to follow. The audio version is incredibly rich in voices.
I loved it as much as Night Circus.
I loved it as much as Night Circus.
Angela
I loved both, and this was not scary at all.
Sarah
I liked it so much better than the Night Circus (even though I loved that one too)- much more mystery, tale-winding, and intrigue. Pure fantasy bliss! Not scary/no horror
Nick Mueller
I think you will LOVE IT! as well. Not horror, but plenty of eerie and a fascinating tale.
Maria Hancock
This is remotely spooky nor scary and no where near horror. It has a bit of spy thriller moments [very light] its more like getting lost in many books at once.
Stephen
I have yet to read The Night Circus so I can't compare (yet) to The Starless Sea..
I do not think TSS was a creepy tale,but I certainly found it an engrossing, enchanting read.
Its interesting how some or rating this as better than TNC,and then some the other way around.
I suppose that's the test of a great book and how it is all down to individual taste and sensibilities.
But based on TSS Night Circus is certainly on my to read list.
I do not think TSS was a creepy tale,but I certainly found it an engrossing, enchanting read.
Its interesting how some or rating this as better than TNC,and then some the other way around.
I suppose that's the test of a great book and how it is all down to individual taste and sensibilities.
But based on TSS Night Circus is certainly on my to read list.
Kerstin
It's not scary at all. It's confusing. And frustrating. But not scary.
Brian
There is absolutely nothing creepy, spooky, or scary in this novel. There are magical elements, but I had almost none of the wonder about magic I had when reading Night Circus.
Gage
The audio version does a brilliant job of capturing the different voices and moods in the book. spellbinding storytelling, no horror, no creepiness, a little spooky tension. I'd highly recommend the audio performance.
Kristina Coop-a-Loop
There is nothing scary, creepy or eerie about The Starless Sea. It is confusing, pointless, and plotless, but if you like honey and cats and boring characters I highly recommend it.
J.C.
It's not a horror story at all - safe to read and lots to enjoy in it but I only rated it 3.
Eileen Oringer
I agree. It was interesting at first but got so confusing and creepy as the book went on. I, too, loved Night Circus but could have skipped this book.
Maria Kelo
Nowhere near the charm of the Night Circus, unfortunately. It is an OK read, and I think you would probably want tor read it. Nothing scary really.
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