Lovely Confusion

I'm not quite sure how I want to approach this review because this book will not rank as one of my favorite reads for this year. I wish I could say I enjoyed it more than I realistically did, but there's no use in writing a false review. I've had a good stroke of luck in the last few books I've chosen to read, but I was bound to stumble upon a book that just felt like a meh plot-wise sooner or later. This book is my meh. Starting with the things that I wasn't a huge fan of or confused about is where I'd like to begin. To put it broadly, my impression of this book's plot is that it's trying to do something really cool and meta, but ends up trying to juggle too many subplots. Granted, the subplots all come together in a very strategic way in the end; I will gladly stop typing to applaud Morgenstern for her meticulous structure, attention to detail, and commitment to tying up loose ends. She does so much subtle work to tie so many things together, though, that I truthfully got lost in all the different storylines. I get a distinct sense that this was precisely her point, to portray how stories are messy and keep unraveling in ways that characters and readers alike aren't always able to predict or follow. I personally felt bogged down as a reader with the weight of keeping track of everything that'd been initially introduced and referenced later. I was able to grasp that most of the characters were meant to represent intangible concepts, especially Mirabel as Fate and the importance of Fate's heart being used at precisely the right time. But I just got confused and thought the ending was hugely unsatisfying. The relevancy and explanation of the Owl King never really seemed to resolve themselves, which was frustrating for me... I will definitely concede to mentioning that I read the first half of this book in practically one sitting, took a month break to read other things, and then returned to the story having to work extra hard to remember things from the very beginning. With that being said, I recommend other readers to try to read this book as fast as possible, as it probably makes the process of keeping everything in order much easier. I simply didn't approach the book this way, and now I know to follow my own advice in case I reread it. I think I should, since I want to try to fit all of the different pieces of the narrative together like the puzzle it is.
I'll pivot to the elements of this novel that deserve praise: the character development, setting/world building, and stylistic prose. I adored Zachary and Dorian's relationship and how seamlessly it seemed to develop into deep, delightful love. I like how there isn't even a whole lot of dialogue that occurs between them. They seem like soulmates and I'm here for it -- I didn't need a lot of explanation, I just knew they needed to end up together and wanted it for them really badly. I also loved loved loved the concept of inserting bits of the stories that exist within the universe of the Starless Sea into the actual book. My favorite story was definitely the tale of the innkeeper and the moon. I remember getting full body chills when I realized that the woman visiting the inn was the moon herself. The whole story is just so visual, romantic, and mystical. The way it comes into play later for Dorian's quest to reunite with Zachary is soooooo satisfying, too. The entire setting of the Starless Sea really confused me at times, especially when the latter part of the novel primarily takes place under the streets of the normal, known world (excluding the cool journal entries we get from Kat, which I loved). I liked the Starless Sea's similarities to the Room of Requirement from Harry Potter, especially its sense of impossibility and endless possibilities. The idea of endless hallways filled with candles, cats, and books, accented by enchanted ballrooms, wine cellars, and cozy bedrooms is just heavenly. I didn't need to know all the ins and outs of how it worked because most of its intrigue comes from its absurdity. Very Wonderland-esque. The concepts of video game creation and "build your own adventure" stories woven into this entire book-centered plot felt genius as well. Oh, and the characters going to The Strand in New York City had me kicking my feet because I adore The Strand and was just there a few months ago!! Last but not least, Morgenstern's writing style irritates me in rare increments and amazes me in much larger increments. Her lack of commas and purposeful run-ons got frustrating when I reread a sentence for the third time, but this same purposefulness made for some really hard hitting, seemingly flawless descriptions of concepts, emotions, and very niche circumstances. I don't think I described that very well, but the quotes I've included below should speak for themselves.
It feels appropriate to conclude this review with an explanation of how I came across this book in the sea of so many other modern fantasy books. A professor of mine who's worked closely with me on the book I'm writing, offering invaluable feedback for two faithful years, gifted this book to me with a smile and said, "This book reminds me of your writing style and the color I see when I read your writing: blue." I'm still in awe of such a compliment, and in even more awe after immersing myself in the wonderfully complex world of The Starless Sea. Thank you, Kirby, for your kind words and belief in me. :)



Some of my favorite quotes from The Starless Sea:

​"A boy at the beginning of a story has no way of knowing that the story has begun."

"A reading major, that's what he wants. No response papers, no exams, no analysis, just the reading."

"It doesn't look like anything special, like it contains an entire world, though the same could be said of any book."

"He believes in books, he thinks as he leaves the room. That much he knows for sure."

"These doors will sing. Silent siren songs for those who seek what lies behind them."

"'But the world is strange and the endings are not truly endings no matter how the stars might wish it so."

"It looks a breath away from being a crumbling ruin. Held together by spinning planets and ticking clocks and wishful thinking and string."

"Not all stories speak to all listeners, but all listeners can find a story that does, somewhere, sometime. In one form or another."

"'Climbing is not for girls.'
'Anything is for girls.'"

"Books are always better when read rather than explained."

"He wants to do more than read it. He wants to study it. He wants to savor it. He wants to use it as a window to see inside another person. He wants to take the book into his home, into his life, into his bed because he cannot do the same with the girl who gave it to him."

"He wonders how long is an appropriate time to wait for a girl who may or may not have been a dream."

"He isn't certain about anything.
He isn't even certain that he minds not being certain about anything."

"He is good at this. Has always been good at this, reading people like books from across dimly lit rooms."

"Dorian smiles and Zachary wonders how you can miss a someone's smile when you've only seen it once before."

"He thinks I feel like I have known you forever but he doesn't say it and so they only hold each other's gaze, not needing to say anything."

"'Strange, isn't it? To love a book. When the words on the pages become so precious that they feel like part of your own history because they are.'"

"This person is a place Zachary could lose himself in, and never wish to be found."

"As her gown cascades around the chair the ripples in the fabric become waves, and within the waves there are ships and sailors and sea monsters and then the sea within her gown is lost in the drifting snow."

"I think the best stories feel like they're still going, somewhere, out in story space."

"'There is always room for more books.'"

"What is the difference, Dorian asks himself, between Fate's heart and a heart belonging to Fate?​" 

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