The Starless Sea, Erin Morgenstern

When graduate student Zachary Ezra Rawlins discovers a mysterious book hidden in the depths of his university library, he’s drawn into a story that seems impossibly personal. One that recounts a moment from his own childhood. Determined to uncover how such a thing could be, Zachary follows a trail of clues, a bee, a key, and a sword, that leads him to a secret underground world: a labyrinthine realm of whispered stories, lost libraries, shifting doors, and timeless guardians.

As Zachary is swept deeper into the Starless Sea, he meets other seekers who carry their own stories and scars. Together, they navigate an enchanted world where love and destiny, sacrifice and storytelling are all entwined and where the future of the Starless Sea itself hangs in the balance.

Main Tropes & Themes:

Secret societies & hidden worlds

Magical libraries and books

Queer romance

Destiny, fate & chosen paths

Time-bending, nonlinear storytelling

Metafiction and stories within stories

A dreamy, immersive fantasy setting

Lyrical, poetic writing

Why We Chose It at The Book Muse:
This book is for the dreamers, the romantics, and the readers who believe in the quiet power of stories. The Starless Sea is a love letter to books and those who get lost in them. It’s richly layered, wildly imaginative, and achingly beautiful in a way that lingers.

We chose it because it’s the kind of novel that feels like slipping into a reverie. A surreal, tender adventure that celebrates love in all its forms, including the love of storytelling itself. If you’ve ever wanted to open a book and fall straight into another world, The Starless Sea is waiting for you.