The Starless Sea

The fables I wandered through were lush and beautifully written, but Zachary was an empty vessel without anything except curiosity driving him, so everything around him including pacing crumbles. Zachary didn't seem to risk anything or grow in any way, and when I actually felt closer to getting to know Zachary I was interrupted by another story about another set of (sometimes) nameless characters that signified nothing and killed pacing. For as much as this book is lauded, I was laughably underwhelmed and disappointed. That said, I actually liked the last few chapters and afterword, especially everything involving the bees. The few surprises left for the end felt contrived and left me cold, since I had no emotional ties to Zachary. Unfortunately, this book was overwritten and and should've just ended sooner.