I really wish I had read this book before The Starless Sea. I feel like I would've gotten a better handle on Morgenstern's writing style and the way they organize stories.

The separate plot lines that eventually tie back into each other were simpler, more grounded in reality, and easier to follow than the ones in TSS. There were also considerably fewer characters which I appreciated.

The main romance in this story... I don't know. You want me to like Marco when he led Isobel along for so long when he knew he really wasn't in love with her, and basically kept her around to keep an eye on Celia who he was really in love with? Yeah, no. Honestly? When Celia threw that whole mess back in his face, I legitimately screamed because SHE WAS RIGHT! How is any woman supposed to trust you, Marco?! And at the same time, I know Celia was at least a bit aware of the whole ordeal and still pursued a relationship with Marco. But, whatever. They cute or whatever.

In the end, we really don't know what happens to Isobel in the end and that bothers me.

Also, I wanted to bring up how the stories of The Night Circus and The Starless Sea aren't exactly related, but have plot beats that feel similar (the whimsy, the magical place that's not connected to time, the boy entrusted to look after it, the bright-haired girl he falls in love with who he's searching for, a love story between two characters that transcends time, etc.).

Morgenstern knows what they like and knows how to write it well.

NOW GIVE ME THE SPRINGTIME LESBIAN ROMANCE STORY YOU COWARD!