Erin Morgenstern calls this book many books within a book that morphed into a book of stories that thinks about fate, time, and video games. I would call this book a beautiful shapeshifter. It morphs between poetry, fantasy, mystery, and realism in order to provide a range of stories from fairy tales to epic romances and perplexing puzzles. Her words and characters are vivid and lead you through every aspect, luring you forward with promises that are fulfilled. It is a space I would (and have) lived in for many hours, and the moment the book ends I flip back to the beginning, desperate for more time. 

Morgenstern has said that in her writing process she starts with a place and explores it before introducing other aspects such as characters and plot. I think that this is why the setting of her books are so rich and detailed. In a time when escaping is wanted, and there is a great need for a new and beautiful world, this book may be the answer. 

The main story follows Zachary, a grad student working on a video game thesis who finds a mysterious book in a library and begins a journey that has shadowed him since childhood. To say more would be a disservice to the careful layering of the plot and the melding of the stories. However, if you are interested in adventure, self-discovery, rooms full of books, and symbols that practically become characters, then this world is ready and waiting for you.

Available from Live-brary: e-book or audiobook.

Contributed by: Noel