Book Series Guide
Erin Morgenstern

Author guide

Erin Morgenstern Books in Order

Erin Morgenstern is an American author and multimedia artist. She studied theater and studio art at Smith College and lives in Massachusetts. She is the author of the fantasy novels The Night Circus (2011) and The Starless Sea (2019), and created The Phantomwise Tarot, a 78-card tarot deck and guidebook published in 2022. Her books have received Alex, Locus, and Dragon Awards.

fantasyliterary fictiontarot

Catalog record updated .

Erin Morgenstern's Newest Book

Cover of The Phantomwise Tarot

The Phantomwise Tarot

tarot deck and guidebook · First published 2022

Welcome to The Phantomwise Tarot. This black-and-white world is a little bit circusy, a little bit Wonderland, and a little bit nocturnal phantasia of its own invention. It is a mix of myth and fairy tale, where each individual you meet may be an illusion, reflection, or distortion. When Erin Morgenstern was working on her international bestseller The Night Circus, she began a creative exercise to better understand the complexities of the tarot. This painted series captures the themes of each of the 78 cards in a traditional Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck with equal parts whimsy and mystery. Archetypal figures like The Fool, The Hierophant, and The Lovers emerge from dark skies and swirling clouds. The ravens may not be what they seem. The cats know more than they’ll ever tell. The accompanying guidebook offers interpretations of the cards and suggested spreads for tarot readings for beginners and expert readers alike. These cards have waited patiently for over a decade to find their way into the world. Please welcome them into yours.

Not sure where to begin?

Start with one of these

Cover of The Night Circus

The Night Circus

Morgenstern's debut novel and earliest major published work.

Cover of The Starless Sea

The Starless Sea

A standalone second novel that can be read independently.

Outside the series

Bibliography by category

Novels (2)
  1. The Night Circus

    novel · 2011

    The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called…

  2. The Starless Sea

    novel · 2019

    The entryways that lead to this sanctuary are often hidden, sometimes on forest floors, sometimes in private homes, sometimes in plain sight. But those who seek will find. Their doors have been waiting for them. Zachary Ezra Rawlins is…

Nonfiction (1)
  1. The Phantomwise Tarot

    tarot deck and guidebook · 2022

    Welcome to The Phantomwise Tarot. This black-and-white world is a little bit circusy, a little bit Wonderland, and a little bit nocturnal phantasia of its own invention. It is a mix of myth and fairy tale, where each individual you meet…

Frequently asked questions about Erin Morgenstern

Who is Erin Morgenstern?

Erin Morgenstern is an American author and multimedia artist best known for her imaginative fantasy fiction.

Source: erinmorgenstern.com (opens in a new tab)

Where did Erin Morgenstern grow up and study?

She grew up in Massachusetts and studied theater and studio art at Smith College.

Source: erinmorgenstern.com (opens in a new tab)

What influences Erin Morgenstern’s writing?

Her influences include classic fairy tales, theater, visual art, museums, film, video games, and writers such as Susanna Clarke and Christopher Priest.

Sources: erinmorgenstern.com (opens in a new tab)penguin.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

What awards has Erin Morgenstern won?

Her books have received the Alex Award, the Locus Award for Best First Novel, and the Dragon Award for Best Fantasy Novel. The American Library Association named The Night Circus a 2012 Alex Award selection.

Sources: erinmorgenstern.com (opens in a new tab)ala.org (opens in a new tab)

What did Erin Morgenstern do before becoming a full-time writer?

Before focusing on writing and painting, she worked a series of office jobs, including filing and photocopying work.

Source: erinmorgenstern.com (opens in a new tab)