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displacedcactus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Alix E. Harrow has been a hit-or-miss author for me and this one was more of a miss. The pacing was slow and even though the characters were in their mid to late 20s, it really read like a YA with broody teenage MCs. The slow pacing meant certain things took too long to get explained, leaving me to spend about half of the book thinking that there was bad characterization or too much hand-waving away of details.
This book does have very similar vibes to For the Wolf and Lakesedge, so if you liked either of those and are looking for something that will make you feel the same kind of way, you might enjoy this more than I did. Also probably good for readers who usually gravitate towards YA but would like to branch out more into adult fantasy.
This book does have very similar vibes to For the Wolf and Lakesedge, so if you liked either of those and are looking for something that will make you feel the same kind of way, you might enjoy this more than I did. Also probably good for readers who usually gravitate towards YA but would like to branch out more into adult fantasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, and Blood
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Racism, and Child death
pm_me_book_recs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I listened to an ALC via Libro.fm
The narrator was not my favorite, I would highly recommend physical format. The voice given to Opal felt more weak/whiney than I would imagine her being. Also not having a Southern/Appalachian accent reaaaallly irked me! -Although, bonus point for saying Louisville the correct way.
It was so cool to have representation from small town Kentucky in this genre! My family is from Cave City (specifically Mammoth Cave grounds) and I could realistically imagine each of these characters and locations. I really enjoyed this gothic tale- slow burn but intense romance, family secrets, social commentary, supernatural happenings, haunted mansion, found family and all the small town drama! I don't want to give any of the plot away, but watching Opal come full into power and self-agency was very satisfying. The character relationships grow and mature organically awkward, as traumatized and walled off people do. It was fresh, to see healing happen within a story so dark.
There were some moments of interaction that were a bit irritating and immature, that just felt a little off, but I'm not certain if it was influenced by my dislike for the narration, or if it was actually the content.
The narrator was not my favorite, I would highly recommend physical format. The voice given to Opal felt more weak/whiney than I would imagine her being. Also not having a Southern/Appalachian accent reaaaallly irked me! -Although, bonus point for saying Louisville the correct way.
It was so cool to have representation from small town Kentucky in this genre! My family is from Cave City (specifically Mammoth Cave grounds) and I could realistically imagine each of these characters and locations. I really enjoyed this gothic tale- slow burn but intense romance, family secrets, social commentary, supernatural happenings, haunted mansion, found family and all the small town drama! I don't want to give any of the plot away, but watching Opal come full into power and self-agency was very satisfying. The character relationships grow and mature organically awkward, as traumatized and walled off people do. It was fresh, to see healing happen within a story so dark.
There were some moments of interaction that were a bit irritating and immature, that just felt a little off, but I'm not certain if it was influenced by my dislike for the narration, or if it was actually the content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Car accident, Blood, Child abuse, Classism, Confinement, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Police brutality, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Violence
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Out now! [Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an early copy for review!]
Rating: 5/5 stars
Opal is mysteriously drawn to Starling House—and when she gets a job as a housekeeper, she may finally learn the mysterious truths of the house, and of herself.
Alix E. Harrow NEVER MISSES. I have loved all of her books so much, but this one may be my favorite yet. I absolutely loved this story, which made me laugh and cry multiple times, and the characters, the atmosphere, and the writing were all impeccably rendered and captivating.
I don’t want to say too much about the plot because I think this is a book you should go into more or less blind, but I absolutely loved the way the story unfolded and the breadcrumbs we earned along the way. I am also so in love with the small details—Bev and her game shows, the hellcat, the birds, the little name-related Easter eggs.
Please please please please read this one!
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: fantasy-meets-Gothic-horror; Ninth House; haunted house vibes
CW: Death, including death of parent; blood/injury; mentions of slavery, mentions of sexual violence
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Car accident, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexism, Slavery, Child abuse, and Racism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
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