Reviews with content warning for Death - Starling House

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Reviews tagging 'Death'

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

114 reviews

thedarkfields's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

At around halfway, I thought this was an absolutely incredible book with amazing potential.

At around 3/4, I was dying of agony (in the best way).

At the end... idk. It wasn't quite what I'd hoped. There was a lot of exposition. But it was also the culmination of things hinted at and bread crumbs dropped throughout; I always admire an expertly crafted plot. Overall, I loved the conclusion of the story. I think I just wanted a little more to the climax than we were given. I was left feeling not quite satisfied while still loving the resolution. Blargh.

Fantastic characters. Beautiful writing. Amazing ability to capture the ambiance of the town without spending any excess time describing it. The secret thing(s) related to the mist were extremely creepy and I wish there was more time spent on the mist (even though there was plenty). On that note, I'd actually say it was a really good length and well paced overall. Only some of the bits closer to the end felt a little more rushed than ideal.

Could be 3 stars, could be 5 stars. I'll probably need to read it again later to decide.

Would recommend to people who like horror/creepy mysteries, especially fans of Locke & Key, Pan's Labyrinth, and/or Coraline.

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abicaro17's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Holy shit. Harrow is a magician with words and I am legit blown away every-time I read a book of hers. This is a (very) slow burn but it's worth it. Opal works in a small town trying to support her little brother but she keeps having these dreams about the local historical house. As Opal tries to work out the history of the house she meets Arthur Starling, owner of the house, who offers her a job. It's too good for Opal to pass up, but as thing's grow stranger Opal struggles to determine truth from fiction. Alix E. Harrow is one of those storytellers who surprises you with every book. This book make me laugh, cry, and love. It was twisty, fun, and beautiful. Another Harrow banger!

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kberri11's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious sad 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

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kaiyakaiyo's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I actually really fucking enjoyed this???? Funny, sad, tense, mystical, with a smigde of vengefulness… delicious book

Opal was a funny as shit protagonist, and Arthur was so sad and pathetic in a very cute way. I love when men are described as ugly and annoying at first sight but by the end of the book your heart is like vVvVvV. do you get me

I also loved the narrative style; things were kept from Opal, but not from the reader; Arthur’s chapters were deliciously revealing while Opal still went 100mph towards answers. Loved it.

Jasper was sweet and made my older sister heart grow 3 sizes. your baby brother that you spent so long protecting becoming a protector in his own right is so !!! the sibling relationship was everything

Eleanor… my unhinged queen and ally white woman… incredible work

the funky little lesbians also made my day, Opal being the most oblivious straight to ever het only added to her charm lmao

10/10 read, buying this is print but thank you to BCPL for the ebook <3

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lauramcc7's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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annamorgan27's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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lianaet's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The genre of this book isn't something I'd normally pick up, but something about this book just drew me to it.

And weirdly in the nature of this book, that just makes sense.

The unsettling vibes of the writing were amazing and just sucked me right in all the way through. It felt slow to progress but never in a bad way. And Opal as a flawed woman protagonist was an amazing character.

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