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bookforthought's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Starling House starts from an intriguing premise and delivers an enjoyable and entertaining (if not overly creepy) read rich in gothic vibes. There is an abundance of themes, which maybe could have used a tad more space for fleshing out and nuance, some underdeveloped side plots, and characters that feel way too YA for an adult book, all of which prevented me from fully appreciating this. Also, there is a heavy reliance on non-communication as a plot device, which is a big no-no for me since it's one of my most disliked tropes.
Still, there is a mystery and Big Family Secrets, half-truths mixing with full-on lies and legend, which were very well-constructed and layered, leading to a mostly satisfying resolution and character arcs.
Overall, not a new favourite but a pleasant read nonetheless. I'll need to check out The Ten Thousand Doors of January next!
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Racism
laurenmiller100's review against another edition
4.0
- Characters: 7
- Atmosphere/Setting: 8
- Writing Style: 9
- Plot: 7
- Intrigue: 8
- Logic/Relationships: 8
- Enjoyment: 6
This books is pretty good! It’s really cool take on the haunted house. I really enjoyed the build up of tension and mystery. Opal is an unusual heroine, and while that can make her frustrating, it also makes her interesting. There were times where I wish the book did more though. I think if it had leaned further into horror, it would’ve been a better book.
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Child death
micheala's review against another edition
3.0
There is a plot, however this does feel like the characters are the main focus. It's hard, because most of the characters are very unlikeable however that's clearly the point. It's also in first person, which always knocks down my enjoyment a little.
At the beginning we had these fun footnotes that kinda just stop, as if the author forgot that was a thing she was doing. I wish they had continued, especially based on how the ending of the book was framed.
There are a lot of topics that fall into content warnings that feel more in line when you view this as a horror novel rather than a fantasy novel. None of them are super graphic, but they are clearly on page.
The prose was good, and I might give Harrow another go with a book that has a more appealing premise.
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Classism, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Alcohol, Incest, Xenophobia, Body horror, Gore, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Slavery, Grief, Car accident, Child abuse, and Child death
acethirtynine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Vomit
Minor: Slavery, Child death, Murder, Incest, and Racism
micaelamariem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The descriptions were vivid and beautiful in a haunting kind of way. The characters were uniquely flawed to the point where you couldn’t help but empathize with their pain. The sins in the book were atrocious, and the themes of identity, belonging, and mercy crawled across the pages, igniting the words into some higher morals. And of course, who doesn’t love a sentient house?
I also thought it was super unique to include footnotes and a fictional bibliography! What a way to add voice.
The only reason it’s not five stars is because there are parts of the ending I wasn’t thoroughly satisfied with.
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Racism, Slavery, Grief, Sexual content, Car accident, Child death, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide attempt, Cursing, Death of parent, Addiction, Death, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit
judassilver's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Slavery, Violence, Car accident, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Xenophobia, Death, Vomit, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Incest and Child death
booksemmahasread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Bullying, Child death, and Adult/minor relationship
katievallin's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Blood, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Racism, Stalking, Classism, Cursing, Mental illness, Slavery, and Vomit
Minor: Drug use, Murder, Outing, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Child abuse, Child death, Body horror, Lesbophobia, and Incest
ilaxaria's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Incest, Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, Vomit, and Child death
Minor: Alcohol
theladydetective's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
General Thoughts:
I loved Arthur and wanted to protect him at all costs. I understood Opal's choices but didn't quite like her. I didn't like how the author focused a lot on Arthur's apparent physical ugliness; it felt mean. The main characters are in their late 20s but read a bit younger.
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Racism, Body shaming, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Slavery and Child death