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sariereads's review against another edition
dark
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Incest, Slavery, Vomit, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
sparklefarm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Partway through this book, I thought to myself, hmm, I like this but I'm not as invested as I was in Harrow's other books. Then later I found myself involuntarily yelling "No!" in my car so it turns out she got me in the end. Just leave me here, tangled in wisteria and honeysuckle and kudzu. I'm fine being haunted by this house.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Blood, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Incest, Slavery, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury
rpremo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It was enchanting and mystical. Opal was frustrating throughout the whole book but Arthur and the house really held the story together and we’re very likable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Minor: Child abuse, Incest, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, and Pregnancy
lauren_shilling's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was absolutely incredible! I didn't expect to love it this much when I first picked it up, but I was almost immediately sucked into it. Opal was literally the perfect character for a story like this, and I cannot imagine any other main character for this book. Jasper was amazing as well, and I found that I really really appreciate his storyline and the sibling relationship between him and Opal. It was definitely a highlight of the book for me! Another highlight was definitely Arthur! I loved him so much, though he definitely creeped me out at first. It didn't take much for me to warm up to him, though, and then I absolutely fell in love with him. One thing I will say was that it took me a little bit to get into the romance, and when I first realized that's where it was going, I was a bit disappointed. I think my main issue was that I struggled to picture how they would function as a couple in any other circumstances. However, by the end of the book, I was rooting for them so hard! I ended up loving the romance so much, and there were some scenes that I will not forget reading. The twists were perfect and they were revealed in amazing ways, and the last chapter was everything I could have ever wanted out of this story. I loved the atmosphere too! It was so creepy and chilling and it was exactly what I was looking for when I picked up this book! I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good fantasy horror story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gore, Incest, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Slavery, and Vomit
jmyodafriend's review against another edition
dark
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Car accident, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Incest, Slavery, and Vomit
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
A deliciously uncanny, contemporary gothic fantasy exploring family legacies, curses, found family and oppression that ensnared me from the very first page.
As a huge fan of Alix E. Harrow’s previous books (The Ten Thousand Doors of January and The Once and Future Witches) it should come as no surprise that I absolutely loved this. And, with its vividly atmospheric descriptions and nuanced portrayal of our two guarded, self destructive (but ultimately endearing) protagonists, I can safely say Harrow has definitely outdone herself.
Set in Eden, a small town in Kentucky plagued by a string of bad luck, the story revolves around the titular Starling House. A mysterious (and supposedly haunted) property built by a reclusive children’s book author, whose strange tales and even stranger origins been blamed for the towns’ centuries long misfortunes.
Sitting mostly empty, the town’s inhabitants give the place a wide berth. Except for Opal, who has always found the place fascinating—so much she even dreams about it, despite never seeing inside. And when her curiosity gets too much she finds herself drawn to its gates and face to face with its current reclusive owner, Arthur.
When he offers her an opportunity to work within Starling House (as it’s House Keeper) Opal cannot refuse. But Arthur is grumpy and far too secretive for the inquisitive Opal, and the house strange in its eerie sentience that she’s determined to get to the bottom of. If the shady organisation currently blackmailing her for info doesn’t get her fired first.
This was incredible, my gothic loving heart absolutely devoured this!
And loved that (much like her previous works), Harrow’s skillful storytelling is central to the book’s narrative, drawing upon a whimsically dark tone that I found delightfully reminiscent of Neil Gaiman and Tim Burton—if they teamed up to create a gritty, contemporary (HBO-esque) adaptation of a Grimm’s Fairytale.
Like I said previously the writing is beautifully atmospheric and eerie in the best way, with an immersive on detailed setting that I couldn’t get enough of. Especially the sentience of Starling House (which pretty much became a character in its own right) and it’s cosy gothic, Casita (from Encanto) meets Haunting of Hill House vibes that had me glued to my seat.
If you love your protagonists well written and emotionally complex, then our dual POV characters (Opal and Arthur) will definitely steal your heart. Both fairly prickly and emotionally guarded—Opal in trying to survive (and raise her brother single-handedly) in a town that has all but abandoned them, And Arthur, from the pain of losing his parents to Starling House’s Warden duties (a mantle he never wanted but took up nonetheless.)
I loved watching them slowly grow closer and learn to share their stories (and burdens) with one another, as they unravel the secrets of Starling House and its elusive first owner.
The relationship that blooms is rather slow burn as is the books pace (so do be aware of that’s not your thing) but the emotions we explore and the character development that ultimately results from it was absolutely phenomenal. By the end you’ll be screaming in support of these two and willing them to survive.
Overall, an immersive and deliciously dark treat of a read that cosy, gothic fiction lovers and fans of Melissa Albert or Leigh Bardugo should definitely consider checking out. Though I do advise checking TWs beforehand.
Also, thanks to Tor UK and Black Crow PR for this incredible finished copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Incest, Racism, Slavery, and Vomit
kris386's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Drug use, Car accident, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty, Homophobia, Incest, Sexual content, Stalking, Lesbophobia, and Deportation
jht5791's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Vomit, Car accident, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Incest, Racism, Self harm, Slavery, Grief, and Religious bigotry
blewballoon's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
I was really looking forward to this book, and it didn't disappoint! I enjoyed the spooky cursed town, the magic house, and the quirky cast of buried-heart-of-gold characters. Highly recommend it for a Halloween read, especially if you don't want a book with anything too gruesome or graphic happening on the page.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Incest, Racism, Slavery, and Vomit
cait_reads_and_drinks's review against another edition
dark
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Death of parent
Minor: Incest and Slavery