Take a photo of a barcode or cover
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book had fantastic characters and a complex, ever-evolving setting that had me invested at every twist & turn in the journey Opal (the FMC) goes on in an effort to uncover the mystery that is Starling House. Her drive and inquisitiveness pushed the story along in such an enjoyable way.
Being from the south, I could really clearly picture the town of Eden, KY while reading. I feel like Alix did a great job setting the scene and the attitudes of the people there. She didn't shy away from some of the harder topics surrounding such a setting and I really appreciated that.
I will say some of the magic felt a little unexplained at times, but that may have very well been a creative choice the author made in her writing (wanting to leave some things up to the imagination of how their inner-workings operate). I could see that at least being a reason for that decision! This sort of bleeds into my only other negative critique of the book, which is that they ending felt maybe a little rushed. It was such a slow-paced read up until the last 15% or so and then it was very quick and Opal was explaining why things were happening in such a quick way that I did have to read things a few times.
The more sub-plot romance was actually a surprise personal favorite of mine! I love a brooding love interest so Arthur fit that bill very well. And I really appreciated the way Alix wrote the way their relationship bloomed. It felt genuine and comfortable. Would have loved to have had more fo them!
Overall, this was a very unique read unlike anything I've read before! Definitely a fan of books with eerie, sentient houses and this one definitely set itself apart from others maybe somewhat like it in premise. The vibes were 1,000% there and I would especially recommend reading during spooky season 👻 (but you could read whenever! It's literally the week of Valentine's Day as I write this review 😂)
P.S. Had to mention. I loved the queer representation in this book, as well! Bev & Charlotte were very cute 🥰 and we love a bi king Arthur!
Being from the south, I could really clearly picture the town of Eden, KY while reading. I feel like Alix did a great job setting the scene and the attitudes of the people there. She didn't shy away from some of the harder topics surrounding such a setting and I really appreciated that.
I will say some of the magic felt a little unexplained at times, but that may have very well been a creative choice the author made in her writing (wanting to leave some things up to the imagination of how their inner-workings operate). I could see that at least being a reason for that decision! This sort of bleeds into my only other negative critique of the book, which is that they ending felt maybe a little rushed. It was such a slow-paced read up until the last 15% or so and then it was very quick and Opal was explaining why things were happening in such a quick way that I did have to read things a few times.
The more sub-plot romance
Overall, this was a very unique read unlike anything I've read before! Definitely a fan of books with eerie, sentient houses and this one definitely set itself apart from others maybe somewhat like it in premise. The vibes were 1,000% there and I would especially recommend reading during spooky season 👻 (but you could read whenever! It's literally the week of Valentine's Day as I write this review 😂)
P.S. Had to mention. I loved the queer representation in this book, as well!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Slavery, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
From me, Starling House gets 3.75 stars! ☺️
This is a standalone adult fantasy with a healthy dose of gothic and paranormal mixed in with some mystery aspects! 🙃 In this book we follow Opal as she gets an unexpected job as a house keeper at the dreaded Starling House 👀🫣, with the sole purpose of getting her brother out of Eden, Kentucky - just another dying, bad-luck town known only for the legend of E Starling, author of Underland - a creepy children's book.
CW: bigotry, exploitation of people of color, mentions of slavery, white supremacy, homophobia, colorism, sexual abuse, etc..😅
I want to begin by mentioning that I always had a great time while reading this! Both our MCs, Opal and Arthur, were interesting people, flawed and even unlikable in some aspects...something that I enjoy.
The problem for me was the whole thriller? Mystery?🤔🤷♀️ with Miss Elizabeth Baine...frankly...her role wasn't defined enough for me to accept it... Otherwise, this gothic house story of found family and societal issues disguised as fantasy was amazing! 😺
Sooo..I guess the main problem you could have here is with the conflict, as what I deem as writing craft and context - Eden and the careful stitching of the narrative with its history - was without reproach! 😤👍
Let's say some more about #story and characters : I found myself rooting for our MCs relationship! I sympathized with Arthur as well as with Opal..although she is definitely more difficult to like as a person. Saying that, her care and dedication for Jasper is to be admired and despite coming from a flawed POV, she cares deeply and tries her best to protect and support him. Jasper is also compelling and clever! He knows how to push with his sister and when to take things into his own hands...I really liked that he chose for himself and helped Opal do the same!
As for Bev and Charlotte, wasn't vibing with them in the beginning, to end up admiring them! 😂
Now...E. Sterling....👀🫠...I don't know what to think of her...I felt her pain but punishing Starlings like that...yeah... I'm glad things got resolved as they did.
Overall, I recommend this.
This is a standalone adult fantasy with a healthy dose of gothic and paranormal mixed in with some mystery aspects! 🙃 In this book we follow Opal as she gets an unexpected job as a house keeper at the dreaded Starling House 👀🫣, with the sole purpose of getting her brother out of Eden, Kentucky - just another dying, bad-luck town known only for the legend of E Starling, author of Underland - a creepy children's book.
CW: bigotry, exploitation of people of color, mentions of slavery, white supremacy, homophobia, colorism, sexual abuse, etc..😅
I want to begin by mentioning that I always had a great time while reading this! Both our MCs, Opal and Arthur, were interesting people, flawed and even unlikable in some aspects...something that I enjoy.
The problem for me was the whole thriller? Mystery?🤔🤷♀️ with Miss Elizabeth Baine...frankly...her role wasn't defined enough for me to accept it... Otherwise, this gothic house story of found family and societal issues disguised as fantasy was amazing! 😺
Sooo..I guess the main problem you could have here is with the conflict, as what I deem as writing craft and context - Eden and the careful stitching of the narrative with its history - was without reproach! 😤👍
Let's say some more about #story and characters : I found myself rooting for our MCs relationship! I sympathized with Arthur as well as with Opal..although she is definitely more difficult to like as a person. Saying that, her care and dedication for Jasper is to be admired and despite coming from a flawed POV, she cares deeply and tries her best to protect and support him. Jasper is also compelling and clever! He knows how to push with his sister and when to take things into his own hands...I really liked that he chose for himself and helped Opal do the same!
As for Bev and Charlotte, wasn't vibing with them in the beginning, to end up admiring them! 😂
Now...E. Sterling....👀🫠...I don't know what to think of her...I felt her pain but punishing Starlings like that...yeah... I'm glad things got resolved as they did.
Overall, I recommend this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Pedophilia
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you like ”Haunting of Hill House” the show, you will like this.
A sentient and haunted house, mysterious creatures, reluctant working together, a lot of trauma and sadness.
A sentient and haunted house, mysterious creatures, reluctant working together, a lot of trauma and sadness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Drug abuse, Blood
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Suicidal thoughts
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing, Incest, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Vomit, Alcohol
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Slavery, Death of parent
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Suicide attempt
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This would make a good movie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Slavery, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Sexual content, Classism
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
Starling House is a spooky old house with a personality of its own, brimming with dark shadows and ominous vibes (but also with an attitude, complete with moody shadows and vibes so ominous they're practically rolling their eyes).
How do I classify this book? A haunted house saga? Contemporary gothic fairy tale, perhaps? Cozy horror? But what's clear is that this book is an exploration of dreams, rage, exploitation, love, and the profound longing for a sense of belonging. It delves into the realm of monsters, whether they lurk in imagined places or exist in the harsh light of the real world.
And it's written so beautifully! I find the prose captivating, evoking an almost fairy-tale ambiance. I also loved the charming, understated romance, and the extraordinary Starling House that is a character on its own!
If, like me, you've grown tired of characters who are perfectly attractive and flawless, Opal and Arthur offer a delightful change. The way they describe each other had me in stitches:
And it's written so beautifully! I find the prose captivating, evoking an almost fairy-tale ambiance. I also loved the charming, understated romance, and the extraordinary Starling House that is a character on its own!
If, like me, you've grown tired of characters who are perfectly attractive and flawless, Opal and Arthur offer a delightful change. The way they describe each other had me in stitches:
Opal on Arthur: “His face is all hard angles and sullen bones split by a beak of a nose, and his hair is a tattered wing an inch shy of becoming a mullet.”
Arthur on Opal: “a freckled scarecrow of a girl with crooked teeth and holes in the knees of her jeans, utterly unremarkable except for the steel in her eyes.”
I think adding Arthur's POV is clever! It tells the reader that this mysterious, brooding character has feelings and emotions.
As someone who doesn't read many horror novels because I scare pretty easily, I've discovered that Starling House doesn't fit the typical horror narrative that induces nightmares. There's a subtle infusion of horror, but even the descriptions of the eerie are rendered so beautifully that it softens the impact. Additionally, it unfolds as a mystery, featuring a house that resembles a puzzle box, concealing secrets both outside and beneath its structure.
I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy gothic fantasy novels with haunted houses and dark secrets. It's also an excellent choice if you're drawn to characters who are misfits, outcasts, and dreamers, discovering love and a sense of home in unexpected places. Furthermore, if you enjoy atmospheric, vividly descriptive writing that transports you to a different world, this book is sure to captivate your imagination.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest, Racism, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book grew on me - it took me a minute to really get into it, but once the story picks up it really gets going. I found Opal both challenging and sympathetic in a good balance based on her life and experiences. Not my favorite of Alix. E. Harrow's but still very enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child death, Incest, Racism, Slavery, Murder
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really really enjoyed this Southern Gothic horror. I’ll try to write a full review on my blog tomorrow but for now..wow!
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism