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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
dark
mysterious
tense
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
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
“Starling House” was a real slow burn. The writing is very easy to read but the story doesn’t pick up until around page 128. Opal, the protagonist, was not my favorite character. Despite all of these downsides, “Starling House” has a charming quality to it. I loved reading the backstories about this house and its owners. At times I was pleasantly surprised.
I really enjoyed this, despite it having quite a depressing, oppressive feel for most of it (which is not usually my preference). What worked for me though:
- I'm a sucker for a mystery, and the true stories behind what's up with Starling House are gradually revealed throughout the book. Once we'd got past the midpoint, it became hard to put down. The House itself was also pretty cool.
- Opal's character development. It is very much about finding her way through her own trauma, and figuring out what home means for her.
- The writing and the atmosphere, mostly achieved through similes and through Opal's feelings (both physical and emotional).
- The side characters. I'm always drawn to stories with a sibling relationship for a start, but I also liked all the other side characters too, they were all distinct and none of them one-dimensional.
- The way it touches on bigger issues, such as the long term consequences of slavery in the state of Kentucky, of capitalism, and of narrow-minded, small town America turning a blind eye on its own dark side and history.
This spoilered bit relates to one of the tags the book has in Goodreads, that is not mentioned at all in the synopsis (so was something I personally was expecting but not everyone will be). It isn't a big spoiler for the plot itself:
I'm not sure what I would want improved about this book, but it's not quite a 5 star for me, possibly mainly due to personal preference in terms of tone, as well as one or two minor niggles with the plot and tropes used. Really glad I bought and read the book (it's pretty too) and will definitely be giving more of Harrow's books a try, including The Once and Future Witches, the audiobook for which I DNF'd due to intense irritation with the narrator!
- I'm a sucker for a mystery, and the true stories behind what's up with Starling House are gradually revealed throughout the book. Once we'd got past the midpoint, it became hard to put down. The House itself was also pretty cool.
- Opal's character development. It is very much about finding her way through her own trauma, and figuring out what home means for her.
- The writing and the atmosphere, mostly achieved through similes and through Opal's feelings (both physical and emotional).
- The side characters. I'm always drawn to stories with a sibling relationship for a start, but I also liked all the other side characters too, they were all distinct and none of them one-dimensional.
- The way it touches on bigger issues, such as the long term consequences of slavery in the state of Kentucky, of capitalism, and of narrow-minded, small town America turning a blind eye on its own dark side and history.
This spoilered bit relates to one of the tags the book has in Goodreads, that is not mentioned at all in the synopsis (so was something I personally was expecting but not everyone will be). It isn't a big spoiler for the plot itself:
Spoiler
I didn't mind the romance, which is surprising because usually I could do without it, but in this, I think it worked quite well with the theme, and to strengthen the motivations and development of the characters. I am sure there was a way of writing the same story without it, but I'll accept it as it is, especially as I didn't feel like it was too central a part of the plot or character arc. This is not romantasy!I'm not sure what I would want improved about this book, but it's not quite a 5 star for me, possibly mainly due to personal preference in terms of tone, as well as one or two minor niggles with the plot and tropes used. Really glad I bought and read the book (it's pretty too) and will definitely be giving more of Harrow's books a try, including The Once and Future Witches, the audiobook for which I DNF'd due to intense irritation with the narrator!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes