A review by ashley_mrose530
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

I didn't like this book but I didn't hate it either. I feel like a reviewer on tiktok said it best. This book is a book of almosts. It was almost a good book, almost an interesting plot, almost interesting characters, but it never actually sealed the deal for me.
I think part of it was that it was trying too hard to ride the line between horror and romance which are two completely opposite genres. It references Withering Heights in the beginning just to get you thinking in that headspace but I remember not really liking that book either and it's probably for the same reason. These two genres just don't really work in conjunction with one another for me. They come off boring. You almost have the intrigue and suspense of the horror but it never actually spills overs and gives you the big payoff that you're hoping for.
I thought the fantasy elements were interesting. I liked the sentient house and having to fight off monsters, but that was probably the most interesting part of the book.
So this one really wasn't for me, but I can see how people who like Wuthering Heights might enjoy it.