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jzkelley 's review for:
Starling House
by Alix E. Harrow
This is Ninth House’s softer, gentler little sister.
I loved the characters of Opal and Jasper, the themes of lying and storytelling, and how both Eden and the House were real, fleshed-out characters. It manages a soft landing to a book that felt pretty grim and genuinely spooky at points, which isn’t easier.
The Evil Secret Organization subplot lacked a satisfying conclusion and the romantic subplot felt like it was missing all its important middle bits, but I’m inclined to overlook those parts because the Gothic vibes are so good.
4.5 stars, which really goes to show the importance of marketing, because if I had picked this up as a Beauty and the Beast retelling, it would be like 2 stars at most.
I loved the characters of Opal and Jasper, the themes of lying and storytelling, and how both Eden and the House were real, fleshed-out characters. It manages a soft landing to a book that felt pretty grim and genuinely spooky at points, which isn’t easier.
The Evil Secret Organization subplot lacked a satisfying conclusion and the romantic subplot felt like it was missing all its important middle bits, but I’m inclined to overlook those parts because the Gothic vibes are so good.
4.5 stars, which really goes to show the importance of marketing, because if I had picked this up as a Beauty and the Beast retelling, it would be like 2 stars at most.