I really enjoyed the world-building and gothic atmosphere of the Starling House and it was everything I wanted from a spooky and dark read. However, I often found myself rooting against the main characters as they were just so frustrating in how they handled situations. This did not take away from enjoying the story and the world-building and I found myself interested in where the story was going. Having the dual POV helped the story move forward and kept the pace of the plot at a good rate. This was my first book by Alix E. Harrow, and I am looking forward to reading more. Overall I think there were some interesting plot points but did not buy into the romance subplot, it just felt too awkward. It is important to note that this is not a traditional horror genre text, and instead leans more towards gothic magical realism. If you do not like the miscommunication trope, proceed with caution as I think that was one of the key factors that made me frustrated with the characters. Make sure to read the content warnings before starting as this text deals with rage, grief, and loss.

This was the first book I read by Alix Harrow, and I must say, I'm a fan! She has quite a way with words, and even though it took me a while to finish, I was fascinated by the story.

It's about a girl with bad luck, a cursed small town, and a mysterious haunted house. The characterization was really well done: I especially liked Opal and her relationship with Jasper. Full of generational trauma, family bonds, and a sentient house, this read like an old legend brought to life.

This was definitely creepy and gothic, but I didn’t find it too scary! The writing was great and the mystery definitely gripped me. It also felt almost silly at times and poked fun at itself.

The house had an eerie vibe, but I almost wish it were scarier! But it was a fun fall read.

This cements Harrow as one of my must-read authors. This not-quite-horror story is an excellent choice for fans of spooky but not scary books.

I don't usually complain about something being too short, but I found myself wishing this book was longer. Harrow has a beautiful writing style. It's very compelling and you don't want to put the book down. While it meets the "scary" sort of vibe, there's a certain coziness to it, and I recommend reading it in the Fall for the vibes. The romance isn't as well fleshed out between Arthur and Opal as it could be, but I found myself not too bothered by it. There are some trigger warnings within this book, however so be warned.

Fine, but a bit boring and didn't really click or bring together all the threads. More weird house, less awkward romance, please.

I so enjoyed this grim read! I wasn't planning on this being the first book of Alix E. Harrow's that I actually read - I own the other two and haven't read them yet, like a weirdo - but this came up for a book club and seemed like the perfect start to get me into the autumnal mood! Spooky, gothic, the house is a character - everything up my alley. Harrow takes a mirror to the underbelly of a town very well. I had a little bit of sighing over some stereotypical characterization but I loved the house and vibes so much that I really didn't mind.

This book was so well written and built suspense so beautifully that it scared my socks off!
I could not stop reading this book even though it was scary to turn the pages at times.
Recommended for fans of Riley Sagar and Simone St James.

A riveting read that explores rage, grief, and revenge. This story has character development, magical realism, and a narrative that is thought provoking and touches deep.

THE 411...

It's become a summer time tradition for me to read at least one horror book and since Alex E. Harrow has been on my list of authors to read from this year, here we are! Starling House was actually an eARC I received last year but never seemed to be in the right mood for it, not picking it up sooner was a mistake. This book is a whole vibe whether you're looking for a creepy house to get sucked into or not. We meet our MC Opal while she's living in a motel in Eden town Kentucky with her sixteen year old brother Jasper. Orphaned and homeless, they've learned how to get by on their own in a town where none of its residents have much luck anyway. Think dirty running water and smoke filled skies stemming from one greedily owned coal mining company. In Eden there is also the Starling property with a big mysterious house previously owned by Eleanor Starling, a recluse 19th century author who disappeared. Starling wrote a children's book titled "the Underland" which featured beasts of all forms, her book eventually being deemed too dark for continued circulation. The Starling house has seen many warden's and whenever one dissapears or dies, another shortly arrives. Opal who once was an aspiring author, is intrigued by E. Starling and so she finds a way to get hired as a cleaning lady by the current warden Arthur Starling. Opal soon finds out she isn't the only one interested in the Starling house and the powers that be will stop at nothing to uncover its secrets.

THOUGHTS...

We love books that feature books in them, almost always they serve the purpose of pulling the reader in. I'm already a sucker for small town vibes even when that town exudes "Do Not Enter" vibes, sign me up! Starling House is slow paced with a healthy balance of plot/character driving the story. The warden of the Starling estate Adam Starling reminds me a bit of To Kill a Mockingbird's Boo Radley but with a sword and secretly bad a**! the MC Opal is hard not to like, she openly admits to thieving for a good cause which in her case is her brother Jasper's future. Although I typically don't support stealing for a living, this town in particular is just rotten to its core. Opal and her brother Jasper are the town rejects but not a care is given to what other people think and I love that for them. We get a strong sibling relationship, found family that won't quit on Opal, long buried town secrets, a house you'll come to see the magic in, and a love story between two misfits. Centered at the heart of this story are themes of racism, incest, and grief. Some of these themes are a part of the towns history and others such as the racism Jasper experiences due to the color of his skin are also a driving force. The fictional town of Eden Kentucky with its coal mines that were historically mined by slaves is an important piece of the story. This was one key element I would've liked to see more fleshed out since it was referenced and does play a role in one of the characters lives. Haunting, atmospheric, gritty while also melancholy...just what I was looking for in a Gothic Horror read this summer 🖤

This book gripped me immediately. I loved the combination of character study and mystery all rolled into one. Harrow continues to be one of my favorite authors.

Starling House is a testament to Alix E. Harrow’s skill as a storyteller. It is a beautifully written, richly atmospheric novel that will captivate fans of gothic fiction and those who appreciate a well-crafted tale of mystery and self-discovery. She remains one of my very favorite fantasy writers today, for the feminist and queer sensibility of her books. Opal is a fantastically infuriating and appealing protagonist, and the book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

This is one of my favorites of the year! It was such an intricate story done in so few pages. The characters were so well written and the plot made it so hard to put it down. One of the first 5 star reviews of the year

In "Starling House," Alix E. Harrow ventures into the realm of Gothic fiction with a tale centered on a haunted house and its inhabitants. However, while the novel promises intrigue and mystery, it falls short of delivering a satisfying reading experience for some. The book's pacing feels drawn out, with moments where readers anticipate the end only to find more story left to unravel. Moreover, the use of dual perspectives reveals information to readers well ahead of the characters, leading to a sense of frustration rather than anticipation as events unfold.

Protagonist Opal's character is a point of contention, with her choices and lack of communication feeling contrived at times. The novel's transition into horror territory may further alienate readers expecting a more traditional fantasy experience. Despite Harrow's skill in crafting evocative prose and striking metaphors, the execution of "Starling House" leaves much to be desired. With its blend of horror and Gothic elements, this novel may find a niche audience among fans of the genre, but for readers seeking a traditional fantasy tale, it may not hit the mark. Ultimately, "Starling House" may not be the entry point for those unfamiliar with Harrow's work, and its flaws may leave some readers hesitant to explore her other novels.

3.5/5 Stars

Opal lives in the town of Eden, Kentucky known for the home of the reclusive E. Starling, a 19th century author and illustrator of 'The Underland', who mysteriously disappeared, leaving behind her estate Starling House. Opal spends her days caring for her younger brother, after the unexpected death of her mother. She feels drawn to Starling house, and ends up getting a job as a house keeper from the latest heir to the estate, Arthur Starling. As she begins working there, she begins uncovering the secrets behind these closed doors.

This book started off very slow, as we're learning the history of the house, but it did pick up around the mid-way point. I can't say I particularly cared for the history aspect, and was bored at times, but once the story picked up I was pretty invested in where it was going. I was not a fan of the footnotes, and definitely wish they had been left out. The story also features a slow burn romance, which I enjoyed as it didn't overshadow the story. I think that Opal and Arthur balanced each other out nicely. Opal was an unlikeable main character, she was supposed to be in her late 20's but acted more like she was 17. Arthur's POV was great to read from, and I liked learning more about him as the story progressed. I really liked how the house felt like its own being, and I loved the concept of the beasts that came from the house.

I do think this would be a great Fall, atmospheric read around Halloween!

A beautiful, gothic story that I loved getting lost in. Alix E. Harrow is a master of the modern fairy tale, and Starling House exceeded my expectations.

Starling house is the perfect example of magical realism beautifully written in a gothic horror which will please readers of fantasy and horror alike. I devoured this book in two sittings and

If you like books featuring…
Magical house as a character
Gothic fantasy
Light horror

Great for fans of…
Naomi Novik
Weyward by Emilia Hart
Black Mirror (Netflix)

I will read everything that Alix E. Harrow writes, and I loved the creepy setting and story. It's well set up to be an eerie work, but I wish we had spent more time there and less with the people trying to buy the place. Too much blackmail, not enough creepy house time.

I am obsessed with this book. It's part southern gothic part horror part romance part mystery and all around wonderful. I will forever read anything Alix Harrow writes.

I honestly was weirdly disappointed after all the hype for this books. I went into this not knowing much about it other than gothic house vibes and as I read, I slowly realized it was kind of a “Beauty and the Beast” reimagining. I honestly wish it wasn’t like that. I love the non-traditional looking characters who just look like average people, but I just really didn’t want a romance. I kind of wanted a story about a girl and the house. Arthur didn’t really need to exist in the book and I would have loved it more. I wanted the house to be a main character, but it was more of a cute little menace.

I think my high expectations really hurt my overall reading experience, but I still just wanted more girl meets sentient gothic mansion vibes over girl meets beastly boy vibes.

Overall though I did like the characters for the most part (minus the annoying miscommunication) and I adored the house and the beastly aspects of it. It was fine, but just not very memorable.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC.