Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in a mysterious house that the whole town is scared of? Opal is in need of money and is fascinated by all the tales told about the Starling house. This is her opportunity to learn more about the house, while also making money to give her younger brother a better life. What could possibly go wrong?

Lordy. I almost DNF'd this. This is so horribly boring. NONE of the main characters are likable. Opal is just whiney and not a likable character. Arthur is just as bad and they have zero chemistry. I couldn't have cared less if they got together or not. The only likable person in this story was Jasper, and he wasn't in it much. He at least had some sense.

There are these long, long monologues that the characters give. There are stretches of the story where nothing happens. It just goes on and on and on. It took me forever to listen to this.

I do like this audiobook narrator though. She also did the Bone Shard War and I like her voice.

I almost gave it one star, but decided to give it two because the story had potential. I kept going just to see if there was a twist or something that would make me like it more but no. It just got worse and worse. The writing is terrible. There are these ridiculous similes throughout. I also hated that she kept calling Arthur ugly. Like, ok, we get it, he's not handsome but really? You've got an MMC that's "ugly"? Why?

I received a free copy of this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTLfnhCRt/

This review is way overdue…Starling House by Alix E. Harrow was one of my favorite reads of last year.

It’s a modern gothic fantasy novel taking place in rural Kentucky with Opal our main character just wanting a way out of this run down town that seems determined to keep her there.

In the town, like many small towns there’s that one spooky house, in this case it’s the infamous Starling House with its reclusive heir lurking in its shadows.

Opal knows better than to go near the house and the brooding Arthur Starling but sees working there as the only way to get enough cash to get her and her brother out of there.

Somehow despite her best efforts Starling House starts to feel like home, but it’s past is catching up with it and forces seem contrived to destroy it.

This was my first Harrow book and I immediately picked up 10,000 doors afterwards because the prose is so damn good. I’ll read the rest of her back catalog eventually.

This book has a lot of my favorite things from engaging characters, a mysterious plot, rich history in worldbuilding, and a setting that feels alive.

I will admit that the pacing was a little up and down and the romance subplot was weak, but I think the atmosphere, vibes, and positivity the hell cat make up for it. Still a five star in my book.

In the end this is a story of self-discovery and acceptance. Asking the question of what is a home.

Natalie Naudus does a fantastic job narrating this book, she really pulled me into the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book early. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. In fact I went ahead and bought a physical copy too 😊

“Starling House” was quite a ride! I loved that the main character was quirky, and different. She was not the traditional “beautiful” MC but rather an interesting and multidimensional character. I loved the development between the two of them. The house in itself was a great character with an inherent magic that helped bring the story to life. It was very atmospheric and fun to read!

Starling House by Alix Harrow is a solid choice (3.5 stars) for an adult reader who doesn't enjoy the horror genre but wants a creepy gothic vibe in a standalone novel. Review posted here: www.wilsonhillworks.com/reviews/review-of-starlinghouse

We follow Opal and her brother who are currently living in a motel after the devastating loss of their mother. Opal entire life revolves around giving her little brother a better chance at succeeding in life than their current station will allow. In order to make more money, Opal makes the befuddling choice of choosing the clean the local haunted mansion in the employ of a handsome young owner, who - as coincidence would have it - has also devastatingly lost his parents. There is a bit of corrupt corporate big business using methods of intimidation to frighten Opal but the swampy southern setting and the elements of magical realism and ghostly apparitions add to the spookiness the most. The twists and turns of the ending are intriguing and satisfying.

However, this tale lost me in a few ways that made this a book that I could have loved so much (think du Maurier's Rebecca having moral ground and wanting revenge!), but don't. First of all, as an adult novel, I'd like to have more adult main characters (in age and maturity level). Secondly, I found some of the language at the beginning to be jarring (curse words in situations that just don't warrant that language) and then the cursing basically just stopped. So I wonder if since the characters are - and act - young, the way to make this seem to be more of an adult novel is to drop harsh curse words right at the beginning (?). Then readers know this isn't a YA novel?
{Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC.}

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Natalie Naudus really captured this eerie, atmospheric coal mining town in Kentucky with her voice! Wow! I loved the suspense, the pacing, and of course, Opal. Really well done and easy to binge! Highly recommend!

I had never read an Alix E. Harrow novel before but after this one I can confidently say this will not be my last! This was so deeply atmospheric and Brough such a unique vibe that would be perfect around the fall time. I thought it this story had such beautiful commentary on the power of stories and the way women tend to be portrayed throughout history. I found the plot to be so propulsive and I really had no idea where it was going to take me but I was completely along for the ride. I really enjoyed listening to this one and felt like the narrator did a great job.

3 ⭐/ 0.5 🌶️

I should preface this by stating that this is not my typical read. The story is a dark and dreary gothic paranormal with a Stranger Things feel to it. At the beginning, I debated DNF'ing the tale and it did take a while for it to hit it's stride. The 75% mark in fact. Though I was intrigued and kept listening. The way that the main characters were constantly described as ugly was a little off-putting and the romance was a very small side note to the over all story. All in all, it was an okay read/listen. I enjoyed both narrators of the tale as well. Full RTC....

"I dream sometimes about a house I've never seen."

✔️ Gothic Horror
✔️Paranormal Elements
✔️ Stranger Things Vibes
✔️ Dark & Dreary
✔️ Small Town
✔️ Mystery & Secrets
✔️ Found Family
✔️ Prickly Protagonist
✔️ Lies & Secrets
✔️ LGBTQ+ Rep
🚫 Slow-Moving
🚫 Off-putting Character Descriptions
🚫 Foggy Ending

***3.5 Stars***

Overall,
I wanted to love this more than I did. There was just something missing. I found myself bored quite often and it took a while for me to get through this one. There were parts that I liked, and I think that there was some really interesting plot points. The thing is that it I think it may have needed to be abit longer to flesh out those interesting plots. I am also not a big fan of miscommunication. It drives me crazy. Just talk!

12 Challenge

Recommended by Minh-Tu

My list of unliked genres grows longer. I believe I will add Southern gothic horror to the mix. If you're interested in what else belongs there: cozy mysteries, domestic thrillers, second chance romances, and young adult fantasies. Of course, there are exceptions to everything, but this seems to be the rule as of late.

That's not to say I didn't enjoy this. I liked some parts. The first half of the story interested me more than the second. I still can't get over Opal's name, but I have to remind myself that this is the South.

I was interested in the lore, and the house, and to an extent, the main character and love interest. The woe is me attitude gets draining, but is prevalent in this genre. The working poor exist everywhere, but the topic seems dredged up in this region of the States.

Things get a little weird, and not necessarily in the way I enjoy. There are many triggers in this book, and they're listed in other reviews, so tread with caution.

I really enjoyed this audiobook!
I found the narrator to be engaging and I continued to listen even when my housework was finished!
I think the plot was relatively fast paced and tense, and the characters were well developed and fascinating.

Eerie, engaging story. The romance at the center was a bit surprising, and characters' actions are sometimes frustrating.

(Duplicate entry due to approval for eARC and audiobook)

I liked this book more than the previous books that I read by Alix E Harrow. The idea of the story was great and the characters were well developed but overall the story was too descriptive and items were repeated over and over.

Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Things to know:
🍁 genre-bender - think dark, gothic horror meets mystery, with a sprinkling of romance and an overall vibe of a darker, modern-day fairytale? Almost like cozy horror? Is cozy horror a thing??
🍁 for some reason I kept thinking about Stranger Things while reading this? (For no reason other than ✨vibes✨)
🍁 the house was one of my favorite characters!
🍁 character-driven (which I normally don’t love but it worked for me!)
🍁 excellent on audio 🎧

This was such a good book to read this time of year! It had alllllllll the ingredients for a good fall read: a gothic tale about money, power, small town secrets, and actual monsters that just might try to take a bite out of you. 😈

Opal lives in small town Kentucky, an old coal mining town that has long since abandoned the mines. She’s the caretaker for her older brother, saving all of her money to provide for his future. This is how she lands a job at Starling House - a seemingly sentient house with a long history of caretakers that all seem to have somewhat sad pasts, and all die mysterious deaths. This is where Opal meets Arthur, the reclusive current caretaker who is determined to be the last.

This gothic tale is SO atmospheric. Thoughtful and well paced, filled with interesting secrets and a bit of mystery to unravel. It truly felt like I was reading a darker fairytale set in modern times (Once Upon A Time anyone??) I just *had* to buy the B&N exclusive edition for that extra chapter 😂

I loved everything about this book BUT the fact that this author frequently points out how absolutely horrendous her characters look - never in my life have I read a book where an author calls her characters “ugly” and “hideous” as much as what happens in this book 😂😭 a minor thing but still it was so jarring when it kept happening!!! I felt for those poor characters’ self esteem hahaha

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I loved the dark atmosphere. The characters were well written and fleshed out and were characters I could really root for. It was just such a fun and interesting story.

Thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of Starling House.

Starling House is a captivating dive into gothic horror and fantasy. Alix E. Harrow weaves an engaging atmosphere and introduces compelling characters, creating a tale with a mysterious allure.

The pacing was off here and there but the overall experience was immersive and enjoyable. The audiobook was well narrated. Overall. I recommend giving Starling House a read!

This story reads a bit young despite the protagonists being adults in their mid-to-late 20s. A Gothic Fantasy with minor shades of horror. Not for me. But many would like this

I enjoyed This audio book but it wasn't my favorite book. There were a few parts at the end that I had To reread to ensure I was Understanding what they were saying. The audio was very well done though.

Starling House is a gothic horror fantasy that has left an indelible mark on my reading journey. With its engaging atmosphere, compelling characters, and the allure of an unfolding mystery, Alix E. Harrow has crafted a tale that resonates. Despite occasional pacing nuances, the overall experience is one of delight and satisfaction.

I wholeheartedly recommend Starling House to those who appreciate a masterfully crafted blend of gothic horror and fantasy. This four-star journey into the unknown is a testament to Harrow's storytelling prowess and is sure to leave readers eager for more.
Thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of Hello Stranger

Story 4⭐️
Audio 5⭐️

This one was definitely interesting

I loved the characters and the plot of this book so much. I was annoyed with some of Opals actions, but in reality someone in her situation did not have many options.

I know Arthur was kind of a jerk but I loved him so much. He had been alone for so long, he was just doing what he thought was right. Normally I hate when a character thinks they know best, but he has gone through so much it was understandable.

The story started a little slow but it definitely kept my attention, once I started I couldn’t put it down until I knew how it ended.

Only things I wish we could’ve had was to see what happened with Baine. Also an epilogue from Opal and Arthur’s point of view.

Definitely recommend and will read more from this author

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for providing me with an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.