For this spooky season I was really wanting to read a story about a haunted house with magic, mystery and a little love story.

This book gave all that and more!
I love the way this author took a classic story and made it all her own, while still keeping your curious, and curioser.

I loved how much depth she gave to her characters and how you travelled through each characters story beautifully while still following the plot with grace. This book was beautifully written and I would love to see a movie adaptation of this book.

I have read a few of the author’s other books and enjoyed them. This one however knocked them all out of the park for me.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book so much! Starling house is an atmospheric gothic fantasy that completely blew me away! While this book touches on dark and eerie things it does so in a beautiful way. It reminded me of a modern day version of a brothers grimm fairytale. This is the perfect book for the autumn months filled with the perfect amount of cozy and spooky. While this book can be described as a horror it is also filled with a lovely romance that cuts the unease wonderfully. If a story can be both nightmarish and monstrous but also sweet and magical that's what Starling House is.

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who wants something a bit dark and strange but also something romantic and cozy. For sure one of my favorites of the year!

This creepy gothic horror is arriving just in time for spooky season. I'm guessing it will appeal to those who celebrate. As expected, it's overwhelmingly dark, but there are occasional patches of light and humor. It hooked me quickly, kept me on the line with a slow burn, and escalated considerably toward the end. I'm not into hardcore horror, generally—you can use that as a gauge when I say that it's not super-scary.

Relationships abound, notably between Opal and her brother, the owner of the motel in which they live, the local librarian, and Arthur Starling, along with a few highly adversarial and more marginal relationships.

There is some social commentary—historical to the present—including women's rights (or, rather, lack thereof, especially in terms of personal agency and rights to property), racial/civil rights, and environmental issues. I liked these threads, which are pretty low-key and well-integrated.

I jumped at the chance to read this in advance, having had good experiences with Harrow's Fractured Fables (preferring the first over the second). I bought two of her backlist novels when I was burning my remaining Audible credits the day before their expiration, so I'm looking forward to those, as well.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for the audio ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review. Publication is expected October 3. That's only three weeks away, so act quickly, folks!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC in exchange for review.

Starling House is an adult fiction novel, subcategorized into the science fiction/fantasy genre. Alix E. Harrow is the author of Starling House. She has written the very popular and bestselling The Ten Thousand Doors of January, Once and Future Witches, and several novellas and short stories.

Opal is a woman living in Eden, Kentucky. She lives with her brother Jasper. Eden is a dead end town and Opal works very hard to provide Jasper the opportunity to move out and get away from Eden.

Eden is famous for a former resident named E. Starling. E. Starling wrote a novel called The Underland and then Starling House appeared and E. Starling vanished forever.

In the present time, Arthur Starling is living in Starling House as the very last heir to the house. He offers Opal an opportunity to help him and make some money, money that she isdesperate for to help her brother, but she finds out the house has a life of its own. Should Opal and Arthur dig up the towns buried secrets? What will they find? Read to find out!

Things I loved about the book:
Absolutely gorgeous cover art.
FMC Opal is written as a resilient, strong, committed woman. She is a character I could totally relate to.
Narrator Natalie Naudus was such an excellent narrator for this book.
Spooky vibes but not too terrifying.
Alix E. Harrow’s writing style is phenomenal.

The only negative I can come up with is that the book is a little slow moving in the beginning.

This is a perfect Gothic novel for the Halloween season. It has spooky vibes without being too graphic or gory. Starling House will be released on October 1st, 2023.

This is the first Alix E. Harrow book I've devoured as an audiobook, and while I plan on buying the print copy because I am that big of a fan of Harrow and her beautiful words, I deeply enjoyed Starling House as an audiobook. Natalie Naudus is an incredible narrator who imbues so much emotion into the story she's reading that it feels like a friend telling you the most interesting story (which does have a lot to do with how great of a writer Harrow is as well).

Starling House is a romantic story told through the lens of a scary Wonderland and the poverty of coal country in Kentucky. It's a story of oppression, class warfare, racism, and sexism, and the fact that while things are better, they're still not exactly good for many people - because things like racism, sexism, and classism still exist. It's a story about how insular communities get stuck in their ways, needing to be forced to evolve and adapt by tooth and nail (literally, in the case of Starling House). Everything Harrow has written that I've read is absolutely gut-wrenching, but she always seems able to tie it in a pretty, if gritty, fairy tale bow, discussing hard truths of society through fantasy.

Harrow is one of the best writers out there today, and while I used to think I was biased saying that, the more I read from her the more I think that is an objective truth - Alix E. Harrow is just a fantastic story-teller who really does know her way with words, and this newest book shows how she is only getting better.

I'll be recommending Starling House to absolutely everyone and it is easily in my top 3 of 2023. I'm just sad it's ended... but can't wait to read it again!

This gothic-inspired tale delivered everything that I wanted to find (and didn't) in titles like The London Séance Society and The Last Heir to Blackwood Library. The characters were loveable but flawed, the setting was a character in and of itself, and the pacing was just right. This was my first Alix E. Harrow read, but I'll be looking into their backlog. I've already recommended Starling House to multiple people!

The perfect spooky stand-alone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audioARC of Starling House in exchange for an honest review.

Starling House is a story of love, loss, duty and letting go. It is a story of found family, healing and hope.

On the surface Starling House is about a spooky old house. A house that is a symbol and scapegoat for the hardships and tragedies visited upon its town, Eden. When you go deeper you learn that the house is simply the vessel through which the town is forced to pay for its many sins.

While weaving this tale Harrow manages to touch upon many poignant themes. She touches on the dangers of exceptionalism and how it can lead to a false sense of security while exhibiting the duality of how someone can be a hero to one and a villain to others.

Starling House drives home just how easy it is to overlook monstrous behaviour when it benefits oneself. While also illustrating how the victims are often coloured as the villain, so much so that the victims may assume that mantle.

And once again Harrow is able to show the capacity of female rage. How it can be transformative both positively and negatively. And how it can be quiet or explosive but either has teeth.

I received an advance copy of this book, and it did not disappoint! It could be described as a dark southern gothic novel with elements of romance! It was fast-paced for the most part, had a great female protagonist who was strong willed and comical at times, and an ending that I approve of. The story was wrapped up nicely by the end, and it didn’t feel too forced, trivial, or rushed.

I absolutely loved the setting in Kentucky and how the author conveys the darkness of the Starling house and the mines. I thought this tied nicely to the back story of the villains of the novel. All in all, the ending was descriptive, imaginative, and blended perfectly together with the overall story.

I also really enjoyed the narration. She did a great job with Opal, Arthur, and even Eleanor — to the point where it almost sounded like different narrators for each.

I highly recommend this book, especially as Halloween and spooky season rolls around!

This was a great kick-off into spooky season for me. While not quite horror, not quite fantasy, and not quite modern. I enjoyed the mash of genres and I felt the writing carried it well.
Opal and Arthur have an enemies to lover vibe that appeases the snark and found-family themes that I also enjoy. While I do feel the ending was a bit rushed and wrapped a little too nicely. I was still entranced from start to finish.

The audio narration was quite enjoyable. I was clearly able to tell the characters apart and they each held their own personality.

4.5
The perfect spooky season read! Beautifully written with just the right amount of creepy (true horror fans might not be scared but I was), a sharp-tongued heroine, an old mystery, and a lovely little romance.

Opal will do everything in her power to help her precocious teenage brother escape their horrible small town of Eden, Kentucky, even if that means taking a post as a housekeeper at the sinister Starling House. Though it has captivated her nightmares for years, she and no one else in the town have been able to set foot there or see much of its caretaker, Arthur. Soon she will be sucked into the cruel secrets that Arthur has tried to protect them all from—can they escape before it's too late?

This couldn't have been anything other than 5 stars for me. Alix E. Harrow wrote a beautiful and haunting gothic with Starling House. It is dark and emotional and contained so many elements that I love. I was about halfway through when I thought to myself "so much has happened already, what else could be left". OOF so much happens. I love this book. 100% will buy a physical copy so I can read this during Halloween seasons in the future.

If you enjoy small towns harboring loads of secrets, creepy haunted houses, and literal nightmares, add Starling House to your Halloween reading list.

Starling House has been around for generations. As its last heir, Arthur’s lived a sad, lonely existence for several years as the sole occupant, and upkeep hasn’t been a priority. After all, the house doesn’t let just anyone through its front doors, but when Opal is hired as a housekeeper she’s welcomed.

Opal’s life hasn’t been as easy one. She never knew her father, and after her mother dies in a car accident, Opal is left to raise younger brother Jasper. Determined he’ll leave their small, dying town, go to college, and have a bright future, she’s worked deadend jobs for years and saved every penny possible. Jasper’s been her priority and once he’s gone, she’s not sure what her purpose will be. Opal’s prickly personality doesn’t allow a large social circle. She’s heard all the rumors about Starling House and Arthur, but the housekeeping job offers money she needs for Jasper’s schooling. Once the sinister secrets come tumbling out of the closet, Arthur tells Opal to run – any sane person would. But she’s also stubborn and refuses to abandon Arthur and the house she’s begun to think of as a home.

As a KY resident I enjoyed the small town KY setting and references to familiar places. I’m also a sucker for found family, and in the midst of horrific circumstances, Opal realizes she’s not as alone as she believed. The ending is utter perfection.

I listened to the audiobook and narrator Natalie Naudus did a wonderful job. When Starling House releases in October, grab a copy and settle in with your favorite beverage of choice for a captivating fall read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I absolutely LOVE this book!! It is so good! The gothic vibes and the storytelling were great. The vibes were great and I really enjoyed the gothic fairytale. There was definitely plenty of angsty vibes from Opal and Arthur and the story line was very interesting. The narration was great and it just elevated the storytelling and gave me all the gothic and fall vibes. Opal is a interesting character and I enjoyed how her story came together and how we saw her character grow as the story progressed.

The only negative I can say is that I wanted MORE of these characters and this story. But I understand it might’ve gotten boring. Another huge hit for Harrow! I was so invested in these characters and identified with them.

Alix E. Harrow, known for her spellbinding storytelling, once again captivates readers in STARLING HOUSE. Having previously fallen in love with her work, I couldn't resist delving into this Southern Gothic gem. The tale unfolds in the forlorn town of Eden, where the legend of E. Starling and the mysterious Starling House take center stage. Harrow's lyrical prose effortlessly transports readers into the heart of this dying town and the enigmatic house itself. The characters, notably Opal and Arthur, are richly drawn, their stories woven seamlessly into the narrative's fabric. While the middle section may seem slightly prolonged, the story quickly regains its momentum, leading to a riveting conclusion. STARLING HOUSE is a gothic masterpiece, brimming with mystery and sweeping romance, making it a perfect autumn read. Harrow's ability to craft intricate tales that linger long after the final page is a testament to her storytelling prowess. This book is a must-read for those who appreciate atmospheric, character-driven narratives. On another note... who can resist this beautiful book cover?

You have probably never heard of Eden, Kentucky. It is a dying country town, known only for the the legend of E. Starling, the reclusive nineteenth-century author and illustrator who wrote The Underland--and disappeared. Before she vanished, Starling House appeared. There is only one Starling who remains.... his name is Arthur, and no one ever sees him. Everyone in town agrees he is just as odd as the house he lives in, and it is best to leave them both alone. Opal knows better than to mess with haunted houses or brooding men, but an unexpected job offer from Arthur might be a chance to get her brother Jasper out of Eden before it is too late, and he is stuck there like the rest of them. Too quickly, though, Starling House starts to feel dangerously like something she’s never had.....a home. As sinister forces converge on Starling House, Opal and Arthur are going to have to work together to dig up the buried secrets of the past and confront their own fears, or let Eden be taken over by literal nightmares.

I love this author's books - she does an excellent job with telling a story, one so compelling you can't stop reading (or listening to). Opal made an wonderful female protagonist. Her and Jasper's mom died in a car crash years ago, leaving young Opal to raise her small brother alone, using whatever means necessary. She was mouthy, resourceful, a thief (at times), a hard worker (most of the time), and loved Jasper fiercely. She would do whatever it took, even going into the belly of the beast, so to speak, if it meant giving Jasper a chance at a better life. The narrator did an excellent job with the voices - I really got a feel for each of the characters, and was able to form a picture of each of them in my mind. If you are a fan of fantasy fiction, then you will definitely want to add this to your TBR pile!

3.5 Not quite sure if this would be considered a Gothic horror novel or fantasy. Maybe a mix up of genres that seem to be more and more mainstream. The atmosphere is most definitely Gothic as is the old house at the center of the story , and the accident prone and dying Kentucky town. An author that disappeared years ago after writing one novel, The Underground. A young woman whose curiousity leads her into a very strange and dangerous scenario. Plus, a romantic involvement that centers around the old, strange house that is able to change itself when it is needed.

I enjoyed the adventure, the strangeness, like Alice going down a hole where she is not sure where she will find herself. The last part of the book was too, too much of everything to be at all believable. Though I guess it wasn't meant to be believable and I don't have the mindset for too much weirdness.

Good story for Halloween spookiness.
The audio and the narrator were awesome.

This is a good, creepy, magical/gothic house story. Definitely a good time to read this story as spooky season is coming up. This wasn't my favorite book by Alix but I did enjoy it. I love a creepy haunted house story and this one lives up to that hype. The romance was a bit "meh" for me. I also hated that she didn't talk to her brother more and let him in on what she was doing. Talk to each other dang it!

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Alix E. Harrow for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The only other book I've read by this author is The Once and Future Witches so I knew this would be good but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Starling House was the perfect atmospheric fantasy book for a rainy autumn night. It was so easy to get swept away in the author's prose and immerse myself in the story. I loved how real the characters in this story felt. Opal showed amazing character development throughout the story. The plot had a steady pace and kept me engaged from beginning to end. I highly recommend for fans of gothic fantasy and character driven stories.

Thank you to the publishers, the author, and netgalley for this alc in exchange for an honest review.

I could no sooner choose a favorite Alix E. Harrow book than choose a star from the heavens, but Starling House is giving the others a run for their money. Starling House had everything I wanted – haunted house vibes, a brooding young man, a heroine who would do anything for her brother. I don’t want to say too much about the plot, but Opal is a very compelling main character to follow, and I was not disappointed in her characterization.

I also love the way that Harrow weaves a sort of historiography of the house and the town into the narrative. I was delighted to have footnotes as a way to think about this historiography and to learn more about Starling House, Eden, Gravely Power, Eleanor Starling, but also details about Opal herself. The narrative was carefully crafted and an absolutely joy to read. Starling House was the kind of book I did not want to finish – I wanted it to keep going.

Natalie Naudus was an excellent audiobook reader, and brought great nuance to her reading of this excellent novel.