When I was young(er), I loved gothic romances more than pretty much any other kind of book (although horror aka Stephen King was high on that list as well). Put a little paranormal mystery into the romance and you had me. It’s nice to see that not much has changed–even if it really has. Starling House by Alix Harrow would have made me as happy when I was a teenager as it has now that I’m an adult. Mystery. Romance. Beauty and the Beast trope. Other-worldly occurrences. It’s all here.

Opal has been dreaming about Starling House for years. Strangely, she’s never visited the house so she has no idea as to why her dream-world obsesses over it so much or does so in such exquisite detail. The dreams spill over into her waking world so that she stands outside the gait and wonders about what’s inside. One day she finds out. The next day she’s working there as a housekeeper hired by the enigmatic Arthur Starling. Opal finds both the house and Arthur intriguing and dangerous.

I love books that keep offering you layers upon layers of twists and mysteries as Starling House does. In this audiobook narrated by Natalie Naudus, who does a superb job of bringing the characters and the story alive, the listener is swept up in the history of the house and its occupants as well as how Opal’s links to it run far deeper than she could ever guess. This is another audiobook that made me find chores to do just so that I could have an excuse to listen.

I have raved about Starling House to friends and highly recommend to you.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for a copy of the audiobook.

I could not stop listening to this book. Honestly, I was OBSESSED. The audio was amazing and I found myself sitting in my car or carrying my phone around to constantly keep the story going.
The story caught me from the first moment. The darkness of the Starling House and Opal's rough exterior were perfection. The first moment when she meets Arthur and he tells her to run. I was hooked.
The small town that is coated in a mystery that is literally a fog, both a physical and metaphorical presence over the town, chef's kiss.
And my favorite part of the story was the character development. Opal, Arthur, and Opal's brother were all amazing - but the characters in the town were SO good too.
The story came to life. And so much more , the Starling story and the magical realism that is woven within. I really think this book is a perfect way for someone who has never entered into a fantasy world to fall into a story that brings them just outside the realm of what they would be used to.

Full disclosure: I did not finish this book. I have started and DNFed every one of Alix Harrow's books. Not because they are bad! They have a large audience, and I think she's obviously great at what she does. Her books simply are not for me.

Starling House was an absolute treat to read, and perfect for the autumn/winter season. It's spooky, atmospheric, and has one of the most charming heroines I've read in a long while. Alix E. Harrow writes (as always) with razor sharp wit, and I found myself grinning ear to ear while listening to this audiobook. This book went right onto my favorites shelf before I had even finished the audiobook. 5 stars is simply not enough.

Narration was great, although I did speed it up like I usually do. Story was enjoyable with a hood cast of characters.

This spooky, mysterious and even supernatural story is about a house who is alive. Opal is an orphan who is raising her brother and she has had dreams about a house since she was young. She sees the house in real life and decides to go inside the gates to knock on the door. She ends up meeting Arthur and he offers her a job cleaning the house. But things keep happening inside the house that can’t be explained, and one night she sees Arthur fighting a creature that could only be from her dreams.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the ARC audiobook of Starling House. I really enjoyed this book. Opal was a spunky and funny character and Arthur was mysterious and wierd and I liked it. They were the perfect book pair. This story was intriguing and kept me wanting more. I would love to see a movie or tv series adaptation. Also the narrator’s voice was the perfect Opal, I laughed so much while listening. It helped how she talked in a softer voice when Opal was thinking and a more bold voice when Opal spoke so I knew what was thought and what was dialogue. The only thing I didn’t like is the constant “footnotes”. I feel less of those should be used, or if they are used, don’t keep saying “footnote”.

I really enjoyed this book. I was fortunate enough to get this as an audiobook and I listened to this any free time I got. The storyline was so intriguing and had me hooked the whole time. I really enjoyed the gothic tones and setting within. the story which gives it a big boost in my enjoyment. overall the storyline was fast-paced and had my attention throughout the duration of the book.

Based on the beautiful cover I had very high expectations going into this book. I didn't love it the way I wanted to love it. I enjoyed it, but I felt let down when I was finished. Perhaps I had hyped this up too much; I had preordered it as soon as the cover was released. I found myself confused at times and struggled to follow some pieces of the story.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

Of course a sentient house would want to become a home for those that most need one, and would do whatever it takes to find the right family in need. Perfect late-fall fantasy read about friends, family, and what it means to be "home".

Book Name: The Starling House
Author: Alix E. Harrow

ARC
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio ****for the ARC of Alix E. Harrow’s The Starling House

Stars: 2.0
Spice : 2.5

Standalone
Slow Paced
Dual POV:
Gothic Magical Realism with Romance Elements

- Topics
- Poverty
- Fate
- Sins of the Past
- Recompense
- Home
- Price for Illusion of Saftey and Home
- Tropes
- Alice and Wonderland but make it Gothic
- Miscommunication Trope x100
- Haunted House
- Fate
- Magical Realism
- “Attempted” Slow Burn
- Thoughts.
- So many USELESS footnotes since the FMC isn't being portrayed as unreliable
- Why do you keep calling the MMC who is a Love Interest UGLY? WHY
- FMC is very unlikable and strangely inconsistent of a character. she’s smart but doesn't seem to know anything she’s rude and intrusive towards those with wealth yet cowardly towards another character for no reason other than money
- 60% of the Drama would be fixed through half-decent communication
- Overall it would have been better as a novelette similar to  *[The Six Deaths of the Saint](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5297037648)*, it feels like Harrow had written this a novelette originally and then had to draw it out for page count rather than craft the strong story she is perfectly capable of doing

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Starling House
By: Alice E. Harrow
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Pub Date: 10/3/23

This was Reese Witherspoon’s October 2023 pick for her book club. This was the perfect fall read.

Set in the picturesque town of Eden, Kentucky there is a gothic style estate that was left behind by an author who disappeared.
Opal is 26 but has taken on the responsibility of raising her brother. She has always had strange dreams about Starling House. Starting when she was as young as 12 she asked everyone about the house. But what she doesn’t know is that the house wants her.
But the house wants her, so she becomes a housekeeper at Starling House. This is her first full time grown up job. Arthur Starling, a Boo Radley type, is the current owner of the house. He’s rude and obnoxious but Opal is trying to look past that.
The house really has a mind of its own and you learn how much control the house has.
The house really is a character of its own in this book.
The more Olivia cleans and finds the more she learns about Arthur and the house. As their relationship grows so does her understanding of the house's control.
It was the perfect read for the spooky season.

”I cross the river and drive to the place where the streetlights stop and the woods turn wild, where the only light is the faint, amber glimmer of a lit window, shining to me through the trees.”

Without a doubt Alix E. Harrow has a magical knack for words. Her descriptions are so rich, alive, and (for Starling House) gothic. The beauty and setting of Starling House cannot be argued. It is absolutely gorgeous. Plus the print edition had little sketch drawings throughout. I listed to about half of this on audio, did a couple chapters on e-reader, but in the end felt that my print copy was the best medium to read this gothic romance. Between the drawings, the ‘old school’ feel of paper and print; it just felt right to read this on a real paper page. That’s not to say the narrator was bad, she wasn’t it was very typical audiobook (in my limited experience).

Getting into the details of the story, the plot here is somewhat simple, but that’s okay as the characters are incredible. I was especially excited about the bi-sexual representation. It was a brief reference, but I’ll take it! Harrow’s two main characters, a man and a woman, are easy to sympathize with. I was rooting for them to be together the whole time. This is truly a gothic romance. The romantic interest here is strong and a heavy presence to the story and plot.

Unfortunately, I do feel compelled to disclose that I didn’t love the ending, or the overall excitement level to this story. I was fine with it being a slow burn to start, but expected a lot more in the end. Yes there is a significant moment, obvious magical set-up, and a fight. All the elements were there but the actual impact to me as the reader was a bit lacking.

That’s not to say Starling House isn’t worth reading, because it is. This is truly a classic gothic romance. Just like what you’d have found in the Penny Dreadfuls of old. I think the difficulty is that todays readers need a bit more from their stories than they did back when gothic literature was at its peak popularity. Perhaps if I’d knowing going in to temper my expectations on a big bang at the end it would have helped? It’s hard to say the story builds at such a slow pace, and so well, that you can’t help but want a big payoff for your patience.

Regardless, if you love gothic fiction this is a must read. If you love a tragic romance this is a must read. If you tend to want big action this may not be the book for you. No matter what I don’t think anyone can argue that Starling House is beautifully written and well worth a spot on my print shelf.

Please note, a copy of the audiobook was provided by TOR through NetGalley; but my print and eBook copies were purchased personally. This is no way impacted my review.

This is the perfect read for autumn. Its incredibly atmospheric, and the love story doesn't get in the way of the ominous mystery of the Starling House.
I was pulled in from the beginning, and loved the way it all unfolded. Beautifully written with rich and complex characters, this is great for anyone who loves poetic language married with a great "creepy" read.

I love Gothic novels. This is one of the best I’ve read. Thank you and Netgalley and publisher for providing the audiobook to me

This was not at all what I expected, in a good way! Opal has had a tough life and made some questionable choices. She is tough, holds noting back and is determined to get her brother out of Eden Kentucky. She finds herself drawn to Starling House, a house filled with a dark and mysterious past. Its present owner, Arthur Starling is a recluse and rarely leaves the House or its grounds. Opal is surrounded by danger as she confronts secrets from her families past, the secrets of Starling House and the attraction she feels to its owner.

This book has it all, wonderfully developed characters, danger and mystery at every turn and a feelings of love and family. A great read , highly recommend. The audiobook was narrated perfectly!!

4.5 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I finished this book yesterday and I cannot stop talking about it to my friends. I think its quite hard to identify the genre for this one but I'd say a mix of fantasy, horror, and a bit of romance. The dialogues were quite funny at times and I think this is what made the book such an easy read. The writing style is amazing and the way the story was wrapped up was just perfect. I fell involve with the mysterious Arthur and Opal was just amazing!. I honestly even enjoyed the side characters and the part they played on the story and well although that I thought I had the ending figure out I was excited to find out how wrong I was lol.

I'm normally not a standalone reader but i'm glad than that did not keep me from picking this one up. I think I'll be recommending this book for awhile to anyone who listen, so if you see me posting about it everywhere, don't mind me lol.

This is not just another story about a haunted house. This story makes you feel for every character including the house and the cursed town they live in. Have you ever dreamed of a house? Had a feeling it was calling to you? That’s what happens in the thrilling story of Starling House.

"The purpose of fantasy is not to make the world prettier, but to lay it bare"

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow is a gothic novel about a small town full of secrets and a haunted house hiding monsters within its walls. I've read quite a number of books by Harrow found them quite mid or just downright didn't like any of them, but I gave this one a try as a last ditch effort and I surprisingly had quite an enjoyable time reading this. If you enjoyed books like last Tale of the Flower Bride and Juniper and Thorne, you probably might enjoy this one too.

It's dark and atmospheric and heavily southern in setting. The town is both extremely nosy and really good at looking away. It is a little cliche at times but it does deliver on the vibes and well written prose, which honestly was all I was looking for reading this novel.

"I want to explain about people like me. About the two lists we have to make and the one list we get to keep. the everything we give up for the one thing we can’t"

I enjoyed Opal's character. I also really liked her stream of consciousness and the realizations that she had throughout the prose. The book also features a sentient house and a love interest whose skin is a map of his suffering - full of scars and self-made ink. While most people might enjoy the romance, It did feel little contrived and a little forced to me at times.

Overall, I was enjoying for the most part. It was slow and I was more focused on the lyricism of the prose up to about 45% and then after that I was extremely hyped up on what was going on with the plot. The ending fell horribly flat to me simply because Harrow does the exact same thing in this book that she does in all her other works - has characters just stand around monologuing at you for the entire ending.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review

Yes, yes, yes. This book was such a creative ride. I was really able to connect to Opal and her list - of what she wants and what she has to actually provide, with taking care of her brother as priority number one. Getting through the dribble of small town life, dealing with greed and blackmail, and even having your favorite fairytale be true. This book had so much power, so much perseverance - simply put, I loved this book.

First off, I absolutely loved the narrator in the audio version. She pulled me into the story and the pacing was so great, I found myself sitting for an extra 10, 15, 20 minutes in my car listening to the story. That also says something about the story, too. I was sucked in Opal's life and while I questioned her actions in one moment, I understand her "two lists" way of life. I also connected with her in her quest to make sure her brother was taken care of, even at the cost of her own well-being.

This was a perfect end of the Halloween-season read. It had the eerie, creepy and deadly vibes that all haunted house stories should have. I really enjoyed the alternating POVs between Opal and Arthur, and at first the footnotes were a bit distracting, but eventually they too fell into a pleasant rhythm that I found enhanced the story in realtime.

The romance aspect was nice, two lost souls forced together and then finding refuge in one another. I also found the stories that the townspeople told Opal during her research to be a great reflection on real life. Depending on the angle you are approaching the story, the connections you feel with those involved in the tragedies - can really skew the truth in dramatic, damaging, and in this case, deadly ways.

Highly recommend Starling House, and I look forward to other stories by Alix E. Harrow.