4.5

I really loved this gothic story, about
a mysterious manor, its only remaining occupant, the tales that surround it, and the young woman who’s inexplicably drawn to it.

Set in Eden, a small, misty, town in Kentucky, Opal is a women living below the poverty line, desperately trying to collect enough cash to be able to send her her little brother to college. She can’t afford a car and on her long walks between work, and the motel she lives at, she passes Starling House, a creepy, dilapidated, manor, that was once owned by her favourite children’s author - who’s 1800’s children’s book is equally unsettling, a darker version of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ almost, full of tales of an underworld, full of wispy, mutant-like, beasts.

She dreams of the house, and feels a connection towards it. Despite townsfolk warning her against entangling herself with the house, and despite the singular occupant’s own reservations, she finds herself taking on the role of cleaning Starling House….which is more of a challenge when rooms and halls seemingly rearrange themselves at will, and the rich coal mining family, who has the whole town under their boot, seemingly want control of the property.

I loved reading this. It’s gothic, with an edge of fairy-tale, standing starkly in its Southern North American setting. I love how it explored how the truth can become twisted over time, and how each person will sing a slightly different tune, when it comes to the same story, based on what they’ve heard and learned from others.

I appreciated that we got POVs from both Opal and from Arthur, the current occupant of Starling House. I loved that both of these characters were having to deal with things that their parents left behind, and how they were equally stubborn in their quests to accomplish their aims, while navigating their own grief and the full weight of responsibility that they both held. They’re both so well-fleshed out, as are the supporting characters who inhabit this world.

I adored the writing style overall. The atmosphere is just superb, and every second we spent immersed in the house felt like a treat.

The tension kept steadily building through the book, and I found the conclusion to be really satisfying, as everything clicked into place.

Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the copy to review.

How do I capture in this review how I feel about this book? - without spoiling the story for anyone who hasn’t yet had the privilege and joy of reading this brilliant story for the first time. How do I capture the wonderful storytelling, the imaginative setting and brilliant characters?
I’ve buddyread this with Lucy and we’re in total agreement of our love for this story.
Dark, gothic, clever, descriptive are all adjectives I could use, but even those don’t do it justice. This is a story to get lost in, characters to feel deeply about and the House - well what can I say ? Just brilliant. One of my favourites of the year for sure.

This was the perfect spooky autumn read! The atmosphere created in this book is truly one of a kind and sets you in a spooky/horror mode which kept me to the edge of my seat. I'd never thought a book about a haunted house will draw me in but here we are and the creatures just added right on top! It took me a bit to get through because I struggled with the pacing but the characters and story made up for it.

This was such a great atmospheric gothic read!

The writing was beautiful and the storyline was certainly gripping. It’s quite a slow paced book and I prefer my books a little bit more fast paced books but I enjoyed the ride nonetheless!

I initially didn’t know what to make of Arthur and really loved that you kind of grow to love Fred as other characters did!

Starling House
Fantasy
Alix E. Harrow
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I couldn't decide how many stars to give this book. I struggled to keep reading and I very nearly DNF'd it a few times.

I kept putting this book down because I just couldn't get stuck into the story. The pacing was slow from the very beginning and I wasn't keen on the writing style as it was filled with dense (an often unnecessary) descriptions and the dialogue was often broken up by internal monologues that could've been avoided.

To begin with I did struggle to connect with any of the characters but after around 50%, the plot sarted to get more interesting and I become much more curious and invested.

Opal was so headstrong, defensive and had so many walls up that when she broke, it was emotional for me (although I will admit that I cry far too easily 😂).

The ending was ok but I would've liked The Underland to be explored some more.

Although I was expecting more horror, I am glad that I persevered and finished reading this book.

*Thank you to @Netgalley, the author and the publishers for providing this ARC. This is my own opinion and an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily*

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for an ARC!

This book was amazing. While only 5% in I could already feel the gothic and haunting atmosphere of the book. I was instantly intrigued by the plot.

The main character Opal is everything I love In a female MC, she's fierce, loyal, independent and refuses to back down from a fight. I love her.

The fact that I was up until 2am finishing this shows its a top tier book for me.

I'M OBSESSED!

This book was so good? From the writing to the plot, to the flawed characters and dashes of romance, I loved this book! Opal and Arthur go on this great adventure that is filled with danger at every turn and I was with them every step of the way. The writing was so magical, and although it did read like a YA, I had SUCH a good time with it. The plot and pacing were stable and made for an intriguing read. I can't recommend this book enough especially if you like to read books with a dash of horror and suspense!

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publishers for the e-arc!

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was beautifully written, gothic vibes throughout. I read it was a beauty and the beast retelling but it also seemed to draw from underworld mythology. I enjoyed it but I think I would have loved to read more about Eleanor- her story would be such an interesting one to flesh out more

I didn't read the blurb on this, I just saw Alix E. Harrow had out a new book and I instantly wanted to read it.

There is a dark atmosphere the whole book, the weather is always cold and gloomy and there is frequent mist. It is never a coincidence. It has a great mystery to be solved and unwilling heroes.

I really liked the whole small town everyone knowing everything except what is right under their noses in this magical realism story.

It comes together as a really enjoyable whole if you like stories that involve family secrets and creepy monsters with a touch of the supernatural.

I did read this as an e-arc so thank you to the publishers via NetGalley.

This book was exactly as described, I was so drawn in by the house aspect of this. It was totally worth it. Opal was such an interesting character to follow and even though I found her thought process maddening at times, I also understood it. Arthur, I did not expect to like, and was determined not to (like Opal), but he also won me around very quickly. This book was as good as Harrow's previous and I look forward to her next adventure.

I’m a big fan of Alix E. Harrow’s writing and this book was intriguing and a bit spooky. Opal and her brother Jasper live in a motel room in Eden, a poorly named town. Their mother is dead, fathers unknown or scarpered. Opal wants her brother to escape from life in their grotty town, founded on mining money. She sees a way for this to happen by working at Starling House, as a cleaner for its mysterious inhabitant, Arthur. But there are dark things at work which are placing Opal and Arthur in danger.
The house is an excellent character in itself. Opal is fascinated by a childhood book about it. It seems to claim people it likes and possibly has monsters waiting to kill them. There’s a gothic tone to this which I really liked.
I’ve learnt that often I find Harrow’s books slow to start, but once they pick up pace, they are immersive. I definitely think this is the case for this book. Fascinating revelations and an otherworldly plot make this a great read.

«Starling House», la nueva novela en inglés de Alix E. Harrow, es un cuento medio gótico medio romántico con cierto exceso de páginas y algunas cosas que me chirrian pero que, sin embargo, me tuvieron buena parte de la lectura interesado. Una aproximacion algo distinta al tropo de la casa encantada.

Alix E. Harrow has been a breath of fresh air to the fantasy genre for her rich prose and ability to write powerful leading characters. The Once and Future Witches is one of the best books I have ever read, and The Ten Thousand Door of January was a delightful read. So when I read Harrow was writing 'Starling House' which focused on a gothic contemporary reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, I was ecstatic. And whilst Starling House had a magnetism to its characters, setting and world building, I cannot help but feel it did not live up to my expectations. The romance felt more out of place than fitting and the novel's pacing lacked an energy that makes a book impossible to put down. Those two things sadly hindered my overall enjoyment of the book, which nevertheless, I did enjoy.

I really liked Opal and Arthur as characters (just not romantically); they're both full of despair and valour, making them excellent gothic protagonists. I felt sorry for and rooted for them. My favourite 'character' of the book was Starling House, the living and hypnotic heart of both where and why this story is told. Harrow pulled off the haunted house with a history exceptionally well.

Atmospheric and intimate with opulent prose, Starling House is different compared to Harrow's previous books with its contemporary feeling, yet undoubtedly possesses Harrow's distinct and beautiful style readers have come to know. Starling House offers up a gothic treat for bookworms in 2023, perfect for anyone wanting an atmospheric rendition of Beauty & the Beast with the Castle stealing the show...

Thank you to the publishers for the e-copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.

Thank you to Tor Publishing and Netgalley, for providing this free E-ARC in exchange for an honest review
What a delight this is, if you liked Mexican Gothic or What Moves the Dead, this is absolutely for you.
I’m a sucker for a sentient, sassy house, apparently.
This had a couple of unexpected turns that made me reevaluate where it was headed, and I enjoyed it all. Its elegant, poetic prose combined with somewhat unlikeable characters with plenty of flaws makes for a great reading experience. Will be buying a physical copy to add to my shelf collection!

There was a lot I enjoyed about Starling House - the writing was stunning. However, I feel that it didn't quite meet the vibes I was promised or hit the intent it was sold as. I've seen this pitched endlessly as a gothic romance fantasy. I went into it expecting a small town gothic, with brooding characters and spooky vibes. And I got that... for the first half. At that point, I felt that this story melded into something else. Something more on the fantastical horror side, and it lost that gothic magic a little. It became a full on sentient house monster fighting fantasy. It just wasn't what I signed on for. And whilst the set up and early segments with the beautiful writing and gothic intrigue were perfect for me and perfect for October, I did lose my investment in the story as it developed into a completely different vibe entirely.

There were many tropes I loved - the examination of trauma and loneliness, of grief and alienation - and these were handled with elegance, and I really cannot fault the stunning writing style. Alix E. Harrow weaves prose so lyrical, I almost forget I'm not in a Bronte novel. But I think there was something I was looking for here that was lost in translation.

I think one of the big draws for many was the brooding romance. This didn't do it for me though, I didn't buy Arthur and Opal's connection or chemistry and the development of the relationship went from 0 to 100 very suddenly. The antagonist and her motivations also baffled me somewhat - and the overall pace went from a beautiful intriguing opening, to a slow and slightly confusing middle and then straight into an action-packed ending which is not how I expect a gothic to unfold. I think I was looking for that slow burn mystery and emotional experience all the way through - akin to Rebecca and Jane Eyre, which all gothics can be measured against in my mind - and when it became an action-packed fantasy, I lost the vibe I'd been holding onto from the start.

"Starling House" by Alix E. Harrow is a captivating novel set in the mysterious town of Eden. The story follows Opal, a determined young woman who takes on a job at Starling House to save her brother despite warnings about the mansion's curse. As she investigates the house's secrets, the reader is on a thrilling journey filled with wonders and horrors.
Harrow, the author, skillfully creates an atmosphere of unease and tension throughout the novel. Starling House appears to have a life of its own, with its walls whispering secrets to those brave enough to listen. Opal is a remarkable, determined, and strong-willed protagonist whose relationship with Arthur, the enigmatic heir of Starling House, adds another layer of complexity to the story.
The novel explores family history and the consequences of unearthing buried truths, with supernatural elements adding to the backdrop. Harrow deftly integrates these thematic elements, highlighting the power of storytelling in shaping lives and the importance of facing one's past to build a better future.
Readers will be entranced by the atmospheric and spellbinding story of "Starling House," a must-read for fans of gothic literature. The characters are well-developed, the setting is detailed, and the plot is full of twists and turns. Get ready to be captivated by the irresistible allure of Starling House and the lengths to which Opal must go to find her way back to the light.

Gothic, dark with some sparkle of hope. This was an intense read which drew me and held me until the end. It was a little confusing at times but overall I loved it.

I was a little nervous when I started to read 'Starling House', as there was a lot of hype around this book on social media and sadly, sometimes a book does not live upto that hype for me.
Thankfully, within a few pages, my fears were put aside within the opening pages. Set in the town of Eden, Kentucky, our protoganist is Opal. An adult with a complex past and an interest that in Starling House - the local, creepy House, once the home of an infamous author who disappeared after writing a fantasy novel.
One day, Opal wanders upto the gate and meets the owner, Arthur and against their best judgement agree that Opal would start working at the house. And so begins a tale of mysteries and a curse, with a delicious gothic flavour.
I love it when a story lives upto the hype and 'Starling House' does - a full 5 stars to this mesmerising, gothic fantasy.

4 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2023/11/09/starling-house-by-alix-e-harrow/
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Love Me, Love Me Not

Well, I will start this review by saying that Starling House is a beautiful written gothic fantasy story with a fairytale feel and a house that actually steals the show a little. I did have a few issues here and there but nothing that stopped me wanting to pick the book up, just little things that kind of worry at you as you’re reading. But, those little miscreants aside this truly is a thing of beauty.

Lets begin.

The titular Starling House sits in it’s own extensive grounds in the small town of Eden in Kentucky. Eden, once made prosperous by its extensive mining operation, is now a town fallen on hard times. It’s inhabitants seem downbeat and it’s hardly surprising given the high number of accidents that seem to occur there. A number of tall tales circulate about Starling House – none of them quite tally although all have cross over elements – and everyone stays away from the place believing the house is cursed and at the root of Eden’s downfall.

As the story begins we meet Opal. A 27 year old young woman who has suffered loss and really struggled. Her mother died in a terrible car accident and she and her younger brother have lived in a motel room since then (barely escaping the notice of children’s services by bare faced lies on the part of Opal). For many years Opal has been fascinated by Starling House. She owns a copy of the fantasy book penned by E Starling, who mysteriously disappeared shortly after the book was published, and she also has dreams of the house itself, elaborate dreams that beguile and fascinate her (although she has never stepped inside the place). One night, on her trek home from work, she stops to look beyond the gates and is surprised to be spoken to by the current owner, Arthur – who, with not a little annoyance instructs her to RUN.

Long story short Opal eventually finds herself working for Arthur – much to his consternation – and from then on things start to spiral. The house seems to have it’s own agenda and on top of that there are others who are interested in knowing the secrets of Starling House and will stop at nothing to find out.

So, what I really loved about this.

Well, I’m an absolute sucker for beautifully written stories, and should these stories have a fairytale quality, a house that feels alive, a cat straight from hell and the most delicious gothic-y vibes – then you’ve pretty much got my attention.

That being said I did have a few irritants and maybe I’ll discuss them before going further. Opal, 27 going on 17. Considering her life experiences I think she would have been a much tougher nut to crack. I totally understand many of the issues that she was going through and her overpowering desire to protect her brother but, at the same time how about trying to talk to your brother, it sometimes felt like the two barely spent two minutes together which I found a bit annoying, particularly given that Opal is making a lot of assumptions about what he does and doesn’t want from life – ask him. Also, like I said, even given all the terrible events that Opal has suffered through, and I totally understand her need to have a tough outer shell and to focus just simply on her own small family unit, but she felt too gullible – maybe it would have worked better if she’d been a little younger. Now, I’ve said all that and it probably seems like I didn’t like Opal – but I did. She’s feisty. She’s hardworking. She loves her brother and wants to get him out of Eden. She is curious and stubborn and although she has a great capacity for telling fibs and being sometimes a little sticky fingered she really does have a heart of gold – it’s just surrounded by many prickly thorns.

Let’s talk about Arthur. I confess I found myself having a great deal of sympathy for his circumstances. He was the last inhabitant of Starling House and although he didn’t ask or want this onus he takes it on board – even after losing everything he holds dear. I liked Arthur, and I liked him even more after the Hellcat took a liking to him – the two seemed so good together.

This brings me to the house itself. I loved this house. It has a character of its own, turning on and off lights, interfering and engineering circumstances so that Arthur and Opal would be thrown together. I just loved Starling House. And it’s brought to life with such finesse that I could picture wandering through the rooms and, in fact, becoming lost in it’s labyrinthine layout.

Which leads me to the fairytale feel. I love a dark and twisted fairy story – and okay, there are no fae in this story but there are strange monsters and hauntingly creepy goings on. I wouldn’t call this horror to be fair but it makes a great read at this time of year when the nights have closed in and the weather has taken a drop. And this is so clever. There’s a number of tales surrounding E Starling and Starling House and in true fairytale fashion none of them are the same although all of them share similarities. The most famous fairy stories have changed over the course of time, some with much harsher originals than those we are now familiar with. In Starling House the author has created a story that feels like it’s foundations started with Beauty and the Beast but which then grew into a story of it’s very own and I really like that.

Overall, I loved reading this, I had a little bit of a pacing issue at one point and I felt irritated with Opal every now and again, but my overriding feeling was a simple love for the written word and turn of phrase and I will say that Harrow is a genius in that respect.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

4.5 Stars!

Synopsis: Starling House is old and ugly, its heir lonely and strange, a burden to the people of Eden. But Opal has dreamt of Starling House all her life, and though she knows better than to engage with such a haunting place, she can’t help but feel drawn to the house and its heir.

CW/TW: Blood/Violence/References to suicide/Racism/References to sexual assault/Reference to incest/Murder/Grief/Loss/Drowning/Blackmail/Others may be present.

Starling House, by Alix E. Harrow is a gorgeous and twisty gothic tale that doesn’t shy away from the ugliness of people.

Starling House is a gorgeous gothic tale that utilises the motifs of dreams, fate, and stories to bring to life a personal and emotional story of love, family, belonging and being home.

Harrow brings to life a gritty and emotional story. I absolutely loved how stories were intertwined throughout the book. From the story Opal loves, to the stories and ill omens surrounding Starling House and its occupants.

Starling House itself I adored! It’s old and decaying, semi-sentient, and yet it is a home to the Starlings. It was the perfect gothic setting, the lonely, ill omened house, large and empty with a sole occupier, haunted by something that may or may not be real. It was the perfect gothic home.

The characters are also perfect for the gothic genre, from Opal to the strange and lonely heir of Starling house – the relationship between the two is classically gothic, the push pull tension, the underlying question of fate or choice, and the need to protect, belong and love.

I also loved Opal’s relationship with her brother and the townspeople, the twist and turns that occur, the tensions, the goal to protect each other when they may not need protecting – it all worked beautifully to create amazing character dynamics and add to the overall story and mysteries that surround Eden and Opal.

Finally, I loved how the truth behind the stories, the mysteries, and tragedies of Eden slowly came to light and all the threads became interlinked to create a broader and well rounded gothic tale.

Overall, Starling House is a triumphant Gothic story that draws on powerful classic gothic motifs to create a tense, mysterious and powerful story that I loved.

*Thank you to Pan Macmillan/Tor for the Netgalley eARC in exchange for an honest review!*