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kaneebli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Incest, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
steph_weigle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Cursing, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Child death and Self harm
Minor: Racism, Car accident, and Death of parent
kelisabeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
bookforthought's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Starling House starts from an intriguing premise and delivers an enjoyable and entertaining (if not overly creepy) read rich in gothic vibes. There is an abundance of themes, which maybe could have used a tad more space for fleshing out and nuance, some underdeveloped side plots, and characters that feel way too YA for an adult book, all of which prevented me from fully appreciating this. Also, there is a heavy reliance on non-communication as a plot device, which is a big no-no for me since it's one of my most disliked tropes.
Still, there is a mystery and Big Family Secrets, half-truths mixing with full-on lies and legend, which were very well-constructed and layered, leading to a mostly satisfying resolution and character arcs.
Overall, not a new favourite but a pleasant read nonetheless. I'll need to check out The Ten Thousand Doors of January next!
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child death, Violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Racism
laurenmiller100's review against another edition
4.0
- Characters: 7
- Atmosphere/Setting: 8
- Writing Style: 9
- Plot: 7
- Intrigue: 8
- Logic/Relationships: 8
- Enjoyment: 6
This books is pretty good! It’s really cool take on the haunted house. I really enjoyed the build up of tension and mystery. Opal is an unusual heroine, and while that can make her frustrating, it also makes her interesting. There were times where I wish the book did more though. I think if it had leaned further into horror, it would’ve been a better book.
Graphic: Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Child death
micheala's review against another edition
3.0
There is a plot, however this does feel like the characters are the main focus. It's hard, because most of the characters are very unlikeable however that's clearly the point. It's also in first person, which always knocks down my enjoyment a little.
At the beginning we had these fun footnotes that kinda just stop, as if the author forgot that was a thing she was doing. I wish they had continued, especially based on how the ending of the book was framed.
There are a lot of topics that fall into content warnings that feel more in line when you view this as a horror novel rather than a fantasy novel. None of them are super graphic, but they are clearly on page.
The prose was good, and I might give Harrow another go with a book that has a more appealing premise.
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Incest, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
acethirtynine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child death, Incest, Racism, Slavery, and Murder
micaelamariem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The descriptions were vivid and beautiful in a haunting kind of way. The characters were uniquely flawed to the point where you couldn’t help but empathize with their pain. The sins in the book were atrocious, and the themes of identity, belonging, and mercy crawled across the pages, igniting the words into some higher morals. And of course, who doesn’t love a sentient house?
I also thought it was super unique to include footnotes and a fictional bibliography! What a way to add voice.
The only reason it’s not five stars is because there are parts of the ending I wasn’t thoroughly satisfied with.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
judassilver's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Child death and Incest
booksemmahasread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting