Reviews with content warning for Death - Starling House

Reviews tagging 'Death'

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

49 reviews

dianaschmidty's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This story has the feeling of a retelling, but it’s also one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read. It feels like modern day folklore and I loved it! I think one of my favorite things about this book is the vibes, specifically the idea that the evil will get their justice, even in a supernatural matter.

I really liked both Opal and Arthur. I liked that neither of them were supposed to be seen as likable, which honestly made them more likable. I like how Opal was unapologetically a thief, doing whatever she needed to survive. Her story was really sad, but moving in how she dealt with her lot in life. I’m also a sucker for a grump, so that’s why I was going to love both of them, but especially Arthur. I think his use of being a grump to hide himself from the world and his pain made his journey throughout the book a lot sweeter.

I also really liked how the book was written in both first and third person, for Opal and Arthur respectively. I also liked how Arthur’s POVs, especially at the beginning, felt like he was representing the house in the narrative. I thought it was a creative way of capturing the story.

I think the only thing I didn’t totally love about the book was how the first half was really confusing, but I also think that that was on purpose, because Opal was just as confused as we were, so it made us closer to her as a character.

I also really liked the narrator! Her voice is one of the most soothing narrators I’ve listened to and I’d love to listen to another book narrated by her.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Alix E. Harrow for providing me access to this book.

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maryellen's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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craftysnailtail's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

This isn't a genre I'd usually be interested in because it's rather spooky and I scare easily. But this was more atmospheric and gothic rather than gory or scary. The main characters felt refreshing and flawed in believable ways. This was my first time reading anything by Harrow, but needless to say, I'm completely hooked on her style of writing. I wish I had this novel in time for Halloween, but I'm still glad I finally got my hands on it at the tail end of autumn! It was a fun, dark, and adventurous read with a splash of romance and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

After I finished this book, I came across some reviews by people who hated the novel because they thought it was nothing but a Beauty and the Beast trope. This really surprised me because even though I understand why the comparison was made (despite neither of them being attractive), it didn't feel like a focus of the story at all. And it doesn't end in a way that's very Beauty and the Beast either. The fact a trope exists does not automatically discredit the entire book, in my opinion. I'm glad I didn't see these reviews before I read it, because it might have scared me away from what ended up being a great read!

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bkwrm1317's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Expertly written (lines I considered jotting down or snapping a picture of, but which would lose their meaning outside their context of course). My second read by Harrow.

Loved the motley crew of characters (a creaky old house that loves attention, Arthur and his broody little self-sacrificing self, Opal and her hard knock upbringing that has her thinking of her brother Jasper before herself after the death of their mother; Bev who runs the motel where they live - the sweet grumpy old lesbian that she is; Charlotte, the librarian who loves her for it and loves Opal’s reading; Jasper, who is exasperated by Opal’s need to care for him, and ultimately is most concerned when she isn’t even reading (gods forbid!) because of her dark mood.

A town haunted by the betrayal of one of its own early daughters (hey Eleanor!), and the destruction her vengeance wreaks for more than a century afterwards.

Love Opal and Arthur together 💜 because duh.

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gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Thank you to Black Crow PR for granting me a physical copy of this title and to join in on the book tour. All opinions remain 100% genuine.

This oozed rich, gothic atmosphere from the start. It felt like a dark and twisty fairytale, with fantastic similies that brought the writing ever more to life.

I was pleasantly surprised to see some illustrations were included, especially when learning about E. Starlings uncomfortable and eery art.

I like that when reading from Arthur's perspective, it switches from first person narrative to third person, which I found greatly emphasised this detached, recluse lifestyle he had.

This was reminiscent of Melissa Albert's The Hazel Wood, with the theme of a reclusive author, that wrote one book, mysteriously disappeared and has sinister fairytale that may be steeped in truth. There were moments between Opal and Arthur that reminded me also of The Secret Society for Irregular Witches.

It was quite nice to read this alongside Heroes by Stephen Fry, as Starling House has some beauty symmetry and mention to the Greek myths.

The character growth of Opal, Jasper and Arthur was beautifully depicted as were the details on their desires and nightmares and how trapped they felt in Eden. You really got a strong sense of how deep the rot of the town was; despite the citizens believing they were good in every way that counted, they were often complicit in so much corruption, cruelty and neglect of those vulnerable.

The mirroring and rewriting of stories, lonliness, homelessness and desperation for vengence were such strong themes in this. They were so harrowing and devastating, but it swept me away perfectly into another world whenever I picked Starling House back up.

This was such a moving tale, of lies woven into truth and truth woven into lies and begs you to ask yourself what your story will be. Where will you choose to burrow your roots down and make a home?

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