A review by bookishbethie
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
4.5
The thing that is so compelling about haunted house stories is that they are always about so much more than just a scary house.
And in Starling House, Alix E. Harrow expertly combines elements of the horror, Southern Gothic, paranormal, and romance genres to weave an extremely compelling and entertaining tale about a house, a town, and generational trauma in the American South.
That probably makes this sound incredibly serious and deep – and aspects of this book certainly are – but this book is so atmospheric, and the characters are so relatable and funny and flawed, and the writing is so gorgeous and gripping that it’s a pretty quick read.
This is a perfect read for that post-Halloween, pre-Christmas lull in November, delivering a chilling mystery, a house that is very much a character, a few laughs, some swoons, and a big dose of found family.
Though this is my first Alix E. Harrow book, it certainly won’t be my last.
4.5🌟
1.5🌶️
And in Starling House, Alix E. Harrow expertly combines elements of the horror, Southern Gothic, paranormal, and romance genres to weave an extremely compelling and entertaining tale about a house, a town, and generational trauma in the American South.
That probably makes this sound incredibly serious and deep – and aspects of this book certainly are – but this book is so atmospheric, and the characters are so relatable and funny and flawed, and the writing is so gorgeous and gripping that it’s a pretty quick read.
This is a perfect read for that post-Halloween, pre-Christmas lull in November, delivering a chilling mystery, a house that is very much a character, a few laughs, some swoons, and a big dose of found family.
Though this is my first Alix E. Harrow book, it certainly won’t be my last.
4.5🌟
1.5🌶️