A review by embersbooknook
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

This book surprised me in so many ways - as such, hard to get my thoughts wrapped around it.  Interesting, thought provoking, and intense.  Would recommend to anyone looking for a good gothic read with a gritty, real world feel.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident and Classism

Moderate: Incest, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

a lot of the graphic stuff has to do with the resolution of the book, which due to the history of slavery, and Eleanor being forced to marry her uncle. Some of this stuff was disturbing, although not horribly graphic - just disturbing as a general idea. Important to note, I feel, as a sensitive reader.

A lot of the stuff around slavery, racism, slurs, lesbophobia, etc. was very brief but felt important to mention. Also some definite police intimidation that didn’t go all the way to brutality. This is a gritty read for sure - I am a pretty sensitive reader, and was able to get through it. But definitely read when you’re in the mood for this. I thought the difficult topics were handled well and sensitively by the author.