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A review by thereadingpotato
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Starling House is well-known in the small mining town of Eden, Kentucky, and nearly everyone has their own story of it, especially of its complicated history and the rotation of unique caretakers that have lived in the house since the 19th century after the reclusive author who built it disappeared. Opal was dreaming of the House for years before she ever took her first step inside- after which her life would never be the same…
I love a house with a personality so this was my kind of read. If anything, I wanted more House! It didn’t feel haunted to me, the House felt like a friend and definitely a character in its own right.
This is such a beautifully written atmospheric, gothic fantasy. Alix Harrow is a brilliant storyteller in the truest sense of the word. She brings stories to life in an interwoven, multi-layered way that makes you think about the stories you hear, the stories you tell yourself, and the ones you actually believe. I also enjoyed how this novel explores what defines truth, family, and a real home in addition to addressing class differences and even environmental justice and health.
And this cover! I mean, WOW. I don’t usually splurge for the hardcover, but I’m so glad I did in this case. I could often be found looking admiringly at this book and the deep attention to detail (the single key separated from the other 3! IYKYK.). I’m even obsessed with the fonts they use for the title and throughout the book. The book is formatted so thoughtfully with borderlines around each page, sketches from the main characters, and a bibliography with texts created by the fictional characters themselves- so cool. Yes, I think bibliographies are cool.
Overall, this book is a quintessentially cozy read that venerates stories and proves that often the scariest beasts are the ones that come from inside our own selves. So grab that fluffy blanket and your cuppa, and go admire the fonts of this book.
I love a house with a personality so this was my kind of read. If anything, I wanted more House! It didn’t feel haunted to me, the House felt like a friend and definitely a character in its own right.
This is such a beautifully written atmospheric, gothic fantasy. Alix Harrow is a brilliant storyteller in the truest sense of the word. She brings stories to life in an interwoven, multi-layered way that makes you think about the stories you hear, the stories you tell yourself, and the ones you actually believe. I also enjoyed how this novel explores what defines truth, family, and a real home in addition to addressing class differences and even environmental justice and health.
And this cover! I mean, WOW. I don’t usually splurge for the hardcover, but I’m so glad I did in this case. I could often be found looking admiringly at this book and the deep attention to detail (the single key separated from the other 3! IYKYK.). I’m even obsessed with the fonts they use for the title and throughout the book. The book is formatted so thoughtfully with borderlines around each page, sketches from the main characters, and a bibliography with texts created by the fictional characters themselves- so cool. Yes, I think bibliographies are cool.
Overall, this book is a quintessentially cozy read that venerates stories and proves that often the scariest beasts are the ones that come from inside our own selves. So grab that fluffy blanket and your cuppa, and go admire the fonts of this book.