A review by nadiamasood
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

adventurous dark emotional 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

5.0

Starling House is a spooky old house with a personality of its own, brimming with dark shadows and ominous vibes (but also with an attitude, complete with moody shadows and vibes so ominous they're practically rolling their eyes).

How do I classify this book? A haunted house saga? Contemporary gothic fairy tale, perhaps? Cozy horror? But what's clear is that this book is an exploration of dreams, rage, exploitation, love, and the profound longing for a sense of belonging. It delves into the realm of monsters, whether they lurk in imagined places or exist in the harsh light of the real world. 

And it's written so beautifully! I find the prose captivating, evoking an almost fairy-tale ambiance. I also loved the charming, understated romance, and the extraordinary Starling House that is a character on its own!

If, like me, you've grown tired of characters who are perfectly attractive and flawless, Opal and Arthur offer a delightful change. The way they describe each other had me in stitches:

Opal on Arthur: “His face is all hard angles and sullen bones split by a beak of a nose, and his hair is a tattered wing an inch shy of becoming a mullet.” 

Arthur on Opal: “a freckled scarecrow of a girl with crooked teeth and holes in the knees of her jeans, utterly unremarkable except for the steel in her eyes.” 

I think adding Arthur's POV is clever! It tells the reader that this mysterious, brooding character has feelings and emotions.

As someone who doesn't read many horror novels because I scare pretty easily, I've discovered that Starling House doesn't fit the typical horror narrative that induces nightmares. There's a subtle infusion of horror, but even the descriptions of the eerie are rendered so beautifully that it softens the impact. Additionally, it unfolds as a mystery, featuring a house that resembles a puzzle box, concealing secrets both outside and beneath its structure.

I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy gothic fantasy novels with haunted houses and dark secrets. It's also an excellent choice if you're drawn to characters who are misfits, outcasts, and dreamers, discovering love and a sense of home in unexpected places. Furthermore, if you enjoy atmospheric, vividly descriptive writing that transports you to a different world, this book is sure to captivate your imagination.
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