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Starling House

Alix E. Harrow

Start date: November 1, 2023

Finish date: November 30, 2023

Discussion: Book of the Month

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What Members Thought

Mar 07, 2024 Teddie rated it liked it

Shelves: audiobook, npr-2023, uno-2024

I loved the tone and story around the house in Starling House, so much so that I think it threw aspects of the book that I didn't like as much into sharp relief. The book read more like a YA story, perhaps because the MC Opal was immature for her age. About a third of the way through the book, I switched from audio to text, and that helped me enjoy the story more. Opal's bad decisions made the book that much more stressful for me - found myself putting the book down just because I needed a break ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Feb 08, 2025 Priya rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2025

This was a creepy, spooky, gothic read with wonderful characters and many moments that made me go awww.

Opal is trying to get her brother Jasper,10 years younger, out of Eden, the small town in Kentucky they have both lived in all their lives. She takes care of both of their needs by working a dead end job and indulging in the occasional thievery. In the midst of the drudgery that's her life, Opal dreams of a house that calls her to itself every night and realising that her dreams are about the h This was a creepy, spooky, gothic read with wonderful characters and many moments that made me go awww.

Opal is trying to get her brother Jasper,10 years younger, out of Eden, the small town in Kentucky they have both lived in all their lives. She takes care of both of their needs by working a dead end job and indulging in the occasional thievery. In the midst of the drudgery that's her life, Opal dreams of a house that calls her to itself every night and realising that her dreams are about the huge mansion called Starling House that's in Eden too, she decides to pay a visit. The only inhabitant of the house, a brooding man called Arthur Starling, begrudgingly lets her in and then to her shock offers her a much better paying job maintaining the house. This begins her relationship with the mysteries of the house and the man who tries very hard to keep to himself and hide his secrets.

I loved Opal and her relationship with her brother. The way they look out for each other is so endearing. Opal is both tough and vulnerable and also self-deprecatingly funny as she navigates all her troubles and tries to stay away from Arthur whose loneliness and anguish speak to her. Arthur is much troubled by the burdens of being the warden of a house that seems to have a mind of its own and calls whoever it wants to itself. He is conflicted between keeping Opal safe and far away and wishing she would never leave.

The fantasy, history and fairytale elements of this tale are very engaging.
The mentions of a sinister family and a woman who disappeared after building the Starling House and writing a book that hints at its origins is very intriguing. The atmosphere is one of dreaded anticipation. There are mythical and real life monsters created by racism and corporate greed who compete to make the life of the protagonists difficult. There are also the rare kind souls who are fiercely protective and stand by them.

I loved the writing and the way the story took shape. Also, there are footnotes that give additional information, something I have grown to love! It is a perfect combination of fantasy, romance, history, humour and everything else that makes for a great read.

It does get a bit rushed right towards the end when it feels like we are learning a lot more in a short time and that could have been spread out a bit but I was so absorbed in the book by then that this was not a major issue! ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Sep 14, 2024 Tanya Patrice rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook-is-better, audiobooks, horror

More like 4.5 but I'm rounding up because the story was fast paced and I didn't want to put it down. I loved the character development of Opal, and I could feel how much she loved her brother and would do anything for him, as well as the desperate cycle of her impoverished circumstance. Same for Arthur. He's seems trapped, wanting but bound to Starling House. Their meeting, their developing connection, everything felt authentic. I was held spellbound for much of the story, though I will say, as ...more

3 likes · Like · see review