Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
What’s something out of your comfort zone that you ended up loving?
This was one of my surprises this year.
⭐️Overall rating: 3.5/5: Okay, I know. Low rating for something I say I liked, but hear me out.
This was an extremely slow build up for me. I am use to fast pace. I love world building but, as a mom, I need something to get me hooked or my mind wanders to all the things I should be doing (laundry, school forms, getting a car unstuck from someone’s hair - true story.)
BUT I stuck with this one and it took some time but when that action started and secrets in this small town began unraveling. WOW.
My overall favorite part of this book, though, is the characters were normal… No otherworldly beauty, no brute strength, just normal people with big ugly secrets.
If you need a sharp turn after ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, or some other big series, take a peak at Starling House, and stick with it. It was exactly what I needed to bring me out of my SJM stupor.
#booktok #BookReviews #lemon8bookclub #hauntedhouse #bookish
Building on my initial thoughts, let’s dig a little deeper into why 'Starling House' by Alix E. Harrow became such an unexpected favorite, especially for those of you wondering about its genre and what truly lies within its pages. When you first pick up the book, the cover itself tells a story. I absolutely love how the dark imagery of starlings, keys, and flowers hints at the mystery and gothic elements within. It’s not just a pretty picture; it’s a portal to a world steeped in atmosphere and secrets, perfectly setting the stage for a haunted house tale. Many of you might be asking, "Is Starling House a romance?" And that's a great question! While it’s certainly not a straightforward, trope-heavy romance, it definitely features a compelling romantic thread woven into its gothic horror and magical realism tapestry. The relationships feel incredibly real, complicated by personal histories and the haunting environment of the Starling House itself. It’s less about grand gestures and more about two broken people finding solace and strength in each other amidst a dark, unfolding mystery. If you enjoy character-driven stories where relationships develop organically within a larger, suspenseful plot, then you'll appreciate the nuanced romance here. It’s a subtle, aching kind of love that complements the eerie small-town secrets perfectly, rather than overpowering them. The 'haunted house' aspect isn't just about jump scares; it's about the house itself being a character, holding centuries of secrets and grief. Alix E. Harrow masterfully creates a sense of place that is both beautiful and terrifying. You can almost feel the chill in the air and hear the whispers of the past. The small-town secrets are another layer of delicious intrigue. Everyone seems to know something, but no one is telling the whole truth, creating a constant hum of tension. This is where the slow build-up I mentioned in my review truly pays off. Harrow meticulously lays down clues and builds a rich, immersive world that eventually explodes with revelations. For those who appreciate gothic elements, 'Starling House' delivers. Think crumbling mansions, isolated settings, a sense of impending doom, and protagonists grappling with difficult pasts. It’s a book that lingers with you long after you’ve turned the final page, making you ponder the nature of home, history, and belonging. The characters, as I said, are refreshingly normal – flawed, struggling, and incredibly relatable, which only makes their journey within this extraordinary setting more impactful. If you're looking to dive into a story that defies easy categorization, offering a blend of mystery, gothic suspense, and a touch of magical realism with a poignant romantic core, then 'Starling House' is absolutely worth the investment of your time. It’s a beautifully written, atmospheric read that will pull you in and not let go.