Alix E. Harrow | 2023 | 303 Pages | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery Thriller, Magical Realism, Gothic
SUMMARY
I dream sometimes about a house I’ve never seen….
Opal is a lot of things—orphan, high school dropout, full-time cynic and part-time cashier—but above all, she's determined to find a better life for her younger brother Jasper. One that gets them out of Eden, Kentucky, a town remarkable for only two things: bad luck and E. Starling, the reclusive nineteenth century author of The Underland, who disappeared over a hundred years ago.
All she left behind were dark rumors—and her home. Everyone agrees that it’s best to ignore the uncanny mansion and its misanthropic heir, Arthur. Almost everyone, anyway.
I should be scared, but in the dream I don’t hesitate.
Opal has been obsessed with The Underland since she was a child. When she gets the chance to step inside Starling House—and make some extra cash for her brother's escape fund—she can't resist.
But sinister forces are digging deeper into the buried secrets of Starling House, and Arthur’s own nightmares have become far too real. As Eden itself seems to be drowning in its own ghosts, Opal realizes that she might finally have found a reason to stick around.
In my dream, I’m home.
And now she’ll have to fight.
Welcome to Starling House: enter, if you dare.
MY THOUGHTS
Welcome to Eden, Kentucky! The only thing missing from this washed-up town is a tumbleweed rolling down the street...
Eden's only claim to fame is being the home of the reclusive 19th-century author-illustrator E. Starling. She wrote only one well-known children's book, The Underland. No one remembers when Starling House appeared, but it was before the author vanished, leaving behind a house shrouded in mystery and whispers of hauntings.
Now, no one cares about the house—no one except Opal.
Opal loved reading The Underland as a child, and her curiosity drives her to trespass onto the Starling property in the middle of the night. After meeting the reclusive owner and current resident, Arthur Starling, she gets a job offer to become the housekeeper of Starling House—a dream come true.
Starling House is beautifully written with ambiguous yet interesting and creatively drawn characters. The author certainly knows how to tell a dark story about things that go bump in the night. The atmosphere is foreboding but with unexpected splashes of humor that are sure to catch you off guard.
I enjoyed the strength and resilience of the main character, Opal. Since their mother's death, she's been raising her younger brother, Jasper—a difficult responsibility. She's struggled with right and wrong but seems determined to provide her brother with a better future. Her unwavering determination and focus on her goals are truly inspiring.
Starling House is less of a horror story and more of a mystery-thriller with elements of romance fiction. It's a character-driven narrative that focuses on the characters' personal journeys rather than a plot-driven story. While I enjoyed the story, I was expecting more action centered around the house. The romance, in particular, felt more like a deep friendship, given the characters' portrayals.
Nevertheless, I immensely enjoyed this story, especially the beautiful writing style. While I was expecting a more significant wow factor from her storytelling, the characters of Eden are broken and flawed but are survivors above all else. They lurk in the cracks of this small community, not fitting into Eden's box.
Opal and Jasper have their jagged edges, but they love each other and will do anything to ensure the other's safety and happiness. Their complex dynamic churns up so much guilt, blame, and grief, but they are willing to do everything it takes to heal and survive.
While I don't know if I love Eden, I know its rotten bones. Starling House is delightfully gothic and alive under our feet. Every creak of the floorboards and groan of the pipes adds life to the world and the house's sentience. Every step taken further into it makes it feel more like a home.
With characters so desperate to be loved and held in safe arms, it's no wonder this pit of yearning opens inside us. Alongside Opal, we want to make this a home. Opal must look the dark truth of her town in the eyes and bear witness to its damage. Will she cut and run like always, or will she stay and fight? Is there anything left of her town worth saving? Is there anyone who doesn't deserve to rot?
There are places better than Eden, but maybe Opal doesn't want better. Home is not always a place, and the characters of Eden will convince you of this as they discover it for themselves.
I adored the characters' resilience, fierce determination to survive, and unyielding love despite the hardships they faced. The book is infused with Southern Gothic elements, a literary genre that combines elements of the Gothic with the American South's unique culture and history. These elements add depth to the story and contribute to the book's unique atmosphere.
DETAILED CHARACTER OVERVIEW
Opal
Background: Opal is the protagonist of Starling House. She has a tough past, having lost her mother and taken on the responsibility of raising her much younger brother, Jasper. She has a deep connection to E. Starling's book The Underland, which she loved as a child.
Personality: Opal is strong, resilient, and determined. Her difficult life has made her tough and resourceful, but she also possesses a deep sense of responsibility and care for her brother. She's curious, which leads her to trespass onto the Starling property, driven by her love for The Underland and her desire to uncover its mysteries.
Role in the Story: Opal's curiosity and subsequent trespassing lead her to meet Arthur Starling and land a job as the housekeeper of Starling House. Her journey throughout the novel revolves around uncovering the secrets of Starling House, dealing with her struggles, and trying to provide a better future for her brother.
Arthur Starling
Background: Arthur Starling is the current resident and reclusive owner of Starling House. He is a descendant of E. Starling, the author of The Underland.
Personality: Arthur is mysterious, reclusive, and somewhat enigmatic. He carries the weight of his family's legacy and the mysteries surrounding Starling House. Despite his reclusiveness, he offers Opal the housekeeper job, suggesting a complex character who sees potential in her.
Role in the Story: Arthur is central to the mysteries of Starling House and its history. His interactions with Opal are key to uncovering the secrets of the house and E. Starling's legacy. He also plays a crucial role in Opal's personal growth and the unfolding narrative.
E. Starling
Background: E. Starling is the 19th-century author-illustrator of the famous children’s book The Underland. She is a historical figure in the story whose life and disappearance are mysterious.
Personality: E. Starling is depicted as a reclusive and enigmatic figure. Her mysterious disappearance and the legacy she left behind add a layer of intrigue to the story.
Role in the Story: E. Starling's life, disappearance, and the creation of The Underland are central to the novel's plot. The mysteries surrounding her and the haunted nature of Starling House drive the narrative and Opal's quest for answers.
Supporting Characters
Town Residents: The people of Eden, Kentucky, add depth to the story with their backgrounds and connections to the town's history. They contribute to the atmosphere and the social dynamics Opal navigates.
Ghosts/Spirits: Starling House's haunted nature includes various supernatural elements. These entities add to the gothic atmosphere and serve as obstacles and guides for Opal as she uncovers the house's secrets.
Overall Dynamics
The characters in Starling House are deeply intertwined with the town of Eden and its dark history. Their interactions, struggles, and growth are central to the story, creating a rich tapestry of gothic mystery, family dynamics, and personal redemption. Opal's journey from curiosity to uncovering truths, alongside her relationship with Arthur and her dedication to Jasper, forms the emotional and narrative core of the novel.
WHERE TO READ / BUY
Hardcover: $10.67
Paperback: $17.77
Kindle: $14.99
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