Starling House (by Alix E. Harrow)
I rarely read fantasy novels, but I was introduced to Alix E. Harrow in 2020 when she was in conversation with Erin Morganstern for her book, The Starless Sea. Alix had also released her debut novel, The Ten Thousand Doors of January. I was intrigued by her and her book, so I read it and loved it!
Starling House is only the second full-length novel of Alix’s that I’ve read so far. I’ve read her novellas, which were just okay for me. A Goodreads challenge posed earlier this year prompted me to pull Starling House off my shelf. It then waited patiently in a much shorter pile of books for my attention.
Set in the small town of Eden, Kentucky, Starling House is shrouded in rumors and is avoided by everyone. The house’s sole resident, Arthur Starling, is the center of these whispers. Over a century ago, author Eleanor Starling built the mansion. She is best known for her children’s book, The Underland, which Opal, now an adult, was obsessed with as a child. Intrigued by the house, Opal dreams of it every night. Orphaned ten years ago along with her younger brother, Jasper, Opal is determined to escape the town and start a new life for herself and her brother.
I love a story with a haunted mansion, especially when they play a significant role in the narrative. One of my aversions to fantasy novels is the extreme make-believe. I have a preference for novels that strike a balance between taking liberties with reality and staying grounded in the world we know. I find that when a story ventures too far into the realm of extreme make-believe, it loses its appeal for me.
In this particular story, the beasts served as a perfect embodiment of fantasy. They were not just fantastical creatures; they were also reliable characters who represented the dark and malevolent forces that sometimes lurk in our dreams. Their presence in the story had a purpose that resonated with me. Interestingly, the fantasy portions of this story aligned with attributes closely linked to either the environmental aspects in Kentucky or how humans process grief, fear, and bitterness.
Starling House is a captivating tale that delves into the complexities of difficult emotions, particularly those stemming from tragic losses. The story follows Opal, Japser, and Arthur as they navigate their grief and find ways to cope. Eleanor Starling’s journey is particularly poignant, as she grapples with the hardships she has faced in life. Alix’s writing is masterful, drawing me into the world of these unique characters and making me care deeply about their growth and evolution. I find great enjoyment in observing characters overcome challenges and emerge stronger, especially when they encounter significant setbacks along their path.
Alix’s description of Kentucky is quite accurate, particularly her portrayal of Dollar Generals and Tractor Supply. It was refreshing to relate to the unique features of Kentucky, such as its flowers, limestone, hollars, and sinkholes. While not everyone lives the way Alix describes, nor are all small towns like Eden, I couldn’t help but chuckle at some of her descriptions of the culture and lifestyle because they are quite spot-on. Although I’m not from Kentucky, I’ve lived here for more years than I can count, and it’s a pleasure to read a book set in Kentucky written by a Kentucky author.
The book cover is stunning, and the pages are adorned with beautiful sketches. The footnotes add a unique touch to the story and the author’s writing style. However, I have a significant complaint about the physical book. While I was enjoying Starling House in the comfort of my library, the story abruptly stopped on page 184. The next page was the title page, and the book simply began again from the beginning, all the way through page 24. I diligently searched for the missing pages and found that five chapters were completely absent from my copy. This is a major oversight by the Tor Publishing Group.
Since I was engrossed in the story and didn’t want to miss any pages, I had to find a solution. Fortunately, I could borrow the audiobook from my library using Hoopla, which offers instant borrows. I listened to the missing five chapters on audio, narrated by Natalie Naudus. The narration was good, but I was thrilled to return to my physical copy.
While I thoroughly enjoyed Starling House, my experience with a poorly printed copy has unfortunately affected my overall review of the book.
I had the pleasure of attending two of Alix’s author events for The Ten Thousand Doors of January, which are linked below.
In conversation with Erin Morganstern
You can check out my review for Alix’s previous works below.
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