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lambsbooks 's review for:
Starling House
by Alix E. Harrow
"Hi," I say, very awkwardly, because I don't know what you're supposed to say to a girl who is also a grown woman, a fictional character who is also a person, a villain who might also be a victim.
There are very few books where the ending was so perfect that I want to raise the star rating. This was one. I was going to rate it 4.5 stars but I just loved everything about the last part so I’m giving it 4.75 stars.
But Starling House was no longer just a house. What had begun as stone and mortar had become something more, with ribs for rafters and stone for skin. It has no heart, but it feels; it has no brain, but it dreams.
This book was atmospheric and spooky and so amazing. There are terrifying monsters that come up from the ground. I read this at night. I am a chicken. Opal’s struggle with poverty was so real and heartbreaking. I will never stop shouting about how much I love when I author makes us *feel* instead of just *telling* us how to feel.
It’s just that I’m tired.
Opal’s inner thoughts about everything, but especially about Arthur, were the perfect comedic relief for the sad and depressing parts.
Arthur retreats upstairs to do whatever he does during the day, which I assume involves a coffin filled with grave dirt.
And when she gives Arthur Hellcat 😂😂 I died
Arthur’s pain and struggle were so sad, and the town was so awful to the Starlings. He had no one and it made my heart hurt.
I loved that we got the history multiple times, and each time it was different. That was such a great way to tell the story! I also absolutely love when houses, or the main setting area, are sentient, or aware, and this one was no different!
It seems to take a very long time to get there: the staircase stretches endlessly upward, doubling back on itself more times than is strictly logical, and I make a dozen false turns on the third floor. The fifth time I end up standing in the library I sigh very hard and say, to no one in particular,
"You are being a real dick about this."
When I turn around, the narrow staircase is behind me. I brush my fingers along the wallpaper in silent thanks.
When we finally get the actual history, what really happened to Eleanor Starling and the three brothers, it was horrifying. But it was the perfect conclusion. Also, this book had art in it and I love that.