Alix E. Harrow, a Kentucky native, always had a deep desire to write about her birthplace. With Starling House, she finally fulfilled this dream. In her letter to Illumicrate readers, she stated that she longed to leave Kentucky, even though she loved it. This wish is a significant theme in this atmospheric, ominous gothic novel.

In this story we follow Opal who’s mysteriously drawn to Starling House in her dreams. She spends her days caring for her brother and steals at her day job to escape their life in Kentucky. One night, she meets Arthur Starling, Starlings House sole resident committed to preserving its heritage. Surprisingly he asks Opal for an extraordinary, well-paid housekeeping position, which offers her a new future. But it’s bringing its challenges as Arthur’s nightmares are coming to life and dark forces reveal buried secrets affecting the inhabitants of Eden. Perhaps Opal has discovered a reason to stay after all.

This book has everything from, sinister birds and hell cats, to lying misfits and soulful but dangerous houses. It’s a book about planting roots or leaving your home, about fighting for your heritage, about the appeal of Kentucky, but also its downsides of clinging to a bygone era. It also focuses heavily on the sibling bond between Opal and her brother, leading to some engaging dialogues and banter. Additionally, it even has some Greek mythology references. 

All these components made a compelling-I-can’t-stop-reading-book; it seems that staying close to your roots delivers an amazing story.