A Haunting Tale of Belonging and Betrayal
There’s something magnetic about haunted house stories that keeps drawing us back, like moths to a dangerous flame. Perhaps it’s because houses are more than mere buildings – they’re repositories of memories, witnesses to generations of love and loss, containers of both comfort and crisis. In Starling House, Alix E. Harrow crafts a masterful addition to this genre, weaving together elements of Southern Gothic, romance, and horror to create something both familiar and startlingly new.
The Architecture of Story
Set in the dying coal town of Eden, Kentucky, Starling House follows Opal, a sharp-tongued survivor trying to build a better life for her asthmatic younger brother Jasper. When she takes a job as housekeeper for the reclusive Arthur Starling, she finds herself drawn into a web of family secrets, ancient curses, and monsters that are both metaphorical and terrifyingly real.
The house itself is a character, with its own desires and dreams, pulling people toward it like a siren song. Harrow’s prose brings it vividly to life—you can almost smell the musty wallpaper and feel the creaking floorboards beneath your feet. The author excels at creating atmosphere, building tension through small details: wisteria vines that seem to move of their own accord, portraits that watch with knowing eyes, and a mist that brings both beauty and horror.
Strengths and Stellar Moments
Character Development
The heart of the story lies in its characters. Opal is a compelling protagonist—prickly, practical, and protective of her brother above all else. Her voice carries the narrative with a mix of wit and vulnerability that makes her feel deeply real. Arthur Starling, the brooding heir to the house, could have been a Gothic romance cliché, but Harrow gives him depth and complexity that subvert expectations.
Writing Style
Harrow’s prose is a feast, rich with metaphor but never purple. She has a particular talent for describing the uncanny:
“The mist had thickened so fast, and the Beast had come slithering out the door before he’d even gotten the sword in his hand.”
Her dialogue crackles with authenticity, especially in the banter between Opal and Arthur, which manages to be both funny and laden with tension.
Themes and Depth
The novel grapples with weighty themes: the nature of home, the inheritance of trauma, and the power of stories to both heal and harm. Particularly effective is its exploration of how towns can be haunted by their own histories of exploitation and injustice.
Areas for Improvement
Pacing Issues
The middle section of the book occasionally loses momentum, particularly during some of the house-cleaning sequences. While these scenes help establish atmosphere, they could have been tightened without losing their effect.
Plot Complexity
The multiple storylines—involving the power company, Eleanor Starling’s history, and the nature of the Beasts—sometimes become tangled. Some readers might find it challenging to keep track of all the moving parts.
World-Building Questions
While the supernatural elements are beautifully rendered, some aspects of the magic system remain unclear. The rules governing the Beasts and Underland could have been more fully developed.
Genre Mastery
Harrow demonstrates her command of multiple genres. The romance between Opal and Arthur develops naturally and believably, while the horror elements are genuinely unsettling. The Gothic atmosphere is pitch-perfect, drawing on classics of the genre while adding fresh elements.
Comparisons and Context
Readers familiar with Harrow’s previous works (The Ten Thousand Doors of January, The Once and Future Witches) will recognize her talent for blending genres and creating complex female characters. Starling House shares DNA with both Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House and Helen Oyeyemi’s White is for Witching, but carves out its own unique territory.
Final Thoughts
Starling House is a remarkable achievement that will satisfy multiple audiences: romance readers will appreciate the slow-burn relationship between Opal and Arthur, horror fans will find plenty to unsettle them, and literary fiction readers will admire the careful craft and thematic depth.
Who Should Read This Book
- Fans of Gothic literature with a contemporary twist
- Readers who enjoy romance mixed with supernatural elements
- Those interested in stories about family legacy and belonging
- Anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider looking for home
Who Might Want to Skip
- Readers who prefer straightforward horror without romance
- Those who dislike supernatural elements in their fiction
- People looking for a quick, light read
Starling House proves that the haunted house genre still has plenty of rooms left to explore, especially when guided by a writer of Harrow’s caliber. It’s a book that will haunt you long after you turn the final page—in the best possible way.