So I finished reading Starling House last night. I want to try and give this book a real review, as in the past I usually would just breeze through and be very short with reviewing a book I read like “I liked it!” or “It was good, but XYZ”. So here is my attempt at giving this book my honest review!
Short Review: I loved it. A Lot!!
Aside from a few editing errors (missing words, spelling errors, words clearly meant to be deleted) the story was well paced and easy to read. I found myself really hooked into the book within the first 10 chapters. I thought the characters were really wonderful and realistic and believable, nothing felt forced (maybe the romance a little? But I can let it slide), or done for the sake of plot.
I found it refreshing that neither character is described as being conventionally attractive or Hollywood Hot. Our boy is not a model with rippling pectorals and our heroine is not a teenage beauty queen who doesn’t know she’s beautiful. Both characters are adults (like in their mid 20’s), and have flaws and issues that they each slowly overcome and I enjoyed their journey as they both grew throughout the story. They have real emotional hangups and responsibilities and I quite enjoyed reading about each characters struggle, both internal and out, and their struggles against society.
There is also some queer representation which I was happy about, and enjoyed how it was handled!
I also really liked the ghost/story/spooky/Monster House vibes, gothic horror of it all, but I will say it felt, to me, like Gothic Horror Lite. Like this would be the story you would read if you have never read Gothic Horror and needed something to breach those waters, and it does that job well.
As a person who enjoys history, I also liked the historical and real-world aspects of the book, especially the way it portrays small town capitalism/capitalism as a whole, and the pervasiveness of racism in society that continues to this day (the author had several moments in the book where the younger brother of the main character experiences racism/micro-aggressions, and you get rightfully upset and want to scream at these people and come to his defense, as you should). It also touched upon how society treats women, the abuse women endure/are made to endure, and how no matter what background you come from, society does not like women and won’t help them, especially in the face of money and power. It was really powerful and poignant and heartbreaking, but I don’t want to say any spoilers. But boy it made me feel things.
As far as “spice” goes (I kinda really hate this term from Booktok but oh well 😭), the romance is sweet and light, and without spoilers, it doesn’t go too into detail for certain stuff. I’d rate it 1 out of 5🌶️.
All in all, there was very little I disliked about the book. Aside from the editing errors, I guess my only other real complaint would be that the book does a third-person pov whenever Arthur has his moments in the book, and then goes back to a first-person pov for Opal. I felt that the povs should have changed for each character, and would have enjoyed reading Arthur’s parts of the book from his perspective rather than be told and described to me everything he felt/did. But honestly, that is just my own personal preference.
In conclusion, I really highly recommend this book if you want something spooky/gothic-y, or like fantasy, history, and romance!
