Summary
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow is a haunting work of gothic fantasy weaving together mystery, magic, and small-town secrets. At the heart of the story is Opal, a young woman determined to escape poverty and provide a better life for her brother. Her journey becomes intertwined with the enigmatic Starling House and its reclusive heir. Released in 2023, the novel’s evocative prose, rich atmosphere, and exploration of themes such as resistance, empowerment, and environmental concerns won praise from critics and continue to resonate with readers.
Plot
Opal, a young woman struggling to make ends meet in the dying town of Eden, Kentucky, dreams of a better life for her younger brother, Jasper. When an opportunity arises to work at the mysterious Starling House, she seizes it—despite the town's warnings about the mansion's dark history. The house once belonged to E. Starling, a reclusive 19th-century author who vanished over a century ago, leaving behind only her enigmatic book The Underland and a legacy of rumors.
As Opal begins her job at Starling House, she finds herself drawn into its secrets and those of its current occupant, Arthur Starling. The mansion seems to have a life of its own, filled with uncanny occurrences and echoes of the past. Opal's childhood fascination with The Underland takes on new significance as she discovers connections between the book, the house, and Eden's buried history.
Meanwhile, sinister forces are at work in Eden, threatening both the town and Starling House. Arthur's nightmares become increasingly real and disturbing, while the ghosts of Eden's past seem to be rising to the surface. Opal finds herself caught between her initial plan to earn money and leave town, and a growing attachment to Starling House and its mysteries.
As the danger intensifies, Opal realizes she must confront the dark secrets of Starling House and Eden's history to protect not only herself and Jasper but also the place that has unexpectedly become her home. The once-cynical young woman finds herself fighting against powerful entities to uncover the truth and preserve the legacy of Starling House, all while navigating her complex feelings for Arthur and the house itself.
Themes
Power of home and belonging
Uncovering buried secrets and history
Resistance against exploitation and corporate greed
Family bonds and sacrifice
Confronting fears and inner darkness
Intersection of reality and fantasy
Finding strength and identity through adversity
Setting
Starling House is set in the fictional town of Eden, Kentucky, a decaying coal mining community struggling with economic hardship and environmental degradation. The story takes place in the present day, but the town's history and the mysterious Starling House itself are deeply rooted in the 19th century, creating a haunting blend of past and present.
At the center of the novel is Starling House, a Gothic mansion shrouded in local legend. Built by the reclusive 19th-century author E. Starling, the house serves as a focal point for the town's dark secrets and supernatural occurrences. Its crumbling facade and overgrown grounds stand in stark contrast to the industrial landscape of Eden, symbolizing both the town's faded glory and its hidden mysteries.
The broader setting of rural Kentucky plays a crucial role in shaping the story's atmosphere and themes. Alix E. Harrow vividly portrays the region's natural beauty alongside its economic struggles, with abandoned mines and the looming presence of Gravely Power representing the ongoing exploitation of the land and its people. This backdrop of Appalachian poverty and resilience provides a rich context for the characters' struggles and the supernatural elements that emerge from the town's troubled history.
Characters
Opal: The protagonist. At 26, Opal is cynical and pragmatic, except for her obsession with The Underland, a mysterious book written by E. Starling. Having grown up in poverty in Eden, Kentucky, Opal is determined to find a better life for her younger brother Jasper and frustrated with her job as a part-time cashier. Opal's decision to work at Starling House sets the story’s main events in motion.
Arthur Starling: The reclusive heir and caretaker of Starling House. Arthur is haunted by nightmares and struggles with the dark history of his family's estate. His interactions with Opal gradually reveal the supernatural elements tied to Starling House and Eden's past.
Jasper: Opal's teenage brother. Jasper is the primary motivation for Opal's actions, as she strives to provide him with opportunities to escape their impoverished circumstances.
E. Starling: The enigmatic 19th-century author of The Underland who disappeared more than a hundred years ago. Her legacy and the mysteries surrounding her life are central to the plot.
Elizabeth Baine: A corporate agent from Gravely Power. She attempts to coerce Opal into spying on Starling House by threatening her guardianship of Jasper.
Bev: The owner of the Garden of Eden Motel. She provides a place for Opal and Jasper to stay, offering a tough but caring presence in their lives.
Charlotte: A librarian with a passion for local history. Her detailed knowledge provides valuable insights into Eden's past and the mysteries of Starling House.
Quick facts
Starling House is Alix E. Harrow's first novel fully set in her home state of Kentucky, though in a fictional small town, Eden.
Starling House blends elements of gothic fiction, fantasy, and social commentary.
The novel explores themes of poverty, corporate exploitation, and environmental issues in coal mining towns.
At the novel’s center is a mysterious book called The Underland written by a character named E. Starling.
Starling House was a Reese's Book Club Pick for October 2023.
The novel received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly.
Starling House became a New York Times bestseller.
Starling House was shortlisted for the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel and nominated for the Locus Award for Best Horror Novel.
The audiobook is narrated by Natalie Naudus, known for her performances of popular fantasy, and was shortlisted for the Audie Award for Fantasy.
A special limited edition of the book with illustrations by Rovina Cai is planned for release in 2025.
About the Author
Alix E. Harrow (1989-) is an American author known for her works of science fiction and fantasy. She won the prestigious Hugo Award for her 2018 short story “A Witch's Guide to Escape: A Practical Compendium of Portal Fantasies.” In 2019, her debut novel, The Ten Thousand Doors of January, received critical acclaim and multiple award nominations. Released in 2020, her second novel, The Once and Future Witches, solidified her reputation in the fantasy genre. She followed its success with a duology of fairytale novellas, A Spindle Splintered and A Mirror Mended. Published in 2023, her latest novel, Starling House, blends elements of gothic fiction and fantasy with social commentary.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Harrow held various jobs, from adjunct professor to cashier and even a blueberry harvester. Her unique background and experiences heavily influence her writing, resulting in stories that are both fantastical and grounded in relatable human experiences. A native of Kentucky, she lives in Virginia with her family.
