Starling House

It's been a long time since a book had me turning pages and wanting to ignore life to read it. Starling House is also exactly the type of story I was looking to read for autumn/fall...creepy, mysterious and atmospheric. I'm not a big horror fan, but I do love stories that are unsettling and mix the supernatural, folklore and fairytales. Although never stated, I felt there was a bit of a play on Beauty and the Beast, but in Harlow's hand it becomes a different and unique story. Her lyrical writing gives everything an otherworldly feel, most especially in respect to the house itself, which becomes a character in its own right and one I thoroughly enjoyed and loved. The mystery aspect is what had me reading every chance I could get, but the heart of the story is really about family and home. Complicated, messy and often what you make it, not what you're born into. There's a bit of romance. I thought I was over the brooding types, but apparently Arthur proved me wrong. But it never becomes tropey or ridiculous. It's a bit gothic mystery, a bit dark modern fairytale, a bit ghost story and overall just a great read! So many elements I love and though I still hold Harlow's The Ten Thousand Doors of January above this one and an all-time favourite, Starling House is certainly up there and I highly recommend it!