Symbol of Protection: In Irish folklore, starlings are considered protective birds, guarding against evil spirits and bringing positive energy. Starlings, in many cultures, are heralds of joy and good fortune. However, the unexpected demise of one could be seen as a harbinger of challenges or a forthcoming period of adversity. This stark contrast underscores the dual nature of life itself – a blend of joy and sorrow, unity and separation, life, and death. It’s a profound symbol that invites introspection and a deeper understanding of life’s cycles. A love letter to folklore and the rebellious women of history." — Publishers Weekly, on The Once and Future Witches The setting could have been utilised much better. The small town vibe has been used only for its negative traits. I wish I could talk to Mom. She gave terrible advice, but I’m almost as old now as she was when she died; I imagine it would be like talking to a friend.

Represents community and the importance of relationships. This bird reminds us of the power of unity and cooperation. It encourages us to value our connections with others, fostering a sense of belonging and collective support. The European Starling Bird teaches us the significance of harmonious interactions and shared experiences. Harrow's Eden is notable for its looming and sinister manor owned by the reclusive Starling family. It's not a place anyone in their right mind wants to go near. It’s best to keep starlings out before they start to build their nest. Ask yourself, “Have they nested in a vent before?” “Is there a cavity on the house they might like?” Seal any openings before they appear and start building. If you discover them building before eggs are laid, remove the nest and appropriately cover the opening they were using. Sealing openings Starting with just 60 birds released in Central Park, New York, the starling population exploded across the continent. While they’ve become a part of the North American bird landscape, their rapid proliferation has had significant impacts on the ecosystem.The motivation behind antagonist Elizabeth Baines didn’t make any sense. E. Starling’s character is sorely underutilised. Jasper (Opal’s brother) could have also been used better for his brains. But he hardly get anything to do. I think what I wanted to say about class and poverty is that poverty is a form of violence and horror in and of itself," Harrow says, "and that those experiences do emotional and physical harm." Harrow’s The Ten Thousand Doors of January is one of those books where people who’ve read it fall all over themselves to push into other readers’ hands (I am one such person) and her growing legion of devoted readers will be happy to know that Starling House is a full-bore masterpiece." – LitHub Opal knows better than to mess with haunted houses, or brooding men. But when an opportunity to work there arises, the money might get her brother out of Eden. Starling House is uncanny and full of secrets – just like Arthur, its heir. It also feels strangely, dangerously, like something she’s never had: a home. Yet Opal isn’t the only one interested in the horrors and the wonders that lie buried beneath it. The fictional town of Eden, where the story is set, creates a great atmosphere for the story. The town’s struggles because of pollution and corporate apathy come out well through the atmospheric writing.

I found very very odd that they would hire one person randomly to clean this huge house by herself. And of course Opal thinks nothing of this. Dreaming of a starling can be a profound experience. In dream interpretation, starlings often symbolize communication. In the Bible, there are instances where birds like starlings may have been referred to as ravens. These references often carry symbolic meanings. Harrow's lyrical prose propels this contemporary Southern gothic, offering an atmospheric fairy tale with delightfully jagged-edged characters.” – EW.com There's not one story about the South," Harrow says. "It is constantly telling and obscuring many different variations of stories about itself." Book excerpt: 'Starling House'Starlings often symbolize the journey from darkness to light. Their murmurations, growing as the sky darkens, represent our struggles. Gothic fantasy author Ava Reid says "Starling House" exemplifies what Gothic fiction can offer people struggling with pain and trauma.

When Opal gets a job offer from Arthur to housekeep Starling House, the salary is good enough for her to fulfil her dreams of sending her intelligent younger brother Jasper away from Eden. But as she cleans up the mysterious mansion, she unearths dangerous secrets from the past and the present. Now it is up to Opal and Arthur to ensure that Starling House doesn’t result in the end of Eden.As knife-edged and sharp as its protagonist...A smart, spectacular contemporary Gothic that will leave its roots in you and linger in your dreams." — Kat Howard, Alex Award-winning author of An Unkindness of Magicians Ainu (Japanese god) went to the river for water, but when he began dipping it up found that it was dirty and unfit to drink. He looked around him in search of an explanation until his eyes fell upon one unfortunate starling covered with filth washing nearby; this made him really upset and he cursed the poor starling fiercely. I despised the job fair when I was at school. There aren’t really any jobs around here except breathing particulates at the power plant, so it’s just an AmeriCorps booth and somebody from the Baptist mission group handing out flyers. The main excitement comes at the end, when Don Gravely, CEO of Gravely Power, takes the stage and gives an excruciating speech about hard work and the American spirit, as if he didn’t inherit every cent of his money from his big brother. We all had to shake his hand as we filed out of the gym, and when he got to me he flinched, as if he thought poverty might be contagious. His palm had felt like a fresh-peeled boiled egg. But why oh why are these characters too stupid to live? Why can’t they communicate? And why is the story that started with teeth and bite ends up quite neutered in the end?