Book Club Questions

1. The setting of Starling House is integral to the story. How does the atmosphere of the house reflect the characters' internal struggles or the themes of the novel? What role does the eerie setting play in the story's tone?

2. How do you feel about the protagonist, Opal? How does her relationship with her family, especially her brother, influence her actions throughout the novel? Do you find her to be a sympathetic character?

3. Starling House explores themes of fate and personal choice. How do you see these themes playing out in Opal’s journey? Do you think she is actively shaping her destiny or simply reacting to the events around her?

4. Memory and the past have a strong influence in the novel. How do Opal’s memories shape her identity and her decisions? In what ways does the past influence the events of the story?

5. How does the element of magic in the story affect the plot and characters? What role does magic play in Opal’s understanding of herself and her world?

6. What is the significance of Opal’s family relationships? How do her interactions with her brother and others shape her development throughout the novel?

7. Starling House almost feels like a character in itself. How do you interpret the house’s symbolism in the story? What do you think it represents for the characters who live in it?

8. What did you think of the novel’s conclusion? Do you think it offered a satisfying resolution to the characters' conflicts? Why or why not?

9. Starling House blends elements of gothic fiction, fantasy, and mystery. How does this blending of genres impact the reading experience? Which aspects of the story did you find most compelling?

10. What do you think Harrow is saying about power, secrecy, and the ways people are forced to confront their pasts? How does this tie into the book’s central conflicts?

11. The title and imagery of birds are prominent throughout the novel. How do birds serve as symbols in the story? What do they represent for the characters, particularly Opal?

12. How do the characters in Starling House interact with the unknown or the supernatural? What do you think Harrow is trying to convey about human nature through these interactions?