The people of Eden, Kentucky, a dying coal town, agree that the decrepit Starling House mansion—with its gothic facade and beast-covered gates—is best avoided. But Opal has never much cared what the people of Eden think. She’s always felt drawn to the place. When she cuts her hand on those gates and its owner, the brooding Arthur Starling, tells her to run and not come back, she doesn’t listen to that either.

Opal holds a long-time fascination with The Underland, a book filled with monstrous creatures written by the reclusive children’s author E. Starling—who once lived in the mansion and then disappeared, a hundred years ago. Opal’s only goal is to get her brother Jasper out of Eden. So when Arthur ends up offering her a lucrative job at Starling House, she takes it. But as the mysteries of the house—and Eden itself—begin to reveal themselves, and her attraction to Arthur grows, Opal may just be in for the fight of her life. Starling House is a modern gothic novel by Alix E. Harrow.