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The House of Sorrowing Stars
A spellbinding and haunting literary fable of loss, perfect for fans of The Binding and The Night Circus.'This beautiful and beguiling book tells a poignant and haunting story rich in slow-burning intrigue and tender emotion' Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne.'A transporting, delicious fairytale about loss, beauty, and love.' Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Mercies.________________________How do you heal a broken house?First you unlock its secrets.Alone on an island, surrounded by flowers that shine as dusk begins to fall, sits an old, faded house. Rooms cannot be rented here and visits are only for those haunted by the memory of loss.When Liddy receives an invitation, she thinks there must be some mistake - she's never experienced loss. But with her curiosity stirred, and no other way to escape a life in which she feels trapped, she decides to accept.Once there, she meets Vivienne, a beautiful, austere woman whose glare leaves Liddy unsettled; Ben, the reserved gardener; and Raphael, the enigmatic Keymaker. If Liddy is to discover her true purpose in the house, she must find the root of their sorrow - but the house won't give up its secrets so easily . . .________________________'A haunting journey of self-discovery, bursting with metaphor, and with the feel of a classic fairytale. Prepare to get lost in this spellbinding world.' Ava Reid, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Wolf and the Woodsman.'Haunting, surreal, and intricate, Cartwright has deftly crafted a story about what we find when we believe we are lost.' Heather Walter, author of the Malice duology.'Enchanting, poetic prose that enriches a beautiful fairytale world.' A. E. Warren, author of the Tomorrow's Ancestors series.
395 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 22, 2022
60 people are currently reading
3939 people want to read
About the author
Beth Cartwright
2 books58 followersBeth Cartwright has taught English in Greece and travelled around South East Asia and South America, where she worked at an animal sanctuary. A love of language and the imaginary led her to study English Literature and Linguistics at Lancaster University, and she now lives on the edge of the Peak District with her family and two cats. Feathertide is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
August 26, 2022
wow. I just completed a brilliant atmospheric book. The dread I felt when I realised how few pages were left until the end. The fantastic world-building. How easy it was to get lost in it. AND THE GARDEN. THE GARDEN. AND THE LIBRARY and the TEA. This book is beautiful, haunting, fanciful, and sorrowful and tells a hopeful story with an ethereal setting and exquisite description of detail. The pages are filled with beautiful writing and characters that match the emotion the story told. Fitting book for the current weather. A cosy, beautiful book. Snug, wrapped in a woolly scarf, a heater on, and a cat sleeping beside me. Folklore and evermore (once again) made an appearance in the background. I freaking love this book.
This story has convinced me to try Marchpane. Love, love, love it.
4.5/5
This story has convinced me to try Marchpane. Love, love, love it.
4.5/5
January 19, 2022
How do you heal a broken house?
First you unlock its secrets.
Sorrowing Stars. Flowers that shine as dusk begins to fall on another day, frame an old, faded and tired house alone on an island, devoid of the usual people who would reside in a building which used to be so grand, yet now is not much more than a mere empty shell. Rooms cannot be rented here and those wishing to visit are sent for by invitation only and exclusively to those who are haunted by the memory of loss.
Liddy receives a curious invitation one day but she thinks this surely must be nothing more than a mistake on someone else’s part as she has never experienced loss or so she thinks anyway, but when curiosity gets the better of her and life starts to get claustrophobic, leaving her feeling trapped, Liddy decides to accept and venture off to see why she has been the recipient of such an odd request.
Once there, Liddy meets Vivienne, a beautiful yet unsettling woman who is apparently responsible for the invite; Ben, the quiet and reserved Gardner who acts as a guide to held Liddy; and Raphael, the Keymaker who can help with peoples grief.
If Liddy is to discover the true reason and purpose of this house, she must find the root of their sorrows - but the house won’t easily part with its secrets, and Liddy may be left thinking perhaps she should never have taken that chance to leave her family, for not everyone is ready to face their grief.
Tackling grief, loss and love in such a beautiful and fragile manner, the author blends magical realism with an enchanting setting and timeless story in which you will want to go searching for your own key, just so you have a chance to visit this unforgettable house yourself.
First you unlock its secrets.
Sorrowing Stars. Flowers that shine as dusk begins to fall on another day, frame an old, faded and tired house alone on an island, devoid of the usual people who would reside in a building which used to be so grand, yet now is not much more than a mere empty shell. Rooms cannot be rented here and those wishing to visit are sent for by invitation only and exclusively to those who are haunted by the memory of loss.
Liddy receives a curious invitation one day but she thinks this surely must be nothing more than a mistake on someone else’s part as she has never experienced loss or so she thinks anyway, but when curiosity gets the better of her and life starts to get claustrophobic, leaving her feeling trapped, Liddy decides to accept and venture off to see why she has been the recipient of such an odd request.
Once there, Liddy meets Vivienne, a beautiful yet unsettling woman who is apparently responsible for the invite; Ben, the quiet and reserved Gardner who acts as a guide to held Liddy; and Raphael, the Keymaker who can help with peoples grief.
If Liddy is to discover the true reason and purpose of this house, she must find the root of their sorrows - but the house won’t easily part with its secrets, and Liddy may be left thinking perhaps she should never have taken that chance to leave her family, for not everyone is ready to face their grief.
Tackling grief, loss and love in such a beautiful and fragile manner, the author blends magical realism with an enchanting setting and timeless story in which you will want to go searching for your own key, just so you have a chance to visit this unforgettable house yourself.
February 10, 2022
This book is so wonderful. My heart is full and I really didn’t want it to end. Such beautiful writing and an emotional journey with Liddy.
I loved the idea of the keys and thought each story was romantic and magical especially with Eloura guiding the way with the stars. Full of secrets and mystery, this story kept me gripped completely.
This is certainly a contender for book of the year and it’s only February.
I loved the idea of the keys and thought each story was romantic and magical especially with Eloura guiding the way with the stars. Full of secrets and mystery, this story kept me gripped completely.
This is certainly a contender for book of the year and it’s only February.
February 9, 2022
What an absolutely mesmerising and haunting tale of a house with its own personality, a brother and a sister locked in their sadness and a magical library of people's stories. Although this book is about grief and difficult emotions, I got a real sense of hope from it. Beautiful! 🥰
June 16, 2022
This is a book about love and redemption. The setting is beautiful and I'd love to visit the island in the lake just to spend time exploring the garden and the strange rooms of the Italianesque crumbling house.
Liddy falls in love at first sight with Raphaelle, a dark mournful man who has retreated from the outside world to protect himself and is easily misunderstood. However this isn't really about their relationship, and if you think it is then you've missed the point.
It's about how pain can change a person and about how different connections can shape the future; it's about magic and healing; stories and regrets; but in the end it's about one woman's enduring patience and unwavering love for her daughter.
Liddy falls in love at first sight with Raphaelle, a dark mournful man who has retreated from the outside world to protect himself and is easily misunderstood. However this isn't really about their relationship, and if you think it is then you've missed the point.
It's about how pain can change a person and about how different connections can shape the future; it's about magic and healing; stories and regrets; but in the end it's about one woman's enduring patience and unwavering love for her daughter.
July 13, 2022
I fell in love with Beth’s writing in her debut Feathertide a couple of years ago, so I immediately bought The House of Sorrowing Stars as soon as it became available back in February.
The story is all about loss and redemption. The writing is exquisite, it has a lyrical quality to it that draws you in and fires your imagination. It is one of those books that I could easily read over and over again as it is such a treat for the eyes.
The House itself is magical and it is a place people visit to take time to try to heal from a loss and say goodbye to a loved one. The library in the House is a delight to read about. It holds the stories of people who have lost someone. They are under the care of the entrancing book weaver Eloura.
There are some dark elements within the pages with very creepy goings on with a doll and a mysterious ghost of a lady wandering outside the grounds of the House. There is also the enigmatic Keymaker who the main character Liddy instantly gets intrigued about who hides away in a darkened room from everyone. But alongside the darkness there is light that brings hope and love to the characters.
The House of Sorrowing Stars is whimsical, enchanting, haunting and tender. Beth has become a favourite author of mine. Her talent for writing a book with such beautiful, touching messages alongside a poetic prose is perfection.
The story is all about loss and redemption. The writing is exquisite, it has a lyrical quality to it that draws you in and fires your imagination. It is one of those books that I could easily read over and over again as it is such a treat for the eyes.
The House itself is magical and it is a place people visit to take time to try to heal from a loss and say goodbye to a loved one. The library in the House is a delight to read about. It holds the stories of people who have lost someone. They are under the care of the entrancing book weaver Eloura.
There are some dark elements within the pages with very creepy goings on with a doll and a mysterious ghost of a lady wandering outside the grounds of the House. There is also the enigmatic Keymaker who the main character Liddy instantly gets intrigued about who hides away in a darkened room from everyone. But alongside the darkness there is light that brings hope and love to the characters.
The House of Sorrowing Stars is whimsical, enchanting, haunting and tender. Beth has become a favourite author of mine. Her talent for writing a book with such beautiful, touching messages alongside a poetic prose is perfection.
July 30, 2022
The purest and most beautiful story I read for a long Time 👏🥹 about love, memories,forgiveness, loss, family. With the right amount of mystery, Magic. A fairytale library, kind but strong and flawed characters. It is a very moving story. The house of the sorrowing stars deserved more than these 5 bright. Loved everything, the delicate prose, the atmosphere, the unforgettable characters ⭐ ✨🤩
September 20, 2022
2.5/5 stars
Don't blindly take my word on this one, as my rating is purely based off my own enjoyment.
The House of Sorrowing Stars is a whimsical, sweet fairytale-esque story, that I can very easily picture an audience for. That audience just wasn't me. Remeniscent of The Nightcircus in its historical romantic setting, flowery writing and intoxicating atmosphere, I can see this being a great book to get lost in curled up under a cosy blanket during an autumn-weekend. To me however, the whole feeling this book evoked in me was a bit like your aunts perfume: too much, too sickly sweet, and so overpowering that it gave me a slight headache.
It's also, for a novel that is sold as being about grief and loss, quite heavy on the (instalove) romance, and we all know how I feel about that combo...
Full review to come once I've dragged myself out of my current slump. Not this books fault, for the record.
Don't blindly take my word on this one, as my rating is purely based off my own enjoyment.
The House of Sorrowing Stars is a whimsical, sweet fairytale-esque story, that I can very easily picture an audience for. That audience just wasn't me. Remeniscent of The Nightcircus in its historical romantic setting, flowery writing and intoxicating atmosphere, I can see this being a great book to get lost in curled up under a cosy blanket during an autumn-weekend. To me however, the whole feeling this book evoked in me was a bit like your aunts perfume: too much, too sickly sweet, and so overpowering that it gave me a slight headache.
It's also, for a novel that is sold as being about grief and loss, quite heavy on the (instalove) romance, and we all know how I feel about that combo...
Full review to come once I've dragged myself out of my current slump. Not this books fault, for the record.
February 13, 2022
When Liddy receives a mysterious and slightly odd invitation to visit the House of Sorrowing Stars she thinks it is a mistake, but in an attempt to escape an arranged marriage she decides to accept it. Once she arrives she believes she has been sent there to make marchpane, a delicious marzipan delight that her father’s business is infamous for making. As the plot unravels she realises there is so much more to her being there than meets the eye. Libby also discovers she has a confusing bond with the enigmatic Raphael, the dark and brooding Keymaker, who hides himself away in a darkened room. The tension and the connection between them is portrayed really well. There are some wonderful characters, from Vivienne the starchy and austere owner to Ben, the kind and gentle gardener, and the cast of characters in between.
This is such a beautiful and haunting read and I couldn’t put it down. The story takes the reader through a range of emotions and it is as uplifting as it is sorrowful. Although the focus is on grief and loss there is also a strong sense of hope and happiness within the pages. I liked the historical feel to the novel, apparent in the costumes they wear, the food they eat, the candlelit rooms, and at times it felt like a fantasy version of a particularly dark Jane Austen novel. The combination of the historical and fantasy elements is very effective and worked really well. The setting is perfect, the house has a eerie haunted feel but there is also beauty in the gardens and the lake submerged with Sorrowing Stars, flowers that light up and shimmer at nighttime.
The writing is exquisite, it’s poetic and completely mesmerising. The detailed descriptions conjure up vivid imagery which I will always remember and the story itself maintains a steady pace throughout, allowing the reader to absorb this beautiful prose. The House of Sorrowing Stars is an enchanting and magical fairytale, which was a sheer delight to read. I will definitely be reaching for the author’s previous novel, Feathertide.
Thank you so much DelRey for inviting me on the book tour and the gifted ARC for review.
TWISTED IN PAGES BLOG
This is such a beautiful and haunting read and I couldn’t put it down. The story takes the reader through a range of emotions and it is as uplifting as it is sorrowful. Although the focus is on grief and loss there is also a strong sense of hope and happiness within the pages. I liked the historical feel to the novel, apparent in the costumes they wear, the food they eat, the candlelit rooms, and at times it felt like a fantasy version of a particularly dark Jane Austen novel. The combination of the historical and fantasy elements is very effective and worked really well. The setting is perfect, the house has a eerie haunted feel but there is also beauty in the gardens and the lake submerged with Sorrowing Stars, flowers that light up and shimmer at nighttime.
The writing is exquisite, it’s poetic and completely mesmerising. The detailed descriptions conjure up vivid imagery which I will always remember and the story itself maintains a steady pace throughout, allowing the reader to absorb this beautiful prose. The House of Sorrowing Stars is an enchanting and magical fairytale, which was a sheer delight to read. I will definitely be reaching for the author’s previous novel, Feathertide.
Thank you so much DelRey for inviting me on the book tour and the gifted ARC for review.
TWISTED IN PAGES BLOG
March 17, 2024
"[...] all stories connect and overlap. In their many layers they offer comfort and refuge and hope. Stories are friends, lovers, mothers, fathers, a hand in the dark, a shelter in a storm. Stories are infinite and vast; they change and they survive."
What a sweet story about finding hope again, although the ending and at times the plot were lacking a bit in depth.
What a sweet story about finding hope again, although the ending and at times the plot were lacking a bit in depth.
October 21, 2022
What a great story in which to escape. Gothic, mysterious, magical and moving. Is there a film because there should be!
October 10, 2022
2.5 stars
Described as a spiritual successor to The Night Circus, this book falls dreadfully short on multiple fronts.
The writing is no Morgenstern, and it doesn't have to be. Cartwright's prose is whimsical and poetic in a practical kind of way, evoking imagery that is interesting but not provoking. I never felt transposed or moved, but the style suited Liddy's no-nonsense personality and I liked it well enough.
The plot is fine. A little listless - wandering and circling and doubling back like a lost traveller. I didn't mind. Such is the nature of grief. It's only natural for stories of sorrow to follow the same course. Plus, I liked getting lost in libraries and having always-warm tea and walking through wild, lush gardens. Cartwright really captures the sensation of journeying, freedom, and time. With real life constantly demanding our time and attention, it was delightful to be with Liddy and simply exist, to relish the feeling of not being in a rush, and having all the time in the world to figure things out.
The characters, however, leave a lot to be desired. Liddy is ostensibly the main character, but she's really just a medium through which everyone else's stories are told. She is too good, too pure, existing only for the purpose of rescuing the other residents from themselves. She is - in a word - boring. And by the end, stupid. I mean, when was she going to stop thinking every noise (including ones that she herself admits sound absolutely nothing like a cat) is the cat getting stuck behind a door? When it continued to happen late into the second half of the book, I was done.
Her romance with the Keymaker was also a massive disappointment. I wasn't expecting an epic love story, but the instalove was unbelievable and cringeworthy. There was absolutely no reason either of them would even consider each other friends, let alone fall in love. I mean, all she does is bring him a few meals? I could maybe forgive it if there was some grand symbolism, but if there was, I clearly missed it. Hell, the unseen and undeveloped romance between Vivienne (best girl) and Sebastien was far more interesting and painful for the mystery and torture of it all.
That being said, Eloura was fantastic and I would very much like to travel with her. Perhaps if fate is kind, I'll run into her boat one day and she can take my story back to the House of Sorrowing Stars. Mira.
All in all, this book didn't live up to the hype. Unlike The Night Circus, the characters were weak, the whimsy less symbolic and more tacky, and the plot far, far weaker. Maybe I'll read more by Cartwright; maybe not. For now, I'm onto greener pastures.
Described as a spiritual successor to The Night Circus, this book falls dreadfully short on multiple fronts.
The writing is no Morgenstern, and it doesn't have to be. Cartwright's prose is whimsical and poetic in a practical kind of way, evoking imagery that is interesting but not provoking. I never felt transposed or moved, but the style suited Liddy's no-nonsense personality and I liked it well enough.
The plot is fine. A little listless - wandering and circling and doubling back like a lost traveller. I didn't mind. Such is the nature of grief. It's only natural for stories of sorrow to follow the same course. Plus, I liked getting lost in libraries and having always-warm tea and walking through wild, lush gardens. Cartwright really captures the sensation of journeying, freedom, and time. With real life constantly demanding our time and attention, it was delightful to be with Liddy and simply exist, to relish the feeling of not being in a rush, and having all the time in the world to figure things out.
The characters, however, leave a lot to be desired. Liddy is ostensibly the main character, but she's really just a medium through which everyone else's stories are told. She is too good, too pure, existing only for the purpose of rescuing the other residents from themselves. She is - in a word - boring. And by the end, stupid. I mean, when was she going to stop thinking every noise (including ones that she herself admits sound absolutely nothing like a cat) is the cat getting stuck behind a door? When it continued to happen late into the second half of the book, I was done.
Her romance with the Keymaker was also a massive disappointment. I wasn't expecting an epic love story, but the instalove was unbelievable and cringeworthy. There was absolutely no reason either of them would even consider each other friends, let alone fall in love. I mean, all she does is bring him a few meals? I could maybe forgive it if there was some grand symbolism, but if there was, I clearly missed it. Hell, the unseen and undeveloped romance between Vivienne (best girl) and Sebastien was far more interesting and painful for the mystery and torture of it all.
That being said, Eloura was fantastic and I would very much like to travel with her. Perhaps if fate is kind, I'll run into her boat one day and she can take my story back to the House of Sorrowing Stars. Mira.
All in all, this book didn't live up to the hype. Unlike The Night Circus, the characters were weak, the whimsy less symbolic and more tacky, and the plot far, far weaker. Maybe I'll read more by Cartwright; maybe not. For now, I'm onto greener pastures.
February 16, 2022
A ghostly beautiful story about Love, pain, and loss.
I absolutely LOVED this book.! I'll be honest, when I first read the blurb, I wasn't expecting what the story turned out to be, but I am glad it did. The book made me happy, it made me cry, made me hopeful for a lot of characters, and pained my heart for a few.
Beth has elegantly captured so many emotions, yet still kept the mysterious magical elements intact. There's pain, loss, sorrow, hope, love. But there are also mysterious secrets, a living & breathing magical house, a ghost, and so much more. You might anticipate the story to be limited to just one of the elements, but Beth has captured all of them in such a perfect manner. I read the book so quickly (within 2 sittings) because I just wanted to know what happens next.
There were so many characters, but they all seemed to play equal parts in the story, which I really loved. At times, the MC overpowers the whole story and it becomes difficult to understand the perspective and life of other characters. But just like Liddy's marchpane, the characters' involvement in the storyline was a perfect mix.
I really enjoyed the in-between short stories of people that Liddy read in the books.
Overall, I loved the perfect blend of all the components that bind the storyline. It was a heart-warming read.
Full review: https://divyakaushik1010.wixsite.com/...
I absolutely LOVED this book.! I'll be honest, when I first read the blurb, I wasn't expecting what the story turned out to be, but I am glad it did. The book made me happy, it made me cry, made me hopeful for a lot of characters, and pained my heart for a few.
Beth has elegantly captured so many emotions, yet still kept the mysterious magical elements intact. There's pain, loss, sorrow, hope, love. But there are also mysterious secrets, a living & breathing magical house, a ghost, and so much more. You might anticipate the story to be limited to just one of the elements, but Beth has captured all of them in such a perfect manner. I read the book so quickly (within 2 sittings) because I just wanted to know what happens next.
There were so many characters, but they all seemed to play equal parts in the story, which I really loved. At times, the MC overpowers the whole story and it becomes difficult to understand the perspective and life of other characters. But just like Liddy's marchpane, the characters' involvement in the storyline was a perfect mix.
I really enjoyed the in-between short stories of people that Liddy read in the books.
Overall, I loved the perfect blend of all the components that bind the storyline. It was a heart-warming read.
Full review: https://divyakaushik1010.wixsite.com/...
dnf
June 18, 2022DNF 34% through. There's nothing necessarily bad about this. After 100 pages I still just wasn't interested with the story or the characters and generally the whimsical and fairytale-like atmosphere and writing isn't just something I enjoy. I would recommend this to people who love books like The Night Circus -- it has really similar feel into it but is another book that I unfortunately didn't enjoy.
September 10, 2023
A house in the middle of a lake that can help people deal with loss. Liddy is invited to the House of Sorrowing Stars where she meets siblings that need help to heal their heartbreak as well as others lost in their own grief. Oh my word, what a beautiful book. Such an enchanting tale of loss and hope. All the feels with this one.
May 15, 2022
Sometimes ghosts appear because we invite them, and they stay because we can’t let them go.
Read
February 21, 2023dnf @ pg 122: I was promised beautiful writing and a whimsical house. I was served with a tease of a beautiful house with writing that I did not attach to and a story that I did not care for. After the 100th page, there is still no sight of the conflict or the plot. If I cared about Liddy more I probably would stick around because I have no problem with plotless character-driven stories. But I don't like her very much, so that's that. I should probably carry on reading but I'll just end up skipping paragraphs and whole pages to get the end. So I'll stop here.
Thank you Pansing @definitelybooks for sending me this book to review <3
Thank you Pansing @definitelybooks for sending me this book to review <3
February 12, 2022
The House of Sorrowing Stars is a haunting, whimsical, gothic tale of a mysterious house whose secrets can only be unlocked by the chosen few who are invited to witness the enchanting spectacle within. The house is polished with magic like a forgotten wish and yet remains decrepit as grief has taken root in its bowels. The houses’ two masters, brother and sister are weighed upon by grief and a life of loss. When Liddy is invited to ignite the soul of the house, she must tackle layers of secrets and stubborn personalities to save the dying heart of the house and its occupants. The novel is a quiet fantasy with a large dollop of realism as grief is tackled through mystical elements, heart-breaking domestic trauma and an enchanting purpose. With fairy-tale esque edges and a raw core, the novel is an incredibly unique blend. The heavy subject matter of grief can often be tricky to balance and deal with in novels however, Beth’s delicate treatment of grief embodied through the symbolism of the sorrowing star flowers – shows how even in the darkness love and light can be found without taking away from the pain or suffering, only allowing it to not control the present moment.
The house is given semi-sentience with interlude chapters that give its point of view as it watches the changes unfurling within its walls and drops breadcrumbs as to its history. Vivienne the matriarch of the house, is utterly lost as if she will never be found – an enigma of a woman. Her depiction reminds me of Miss Havisham with her gothic elusiveness, dark demeanour and soul weighted by grief and loss. Her brother, the key maker is reminiscent of the beast from Beauty and the Beast, his grief taking on the form of aggression and an animalistic animosity. Liddy acts as his Belle, trying to break down the walls he has built as she can see through to the heart beneath the monster. Liddy is a delicate soul who flees an arranged marriage to a philandering fool whom she loathes with a passion. Her invitation to the House of Sorrowing Stars is a chance for her to escape somewhere where she can reinvent her future and find a semblance of hope. The house soon gives her layers of mystery to distract her from her insecurities. However, the house also subtly heals her pain and gives her a future sense of purpose and belonging, if she is willing to risk everything to save it.
The novel is gentle and poetic where it needs to be and heart-wrenching and brutal when it needs to be. It is not often that a story is so unique that it strikes me as so wildly different to the literary offering at the moment. I almost wish the story wasn’t so neatly tied up at the end so that the house could be revisited again and again. Having said that, the beauty of the story lies in its intricacies and depth that perhaps is best left as a standalone, one to ponder for long after.
Thank you to Del Rey for sending me an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
The house is given semi-sentience with interlude chapters that give its point of view as it watches the changes unfurling within its walls and drops breadcrumbs as to its history. Vivienne the matriarch of the house, is utterly lost as if she will never be found – an enigma of a woman. Her depiction reminds me of Miss Havisham with her gothic elusiveness, dark demeanour and soul weighted by grief and loss. Her brother, the key maker is reminiscent of the beast from Beauty and the Beast, his grief taking on the form of aggression and an animalistic animosity. Liddy acts as his Belle, trying to break down the walls he has built as she can see through to the heart beneath the monster. Liddy is a delicate soul who flees an arranged marriage to a philandering fool whom she loathes with a passion. Her invitation to the House of Sorrowing Stars is a chance for her to escape somewhere where she can reinvent her future and find a semblance of hope. The house soon gives her layers of mystery to distract her from her insecurities. However, the house also subtly heals her pain and gives her a future sense of purpose and belonging, if she is willing to risk everything to save it.
The novel is gentle and poetic where it needs to be and heart-wrenching and brutal when it needs to be. It is not often that a story is so unique that it strikes me as so wildly different to the literary offering at the moment. I almost wish the story wasn’t so neatly tied up at the end so that the house could be revisited again and again. Having said that, the beauty of the story lies in its intricacies and depth that perhaps is best left as a standalone, one to ponder for long after.
Thank you to Del Rey for sending me an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2022
The House of Sorrowing Stars is a haunting yet mesmerising read that will stick with me for a long time. Through the poetic writing style coupled with magical realism elements, this book completely transports you into a world that feels historical with an edge of fantasy. The main setting is the House of Sorrowing Stars which is a place that helps those who have experienced loss in some way. Cartwright effortlessly brings this house to life to the point we believe it is a character in its own right. This story feels like a fairytale, which works beautifully for the story that it tells. We follow Liddy as she learns about the house, the real reason why she was invited there, and how she can help with the deep-rooted sorrow that lingers in its walls as well as its occupants. Reading this book felt like the most wonderful escape.
At its core, it explores themes of grief and loss, the different ways that can manifest in each of us, and how on a human level everyone deserves the chance to heal. It takes you on a journey of emotions as you learn more about those residing in the house in particular the owner of the house Vivien and her brother Raphael. While at times I felt deep heartache and despair for these characters, the story weaves in themes of forgiveness and love and leaves your heart feeling full. I cannot wait to reread this story to pick up on further details that I may have missed in my first read.
Thank you Del Rey for the review copy!
At its core, it explores themes of grief and loss, the different ways that can manifest in each of us, and how on a human level everyone deserves the chance to heal. It takes you on a journey of emotions as you learn more about those residing in the house in particular the owner of the house Vivien and her brother Raphael. While at times I felt deep heartache and despair for these characters, the story weaves in themes of forgiveness and love and leaves your heart feeling full. I cannot wait to reread this story to pick up on further details that I may have missed in my first read.
Thank you Del Rey for the review copy!
July 29, 2022
This was SUCH a magical book, I loved it!!
I never knew I was into these kind of fairytale fantasy books, but turns out, I do! This book hit all the right buttons for me. It had a mysterious house, set on a beautiful whimsical island surrounded by strange flowers. Those flowers grow in the lake and are called Sorrowing Stars. The story itseld is both comforting and epic, with a very strong enchanting atmosphere woven into a interesting storyline. The story dealt with big themes such as grief and forgiveness in such a good way, that I also learnt a lot from this book.
GOSH. I feel like this book would also make the best movie ever. Everything is just so beautiful and has such a fairytale feeling to it, that it must make the most enchanting movie ever.
Okay! I think I'll stop writing now, because I feel like I have displayed my love this for this book plentyful at this point. If you'rd looking for a atmospheric read with an interesting story aswell, read this!! 🔮
I never knew I was into these kind of fairytale fantasy books, but turns out, I do! This book hit all the right buttons for me. It had a mysterious house, set on a beautiful whimsical island surrounded by strange flowers. Those flowers grow in the lake and are called Sorrowing Stars. The story itseld is both comforting and epic, with a very strong enchanting atmosphere woven into a interesting storyline. The story dealt with big themes such as grief and forgiveness in such a good way, that I also learnt a lot from this book.
GOSH. I feel like this book would also make the best movie ever. Everything is just so beautiful and has such a fairytale feeling to it, that it must make the most enchanting movie ever.
Okay! I think I'll stop writing now, because I feel like I have displayed my love this for this book plentyful at this point. If you'rd looking for a atmospheric read with an interesting story aswell, read this!! 🔮
August 5, 2022
what a wonderfully cosy book. the writing was very atmospheric and lyrical, perfect for what the book set out to achieve. there was something very whimsical and gentle about it, which is perhaps very appropriate as it deals with themes of grief and forgiveness.
i was surprised by both how enthralled i was by the book and the choices it made narratively. a different writer would have been tempted to make certain choices, to try and close out and explain every single element in the novel. cartwright, however, seems to have had a very clear idea of what she wanted to focus the story on and has executed it excellently.
it is only a shame that i did not read this book in autumn.
i was surprised by both how enthralled i was by the book and the choices it made narratively. a different writer would have been tempted to make certain choices, to try and close out and explain every single element in the novel. cartwright, however, seems to have had a very clear idea of what she wanted to focus the story on and has executed it excellently.
it is only a shame that i did not read this book in autumn.
March 9, 2022
A mesmerising book. I wish I could read it again for the first time. Enchanting!
May 8, 2022
A beautiful and spellbinding story about grief, lost, forgiveness and hope.
Absolutely recommend if you liked the Binding, Night Circus and the House in the Cerulean Sea
Absolutely recommend if you liked the Binding, Night Circus and the House in the Cerulean Sea
May 30, 2022
I could imagine every scene. I wish this place really existed because I'd love to go there.
March 28, 2022
The House of Sorrowing Stars is a beautiful and moving story that captivated me right from the very first chapter. The story follows Liddy, a young woman whose family are eager to see her married off to the infamous Jack Heathcote. Liddy can’t think of anything worse but she has nowhere else to go and no other options but to do as her family tells her. Until one night she receives a mysterious invitation to the House of Sorrowing Stars. Liddy accepts the invitation, traveling to the strange home and meeting people who call the house home – Vivienne the mistress of the house, Ben the gardener and Raphael the keymaker. Liddy knows there is much more to this house and the people that live there, but will she be able to unearth their secrets?
This book intrigued me the moment I laid eyes on it. It has a beautiful cover and the synopsis had me hooked almost straight away. The House of Sorrowing Stars is filled with beautiful, lyrical writing and I was completely swept away in this magical fairytale. This is absolutely the sort of book that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. It focuses so much on the idea of loss and grief and is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. The story is well-paced and excellently crafted. I started the book one evening and I was glued to the page, reading the first hundred pages in one sitting. I was so engrossed in the story that I just could not look away. Cartwright’s writing style is so incredibly vivid that I felt absolutely transported to the House of Sorrowing Stars.
Cartwright has created some incredibly complex and likable characters in this book and it was one of the reasons I could not put it down. Liddy is a compelling protagonist and I couldn’t wait to see where the story would take her. All the characters felt incredibly well crafted and fleshed out. The mix of historical fiction and fantasy is blended so well in this story and I am so excited to read more from Beth Cartwright. If you’re looking for a stunning lyrical historical fantasy to keep you reading long into the night, The House of Sorrowing Stars is a must read.
This book intrigued me the moment I laid eyes on it. It has a beautiful cover and the synopsis had me hooked almost straight away. The House of Sorrowing Stars is filled with beautiful, lyrical writing and I was completely swept away in this magical fairytale. This is absolutely the sort of book that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. It focuses so much on the idea of loss and grief and is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. The story is well-paced and excellently crafted. I started the book one evening and I was glued to the page, reading the first hundred pages in one sitting. I was so engrossed in the story that I just could not look away. Cartwright’s writing style is so incredibly vivid that I felt absolutely transported to the House of Sorrowing Stars.
Cartwright has created some incredibly complex and likable characters in this book and it was one of the reasons I could not put it down. Liddy is a compelling protagonist and I couldn’t wait to see where the story would take her. All the characters felt incredibly well crafted and fleshed out. The mix of historical fiction and fantasy is blended so well in this story and I am so excited to read more from Beth Cartwright. If you’re looking for a stunning lyrical historical fantasy to keep you reading long into the night, The House of Sorrowing Stars is a must read.
May 15, 2022
This was curious book. I appreciated the whimsical and fairytale-like magical realism, but I also think the story relied slightly too much on atmosphere; a lot of things were left unanswered in very unsatisfying way.
Cartwright creates beautiful descriptions and imagery with her prose, a magical library and trees full of dangling keys which can help person let go of their grief, but the character interactions feel very unconvincing. There is romance that sounds intriguing in theory ("the enigmatic, brooding Keymaker" and all that), but I couldn't help but wonder in disbelief when exactly the characters fell in love... Some subplots and storylines don't also seem to go anywhere or are solved way too neatly.
Still, The House of Sorrowing Stars had a lot of potential and elements I liked despite shortcomings, so I'll definitely check out what Cartwright writes next.
Cartwright creates beautiful descriptions and imagery with her prose, a magical library and trees full of dangling keys which can help person let go of their grief, but the character interactions feel very unconvincing. There is romance that sounds intriguing in theory ("the enigmatic, brooding Keymaker" and all that), but I couldn't help but wonder in disbelief when exactly the characters fell in love... Some subplots and storylines don't also seem to go anywhere or are solved way too neatly.
Still, The House of Sorrowing Stars had a lot of potential and elements I liked despite shortcomings, so I'll definitely check out what Cartwright writes next.
February 15, 2022
Thank you so much to Marie-Louise and Del Rey for my gifted copy of this gorgeous book and for having me along on the tour.
When Liddy “The Marchpane Girl” receives a unique invitation to The House of Sorrowing Stars you can tell that she is in for something set far apart from her usual life at home with her parents. And of course her main reason to accept the mysterious invite is the impending marriage offer from a suitor she cannot abide.
Beth’s writing encapsulates you and blends magical realisim with so many emotions, including grief and hope and is definitely a book for those of us who love historical fiction.
This is going to be a book I return too, maybe on audio, as the writing is almost lyrical.
When Liddy “The Marchpane Girl” receives a unique invitation to The House of Sorrowing Stars you can tell that she is in for something set far apart from her usual life at home with her parents. And of course her main reason to accept the mysterious invite is the impending marriage offer from a suitor she cannot abide.
Beth’s writing encapsulates you and blends magical realisim with so many emotions, including grief and hope and is definitely a book for those of us who love historical fiction.
This is going to be a book I return too, maybe on audio, as the writing is almost lyrical.
March 29, 2022
This book was pretty much written with all of my favorite literary tropes in one. I read it straight through and wish I could read it again for the first time. It touched something in my soul and filled me up at the same time as it made me bawl. This book just found me soul at a time that it really needed it.
If you liked books like “The Night Circus” and “The Binding,” then this is the book for you! Drop everything else to read this! Thank you so much Beth for this journey, I can’t wait to read whatever you come up with next!
If you liked books like “The Night Circus” and “The Binding,” then this is the book for you! Drop everything else to read this! Thank you so much Beth for this journey, I can’t wait to read whatever you come up with next!
April 7, 2022
Bewitching, mysterious and full of imagination.
May 2, 2024
Cute but bland
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