Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

Happy book birthday to STARLING HOUSE by Alix E. Harrow
Opal and her brother are just scraping by with Opal doing her best taking whatever jobs are available and whatever loose items happen to be within reach. She needs to make some fast money so she can send her teen brother to a good school and out of their crummy little town. As she passes the creepy house that she has always been attracted to its recluse owner offers her a job as housekeeper. The house is happy to have her and even Arthur warms up to this caustic but lovable young woman. But Arthur is the last in line of a history of wardens that guard against nightmare beasts getting out. Dark forces are gathering at the gate both the monsters of Underland and the wealthy monsters in town. A showdown is coming and with it Opal's chance at dreams instead of nightmares and redemption for Arthur. Alix E. Harrow has created wonderful characters similar to Don Quixote's fierce but ill equipped underdog heroes that will pierce your heart.   4 1/2 stars