Cover Image: The Astrology House

The Astrology House

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Member Reviews

Star Harbor Astrological retreat sounds wonderful: small, luxurious house in the North Fork ran by Rini. A group of friends book the resort for the weekend to connect and relax. However the impending tropical storm, is not the only calamity that is facing this group.
Told in multiple POVs, we the reader learn more about each of the characters and their connection to each other. Although at first, it is confusing to keep straight of who is who.
Great debut novel - would be interested to read more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for an early access to this novel.

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I was excited to read The Astrology House. The cover, name, and premise are perfection. A retreat that has an astrology theme? How fun! Sidenote: you don't have to "get" astrology to follow the book. The book has star signs of each of the characters and their personality profiles. It explains the zodiac signs (for the most part).

There are lots of characters and it takes awhile to keep everyone straight. Once you do, you start bouncing around exploring each characters and their secrets. The characters weren't bad but just not very interesting. There's a lot going on with each character which gets confusing and hard to follow.

I kept hoping that all the plots would meld together to make way for a thrilling ending. Things get explained but the ending was just okay for me.

Summary: very nice concept but didn't connect with the story.

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Unfortunately this didn’t work for me. I couldn’t tell the characters apart, and I honestly didn’t care about any of them.

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Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC. This was a thrilling read. While most of the characters are not likeable, I could sympathize with Margot and Aimee. Each character that got a POV had interesting struggles that overlapped with the other, and I was curious to read on and see how they would get resolved. This book kept me captivated, and is a really good book for passing time in an entertaining way.

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The Astrology House is a twisty thriller that exposes the secrets of a group staying at the astrology themed retreat while a storm bears down on them. Four couples, connected by friendship or family have come to The Astrology House for a retreat. Meant to be a relaxing are restorative time, things begin to unravel as soon as they arrive. Their host Rini seems to have a secret agenda and this group has no shortage of secrets that can't seem to stay hidden. I found this book to be a page turner, as I was drawn in and wanted to know all the secrets. There are a lot of characters, but the author has done a good job defining them. They all felt like complete individuals with unique personalities. The story is told through multiple POV's which also helped move the story along quickly. I never knew where the story was going and the twists had a lot of impact. If you like thrillers involving a group in an isolated setting, then I recommend The Astrology House.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced reader copy

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Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC!

This book was interesting, but a little on the darker side. Would recommend trigger warnings be looked up before reading.
Overall a different take on what could end up being a very common theme.

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A group of wealthy Manhattanites escape to an astrology-themed retreat, where simmering resentments, betrayal, and long-held secrets are revealed over the course of the trip.
The Astrology House is a fun, fresh, twisty, and suspenseful debut. It kept me guessing until the end!
Add this book to your summer reading list, I guarantee you will not be able to put it down.
Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC.

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This was such an entertaining, unique read!

A fun take on a “closed door mystery” (minus the surprise appearance of a dead body) we’re invited along to an Astrology Retreat weekend at Stars Harbor- an upscale home on Long Island’s North Shore, as a group of well to do Manhattanites gather for an immersive, star(s) studded weekend.

As a lover of the mystery genre, all things astrological, and having gone to school on the North Shore- it really felt like this was written for me. So, even though clues regarding the mysterious elements read as somewhat obvious, I still enjoyed watching the story unravel even though I was missing the “big reveal” element that the author intended.

If you’re a fan of Lisa Jewell, you’ll likely enjoy this one- and I’ll definitely be checking out more from this up and coming author…

Thank you, NetGalley!

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This was a wild ride! An astrological themed thriller? Yes please. The multiple POV's were a bit confusing at first but I caught on quickly. I loved the drama and there were many WTF moments that kept me intrigued. The writing is fast paced and I finished in half a day. Would recommend!

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I'll admit I did not know exactly what to expect from this book. Sure, I read the synopsis and it appealed to me. Yet, I wasn't sure what to expect.
I did like the plot as a whole. I did like the setting, the ambience. I did not particularly like the characters, but they didn't annoy me, either.
But the story in general fell a little flat to me.
There is some original conceipts regarding astrology in mystery/thriller novels, but other than that it thought it was just OK.
I'd recommend this book to readers who haven't read that many thrillers before. I believe they will benefit from this reading.

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"The Astrology House" by Carinn Jade is a captivating and suspenseful novel that weaves together the lives of a group of friends and family members as they seek solace and guidance at the Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat. Set against the backdrop of a picturesque waterfront Victorian house, the story delves into themes of family, relationships, and the hidden complexities of human nature.

Jade's writing is evocative and atmospheric, bringing the setting of Stars Harbor to life with its Instagram-worthy views and nightly astrology readings. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each grappling with their own struggles and secrets. Margot, Adam, Aimee, Farah, and Rini are all intricately drawn, with their individual storylines intertwining to create a compelling narrative.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its exploration of astrology as a tool for self-discovery and reflection. Rini, the astrologer host, plays a central role in the story, using her knowledge of the stars to guide her guests. However, as the secrets of the retreat unfold, it becomes clear that Rini has a hidden agenda, adding an element of suspense and mystery to the plot.

"The Astrology House" is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and contemporary fiction. With its engaging storyline, well-drawn characters, and atmospheric setting, Carinn Jade has crafted a compelling tale that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

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Weaving astrology into a thriller is such a fascinating concept and this author explored that concept to its full potential. I was pleasantly surprised by how in depth the astrological aspects were and how important those elements were to the larger mystery at hand. The cast of characters was infuriating, a sign of what a great job the author did in crafting them. It was a well-planned and tension filled mystery that also looked intimately at relationships and connection.

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I grew up in Mattituck, a town very close to Greenport, where The Astrology House is set. A sister and brother and their partners and close friends head to Stars Habor Astrological Retreat for the weekend. Each of them is hiding secrets. But what about their hostess Rini? Yep, it’s not just her ability to read astrology charts that makes her quite an interesting character. She also knows something about a member or members of this group. It appears that some secrets may not survive this weekend.
I didn’t feel that any of these characters were particularly likable, but I did enjoy the astrology interspersed with the mysteries. Every time they mentioned Claudio’s, I smiled. Just because I’ve been there so many times and it was so nice reading a book that was set in a place that I love.
Another book that definitely prove to me that you don’t have to like the characters to enjoy the story.
This was quite a different and unique read, and I’ll definitely read the next book that the author writes.

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A group of couples from Manhattan travel to a retreat a weekend of astrology based activities and readings. the couples each have issues in their relationships and all are facing some major decisions. After they've been there for a little while it seems it may not have been so random that they chose this getaway for their friend group and secrets will be exposed. I enjoyed this book thought it had some good twists and character development and was a definite page turner once it got going. I also really enjoyed the astrology aspect and the different readings always find that interesting. Rating this one 3.5/4 stars. I want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

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Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

In the literary cosmos, every so often, a star is born that dazzles with its brilliance. Carinn Jade's debut novel, "The Astrology House," is one such celestial phenomenon that lights up the firmament of mystery and suspense.

Set against the backdrop of the opulent Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat, Jade weaves a tale as intricate as the constellations themselves. The story orbits around Margot, a high-flying lawyer whose life is as tumultuous as the tides influenced by the moon. Seeking solace and a break from her grueling routine, she, along with a coterie of Manhattan's elite, retreats to the idyllic setting promised to offer rest, relaxation, and astrological enlightenment.

However, the serenity of the retreat is a mere façade, as undercurrents of tension ripple through the group. Each character is meticulously crafted, with layers that peel away like the phases of the moon to reveal their true selves. From Margot's estranged brother, Adam, to the enigmatic astrologer host, Rini, each harbors secrets that are as dark as a new moon night.

Jade's narrative is a cosmic dance of fate and free will, where every action is seemingly guided by the stars, yet it's the characters' choices that propel the plot forward. The retreat, with its nightly astrology readings and Instagram-worthy vistas, becomes a crucible for simmering resentments and long-held secrets that eventually lead to a shocking denouement.

"The Astrology House" is a reflection on the human condition, the search for connection, and the desire to understand one's place in the universe. Jade's prose is evocative, her pacing, masterful. She crafts suspense with the precision of an astrolabe, measuring each twist and turn until the reader is left breathless and yearning for resolution.

Carinn Jade's "The Astrology House" is a constellation of intrigue, drama, and suspense. It's a novel that promises to guide readers through the labyrinth of its narrative with the assurance of Polaris, leaving them starstruck and contemplative long after the final page.

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A group of couples have reached a breaking point. All seemed to be unfulfilled in some aspect of their lives. Margot desperately wants a child, Aimee hides behind a perfect social media feed, Adam feels lost in his life, Farrah might be hiding a piece of herself. They take the opportunity to escape to Star Harbor, an astrological getaway where their charts will be read by their host, Rini. The guests are harboring secrets but so is the host. As a hurricane moves in their direction who will be the first to break the eery silence?

Every single character in this book is hiding something from someone. They are all delicately interwoven into the others' happiness and misery. Carinn Jade created a locked room setting that is set to go off with bombs. Everyone did it though, but which crime is the worse? Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book.

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Refreshing plto for a thriller with the background of astrology! I was immediately drawn in to the Agatha Christie trope of locked-room type story. Carinn Jade's first thriller was quite atmospheric and it started off strong for me but took awhile to get going and when it did, it fell flat. The characters were not likeable and each couple gathered at this bed and breakfast for their stay and astrological readings were gripped with inner battles and it was a bit confusing at times keeping them all in check. Again, good setting to place a thriler.

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I received an advanced copy of this book from Atria Books via NetGalley.

At Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat, Margot and her friends seek solace from the chaos of their lives, only to find themselves entangled in a web of secrets, drama, and ultimately, murder. From the moment Margot books the weekend getaway, the stage is set for a whirlwind of events fueled by astrology and intrigue.

As the story unfolds, each character's secrets and hidden agendas come to light, weaving a tapestry of complexity that draws readers deeper into the narrative. Despite the ensemble cast, the author expertly navigates the dynamics between characters, ensuring that each one is distinct and memorable.

What truly sets this book apart is its ability to keep readers guessing until the very end. Just when you think you've unraveled the mystery, another twist emerges, leaving you questioning everything you thought you knew. The gradual development of the plot, coupled with well-timed revelations, ensures that the suspense never wanes.

While it may take a moment to fully immerse yourself in the story, once you're hooked, you'll find it impossible to put down. The seamless blend of character development, relatable hardships, and celestial intrigue makes for a captivating read that you won't soon forget.

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I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

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Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Astrology House.

A small group of friends and family have gathered at Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat for rest, relaxation and wisdom.

Each person is harboring secrets and conflicts within and hopes the weekend will bring insight and how to move forward during a challenging point in their lives.

But, the host of the retreat, Rini, has something else in plan for her guests, and she's been waiting a long time for revenge.

If you're into astrology, you'll love this book.

I'm only vaguely interested in it, so much of the jargon went right over my head.

I liked the writing style and the POV from each character including their backstory, but I didn't like any of the characters.

As always in these types of books, the women are gorgeous, the men are handsome, but despicable, cheating rats (except for Rini's sort of boyfriend, Eric, the only sweet guy) and the women are victims of their husbands' philandering and arrogance.

I liked Rini's backstory, how her interest in astrology began, the dire prophecy about her future, her family background, and how she got started hosting retreats at her 'astrology' house.

I guessed all of the twists since I read A LOT of these books and nothing was a surprise.

The narrative isn't very suspenseful or thrilling, but more of a domestic drama.

Secrets are revealed, someone(s) does something bad, relationships are broken and mended, and life moves on.

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