I have enjoyed every single one of this author's books and this one was no exception. The worldbuilding was flawless, the prose was gorgeous, the setting and atmosphere were fantastically claustrophobic. The connections between Voyne and Phosyne, Phosyne and Treila, and Treila and Voyne all had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see how they would pan out. These three characters are so distinct from one another and that is SO important in books with multiple POVs, so I really appreciated that. And the Lady and the Saints were phenomenally creepy. The bees! The mind control food! The YEARNING!!!!!

That said, I was a bit lost in the second half and there were some parts I had trouble following. But as you can see, this did not detract from my rating of the book. Rather, it's made me want to reread it to figure out just what the heck was going on! Caitlin Starling's stories are some of the most unique works I have ever read and will devour every single thing she writes. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Caitlin Starling writes another dark, cthonic fantasy about magic and women in very stressful situations surrounded by stone! Starling is *excellent* at writing the creepy and the New Weird.

First of all, this book is highly confusing and disturbing. I had no idea what was happening for 99% of it.
And it was genuinely fantastic.

PLOT SUMMARY:

The people of Aymar have been suffering for six months, the victims of a siege that has forced them into hiding behind the walls of Aymar Castle. Inside, the people are starving. Ser Voyne knows this and begins putting pressure on the resident madwoman, Phosyne, to produce a miracle to save them all. But when a “miracle” does arrive, it is in the form of saints: Saints that Phosyne did not call on.
As the saints begin wreaking havoc on the residents of Aymar, Phosyne and Ser Voyne form an alliance to figure out who these guests are and what they want. Meanwhile, a servant girl named Treila is desperate to escape and exact vengeance on Voyne. As the saints grow in power, all three women are forced to reckon with their pasts and the future that they may never see.
Will they succeed in stopping the saints before the people of Aymar are lost forever? Or will the Starving Saints pull them into the increasing madness that is so tempting?

PLOT REVIEW:

I have no idea what to say. Nothing in this book made sense, yet it really made me think a lot about the things people will resort to in trying times. In the end, I think this is what this story is all about.
Desire and human nature.
And it all happens in a time of deep desperation, when men and women are eating rats and human flesh to survive.
Did I mention this book is disturbing?
In any case, the premise was highly engaging. From the very beginning, I was immersed in the world of Aymar. There is no actual world-building, as we are, quite literally, trapped behind the walls of a castle in this book. Yet everything still managed to seem so vast and unending, with such vivid descriptions that I could see everything clearly in my mind.
And the plot.
The plot is something highly unique. I’ve read books with dangerous “visitors” who wreak havoc, but I have never explored a story with such deep meaning to it.
Such graphic desperation.
This book, again, was very disturbing and dark, but I also can’t deny that it was beautiful in its horror and depravity.
I loved it.

CHARACTERS:


The great thing about having three POVs is that you get three unique experiences and thoughts within the same plotline. We see Ser Voyne grappling with loyalty, Phosyne grappling with her growing power, and Treila struggling to understand what it is she truly wants: Vengeance or an escape?
It truly was fascinating to be in three different headspaces, looking at the growing danger of the saints through three sets of eyes, all with their own opinions on the situation. All of our characters were also driven by very different things: Treila only values survival, Ser Voyne loyalty and bravery, while Phosyne seems to value literally nothing and everything all at once.
As a bonus, they’re all sapphic and caught in a web of history, betrayal, and lust. They’re messed up and cruel in their own ways, with prejudices that guide their decisions on every page.
But that’s what made me love them.
Characters that are just perfect from the get-go have no way to grow or change. But we see so much change in each of these characters and I LOVED that!
Even better, Voyne is a lady knight and Phosyne is a sorceress.
We love that here.

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

Lady knights? Cannibals? A complicated lesbian throuple?
I’m in.

4.5*

I had no idea what to expect with the book, save for the fact that premise was dark and enticing.

Starling created a rich and tender world, fraught and terrible and balanced it against found family, found self, and striving to do what's right in the face of what feels good.

A perfect horror for anyone searching.

The description for The Starving Saints hooked me immediately, after initially being intrigued by the ominous book cover. I have been on a medieval fantasy kick lately, and was curious to try out something a little darker. The Starving Saints did not disappoint. In spite of taking place almost entirely within the confines of one besieged castle town, this story pulls you along at a sharp pace. Shifting between the points of view from Treila, Voyne, and Phosyne, we get a range of perspectives not only from each of their complicated backgrounds, but from their individual perceptions of reality, or lack thereof. I was absolutely eating up the dynamics between these three women. Revenge and loyalty, submission and command, violence and protection...those who enjoy the toxic devotion of Gideon and Harrow will not be disappointed by this book. I thought there was a good amount of detail on how the sinister magic plays out in this story without just giving it all away. Leaving some open to interpretation and mystery made it all the easier to be swept along in the madness, learning and adapting as the characters did. The Saints themselves are beautiful, shifting, creepy, and a very satisfying problem that the knight, serving girl, and disgraced nun must pitch themselves against. The imagery in Starling’s storytelling is unsettling and lush, and I particularly loved the descriptions of honeycomb and how it played a part in the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Starving Saints is a very entertaining novel set in the besieged Aymar Castle, where survival is becoming more difficult by the day—until the sudden arrival of the Constant Lady and her Saints. The Saints bring food, and in return, they demand devotion, blurring the line between salvation and control. It’s a must-read for anyone drawn to tales that explore the unsettling power of belief in times of crisis, I can’t recommend it enough!

It's very hard to write a review for a book like this, especially since I ended up liking it so much! The Starving Saints was gory and beautiful and constantly left you guessing what was true and what was not. All three of the main characters fully stand on their own and are fully fleshed-out characters. The way they are slowly built up and you learn more about each of them is done in such a tantalizing way, where you keep reading because you want to know more about them. The entire story feels like a fever dream and you can only watch helplessly as the entire castle falls farther and farther into madness. This story is very atmospheric and incredibly gory. I'm normally someone who doesn't care much for gore, but something about the gore in this is poetic. I just can't explain it, but no matter how bloody a scene got, I was entranced. Also, this book switches between the viewpoints of each main character wonderfully! It was so balanced, that I never got tired of reading one character's point of view. I really loved how the prose was written in this novel, and I'm eager to see what else Caitlin Starling will write down the line!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Such a creative and fascinating group of characters! Also, the premise is just as unique! You may think you know what you are getting into, however I promise you won’t! Extremely fast paced and exciting! 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

Aymar castle has been under siege for months, and it's inhabitants are starving. Castle madwoman, Phosyne, has been tasked with the impossible - create food out of nothing. The rest of the castle is praying to the Saints for some kind of deliverance.
One day, the Saints appear in the castle courtyard. No one has opened the gates, but they are there, offering food and comfort and Phosyne knows that something is wrong. What follows is a dark story about what humans are willing to give up and what they will do to survive.
With heavy religious undertones, lyrical prose, and steady tension throughout, I think that fans of Pew will love this book. Caitlin Stark does a great job balancing the story between the three main characters, and slowly revealing the connections between them. I was genuinely nervous and holding my breath this whole book. I would recommend!

actual rating: 4.5. this book devoured! literally! i won’t get into specifics because i think it would be best to go into this book blind. knowing nothings adds to the spooky ambiance and you NEED the spooky ambiance. it adds so much to the plot of the book. Phosyne, Voyne, and Trelia are some of the most interesting main characters. i absolutely loved seeing their point of views throughout the story and how they all intertwined. the Constant Lady and her Saints were such fascinating characters. they devoured! literally!

The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling is a chilling, thought-provoking story that delves into faith, sacrifice, and the extremes of human endurance. As a reader, I was gripped by Starling's ability to build tension and create complex characters driven by deep convictions and desperation. The novel’s eerie atmosphere and psychological intensity kept me on edge, making it a haunting and unforgettable experience.

The Starving Saints offers a distinct and eerie tale that is worth delving into if you enjoy atmospheric, character-driven horror. The setting and world-building alone are captivating. I'm afraid I'll be thinking about it for a very long time because I can't predict what will happen next. It was the ideal book for the fall/spooky season! I enjoyed the writing style and the sense of paranoia it gave me. However, I thought the book was good. Its characters and pacing were both good. I enjoyed it.

Wow, what a ride! It takes medieval horror to a whole new level with its eerie, claustrophobic atmosphere and truly bizarre twists. So, imagine being trapped in this ancient castle, starving for months, and then—bam! These mysterious saints just show up with food and healing powers. Sounds like a miracle, right? Except it’s not. It’s wayyyy darker than that.

The story follows three incredible (and messed-up) women: Ser Voyne, the knight who falls under the saints' spell; Phosyne, a witchy ex-nun who’s basically racing to uncover the truth; and Treila, a servant girl hiding a secret and a thirst for revenge. Their lives intertwine in this toxic, chaotic web that’s as beautiful as it is disturbing. The writing? Gorgeously gritty. The vibe? Imagine a medieval fever dream with a cultish twist. It’s intense, visceral, and totally unforgettable.

The twisted, almost hallucinogenic descent into chaos is absolutely gripping, and while it’s super dark, the complexity of these characters keeps you glued to every page. Definitely not one to read on an empty stomach though, trust me.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

4.75 out of 5 stars

Sapphic medieval horror—what more do you need? Aymar Castle is under siege, and food has officially run out. A "madwoman" witch, Phosyne, is tasked with conjuring up a solution. She's previously purified the water, but unfortunately, she's not sure how she did that or any of her other miracles. We're shown this world through her perspective as well as two other women: Ser Voyne, a lady knight who's loyal to no end, and Treila, a servant girl undercover on a revenge mission. Things are looking pretty bleak... until the Saints arrive. Blessings soon devolve into Bacchanalian madness; imagine the medieval insanity of Hieronymous Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights in book form. I really enjoyed this book! The descriptive language and imagery had me picturing all the scenes very vividly in my mind. The characters and story were inventive and unique. The whole book was well-written. The start of the book was a bit slow, but once the Saints arrived, the horror and suspense picked up quickly. I would definitely recommend this to:

• anyone who crushes on Joan of Arc and/or Brienne of Tarth
• anyone who crushes on Chappell Roan dressed up as Joan of Arc
• medieval history nerds (and/or general history nerds)
• bisexual/sapphic fans of the horror genre
• anyone looking for a weird, darker read

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
💀💀💀

Is decadent horror a genre? Delicious, atmospheric, and fever inducing - this was so richly crafted with a large heaping of madness and I loved every minute of it.

This story was so unique, and I don’t think I’ve read anything like it. It’s incredibly atmospheric with its richly detailed world building, and sense of “something is definitely not right” feeling. Its painfully slow progression into madness grabs you by throat and makes you settle down for the long haul. Honestly, I think it’s best to jump into this book blind as it really enhances the unsettling and dark aspects of it. The world-building is easily my favorite aspect of this story—it's both incredibly bleak and vibrantly alive, which is fascinating, especially considering that the saying "eat or be eaten" is taken quite literally in this world. The strong willed, and hell bent female leads in this story also really put this book at a higher level for me. They were so messy, so incredibly human and resilient that they really shined through the terrors that trapped them in the castle.

I will say that initially, it’s a hard story to jump into. It definitely needs that time to marinate over a few chapters before it really gets going. It’s definitely not your typical fast paced horror. This is the kind of horror that picks and bugs you over time until you finally realize something is wrong a little too late. Also, the way it’s written in this hazy manner can be a little confusing sometimes - it definitely gives an air of mystery but I did find myself sometimes lost stumbling through that fog. Still very much worth the read, it’s definitely one of my favorites for the year.

Thank you to NetGalley, Caitlin Starling and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Not as scary as the Death of Jane Lawrence but extremely gruesome and disturbing, this is a book about religion, war, cannibalism, and lady knights (so in right now). But there were parts of the story that were hard to follow - I found myself a bit confused at times.

What caught my attention with this book was 100% the cover. I mean look at that. That's a work of art I need to get a psychical copy and put it on my bookshelf with the cover facing out so that I can look at it all the time. The story within the based is equally as interesting and when I couldn't sleep the other night I pretty much devoured this book. I couldn't put it down. The characters and writing style came together to create such a captivating story and I deeply enjoyed it. Starling has a new fan with me and I can't wait to see what comes next. I hope more beautiful covers and thrilling stories

While I liked the premise of the book, this was a bit of a miss for me. It started off strong, but I had a hard time connecting with the characters and then the story just got a bit repetitive.

I love Starlings writing. This book was eerie and a slow moving scare— I felt like I was slowly creeping around in the shadows. A true testament to her storytelling & writing that she maintained the tension throughout the book. I was absolutely captured by this and it was the perfect fall read.

Taking place in a vaguely medieval setting, but a world that is not quite like our own. There is a distinct 'feel' to the setting of Aymar Castle (the main setting of the novel, a place that has been under siege by enemy soldiers for months).
The narrative splits between three distinct points of view:
- Phosyne (a cast out nun, obsessed with learning dark & esoteric knowledge, tasked with creating 'miracles' to help save the starving inhabitants of Aymar)
- Ser Voyne (a fiercely loyal knight, who is torn between obeying her king and helping save the people around her)
- Treila (a servant girl who has her own secrets, and is obsessed with a revenge plan that's been brewing within her for years)
The book has it's strange moments very early on (mainly in the Phosyne chapters), but once the group of "saints" arrives at the castle, the weird stuff gets REALLY weird. There's murder, there are otherworldly creatures everywhere, the world within the castle is transformed into something very very dark, etc. The parts with the 'feast' were really grotesque in certain places.
Since the narrative is divided between three characters, there is a sense of repetition at the latter parts of the book (a character escapes, needs to hide from the 'saints', has to figure out a plan, etc). The relationships between the three women also didn't fully click together either. The best developed one was really between Treila and Ser Voyne, since the two had a shared history, but the others weren't that interesting.
The ending also kind of suffers as well. The main villain (the 'Lady' of that strange group of visitors), got dealt with a little too quickly for someone who was built up to be so formidable. Things just ended so, so quickly and the ending was a little hollow. The buildup to the horror elements was done way better than the resolution. Still, I'd recommend this if you love medieval-themed horror (there's not enough of that in books).