This book was an experience. I'm not a regular reader of horror, I appreciate the genre but my ventures are more occasional and I'm glad I got the chance to read The Starving Saints — it was also my first experience reading Caitlin Starling although I've been meaning to pick up one of her books for years. I really enjoyed this story, it made me want to scream sometimes and I believe having this kind of emotional reactions to a book is a positive thing because it means that I care about the characters and where their stories are going. I don't think I've ever read anything like this before, it was unpredictable and the way she worked with the elements she brought in this books felt fresh and interesting. Also, what is there not to like in a sapphic polycule with a side of cannibalism and a dash of magic?

An unfortunate DNF for me. I loved The Death of Jane Lawrence, but this is now the second DNF from this author for me. (The other being Last to Leave the Room.) I wish this worked for me, but the pacing just wasn't clicking for me and I was having a difficult time getting into the story.

This is a dark medieval fantasy-horror of seige, of idolatry, of cannibalism, of twisting the rules of reality. I aboslutely loved the way the Lady and the Saints were portrayed — I love fantasy books with worldbuilding that heavily takes religion into account, but specifically when either it isn't clear whether the gods are real, or it isn't clear whether the gods are gods. This is obviously in the second camp, which is such a fun dynamic between the characters and their religion to read. The atmosphere is tense and mysterious and perfect for this story. I was a little confused at some times, but that could have just been me and my personal ebook issues coupled with the fact that I read half of this on a plane. But I still highly recommend if magical medieval cannibalism appeals to you in even the slightest!

This story is set in Aymar Castle, which has been under siege for six months, and food has been running low with no hope in sight. The book follows three different POVs: Phosyne, Ser Voyne, and Treila. Phosyne, noted as a mad woman/heretic, works away in her room trying to make a miracle for the King by discovering how to make food from nothing. Previously, she had solved the problem when their water supplies killed the people of Aymar, so the king believed she can do it again. When she hasn't produced results, he assigns Ser Voyne, a female knight, to make sure she is working on solving the problem and to report back to the king with updates on her. While all this is going on, we have Treila, who is working as servent, but was once the daughter of a nobleman, who was killed on orders by the king and whose head was cut by Ser Voyne. She is hell-bent on revenge. All of a sudden when Phosyne is working away, her and Ser Voyne hear a noise and four figures appear in the courtyard appearing as the Saints that this group worships: The Constant Lady, The Loving Saint, The Absolving Saint, and the Whispering Saint. This group brings food to the people. However, it isn't what it seems, and our three heroines must band together to save Aymar from this horror that is now plaguing them.

The story is slow in the beginning due to it flipping back and forth between the three women as it had to build their backgrounds, but I will say it is worth it as this story is INSANE. The book is not for the lighthearted as it gets pretty graphic in the things people will do when hungry and desperate - some graphic killings as well. I haven't read any other books by this author, but it definitely made me want to check out and see what else she has written.

Thanks, netgalley and avon & harper voyager for this eArc! This was such a deliciously creepy story!

Ayamar has been under siege for over a year, and the situation is DIRE. The king has commanded a heretical alchemist, Phosyne, to deliver a fresh miracle to the keep and sets his knight, Ser Voyne, to assure her compliance. Every inhabitant is holding on to wasting threads when the Constant Lady and her saintly companions enter the keep through some miracle and begin to provide aid to all... but at a cost. Trelia has already lost so much but may have to sacrifice more to get a long sought revenge against the king and his prize knight, and the saints are ruining her plans. Things creep and crawl and begin to change, and the triad of women needs to take a stand.

I loved the inverted (perverted?) chivalry in this story - christianity isn't the religion, but the devotion is there to religion, to origin, to defense of the realm. Voyne is a perfect knight (but with so many conflicts), Phosyne is weak in need of defense (or is she?), and Treilia is a gentle lady (and rat killer supreme). The alchemical magic system, the religion, and saints were so unique and amazing. When things started to go bad in the keep, it was so deeply unsettling, and there was SO MUCH SAPPHIC SEXUAL TENSION THEY SHOULD PUT IT IN THE SUMMARY SO I AM. This would be a five-star if i didn't lose the thread in the resolution a little, but i still really enjoyed it and would recommend it.

A nun turned sorceress

Threatening religious icons
a hungry, unnamed malevolence beneath the castle
A really tall lady knight

YEARNING
Cannibalism
An vengeful girl
dynamics of messy, codependent women

Kiss or Kill how do we decide
Power exchanges

As the saints continue to grow in power, all three women are on the brink of confronting their pasts while facing a future filled with uncertainty. Will they manage to stop the saints before the people of Aymar are lost to madness forever? Or will the allure of the Starving Saints pull them deeper into a chaos that feels all too tempting?
this story speaks volumes about desire and human nature. It’s set against a backdrop of dire desperation, where survival leads to unimaginable choices.

What’s truly gripping is how, even within the confines of a castle, the world of Aymar feels vast and immersive thanks to the vivid descriptions. The plot is shaping up to be highly unique; I’ve encountered stories featuring dangerous “visitors” before, but this narrative hints at a profound depth that is worth exploring. The graphic portrayal of desperation is just the beginning.

Each character is driven by different motivations: Treila’s fierce survival instinct, Ser Voyne’s unwavering loyalty and bravery, and Phosyne’s complex relationship with value—both nothing and everything at once.

With intriguing elements like lady knights, cannibals, and a complicated lesbian throuple, I can’t help but feel drawn in. The tension and depravity add layers to an already captivating atmosphere, making me hopeful for what lies ahead.

the emotions this book will evoke—laughter, tears, gasps, even moments of frustration from interruptions during gripping chapters. This queer medieval fever dream is set to be full of gore, magic, and heart.

I absolutely suggest this book. Think game of thrones brienne of tarth, meets Lord of the rings galadriel, meets yellow jackets Tai & Van.

Truly stunning writing, visual and visceral.

An absolute powerhouse of medieval terror, The Starving Saints has everything you could want in a modern horror novel: gore, drunken cannibalistic feasts, sapphic love triangles! The three women at the heart of this tale - knight Ser Voyne, heretic Phosyne, and servant Treila - are all such good characters. They are multilayered and unique and strong both together and apart. The Constant Lady and Her Saints were truly terrifying, and this book had several moments that made my skin crawl with fear. Definitely recommend this one!

I honestly went into this book not knowing what to expect. I read the description and overall I enjoyed this read. It is very engaging very addicting. I loved the story.

The Starving Saints is medieval, sapphic, eerie, and magical.

The first part of the novel sets the scene: a castle has been under siege for weeks and the food stores are running low. We learn about our trifecta of heroines, a madwoman, a fallen aristocrat, and a soldier. Starvation's deep stench colors each page and convincingly portrays the dire situation. That is, until the Saints arrive. They bring food and hope so intoxicating that the residents of the castle fall to the Saints' whims. The bacchanalia that becomes the backdrop of the latter half is sinister, decadently drenched in blood and honey.

Starling has built a world that feels politically apt, using the set of a medieval castle to stage a criticism of today's societal flaws. My own personal biases made me favor the madwoman's chapters the most, but each of the three protagonists were layered, rich with histories and experiences that unraveled. While I craved more detail and description, I appreciate the ambiguity used as a tool by the likes of medieval writers such as Marie de France, Julian of Norwich, and Geoffrey Chaucer.

I loved reading The Starving Saints and have already begun recommending it to friends, and fellow booksellers.

An unfortunate DNF… I wanted to love this! It took me almost 2 months to get halfway through this book before I gave up. I felt like nothing was happening and there was no character or plot development.

If you like weird horror, you've got to read The Starving Saints. This trippy, psychedelic horror takes place in a besieged castle as the occupants starve to death. The arrival of some mysterious but powerful strangers kicks of a baccanal of hedonistic ecstasy that reminded me of a Hieronymus Bosch painting.

The 3 leading women were all fascinating, unique characters with strong voices and motivations that both pulled them together and pitted them against each other. I loved the tension in the story as well as the explorations of hunger, desire, control, and oaths. Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

"The Starving Saints" has a little bit for everyone: homoerotic drama, blasphemous undertones, strange otherworldly entities, bees, enthralling main characters...and cannibalism. A fair amount of cannibalism. This reminds me, in a way, of "Between Two Fires" by Christopher Buehlman. The setting and tone of a medieval period is stellar, especially with how Starling incorporates magical realism, and the atmosphere of the novel is incredible. Her narration style fits the narrative well, too. It's messy and can be somewhat meandering, at points, but her attention to detail helps weave a beautiful narrative.

There are some absolutely revolting descriptions (and I mean this affectionately) of flesh and meat, and that may not be to everyone's taste. The violence and gore are not gratuitous as it adds to the narrative and the horror of it all. Starling's attention to the minor characters, giving their individual spots to shine, also made the world more lived in and plausible. The Saints are their own beautiful, awful centerpiece in the narrative, not just an obstacle for the sake of it, but with their own wants and desires. You're never quite sure where the story is going next, kept in the dark with Phosyne, Ser Voyne, and Treila. Their desperation and determination to survive is so heart wrenching, and being a bystander in this as the reader can be downright painful at points. I definitely look forward to purchasing a copy of this once it's released, because I can see myself returning to rereading it again and again.

CW: Starvation, Cannibalism, Bees, Gore, Mind Control/Hypnosis, Body Horror, Cosmic Horror, Claustrophobia

Starling’s novel is not for the faint of heart, but it’s a rich, bloody treasure. Set in a castle under siege, the novel has three primary characters, each intriguing in that craveably-kind-of-twisted way. Ser Voyne is a hero eager to tackle any problem, but held back by her king and her doubts. Phosyne is a heretic miracle worker, dirty and obsessed but perhaps the only chance of surviving. Treila is a seamstress turned rat catcher with a past that leaves her hungry for revenge and willing to do anything to live. The ways these women interact with their environment, the remaining people in the castle, with each other and with themselves drive the narrative and made me unable to put it down.

Equally fascinating are the richly described iconography and rituals around the religion of the place. While clearly Catholic-inspired, the nuns are more aligned with science and bee keeping, and their Saints are likewise. The Constant Lady appears along with other Saints, straight from the icons and as if in answer to their prayers – but in reality, the stuff of nightmares.

As much as I liked this book, I think some readers may struggle with the pacing. The tension doesn’t keep rising and rising until it explodes; smaller events lead to relieving pressure in some areas while complicating and swelling new tensions in others. For that reason, some may find the pace slower or more repetitive than they might like.

Personally, I thought the pacing added to the horror. We get to learn more about Ser Voyne, Phosyne, and Treila, their facets and their flaws, and how they adjust to their evolving situation. For example, starvation and desperate cannibalism are known horrors from previous sieges—horrible but known. The feasts and cannibalism that comes alongside the Constant Lady and the other Saints is a different, new horror. It is the time spent on both that makes them truly horrifying.

Thank you for allowing me to read this early!
I’m new to medieval horror, but I did enjoy this read some. While I did find the middle of the book to drag, it was still affective. It was eerie, sad, mysterious— all the things I usually adore in my horror novels. I can appreciate the time and effort put into writing this, and I do wish Starling all the success upon publishing.

Was looking forward to this one and happy to report it didn’t disappoint! If you love dark and mysterious horror that are a slow burn with nuns you’ll love this.

I enjoyed this-- midevial-madness-lesbian-religious-horror... but more in theory than execution. The pacing was my main issue-- it was very slow to start and end. I understand it takes a moment to build the world, and am impressed by the shifting POVs. Overall, it just missed the mark for keeping me consistently engaged.

I was bored at 30% and considering dnf'ing. The characters went back and forth, over and over again, getting things done at a glacial pace. The "bacchanalian madness" was a few scenes here and there with very graphic descriptions of cannibalism. The characters had no depth. Nothing about the world was properly explained. And then everything works out in the end.

The Starving Saints
Caitlin Starling

4.25 / 5

Cannibalism, cults, and mind control. Oh my!

Sapphic, medieval horror.
This tale is told in a very stylistically intriguing way.
Blending elements of dark fantasy and humor among the depravity and debauchery .

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I don't think it'll be for everyone, but it was certainly for me.

4.25 / 5

I would like to start off this review by thanking Avon and Harper Voyager and the author, Caitlin Starling, for allowing me to read this book, The Starving Saints, via #netgalley. All opinions following are my own.

The story centers around Phosyne, a woman who sought refuge in a strange and crumbling castle. When it is apparent that water and food are in scarcity, and she is found to practice the occult, she is kicked out of the convent she is in. However. She is tasked to use her powers to make clean water. When, even to her own surprise, she is found to be successful, she is imprisomed until she can also find a way to produce food. While she is trying, she finds herself caught in a web of occult rituals, ancient power, and the ever-present presence of the saints that the people worship. When the saints come in the flesh to save the people, their true motives become unclear, and their influence dangerous.

Alongside Phosyne are two other main characters: Ser Voyne, a knight who swore loyalty to their king and is tasked with watching over Phosyne but whose actual intentions are often ambiguous, and Treila, a companion whose loyalty is tested in ways that challenge their bonds. As Phosyne navigates her growing understanding of the castle and the saints, she must also reckon with her evolving relationships with Ser Voyne and Treila, both of whom have their own dark secrets and desires that may either help or hinder her survival. The ultimate questions become: who can be trusted, and where should power lie, and at what cost?

To be honest, I struggled with this book. I found it grotesque at some points and honestly just too dark for me. However, I must concede that parts were very interesting, and the book definitely caused me to think and reflect. Ultimately, I gave the book ⭐️⭐️⭐️. For readers who enjoy Gothic horror, I would suggest this book--even it wasn't my personal taste. Be sure to look for this one in May 2025!

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Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Voyager, and Caitlin Starling for the opportunity to review an arc of The Starving Saints.

This premise of this is right up my alley - sapphic medieval horror, cannibal “saints” within a cult-like religion, and pure chaos. The set up for this story is phenomenal. The eerie feeling that something isn’t right when the “saints” arrive to absolve the kingdom of their starvation is so tangible and truly scary. The religion is also really well developed and interesting in itself. All in all, I was so excited for this book and it captured me within the first few chapters.

As the story progressed, the pacing threw me off a bit. It would be really slow, not a lot happening, then something unhinged and graphic would suck me back in. I think ultimately, I just wanted more from the story. More chaos, more gore, more everything. It felt like the characters spent more time reflecting than actually being IN the action itself. In the end, the story sadly fell a bit flat for me.

If you’re into weird girl literary horror, this might be a good one for you! I’m not sure if I would necessarily recommend it for seasoned horror readers, but it would be a great intro to horror for those wanting to try the genre.