2 stars
Every fiber of my being wanted to like this book, but the concept isn’t executed well. The pacing just feels terrible and found myself not intrigued by the writing. It lacked a lot details for its surroundings. Often feeling like the characters were trapped in a big black box with a few objects.

On that note, characters didn’t feel fleshed out enough either. Making the ending fall short of any emotional value the book is supposed to have. At least the book stays true to the mentions of LGBTQ+.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the ARC of The Starving Saints.

The Starving Saints is a delicious medieval fever dream that toys with grotesque expressions of power and erotic control. This is not a book with any sex scenes but it is very horny.

Listen, this is a book by sickos for sickos. There's frenzied starvation, there's jubilant cannibalism, there's hypnotically alluring nightmare entities from beyond the mortal plane. It's gay, it's desperate, the characters are toxic. Of course I loved it.

For those worried about the body horror, do not fear because this is more on the level of the Hannibal TV show than it is Hostel. It's gross, yep, pretty damn narsty, but it's... artfully presented? There's no sexual violence or torture. Everyone is having a bad time but in a sensually compelling way. Honestly, if you're a Hannibal enjoyer then you're the target audience.

We are thrown into this setting with zero context. No maps, no long prologue, no glossary. Why would a history lesson matter when the characters most basic need is no where in sight? Who cares *why* they are under siege when they only have a month of food left? The clock ticks down while they desperately work to create a miracle.

There are inferences of deeper history and world building, but the setting remains claustrophobically confined to the keep. We become just as trapped as the characters.

No spoilers but the cavern scenes had me hooting and hollering. Easily my favorite part. This is a weird pull, but the vibe reminded of the Markarth haunted house side quest in Skyrim. IYKYK.

I was enthralled for the first 65-70% but I will say it went on for too long in the back half. Characters retraced their footsteps too often and some of the character development moments aren't fluid. The interactions between the knight and the witch during this part of the book were too repetitive for me.

Towards the end there are attempts to explain some of the weirdness, or at least add more structure to it. This wasn't necessary. It actually took away some of its compelling claustrophobic fog of war. Still, I felt the conclusion was satisfying despite stumbling a bit to the finish line.

The Starving Saints is a story that thrives when it is deep in the weeds of sensation and emotion rather than logic. It is a moment to moment bodily experience rather than a puzzle to be picked apart.

Medieval horror with a side of cannibalism and some seriously unhinged vibes? Yes, please, my bread and butter. The Starving Saints delivers on that promise, but while it hooked me at first, it didn’t quite stick the landing for me.

Aymar Castle has been under siege for six months, and everyone’s starving. You can feel the desperation dripping off the page, when you know things are about as dire as debating mass layoffs of life (heh). Enter the Constant Lady and her Saints—mysterious, godlike figures who show up out of nowhere with feasts and miracles but no wagons or trunks or horses in sight. Appeared during a siege as if out of thin air. It’s creepy and intriguing, and I was all in for this dark fairy tale vibe.

There are three women at the heart of the story: Ser Voyne, the war hero (serious Brienne of Tarth vibes with her, I was constantly seeing Gwendolyn Christie in my head); Phosyne, the paranoid ex-nun-turned-sorceress (admittedly, I was only seeing Madam Mim, which made for some laughs); and Treila, the vengeful serving girl who used to be a noble girl before her father supposedly committed treason.

As the book went on, it started feeling like a fever dream that didn’t know where it was going. The magic and madness got so trippy that I was lost half the time, and not always in a good way.

By the end, I was left with mixed feelings. It’s bold and weird, and I respect that Starling went for it. But the pacing dragged in spots, and the payoff didn’t hit as hard as I’d hoped. It’s like I was starving for a big, satisfying bite, and instead I got a handful of crumbs. If you’re into dark, messy horror with a sapphic twist and don’t mind some (or maybe a lot of?) confusion, this might be your jam. For me, it was a creepy, uneven adventure that I liked but didn’t love.

This book is my new personality, it defines me, it is me. I can't even explain it. It's just so insane and intense and perfect and just WOW.

Food is growing thin, your castle is under siege, help isn’t coming, and time is running out. In times of great distress, how would you handle it? What would you sacrifice to save the people of your village?

Cult-esque with a taste of delirium mixed with a little delicious flesh. Fun for the entire family.

The story started slowly and ended slowly. The middle portion was enjoyable, but I felt like something was missing. I tend to love books where a single decision could lead an entire community to a life of sin or death. While the concept was intriguing, I’m not sure the execution met my expectations. Even though Medieval horror is something new to me, I was expecting something a little more different.

The main characters were compellingly toxic, which was a highlight of the narrative. Their intentions and motivations were often shrouded in mystery, creating an exciting challenge to decipher. This aspect added a dynamic layer to the story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

'The Starving Saints' was a good time with devious players. It's one I think all horror lovers will enjoy. It was a little slow for my tastes, but I'm glad that I decided to read this.

I was so excited to have the opportunity to read “The Starving Saints” as an ARC, as I’ve previously enjoyed Caitlin Starling’s work. I loved everything about this novel. The setting, the premise and the characters were intriguing and well-done. The complex relationships that existed between the characters and how they drove the narrative and decisions made were my favorite aspect of this work. Highly recommend!

"A few nights horrors for salvation."

If there's one thing love, it's books that make me feel like I'm riding the coat tails of a fever dream. This book is so well written and you're able to both descend into madness and claw your way tooth and nail out of it with the three FMCS. It's a slow start but once it picks up you truly can't put it down as things keep escalating.

I do wish that some parts of the plot were further explained, but there's so much going on that not everything gets space to take the stage. The mad woman's story line also gets a little muddy but she pulls through.

I was going to wait until closer to the launch date to do my review (I'll still post to my IG in the spring) but this was too good to not review now. This isn't my genre at all but I found that it transcended any biases I had. This was BRILLIANT! The writing was unlike anything else I had read and while it was a horror novel it didn't go over that unsaid line into just gore for no purpose. I ate this up (sorry) and highly highly HIGHLY recommend this.

dnf at 47%

i think this book is wrong time for me to get in to it? the story building is very slow, the characters are not very compelling to care for and i just had a hard time wanting to pick it up.

will probably attempt to read it again eventually/after publication. thank you for the arc though!

i love this novel and in this review i'll tell you exactly why:
- the characters are so compelling
- the worldbuilding is incredible
- the pacing is GENIUS. anyone who's familiar with my reviews know that i don't throw this compliment lightly; this novel deserves this one 100x.

two of the attention-killers that i hate and literally kill my mood to read further are 1) infodumping and 2) endless introspection by characters whose stories im not inclined to engage in just yet.

this novel doesn't commit these two at all, so no wonder i wanted to keep reading. my DNF'ed novels could use an investigative masterclass on how to do it like this author does lol

it's also very likely that it's because the characters are compelling that the pacing worked so well. it might also because i feel as if the author constantly asked herself: "does my reader need this piece of information right now?" and when the answer is no, she withholds it. she allows the readers to breathe and ask questions. she allows that pause, and encourages wonder. eventually the answers come in the best way possible: in the thick of plot movement. i think this is also how the horror elements landed so well.

phosyne:
i also like how it established Phosyne as this madwoman character, only for her to be one of the only remainining sane characters towards the middle of the novel. also witnessing her journey of understanding her own capabilities is so satisfying.

ser voyne:
the hottest character ever crafted. she low-key reminds me of vi from arcane. i have a type, obviously. loyal to a fault. strong exterior with a soft pliant heart. incredible warrior with kissable lips. seriously i cannot blame the women in this novel for wanting her so bad, me too, me too.

treila:
gosh, if the word feral had a body that would literally be treila. look the word up in the dictionary and there her picture will appear. that deep-seated grief and the consequent thirst for revenge is so compelling.

the themes explored here speak to my soul as well: fealty, power, the fragility of reality if not held up by a shared force ........chef's kiss

some content warnings: cannibalism, violence, gore, etc. it's horror though, so it's everything you expect horror to have; if you don't like the genre itself best stay away from it. and if you're interested, sink your teeth into this one. you'll be well-fed.

Massive thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

<b>ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.</b>

<i>4 ☆</i>

The beginning of a sapphic medieval knight book era and im so here for it.

The Starving Saints is about our three main characters trying to survive a kingdom dealing with a famine. A mad witch, a dutiful knight, and noble women now just trying to live. Enters, a cult of ‘Saints’, who bring with them gore and horror with the illusion of being their saviors.

Through themes of devotion and madness, the story was quite fun to read. To me, it fell more onto the vibes type of book rather than a serious (?) one- and that’s not bad at all!! It was really interesting to see how these characters fleshed out in all their good and bad sides tried to survive.

Caitlin Starling's forthcoming novel, The Starving Saints, slated for release on May 20, 2025, is a masterful blend of medieval horror and psychological intrigue. Set within the besieged walls of Aymar Castle, the narrative delves deep into themes of faith, power, and the human psyche under duress.

For six grueling months, Aymar Castle has withstood siege, pushing its inhabitants to the brink of starvation and despair. Just as hope wanes, mysterious visitors arrive, bringing with them an abundance of supplies and miraculous healings. However, their benevolence comes at a steep price, as the castle's denizens find themselves ensnared in a web of manipulation and control.

The story centers on three compelling women: Ser Voyne, a battle-hardened knight grappling with her sense of duty; Phosyne, a sorceress whose experiments teeter on the edge of madness; and Treila, a serving girl harboring a thirst for vengeance. As their paths intertwine, the castle descends into a maelstrom of violence, cannibalism, and unearthly phenomena.

Starling's prose is both vivid and unflinching, painting a visceral picture of a society unraveling under the weight of its own secrets and desires. The atmosphere is palpably oppressive, immersing readers in the claustrophobic confines of the castle and the escalating dread that permeates its halls.

4.5 stars rounded up. Thank you NetGalley for access to this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This was so so strange and dreamlike. I haven’t really read medieval horror before, but this was incredible.

My few issues first. I think the pacing was off in the middle parts of the book. Also, I wasn’t too keen on the relationship between Treila and Voyne, as we’re told that Treila met Voyne as a young girl and was attempting to gain the love of the older woman. I also wish there was a bit more world building outside of the castle. All we know is that the castle is under siege but not why or how.

Now onto everything I liked. This felt like a fever dream. The three main characters were fully fleshed out, and I loved their arcs. The Saints could’ve been fleshed out a bit more. I feel like we only truly got to meet two of them while the other two were more background characters. The descriptions were very graphic so for readers who don’t like gore, I do recommend staying away. I think Starling’s writing was lush without being overly flowery, extremely descriptive without relishing in the gore. Also, the imagery and aesthetics of this book remind me heavily of medieval religious iconography. This was compelling and unputdownable. Phosyne, my madwoman, my witch, I love you so much, and I can’t wait to have a physical copy of this in my hands.

Sapphics, if you loved the locked tomb series, you’ll love this.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So, in my excitement for a new lesbian horror novel, and with such an amazing cover at that, I kind of forgot that I despise medieval settings. I loved them as a preteen, right up until the moment I began doing research into the era and realized nobody bathed. The lack of hygiene (this book was gross lol), the food descriptions, and just the overall sense of uncleanliness had me genuinely gagging at times. It detracted from the horror for me.

But putting that aside, this was a solid book. Caitlin Starling is a good writer and I’ve enjoyed her work previously, and this was no different. I didn’t find the characters very lovable, but they were good characters all the same; the pacing was a little off at times, but it might just be because I’m more used to her slower-paced novels. The setting is where this book shone. The castle felt like its own character at times. And the weird shadow creatures? Beautiful. Amazing. I wanted more of them.

I wish the horror had been more prevalent. It felt a little lacking and didn’t scratch the itch nearly well enough. What there was, was amazing, but it just wasn’t enough. And at this point I think it’s time for me to accept that I just won’t find what I’m looking for in Starling’s writing. This is in no way a fault on her end, because what she writes is very good, but I need something a little more.

Thanks again to Netgalley. If you like softcore horror and religious imagery gone rotten, toxic sapphic romances, and weird creatures in caves, this is the book for you.

I was initially thrilled to dive into this book because the premise resonated with my interests. However, as I reached the 30% mark, I struggled to keep track of the characters. The narrative introduced a multitude of perspectives and so many names, which became confusing rather than enriching. I really wanted to connect with the story, but the shifting points of view made it challenging to follow. I sincerely hope that other readers have a better experience with it than I did!

3.75 stars

This book was like a claustrophobic fever dream. I couldnt tell what was real and what was fake. I honestly STILL don’t know what was real. Everything felt like an eerie hallucination where you can’t trust what the characters are seeing. The characters themselves are lost and confused and trying to figure things out so the reader is left with the same feeling.
This was a really interesting premise. I liked how everything was confined to the castle (I’m not sure if the book explicitly said it was a castle but that’s how I pictured it) and all the characters are trying to find ways to escape. The saints were so creepy. The way they would change and appear at random and you never knew where they were definitely contributed to the unsettlingness of this book.
Overall, it was a little too confusing for me. I found that I really never figured out what was happening which I didn’t love. However, if you like weird, vibey, semi-ambiguous books (that may or may not contain cannibalism) you might like this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

3/5

Caitlin Starling fortifies a castle under siege in her latest as the inhabitants stare down inevitable starvation and dually hunger for sustenance and salvation. Aymar Castle is little more than a prison for those who have survived six months under siege, but when the very figures prayed to by the populace appear within its walls -bringing with them food and promising an end to suffering - a new era is ushered in, one of illusions and bloodshed. I have always been a fan of Starling's writing which I could aptly describe as fever dream tinged horror that causes you to question reality and leaves you facing the real horrors within. Add in lady knights, nuns turned sorcerers, and sapphics, and it was safe to say The Starving Saints was one of my most anticipated horror novels for the 2025 year. Concepts aside, Starling's prose is decadent, as it has always been. Glittering at times and festooned with the decay of the starved and the rot of those that have succumbed, The Starving Saints prose easily aligns with its overarching narrative. The three perspectives stand apart within the confines of Aymar castle and I was thoroughly fascinated by all the ways Starling brings readers into the fold. My main issues with The Starving Saints pertain to how it delivered on concept and the pacing. This book has a fairly slow start, which I appreciated given how I felt it mirrored the castle inhabitants slow decline into starvation, but I think after a certain point I expected the pacing to become more consistent and it never did. The jarring happenings after the halfway mark felt scattered with no purpose and I felt more lost than I expected. I love a strange situation where you don't always get the answers but The Starving Saints leaned into a convoluted narrative which at times felt purposeless. I would have appreciated more background on the characters to further ground the story as I never felt truly captivated by either of them. Definitely sad this wasn't for me but it certainly will find its audience.

I was really excited for the chance to get to read and review this one, because I've been a huge fan of this author since her previous novel. The Starving Saints was weird, deeply weird. It was also moving, evocative, and did an incredible job of setting the scene and letting it unfold how it was going to unfold. And you aren't going to be able to predict the twists and turns, I promise. I don't know if I've ever read anything like this before, and that's not an insult. I really enjoyed the characters, and was grossed out (in a good way) by the events at every step along the way. If you're interested in weird fantasy, you can't go wrong with this one. Give it a shot, and be ready for surprises. Honey will never taste the same to you again, I'll bet.

The Starving Saints is a gripping, atmospheric blend of horror and dark fantasy that pulls you in from the first page. The siege of Aymar Castle sets a desperate, claustrophobic stage, but the true horror unfolds within its walls as salvation arrives in a form more terrifying than starvation itself. The story’s eerie, almost hypnotic descent into madness is both unsettling and impossible to look away from, with its themes of faith, power, and the hunger—both literal and metaphorical—that drives people to the edge. The shifting dynamics between Voyne, Phosyne, and Treila add layers of tension and intrigue, making this a truly original and bingeable read.

Genre: Medieval horror

Content warnings: animal death, human death, depictions of starvation, siege warfare, cannibalism (intentional and unintentional), religious zealotry, torture, magical/supernatural elements

Thank you to Netgalley for providing this digital book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I finished this book, sat on it for a night, thought and thought about it, and I’m still thinking about it. It’s only recently that I discovered medieval horror as a genre and this scratched that itch for me. It has winding castle stairwells and dank hallways, dusty courtyards and religious zealotry. It has a towering female knight, a resourceful girl bent on revenge, and a mousy witch/miracle performer with depths of power even she is unaware of. Something uneasy and menacing begins creeping its way into the castle they are all locked away in, under siege by an old enemy camped outside the barricaded gates. These three women are each on a spiraling crash course where their lives will intersect in dangerous and possibly fatal ways. Rising mistrust, old wounds, new suspicions, and collective gnawing physical starvation raise the tensions in the story and it was just so well done. The writing is evenly paced, skillfully handling the maelstrom of hedonistic, fevered revelry that descends upon the castle and its occupants after the arrival of a group of Saints. What appears to be a much prayed for rescue becomes a nightmare of gory proportions. The author treats each woman’s POV as an analysis of female rage, strength, doubt, and sense of duty and loyalty. I enjoyed each woman’s chapter and the terrifying new ways they fall deeper into the nightmare of the Saints’ presence, and their desperate efforts not to fall under their control. The pressure they all endured was immense. I was so scared for them. I felt terror and anxiety reading their journey throughout the book. I thought it brilliant the way time passed within the walls and without. And the thing in the bowels of the castle? The whispering thing? One of my favorite spooky characteristics I’ve read in a long time!

4.5/5