I love the cover and the premise sounds exactly up my alley, but the writing style didn't quite work for me. The main character/narrative voice was a bit formal for my taste, so I couldn't fully immerse myself in the work. I can understand WHY the voice is semi-formal, given the characters and setting, though, so I know this will work for plenty of folks.

So, I really liked the beginning and the ending. The middle, not so much. It’s starts off kind of creepy with an isolated town with no reception. I thought there would be more of the MC coming across things that would connect her to her father but it goes in another direction. It feels like a good portion of the book she’s helpless and yelling out all the obvious problems with the town. It never feels like she does much or gets any real answers until the end. Although I thought the ending was cool I wish the clues she had gave us more of why strategic works at the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

I had very conflicted thoughts over this one.

The good:
I like a good paranormal horror story, and I enjoyed this story immensely. The setting is small town, everyone knows everyone, including a secret everyone shares. Yes. I love this. The story states it is like Stars Hollow (and proceeds to lay out the set of Gilmore Girls). Starting off things aren't quite right, and relationally everyone is super abrupt, awkward, and secretive. I pretty much saw the twist in the middle coming and honestly I couldn't have been happier for it. This was exactly the kind of creepy story I've wanted. Loved this plot!

The bad:
I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style. First person present tense is a bit of a pet peeves of mine. It has to be done exquisitely in order for me to accept. But it was forgiveable. The dialogue and inner monologue was kind of rushed. A lot of times I felt like I was trying to catch up to what was going on in the present, and got kind of confused as to who was who and what was what.

Mostly though, I had a real problem with how the messaging was handled. I believe the author was trying to convey positive a story of getting out of a cycle of abuse and abusive relationships. A message I fully support. However, I believe it may have unintentionally villainized men completely. Absent father, passive husbands, dismissive policemen, the one "good guy" is the gay florist but even he is keeping secrets and also fairly passive. To be fair most everyone is complicit to abuse, other than a loving mother, and helpful female spirit. But again, all the men are the villains. Why can't there just be good and bad people of all genders? I'm so sick of the women = good and men = bad narrative.

So yeah, read this if you hate men.

Thank you netgalley and Delacort press for a review copy of this book.

ARC was given by NetGalley & Delacorte Press in exchange for an honest review.

Content/Trigger Warnings: Loss of a loved one, grief, depictions of anxiety, brief mentions of dead animals, depictions of claustrophobia, abduction, death, murder, depictions of blood, scene of suicidal ideation, scene of forced drugging/sedation, manipulation, scenes of emesis, mentions of starvation (in the past), talk of cannibalism (in the past), graphic deaths recounted, scene of drowning

“The wind whispers, sending chills down my spine. It almost seems to call my name. Silkily, a caress against the back of my neck. Starling.”


This was such a captivating read! Wow, friends. Truly, my curiosity was running wild with this book. I won’t lie, there were a few moments where I thought this might not live up to my expectations or I should, my high hopes for loving this book. After finishing this book, I can happily say that this was such a great read, perfect for the wintery season to give you some light goosebumps or tingles. And you can rest assured, I’m looking forward to what this author will have instore for us next!

Kit Starling is grieving the loss of her father, a huge inspiration to her and why she wants to become an author. When Kit finds out that she has a grandmother, after all this time, she and her mother set out to Rosemont. Filled with many questions of why her father lied and now even more secrets seem to be spilling out before her, on top of her mother missing Kit has more questions than ever. Something isn’t right in Rosemont, something much darker and it’s all linked back to her family, the Starlings.

“What they had was imprinted on us forever. It will never die,” Agatha said. It will die, I silently vow. I’m going to be the one to kill it.”


I was a bit nervous, I won’t lie. Books surrounding mother-daughter relationships just haven’t been my cup of tea as of late. I have struggled with the dynamic for a while now and officially decided to bench it. So when I learned this have a very close-knit mother-daughter bond, I was a bit hesitant. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this dynamic. Despite my worries, I really enjoyed the bond Kit and her mother have. In their grief, it seemed to solidify their relationship and the way Kit’s mother is written, it’s very obvious how much she loves Kit and how devoted she is to her. I just really loved it and even Kit being fully determined to find her mother was really nice to see. I just really loved the both of them and their bond they share with one another.

Speaking of Kit, I was a little worried with Kit’s character, as well. There were moments where Kit almost came off as extremely oblivious and almost like she couldn’t put the bigger picture together, but despite that, I loved that her love for her mother was the fire that caused her to keep pushing forward, to seek out the answers she needed, and to ultimately put the bigger picture together. I was very pleasantly surprised by that. I appreciate the author made sure to not box Kit’s character into a particular hero role. Throughout this whole book, Kit truly just craves family and we see moments where she’s crumbling to pieces, but also finding family in places where she didn’t think she could have it. I really adored that. And I have to mention Kit is either bisexual or pansexual. There are two characters in this book that Kit is attracted to and let me just say, I love a good F/F romance where one of them is a monster girl. That’s all I’ll say.

“She tastes like salt and sugar and darkness, and the promise of light just barely beneath it. I shouldn’t want to kiss her this much. But I do it anyway.”


Okay, that’s not all I’ll say. Let’s talk about about ‘Sabelle because I truly, with my whole chest, need fan art of this character. I fell madly in love with ‘Sabelle’s character. Now, I might be a little bias because I love anything with monsters, but her character really hit my intrigue when we get her first appearance. Truly, one of the best entrances for a character I’ve ever seen. ‘Sabelle’s whole personality reminds me of the wind, how it’s very light, but ever changing depending on seasons and weather. Honestly, I’m a little salty that it took a hot minute for her to come back into the storyline and I wish she would have been brough back sooner, but I still love her character and the scenes we do get were chef’s kiss.

Though there were many things I loved about this book and so, so many quotes, there were a few things that really held me back from fully loving it the way I hoped I would. While this is a subtle thing, it still irked me and there were a few scenes where Kit’s weight was brought up. Now, if it was to show the passage of time then I probably wouldn’t have an issue with it, but that wasn’t the case. There was a huge emphasis of how thin Kit was and it didn’t really serve any purpose. It was just a little annoying and felt like it took away from the story at times. I think my biggest issue with this book was that it became very predictable of the direction the book was going to go. Two of the big plot twists, I predicted right around the 40% mark and that kind of hindered my enjoyment once they were both confirmed. Though I will say, despite predicting those plot twists, the ending still surprised me and saved the book for me.

“So I’ll say, when you get a chance run. And never look back. Or maybe just fight, like I’m not brave enough to do.”


Overall, I’m trying so hard not to say too much. I genuinely believe the best way to go into this book is to go in not knowing a lot about it. I think if I would have know more about this book than I did, I don’t think I would love it the way I do. This was a really fun read though. I went into this book expecting mystery, maybe a little romance, and that’s exactly what I got, with some added bonuses. I loved the cover, I have so many quotes highlighted, and the important side characters like Beth and Miles just have my whole heart. If the cover of this book doesn’t entice you, let me just recommend that you give it a chance because it truly deserves it.


The quotes above were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

Amanda Linsmeier perfectly captures reader by creating this dark and eerie atmosphere with the language and the dialogue. The tension hit just at the right spots and the characters were so realistic and I could really relate to the FMC, Kit.

This was not my typical genre, but I really enjoyed it. The start was a bit slow, but once I got into it I really got into the story. My favorite aspect of this book was the setting - I loved how it felt familiar yet with a sinister undertone. I also enjoyed the characters, especially the FMC. The twists kept me guessing and made me not want to put this one down!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for an eARC of Starlings!

I recently started delving into the Horror genre and when I saw this pitched as Midsommer in Stars Hollow- I just had to read Starlings! Amanda Linsmeier perfectly captures reader by creating this dark and eerie atmosphere with the language and the dialogue. The tension hit just at the right spots and the characters were so realistic and I could really relate to the FMC, Kit. I definitely can't wait for this book to release and it's in my pre-orders!

Starlings is an atmospheric read. I found myself pulled into the story and not wanting to put it down. I needed to keep reading.
Rosemont reminded me of places that felt familiar such as a creepy version of Stars Hollow. As soon as MC, Kit, enters this secluded little town I could feel that something was off. And when Kits mother went missing and she becomes determined to save her my heart really felt for her. She is put in an impossible situation and yet Kit continued to fight!
I think my favorite part of this story was the vibe. It was dark and mysterious, yet almost cozy. I enjoyed the reveal halfway through the book even though I called it pretty quickly. I felt satisfied in my knowing not irritated that it was obvious.
One thing I didn’t really care for was the MCs need to latch onto someone to love (and make out with). I understand there was an underlying theme involved with Kits revelation about herself but I think the story could have been just as strong without it. But that’s just my opinion.
Overall it was a gripping read and I’ll definitely be picking up books by Amanda Linsmeier in the future.

This gave me major Pleasantville vibes and I adored it! The imagery in this book was incredible and I could envision this city like my own. I love the feminist theme throughout and thought this was a very fresh new spin on a supernatural type book. I will definitely be rereading this one!!

Spoiler-free Review

I know we shouldn't judge a book by its cover but come on. This one is literally stunning so of course I had to read it! Starlings is a dark YA fantasy novel that centers around Kit as she moves to Rosemont after her father's death. Right away Kit notices something just doesn't feel right. This book definitely had a creepy vibe to it. I absolutely loved the atmosphere the author created with Rosemont! I also did like following Kit's journey as she faced obstacles and searched for answers to her questions. It turns out there's more to Kit's family than she realized. This was another fun one-sitting read for me!

My reasoning for three stars.
The start of this book didn't really capture my attention much. It wasn't really till I read a good portion of the book for me to be obsessing over it. However I did read it all in one-sitting!

Do I recommend Starlings? I'd recommend this book to someone looking for a good creepy YA scary-not-so-scary read.

e-ARC provided by NetGalley and publisher (Thank you!)
I requested and received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
All thoughts and opinions are mine.
EXPECTED RELEASE DATE: June 27, 2023
REVIEWED: 3/4/2023

Starlings by Amanda Linsmeier is an enthralling read that will captivate readers from the very first page. This novel follows the story of a young woman's journey of self-discovery as she navigates the complexities of life. With vivid descriptions and a captivating plot, Starlings is sure to leave readers with a newfound appreciation for the beauty of life. The characters are well-developed and the story is full of unexpected twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. This book is a must-read for anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking read.

WOWWWW my mind is blown!! I don’t read a ton of YA I’m more of a dark romance kinda girl but I saw dark YA and decided to give it a try I’ve never been happier I did!!! 17yo Kit just lost her father, her mother and her are grieving when Kit finds out her father isn’t the orphan he claimed to be he has family in a town called Rosemount. Kit decided to honor her father by going and meeting her grandmother and seeing the town her father left behind. When they get there everything seems so perfect, picturesque town their family even seems to be almost worshipped by the towns ppl not to mention a cute boy, Bear who shows her around and seems instantly interested in Kit. Unfortunately it doesn’t take long for things to turn Kit starts wondering if things are so perfect why would her father leave and never want her to come back? Why has her mother’s health started to deteriorate since they arrived? Why does the towns history seem to revolve around the women in her family? As Kit starts getting answers she wishes she never asked the questions or came to the town. This book was amazing!! This author has been added to my must read it’s dark mysterious for the first time in s longggg time I couldn’t accurately predict what was going to happen next and when I think I could I was usually wrong! Don’t miss this book you’ll regret it!! I would give it more then 5 stars if I could!

Well, I don’t think I’ll ever look at roses the same way again. Starlings is an emotionally haunting YA gothic horror. The author did a great job setting the stage - you can immediately sense there’s something odd about Rosemont. It took until halfway into the book for the plot to really pick up, but then it was one twist after another. To me, this book is a mashup of so many great gothic novels - it’s almost what you get if you were to combine together The Stepford Wives, The Fervor, Small Favors, Small Angels, and to some degree, Addie LaRue. I really enjoyed the immersive, atmospheric experience. If you love books with small town creepy vibes, explorations of generation trauma, family secrets, and magical realism, then this book is for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s/Delacorte Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was so intriguing! The environment of the book is somewhat thrilling but also magical and sleepy. I can’t put my finger on it. I highly recommend this title. The narrator comes to stay her grandmother in Rosemont, whom she believed was dead because that is what her father told her. I liked the characters, mystery, and pacing quite a bit.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK. I was enraptured with the dark, creepy tones, and as someone who devoured Wilder Girls, Small Favors, What We Harvest, and House of Hollow, I cannot recommend this enough. The characters, the description of the town, and the dialogue and non-stop events were nerve-wracking in the absolute best way. I kept anticipating what I thought might happen next, to be brought in a completely different direction every single time. SUCH a breath of fresh air. I immediately added this author to my watch list, and will be preordering this for my shelves!

**3.5 STARS**

Right away this gorgeous book cover caught my eye and as much as it is beautiful, there is something sinister to it, just like the story. Here is what I thought:

+ I was sucked into this story right away. Kit and her mother travels to Rosemont, to meet Kit’s grandmother and her father’s old hometown. – place he never told Kit about. She’s grieving her dad, she’s trying to piece who he is in Rosemont but everything feels off. Right away it’s established that things are not what they seem.

+ Rosemont is a mysterious setting, surrounded by woods and a river where people have died. I got the eerie vibes right away when Kit described the place as Stepford-y. When Kit starts learning more about her family and the Starling legacy she realizes she’s walked into a nightmare.

+ There are a few twists in this story and the monster being the biggest creep of all. He is a true monster, true villain, charming when he wants to be, but evil to his core. I was rooting for Kit to destroy him!

~ I felt like the romance wasn’t needed. Kit’s only there for a week I feel like it was unnecessary for her to fall for someone since there was barely time to know one another.

~ It wasn’t scary, more creepy because of the history of the town and yuck with the way the bargain is set up.

Tropes: small town, family curse, town secret

Why you should read it:
*you like young adult horror that isn’t super scary, mostly creepy
*it’s a quick read and engaged me – I read it in one sitting

Why you might not want to read it:
*not into YA horror

My Thoughts:

I thought this was pretty good in that I was engaged with the story and finished it in one setting. I like the creepy factor, the lore about the town, the family secret and the curse. The villain is written well – he’s a pretty evil monster. I don’t think the romance was necessary and I thought the situation was resolved pretty quickly but other than that I did find it entertaining. I look forward to reading more from this author.

After her dad's death, Kit Starling discovers her grandmother is alive and invites her to visit. Kit and her mom travel to Rosemont, where the Starlings are revered, but Kit soon finds that things don't quite add up. The townspeople act strangely around her and when her mom suddenly disappears, no one is very concerned. Kit learns more about the town's past and why her family is so prominent and becomes more confused about her own role in saving everyone. Overall, this book had a lot going on and some parts weren't as clear because of it. The monster was creepy but the resolution in the end was so quick and somewhat disjointed. The romance could have been left out and a focus on the present and past choices of the Starlings might have been better. It would have also been interesting to see a few chapters from Agatha's perspective.

An incredible feminist horror. Definitely gave me the vibes of both House of Hollow and Small Favors. Very creepy and atmospheric.

A girl discovers her family’s dark legacy after her father’s death leads to the discovery that his mother is still alive and wants to meet her... and the deadly consequences of this meeting. Kit is a 17 year old girl who grew up believing her father’s parents had died... only to discover after his death that her grandma is very much alive and would like to meet her. Now Kit is invited to her father’s hometown, Rosemont where things are stranger than she could ever imagine and her family name is revered by the townspeople. Something is off about Rosemont, it’s too perfect, with it’s famed eternal roses blooming all year, the town looking like it came out of the 1950s and the fact that everyone worships her family. Kit knows something is strange and that the Starling women are at the center of it, but can she figure it out before it’s too late or will she be forced to participate in her family’s legacy against her will? The more she digs into her family’s history connected to the town the more she is beginning to realize that there is a price to pay for perfection and that she is next in line to pay that price. But when everything she holds dear is on the line, will she risk destroying everyone in order to save those she holds dear or will she end up sacrificing herself just like the rest of the woman in her family? This definitely gave off a House of Hollow and Small Favors with a bit of Horrid vibes, but unfortunately it just didn’t really live up to my expectations. I do adore a good horror/small town mystery with a dark family curse and such bur this one just felt a bit flat and I guess with so many young adult horrors I’ve read, this one just didn’t stand out as much compared to others I’ve read. The story is interesting, it just didn’t grab me as much as I had hoped and it just felt like an okay read for me. Overall, if you enjoy young adult horror with a bit of dark family secrets and curses set in a small town, give this one a go, maybe it’ll be a better time for you than it was for me!

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Interesting story. More of a fantasy feel than I expected, so that's a plus. Just wish the protagonist was clever. She just comes off as kind of dim how she overlooks certain things that seemed super red flag to me while reading. Still, really enjoyed the premise and I'd be down to read a sequel or maybe even a prequel. I'd love to see things from the grandmother's POV leading up to Starlings.