"A transfixing fever dream of medieval horror following three women in a besieged castle that descends ravenously into madness under the spell of mysterious, godlike visitors."

Let's call this book medieval horror fever dream meets cannibal convent. And I mean this in the best way. It's very out there, raw and a bit queer.
Feels like walking through a medieval painting mid bacchanal. But sub the drinks for limbs 😂

Even knowing a bit of the content is coming it totally caught me by surprise.

On the same line of The Unworthy, recommended!

Pun completely intended but I devoured this one in basically one go. There's something about books with creepy dark horror things that come from the woods to an unsuspecting community and causes unadulterated chaos that just hit the spot and Caitlin Starling does this genre so so well. Add in firey dragon-cat sidekicks and a healthy dose of sapphic yearning and you have a winner!

Technically 3.5⭐️ but I’m feeling generous.

To start, this book is perfect for people who enjoy:
• Catholic Imagery
• Lesbians
• Bees
• Cannibalism
• French People

The first half of this book? Reverent. Hopeless. Wholly, and completely dread filled. Took a bit to pick up but once it did, this book was impossible to put down. If you’re a gamer, and/or a fan of the Dragon Age series and Dishonored, then this book is 100% for you. Medieval, bacchanalic, and just entirely carefree until it’s too late. The imagery was impeccable and forever will I visually see the Lady as King Baldwin from the movie Kingdom of Heaven. The magic system (at first) was unique and worked well for what it was, would e loved to see those basic aspects fleshed out more though.

This book is the epitome of “the devil you know”, with the sanctity of the Saints (pre-invasion), the sacredness of honey, the dread and resignation of knowing a body buried is a body wasted. This book was a free trial to starvation-induced psychosis.

Now for the bad.

You can pinpoint the exact moment this book falls apart, and by falls apart I mainly mean there was an idea for the first half and then the author got another idea for a different book and decided to try to meld them together.

That moment? When Phosyne sanctifies her tower and emerges from the cistern dressed in silk robes.

From that moment on it felt like “giving your OC powers and making them invincible and uber powerful” which is unfortunate because Phosyne was my favorite until that moment. At first the magic system felt fresh, it felt unique, it felt very Dishonored-esque and it was amazing but then the ball was dropped and the system was just completely different by the end.

The beginning felt well written, well paced and thoroughly enjoyable while still giving uncanny valley. Post-That Moment felt almost… unedited? Rushed? Don’t get me wrong it was still enjoyable but it felt like an entirely different book.

Furthermore, so many questions did not get answered simply due to that Moment. What exactly are the saints? Are they bees? Are they ambiguous? Are they the manifestation of a collective hallucination due to starvation and dehydration? Are they symbolic? Are they bugs? Obviously Phosyne is an example of “absolute power corrupts absolutely” but thanks to Ser Voyne, the corruption is at bay. Where does Phosyne’s power come from? Hell? The other world? The fingernail planting was mostly glossed over. Vague answers aren’t concrete.

Maybe I missed those answers. Maybe they didn’t exist.

Finally, I wouldn’t classify this book as horror. The only reason it was, I believe, is the cannibalism. Otherwise I would’ve categorized it as Dark Fantasy or simply Fantasy with horror elements.

Regardless, it was an enjoyable read up to an extent. The magic system was enjoyable even if the rules went out the window sometimes. If it would’ve leant more into the horror aspect rather than the magic? This would’ve been a 5⭐️ book. Make people into living, breathing hives. Lean into the body horror rather than just “people are cattle”. Let the saints do experiments, have half human half bee hybrid abominations.

Thank you to Caitlin Starling, publisher Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc.

In The Starving Saints, Caitlin Starling takes us to Aymar Castle, a fortress that has been under siege for six months. Despite sending out multiple messengers requesting aid, no one has come to their rescue and food is quickly running out. And then, a miracle. Four divine figures appear out of thin air offering sustenance and hedonistic revelry. Only three women can see through the madness: a knight, a sorceress, and a serving girl. They must work together amidst countless temptations to save not only their own lives but everyone in the castle from their mysterious visitors.

Starling is one of my favorite writers for a reason. With each of her novels, she masterfully crafts an entire world that feels so tangible and complete on the very first page. She grounds the story by giving us the sensory experiences of each of the POV characters. You smell the sweat on their skin, feel the pangs of their hunger, touch the fluttering of their pulse. I loved watching each of the three protagonists slip in and out of coherence and sanity as they fight to avoid succumbing to the fever dream of the Saints.

One of my favorite things about Starling’s “villains” is how enticing she makes them. The Saint of Love, in particular, I found both tempting and terrifying and I loved the game of cat and mouse between him and Treila (this one is for The Death of Jane Lawrence fans). I also love the tension between Phosyne and Ser Voyne (this one is for Last To Leave The Room fans).

Saints promises an “intensely atmospheric fever dream of medieval horror” and it absolutely delivers. Starling is a master of fear, and viscerally conveys the fear of starvation, claustrophobia, psychosis, body horror, and of course, cannibalism. If you like horror that is medieval, religious, and queer then this is a must read.

CW: body horror, death, gore, violence, blood, cannibalism, claustrophobia, murder, injury, animal death (off page), suicidal thoughts

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ALC and ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“A king is not so different from a madwoman.”

Caitlin Starling never disappoints! I just love all of her books. Each one so different but so good. As soon as I saw a review that said this was a medieval lesbian cannibalism horror, I was sold!

Starling is a fantastic atmospheric author and this book proved it again. I loved all of the gothic, medieval vibes that surrounded her complex and compelling characters. It did start a little slow but in the end, I joined that because I was completely sucked into the world by the time everything went crazy.

Highly recommend this and all of this authors other books!

What to expect:
- Medieval horror
- Touches of dark fantasy
- Very atmospheric
- Cannibalism
- Sapphic romance
- Bees. Honey. Bees

Thank you to NetGalley and Caitlin Starling for the ebook ARC of this book.

I won’t sugarcoat it, the Starving Saints is certainly slow to digest. The writing style is pretty straightforward and based on a personal preference, the setting didn’t really captivate me. However, this book has a natural capability for allure. It is so vague, allowing the reader to envision their own interpretations of various characters and spaces. This particular aspect won’t be for everyone, but when it came to certain horrors, it became a strong suit of this book. Caitlin Starling‘s writing is fairly unassuming at first. However, there are some decadent gems of wisdom scattered throughout. The story read like a movie and the body horror was graphic and gruesome, just the way I like it. There are many unique characters and lots of questions and horrible moments that linger well after you’re done reading. Though this is not my favorite book of the year, this is certainly one that I’m going to think of repeatedly as it haunts my psyche. Not to mention: bee horror. Yes yes yes to more bee horror.

Aymar Castle is under siege and resources are thinning. Desperate for a miracle and thinking about diminishing their numbers, help arrives in the form of divine saints. The saints offer relief in return for devotion. Feasts of unknown origin satisfy Aymar’s hungry population but three women soon find themselves in a castle overran by madness and they begin to question these so called saints. With their pasts entangled with violence they must come together to save not only themselves but Aymar from the very monstrous saints they put their faith in.

This was my first novel to experience medieval horror and it was a vibe!
Starling’s atmospheric and lyrical writing was eerie and transports the reader down a fever dream spiral of cannibalism, body horror, and an extreme hunger from hedonistic ecstasy.

Parts of the novel did leave me confused but entranced by Starling’s writing and disturbingly beautiful descriptions and plot. The beginning of the novel was slow but sets the scene for the novels main antagonists. I couldn’t help but feel spellbound by Our Lady and her saints. Their mysterious and ominous presence was so addicting and truly terrifying. I have to appreciate the religious aspects of the novel and the symbolism of hunger and desperation. When faced with impossible challenges we are often turning to even more impossible solutions.

I liked how the novel was told through the different POVs of the three protagonists and the depth they each brought to the plot. The only thing I have to say that was hard for me to grasp was their names! I’m not sure if that’s just a me problem but I know I butchered them. The writing gave such a gothic lit feel with the occasional f-bomb that made me chuckle.

Although this novel or type of horror may not be for everyone; I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be checking out more by Sterling.

I want to thank NetGalley and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4/5 Stars. "What The Fuck Did I Just Read?" in the best possible way. Gory, atmospheric, and with a lot of unexpected heart. Three very distinct main characters, but all with different kinds of tenacity and strength that was really fun to watch play off each other. A little too nebulous at times for me, but overall, a very enjoyable and creepy read!

The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling
Genre: Gothic Horror
Subgenre(s): Secondary World Fantasy, LGBTQ+
Book Track: Will You Love Me When I'm Dead by Amira Elfeky

The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling is a sun-soaked horror masterwork dripping with blood, honey, and saliva. Conjured with prose that would undoubtedly impress the likes of Mervyn Peake or Nicola Griffith, Starling has constructed a story about three woman whose past and present lives are tangled together. Forced alliances must be made in order to survive the siege upon the castle they are sequestered within and it's not long before things get sticky. Food and clean water are in short supply and the inhabitants turn to their faith to extricate them from this nightmarish situation. Preternaturally beings arrive offering a salvation and the men, women, and children trapped within Aymar Castle quickly discover that it is eat or be eaten...

This book is sharp and sticky. It gets onto and under your skin and it's near impossible to put down once you've gotten a taste for it's sacramental offering. Caitlin Starling shapes this secondary fantasy world with a hazy, historically-adjacent, filter that feels like looking at a piece of art from the 15th Century but from the corner of ones eyes after having stared at the sun for too long. Familiar, near sacrosanct, yet something feels out of place, reskinned, and strangely askew like a mirage. It's this here that makes The Starving Saints special and unlike other tales of medieval horror. This novel feels so full and bright and loud, not just because of the bees or vore, but in the way that Starling describes her settings and atmosphere using all of the senses. In the way the fast paced narrative felt as oppressive as hunger pangs while each chapter somehow still would leave you feeling satiated. This all paired with her whip-smart and flavorful dialogue from characters you'll either hate to love or pray for their salvation. A new all-time favorite for this reader and perfect for fans of The Green Knight and Midsommar from A24. If you enjoyed Lapvona from Ottessa Moshfegh but wanted something more progressive and infinitely more queer, you'll feast on this book.

5/5 Stars
100/100 Score

Note on the audiobook: Barrie Kreinik did a wonderful job with this material. I heard her narration on Slewfoot by Brom and knew she'd do an excellent job bringing these characters and this world to life!

Thank you to both Harper Voyager for sending two of us on the podcast arcs, both physical and audio, and thank you to Net Galley for providing me with an eArc of this title.

The Starving Saints, is a novel that will carve out a permanent piece inside you. With pages containing a nauseating mix of cannibalistic horrors and ghastly entities that lie waiting to torment you into mental submission, and I mean that as a compliment. Fans of To The Bone and Hungerstone, this is for you.

The novel follows three women trapped in Aymar Castle as the residents struggle to find food amidst a siege. Phosyne, a former devout priory member and newly dubbed Castle “madwoman”, after magically purifying the drinking water. Ser Voyne, the king’s right-hand woman and decorated knight, who is beginning to doubt her loyalty to the crown. And Trelia, a former highborn who now lives as a servant in the depths of the Castle, waiting to get revenge on the women who killed her father. Although the three have never interacted in Aymar’s halls, their fates become intertwined when four saints appear, claiming to have come to usher in a new age of abundance. But as the castle descends into hedonism, the three women doubt the saint’s intentions. However, they cannot even begin to fathom the horrors the residents of Aymar will soon face, especially when one finds herself at the center of it all.

A few words I have used to describe this book are: demented, disgusting, and downright disturbed. However, those are the highest praises as this story weaves an intricate web of nonsensical heretics that begs to be devoured. The unreliability of narration allows the reader to be disoriented as the characters lose their grip on reality. This is so effective because the plot is pure insanity, and I say that as a compliment. The world this takes place in is just close enough to our own to give an air of implausibility that plays on your expectations, only to sweep the rug out from under you when you least expect it. The characters are far from heroes in their own right, with murky motives that allow for significant internal growth despite the increasing threat to their lives. Any seasoned horror reader will devour this as it brings a unique and fresh take on the “final girl” trope.

My only critique is that I want more lore and more monsters because it feels like there was more written of the story that got edited out. Without giving a plot point away, there is an entity that one of the characters interacts with, outside of the Saints, that doesn’t feel fully fleshed out. There is so much potential and lead up with this subplot, but for me, it fell completely flat in its execution. There are also a few loose lore threads that come off as either being cut short or added in at the last second. Although it isn’t a huge detriment in this case, since the story has that discombobulated feeling, it is a little too messy for me. However, that is just my opinion and interpretation, so if you are a less structure is best type of person, you will love this.

All in all, this mind-bending medieval horror is a must-read. From the never-ending depravity to the complicated character dynamics, you will physically not be able to put this book down. Not to mention immediately re-reading it just to be sure you got everything. If you love disturbing acts of humanity and creature features, you are in the right place. Happy reading!

CW: Anxiety, alcohol, amputation, animal death, attempted murder, blood, bones, cannibalism, child death, death, decapitation, emesis, famine, fire, gore, hallucination, hostages, murder, needles, plague, poisoning, religion, starvation, torture and war.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for sending an eARC for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For more sapphic reviews, follow @the.lesbian.library on Instagram, StoryGraph, Substack, and YouTube.

The Starving Saints is a dark fantasy/medieval horror story told through 3 perspectives, the king's star knight, a miracle working former nun, and a servant girl. All three women have different strengths that allow them to survive in this bizarre world. Aymar Castle has been under siege for months and no one is allowed to leave, the inhabitants are slowly starving. Phosyne is tasked with making food out of nothing under the watchful eye of Ser Voyne. Trelia is in the background plotting against Ser Voyne in an act of revenge. However, the dynamics of the castle drastically shift when the Saints appear within the castle's walls. From there, the castle descends into a dream-like madness and the three women must figure out how to survive the madness and temptations.

I did really like the base story that was told here and the themes that Caitlin Starling explored. I do think the beginning started a little slow and in the end the whole book felt really drawn out. This book does feature cannibalism, which when depicted on page, I thought it was done well. However, with the synopsis, I really thought that this was going to be more fever dream than it actually was for me. The writing was good, but there were times when it was overly simplified in a way that didn't match the surroundings or previous paragraph. I did really enjoy the Saints throughout and found that to be much more interesting than how the 3 POVs interacted with each other and the very unfocused plot.

Overall, I still enjoyed and can see some readers really loving this. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the eARC.

This was so good! Atmospheric and absolutely engrossing. Did not want to put it down. Gothic horror at its best!

As simply as I can put it- this book is beautifully expressed yearning, wrapped in a filthy, idolatrous hedonistic fever dream.

To that end, the draw here is more “vibes” rather than plot, and my rating probably will not change much based on the ending. So far, I’m really digging it, the prose is sumptuous, the characters (a scrappy little thief girl, a lady knight, and a madwoman/miracle worker) are incredibly compelling- both on their own, and as they’re entangled with one another.

Speaking of ~entanglements ~ for a book with no on page sex, this is so horny. And so gay. And just full of an odd and toxic YEARNING, between all three main characters that I ate right up.

I think this one’s going to be a “love it or hate it” type read that’s going to resonate HARD with a select group of readers (likely the “no plot- just vibes” crowd) that being said- I think you should check it out if any of the following terms are appealing:
- eldritch gods
-monsters?
-medeival horror
-lady knights
-choking kink
-bees, for some reason
-cute little pet demons
-Faustian bargains

What a bizarre little book! And far more horny than I expected? I'm glad I took my time reading it rather than devouring it (no pun intended) in one or two sittings like I tend to do with books I enjoy. I would have missed so much otherwise. A lot is going on, while also very little at all. I won't say much more to avoid spoilers. But blink and you might miss something.

If you are into sword-wielding lesbians, cannibalism, religious symbolism, and bees, this is the book for you! My advice- don't try to use logic, for there is none to be had in this book. Just strap in for the ride and follow the story; it won't disappoint.

The Book of Matthew says, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

I personally am very fond of the axiom, “Religion is the opiate of the masses”. And Doctor Taylor Swift told us the road is hard and we can get lost when we’re led by blind faith.

I have a feeling The Starving Saints is a horror novel that will draw a lot of different analytic viewpoints over time as to what Caitlin Starling was trying to say or what the overall message was. As for my opinion? Well, I think it’s a parable for how the religious and conservative people in American society are horrifically exploited by the very people who are supposed to look out for their best interests and that their willful ignorance and blind faith only lulls them into a constant state of complacence that leave them ripe for devastation once the wolves come to town. No matter how the few people who want to save them and try their hardest to save them work it ultimately becomes a fruitless endeavor, because you cannot reach those who are deaf to your entreaties and lost in their own zealotry.

The Starving Saints straddles a very fine line between cosmic horror and religious horror as its main subgenre. While the religious order inside the walls of Aymar Castle (and the kingdom it belongs to) undoubtedly all worship the same set of saints led by The Constant Lady, the saints who enter Aymar Castle are not the same saints even though they wear the guise of them. Are they saints, gods, demons, monsters, or something else altogether? Now that’s where the cosmic element comes into play. There’s also another creature, down in the earth, that’s not a saint or with the company of the creatures above. What is it? All we know is that it hides and shadows and loves a good contract.

This book was everything I hoped it would be ever since I heard about it. It was one of my most-anticipated titles of the year and Starling didn’t disappoint. It was gory, unhinged, captivating, angry, and strangely sexy at times. I had a ton of fun. 5⭐️



I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Body Horror/Cosmic Horror/Feminist Horror/Historical Horror/Horror/LGBTQ Horror/Religious Horror/Sapphic

I cannot lie. I don't know how I truly feel about this book. I loved the premise. I loved the whole medieval, poly, lesbian, cannibalistic, horror aspect. I felt at times it was too dense and got confusing to where I would have to reread or stop reading and return to it. This book was definitely written for a certain audience. I wish I understood some of the antagonists better. Overall, this was a solid book. I just urge that it will not be for everyone.

Thank you NetGalley, Caitlin Starling, and Harper Voyager for allowing me to read an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling is out today!

"She can trade one escort for another. A king is not so different from a madowman"

The Starving Saints was an incredible book that kept me on my toes with the story and characters.

The story was honestly so good! the elements of horror that slowly crept through the sides as the story developed was honestly the best part!!
I could not have guessed at the end how the story would end, but I sure as hell enjoyed the path to get there! Phosyne and Voynes' development and relationship had me losing my mind, truly one of a kind wlw horror book! Please give it a chance, and beware of the horrors you will encounter in Aymar Castle

Eat or be eaten.

Lady knight seems to be becoming a trend, and since I am an original Alanna stan, I'm all for it. There were so many things I loved about this book: the eerie, unsettling, and claustrophic atmosphere of Aymar Castle, gory depictions of the delirious and hedonistic bacchanalia, exploration of the morality of actions taken in desperation, experiencing scenes through multiple POVs, everything about our three main characters. At times it felt like the plot was going in circles, and the ending was a bit too tidy for my taste, but overall a fantastic read. Also, I learned a bunch of fun new medieval words like gambeson and contravallation!

Read if you like: Brienne of Tarth, Tamora Pierce's Alanna, Yellowjackets, alchemy, beekeeping.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the free e-ARC!

The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling is a visceral fever dream of a novel, and I loved every minute of it. Starling creates an exquisite balance between gory and beautiful, and continually keeps you unsure of what is real. It is set in a besieged medieval castle and told from the perspective of three women (a mad woman, a lady knight, and a noblewoman turned servant set on revenge), and there is some great sapphic love in there. I could not put this book down and can't wait for the next book by Caitlin Starling (if you haven't read The Death of Jane Lawrence, I highly recommend that one, too!). I would especially recommend The Starving Saints to fans of Gideon the Ninth.

A castle under siege. Three women forced to find freedom from their strife. And the intoxicating draw of The Saints, –the potential saviors of the people. Can the inhabitants of Aymar Castle make it out alive with their sanity and souls intact?

The Starving Saints lives up to the promise of an “intensely atmospheric fever dream of medieval horror”. It's one of the darkest novels I've ever had the pleasure of reading.

I was transfixed, horrified, and ultimately unnerved throughout the whole of the novel. I felt like I was slowly losing my touch with reality as I followed the interlocking narratives of three extremely unreliable characters. Did I understand the entirety of this book? Absolutely not. Did I have a fun time? Also no. Is it one of the best books I've read this year? Yes, hands down.

I had to read in small chunks, savoring each tidbit. Slowly immersing myself into the madness of Aymar Castle. And it was madness incarnate. Nothing prepared me, or the inhabitants, for what was about to transpire.

Starling is a master with words and descriptions. I’ve never had such a visceral response to a book I was reading. There were so many times when I felt ill, lost my appetite, or felt claustrophobic and anxious. I had no idea how anything would turn out.

If you are looking for something unlike anything you've ever read, then look no further. Because once you get a taste, you'll only be craving more.