Not unlike Agustina Bazterrica's novel "The Unworthy" released earlier this year, Starling's "The Starving Saints" is a bit of isolation mixed with religious horror mixed with WTF is going on?! energy. Whereas "The Unworthy" is postapocalyptic, though, "The Starving Saints" takes place in and around a besieged castle in an unspecified medieval time.
The people are starving and the main character Phosyne is tasked with creating food out of nothing. Impossible! But then again, she has done the impossible before...
There is panic, unease, and anxiety as the end looms ever closer, until a group of seeming saints come to the castle to "save" the people.
It is a fun if harrowing read, and I lean toward comparing it to "The Unworthy" because there is this theme of starvation and being cut off from the outside world, but also a similar feeling of not knowing what is going on. The multiple points of view - including of one character who is bewitched/befuddled - help to keep the reader guessing exactly what's going on.
If you like your horror gory, blasphemous, and medieval (a bit like Buehlman's "Between Two Fires" if they were under siege instead of on the road), this is the book for you!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Wow, this was one horrifying descent into a fever nightmare painted with all the atmospheric gothic vibes. You're going to ask yourself, what is the cost of salvation?

The castle is under siege, and the inhabitants are trapped without food until the holy saints bring them hope (of madness).

There is something horrifying when elements are tastefully subtle. You let your imagination run rampant and I think this is the true essence of a horror story. The ones that don't give you all the answers, and the psychological aspects are just as much a monster.

A fascinating read in the exploration of the descent of madness of human nature.

DNF at 48%

The premise seemed interesting the execution was a snooze fest. I was bored throughout the entirety of what I read. It was very atmospheric and gothic, but that just isn't enough to keep my attention and interest. I wanted more creepiness, more gore (from the cannibalism), just more! I don't think medieval horror is my jam.

IT'S THE YEAR OF LADY KNIGHTS Y'ALL LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

I love queer horror!! And add in a side of cannibalism? I'm there.

I loved Last to Leave the Room by Caitling Starling and this book read very similarly to me though it is different in almost every way. It's the vibes that Starling does so well that made the books feel comparable. Both books started a bit slow to me, but this one picked up faster, in my opinion, probably because it has a fantasy element and medieval setting.

The Starving Saints focuses on three weird gals living in a castle that has been under siege for 6 months. Food is almost gone, and things have gotten dire enough that some big decisions are about to be made. We follow Phosyne, the madwoman who has been asked for a miracle; Ser Voyne, the King's right hand who has been tasked with minding said madwoman; and Treila, a disgraced and displaced noblewoman turned servant who knows Ser Voyne from her past life and is seeking revenge for the murder of her father.

Starling's characters are all so dynamic and so themselves that I had no trouble differentiating who was who even as POVs might switch from scene to scene. The author does such a good job of setting the tone for each person's inner monologue whether it be a concerned and cowardly madness or rage-filled scheming. I always knew who was who which I can't always say with books. I also looooooveee the development of the relationships (REAL enemies to lovers here folks!!!) and the vibesssss! Idk how to even explain it but like "I am your sword to use even though I don't want to be" type shit. Like "I yearn to do your bidding but hate when you actually tell me what to do" type shit idkkkk!!!!

Then there was the horror and the gore and the story at large. Starling is immaculate at this descent into madness feeling where, as a reader, I almost fall into it along with the characters. It's this slow creeping feeling of dread behind a veneer of normalcy or good, trying to see the real face behind a unnervingly perfect mask. This story definitely had an aspect of body horror which is my favorite as well as mind control and creepy creatures.

As always, this was an incoherent rant, I hope everyone reads this especially if you love queer horror or cannibalism or lady knights!!!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for my ARC!

This book was a lot… this is not a fun popcorn horror this is a unsettling, anxiety inducing, lose your appetite type of horror that stays with you, so it was a bit of a tough read. This book is a medieval horror fantasy that follows a village under siege for 6 month with no food things get desperate and fever dream-esque leaving me equal parts confused and horrified. I had a tough time with this book some of these scenes were so well written they had me cringing but at the same time I felt like I was thrown in the deep end and spent the first part of the book trying to piece together who was who and what was what which was a bit confusing at times. The second half the book gets unhinged but was quite entertaining. I really enjoyed this authors writing but just did not quite click with this story. I hope to read more from this author in the future, and hopefully stop being grossed out by the sight of meat. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling is a book that grips you by the throat and doesn’t let go, even when you’re not entirely sure what’s happening. And trust me, that’s a good thing. At first, I kept restarting, lost in the chaos of Aymar Castle’s siege, where starvation has warped reality and desperation makes people monstrous. But once I gave in to the madness, I was in it.

This book is deliciously messed up. A gothic horror feast (sometimes literally) of religious delirium, cannibalism, and betrayal, all wrapped in a surreal, almost dreamlike atmosphere. The arrival of the Constant Lady and her Saints turns the castle’s survivors into worshipful devotees, and the line between salvation and damnation blurs fast.

But the real heart of the story? The three women fighting to stay sane in the middle of it all:

- Ser Voyne, the battle-hardened knight who swears loyalty to the Lady (but maybe shouldn’t).
- Phosyne, the chaotic nun-turned-sorceress, racing to uncover the truth (while low-key causing more problems).
- Treila, the vengeful servant girl torn between fury and desire (and honestly? Same).

And oh my god, the tension between them. The way their loyalties shift, the way they orbit each other with a mix of resentment, longing, and desperation. are they in love? Enemies? Am I in love? I don’t know, but I was obsessed.

This book is not for the faint of heart, it’s brutal, weird, and unapologetically queer, with a slow-burn descent into madness. If you love horror that makes you question reality, messy women making terrible choices, and relationships that are as toxic as they are magnetic, you need this book.

This is such a unique book. I don't think I've ever read anything like it.

Usually, I don't truly enjoy books that read like fever dreams and that require me to be okay with feeling lost or disoriented, but this time it really worked for me because it made perfect sense that the story developed that way.

This blends dark fantasy with horror in a medieval setting, and you'll find madness, magic, cannibalism, and monsters.

The 3 main characters are super interesting and their journeys are very compelling because while they're different, they need each other to make the best choices in the crazy circumstances they're in.

Also, the author did a great job of creating an eerie, confusing atmosphere. This book is a trip and it won't always make sense, but that's part of the horror and, if you're okay with that, you should definitely give it a try.

This one was so close to perfect! Maybe I'm being too nit-picky, but I needed more seige-induced mass panic. There was a brief riot in the beginning, during which the reader is introduced to Ser Voyne, acting as the king's crowd controller and attack dog. But after that, the chaotic swell and the inhumane desperation of the people as a whole, reappears only at "feasting times." There's a late-game scene in the smithy, where the hungry populace comes barging in like zombies, but most of the brutality and tactical coercion happens offstage. At times it gave the impression that this was a small village under attack rather than an entire castle full to bursting.

Starling is an excellent story teller! The Constant Lady and her Saints are certainly inspired by real medieval relic cults that played on the gullibility of pilgrims for profit. However, if you know your folklore, especially the fae, you'll realize the danger our heroes are in. I loved that each character had their own motive. You're never sure who is going to survive at the end, or at least, how. These creatures are much older than they seem, organic, feeding off the weaknesses and baser nature of humans, and best left unexplained. It's repulsive and alluring, shocking and beautiful!

4 1/2 out of 5 on Instagram!

This was weird and I loved it. I don’t normally go towards this type of story but I’m so glad I dad, it was bizarre and dark and intriguing. I also loved the prose, I think this book wouldn’t have worked if someone else had written. I will give this caveat though: this is definitely not for everyone. You spend a lot of the time not knowing exactly what’s going on and you also kind of feel like you’re going crazy along with the characters. However, if you embrace it and go in it for the vibes you’ll really enjoy it.

ARC provided by NetGalley

Wow, this was a wild ride. A special potion of medieval times, a little cannibalism and throw in sapphic lovers. It did take a little bit for the story to get going for me but I love where it went!

I loved The Death of Jane Lawrence and Last to Leave the Room.
And I’m happy to say the same about her newest title.
Immediately after reading the description I knew I had to read it.
The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling is a story that will grab the reader from the first page and continues to build more intrigue up to the last page.
Very well written and an absolutely riveting book.
Her atmospheric and lyrical writing was just amazing. Keeping me glued to the pages.

Oh, how to describe this fever dream within a fever dream? This sapphic, cannibalistic, fuck the patriarchy horror bacchanalia is somehow even more evocative than any of those words can manage to splice together, and I ate it up like honey fed to me on one knee.

As much as reviews can help especially for books like this where at times you're entirely unsure of what's happening, do yourself a favor and go in blind. Granted, this book is not for everyone, but if turning religious iconography on its head while being a female knight with blood of steel, a madwoman who may be a witch, a saint, or something far more wicked, or a woman fueled more by bitterness and vengeance than by air piques your interest, this book will exceed every single one of your expectations.

The more I read the deeper I fell, to the point where as I finished the book I stayed awake the entire night just to ensure I didn't have to fall asleep without knowing what happened. It's an intense character study that delves deep into personal motivations and the idea of evil itself all while not taking itself too seriously.

I cannot wait to read everything Caitlin Starling has ever touched. I hope they all feel as lush and unstoppably unhinged as this.

Thank you truly to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title!!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of this book! This was a WILD ride. By chapter 2 or 3, I was hooked. I honestly didn’t know where this book was going to go. Absolutely loved the characters and the character development within this book. The author did a good job of making me feel like I was really in the world of the book. I enjoyed the medieval magic system and the ancient magic feeling of the world. Such a great read. Would most definitely recommend this book!

Thank you first and foremost net galley and Caitlin Starling for allowing me to read this book in advance in exchange for an honest review! I loved this book and the atmospheric setting 3.75 stars

I looked forward to this book...but had a really hard time getting into it. I read a lot of horror and love religious horror. With that being said, I am generally not a fan of extreme horror and this book went into that direction too much for my taste.

A fascinating and magical take on what happens when a group of people are faced with the impossible: starve to death or make a miracle happen. This book was a wild journey from start to finish and had a lot of different things that I didn't know I wanted or needed from a book. Some highlights: the banquet reveal, the bees, Ser Voyne (as a whole), and all the intricate and fascinating lore built in. This was a winding journey into a dark pit that I couldn't stop reading and I'm so glad I got to read this ARC. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time!!

The people of Aymar have been suffering for six months—victims of a siege that has forced them into hiding behind the walls of Aymar castle. Food is running low and there has been no sign of rescue. But just as the survivors consider deliberately thinning their numbers, the castle stores are replenished with the sudden arrival of the Constant Lady and her Saints. Their saviors’ intentions aren’t entirely clear, and something far more sinister is happening at castle Aymar.

This book had everything I love in a horror novel: a gothic/medieval setting with dark fantasy elements, complex female characters with sapphic themes, and religious horror with a dramatic splash of cannibalism. This book was an intense experience that gave me whiplash. For about 75% of the book, I had no idea what was happening, and I don’t say that in a bad way. This book was a fever dream in the best of ways.

I love how hunger is the entire theme of this book. It’s threaded through Starling’s beautiful prose, and I loved how each of our three main characters were molded differently by their own hunger. Loved how this was done!

Overall, I really had no idea what was happening most of this book, but I am pretty sure I loved it. It’s one of those books that I feel will either be hit or miss with readers, so I recommend picking it up to see where it lands with you!

Special thanks to NetGalley, Caitlin Starling, and Harper Voyager the approval of this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I loved how dark and gritty this story was. It was so compelling and attention grabbing, it was hard to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I ultimately did not enjoy this book - however there was so much potential and it is was what kept me reading. The initial horror of a castle starving was a good hook - however I feel there was so much repetitive details that it quickly became boring and lost the eeriness of what was at play. As for the three main characters - again it felt like they just kept running back and forth doing and saying the same thing for 60% of the book so the end did not have the impact I hoped. Yes there is gore and cannibalism but it loses it's effect after you realize there is no point.

This is my first book from this author, while I didn't enjoy the plot in this book - I am interested in checking out her other works.

what happens when strange beings arrive at a besieged palace telling its people they are their saints and they are going to save them from the hunger that's killing them?

well, that's the plot of this story. three different women who are somehow interconnected navigating a new situation they are thrust upon, where they have to be careful of who they trust and what they do, EAT OR BE EATEN.

if you're looking for something with sapphics, a little bit of gore, cannibalism, magical realism, and a female centered book than this is for you!

i'd highly recommend listening to 'prelude to ecstasy" by the last dinner party while reading, it adds to the vibes.