A review by bookishvicky
The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling

challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an advanced copy of The Starving Saints for a fairf and honest review!

Rating: 4.75 stars
Pub Date:  May 20 2025

“‘She said a faithless tongue was worth more as food than to eat food.’”

Having read The Death of Jane Lawrence, I was ready for Starling’s twisting, vivid language layered with uncomfortable dread and horror– and BOY, was I not prepared well enough. 

The Starving Saints is a masterpiece of silent terror, raw desperation, and tooth and nail survival only for those hopes to quickly be swallowed up–literally.

Something Sterling does so well in her writing is how startling and casual the violence is. Many times I found myself gasping and pausing to reread what had been so nonchalantly placed before me. Like lifting the cloche to discover stomach-curdling gore only for the waiter to say, “Ah, my bad,” and deliver me my soup but now I really don’t want to know what’s in that soup. 

Each protagonist had such distinct voices, and usually I’m not a fan of books that shift perspectives eavery chapter. But this was done perfectly. While Starling’s writing is confusing and hazy and hard to get a grasp on, her characterization, settings, and tension are wonderfully executed. 

The only complaint I have is that at times it was a bit confusing to figure out key plot points. Like, yes, I don’t want the monsters over-explained and ruined for me, but some of their actions were confusing and I had to reread sections to understand the lore of the world. 

Overall, I loved this book! I’ve never read any other medieval horror, and The Starving Saints has set the bar incredibly high for me. 
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