Review: The Starving Saints | Caitlin Starling
Summary:
Aymar Castle has been under siege for six months. Food is running low and there has been no sign of rescue. But just as the survivors consider deliberately thinning their number, the castle stores are replenished. The sick are healed. And the divine figures of the Constant Lady and her Saints have arrived, despite the barricaded gates, offering succor in return for adoration.
Soon, the entire castle is under the sway of their saviors, partaking in intoxicating feasts of terrible origin. While the war hero Ser Voyne gives her allegiance to the Constant Lady, Phosyne, a disorganized, paranoid nun-turned-sorceress, races to unravel the mystery of these new visitors and exonerate her experiments as their source. And in the bowels of the castle, a serving girl, Treila, is torn between her thirst for a secret vengeance against Voyne and the desperate need to escape from the horrors that are unfolding within Aymar’s walls.
As the castle descends into bacchanalian madness—forgetting the massed army beyond its walls in favor of hedonistic ecstasy—these three women are the only ones to still see their situation for what it is. But they are not immune from the temptations of the castle's new masters… or each other; and their shifting alliances and entangled pasts bring violence to the surface. To save the castle, and themselves, will take a reimagining of who they are, and a reorganization of the very world itself.
Bookstats:
-Published in 2025
-Pages: 334
-Genre: historical fantasy horror
My opinion:
I absolutely loved reading this book. The characters, the setting, the magic, the religion and the horror were all presented in an abstract yet easy-to-follow way. The author’s writing style strikes a good balance between action and description. I've had this book on my tbr-list since it came out and it did not disappoint. It is the first book I've read of this author and now I’m definitely going to read her earlier books.
There are three main characters: Voyne, Phosyne and Treila. Each chapter switches between these three women. They each have their own personality, their own voice and their own goal. I enjoyed reading what they thought of one another and how differently they dealt with a situation.
The story is set in a castle, and despite the small setting, the world in which it unfolds is well thought out and effectively conveyed. This immediately draws you in.
The religion is also beautifully described and is entirely unique. The fantasy elements are incorporated into the book in my favourite way: no explanation is given. You get to see glimpses of it, and the characters express their views on it, but the magic isn’t explained in terms of our reality.
The horror is subtle, which makes it all the more striking to me, and the book doesn’t shy away from any subject. To me, that’s a sign of good horror. I would, however, advise you to read the content warnings beforehand (I recommend Storygraph for this). This book is certainly not for everyone.
Like I said at the beginning I absolutely loved this book en that's why i give it 10/10 stars.
—Iris
