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wickedgrumpy 's review for:
The Starving Saints
by Caitlin Starling
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The medieval cloistered atmosphere created was en pointe, the desperation was practically dripping from the page, and in general I enjoyed my time being spooked by this novel.
Some minor qualms that I have is that I kind of wish it went further. Below in spoilers I will briefly address it:
The religious idolatry could have been more developed, though our main character Phosyne was cast out so I understand the lack of on page presence. The hunger was present from page one with the hoarding of meagre supplies, the scavenging, but it almost felt like the saints came too soon and I couldn't help but think of the secreted storage of dried food two of our three POVs had. The "magic" that Phone devised was primarily about relatability as far as I could discern and I kind of wish there was more explanation since it seems like the saints were based on fae: eating their food means they own you, making trickily worded bargains, hurt by iron, etc.
If I have more thoughts I will add them later.
Some minor qualms that I have is that I kind of wish it went further. Below in spoilers I will briefly address it:
If I have more thoughts I will add them later.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism