Medieval Sapphic Horror that Reads Like a Heart-Racing Fever Dream

This post includes affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission when you make a purchase through them.

Emily holds a PhD in English from the University of Southern Mississippi, MS, and an MFA in Creative Writing from GCSU in Milledgeville, GA. She enjoys reading, watching horror movies and musicals, cuddling with cats, sharing cat pictures on Instagram, and blogging and podcasting about books at #BookSquadGoals (www.booksquadgoals.com). Contact Emily at emily.ecm@gmail.com.
View All posts by Emily Martin

Are you eagerly awaiting the warm weather and sunshine of summer, or are you eagerly anticipating the arrival of Halloween as the leaves change color? If you belong to the latter group, I have the perfect non-beach read for you this summer. This is a special treat for all horror enthusiasts who cherish the dark months and enjoy the bizarre. You’re going to love this one.

The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling
Caitlin Starling is an author who defies categorization. Her debut novel, The Luminous Dead, is a sapphic scientist. 2021’s The Death of Jane Lawrence is a gothic romance. In her latest work, The Starving Saints, Starling takes readers to Aymar, a medieval castle besieged by hunger. The residents are desperate for hope, and it arrives in the form of the divine Constant Lady and her three saints. Despite the castle being locked, these figures bring food and a promise of a brighter future. While most welcome this gift, our three main characters are wary.

Phosyne, a former nun turned madwoman after purifying the castle’s water, believes she summoned the Constant Lady. Ser Voyne, a knight tasked with overseeing Phosyne’s experiments, initially pledges loyalty to the divine visitors but soon realizes their power. Treila, a noblewoman turned servant seeking revenge, struggles to escape the castle and settle a score with Ser Voyne.

As the castle plunges into chaos, our protagonists navigate madness while questioning the identity and intentions of the saints and the Constant Lady. The escalating tension draws readers into a sinister fever dream, making it a must-read anti-beach book for 2025.

Enjoy your weekend reading, book lovers! Follow me on Instagram @Emandhercat and explore my other newsletters, The Fright Stuff and Book Radar.