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Starlings
A dark YA fantasy debut perfect for fans of House of Hollow and Small Favors. In the wake of her father's death, a teen girl discovers a side of her family she didn't know existed, and is pulled into a dark--and ancient--bargain she is next in line to fulfill.
Kit's father had always told her he had no family, but four months ago his sudden death revealed the truth. Now she has a grandmother she never knew she had--Agatha Starling--and an invitation to visit her father's hometown, Rosemont.
And Rosemont . . . it's picture perfect: the famed eternal roses bloom year-round, downtown is straight out of the 1950s . . . there's even a cute guy to show Kit around.
The longer Kit's there, though, the stranger it all feels. The Starling family is revered, but there's something off about how the Starling women seem to be at the center of the all the town's important history. And as welcoming as the locals are, Kit can't shake the feeling that everyone seems to be hiding something from her.
Agatha is so happy to finally meet her only granddaughter, and the town is truly charming, but Kit can't help wondering, if everything is so great in Rosemont, why did her father ever leave? And why does it seem like he never wanted her to find it?
Kit's father had always told her he had no family, but four months ago his sudden death revealed the truth. Now she has a grandmother she never knew she had--Agatha Starling--and an invitation to visit her father's hometown, Rosemont.
And Rosemont . . . it's picture perfect: the famed eternal roses bloom year-round, downtown is straight out of the 1950s . . . there's even a cute guy to show Kit around.
The longer Kit's there, though, the stranger it all feels. The Starling family is revered, but there's something off about how the Starling women seem to be at the center of the all the town's important history. And as welcoming as the locals are, Kit can't shake the feeling that everyone seems to be hiding something from her.
Agatha is so happy to finally meet her only granddaughter, and the town is truly charming, but Kit can't help wondering, if everything is so great in Rosemont, why did her father ever leave? And why does it seem like he never wanted her to find it?
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2023
About the author
Amanda Linsmeier
17 books155 followersAmanda Linsmeier has been a book nerd as long as she can remember, and it was that great love of reading—especially R.L. Stine books and fairytales—that brought her to writing her own things. A self-proclaimed wimp, she finds courage in making up stories that scare her a little, and she hopes to scare you a little bit, too. She feels most joyful when writing, scream-singing her favorite songs, playing in the water, and laughing with her beloved family. She lives in a small blue house surrounded by trees and cornfields, with a man who smells like maple syrup and woodsmoke. Together they have three wonderfully wild children, and, somehow, five pets, including two dogs and three half-feral cats. At the time of writing this, a fourth cat is attempting to adopt her. His name is Mercury.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
June 29, 2023
This stunning book cover definitely earns its shiny five stars! Welcome to Rosemont looks like a film set town from 50’s, which is famous with its magical roses blooming even at the end of December, giving you extra creepy vibes with its scrutinizing, prying townies!
After losing her father, poor Kit finds about the existence of her grandma! Her father thought that he was orphan. Why did he lie about his parents?
17 years old Kit decides to learn more about her estranged grandma for honoring her late father’s memory, taking a trip to the eerie town she’s been living alongside her grieving mother.
But as soon as she takes her first step into this ominous place giving red flags to her for going back where she came from, she thinks her instincts play games with her.
Even though townies act like she’s the reason of their existence, calling her with full name as Katherine. It seems her family name Starling also carries extra power in this town. Her grandma waltzes like an empress as each person is ready to bow in front of her.
Why her father left the town at the young age by cutting his connections? Why is the Starlings powerful in town? Why her mother’s health deteriorated since she arrived the town? Who is exactly her charming tour guide named Bear? Why is he so interested in her?
There are so many questions blurt out from her mind but as Kit starts getting those answers, her mind blows away! She realizes she finds herself in more dangerous situation than she can ever imagine! Her plan to stay at town for 8 days is doomed to fail!
Midsommar meets House of Hollow is alluring concept. This is riveting and absolutely dark, intense YA fantasy reading you can devour in one sitting.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s/ Delacorte Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
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After losing her father, poor Kit finds about the existence of her grandma! Her father thought that he was orphan. Why did he lie about his parents?
17 years old Kit decides to learn more about her estranged grandma for honoring her late father’s memory, taking a trip to the eerie town she’s been living alongside her grieving mother.
But as soon as she takes her first step into this ominous place giving red flags to her for going back where she came from, she thinks her instincts play games with her.
Even though townies act like she’s the reason of their existence, calling her with full name as Katherine. It seems her family name Starling also carries extra power in this town. Her grandma waltzes like an empress as each person is ready to bow in front of her.
Why her father left the town at the young age by cutting his connections? Why is the Starlings powerful in town? Why her mother’s health deteriorated since she arrived the town? Who is exactly her charming tour guide named Bear? Why is he so interested in her?
There are so many questions blurt out from her mind but as Kit starts getting those answers, her mind blows away! She realizes she finds herself in more dangerous situation than she can ever imagine! Her plan to stay at town for 8 days is doomed to fail!
Midsommar meets House of Hollow is alluring concept. This is riveting and absolutely dark, intense YA fantasy reading you can devour in one sitting.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s/ Delacorte Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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March 6, 2024
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Rosemont is an idealistic little town that looks like it could have come out of a Norman Rockwell painting, and is famous for its "eternal roses." But when Kit goes there with her mother to visit the paternal grandmother her father never told her existed, a pall hangs over the town. Everyone stares at her, whispering her name. She hears a strange man's voice in the middle of the night. And what's this about a festival?
STARLINGS is a pretty solid YA gothic novel with some genuinely creepy scenes and an empowered bisexual heroine and, of course, the hawt and sinister villain. I honestly wasn't expecting this to be as sensual as it was, and there were some excellent body horror scenes and implied grotesqueness that made me squirm.
Points off because it got a little weird in the third act and there wasn't as much build-up with the love interests (who weren't really love interests) as I would have liked. But if you're into vibes and atmosphere, and love folk horror, this is your jam. I recommend this particularly to fans of Ann Fraistat's WHAT WE HARVEST.
3.5 stars
January 14, 2023
If you ever wished Stars Hollow had more things that went bump in the night, STARLINGS is for you! Linsmeier’s haunting mystery held me captive, eager to learn all of Rosemont’s dark secrets.
July 14, 2023
Star Rating: —> 4.5 Stars
Wow. WowwowWOW! This was one hell of a thrill ride! More of a creepy fantasy haunted house ride with mild scares, but that didn’t change the impact of the mood of the mystery… I was dying to know what was at the very root of things the entire time! There was just this underlying air of sinister energy the whole book! Sure, a few things were easily guessable, but the rest? NOPE. I cannot wait to check out more from this author! I loved how well she wove fantastical elements with the horror elements! It was nothing short of masterful. We love a f*cked up town with a fantasy horror mystery😂!
I was wholly & truly impressed! I also loved that the author made the MC Bi! Bisexuality never gets near enough representation in books!
All in all I cannot recommend this enough!
A huge thank you to NetGalley & Random House Children’s Publishing for the ARC! This in no way changed my opinion or review!
Wow. WowwowWOW! This was one hell of a thrill ride! More of a creepy fantasy haunted house ride with mild scares, but that didn’t change the impact of the mood of the mystery… I was dying to know what was at the very root of things the entire time! There was just this underlying air of sinister energy the whole book! Sure, a few things were easily guessable, but the rest? NOPE. I cannot wait to check out more from this author! I loved how well she wove fantastical elements with the horror elements! It was nothing short of masterful. We love a f*cked up town with a fantasy horror mystery😂!
I was wholly & truly impressed! I also loved that the author made the MC Bi! Bisexuality never gets near enough representation in books!
All in all I cannot recommend this enough!
A huge thank you to NetGalley & Random House Children’s Publishing for the ARC! This in no way changed my opinion or review!
Want to read
April 27, 2023I wrote this book, and I'm really proud to make my YA debut with it! After working toward this dream for so very long, I can't believe release day is almost here. I hope you love this story as much as I loved writing it.
Thank you, readers, very much-- for all your support.
Thank you, readers, very much-- for all your support.
May 12, 2024
Rose horror, a strange small town, a cursed family and perfect for fans of “House of Hollow”? I feel like I should have loved this book, but it was just always on the verge of being completely boring. I did not care.
July 17, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! The roses, small town festival, missing people, really all of it was unique and kept you hooked. Kit was a good and headstrong main character. The one thing I had a slight problem with though was how quickly the love interests moved.
Would recommend.
Would recommend.
January 16, 2024
I received an ARC from Netgalley
TW: implied suicide, death of a parent, mentioned starvation, drowning, implied torture,
3.3
Starlings is, in a lot of ways, one of many. This is a book that fits into well received trends, and doesn't work that hard to reshape or add to them. However, that doesn't mean it isn't an enjoyable read.
As I said, this book definitely plays off of a popular trend- Midsommar, creepy small towns, feminist horror. From that alone, I do genuinely think people who search out these areas in horror will like this read. It knows what it's doing, and does it fairly confidently.
The festival and its roses add a level of eeriness and uncertainty that I enjoyed, and there are moments of prose and well created visuals that are incredibly effective.
However, I did expect- particularly since the concept on its own isn't that unique- this to be more character driven. None of the characters felt multi-faceted or fleshed out, beyond maybe Agatha. The flatness of the characters made the whole story feel flatter.
The horror element, too, was not that strong. This was certainly more of a light horror novel than a heavy, dark one- which may be what you're looking for.
TW: implied suicide, death of a parent, mentioned starvation, drowning, implied torture,
3.3
Starlings is, in a lot of ways, one of many. This is a book that fits into well received trends, and doesn't work that hard to reshape or add to them. However, that doesn't mean it isn't an enjoyable read.
As I said, this book definitely plays off of a popular trend- Midsommar, creepy small towns, feminist horror. From that alone, I do genuinely think people who search out these areas in horror will like this read. It knows what it's doing, and does it fairly confidently.
The festival and its roses add a level of eeriness and uncertainty that I enjoyed, and there are moments of prose and well created visuals that are incredibly effective.
However, I did expect- particularly since the concept on its own isn't that unique- this to be more character driven. None of the characters felt multi-faceted or fleshed out, beyond maybe Agatha. The flatness of the characters made the whole story feel flatter.
The horror element, too, was not that strong. This was certainly more of a light horror novel than a heavy, dark one- which may be what you're looking for.
June 18, 2023
This was so twisted! I loved the whole vibe of this story. The small town and the peculiar little oddities that kept popping up were perfection for this horror.
The MC rolls into town with her mom after recently losing her father and finding out she has a grandmother. Turns out there is a lot more to this situation than a simple family reunion.
I liked the MC, and this town really just crept up on me. I could feel all the strangeness like I was there, and there are some parts of this that are truly chilling.
Out June 27, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
The MC rolls into town with her mom after recently losing her father and finding out she has a grandmother. Turns out there is a lot more to this situation than a simple family reunion.
I liked the MC, and this town really just crept up on me. I could feel all the strangeness like I was there, and there are some parts of this that are truly chilling.
Out June 27, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
September 2, 2023
Some things I liked, others not so much. The romance came out of nowhere.
Want to read
June 25, 2023GIMME ALL THE YA HORROR
May 28, 2024
Read the whole thing this morning and it left such little impact I forgot to log it.
August 11, 2023
ARC was given by NetGalley & Delacorte Press.
Content/Trigger Warnings: Loss of a loved one, grief, depictions of anxiety, brief mentions of dead animals, depictions of claustrophobia, abduction, death, murder, depictions of blood, scene of suicidal ideation, scene of forced drugging/sedation, manipulation, scenes of emesis, mentions of starvation (in the past), talk of cannibalism (in the past), graphic deaths recounted, scene of drowning
This was such a captivating read! Wow, friends. Truly, my curiosity was running wild with this book. I won’t lie, there were a few moments where I thought this might not live up to my expectations or I should, my high hopes for loving this book. After finishing this book, I can happily say that this was such a great read, perfect for the wintery season to give you some light goosebumps or tingles. And you can rest assured, I’m looking forward to what this author will have instore for us next!
Kit Starling is grieving the loss of her father, a huge inspiration to her and why she wants to become an author. When Kit finds out that she has a grandmother, after all this time, she and her mother set out to Rosemont. Filled with many questions of why her father lied and now even more secrets seem to be spilling out before her, on top of her mother missing Kit has more questions than ever. Something isn’t right in Rosemont, something much darker and it’s all linked back to her family, the Starlings.
I was a bit nervous, I won’t lie. Books surrounding mother-daughter relationships just haven’t been my cup of tea as of late. I have struggled with the dynamic for a while now and officially decided to bench it. So when I learned this have a very close-knit mother-daughter bond, I was a bit hesitant. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this dynamic. Despite my worries, I really enjoyed the bond Kit and her mother have. In their grief, it seemed to solidify their relationship and the way Kit’s mother is written, it’s very obvious how much she loves Kit and how devoted she is to her. I just really loved it and even Kit being fully determined to find her mother was really nice to see. I just really loved the both of them and their bond they share with one another.
Speaking of Kit, I was a little worried with Kit’s character, as well. There were moments where Kit almost came off as extremely oblivious and almost like she couldn’t put the bigger picture together, but despite that, I loved that her love for her mother was the fire that caused her to keep pushing forward, to seek out the answers she needed, and to ultimately put the bigger picture together. I was very pleasantly surprised by that. I appreciate the author made sure to not box Kit’s character into a particular hero role. Throughout this whole book, Kit truly just craves family and we see moments where she’s crumbling to pieces, but also finding family in places where she didn’t think she could have it. I really adored that. And I have to mention Kit is either bisexual or pansexual. There are two characters in this book that Kit is attracted to and let me just say, I love a good F/F romance where one of them is a monster girl. That’s all I’ll say.
Okay, that’s not all I’ll say. Let’s talk about about ‘Sabelle because I truly, with my whole chest, need fan art of this character. I fell madly in love with ‘Sabelle’s character. Now, I might be a little bias because I love anything with monsters, but her character really hit my intrigue when we get her first appearance. Truly, one of the best entrances for a character I’ve ever seen. ‘Sabelle’s whole personality reminds me of the wind, how it’s very light, but ever changing depending on seasons and weather. Honestly, I’m a little salty that it took a hot minute for her to come back into the storyline and I wish she would have been brough back sooner, but I still love her character and the scenes we do get were chef’s kiss.
Though there were many things I loved about this book and so, so many quotes, there were a few things that really held me back from fully loving it the way I hoped I would. While this is a subtle thing, it still irked me and there were a few scenes where Kit’s weight was brought up. Now, if it was to show the passage of time then I probably wouldn’t have an issue with it, but that wasn’t the case. There was a huge emphasis of how thin Kit was and it didn’t really serve any purpose. It was just a little annoying and felt like it took away from the story at times. I think my biggest issue with this book was that it became very predictable of the direction the book was going to go. Two of the big plot twists, I predicted right around the 40% mark and that kind of hindered my enjoyment once they were both confirmed. Though I will say, despite predicting those plot twists, the ending still surprised me and saved the book for me.
Overall, I’m trying so hard not to say too much. I genuinely believe the best way to go into this book is to go in not knowing a lot about it. I think if I would have know more about this book than I did, I don’t think I would love it the way I do. This was a really fun read though. I went into this book expecting mystery, maybe a little romance, and that’s exactly what I got, with some added bonuses. I loved the cover, I have so many quotes highlighted, and the important side characters like Beth and Miles just have my whole heart. If the cover of this book doesn’t entice you, let me just recommend that you give it a chance because it truly deserves it.
The quotes above were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
All thoughts, feelings, experiences, and opinions are honest and my own.
Instagram|Ko-fi|Throne
Content/Trigger Warnings: Loss of a loved one, grief, depictions of anxiety, brief mentions of dead animals, depictions of claustrophobia, abduction, death, murder, depictions of blood, scene of suicidal ideation, scene of forced drugging/sedation, manipulation, scenes of emesis, mentions of starvation (in the past), talk of cannibalism (in the past), graphic deaths recounted, scene of drowning
“The wind whispers, sending chills down my spine. It almost seems to call my name. Silkily, a caress against the back of my neck. Starling.”
This was such a captivating read! Wow, friends. Truly, my curiosity was running wild with this book. I won’t lie, there were a few moments where I thought this might not live up to my expectations or I should, my high hopes for loving this book. After finishing this book, I can happily say that this was such a great read, perfect for the wintery season to give you some light goosebumps or tingles. And you can rest assured, I’m looking forward to what this author will have instore for us next!
Kit Starling is grieving the loss of her father, a huge inspiration to her and why she wants to become an author. When Kit finds out that she has a grandmother, after all this time, she and her mother set out to Rosemont. Filled with many questions of why her father lied and now even more secrets seem to be spilling out before her, on top of her mother missing Kit has more questions than ever. Something isn’t right in Rosemont, something much darker and it’s all linked back to her family, the Starlings.
“What they had was imprinted on us forever. It will never die,” Agatha said. It will die, I silently vow. I’m going to be the one to kill it.”
I was a bit nervous, I won’t lie. Books surrounding mother-daughter relationships just haven’t been my cup of tea as of late. I have struggled with the dynamic for a while now and officially decided to bench it. So when I learned this have a very close-knit mother-daughter bond, I was a bit hesitant. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this dynamic. Despite my worries, I really enjoyed the bond Kit and her mother have. In their grief, it seemed to solidify their relationship and the way Kit’s mother is written, it’s very obvious how much she loves Kit and how devoted she is to her. I just really loved it and even Kit being fully determined to find her mother was really nice to see. I just really loved the both of them and their bond they share with one another.
Speaking of Kit, I was a little worried with Kit’s character, as well. There were moments where Kit almost came off as extremely oblivious and almost like she couldn’t put the bigger picture together, but despite that, I loved that her love for her mother was the fire that caused her to keep pushing forward, to seek out the answers she needed, and to ultimately put the bigger picture together. I was very pleasantly surprised by that. I appreciate the author made sure to not box Kit’s character into a particular hero role. Throughout this whole book, Kit truly just craves family and we see moments where she’s crumbling to pieces, but also finding family in places where she didn’t think she could have it. I really adored that. And I have to mention Kit is either bisexual or pansexual. There are two characters in this book that Kit is attracted to and let me just say, I love a good F/F romance where one of them is a monster girl. That’s all I’ll say.
“She tastes like salt and sugar and darkness, and the promise of light just barely beneath it. I shouldn’t want to kiss her this much. But I do it anyway.”
Okay, that’s not all I’ll say. Let’s talk about about ‘Sabelle because I truly, with my whole chest, need fan art of this character. I fell madly in love with ‘Sabelle’s character. Now, I might be a little bias because I love anything with monsters, but her character really hit my intrigue when we get her first appearance. Truly, one of the best entrances for a character I’ve ever seen. ‘Sabelle’s whole personality reminds me of the wind, how it’s very light, but ever changing depending on seasons and weather. Honestly, I’m a little salty that it took a hot minute for her to come back into the storyline and I wish she would have been brough back sooner, but I still love her character and the scenes we do get were chef’s kiss.
Though there were many things I loved about this book and so, so many quotes, there were a few things that really held me back from fully loving it the way I hoped I would. While this is a subtle thing, it still irked me and there were a few scenes where Kit’s weight was brought up. Now, if it was to show the passage of time then I probably wouldn’t have an issue with it, but that wasn’t the case. There was a huge emphasis of how thin Kit was and it didn’t really serve any purpose. It was just a little annoying and felt like it took away from the story at times. I think my biggest issue with this book was that it became very predictable of the direction the book was going to go. Two of the big plot twists, I predicted right around the 40% mark and that kind of hindered my enjoyment once they were both confirmed. Though I will say, despite predicting those plot twists, the ending still surprised me and saved the book for me.
“So I’ll say, when you get a chance run. And never look back. Or maybe just fight, like I’m not brave enough to do.”
Overall, I’m trying so hard not to say too much. I genuinely believe the best way to go into this book is to go in not knowing a lot about it. I think if I would have know more about this book than I did, I don’t think I would love it the way I do. This was a really fun read though. I went into this book expecting mystery, maybe a little romance, and that’s exactly what I got, with some added bonuses. I loved the cover, I have so many quotes highlighted, and the important side characters like Beth and Miles just have my whole heart. If the cover of this book doesn’t entice you, let me just recommend that you give it a chance because it truly deserves it.
The quotes above were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
All thoughts, feelings, experiences, and opinions are honest and my own.
Instagram|Ko-fi|Throne
February 24, 2023
Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK. I was enraptured with the dark, creepy tones, and as someone who devoured Wilder Girls, Small Favors, What We Harvest, and House of Hollow, I cannot recommend this enough. The characters, the description of the town, and the dialogue and non-stop events were nerve-wracking in the absolute best way. I kept anticipating what I thought might happen next, to be brought in a completely different direction every single time. SUCH a breath of fresh air. I immediately added this author to my watch list, and will be preordering this for my shelves!
January 5, 2024
STARLINGS, is the debut novel by author Amanda Linsmeier. To begin with, I felt it was well written, and while only a couple characters were "fleshed out" in my opinion, they were the ones that carried the story.
The first half, I felt very predictable, and honestly felt that I could tell the ending without reading it. However, a little after that point, it shifted and revealed things I didn't expect until the end. This changed the story dynamically as more details began to emerge, and things I hadn't "guessed" at were brought to light.
The second half felt much more detailed and complex than the first--the past happenings linked to the present were riveting, and I finished this section in one sitting.
Overall, a slow start, with a second half that made up for it. I'm interested in reading what the author comes up with next.
Recommended.
The first half, I felt very predictable, and honestly felt that I could tell the ending without reading it. However, a little after that point, it shifted and revealed things I didn't expect until the end. This changed the story dynamically as more details began to emerge, and things I hadn't "guessed" at were brought to light.
The second half felt much more detailed and complex than the first--the past happenings linked to the present were riveting, and I finished this section in one sitting.
Overall, a slow start, with a second half that made up for it. I'm interested in reading what the author comes up with next.
Recommended.
March 30, 2023
Monsters come in many forms, and the most chilling kind aren’t the kind that go bump in the night.
Fans of the Claire LeGrand’s Sawkill Girls will enjoy this dark contemporary fantasy about a quaint, small town with a terrifying secret and a fierce main character who is brave enough to break a brutal and seemingly impossible generational curse that holds her family and the entire town captive.
Things I loved:
- The subtle supernatural elements and original lore
The dark fantasy elements in the story were developed enough to set up a fascinating and original world where monsters and magic exist, but subtle enough to let your own imagination terrify you.
- A strong-willed FMC who can save herself
Kit finds herself in some terrifying scenarios and has little to no help from anyone. Even when she is able to form some bonds and friendships, there is not much others can do to get her out of the trouble she faces.
I loved how Kit was resilient and creative to create her own solutions when presented with ultimatums and impossible odds. Was she perfect? Did she always make smart decisions? Not at all.
There were plenty of times I found myself yelling at the pages, but her character was consistent, believable, and relatable.
I really enjoyed this story and nearly devoured it in one setting. The eerie suspense and the dark fantastical elements were well blended in this YA gem. I’m a fan and can’t wait to see what else Linsmeier has coming.
Things to note:
This story may include triggering content which includes but isn’t limited to:
Mention of and description of abuse/ torture, death/parent loss, abandonment, mention and depiction of murder, death, anxiety, and depression
Thank you to Netgalley, Random Children’s & Delacorte Press for a complimentary copy of this e-book. I am leaving a voluntary review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.
4.5 round to 5⭐️
Fans of the Claire LeGrand’s Sawkill Girls will enjoy this dark contemporary fantasy about a quaint, small town with a terrifying secret and a fierce main character who is brave enough to break a brutal and seemingly impossible generational curse that holds her family and the entire town captive.
Things I loved:
- The subtle supernatural elements and original lore
The dark fantasy elements in the story were developed enough to set up a fascinating and original world where monsters and magic exist, but subtle enough to let your own imagination terrify you.
- A strong-willed FMC who can save herself
Kit finds herself in some terrifying scenarios and has little to no help from anyone. Even when she is able to form some bonds and friendships, there is not much others can do to get her out of the trouble she faces.
I loved how Kit was resilient and creative to create her own solutions when presented with ultimatums and impossible odds. Was she perfect? Did she always make smart decisions? Not at all.
There were plenty of times I found myself yelling at the pages, but her character was consistent, believable, and relatable.
I really enjoyed this story and nearly devoured it in one setting. The eerie suspense and the dark fantastical elements were well blended in this YA gem. I’m a fan and can’t wait to see what else Linsmeier has coming.
Things to note:
This story may include triggering content which includes but isn’t limited to:
Mention of and description of abuse/ torture, death/parent loss, abandonment, mention and depiction of murder, death, anxiety, and depression
Thank you to Netgalley, Random Children’s & Delacorte Press for a complimentary copy of this e-book. I am leaving a voluntary review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.
4.5 round to 5⭐️
August 6, 2023
I picked this up because of all the glowing ratings, so now I'm here to ask: what book did y'all read? Cause I know it wasn't this one. This was comped with one of my favorite YA horror books ever, Small Favors by Erin A Craig, and I'm here to tell you this book is NOTHING like that one.
First off, this is not gothic. There are no creepy vibes. This town definitely doesn't feel like an ominous small town as much as it does a collection of tropes that should amount to an unsettling setting but don't. The side characters are not charming or helpful, but one dimensional set pieces to aid the plot. The writing was amateur at best.
Kit herself is selfish, immature, stupid, and unlikeable. I don't believe she's 17. In fact, I would barely believe you if you told me she was 12. She has no firm character traits besides being annoying and reckless and far too trusting.
The relationship with Kit and Bear is so rushed that you know something is wrong with him from the first moment he showed up. The relationship between Kit and Sabelle comes out of left field and felt like it was included for diversity brownie points. Randomly making out in the woods with a ghost girl you barely know enough to be friends with, that only speaks to you in riddles, that just robbed your ancestors grave? Insane.
Every single adult in this book has zero agency and does nothing to actually protect the minors in their care. They felt more like an illusion of adults than actual humans. Kit's grandmother especially was an infuriating character. She kept trying to normalize everything happening to Kit and was blind to the actual repercussions of her actions. You would think after Kit's mom went missing that would kick her into gear, but instead she got more aloof. Someone has to call CPS on this whole town. Wipe it off the map.
Jack is a caricature of a villain. He's cartoonishly evil and every one of his actions and lines made me roll my eyes. There was a weird cannibalism subplot that never got fully explained or resolved. I actually think it would have been more interesting to follow this.
I think this book could have been redeemed if you found out that her dad was looking into the town for the books he was writing and trying to untangle the curse on his family and that's why he committed suicide, but instead we got every horror trope in existence hodgepodged together and nothing worked.
I truly only finished this because of the high ratings and the comp title. I kept thinking there was going to be a twist that tied everything together and told me what I was missing, but this was just a mess. I have more questions than answers and this felt like wasted time.
First off, this is not gothic. There are no creepy vibes. This town definitely doesn't feel like an ominous small town as much as it does a collection of tropes that should amount to an unsettling setting but don't. The side characters are not charming or helpful, but one dimensional set pieces to aid the plot. The writing was amateur at best.
Kit herself is selfish, immature, stupid, and unlikeable. I don't believe she's 17. In fact, I would barely believe you if you told me she was 12. She has no firm character traits besides being annoying and reckless and far too trusting.
The relationship with Kit and Bear is so rushed that you know something is wrong with him from the first moment he showed up. The relationship between Kit and Sabelle comes out of left field and felt like it was included for diversity brownie points. Randomly making out in the woods with a ghost girl you barely know enough to be friends with, that only speaks to you in riddles, that just robbed your ancestors grave? Insane.
Every single adult in this book has zero agency and does nothing to actually protect the minors in their care. They felt more like an illusion of adults than actual humans. Kit's grandmother especially was an infuriating character. She kept trying to normalize everything happening to Kit and was blind to the actual repercussions of her actions. You would think after Kit's mom went missing that would kick her into gear, but instead she got more aloof. Someone has to call CPS on this whole town. Wipe it off the map.
Jack is a caricature of a villain. He's cartoonishly evil and every one of his actions and lines made me roll my eyes. There was a weird cannibalism subplot that never got fully explained or resolved. I actually think it would have been more interesting to follow this.
I think this book could have been redeemed if you found out that her dad was looking into the town for the books he was writing and trying to untangle the curse on his family and that's why he committed suicide, but instead we got every horror trope in existence hodgepodged together and nothing worked.
I truly only finished this because of the high ratings and the comp title. I kept thinking there was going to be a twist that tied everything together and told me what I was missing, but this was just a mess. I have more questions than answers and this felt like wasted time.
June 26, 2024
This book is a must-read for 2023.
Linsmeier explores cycles of generational trauma and abuse with a gentle, intentional touch in this gothic YA fantasy about a girl seeking answers about her deceased father.
You will fall in love with angsty Kit Starling and obsess over the creepy residents of Rosemont, home of the eternal roses and rife with legends of monsters who go bump in the night. The story is filled with twists, betrayals, and toe-curling kisses that will leave you flipping pages into the wee hours of the morning.
Linsmeier explores cycles of generational trauma and abuse with a gentle, intentional touch in this gothic YA fantasy about a girl seeking answers about her deceased father.
You will fall in love with angsty Kit Starling and obsess over the creepy residents of Rosemont, home of the eternal roses and rife with legends of monsters who go bump in the night. The story is filled with twists, betrayals, and toe-curling kisses that will leave you flipping pages into the wee hours of the morning.
March 13, 2024
Another one of those books that has been on the shelves for ages. In this case I don't even know why. Everything about this book speaks to me. However, I currently have over 600 unread physical copies, which means that there are a lot of books waiting patiently for me to read them. However, since I saw this book being compared to Small Favors and since I loved that book a lot I was ready to finally give this book a shot.
This book has indeed a lot in common with Small Favors. There is this small town that almost no one has ever heard off. Everyone in town is disconnected from the rest of the world. And it's clear that something very strange is going on. It takes quite some time before we really discover why this town is different, closed off from the world and is so focussed on old rituals and especially the one family having to complete them, but it's very worth it to wait for the reveals.
I also like the heroine in this story. Although the book is not that long, we really get to know Kit really well. Not only because we spend the entire book in her head, but also because we really understand why she is who she is, why she likes what she likes and why she's willing to fight for her mother so badly. I also like that it's clear that Kit is attracted to both boys and girls without the author making it a thing. It just happens and it's okay.
Just like Small Favors this book also has a sort of abrupt ending. I don't wanna give too much away, although I think the reason this story is told and not the story of the other girls before Kit does give a big hint about where this is going, but in a way we don't know exactly what the consequences of what actually happened are. I kinda like that. I also hope that maybe that means that the author will one day return to this town.
This book has indeed a lot in common with Small Favors. There is this small town that almost no one has ever heard off. Everyone in town is disconnected from the rest of the world. And it's clear that something very strange is going on. It takes quite some time before we really discover why this town is different, closed off from the world and is so focussed on old rituals and especially the one family having to complete them, but it's very worth it to wait for the reveals.
I also like the heroine in this story. Although the book is not that long, we really get to know Kit really well. Not only because we spend the entire book in her head, but also because we really understand why she is who she is, why she likes what she likes and why she's willing to fight for her mother so badly. I also like that it's clear that Kit is attracted to both boys and girls without the author making it a thing. It just happens and it's okay.
Just like Small Favors this book also has a sort of abrupt ending. I don't wanna give too much away, although I think the reason this story is told and not the story of the other girls before Kit does give a big hint about where this is going, but in a way we don't know exactly what the consequences of what actually happened are. I kinda like that. I also hope that maybe that means that the author will one day return to this town.
June 8, 2023
What would you do if strangers seemed to worship you? Would you be grateful for it? Feel shameful? What if it hinged entirely on a centuries old secret?
When Katherine “Kit�� Starling goes to visit her long-lost grandmother after her father’s death, she is ready to get some answers about her family. But the town of Rosemont may hold more secrets —and answers— than Kit may have bargained for. Strangers look upon her with reverence, whispers follow her on the street, and her grandma is pushing her to stay for the town’s so-called “Crowning Day.” As mysteries arise and people disappear, Kit has to learn what it means to be a Starling.
Blending aspects of House of Hollow, Midsommar, and something entirely unique to Amanda Linsmeier, Starlings is a perfect read for any fan of an unsettling mystery.
There were so many things I liked about this book: the mysterious and atmospheric setting, the incredible world-building, and a set of unpredictable twists and turns that will keep any reader reeling. Combined with an incomparably well-done cast of characters (and such a pretty cover!!), I found myself wanting to savor every minute of this book. I’m praying that this is a series so I can continue to get my fill.
My deepest thanks to Netgalley, Random House, and Amanda Linsmeier for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was my deepest pleasure to read such an astoundingly well-done book.
When Katherine “Kit�� Starling goes to visit her long-lost grandmother after her father’s death, she is ready to get some answers about her family. But the town of Rosemont may hold more secrets —and answers— than Kit may have bargained for. Strangers look upon her with reverence, whispers follow her on the street, and her grandma is pushing her to stay for the town’s so-called “Crowning Day.” As mysteries arise and people disappear, Kit has to learn what it means to be a Starling.
Blending aspects of House of Hollow, Midsommar, and something entirely unique to Amanda Linsmeier, Starlings is a perfect read for any fan of an unsettling mystery.
There were so many things I liked about this book: the mysterious and atmospheric setting, the incredible world-building, and a set of unpredictable twists and turns that will keep any reader reeling. Combined with an incomparably well-done cast of characters (and such a pretty cover!!), I found myself wanting to savor every minute of this book. I’m praying that this is a series so I can continue to get my fill.
My deepest thanks to Netgalley, Random House, and Amanda Linsmeier for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was my deepest pleasure to read such an astoundingly well-done book.
March 4, 2023
Spoiler-free Review
I know we shouldn't judge a book by its cover but come on. This one is literally stunning so of course I had to read it! Starlings is a dark YA fantasy novel that centers around Kit as she moves to Rosemont after her father's death. Right away Kit notices something just doesn't feel right. This book definitely had a creepy vibe to it. I absolutely loved the atmosphere the author created with Rosemont! I also did like following Kit's journey as she faced obstacles and searched for answers to her questions. It turns out there's more to Kit's family than she realized. This was another fun one-sitting read for me!
My reasoning for three stars.
The start of this book didn't really capture my attention much. It wasn't really till I read a good portion of the book for me to be obsessing over it. However I did read it all in one-sitting!
Do I recommend Starlings? I'd recommend this book to someone looking for a good creepy YA scary-not-so-scary read.
e-ARC provided by NetGalley and publisher (Thank you!)
I requested and received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
All thoughts and opinions are mine.
EXPECTED RELEASE DATE: June 27, 2023
REVIEWED: 3/4/2023
I know we shouldn't judge a book by its cover but come on. This one is literally stunning so of course I had to read it! Starlings is a dark YA fantasy novel that centers around Kit as she moves to Rosemont after her father's death. Right away Kit notices something just doesn't feel right. This book definitely had a creepy vibe to it. I absolutely loved the atmosphere the author created with Rosemont! I also did like following Kit's journey as she faced obstacles and searched for answers to her questions. It turns out there's more to Kit's family than she realized. This was another fun one-sitting read for me!
My reasoning for three stars.
The start of this book didn't really capture my attention much. It wasn't really till I read a good portion of the book for me to be obsessing over it. However I did read it all in one-sitting!
Do I recommend Starlings? I'd recommend this book to someone looking for a good creepy YA scary-not-so-scary read.
e-ARC provided by NetGalley and publisher (Thank you!)
I requested and received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
All thoughts and opinions are mine.
EXPECTED RELEASE DATE: June 27, 2023
REVIEWED: 3/4/2023
March 5, 2023
Starlings is an atmospheric read. I found myself pulled into the story and not wanting to put it down. I needed to keep reading.
Rosemont reminded me of places that felt familiar such as a creepy version of Stars Hollow. As soon as MC, Kit, enters this secluded little town I could feel that something was off. And when Kits mother went missing and she becomes determined to save her my heart really felt for her. She is put in an impossible situation and yet Kit continued to fight!
I think my favorite part of this story was the vibe. It was dark and mysterious, yet almost cozy. I enjoyed the reveal halfway through the book even though I called it pretty quickly. I felt satisfied in my knowing not irritated that it was obvious.
One thing I didn’t really care for was the MCs need to latch onto someone to love (and make out with). I understand there was an underlying theme involved with Kits revelation about herself but I think the story could have been just as strong without it. But that’s just my opinion.
Overall it was a gripping read and I’ll definitely be picking up books by Amanda Linsmeier in the future.
Rosemont reminded me of places that felt familiar such as a creepy version of Stars Hollow. As soon as MC, Kit, enters this secluded little town I could feel that something was off. And when Kits mother went missing and she becomes determined to save her my heart really felt for her. She is put in an impossible situation and yet Kit continued to fight!
I think my favorite part of this story was the vibe. It was dark and mysterious, yet almost cozy. I enjoyed the reveal halfway through the book even though I called it pretty quickly. I felt satisfied in my knowing not irritated that it was obvious.
One thing I didn’t really care for was the MCs need to latch onto someone to love (and make out with). I understand there was an underlying theme involved with Kits revelation about herself but I think the story could have been just as strong without it. But that’s just my opinion.
Overall it was a gripping read and I’ll definitely be picking up books by Amanda Linsmeier in the future.
June 8, 2023
Wow I LOVED this. Starlings follows a teen girl, Kit, who discovers a sinister side to her family when she visits her recently deceased father’s picture-perfect hometown. This honestly exceeded all my expectations. Linsmeier nails the atmosphere, Rosemont is so seemingly perfect it‘s eerie, and as the story progresses and more is revealed it feels like going on an old school Disneyland ride but the ride becomes absolutely deranged. This was such a dark, compelling read I literally had goosebumps long after I was finished.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
June 22, 2023
Starlings is the gothic book of this year for me. Filled with smoke and mirrors, a dark legacy, and a greedy creature with a strong hold on a whole town. I thought this would be filled with romance but it’s more of a family book, generations of women who have their say at some point and maybe it’s because of this that Kit’s journey is even more impactful. We have a main character grieving, and this book shows her no mercy!
Additionally, the prose was beautifully lyrical. I’ll read anything Amanda writes.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to have access to this book in Alex change for an honest review.
Additionally, the prose was beautifully lyrical. I’ll read anything Amanda writes.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to have access to this book in Alex change for an honest review.
October 31, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
March 13, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for an eARC of Starlings!
I recently started delving into the Horror genre and when I saw this pitched as Midsommer in Stars Hollow- I just had to read Starlings! Amanda Linsmeier perfectly captures reader by creating this dark and eerie atmosphere with the language and the dialogue. The tension hit just at the right spots and the characters were so realistic and I could really relate to the FMC, Kit. I definitely can't wait for this book to release and it's in my pre-orders!
I recently started delving into the Horror genre and when I saw this pitched as Midsommer in Stars Hollow- I just had to read Starlings! Amanda Linsmeier perfectly captures reader by creating this dark and eerie atmosphere with the language and the dialogue. The tension hit just at the right spots and the characters were so realistic and I could really relate to the FMC, Kit. I definitely can't wait for this book to release and it's in my pre-orders!
May 30, 2023
Starlings is a beautifully atmospheric story, filled with mystery and betrayal that will keep readers turning page after page until the very end! It's what I envisioned Stars Hollow could be if the town had a haunting secret. The characters are well written, & memorable. I would highly recommend this book to others!
April 3, 2023
Starlings by Amanda Linsmeier
This book was so creepy! From the moment Kit and her mom drive into Rosemont something feels off. The place is too perfect. They take a trip to the pleasantly perfect town to visit the grandmother Kit never knew she had. All anyone in town can talk about are the eternal roses and Crowning Day. Everywhere Kit goes she gets strange looks and people whispering about her behind her back. She finds out that her family, the Starlings, are famous for saving the town when it was first founded.
During their visit a lot of strange events start to occur around town. Children are found dead in the surrounding woods. Kit and her mom start to experience headaches and bodily pain. Halfway through the visit, Kit's mom even goes missing and no one takes it seriously. Even stranger is that her grandmother doesn’t seem to be worried at all. She even seems happy that Kit will most likely be staying for Crowning Day after all. This leads Kit to not trust her grandmother at all as well as question what is so important about the town’s upcoming festival.
One of the few comforts Kit has while in town is meeting Bear. He is a charming guy who happens to like many of the same things Kit does. He is even willing to help her break into the town museum to find answers about the town, her family, and her mom's disappearance.
Just as Kit is beginning to trust a few other people around town she learns that not everyone in town is who they say they are… Some are not even what they appear to be…
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good horror mystery! Thank you NetGalley, Amanda Linsmeier, and Random House Children’s Books for allowing me to read this advanced copy of Starlings! Also, I absolutely loved the look of the cover!
This book was so creepy! From the moment Kit and her mom drive into Rosemont something feels off. The place is too perfect. They take a trip to the pleasantly perfect town to visit the grandmother Kit never knew she had. All anyone in town can talk about are the eternal roses and Crowning Day. Everywhere Kit goes she gets strange looks and people whispering about her behind her back. She finds out that her family, the Starlings, are famous for saving the town when it was first founded.
During their visit a lot of strange events start to occur around town. Children are found dead in the surrounding woods. Kit and her mom start to experience headaches and bodily pain. Halfway through the visit, Kit's mom even goes missing and no one takes it seriously. Even stranger is that her grandmother doesn’t seem to be worried at all. She even seems happy that Kit will most likely be staying for Crowning Day after all. This leads Kit to not trust her grandmother at all as well as question what is so important about the town’s upcoming festival.
One of the few comforts Kit has while in town is meeting Bear. He is a charming guy who happens to like many of the same things Kit does. He is even willing to help her break into the town museum to find answers about the town, her family, and her mom's disappearance.
Just as Kit is beginning to trust a few other people around town she learns that not everyone in town is who they say they are… Some are not even what they appear to be…
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good horror mystery! Thank you NetGalley, Amanda Linsmeier, and Random House Children’s Books for allowing me to read this advanced copy of Starlings! Also, I absolutely loved the look of the cover!
April 10, 2023
Overall, I give this 3/5 stars.
Starlings by Amanda Linsmeier is an entertaining book about Kit Starling, who—after the sudden loss of her father—visits the grandmother she thought was dead and finds herself in a bit of a horror story. The book addresses themes of human selfishness: a town’s horrid history of murder and cannibalism finds its parallel in the residents’ traditional sacrifice of young women in order to maintain their own wealth and comfort. Over and over, they continue the cycle—‘others must die so that I can live. So that I can live as I would like.’ And all the while, they treat the Starlings with a disingenuous reverence. There is a lot to talk about thematically with this book. The twists were a bit predictable, but there is a compelling depth to the story, and Kit is a fairly well-written main character.
Additionally, the author handles the aftermath of suicide well. She explores Kit’s struggle with feeling abandoned by her father, a realistic feeling after the suicide of a loved one, and she does it without casting him as a villain.
The primary problem with this book was the pacing. The romance between Kit and Bear happens really fast, and then the relationship between Kit and Sabelle is even more jarring. I ended the book feeling like these two characters didn’t even know each other well enough to form a friendship, much less to start kissing in the woods. The ending is just as abrupt. The climax passes quickly. The denouement just drops you on the floor like a rag doll. It’s not falling action. It is plummeting action. Literally, Kit’s mother wakes up from being asleep, is told that a demon kidnapped her and tried to take her child as a bride, then learns that her daughter murdered the demon, and just kind of says, “By the way, I promise to stop parentifying you now. How about we get some therapy?” The story ended on a really strange note, and it felt like the resolution was an afterthought.
We also never got some answers to conflicts that seemed pretty important but then were just abandoned. How did Juliet die? Was Jack killing the Starling women when he was done with them? Did Daniel really never tell his wife about Rosemont? Why would the mom actually agree to take Kit there to see Agatha? It seems like an irresponsible choice, whether she knew or not. If she knew, WTF?!?! If she didn’t know, she still knew that her husband had claimed all his life that his family was dead and then been haunted by monsters from his past to the degree that he ended his own life. I would never have taken my child there. And so what if Agatha threatened to reach out on her own? Let her. I would still never take my child there. We never get an answer, and I waited for one until the very end.
Starlings by Amanda Linsmeier is an entertaining book about Kit Starling, who—after the sudden loss of her father—visits the grandmother she thought was dead and finds herself in a bit of a horror story. The book addresses themes of human selfishness: a town’s horrid history of murder and cannibalism finds its parallel in the residents’ traditional sacrifice of young women in order to maintain their own wealth and comfort. Over and over, they continue the cycle—‘others must die so that I can live. So that I can live as I would like.’ And all the while, they treat the Starlings with a disingenuous reverence. There is a lot to talk about thematically with this book. The twists were a bit predictable, but there is a compelling depth to the story, and Kit is a fairly well-written main character.
Additionally, the author handles the aftermath of suicide well. She explores Kit’s struggle with feeling abandoned by her father, a realistic feeling after the suicide of a loved one, and she does it without casting him as a villain.
The primary problem with this book was the pacing. The romance between Kit and Bear happens really fast, and then the relationship between Kit and Sabelle is even more jarring. I ended the book feeling like these two characters didn’t even know each other well enough to form a friendship, much less to start kissing in the woods. The ending is just as abrupt. The climax passes quickly. The denouement just drops you on the floor like a rag doll. It’s not falling action. It is plummeting action. Literally, Kit’s mother wakes up from being asleep, is told that a demon kidnapped her and tried to take her child as a bride, then learns that her daughter murdered the demon, and just kind of says, “By the way, I promise to stop parentifying you now. How about we get some therapy?” The story ended on a really strange note, and it felt like the resolution was an afterthought.
We also never got some answers to conflicts that seemed pretty important but then were just abandoned. How did Juliet die? Was Jack killing the Starling women when he was done with them? Did Daniel really never tell his wife about Rosemont? Why would the mom actually agree to take Kit there to see Agatha? It seems like an irresponsible choice, whether she knew or not. If she knew, WTF?!?! If she didn’t know, she still knew that her husband had claimed all his life that his family was dead and then been haunted by monsters from his past to the degree that he ended his own life. I would never have taken my child there. And so what if Agatha threatened to reach out on her own? Let her. I would still never take my child there. We never get an answer, and I waited for one until the very end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2023
~~Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the ARC!~~
The pacing was really off with this one. The mystery took really long to solve, but when it was revealed, the pacing ramped up and rushed to the end. It's a shame, too, because the twist was interesting but not enough to make up for the snails-pace of the first half of the book. I also can see how I also felt the romances were incredibly instalovey.
Overall, it was an okay read. I can see people really getting into the twist and the creepy atmosphere, but it just didn't cut it for me.
The pacing was really off with this one. The mystery took really long to solve, but when it was revealed, the pacing ramped up and rushed to the end. It's a shame, too, because the twist was interesting but not enough to make up for the snails-pace of the first half of the book. I also can see how I also felt the romances were incredibly instalovey.
Overall, it was an okay read. I can see people really getting into the twist and the creepy atmosphere, but it just didn't cut it for me.
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