Starlings by Amanda Linsmeier. Delacorte Press, 2023. 9780593572337
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3
Format : Hardcover
Genre : Fantasy/Horror
What did you like about the book? The town of Rosemont is held in the grip of a monster and only the Starling family can keep his evil at bay…most of the time. It’s been that way for hundreds of years starting with Franny Starling who made a deal to be its bride in exchange for protection and wealth. Her descendants have had to continue to be his brides ever since.
Now Kit Starling’s father is dead and she and her mother are visiting Rosemont after discovering that his family still lives there, although he claimed there was no one left. There they will be meeting his mother, Agatha. The town seems like it’s out of step with time. Landlines are more common than cell phones and the residents have an odd attitude toward Kit and her grandmother, an almost worshipful reverence. At one point a man actually shoves a $100 bill into Kit’s hand as he passes her on the sidewalk. Then there are the eternal roses, roses that bloom all through the year in every shade and scent. Eerie doesn’t come close to describing Rosemont.
Then Kit’s mother goes missing shortly after they arrive and no one thinks that it’s odd. Kit begins to suffer pains throughout her body and starts to have nightmares. An ancient evil is afoot and the town’s violent and bloody past is revealed. There is so much happening in this story–violence, pain, ghosts, murder, and multiple deaths. Hints of The Lottery and Pleasantville abound. The legacy which is so valued by her grandmother, has been passed down from mother to daughter, to granddaughter. Now it’s Kit’s turn.
Anything you didn’t like about it? The story was slow-paced and the lead character never really wins the reader over.
Who should buy this book? High schools and public libraries could want this book but may want to wait until someone requests it.
Where would you shelve it? Young Adult Fantasy or YA Horror
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Maria Touet, Malden Catholic High School, Malden, MA
Date of review: June 28, 2023
All Rights Reserved Book Blog