Starlings Book Review: Find Out If It’s Worth the Read?
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Hello Readers! In Starlings by Amanda Linsmeier, readers are swept into the quaint yet mysterious town of Rosemont, where famed eternal roses bloom and secrets lurk beneath the picture-perfect façade. This truly charming fantasy debut follows a teen girl as she uncovers the hidden history of the Starling family, particularly the enigmatic Agatha Starling, who seems to be hiding something important. As the protagonist finally meets a cute guy and confronts her father’s leave, she begins to unravel the dark truth behind the famed eternal roses and the deaths they may conceal.
This dark YA paranormal fantasy is perfect for fans of Small Favors. It is a gripping read from Random House’s Delacorte Press blending small-town horror with heartwarming moments, it is a must-read for anyone seeking a new favorite.
Starlings Synopsis
Kit’s father always tells her he has no family, but when he dies suddenly, Kit finds out that isn’t exactly true. Now Kit has a grandmother she never knew she had. Agatha Starling. What’s more is that now she has an invitation to visit her in his hometown, Rosemont.
Rosemont is picture perfect: the famed eternal roses bloom all year, and downtown is straight out of the 1950s . . .
There’s even a cute guy to give Kit the full tourist experience.
But the longer she’s there, the stranger it all feels. The Starling family is revered, but there’s something off about how those women are at the center of the town’s important history. And as welcoming as the locals are, Kit can’t shake the feeling that they’re 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 leave? And why does it seem like he never wanted her to find it?
My Thoughts on Starlings
Starlings’ take-off is slow, creeping to the captivating part of the story. And, although it did start at a snail’s pace, it didn’t take long to pick up and capture my attention (around 15%). Starlings is a deliciously dark fantasy. It’s a story that you can’t help but devour. The more you read from Kit’s perspective the more you find that things are off-kilter, adding to the intrigue of Starlings.
Kit is determined, and smart, even in the moments that appear to be the darkest. Often she would see no hope. She frequently doubted herself (like any normal person) but pushed through just the same.
“I push away the questions. I don’t look for frightening things anymore. Except somewhere, in the deepest recesses of my bones, I feel like they still look for me.”
Kit has great character development. Going through her share of heartbreak, and betrayals. There is a great addition to the twists and turns that are foreshadowed so beautifully. When they are revealed there is such an aha moment!
When Kit’s mother suddenly disappears under strange circumstances and her grandmother seems more preoccupied with an upcoming Crowning Day festival, Kit has the forethought to know something is not right. She is forced to rely on herself and her few Rosemont friends to figure out what is going on and what exactly is keeping Rosemont looking so outwardly perfect.
The story is plot-driven. Often through the storyline the prose is overly pushed past logical extension. And, with the addition of the supporting characters lacks significant depth. The story could be pushed a little past the page count, giving room to breathe and develop further. I would have loved to see more of Sabelle and Bear. Having the characters grow further. Creating the depth and substance that the story needs.
“Forever”
With all that the exquisitely laid plot is chilling, advancing swiftly toward a conclusion that will leave readers creeped out (in the best way possible) and thoroughly content.
The setting of the story was the perfect addition to this gothic tale. Giving a cross between the Addams family and Stars Hollow from the Gilmore Girls with a splash of Stepford Wives. And as a person who loves both, I couldn’t love the story more.
You should also note that if you are looking for something with diversity this may not hit all of your markers. All of the characters are White. In addition, Kit is bisexual, falling for both the male supporting character and one of the female supporting characters. There is also some diversity in sexual orientation among supporting characters. But not enough.
This also isn’t a romance-heavy storyline. Although the main focus of the plot as it develops is binding yourself (in a martial way) to a monster.
“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.”
Overall, I’m trying so hard not to say too much. I think that the best way to go into Starlings is eyes shut. This is the way that I entered reading Starlings. I think if I had known more about this book than I did, it would have skewed my view to be more negative.
And, 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. Starlings is a 4.5-star read and a story I could see myself picking up again around the spooky season in the upcoming year.
Starlings releases on June 27th. Check it out on Amazon or preorder it on The Starless Bookstore via Libro.fm to listen to it audibly.
Would You Pick Up this gothic tale? Let us know in the comments
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