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Milkteeth
Not yet published
Expected 20 Oct 26From the bestselling author of The Death of Jane Lawrence comes a new, genre-bending supernatural horror about a vampire broodmother fighting against her own monstrous descent.
Beatrice is a a vampire responsible for nursing newly made fledglings through the first years of their unlife. She nests in an abandoned, isolated warren of office space beneath her patron's skyscraper, raising two fractious Gorgeous—once a heartthrob, now to all appearances a living corpse—who longs for the return of the lover who made him immortal with all the fervor of a rebellious teen, and Fortunata, the scion of Beatrice's mistress, alien and ambitious in her desires.
But when Beatrice decides to take on a third fledgling, the product of an attempted siring gone wrong, teetering between vampiric purity and ghoulish depravity, Beatrice finds herself strained to breaking between the societal and physical demands of her position, her own ravenous hunger, and an obsessive need to discover what’s happening to her—because her body is changing too, transforming her into something even more monstrous. She begins to crave the taste of flesh, something anathema to all vampires, and to swing between desperate hunger and vicious power.
Desperate to master herself once more, Beatrice courts a mortal OBGYN who might be able to unravel the secrets of her unnatural anatomy. But soon their connection threatens the secrecy of her vampiric coven as well as the safety and development of her dependent nurslings… and the humans they stand to slaughter if left to their own devices.
Beatrice is a a vampire responsible for nursing newly made fledglings through the first years of their unlife. She nests in an abandoned, isolated warren of office space beneath her patron's skyscraper, raising two fractious Gorgeous—once a heartthrob, now to all appearances a living corpse—who longs for the return of the lover who made him immortal with all the fervor of a rebellious teen, and Fortunata, the scion of Beatrice's mistress, alien and ambitious in her desires.
But when Beatrice decides to take on a third fledgling, the product of an attempted siring gone wrong, teetering between vampiric purity and ghoulish depravity, Beatrice finds herself strained to breaking between the societal and physical demands of her position, her own ravenous hunger, and an obsessive need to discover what’s happening to her—because her body is changing too, transforming her into something even more monstrous. She begins to crave the taste of flesh, something anathema to all vampires, and to swing between desperate hunger and vicious power.
Desperate to master herself once more, Beatrice courts a mortal OBGYN who might be able to unravel the secrets of her unnatural anatomy. But soon their connection threatens the secrecy of her vampiric coven as well as the safety and development of her dependent nurslings… and the humans they stand to slaughter if left to their own devices.
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 20, 2026
About the author
Caitlin Starling
12 books2,204 followersCaitlin Starling is the nationally bestselling author of The Death of Jane Lawrence, the Bram Stoker-nominated The Luminous Dead, and Last To Leave The Room. Her upcoming novels The Starving Saints and The Graceview Patient epitomize her love of genre-hopping horror; her bibliography spans besieged castles, alien caves, and haunted hospitals. Her short fiction has been published by GrimDark Magazine and Neon Hemlock, and her nonfiction has appeared in Nightmare, Uncanny, and Nightfire. Caitlin also works in narrative design, and has been paid to invent body parts. She’s always on the lookout for new ways to inflict insomnia.
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April 12, 2026
Well, I guess I cancel my plans if becoming a vampire really is that stressful for everyone involved. You see, a simple bite is not enough to turn a mortal into an immortal being in Caitlin Starling's Milkteeth. Instead it's a long-winding process of feeding and being-fed-on that takes a sheer endless amount of blood. A new vampire is ever hungry but can't yet digest human blood or meat. If they do anyway they turn into brainless, violent creatures only driven by their hunger and not into the sophisticated beings of immortality and strength that are desired. It's the task of a broodmother to ensure the correct development of the young nurslings, to keep them safe and fed until they have matured. It's the whole life's purpose of the protagonist Beatrice. She spends her immortality in the dark and labyrinthine basement of an office building, always nursing one or two young vampires at a time. But things change when she decides to take on a third nursling, already half ghoulish by the time they meet for the first time. From that point on Beatrice is concerned about the nutrition of her blood and about how she can change her own body to give more. The depicted parallels between motherhood and vampirism were so intriguing to me and I think it quite the unique approach to a supernatural creature that is part of infinite other stories. There is also a very medical side to the plot. Before it's revealed that Beatrice is a vampire herself, we meet her as a normal young mother at a lactation group asking about physical and hormonal changes during the time of breastfeeding. She also kinda gets obsessed with the doctor who answers her questions and I was all ready for a bit of sapphic love, but this relationship really took turns I didn't expect. Apart from that it's more of a calm story. Yes, it's very bloody and violent, but Beatrice is such a steady character that her voice truly shaped the feeling of the story. Her mind is mostly focused on blood and on her nurslings and I can imagine how other readers would be bored by this, but it really made her character special for me. She was such a no-nonsense person. I really liked to read about her, even if her days were monotonous. I also simply love a protagonist who is unapologetically monstrous. She's killing people? Well, that's just what she does, deal with it. I must admit that I was a little confused near the end and I also must admit that I never read a Caitlin Starling book where I wasn't. Maybe it's just her thing. I can totally see why her books are never really that popular, but by now I know that I will always get something unusual with her books. I'm very excited to read more from her.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
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April 12, 2026I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for blurbing purposes; here's my blurb:
“In 2026, it may seem impossible for any writer to pen a truly unique vampire tale, but Caitlin Starling manages just that with Milkteeth. With its compelling plot, deft writing, and original premise, this novel will quickly seduce you, but be careful: it has teeth."
“In 2026, it may seem impossible for any writer to pen a truly unique vampire tale, but Caitlin Starling manages just that with Milkteeth. With its compelling plot, deft writing, and original premise, this novel will quickly seduce you, but be careful: it has teeth."
Want to Read
March 30, 2026New Caitlin Starling book on NetGalley??? Scooped that up SO FAST. Let's get weird!
April 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
If you’re looking for new and interesting vampires, look no further. Gory and addicting, this new novel has some of weird twisty feelings from The Starving Saints while also being completely fresh and new. None of the characters are completely innocent, and are all compelling as they deal with the changes innate to their lives. 11/10, will be recommending to everyone.
If you’re looking for new and interesting vampires, look no further. Gory and addicting, this new novel has some of weird twisty feelings from The Starving Saints while also being completely fresh and new. None of the characters are completely innocent, and are all compelling as they deal with the changes innate to their lives. 11/10, will be recommending to everyone.
April 14, 2026
Let me start this review with the dedication:
‘𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝—𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐭.’
So who is going to psychoanalyze me for always gravitating towards books that are just one long allegory on the world depending way too much on mothers/women and not giving them everything that they deserve? or will I just continue reading weird girl lit?
‘𝐀 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.’
One of the biggest feat of Caitlin Starling is the fact that she wrote a vampire book in 2026 that is completely new and fresh. In this world vampires cannot feed on human blood during their years-long transition or they run the risk of becoming unwanted monsters that do not fit in the world. Instead they have to feed on vampire blood, but most vampires cannot sustain to feed their ‘fledglings.’ And not only did they not feed on human blood during their transition, but they regressed into being almost like ‘babies’ they couldn’t really take care of themselves and didn’t remember much of anything. But Beatrice not only can sustain this, but she can feed multiple fledglings at once, as she is a broodmother. Vampires trust her with their sired and will come collect them when they can finally feed on humans. And here comes the never ending metaphors/allegories. Women for 100s of years now have been made to feel shameful if they could not breastfeed their children. As if formula is something that would somehow make kids grow up to be this unwanted, not normal, functional human being in society. It’s such a silly thing that society deemed to put shame onto. And before formula existed, and even when women could breastfeed, it was deemed ‘poor’ to breastfeed their own babies. Families would get wet nurses instead, and make these women form bonds, put way too much pressure on them and not give them nearly enough of the right resources to feed babies that were not their own.
‘𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬? 𝐇𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐞. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐝.’
Beatrice did the best she could in her situation. She never felt like she could truly love the fledglings, but she cared for them fiercely. She was not in charge of the situation in which fledglings came to her nor the environment that they had to live in together. I think that it was difficult for her to reconcile this intimacy that she formed while feeding with the fact that they would grow up and move on from her. They would go into the world and see how other people might live (people, who were their family, were much richer and could give them way more). The fledglings would always have that memory of being fed, taken care of, safe, but what else really?
‘𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐝. 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐚, 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.’
As much as this story was focused on feeding someone else’s ‘baby’ this story read to me as how difficult it is to be not only be a mother, but a woman. How in this world we are ignored, not heard and even when we complain loudly we get pushed to the side. Oh it’s just ‘anxiety’ ‘are you sure you’re not on your period?’ ‘did you drink enough water?’ Or worse yet, we just keep it to ourselves because we couldn’t dare let anyone know we failed. Beatrice always knew something felt wrong, but she didn’t want anyone to know. She didn’t want to admit that maybe she couldn’t do her job anymore, or she took too much on at once or even have anyone else know what she felt. She was afraid of someone and coming to pick her apart and make it her problem instead of helping. I think today women, and especially mothers, are afraid to ask for help because we think we won’t get it and even worse we will get criticized for failing.
‘“𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐢𝐭? 𝐓𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨. 𝐓𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞. 𝐍𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐮𝐬.”’
We put way too much pressure on new mothers. If anything were to happen, society immediately says ‘well what did the mother do?’ If we see a new mother out enjoying herself, society asks ‘who is home with the baby?’ It’s always, always on the mother. And if you have someone who even just a ‘mother figure’ like Beatrice who is these fledglings’ broodmother they still look at her at fault if anything were to happen. Not to their sire who left them in this dirty, unknown environment. Women of the world are always placed as guardians of the new generation, but are never coveted as such treasures. Men truly have the power, but if anything were to happen why aren’t they blamed?
‘“𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝—𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞,”…𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐭, 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞: 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫. 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲, 𝐧𝐨, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝.’
Again, even when women/mothers are spread way too thin, tired, tied down by other people’s responsibility, and can’t even have time to themselves we look to them for the answers. After reading the author’s notes at the end of this book and her saying she thought of this idea from the history of wet nurses, truly nothing could make more sense. This was so well written, I couldn’t stop reading it. Caitlin Starling does speculative fiction like no one else. She knows how to write in such a way where you’re always on the cusp of ‘oh I know what this means’ or ‘I know where she is going with this’ and you never are right until all of the sudden you read one single line and it hits you like a rock. The prose was beautiful and weird, and one of my favorite ways of reading a story- it was a personal love letter, a personal retelling.
‘𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐥, 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐩, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞 . . . 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥.’
Thank you so much NetGalley and St. Martin Press for this ARC, I’m so unbelievably happy to have received this book🖤
‘𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝—𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐭.’
So who is going to psychoanalyze me for always gravitating towards books that are just one long allegory on the world depending way too much on mothers/women and not giving them everything that they deserve? or will I just continue reading weird girl lit?
‘𝐀 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.’
One of the biggest feat of Caitlin Starling is the fact that she wrote a vampire book in 2026 that is completely new and fresh. In this world vampires cannot feed on human blood during their years-long transition or they run the risk of becoming unwanted monsters that do not fit in the world. Instead they have to feed on vampire blood, but most vampires cannot sustain to feed their ‘fledglings.’ And not only did they not feed on human blood during their transition, but they regressed into being almost like ‘babies’ they couldn’t really take care of themselves and didn’t remember much of anything. But Beatrice not only can sustain this, but she can feed multiple fledglings at once, as she is a broodmother. Vampires trust her with their sired and will come collect them when they can finally feed on humans. And here comes the never ending metaphors/allegories. Women for 100s of years now have been made to feel shameful if they could not breastfeed their children. As if formula is something that would somehow make kids grow up to be this unwanted, not normal, functional human being in society. It’s such a silly thing that society deemed to put shame onto. And before formula existed, and even when women could breastfeed, it was deemed ‘poor’ to breastfeed their own babies. Families would get wet nurses instead, and make these women form bonds, put way too much pressure on them and not give them nearly enough of the right resources to feed babies that were not their own.
‘𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬? 𝐇𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐞. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐝.’
Beatrice did the best she could in her situation. She never felt like she could truly love the fledglings, but she cared for them fiercely. She was not in charge of the situation in which fledglings came to her nor the environment that they had to live in together. I think that it was difficult for her to reconcile this intimacy that she formed while feeding with the fact that they would grow up and move on from her. They would go into the world and see how other people might live (people, who were their family, were much richer and could give them way more). The fledglings would always have that memory of being fed, taken care of, safe, but what else really?
‘𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐝. 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐚, 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.’
As much as this story was focused on feeding someone else’s ‘baby’ this story read to me as how difficult it is to be not only be a mother, but a woman. How in this world we are ignored, not heard and even when we complain loudly we get pushed to the side. Oh it’s just ‘anxiety’ ‘are you sure you’re not on your period?’ ‘did you drink enough water?’ Or worse yet, we just keep it to ourselves because we couldn’t dare let anyone know we failed. Beatrice always knew something felt wrong, but she didn’t want anyone to know. She didn’t want to admit that maybe she couldn’t do her job anymore, or she took too much on at once or even have anyone else know what she felt. She was afraid of someone and coming to pick her apart and make it her problem instead of helping. I think today women, and especially mothers, are afraid to ask for help because we think we won’t get it and even worse we will get criticized for failing.
‘“𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐢𝐭? 𝐓𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨. 𝐓𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞. 𝐍𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐮𝐬.”’
We put way too much pressure on new mothers. If anything were to happen, society immediately says ‘well what did the mother do?’ If we see a new mother out enjoying herself, society asks ‘who is home with the baby?’ It’s always, always on the mother. And if you have someone who even just a ‘mother figure’ like Beatrice who is these fledglings’ broodmother they still look at her at fault if anything were to happen. Not to their sire who left them in this dirty, unknown environment. Women of the world are always placed as guardians of the new generation, but are never coveted as such treasures. Men truly have the power, but if anything were to happen why aren’t they blamed?
‘“𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝—𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞,”…𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐭, 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞: 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫. 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲, 𝐧𝐨, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝.’
Again, even when women/mothers are spread way too thin, tired, tied down by other people’s responsibility, and can’t even have time to themselves we look to them for the answers. After reading the author’s notes at the end of this book and her saying she thought of this idea from the history of wet nurses, truly nothing could make more sense. This was so well written, I couldn’t stop reading it. Caitlin Starling does speculative fiction like no one else. She knows how to write in such a way where you’re always on the cusp of ‘oh I know what this means’ or ‘I know where she is going with this’ and you never are right until all of the sudden you read one single line and it hits you like a rock. The prose was beautiful and weird, and one of my favorite ways of reading a story- it was a personal love letter, a personal retelling.
‘𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐥, 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐩, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞 . . . 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥.’
Thank you so much NetGalley and St. Martin Press for this ARC, I’m so unbelievably happy to have received this book🖤
April 12, 2026
Grabbed this on read now on netgalley, I was so excited by the premise it sounded amazing. Unfortunately this one did not work for me. This was my first time reading from this author after hearing so many good things about their other novels. This book follows a vampire who is almost like a “wet nurse” to freshly turned vampire’s. They drink from her until they are ready to start feeding on their own. I just did not enjoy this; the pacing was extremely slow and I never felt invested in the characters enough to care about them. I was bored to death for the last 50% of this book and would have DNF’d, but I was still curious enough to want to see how it ends. I can see why a lot of people will enjoy this book, as it has a lot of commentary on breastfeeding and motherhood, even some dracula references. I would still recommend this for people who enjoy slow, vampire character focused books.
Want to Read
April 2, 2026more vampires pls
April 10, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this ARC to read and review.
Milkteeth by Caitlin Starling is more than a vampire story. It's a story about the struggles of motherhood, and how the system set in place for mothers and their children lets them down over and over again.
Beatrice is a broodmother, or a vampire who feeds their blood to newly-turned vampires so they can properly grow into a fully-formed vampire. She has been a broodmother for a long time, and takes great pride in it and her nurslings. Her brood contains Gorgeous, who's strong-willed and melodramatic, and Fortunata, who's systematic and inquisitive. When Beatrice is presented with a third nursling who is on the verge of turning into a ghoul - a former vampire who feeds on human flesh and has no coherent thoughts - she is pushed to her limits. She must juggle caring for three hungry vampire nurslings, while also embark on a journey of her own self-discovery.
Beatrice is kept in place in a dirty labyrinth below the all-powerful Manon's corporate building. Manon exerts her power over Beatrice, trying to control her every move, but Beatrice is at a breaking point...
This story captures how motherhood is perceived in the real world. How systems of power tell women they are nothing more than breeding machines, and that they should be ashamed if they ever needed help because that is what they're made for. It's powerful and gut-wrenching while satiating the vampiric thirst we all crave 🧛
Milkteeth by Caitlin Starling is more than a vampire story. It's a story about the struggles of motherhood, and how the system set in place for mothers and their children lets them down over and over again.
Beatrice is a broodmother, or a vampire who feeds their blood to newly-turned vampires so they can properly grow into a fully-formed vampire. She has been a broodmother for a long time, and takes great pride in it and her nurslings. Her brood contains Gorgeous, who's strong-willed and melodramatic, and Fortunata, who's systematic and inquisitive. When Beatrice is presented with a third nursling who is on the verge of turning into a ghoul - a former vampire who feeds on human flesh and has no coherent thoughts - she is pushed to her limits. She must juggle caring for three hungry vampire nurslings, while also embark on a journey of her own self-discovery.
Beatrice is kept in place in a dirty labyrinth below the all-powerful Manon's corporate building. Manon exerts her power over Beatrice, trying to control her every move, but Beatrice is at a breaking point...
This story captures how motherhood is perceived in the real world. How systems of power tell women they are nothing more than breeding machines, and that they should be ashamed if they ever needed help because that is what they're made for. It's powerful and gut-wrenching while satiating the vampiric thirst we all crave 🧛
April 12, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this arc in return for an honest review. Caitlin Starling is one of my favorite authors because of the utter hallucinatory effect of all of her books I’ve read. The Starving Saints and The Graceview Patient and Now Milkteeth all have this aura of WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON??? Did I really just read that???? How did this come from your brain?????? I am in love and also horribly disgusted by you. Starling’s death scenes are amongst my favorite because she gives incredibly anatomically correct descriptions of what’s occurring and that makes my little autopsy tech brain scream in pleasure. Starling produces such vivid illustrative scenes that compose beautifully into a cinematic masterpiece. I can absolutely devour anything Starling writes because it is just perfectly out of pocket and bonkers enough yet still grounded in reality that provides a glimmer of reality and possibility. I can’t even think of anything this is possibly close to because it is truly unique!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I saw this on NetGalley on a whim and decided to branch out of my normal genres, and I am so glad that I did! however, I am also absolutely horrified, and I'm still processing what I just finished.
This was the sort of book that you can't put down, I finished it in about 2 hours! Horrific and graphic with so many twists and turns, I know I'm going to have nightmares tonight but it was absolutely worth it because the plot was so unique! I mean, most vampire books are very derivative and follow the same few lines, and I was very happy that this was different. Also, I totally saw the twist that was on the last page coming, and it was very well executed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free eARC in exchange for an unbiased review! 4.75 stars.
This was the sort of book that you can't put down, I finished it in about 2 hours! Horrific and graphic with so many twists and turns, I know I'm going to have nightmares tonight but it was absolutely worth it because the plot was so unique! I mean, most vampire books are very derivative and follow the same few lines, and I was very happy that this was different. Also, I totally saw the twist that was on the last page coming, and it was very well executed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free eARC in exchange for an unbiased review! 4.75 stars.
Read
February 27, 2026After The Starving Saints and now this, Starling is becoming one of my faves
I'm very impressed that someone can still make the vampire genre feel this fresh
I'm very impressed that someone can still make the vampire genre feel this fresh
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Weird book girls, our speculative fiction patron saint Caitlin Starling has yet again blessed us. Milkteeth is a surreal, gory, and yet strangely empowering read that I flew through in one day because I literally could not put the book down; from the very first page, it sank its teeth into me and wouldn’t let me go. This story is vampires like you’ve never seen them before, both more monstrous and more human, and 100% more nasty (complimentary). I think Milkteeth is going to find its way to the genre-defining vampire fiction shelf when it publishes this fall; it’s that good.
In a world where newly changed vampires cannot feed themselves on human blood and have a years-long period of “infancy”, Beatrice is a rare being: a broodmother, a vampire capable of sustaining infant vampires with her blood until they are old enough to fledge and begin hunting mortals. Most broodmothers can only raise one infant at a time, but Beatrice is exceptional: she is raising two. Her life is limited to her nest hidden away by her patron, and the other vampires tend to avoid her; but she finds purpose in raising her infants. When an accident happens with another broodmother, Beatrice takes that infant as well, and the increased physical demands on her body drive her to experiment with new ways to feed and cope. At the same time, she begins to chafe at the limited confines of her life; she’s not a prisoner, not exactly, but like any mother, she’s an unappreciated necessity. As her children begin to creep towards strange, vampiric adulthood and Beatrices’ experimentation starts to change her on a fundamental level, she will eventually begin to consider: why is she powerless, when the ability to give and sustain life is the greatest power of all?
I loved this book so much, and for many reasons. First of all, I loved that the author somehow introduced an entirely new concept into vampire lore, which is wildly impressive about any mythical being that has been widely adapted in pop culture but especially for vampires; there are literally millions of stories about vampires, so creating something brand new is quite an accomplishment. I also loved that the main character is not only a woman, but a mother-figure; not actually a mother herself, but tasked with all the difficult, sacrificial, sometimes nasty parts of motherhood, and much of the story explores her internal struggle between her maternal feelings for the infants in her care and her desire to be free of them and have agency over herself and her body. Starling weaves so much commentary between the lines of this book, and it feels incredibly relevant to our current day. I also loved the pacing; this book reads like a supernatural thriller, and it kept me constantly turning pages till the very end. And finally, I loved the vibes of the story; it is creepy and strange and surreal. Beatrice’s nest is in an empty, winding warren of offices, where she and her infants hunt and feed and creep. The setting feels backrooms-esqe, if most of the rooms and hallways were in the dark; and this added so much to the story in terms of atmosphere. With Milkteeth, Starling invites readers into a new world of dark eeriness and monsters, and I didn’t want it to end.
I would recommend Milkteeth to fans of Nestlings by Nat Cassidy, as well as to readers who love unique vampires, horror that leans towards the weird, womanhood and motherhood as central themes, and creepy, eerie story settings.
Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the digital arc! All thoughts & opinions in the review are my own.
In a world where newly changed vampires cannot feed themselves on human blood and have a years-long period of “infancy”, Beatrice is a rare being: a broodmother, a vampire capable of sustaining infant vampires with her blood until they are old enough to fledge and begin hunting mortals. Most broodmothers can only raise one infant at a time, but Beatrice is exceptional: she is raising two. Her life is limited to her nest hidden away by her patron, and the other vampires tend to avoid her; but she finds purpose in raising her infants. When an accident happens with another broodmother, Beatrice takes that infant as well, and the increased physical demands on her body drive her to experiment with new ways to feed and cope. At the same time, she begins to chafe at the limited confines of her life; she’s not a prisoner, not exactly, but like any mother, she’s an unappreciated necessity. As her children begin to creep towards strange, vampiric adulthood and Beatrices’ experimentation starts to change her on a fundamental level, she will eventually begin to consider: why is she powerless, when the ability to give and sustain life is the greatest power of all?
I loved this book so much, and for many reasons. First of all, I loved that the author somehow introduced an entirely new concept into vampire lore, which is wildly impressive about any mythical being that has been widely adapted in pop culture but especially for vampires; there are literally millions of stories about vampires, so creating something brand new is quite an accomplishment. I also loved that the main character is not only a woman, but a mother-figure; not actually a mother herself, but tasked with all the difficult, sacrificial, sometimes nasty parts of motherhood, and much of the story explores her internal struggle between her maternal feelings for the infants in her care and her desire to be free of them and have agency over herself and her body. Starling weaves so much commentary between the lines of this book, and it feels incredibly relevant to our current day. I also loved the pacing; this book reads like a supernatural thriller, and it kept me constantly turning pages till the very end. And finally, I loved the vibes of the story; it is creepy and strange and surreal. Beatrice’s nest is in an empty, winding warren of offices, where she and her infants hunt and feed and creep. The setting feels backrooms-esqe, if most of the rooms and hallways were in the dark; and this added so much to the story in terms of atmosphere. With Milkteeth, Starling invites readers into a new world of dark eeriness and monsters, and I didn’t want it to end.
I would recommend Milkteeth to fans of Nestlings by Nat Cassidy, as well as to readers who love unique vampires, horror that leans towards the weird, womanhood and motherhood as central themes, and creepy, eerie story settings.
Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the digital arc! All thoughts & opinions in the review are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to the publisher for an advanced copy! All thoughts are my own.
Milkteeth features one of the most unique takes on vampires that I have seen in a long time. These vampires are not glamorous and the process of their creation is messy, ugly, and complicated. New vampires cannot move straight to human blood after being turned; they have a period where they need to be fed by a brood mother vampire that must care for them and guide them as they mature into a more refined creature that can blend in with humans. Milkteeth follows Beatrice, a brood mother who has accepted a third fledgeling while having concerns that having that many charges is doing damage to her physicality and sense of self. We see her struggle to balance her responsibility to the helpless, but dangerous, new vampires under her care and her desire for agency, freedom, and understanding of her own nature.
Like the other books by Starling that I’ve read (The Luminous Dead, The Starving Saints), Milkteeth is both parts propulsive and confusing. Beatrice is a fascinating protagonist that I was excited to follow. Starling doesn’t let you get too close to her thought process to get comfortable with what she would do next, which created tension throughout. I did occasionally feel that the pacing was bogged down by repetitive feeding scenes and descriptions of gore and hunger. Some of these could have been paired down and replaced by more varied character interactions. I would have liked to have gotten closer to Fortunata and Lu in the way that we got to learn about and empathize with Gorgeous. He was really the only other character, aside from Beatrice, that I felt like I understood and connected with.
There are obvious themes here of motherhood, shame, responsibility, transformation, and family relationships. Starling continues to prove herself as a fantasy/horror writer who imbues her work with meaningful commentary and unforgettable monsters. Her books are definitely not for everyone but if you can live with being confused and grossed out for the majority of a book - Milkteeth is worth sticking with.
Milkteeth features one of the most unique takes on vampires that I have seen in a long time. These vampires are not glamorous and the process of their creation is messy, ugly, and complicated. New vampires cannot move straight to human blood after being turned; they have a period where they need to be fed by a brood mother vampire that must care for them and guide them as they mature into a more refined creature that can blend in with humans. Milkteeth follows Beatrice, a brood mother who has accepted a third fledgeling while having concerns that having that many charges is doing damage to her physicality and sense of self. We see her struggle to balance her responsibility to the helpless, but dangerous, new vampires under her care and her desire for agency, freedom, and understanding of her own nature.
Like the other books by Starling that I’ve read (The Luminous Dead, The Starving Saints), Milkteeth is both parts propulsive and confusing. Beatrice is a fascinating protagonist that I was excited to follow. Starling doesn’t let you get too close to her thought process to get comfortable with what she would do next, which created tension throughout. I did occasionally feel that the pacing was bogged down by repetitive feeding scenes and descriptions of gore and hunger. Some of these could have been paired down and replaced by more varied character interactions. I would have liked to have gotten closer to Fortunata and Lu in the way that we got to learn about and empathize with Gorgeous. He was really the only other character, aside from Beatrice, that I felt like I understood and connected with.
There are obvious themes here of motherhood, shame, responsibility, transformation, and family relationships. Starling continues to prove herself as a fantasy/horror writer who imbues her work with meaningful commentary and unforgettable monsters. Her books are definitely not for everyone but if you can live with being confused and grossed out for the majority of a book - Milkteeth is worth sticking with.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
this was my first from Caitlin Starling & i often hear her associated with "weird girl" fiction/horror. while i am one to like the dark, disturbing, & weird, Milkteeth left much to be desired.
on one hand i feel like maybe reading this straight after Coffin Moon was a bit of a disservice, i might have immediately set Milkteeth up to be a bit disappointing in comparison, on the other i was not the biggest fan of the writing style so i'm not convinced that it would have made much of a difference anyway.
in theory i like the different themes woven together throughout the story...womanhood, motherhood, vampirism, some obsession & the gore was done well but the execution was lacking for me. part of it is i like to be able to visualize when i read...visualize people, places or just the overall events taking place. it's not a necessity BUT it does take my reading experiences to the next level, it helps me connect more to the story & the characters, helps me engage more etc. i was not able to visualize MOST of Milkteeth, which resulted in me forgetting chunks of the story, often having to reread sentences & ultimately being bored outside of the gory bits.
the characters all felt distinct but i just didn't connect to any of them enough to care about anyone. i also felt like some of this was repetitive. but maybe i'm just dramatic
i can see why some might enjoy Milkteeth & i can appreciate what the author was trying to do with putting a twist on the lore of vampirism by intertwining it with motherhood, but this has also been done before maybe not exactly the same but still to a degree, so to me there's nothing exciting or new enough happening for this to standout amongst other vampirism books i've read(or even movies i've seen).
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
on one hand i feel like maybe reading this straight after Coffin Moon was a bit of a disservice, i might have immediately set Milkteeth up to be a bit disappointing in comparison, on the other i was not the biggest fan of the writing style so i'm not convinced that it would have made much of a difference anyway.
in theory i like the different themes woven together throughout the story...womanhood, motherhood, vampirism, some obsession & the gore was done well but the execution was lacking for me. part of it is i like to be able to visualize when i read...visualize people, places or just the overall events taking place. it's not a necessity BUT it does take my reading experiences to the next level, it helps me connect more to the story & the characters, helps me engage more etc. i was not able to visualize MOST of Milkteeth, which resulted in me forgetting chunks of the story, often having to reread sentences & ultimately being bored outside of the gory bits.
the characters all felt distinct but i just didn't connect to any of them enough to care about anyone. i also felt like some of this was repetitive. but maybe i'm just dramatic
i can see why some might enjoy Milkteeth & i can appreciate what the author was trying to do with putting a twist on the lore of vampirism by intertwining it with motherhood, but this has also been done before maybe not exactly the same but still to a degree, so to me there's nothing exciting or new enough happening for this to standout amongst other vampirism books i've read(or even movies i've seen).
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
April 8, 2026
I would like to thank the publisher and author for this ARC. Whilst I don’t put any direct spoilers into this review, I do discuss elements of the plot that could give things away, so only read on if that’s something you don’t mind.
There aren’t any original vampire stories anymore, right? Wrong! With Milk Teeth Caitlin Starling has done something really remarkable, crafted a vampire story that is like no other I’ve read. I love vampire fiction, Dracula is one of my favorite novels so I went in with some expectations and I was very pleasantly surprised. The concept of a vampire wet nurse raising fledglings to maturity is something new to me, and it was done with real style.
I always look for well developed characters in books and the characters here are indeed well fleshed out. This is essentially a transformation story all told from Beatrice the main characters perspective. We see Beatrice overcoming her limitations and becoming something more, and it’s enthralling to read because not only is the concept new I also felt like I really understood her inner workings, emotionally and physically. I also loved that each of her fledglings are well constructed characters that have their own personalities and story arcs.
It’s a well written book with a world that feels very real. It’s suitably gloomy and dark and you can almost feel the grime and filth. As one would hope for in a vampire novel It’s also very bloody with some interesting body horror. I genuinely couldn’t put this book down and found myself going to bed late because I needed to know what happened next.
If you’re looking for a fresh take on the vampire genre with rich characters and a satisfying pay off then this is definitely for you. I’m genuinely interested to read more of this authors work.
There aren’t any original vampire stories anymore, right? Wrong! With Milk Teeth Caitlin Starling has done something really remarkable, crafted a vampire story that is like no other I’ve read. I love vampire fiction, Dracula is one of my favorite novels so I went in with some expectations and I was very pleasantly surprised. The concept of a vampire wet nurse raising fledglings to maturity is something new to me, and it was done with real style.
I always look for well developed characters in books and the characters here are indeed well fleshed out. This is essentially a transformation story all told from Beatrice the main characters perspective. We see Beatrice overcoming her limitations and becoming something more, and it’s enthralling to read because not only is the concept new I also felt like I really understood her inner workings, emotionally and physically. I also loved that each of her fledglings are well constructed characters that have their own personalities and story arcs.
It’s a well written book with a world that feels very real. It’s suitably gloomy and dark and you can almost feel the grime and filth. As one would hope for in a vampire novel It’s also very bloody with some interesting body horror. I genuinely couldn’t put this book down and found myself going to bed late because I needed to know what happened next.
If you’re looking for a fresh take on the vampire genre with rich characters and a satisfying pay off then this is definitely for you. I’m genuinely interested to read more of this authors work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Caitlin Starling for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
I fell in love with Starling’s writing styles earlier in the year when I read The Starving Saints, and was equally pleased with the writing here. While not the same style, as the novel is a different era and a different feel, Starling maintains her penchant for lush, ponderous, evocative prose even in the midst of carnage.
In Milkteeth, the audience is directly addressed by the protagonist Beatrice, a broodmother who feeds fledgling vampires not of her own making. The introduction of a third for her to feed sends her on a journey of exploration as she questions her capacity, her feelings, her place in the world, her connections to others and forces her to increasingly step outside the confines of her den located in the basement of an office building. I enjoyed Beatrice’s innermost thoughts and reflections of motherhood and think I would have connected even more if I were a mother myself. (Additional note that this was inspired by the history of wet nurses, a rarely explored position that is done very well.)
I felt myself actually being most intrigued by one of her charges, an almost at maturity boy named Gorgeous. I doubt there will be a follow up to this novel but I would absolutely read one about him.
A very unique take on vampires, that I was glad I read. There were a few moments of likely intentional repetitiveness that reflected the position our characters found themselves in that led me to taking some long pauses before continuing but for the most part I consumed this book very quickly.
TW: Gore, as can be expected of vampire stories. Blood and bodies consumed. Detailed body horror.
3.75 stars rounded up
I fell in love with Starling’s writing styles earlier in the year when I read The Starving Saints, and was equally pleased with the writing here. While not the same style, as the novel is a different era and a different feel, Starling maintains her penchant for lush, ponderous, evocative prose even in the midst of carnage.
In Milkteeth, the audience is directly addressed by the protagonist Beatrice, a broodmother who feeds fledgling vampires not of her own making. The introduction of a third for her to feed sends her on a journey of exploration as she questions her capacity, her feelings, her place in the world, her connections to others and forces her to increasingly step outside the confines of her den located in the basement of an office building. I enjoyed Beatrice’s innermost thoughts and reflections of motherhood and think I would have connected even more if I were a mother myself. (Additional note that this was inspired by the history of wet nurses, a rarely explored position that is done very well.)
I felt myself actually being most intrigued by one of her charges, an almost at maturity boy named Gorgeous. I doubt there will be a follow up to this novel but I would absolutely read one about him.
A very unique take on vampires, that I was glad I read. There were a few moments of likely intentional repetitiveness that reflected the position our characters found themselves in that led me to taking some long pauses before continuing but for the most part I consumed this book very quickly.
TW: Gore, as can be expected of vampire stories. Blood and bodies consumed. Detailed body horror.
3.75 stars rounded up
April 11, 2026
𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝑮𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚
“For a mortal, to nurse is ultimately temporary. Eventually, the hormones recalibrate, the young grow up, and the phase closes out. But for me… for me it’s definitional. It isn’t inertia. It isn’t conditioning. It is slavery. It is an imperative”
“Transition is a painful thing. There is no way around it; you must rip out what once was in order for the new beast to form”
WHEW! This book was wild! I absolutely adored this take on vampires— I loved the adult infancy aspect to siring a new addition to the brood.
Beatrice is married to her job as broodmother, feeding the young & making sure she sets them out having good lives. She takes great pride in weaning them appropriately and being their “safety” as they mature into young vampires. But as Bea steals away into society, possibly even finds love, she realizes that her commitment to “the children” is one that needs to evolve… or else she will succumb to the physical exertion and overall pain of always putting herself second.
I think the horror aspects to this book are incredible; I mean, the snapping of bones and the sucking of marrow?! Being splayed open for doctoral observation. Disgustingly graphic and grotesquely weird in the best ways possible!!
This book is going to resonate with mothers, especially those breastfeeding mothers struggling with their identity and autonomy, and the mom-guilt that is paralyzing in the fugue of doing what’s right for an infant. An allegory that motherhood is ever-evolving, and still riddled with failures.
Thank you to Caitlin Starling, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Press for a digital copy of Milkteeth in exchange for an honest review.
“For a mortal, to nurse is ultimately temporary. Eventually, the hormones recalibrate, the young grow up, and the phase closes out. But for me… for me it’s definitional. It isn’t inertia. It isn’t conditioning. It is slavery. It is an imperative”
“Transition is a painful thing. There is no way around it; you must rip out what once was in order for the new beast to form”
WHEW! This book was wild! I absolutely adored this take on vampires— I loved the adult infancy aspect to siring a new addition to the brood.
Beatrice is married to her job as broodmother, feeding the young & making sure she sets them out having good lives. She takes great pride in weaning them appropriately and being their “safety” as they mature into young vampires. But as Bea steals away into society, possibly even finds love, she realizes that her commitment to “the children” is one that needs to evolve… or else she will succumb to the physical exertion and overall pain of always putting herself second.
I think the horror aspects to this book are incredible; I mean, the snapping of bones and the sucking of marrow?! Being splayed open for doctoral observation. Disgustingly graphic and grotesquely weird in the best ways possible!!
This book is going to resonate with mothers, especially those breastfeeding mothers struggling with their identity and autonomy, and the mom-guilt that is paralyzing in the fugue of doing what’s right for an infant. An allegory that motherhood is ever-evolving, and still riddled with failures.
Thank you to Caitlin Starling, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Press for a digital copy of Milkteeth in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Breastfeeding vampires. I mean it's 2026 why not.
I really had zero expectations going in to this read but the description, title, and cover art intrigued me. My initial impression was that the book sounded a little staccato in my head, like the brood mother is distracted and trying to piece together the story and timeline as she's telling it. This actually didn't turn me off at all; on the contrary, as a mom who breastfed 2 children that resonated with me because that is how our brains work at the time. We're constantly torn in a million directions and that is how our thoughts often play out.
This is definitely for a niche audience but I believe there's going to be appeal for us romantasy moms who can relate to the plight of a caregiver wanting to provide for their (bloodthirsty) children while balancing their own identity/needs. The darker, gruesome/gory elements woven throughout ala M. Night Shyamalan gave me the horror story feels. I have a medical background and enjoyed how the author thoughtfully sprinkled in medical terminology and concepts to enhance those classic vampire slasher scenes. I felt like I never knew what Beatrice was going to do next. How was her maternal nature going to war with the monster she has become to influence her next move.
Milkteeth has been one my stranger reads of the year and it took me a little bit to get in to, but after hitting about the 50% mark I was engrossed. I highly recommend this book to those looking for a unique spin on vampires and motherhood wrapped in a not so tidy, blood spattered package.
Thank you to NetGalley, our author Caitlin Starling, and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.
I really had zero expectations going in to this read but the description, title, and cover art intrigued me. My initial impression was that the book sounded a little staccato in my head, like the brood mother is distracted and trying to piece together the story and timeline as she's telling it. This actually didn't turn me off at all; on the contrary, as a mom who breastfed 2 children that resonated with me because that is how our brains work at the time. We're constantly torn in a million directions and that is how our thoughts often play out.
This is definitely for a niche audience but I believe there's going to be appeal for us romantasy moms who can relate to the plight of a caregiver wanting to provide for their (bloodthirsty) children while balancing their own identity/needs. The darker, gruesome/gory elements woven throughout ala M. Night Shyamalan gave me the horror story feels. I have a medical background and enjoyed how the author thoughtfully sprinkled in medical terminology and concepts to enhance those classic vampire slasher scenes. I felt like I never knew what Beatrice was going to do next. How was her maternal nature going to war with the monster she has become to influence her next move.
Milkteeth has been one my stranger reads of the year and it took me a little bit to get in to, but after hitting about the 50% mark I was engrossed. I highly recommend this book to those looking for a unique spin on vampires and motherhood wrapped in a not so tidy, blood spattered package.
Thank you to NetGalley, our author Caitlin Starling, and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.
April 7, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this e-arc in exchange for a review!
Rating: 3.5
Conceptually, the premise of Milkteeth sounded amazing. The spin on vampirism, intertwining it with motherhood, having feeding associated with breastfeeding, the main character seducing an OBGYN—all of it sounded right up my alley. However, with that, a lot of it left me wanting. It was gory and atmospheric, vampirism done well, but I often felt like things were consistently being repeated to me. Luisa, the infant, was constantly gnawing on shit, Gorgeous was applying face creams, and Beatrice was leaving corpses exsanguinated.
The cast was varied but I just didn’t really feel much connection to any of them outside of Beatrice’s moments with Gorgeous about Anatoli. I enjoyed the research aspects between Bajracharya & Beatrice (as somebody who works in heme), like yay, some theories on the interworkings between antibodies and vampirism? Sign me up. I just wish the research aspect was more prevalent, but maybe I’m being picky. I wanted so much more on this front. Give me more theories on the differences between undeath and life! Give me more about anatomical differences! I am hungry for that information!
I can certainly see Milkteeth resonating and being adored by other people, but overall, this book left me wanting more out of the narrative. What that is, I have no clue, but Milkteeth was just ‘good’ to me when it could have been great.
Rating: 3.5
Conceptually, the premise of Milkteeth sounded amazing. The spin on vampirism, intertwining it with motherhood, having feeding associated with breastfeeding, the main character seducing an OBGYN—all of it sounded right up my alley. However, with that, a lot of it left me wanting. It was gory and atmospheric, vampirism done well, but I often felt like things were consistently being repeated to me. Luisa, the infant, was constantly gnawing on shit, Gorgeous was applying face creams, and Beatrice was leaving corpses exsanguinated.
The cast was varied but I just didn’t really feel much connection to any of them outside of Beatrice’s moments with Gorgeous about Anatoli. I enjoyed the research aspects between Bajracharya & Beatrice (as somebody who works in heme), like yay, some theories on the interworkings between antibodies and vampirism? Sign me up. I just wish the research aspect was more prevalent, but maybe I’m being picky. I wanted so much more on this front. Give me more theories on the differences between undeath and life! Give me more about anatomical differences! I am hungry for that information!
I can certainly see Milkteeth resonating and being adored by other people, but overall, this book left me wanting more out of the narrative. What that is, I have no clue, but Milkteeth was just ‘good’ to me when it could have been great.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow. Wow. Wow. I have many thoughts on this beauty. I was definitely hesitant with the premise of a nursing vampire. But just give it a shot and you will be in for a wild ride.
This story definitely did not go in the direction I thought it would and I was pleasantly surprised.
This story follows Beatrice who is a resident "Brood Mother" to two fledgling vampires, Gorgeous and Fortutana. She serves as a "mother" to them. Both in raising them as vampires and allowing them to drink her blood to satiate their neverending hunger.
On the verge of breaking with a third fledgling on the horizion. Beatrice is desperate for answers on her biology and how she is able to sustain vampires. She seeks out a nursing class and will have a chance encounter with a Dr. Bajracharya that will set their paths spiraling violently onto a new course.
This story deals with maternal love, obsession, stalking, experimentation, kidnapping, desperation, betrayal, familial ties that bind, gore, starvation, and transformation.
This was a pretty quick read, definitely doable in one sitting. As always, I am impressed with how crazy, weird, gross, and thought provoking the author is able to make their stories!
If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, it is set to release on October 20th, 2026!
Wow. Wow. Wow. I have many thoughts on this beauty. I was definitely hesitant with the premise of a nursing vampire. But just give it a shot and you will be in for a wild ride.
This story definitely did not go in the direction I thought it would and I was pleasantly surprised.
This story follows Beatrice who is a resident "Brood Mother" to two fledgling vampires, Gorgeous and Fortutana. She serves as a "mother" to them. Both in raising them as vampires and allowing them to drink her blood to satiate their neverending hunger.
On the verge of breaking with a third fledgling on the horizion. Beatrice is desperate for answers on her biology and how she is able to sustain vampires. She seeks out a nursing class and will have a chance encounter with a Dr. Bajracharya that will set their paths spiraling violently onto a new course.
This story deals with maternal love, obsession, stalking, experimentation, kidnapping, desperation, betrayal, familial ties that bind, gore, starvation, and transformation.
This was a pretty quick read, definitely doable in one sitting. As always, I am impressed with how crazy, weird, gross, and thought provoking the author is able to make their stories!
If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, it is set to release on October 20th, 2026!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Do you know how badly I want to scream about this book? How badly I want to force everyone to read it? I could go on and on about this book, but I fear it would go into spoiler territory.
I feel like Caitlin Starling sticks her magical fingers inside my head, digs around a little before plucking out my deepest fantasies. She knows exactly what I want to read and the type of stories I crave. Milkteeth is NO different.
Intertwining motherhood with vampirism? Vampires AND some slight cannibalism? Best believe this was going to be a five star read for me.
A slow burn modern gothic story that's filled with blood AND love that's completely captivating. While it does follow the same lore for the most part in regards to vampirism, Caitlin Starling has done something unique and different with Milkteeth that it slightly reinvents and feels fresh. I enjoyed how there still was some tenderness with it's discussions on motherhood rather than just focusing on the ugly of it all. Starling's writing is beyond gorgeous. Each word and sentence took my breath away.
Each character and their relationships with each other are so compelling. You might not always like Beatrice, personally I loved her so it might just be a skill issue if you don't, but you can't say she isn't fully fleshed out.
Thank you netgalley and St. Martin's for the arc.
I feel like Caitlin Starling sticks her magical fingers inside my head, digs around a little before plucking out my deepest fantasies. She knows exactly what I want to read and the type of stories I crave. Milkteeth is NO different.
Intertwining motherhood with vampirism? Vampires AND some slight cannibalism? Best believe this was going to be a five star read for me.
A slow burn modern gothic story that's filled with blood AND love that's completely captivating. While it does follow the same lore for the most part in regards to vampirism, Caitlin Starling has done something unique and different with Milkteeth that it slightly reinvents and feels fresh. I enjoyed how there still was some tenderness with it's discussions on motherhood rather than just focusing on the ugly of it all. Starling's writing is beyond gorgeous. Each word and sentence took my breath away.
Each character and their relationships with each other are so compelling. You might not always like Beatrice, personally I loved her so it might just be a skill issue if you don't, but you can't say she isn't fully fleshed out.
Thank you netgalley and St. Martin's for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
'Milk Teeth' is a very interesting take on vampires, mainly how they are created. In this story we follow a 'BroodMother' named Beatrice whose body can turn the blood of her victims into enriched blood used as food for young vampires....kind of like breastmilk in a way, but blood. Beatrice takes on a third fledgling who has consumed human flesh, the consumption of human flesh early into to vampirism turns you into a ghoul instead. Beatrice is set on reversing the affects of the third fledgling by enlisting the help of science!
The concept of 'Milk Teeth' is a unique take (to my knowledge) of vampirism and how one transitions into becoming one, so I had devoured this book rather quickly. The writing style can be a little fast paced at times, if you have read 'The Starving Saints' by the same author then you will be used to the writing style. But I can see how some people may have a hard time getting into the book, trust me it is worth the read.
Plotwise, the story is very small scale but it shows a story of transformation in manh ways, and a very caring broodmother who wants the best for her fledgling....even if that means using unconventional and experimental methods.
The book itself is not too long, and the concept is super interesting. Would recommend to fans of the authors other works, anyone who like vampires or horror
The concept of 'Milk Teeth' is a unique take (to my knowledge) of vampirism and how one transitions into becoming one, so I had devoured this book rather quickly. The writing style can be a little fast paced at times, if you have read 'The Starving Saints' by the same author then you will be used to the writing style. But I can see how some people may have a hard time getting into the book, trust me it is worth the read.
Plotwise, the story is very small scale but it shows a story of transformation in manh ways, and a very caring broodmother who wants the best for her fledgling....even if that means using unconventional and experimental methods.
The book itself is not too long, and the concept is super interesting. Would recommend to fans of the authors other works, anyone who like vampires or horror
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC!
A couple of months ago I met Caitlin Starling at a book signing and told her how excited I was to read this. All I knew at that point was vampire broodmother. But as a huge fan of The Starving Saints, I was locked in to whatever madness she could throw my way. Caitlin told me it was by far her weirdest book yet and even her publisher was like girl what??. That's when I knew I was in for a ride.
Holy moly, she was not lying! Not only is this book so so odd, it is also disgusting, nauseating, and downright fascinating. I highly recommend not reading this one on a lunch break like I tried to do!
Caitlin takes common vampire lore and transforms it even further, exploring the connection between maker and child, between nature and nurture, and between desire and derision.
The story is written through the lens of our protagonist, Beatrice, telling a story to an unnamed individual. This adds to the isolating and suffocating setting we find our cast of characters in. As they move through they world, you feel like you're there experiencing it alongside them.
This is more of a character/thematic study so don't go in expecting too much plot, but the plot we do get is very satisfying and ties up well.
Can't wait to sink my teeth into whatever Caitlin does next- pun very much intended.
A couple of months ago I met Caitlin Starling at a book signing and told her how excited I was to read this. All I knew at that point was vampire broodmother. But as a huge fan of The Starving Saints, I was locked in to whatever madness she could throw my way. Caitlin told me it was by far her weirdest book yet and even her publisher was like girl what??. That's when I knew I was in for a ride.
Holy moly, she was not lying! Not only is this book so so odd, it is also disgusting, nauseating, and downright fascinating. I highly recommend not reading this one on a lunch break like I tried to do!
Caitlin takes common vampire lore and transforms it even further, exploring the connection between maker and child, between nature and nurture, and between desire and derision.
The story is written through the lens of our protagonist, Beatrice, telling a story to an unnamed individual. This adds to the isolating and suffocating setting we find our cast of characters in. As they move through they world, you feel like you're there experiencing it alongside them.
This is more of a character/thematic study so don't go in expecting too much plot, but the plot we do get is very satisfying and ties up well.
Can't wait to sink my teeth into whatever Caitlin does next- pun very much intended.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this book as an e-copy through NetGalley. Thank you to Caitlin Starling and St. Martin's Press for the copy!
Milkteeth is fresh, visceral take on vampire lore and motherhood that doesn't shy away from the horror or the love in both roles. I often have trouble with motherhood narratives, with many of them often delving too far into territory I find trite or unsatisfying. Here, Starling's meditations on childrearing, consumption, responsibility, isolation, and love intertwine vampirism and motherhood into one singular entity. In the novel, both exists as sites of annihilation and transformation as Beatrice tries to find a harmony between the two.
It was compulsively readable with dynamic characters and interactions (Gorgeous and Beatrice were my favorite relationship, full of resentment and dependency)and I could hardly put it down. Beatrice herself was an excellent protagonist and narrator who is not so much unreliable as she is elusive. Starling's portrayal of her as a vampire, as a mother, than as something else entirely is one I won't forget.
Her prose itself is magical, full of nuance, warmth, and violence. This is my first book by Caitlin Starling but it certainly will not be my last.
Milkteeth is fresh, visceral take on vampire lore and motherhood that doesn't shy away from the horror or the love in both roles. I often have trouble with motherhood narratives, with many of them often delving too far into territory I find trite or unsatisfying. Here, Starling's meditations on childrearing, consumption, responsibility, isolation, and love intertwine vampirism and motherhood into one singular entity. In the novel, both exists as sites of annihilation and transformation as Beatrice tries to find a harmony between the two.
It was compulsively readable with dynamic characters and interactions (Gorgeous and Beatrice were my favorite relationship, full of resentment and dependency)and I could hardly put it down. Beatrice herself was an excellent protagonist and narrator who is not so much unreliable as she is elusive. Starling's portrayal of her as a vampire, as a mother, than as something else entirely is one I won't forget.
Her prose itself is magical, full of nuance, warmth, and violence. This is my first book by Caitlin Starling but it certainly will not be my last.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Caitlin Starling will forever and always have my heart and soul. The Luminous Dead cemented her as an insta-buy author for me, but Milkteeth really reminded me why I love her novels so much.
In Milkteeth, you follow Beatrice, a broodmother to two unruly vampires. When she takes on a third fledgling, things start to unravel, and she turns to a human OBGYN to make sense of her changing body. What follows is a wild ride from start to finish - it's dark, gritty, and wildly creative. It’s hard to do something truly new with vampires, but Starling absolutely pulls it off, delivering something that feels fresh and exciting.
Beatrice is a fantastic character, and I was instantly invested in her story, completely captivated by her transformation over the course of the novel. There’s a strong cast here, with plenty of characters to love and enough momentum to keep you hooked all the way through. I was especially drawn to the dynamic between Beatrice and Dr. Bajracharya.
There were moments when I was reading this in bed, kicking my feet and cackling at whatever unhinged thing had just happened and honestly, I know I can count on getting that exact feeling every time I pick up a Caitlin Starling novel.
I loved it!
In Milkteeth, you follow Beatrice, a broodmother to two unruly vampires. When she takes on a third fledgling, things start to unravel, and she turns to a human OBGYN to make sense of her changing body. What follows is a wild ride from start to finish - it's dark, gritty, and wildly creative. It’s hard to do something truly new with vampires, but Starling absolutely pulls it off, delivering something that feels fresh and exciting.
Beatrice is a fantastic character, and I was instantly invested in her story, completely captivated by her transformation over the course of the novel. There’s a strong cast here, with plenty of characters to love and enough momentum to keep you hooked all the way through. I was especially drawn to the dynamic between Beatrice and Dr. Bajracharya.
There were moments when I was reading this in bed, kicking my feet and cackling at whatever unhinged thing had just happened and honestly, I know I can count on getting that exact feeling every time I pick up a Caitlin Starling novel.
I loved it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I will always pick up whatever Caitlin Starling has out and Caitlin Starling + vampires? I’m there for sure. Milkteeth is not a vampire novel in the traditional way as Beatrice is a broodmother and her more focused on her charges than really preying on unsuspecting maidens. Similar to The Luminous Dead I could not put this book down and I had difficulty predicting where this book would go. The characters are quite fun (Dr. Bajracharya my beloved) and unless you can’t stand reading about blood I think most people would have a good time here.
Milkteeth is both more and less about motherhood than I expected. More about the internal changes, the way the body changes and on the demands motherhood puts on the body. Less about the lifestyle changes and common complaints associated with rearing children (example tiredness). Milkteeth feels like an exploration of motherhood that is completely devoid of the baby. I still think it would be reductive to solely say that Milkteeth is a motherhood allegory through the lense of vampirism because we also get to see how Beatrice deals with changes in her body, her relationships and her sense of self.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Milkteeth is both more and less about motherhood than I expected. More about the internal changes, the way the body changes and on the demands motherhood puts on the body. Less about the lifestyle changes and common complaints associated with rearing children (example tiredness). Milkteeth feels like an exploration of motherhood that is completely devoid of the baby. I still think it would be reductive to solely say that Milkteeth is a motherhood allegory through the lense of vampirism because we also get to see how Beatrice deals with changes in her body, her relationships and her sense of self.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 23, 2026
“To eat is to be a beast; to drink is to be something more refined.”
Any book that lures me and, forces me to slow down and really dissect what I’m reading, while keeping me intrigued is always going to impress me. Milkteeth is maybe the slowest paced while still riveting action packed novel I’ve ever read. My appreciation for that is beyond words.
Told from our leading lady’s monstrous perspective comes a tale of vampiric brood-mothering, a concept that at its base hooked me for its originality. Thesis could be written on this novel and its parallels to motherhood. Regardless of one’s own parenting status, this book packs an impact. Starling really hits home with ideas of mom guilt, loss of self, and balancing firm but fair “child” rearing.
Immediately I got Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire vibes. However, if you cannot stomach gory violence this one isn’t for you. It is the nature of the beast though and Starling’s descriptions are horrendously grotesque with heavy hands of macabre beauty. The conclusion, absolutely horrific. 😍
This is going to be my go to Spooky Season recommendation for sure; aside from being a gruesome horror novel it was oddly comforting and empowering.
Any book that lures me and, forces me to slow down and really dissect what I’m reading, while keeping me intrigued is always going to impress me. Milkteeth is maybe the slowest paced while still riveting action packed novel I’ve ever read. My appreciation for that is beyond words.
Told from our leading lady’s monstrous perspective comes a tale of vampiric brood-mothering, a concept that at its base hooked me for its originality. Thesis could be written on this novel and its parallels to motherhood. Regardless of one’s own parenting status, this book packs an impact. Starling really hits home with ideas of mom guilt, loss of self, and balancing firm but fair “child” rearing.
Immediately I got Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire vibes. However, if you cannot stomach gory violence this one isn’t for you. It is the nature of the beast though and Starling’s descriptions are horrendously grotesque with heavy hands of macabre beauty. The conclusion, absolutely horrific. 😍
This is going to be my go to Spooky Season recommendation for sure; aside from being a gruesome horror novel it was oddly comforting and empowering.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Trigger warning to anyone who has struggled with an infant in any way, shape, or form. Both the book and this review.
This was not an easy read. Watching Beatrice claw her way into new forms of monstrosity was beautiful and poignant in much the same way that birth and breastfeeding are touted as having those same qualities. What is so often heralded as being "natural and empowering - the most basic and fundamental parts of motherhood" are just as likely to be an overstimulating, white-hot pain that begs you to throw the damned creature across the room.
Parenting an infant is hard enough on its own, but to be the caretaker, bottle, chef, butcher, and cattle all in one is truly an experience that one has to suffer through to fully understand the sweet, unending agony - the way love can so quickly sour into contempt, paranoia, and then guilt.
Milkteeth is an eloquent allegory for the entirety of the postpartum experience: the disconcerting quality of a body forever changed, love, pain, uncertainty, resentment, rage, loneliness, and the devastating need to do better, to be more.
ARC via Netgalley
This was not an easy read. Watching Beatrice claw her way into new forms of monstrosity was beautiful and poignant in much the same way that birth and breastfeeding are touted as having those same qualities. What is so often heralded as being "natural and empowering - the most basic and fundamental parts of motherhood" are just as likely to be an overstimulating, white-hot pain that begs you to throw the damned creature across the room.
Parenting an infant is hard enough on its own, but to be the caretaker, bottle, chef, butcher, and cattle all in one is truly an experience that one has to suffer through to fully understand the sweet, unending agony - the way love can so quickly sour into contempt, paranoia, and then guilt.
Milkteeth is an eloquent allegory for the entirety of the postpartum experience: the disconcerting quality of a body forever changed, love, pain, uncertainty, resentment, rage, loneliness, and the devastating need to do better, to be more.
ARC via Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I don't typically read horror, but the idea of "breastfeeding vampires" was way too intriguing to pass up! I'm so glad I decided to read this book. It's a very refreshing take on the vampire genre, and I absolutely devoured this book! Currently navigating my own postpartum journey, I could relate to many of the ups and downs of Beatrice's relationship with motherhood, especially the impact of sustaining the lives of her nurslings. Sometimes it can feel impossibly difficult to find one's own power and strength in motherhood, an issue that becomes even more challenging without a good support system. I also liked the intertwining of medical science and anatomy throughout the story as Beatrice seeks answers and support in her nursing journey.
Additionally, I really enjoyed the different characters of Beatrice's nurslings, and the dynamics that came with them each being in different stages of their young vampirism. I also enjoyed the writing style and the general haunting and eerie vibes of the story. This is my first book by Caitlin Starling, and I will be picking up more in the future!
Additionally, I really enjoyed the different characters of Beatrice's nurslings, and the dynamics that came with them each being in different stages of their young vampirism. I also enjoyed the writing style and the general haunting and eerie vibes of the story. This is my first book by Caitlin Starling, and I will be picking up more in the future!
April 15, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read Caitlin Starling’s new book Milkteeth!
I knew this was going to hit for me when I read the dedication: ‘𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝—𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐭.’ I’m currently breastfeeding my second child and have donated large amounts of milk to three other babies so far. That being said, I could relate to Beatrice, and appreciated the subtle and not so subtle nods to motherhood throughout the story. Beatrice is a rare vampire brood mother who nurses recently turned vampires until they are mature enough to leave her. She bonds with them and nourishes them, though they are not her children, until they no longer need her and are set free. After taking on a third fledgling who is in danger of becoming a ghoul instead of a vampire, she begins to struggle with her identity, responsibility, and lack of freedom. She sets forth to find answers for herself, and the path is paved with blood. Even without relating to the motherhood/nursing aspects, this book is perfect for those who love a vampire story filled with blood, viscera, and gore.
I knew this was going to hit for me when I read the dedication: ‘𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝—𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐭.’ I’m currently breastfeeding my second child and have donated large amounts of milk to three other babies so far. That being said, I could relate to Beatrice, and appreciated the subtle and not so subtle nods to motherhood throughout the story. Beatrice is a rare vampire brood mother who nurses recently turned vampires until they are mature enough to leave her. She bonds with them and nourishes them, though they are not her children, until they no longer need her and are set free. After taking on a third fledgling who is in danger of becoming a ghoul instead of a vampire, she begins to struggle with her identity, responsibility, and lack of freedom. She sets forth to find answers for herself, and the path is paved with blood. Even without relating to the motherhood/nursing aspects, this book is perfect for those who love a vampire story filled with blood, viscera, and gore.
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