What do you think?
Rate this book
Gryphon Insurrection #3
Starling
Lost eyrie ruins, a horde of rabid starlings, and a sinister discovery at a lost dig site.
Tresh is an aquatic gryphon on a mission. She watched her home burn and the last of her family disappear into the bog. Now she’ll do anything to join an elite rescue team searching for survivors. A rescue team led by the same gryphon who killed her nieces and nephews.
An owl that blinks.
A medicine gryphon with a mane.
A goofy guardsman.
When new allies and old foes join forces to delve into the secrets of the bog, will they find their missing loved ones, or is something more sinister than starlings lurking in the abandoned eyrie ruins?
Starling is a full-length creature fantasy novel with gryphons, monsters, terrible secrets, and Blinky the Owl Gryphon.
Tresh is an aquatic gryphon on a mission. She watched her home burn and the last of her family disappear into the bog. Now she’ll do anything to join an elite rescue team searching for survivors. A rescue team led by the same gryphon who killed her nieces and nephews.
An owl that blinks.
A medicine gryphon with a mane.
A goofy guardsman.
When new allies and old foes join forces to delve into the secrets of the bog, will they find their missing loved ones, or is something more sinister than starlings lurking in the abandoned eyrie ruins?
Starling is a full-length creature fantasy novel with gryphons, monsters, terrible secrets, and Blinky the Owl Gryphon.
- GenresFantasy
442 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 6, 2019
3 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
K. Vale Nagle
12 books53 followersK. Vale Nagle is alarmingly hard to kill.
After surviving several pulmonary embolisms and multiple organ failure, Vale kicked their writing into high gear and saw their first short story and novel publications. When they're not writing creature fantasy or fighting for their life, they enjoys reading, archery, and exploring the Rocky Mountains with a tabby cat by their side.
After surviving several pulmonary embolisms and multiple organ failure, Vale kicked their writing into high gear and saw their first short story and novel publications. When they're not writing creature fantasy or fighting for their life, they enjoys reading, archery, and exploring the Rocky Mountains with a tabby cat by their side.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 3, 2025
I'm sorry for ever doubting this series. I left a somewhat average review of Eyrie, and when I first read that I wasn't expecting to be so utterly head over heels in love with this series only two books later, but here we are. This series just keeps getting better and better, and each book feels different from the last in a refreshing way that still manages to keep its identity.
This time, the journey is far more quest oriented. Entering the starling-infested bog to retrieve those who were lost inside, a group of unlikely allies have their abilities, morals and wits tested again and again as they confront the best and worst of gryphon kind and themselves. I'm a huge sucker for books in a series that take a small group of lovely characters and force them into an all new, highly dangerous biome and see how they fare. In this sense, this is K. Vale Nagle's The Poison Jungle, only in this one the lesbian protagonist is left behind, unfortunately.
That minor grievance aside, the cast in this one is spectacular. Tresh, Biski and Blinky are some of my favorite characters, and Tresh's character growth in particular anchors this film. It's a tough story about letting go of the wounds of the past and coming together in the wake of a greater cause, and it's also a fun, thrilling journey into the heart of gryphon kind.
Having read the book after this, I think Starling is really important in the way it takes a break from the expansive scope of Ashen Weald and Reevesbane and takes time to check in with the characters that may have been hurt most by its previous events and give them closure as the tide of the story gets ready to turn. It's a well needed breather before we delve deeper into the overall story, and makes the whole experience more emotionally engaging.
I'm utterly in love with this series and world and cast and believe it or not, it only gets better from here.
This time, the journey is far more quest oriented. Entering the starling-infested bog to retrieve those who were lost inside, a group of unlikely allies have their abilities, morals and wits tested again and again as they confront the best and worst of gryphon kind and themselves. I'm a huge sucker for books in a series that take a small group of lovely characters and force them into an all new, highly dangerous biome and see how they fare. In this sense, this is K. Vale Nagle's The Poison Jungle, only in this one the lesbian protagonist is left behind, unfortunately.
That minor grievance aside, the cast in this one is spectacular. Tresh, Biski and Blinky are some of my favorite characters, and Tresh's character growth in particular anchors this film. It's a tough story about letting go of the wounds of the past and coming together in the wake of a greater cause, and it's also a fun, thrilling journey into the heart of gryphon kind.
Having read the book after this, I think Starling is really important in the way it takes a break from the expansive scope of Ashen Weald and Reevesbane and takes time to check in with the characters that may have been hurt most by its previous events and give them closure as the tide of the story gets ready to turn. It's a well needed breather before we delve deeper into the overall story, and makes the whole experience more emotionally engaging.
I'm utterly in love with this series and world and cast and believe it or not, it only gets better from here.
September 16, 2022
What another wonderful installment in a series that just gets better and better!
Starling differs from the last Gryphon Insurrection book in that it follows largely one character (with a few deviations). Tresh is a gryphon we've known since book 1, but haven't had an opportunity to really get inside her head until this book. The quiet petrel gryphon has become a new favorite of mine, as I felt most people could relate to her struggles with grief, forgiving others, and accepting new people as friends. She truly overcomes a lot in this book, and the ending chapters even packed an emotional punch that caught me off guard, but in a good way!
The supporting characters were just as enjoyable, as we really got to know the reliable Urious, goofy Biski, stalwart Erlock and mysterious Blinky. I hope to see more of all these characters in the future, especially whatever Erlock is getting into (but I'll stop there to keep from spoiling anything!)
The plot and setting set this series apart from really any other books I've read. The natural world is so diverse and well-described, the plot action packed, full of gryphon politics, and intense. There's never a lack of action going on, be it in the bog, fisherfolk villages, taiga, weald, or the northern mountains.
There's still a lot of questions I have about this world and what lies outside the realm of these characters' homes, but I'll just have to wait till Reevesbane comes out! Whenever it does, I'll be ready to revisit this fascinating world and beloved characters.
I can't recommend Starling highly enough to anyone that loves gryphons or any other type of animal fantasy!
Starling differs from the last Gryphon Insurrection book in that it follows largely one character (with a few deviations). Tresh is a gryphon we've known since book 1, but haven't had an opportunity to really get inside her head until this book. The quiet petrel gryphon has become a new favorite of mine, as I felt most people could relate to her struggles with grief, forgiving others, and accepting new people as friends. She truly overcomes a lot in this book, and the ending chapters even packed an emotional punch that caught me off guard, but in a good way!
The supporting characters were just as enjoyable, as we really got to know the reliable Urious, goofy Biski, stalwart Erlock and mysterious Blinky. I hope to see more of all these characters in the future, especially whatever Erlock is getting into (but I'll stop there to keep from spoiling anything!)
The plot and setting set this series apart from really any other books I've read. The natural world is so diverse and well-described, the plot action packed, full of gryphon politics, and intense. There's never a lack of action going on, be it in the bog, fisherfolk villages, taiga, weald, or the northern mountains.
There's still a lot of questions I have about this world and what lies outside the realm of these characters' homes, but I'll just have to wait till Reevesbane comes out! Whenever it does, I'll be ready to revisit this fascinating world and beloved characters.
I can't recommend Starling highly enough to anyone that loves gryphons or any other type of animal fantasy!
May 2, 2022
Vale writes a compelling exploration of not just terra incognita, but of the messy boundaries between culture, personal relationships, and interpersonal relationships. All the while, there is an underlying weaving of mystery which acts as a backdrop to the action, and gives one a thirst for more.
How I Use the Rating System
1: There is no 0 on the provided scale, so I use this as a 0. I find no redeeming qualities and would not suggest the title to anyone for any reason.
2: I hated the work and regret wasting my time reading it, but find or understand that it has some value.
3: Average. I don’t regret having read it, but what I received as an experience was nominal.
4: I enjoyed or found value in the title, but it’s not something I would recommend to everyone, or I would not consider rereading it, or there was a significant flaw that prevented it from being a 5.
5: I enjoyed it so thoroughly I would reread it and recommend it to just about anyone. Or I found it so valuable that I felt it deserved such a rating.
How I Use the Rating System
1: There is no 0 on the provided scale, so I use this as a 0. I find no redeeming qualities and would not suggest the title to anyone for any reason.
2: I hated the work and regret wasting my time reading it, but find or understand that it has some value.
3: Average. I don’t regret having read it, but what I received as an experience was nominal.
4: I enjoyed or found value in the title, but it’s not something I would recommend to everyone, or I would not consider rereading it, or there was a significant flaw that prevented it from being a 5.
5: I enjoyed it so thoroughly I would reread it and recommend it to just about anyone. Or I found it so valuable that I felt it deserved such a rating.
January 20, 2020
In this instalment, we follow Tresh and her expedition into the bog, and are introduced to a new threat and new friends. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Tresh a lot better, and the introduction of what may be a runner for favourite character.
We have the same quality we've come to expect from K. Vale Nagle, and he doesn't disappoint once more. This, presently, is my favourite book of the series.
We have the same quality we've come to expect from K. Vale Nagle, and he doesn't disappoint once more. This, presently, is my favourite book of the series.
November 1, 2022
Another excellent addition to the series.
I'm not sure if it was because I was more familiar with them, or if there was a slightly smaller main cast, but I felt much more connected with the characters.
The plot wasn't as grand as the previous book, but still felt solid and strong.
I'm not sure if it was because I was more familiar with them, or if there was a slightly smaller main cast, but I felt much more connected with the characters.
The plot wasn't as grand as the previous book, but still felt solid and strong.
February 26, 2024
This was just as good as Ashen Weald! I enjoyed the central focus on Tresh after the epic fantasy feel in the previous book.
Pros:
- the expedition team. They really shone, each being different gryphons that somehow came together as a family. It was nice seeing Henders too. He's basically the resident goofball.
- Tresh's arc with Urious. It was really interesting seeing her learning to let go and acknowledging that even if the wingtorn attacked and killed her relatives, it's not worth it to hold onto hate.
- Ellore and Bruen. Ellore is an interesting character, more morally grey than anything else. Bruen's funny, kind of like Henders, and I enjoyed seeing him form a bond with Quess. Shame what happened to Ferrick though.
- the bog setting. Real Poison Jungle vibes there. The flood with the ants? *shudder*
Cons:
- Vitra. Why was she needed? Felt like a waste. Did not like her at all, very glad when
- the starlings. I've never liked the starlings, they just seem really selfish to me. Like, okay, I get that you're infected with the zombie plague or whatever, but that's no excuse for general stupidity. Even when they're not infected, their altruism still irks me. I hope I can read Pridelord without having to punch a pillow every second page.
- the "stolen eggs" subplot, mostly because of how it played out in book six. It wasn't that bad here, but I felt that the bog gryphons should have ditched Vitra earlier on, so none of this could've happened.
Overall, a fantastic read! Onto Reevesbane (ugh).
Pros:
- the expedition team. They really shone, each being different gryphons that somehow came together as a family. It was nice seeing Henders too. He's basically the resident goofball.
- Tresh's arc with Urious. It was really interesting seeing her learning to let go and acknowledging that even if the wingtorn attacked and killed her relatives, it's not worth it to hold onto hate.
- Ellore and Bruen. Ellore is an interesting character, more morally grey than anything else. Bruen's funny, kind of like Henders, and I enjoyed seeing him form a bond with Quess. Shame what happened to Ferrick though.
- the bog setting. Real Poison Jungle vibes there. The flood with the ants? *shudder*
Cons:
- Vitra. Why was she needed? Felt like a waste. Did not like her at all, very glad when
- the starlings. I've never liked the starlings, they just seem really selfish to me. Like, okay, I get that you're infected with the zombie plague or whatever, but that's no excuse for general stupidity. Even when they're not infected, their altruism still irks me. I hope I can read Pridelord without having to punch a pillow every second page.
- the "stolen eggs" subplot, mostly because of how it played out in book six. It wasn't that bad here, but I felt that the bog gryphons should have ditched Vitra earlier on, so none of this could've happened.
Overall, a fantastic read! Onto Reevesbane (ugh).
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews