As the Starlings Fly Series
Step into the enthralling world of the As the Starlings Fly series, where history, suspense, and dark magic intertwine in an unforgettable tale of bravery, sacrifice, and resilience.
Follow Emily Hampshire’s journey as she faces impossible odds, uncovers buried truths, and confronts the sinister forces threatening her small Indiana town—and the nation.
In 1850, a rising tide of evil plagues a small Indiana town. Only one woman’s long-buried secrets can stop it. But revealing them will spell her doom.
In the years since her father disappeared and her mother perished under suspicious circumstances, Emily Hampshire has endured relentless scrutiny in New Harmony. Yearning to simply blend in and finally escape the gossip and glances, she strives for the expected—get married and live an uneventful life.
But when Emily finally falls in love, everything falls apart.
A brutal murder thrusts her once again into the center of scandal and terror. The townspeople blame a monstrous beast, but Emily has hidden the truth for years in her quest for stability.
The real demon is human, power-hungry, and allied with dark forces.
Though devastated by grief and terror, she must confront this true villain, or the rampage will devour more innocent lives.
As Emily gathers the courage to pit herself against ancient sorcery, one thing is certain. She’ll finally break free of her tragic past—either in truth or in death.
Fans of Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell and the imaginative realms of C.S. Lewis will relish in this captivating American blend of mystery, magic, and machinations.
Will she live by lies or die by the truth?
Book Review:
"A masterfully conceived work of sorcery, secrets, and small-town survival, Under a Waning Moon by Steven L Ririe is an original supernatural fantasy exploring the darkest corners of American tradition. Infamously overshadowed by her father’s disappearance and her mother’s untimely death, Emily Hampshire wants nothing more than a normal life, but her eager pursuit of love soon sets her on a perilous path. A sinister trio of scheming sisters are unleashing horrific beasts on the unsuspecting town of New Harmony, causing a wave of panic and forcing Emily to reveal the hidden truth of her past. Confronting the painful contradictions of romance, legacy, femininity, and grief, this thrilling historical fantasy is a swirling and thought-provoking plunge into American magic, which reaches beyond fantasy to reveal the haunted machinations of the country’s past." --Self-Publishing Review
Murder stokes terror in New Harmony, and a witch hunt ensues. The gallows takes only innocent lives. Can Emily prove the identity of the real devil before the country collapses?
In 1850, a tyrannical mayor joins forces with evil to control the townspeople’s thoughts and fuel their worst fears.
With his sights set on the presidency, the nation hangs in the balance.
Emily knows the truth and must defeat this dark magic before panic takes a catastrophic toll. As her foe acquires powerful, corrupt allies, Emily has no choice but to forge a dangerous alliance of her own.
But her perilous compromise demands yet another price, forcing her to confront the mystery of her father’s disappearance—and how this web has ensnared her family all along.
When light isn’t enough to cast out darkness, will Emily’s deal with a devil trap her in the same shadows that destroyed her parents and the love of her life?
Reminiscent of Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale, this young woman’s battle against impossible odds will make you question the very nature of good and evil. Devour this thrilling sequel to Under a Waning Moon as it leads you down paths brimming with danger and intrigue.
Great darkness threatens the nation. Can one light defeat it?
Book Review:
"An elegant historical drama steeped in magic, mistrust, and unlikely alliances, Before the Coming Dawn by Steve L. Ririe is a mesmerizing second chapter of his As the Starlings Fly saga. After performing what some consider a miracle, the manipulative mayor of New Harmony is more popular than ever, but the sinister force whispering inside his head is eager to use that power for its malicious ends. At the same time, a string of murderous attacks stoke fears that threaten the town’s collective humanity, forcing the grieving Emily, LeFevre, and Marco to reveal the darker truth behind the monstrous horror. A macabre and expertly crafted piece of American historical fantasy, the twisting plot and indomitable protagonist combine for an enchanting adventure, and a fantastically original novel that will appeal to readers well beyond the genre, which can be saturated with overly familiar stories." --Self-Publishing Review
Why You’ll Love the As the Starlings Fly Series
- Historical Intrigue: Immerse yourself in the atmospheric world of 1850s America with rich, evocative storytelling.
- Emily Hampshire’s Journey: Follow a compelling heroine as she battles her tragic past and impossible odds.
- Suspense Meets Supernatural: Unravel a thrilling blend of historical mystery, dark magic, and human ambition.