3.75 stars.

I think.

A lot of my feelings about Hungerstone are complicated. This was a good book, but it also was a little meh to me, hence why I can’t give it 4 stars. While I thought the prose was absolutely lovely, I had wildly different expectations for what this novel would be and that’s a little on me.

In particular, I picked this one up because I’ve been wanting a really strong Carmilla retelling… Except Carmilla herself is more of a vessel for Lenore’s character growth than anything else throughout the course of the story. She shows up exclusively to challenge Lenore’s world view and then leaves, and though her absence is profoundly felt across the pages, she still feels too pivotal to just cast off for so much of the book. Especially because she’s interesting. Her story alone would have been a better choice of exposition than some of Lenore’s repeated flashbacks, and I would have liked more clarification as to whether or not she was a real vampire.

This book also has a bit of a repetition problem. The same themes and ideas and phrases were repeated many times. They were good at first and then grew to be a little exhausting as the book progressed. 300 pages in a small space to establish a cohesive narrative, and though Dunn does succeed in doing it, I think there should have been more attention given to some very obvious plot holes (that all relate back to Carmilla of course).

That said, I did find this book to be addicting from the 30% mark forward. Henry is a perfectly detestable character and I loved the themes of feminine rage and sapphic desire that are explored through Lenore’s perspective. I really think that this book will land with fans of Johanna van Veen, who also writes gothic (and sapphic!) stories.

You might also love Hungerstone if you enjoy:
- Supporting women’s wrongs
- Unsettling, run down houses
- “Good for her” moments
- Beautiful one liners

Thank you for the publisher and Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. :)

This was perfect!!
I am someone who has become quite critical both in what I consider a good retelling and if a book fits into the gothic lit category and omg it's been ages since both was this true.
Lenore is an absolutely fascinating character and I love how the story of Carmilla was adapted to fit into the victorian english setting with a main character that is almost double the age Laura was in the original novel. I loved the pull and allure that Carmilla had on Lenore without turning the book into a romance (there definitely was romantic parts to the story, I would however not call the book as a whole part of the Romance genre)
Just overall I couldn't find a single fault with the book. From the characters and tension of the plot to the symbolism of the vampire that can't be left out in a true gothic vampire novel, everything was there!

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn is a Carmilla reimagining that follows Lenore, a woman who has had a life full of tragedy and is currently in a stale, ten year marriage. Her life quickly turns upside down when a carriage accident brings a new woman into her home. This story of appetite and desire will have you turning pages quickly to see what happens next.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I’ve seen it compared to Nosferatu and while it isn’t exactly the same vibe, I think it’s similar enough that it’s a good comparison. This world feels deeply gothic and lush and full of feminine rage. I was reading it and getting so bad that I would have to put my kindle down and walk away for a minute to calm down.

The writing is a more simple style than I thought it would be. I was expecting more purple prose but I think the way that this author forms sentences is really interesting because they are impactful without being over the top. That being said, I did highlight several lines while reading my arc and plan on buying a physical copy to annotate.

This was not the book I thought it would be but exactly the book I needed when I picked it up. I can see this being on a lot of people’s favorite books of the year list because the people that will love it will really love it.

If you loved “Nosferatu” read this!
In a Victorian society, where women are seen as nothing more than an accessory to their husbands Lenore finds that is not the life she wants for herself. An encounter with a mysterious woman, Carmilla, turns her life upside down when she finds out two of the people she loves most have been hiding secrets from her.
Carmilla is less of a character and more a manifestation of Lenore’s deepest and darkest desires, that she’s been forced to hide away. She is the one who makes Lenore open her eyes to the situation she’s in. Thanks to Carmilla’s guidance Lenore gets revenge on the people who’ve wronged her and is at once allowed a breath of fresh air.
A sapphic story that centres around female rage, revenge and gender stereotypes and expectations of the late 19th century “Hungerstone” is a phenomenon mix of societal criticism and beautiful prose.

“What is a monster but a creature of agency?”

this book is a reimagining of the vampire classic carmilla, with more plotlines and a strong focus on female rage (and surprisingly few vampires?)
it also explores gender roles, the patriarchy, and class commentary. if you read the original and wanted more explicit sapphic tension, this book will deliver on that front!

at its core, this is a slow-burn revenge story set against an atmospheric and haunting victorian backdrop. the beginning is quite captivating but due to the slow pacing, it soon starts to drag and feel a bit repetitive down the middle, before it all comes crashing down at the end.

the alluring carmilla brings out this sensual darkness in lenore, but sadly, she felt less like a true character and more like a plot device to drive lenore's motivations in the second half of the book. i wish carmilla's character had been better developed and more fleshed out, and that her relationship to lenore had played a bigger role in the story.

Wow... there’s something captivating about a woman coming undone.

This book truly picks up pace in the second half, and I believe that’s by design. In the beginning, we follow Lenore as she drifts through life in a state of numbness. But by the end, she is consumed by both rage and desire. While I struggled to connect with her at first, by the final pages, I found myself craving revenge right alongside her. I was pleasantly shocked by the twists—they caught me off guard but still felt completely inline with the story.

"Hungerstone" by Kat Dunn isn’t your typical modern vampire novel, but it’s a fantastic addition to the genre. The book taps into the long-held belief that vampires represent the darker aspects of our inner selves, and it does so with much success. If you love gothic, vampiric tales with a deeper, more psychological edge, I highly recommend it.

This was a PHENOMENAL read! In my online reviews, I started out by saying: "Maybe I wasn't in a reading slump. Maybe I just needed sapphic vampires and with a revenge plot," and this sums up my endless praise for Kat Dunn's epic writing and the characters of Hungerstone. The setting was immersive, the feminine rage was both palpable and relatable, and the conclusion was beyond satisfying. I haven't read Carmilla, or Dracula for that matter, so I didn't have the highest hopes stepping into this world — and boy, was I blown away. I'll be recommending this book to all my fellow lovers of historical fiction, horror, queer fiction, and of all things weird. Beautifully weird is the best compliment I can I can give a novel, and I give it to Hungerstone with ease.

"Are you alive, little Lenore? Does your heart beat still?"

Oh, this was such a good time. Hungerstone has the sexual tension, the mystery, the lsoing control that I wanted it to have. The writing is great and I found myself highlighting more places than I expected. The plot kept me interested, and I was almost never bored.

Honestly, I haven't read Carmilla, so I can't say anything about this as a retelling. However, I just love watching women do wrong and some great sexual tension, and watching Lenore develop through the story was just so satisfying.

A part of me would have loved to read a sequel, even if's like a novella or something, but I doubt it would happen.

Thank you to Netgalley and the published for providing me an e-arc.

Wow! An easy 5⭐️ from me. This was everything I hoped it would be— deliciously gothic, sapphic, with a protagonist— who with the help of Carmilla—unlocks the part of herself who is ravenous and equally full of anger.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Zando Projects for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This books pacing starts off a little slow but is intriguing enough to keep you invested. By the end of the book it really picks up and is worth it. This book was moody and dark and the best way to describe it is female rage which I love. I enjoyed the writing and felt Lenore’s emotions alongside her throughout the story. This is a book I would definitely recommend for someone who is into gothic and a bit of gore accompanied with female rage.

Thank you to Zando and NetGalley for this ARC!

"Hungerstone" is a novel set in Victorian England, and tells the story of Lenore, a Lady of good standing, as she and her husband travel to their new countryside manor, which she is to restore in time for a hunting party her husband plans to host. On their way there they come across a carriage which seems to have gotten into an accident, and within said carriage they discover Carmilla, who is taken with them to their manor, Nethershaw, to recover there. Carmilla is quite unlike anyone who Lenore has ever met, and she awakens a hunger in her...

This is the second Carmilla retelling that I have read but it is definitely my favourite. The writing is absolutely gorgeous and atmospheric without being overly flowery, drawing you into each scene you read without overwhelming you with prose.

The characters are also absolutely perfectly crafted, not one of them felt anything other than multi-faceted and real. I adored the way Carmilla was written in this work, she is completely feral in exactly the way I want my lady-vampires to feel. But the one I loved most was Lenore, who felt painfully relatable and whose transformation throughout the book is magnificently done.

And while I am by far not as knowledgeable about Victorian England as I would like to be I certainly thought the way society generally, but even more specifically the position of women within that society was portrayed felt very real, and as Dunn described in their Historical Note at the end one can see that they have taken great care at accurately representing the period.

Overall I would say that I cannot recommend this book enough, especially to all the feral girls and gays out there who want to see themselves represented. This is a beautifully crafted work of lesbian historical fiction, and while I implore everyone to read Carmilla, it certainly is not necessary to understand this wonderful book.

This was a pleasant surprise, I enjoyed this Carmilla retelling. The setting, and prose was enjoyable. It is an atmospheric tale that will not disappoint. I will be sure to read more by this author. Most definitely would recommend, I may be in a reading slump after this because it will be hard to match.
Thank you to Zando Projects and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy
4.5 star

we LOVE lesbian vampires and feminine rage!! Hungerstone was so good--I couldn't put it down. Can't wait to reread this one come spooky time when I need my vampire fix.

For what do you hunger?

I loved the premise of sapphic vampires, a female revenge story, and the internal hunger.

I struggled with the fact that Carmilla wasn’t really a character, but more of a figure who awakens the buried hunger in women, pushing Lenore toward change. But at the same time, I believed in her power to manipulate Lenore. And become her obsession. She’s more of a weird, dark spirit than a vicious vampire. This aspect is left for the reader to interpret.

From the reader's perspective, the characters and plot lack depth. Lenore's story is hardly compelling. The best parts are the themes of hunger, female rage, and the dismissal of women as hysterical.

At times, the narrative moved really slowly and felt like it was eating its own tail. It’s a slow burn. The beginning and the end of the book were the most exciting to read. I really liked the moments when reality blurred into a dream, creating the feeling of being trapped by something sinister. The atmosphere was strong, even if I wasn’t engaged the whole time. The opening scene with the blood was the most powerful. I wanted more of those weird, haunting elements.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book

I was easily immersed into the dark and romantic atmosphere of this novel. Sucked in by the keywords of “sapphic vampire”, I knew this would be a fast-paced read for me. The early English estate setting mixed with the annoying capitalist husband made for the perfect backdrop to bring in a spicy, dark vampire to disrupt it all. I found myself rooting for the downfall of this household and wanting for everyone to turn to the dark side. I did find myself sometimes annoyed with the main character unwillingness to let go and see the truth. This could be easily chucked up to the fact that people of this time were very conservative and prudish, but I feel like the novel would have flowed more if the main character had trusted her instincts earlier.

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn completely captivated me from start to finish. This book delivered everything I could have hoped for—beautifully evocative writing, rich world-building, and characters that feel so vividly real they leap off the page.

Dunn has an incredible talent for weaving emotion and tension into her storytelling, and Hungerstone was no exception. The plot was gripping, with twists and turns that kept me hooked, but what stood out most to me was the depth of the characters and the relationships between them. Their struggles, triumphs, and vulnerabilities were portrayed with such authenticity that I couldn’t help but feel fully invested in their journey.

I loved every moment of this book and can’t recommend it highly enough. If you enjoy emotionally resonant, beautifully written stories with unforgettable characters, Hungerstone is an absolute must-read.

A slow-creeping hunger that eventually consumes you until you have no choice but to embrace it - or die unfulfilled.

Hungerstone, a Carmilla retelling, is a perfect read for fans of A Dowry of Blood (or An Education in Malice, another Carmilla retelling) and other vampire narratives. Slow to pick up momentum, at no point are we - the reader - ever certain of how the events in this book will unfold.

Lenore, an unappreciated wife of a steel owner, meets Carmilla - thrown from her carriage and in need of care - during their trip to their isolated mansion. Locked alone with no one to talk to other than Carmilla, who slowly infects her mind with desires and wants that she’s never before allowed herself to feel, leaves Lenore with a hunger that she cannot help but do whatever she can to sate - at any cost.

My only complaint within this book is that at times I felt the narrative moved almost too slowly with Lenore as our main character, where things would happen in the narrative and yet she would do nothing about it. In many ways I, as the reader, almost felt like Carmilla - waiting for Lenore to make her decision and being less than patient in the process of doing so. A few times it felt like things had paused in the storyline simply to allow Lenore to ignore her surroundings and do nothing, but overall I found this story to be compelling and had to read until the end to find out how - exactly - Lenore would finally slack her hunger and find freedom.

A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Zando for providing this e-ARC.

4/5

Hungerstone is a dark reimagining of Carmilla set on the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution that seeks to answer the singular question: for what do we hunger? Ten years into her marriage to a powerful steel magnate, Lady Lenore Crowther has lost much of her former self to their union and left unable to contend why their relationship has soured. On the night the couple travel to their new home in Derbyshire they happen upon an overturned carriage in the road and meet Carmilla, the young woman caught in the accident, and an enigmatic and magnetic individual who will transform their lives forever. In her latest novel Hungerstone, Kat Dunn skillfully renders decadent gothic prose turned inwards by the insatiable appetites of a woman long since starved. This violent reimagining of a classic sees Carmilla as a figure who awakes in Lenore a hunger long buried; and Lenore is burdened in answering its knawing ache, a release she hungers for in turn but also fears. Hungerstone is a novel for the starved - those starved for power and control and those crushed under the stifling weight of possibility, industry, and a loveless marriage. Dunn explores all of these facets through Lenore's search for agency as she unroots the poison at the heart of her marriage and learns a truth that threatens to undo her. Lenore's fragile world is made manifest in the crumbling manor of Nethershaw which falls into further disrepair even as attempts to retrench its edifice are made. Hungerstone's main strength is in this overwhelming imagery which straddles the line between hauntingly beautiful and grotesque. The bloody scenes of the starved grasping at anything to slake the hunger to the twisted imagery of Lenore feasting upon food that does nothing to quell her appetite all served to build a disquiet beneath the narrative and Lenore's eventual undoing. Using Carmilla as a lens to explore hunger and women existing under patriarchy is a fascinating idea and one I reveled in while reading. I loved not knowing if Carmilla was someone real or imagined, or even a manifestation of Lenore's hunger and desire staking a claim. Hungerstone allows the reader to parse this meaning throughout the novel while striking a deadly blow upon its end. This is a bloody, grim view into wanting of all kinds but I thoroughly enjoyed where Dunn drew this abundant feast of a tale to a close. Very good for her.

It’s not often that a book makes me feel so seen. Carmilla is on that list, and I always go into a new book that mentions Carmilla as cautiously optimistic. Hungerstone is definitely one of the best.

Lenore is a character that I couldn’t help but fall in love with right away. She’s an unreliable narrator with a super tight POV, but the way she experiences and describes her world makes reading Hungerstone immersive and enjoyable. Despite some of the plot points being predictable, the overall story is still interesting because it’s interesting to Lenore.

And Carmilla! I found myself wishing we’d had more time with her at the end, but I wasn’t disappointed or felt like I was missing anything. The mystery of who/what she is and what happens next make the story feel complete.

Kat Dunn is an incredible writer and I’m eager to add Hungerstone to my shelf.

3.5 stars

Thank you Zando and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so haunting and atmospheric. The prose was beautiful, the pace slow but simmering with anticipation. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one.

I’ve not read Carmilla, so I have no idea what’s been borrowed and what hasn’t, but this book really stands strong on its own. I love me some sapphic vampires, and I absolutely love a revenge story. The female rage was palpable by the end of this book and I was enraptured.

I struggled to really connect with the characters on any kind of emotional level, which is the only reason this isn’t rated higher. I still thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I definitely recommend for fans of historical horror and gothic classics.