Hungerstone by Kay Dunn is a new favorite!!

"The blood that came each month after. At first, a disappointment, then a fear, then a grief, then an inevitability. I was good for nothing but blood.

"That is what Henry bought in me: taste, refinement, high birth, and good blood. ......There are perhaps some graces to being un-mothered. My body is as unused as a dress not yet worn, and so remains as crisp and fresh as the day it was bought."

"He was good to me, once. I hold onto that, like a prayer, like a plea. Let this life of mine be about more than pain."

This was unsettling in the best way and I could not stop thinking about it once I was done. Womanhood is horror and pleasure and adventure and desire and yeah... Kat Dunn gets it and this book captures it so well. Scary lady queers, this one was for us.

The book starts with the quote 'do you want to live deliciously?' and it couldn't be more appropriate. This is a decadent and gothic re-telling of Carmilla and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lenore was a fascinating and sometimes frustrating protagonist and Carmilla was mysterious and tempting. I thought the slow build up of their relationship was done very well and I also enjoyed the interactions between Lenore and her husband. There were parts that felt a little bit repetitive, but overall, this was a very entertaining read and I would definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. I took a little too long to read this, as life got in the way, and I needed to be in the correct headspace to savor every moment of it, but once I finally had room to lose myself in it, I devoured this in a gulp. I believe my current Goodreads review is, in its entirety, five stars, "GOOD FOR HER," and that sums it all up. What a beautiful, terrifying, chilling, atmospheric book that evokes all of my favorite things and has immediately skyrocketed to the top of my "must throw this at everyone I know" lists. Dunn is an absolute master of prose, and the tension between classic Gothic literature and a very modern, very queer voice made for a deeply satisfying, wonderful read. Thank you so much for trusting me with this book; it's incredibly special, and I'm so honored to have been able to read it.

As a bookseller, it's difficult not to judge a book by it's cover, but when I saw this one, I judged it to be a new favourite--and I was right. I love horrors like this. Not quite overt, but it gets under your skin until you're face to face with the dark. The gothic atmosphere is what hooked me, but I stayed for that lingering dread that permeated the pages. I would have loved to sink a little deeper into the vampirism and into the Carmila inspiration, but I did leave quite satisfied (pun slightly intended).

VAMPIRES ARE SO BACK!!! Hungerstone is a feminist Carmilla retelling and follows Lady Lenore as she comes to herself. Although Carmilla isn't always physically around throughout the book, you can feel her looming and menacing presence. Dunn sets a great gothic setting and the backdrop of England in the Industrial Revolution feels immersive.

The problem is that I've read Carmilla and Rebecca, and enjoyed them both so I found Hungerstone to be quite underwhelming. It might be the fault of marketing but it seems that like other readers, I thought Carmilla was going to play a bigger role as part of the "thrillingly seductive sapphic romance." Instead, she comes and goes, and is missing most of the time. Dunn's Carmilla doesn't hold the same charm and eloquence as Le Fanu's in my opinion. This Carmilla is unlikeable to be quite frank, even to Lenore, making the chemistry between her and Lenore to be more questionable. She's used as a plot device and symbol rather than as a character. I also found the book to be too slow for my liking.

Fans of well-set exposition, female rage, and gothic fiction would like this one. Not for the squeamish because there is gore, animal harm, and body horror. Thank you Kat Dunn, Zando, and NetGalley for the eARC!

Moody, atmospheric, themes of female oppression done so well, loved every second.

“ There were infinite options before me, but they all led nowhere. The only guarantee was death, perhaps slower, perhaps faster. But nowhere love. Nowhere home. There was no safety waiting, no welcoming arms. There was no one to help me, no one to worry for my absence. No one to see me. There was nothing.”

The crushing loneliness she felt spoke to my soul, all I could do was root for her from beginning to end.

Kat Dunn’s Hungerstone is a mesmerizing reimagining of the classic vampire tale, steeped in the fog-drenched moors and shadowy corridors of Victorian England. Drawing inspiration from Sheridan Le Fanu’s Carmilla, Dunn crafts a story that is both timeless and fiercely modern, exploring themes of female autonomy, queer desire, and the monstrousness of repression.

At the heart of the novel is Lenore, a woman trapped in a loveless marriage to a steel magnate, whose life is upended when the enigmatic Carmilla enters her world after a carriage accident. What follows is a slow-burning, intoxicating unraveling of Lenore’s identity, as she is drawn into Carmilla’s orbit—both terrified and entranced.

Dunn’s prose is lush and lyrical, perfectly capturing the gothic atmosphere: crumbling estates, spectral visions, and the ever-present moors that seem to breathe with secrets. But beyond the aesthetic, Hungerstone is a deeply emotional and political novel, confronting the violence of patriarchy, the weight of grief, and the hunger for liberation.

Carmilla is a standout character—seductive, mysterious, and subversive—and her relationship with Lenore is rendered with aching tenderness and tension. Their connection is not just romantic but revolutionary, a reclamation of power in a world that seeks to silence them.

I’ve never read Carmilla, so I can’t compare the two. But this reminded me of Rebecca- just make it bloody and gay. I loved seeing the female rage slowly increase until it took over! I found it to be a little slow in the beginning, but once it picked up the pace I was fully in. Solid 4 stars.

Lesbian vampires what more could you ask for! Read this if you love feminine rage, gothic tales, complex characters and haunting setting.

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn; unfortunately this was not my cup of tea. Wasn't what I expected from the blurb. It's a pass for me.

Vampires back in media, while a recession indicator for the economy, is always a good omen in my book. I read Carmilla earlier this year and absolutely loved it, my only complaint being that it was far too short. Kat Dunn seems to know this sentiment well and has fleshed out the sexy, raging complexities in this Carmilla retelling.

The first half of the book is a slow burn with imagery reminiscent of Wuthering Heights thanks to its gothic backdrop. We're acclimating to the context of BC (Before Carmilla), where Lenore is nothing but a dutiful wife to her loser husband who exploits his workers. But the latter half has a great payoff for your patience and becomes exciting real quick.

The mysteries hold up well all throughout and serve to be the driving force of Lenore's liberation from dormancy to her husband and her concept of societal normalities — all of this, of course, can be accredited to Carmilla's suggestions that make their way into Lenore's minds and take root in her suspicions.

The only aspect I felt this book lacked was more scenes with Carmilla. We feel her presence as though it were an omniscient overseer but I wish that we'd gotten more of Lenore and Carmilla together. I do understand however that most of Lenore's plotting probably had to be done independently in order to feel as satisfied with the ending as one does. Either way, 4 stars for a wild ride 🩸

I loved this book. Kat Dunn does a great job blending eerie vibes with emotional depth, exploring themes like desire, repression, and identity. The setting is moody and immersive, and the slow-burn romance is both tense and tender. If you’re into gothic horror with a modern edge, Hungerstone is definitely worth the read.

I wanted to love this book so much and don’t get me wrong, there were parts that I did love but overall it felt a bit off to me.

You figure out pretty quickly that Lenore is not in the happiest marriage and tends to be quite sickly. She is swept off to the remote moorlands to host a hunting party when Carmilla falls into her life and eventually, girls in the local village are so hungry….

For me, the first half of this book was a bit too drug out, especially compared to the second half. There’s a lot of exposition and setting the scene that threw me off; if Carmilla hadn’t arrived when she did, I probably wouldn’t have finished it.

However, I loved Carmilla and how she operated! The way the village folk were being affected and the gradual change in Lenore were wonderful. I would have loved to read more of these parts. Besides the slow introduction and the insufferable husband, the retelling was pretty darn good!

CW: Mild Gore, Mild Body Horror, Misogyny (Historical), Interpersonal/Domestic Abuse and Violence (Familial, Spousal), Stress & Emotional Breakdown, PTSD, Infertility

Obligatory note that this is a Carmilla retelling, but I won’t be focusing on that because I didn’t know it was one until I began reading it. Also, frankly, I think the book is better read not knowing it. Because this book isn’t Carmilla’s story—it’s Lenore’s.

Lenore, our first person narrator, is the kind of protagonist I love. At first, she is boring, withdrawn and too caught up in her marriage and trying to rescue a crumbling estate to be of much interest. As the story unfolds, however, we learn why she obsesses over etiquette and being a proper wife. As we learn more about her past, how it plays into her present, and how she Carmilla’s role here is a forced reckoning, making Lenore see the realities around her that are not polite or comforting.

I think queerness is not as up front as many would want, with Lenore’s bisexuality and Carmilla’s lesbianism a part of the narrative rather than the primary focus of it. I think this criticism fair, given the marketing stresses the sapphic romance element. For me, however, I found in Lenore’s story a familiar, queer narrative of self-repression and trying to conform to the “right” role and the self-doubt and lack of self-esteem that goes with it—until new perspectives awakens the knowledge and rage needed to change.

Another legitimate flaw, I think, is that the plot overall is predictable, when looked at from the reader’s perspective. However, when viewed through Lenore’s eyes, a woman who has been abused, repressed, overworked, and (most importantly) doesn’t know she’s in a Gothic novel, I think it’s more reasonable. That said, if you’re the type of reader who can’t stand when characters don’t catch on as quick as you, then I think you’ll definitely struggle with this story.

Ultimately, I would recommend this book to those who enjoy character studies of flawed narrators, feminine rage, and watching someone discover a more authentic self just in time. However, if you’re looking for a lesbian forward, vampire forward, or heavy-on-the-Carmilla novel, I don’t think this one is the right read.

A deliciously Sapphic AND gothic novel I absolutely devoured (no pun intended). I am so happy to of read an early reading copy of this as it has become a new favourite for me. Thank you Netgalley & Allen & Unwin! The tension and haunting atmosphere was just what I needed.

Con una atmosfera oscura, sensual y gótica Kat Dunn "Hungerstone" nos presenta el estudio y la evolución de la rabia femenina de manera magistral.

A deliciously gothic tale, lyrically written, with some glee inducing twists and turns. Thoroughly enjoyed.

HUNGERSTONE

HUNGERSTONE was my most anticipated book of 2025. I received a copy in late 2024 but held off to read it along with my book club members


In HUNGERSTONE we are following Lenore. Lenore lives in London with her husband Henry. Her days are spent tending to the home and helping Henry with his social calendar.

One day Henry and Lenore find a woman I dire condition alongside the road. Her name is Carmilla and she was in a terrible accident. Henry and Lenore decide they must bring Carmilla home to nurse her back to health.

The job will primarily fall to Lenore. Over time Carmilla becomes more than a houseguest and we get to watch as Carmilla makes a home in Lenore’s nest.



Reading HUNGERSTONE is what I imagine eating ortolan is like. I am intrigued but side tracked by the feathers in my teeth.

Lenore is a fabulous character. She stands a little straighter than her station should merit. Takes up more space than is allocated to her. Laughs a little louder a little deeper than warrants and always, always looks you in the eye when she tells you how she feels. She is often tired of herself. Has fantasies of being different people, different sexes. In a different place at a different time.

I loved Lenore. I loved the writing.

Carmilla though, was a little tougher to swallow. I did not like her. So the attraction between Lenore and her didn't work for me.

I wanted Lenore to throw Carmilla out of a nearby window.

But we can't win them all right?

I gave HUNGERSTONE four stars!

Thanks to Nergalley and Zando for the advanced copy!

HUNGERSTONE…⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book needed 10% more Carmilla and I would have given it 5 stars.

I loved Lenore's voice as a character. Her inner life was a rich tapestry and with the gentlest tug we see her carefully crafted sterile life and image unspool. The depiction of the work that is required in maintaining a large estate was actually so interesting to me, the ins and outs of dealing with contractors, managing a large staff, organizing extravagant parties and social calendars. Domestic labor is so degraded in the eyes of men and it was fascinating yet disheartening to see how much energy and effort Lenore extended that her husband completely took for granted or dismissed entirely. The simmering tension between Lenore and Carmilla and the otherworldly quality of Carmilla's presence was intoxicating. In many ways it heavily reminded me of the psychological tie between Ellen and Count Orlok in Nosferatu (2024). The way the human woman's relationship to the monster is a reflection of her own hunger, her own ferocity that is trapped within her by the rules of gentile society. There's many things to love about this book and the prose was stunning. I only wished for more Carmilla and perhaps a touch more blood.

4.25 stars

Thank you to the publisher for my review copy. All thoughts are my own.