Not sure what to say about this one. It's well-written, grossly atmospheric and yet so slow paced it takes a while to get over the boring to get to the meat of it. I expected out of "industrial age Carmilla" more involvement in the industrial age than just an attribute of villainy. This could have been set in an undefined time period and nothing would have changed, probably because Lenore as a character barely outgrows her gothic housewife archetype.

The queerness is more of a background element behind the "female rage" element which I guess what the author wanted to explore at the detriment of the other characters, Carmilla included. She feels like a plot device rather than a lesbian love interest.

The last third is really the interesting part, and why i raised the rating to three stars.

Kat Dunn’s retelling of Carmilla is what I needed this autumn. The victorian gothic historian fiction with lesbian vampires, I don’t think it could get better.

Lenore, a woman stuck in an unhealthy marriage, takes in a mysterious woman after a carriage accident. The same woman she has been seeing in her dreams…

The woman -- Camilla Kernstein -- strolls around at night, putting Lenore’s housemaids on their knees in awe of her. Moreover, she makes Lenore ask questions about her life, what she wants, and what she is hungry for. Carmilla will help unveil secrets at a rapid pace, and no one is as hungry as Lenore is for the truth. But time is running short as Lenore’s sickness is getting worse.

- It’s addictive; it's seductive; it spreads the fierce spirit of Lenore. You feel all her rage, her trauma, and the unfairness of being a woman; eventually, Lenore can’t take it any longer... So Lenore takes it for herself. And she is hungry.

"For what do you hunger, Lenore?"

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
You can get your hands on this magnificent retelling of Carmilla on 18th of February; I know you're hungry for it.

Obviously I struggled to get through this, partially because of a reading slump after finishing Lady MacBeth and partially because I have a lot of stuff going on personally that’s affecting my time and willingness to read.

ANYWAYS.

I liked the sudden, surprising moments of goriness this book offers and I always love a “good for her” story. Plus sapphic vampires? Pure bliss.

That being said and my own personal issues aside, this was a hard book to get into. Picking it up always felt like a chore for some reason, maybe because there’s just a lot of historical details going on all the time? It felt overwhelming. I can appreciate the effort the author took but it was just a lot. Also something just felt predictable about the plot, I never felt surprised by anything. Except what ends up happening between Cora and Henry but that was more of a letdown than anything. All that work and he wasn’t even doing what Lenore suspected? Boring. Also??? I needed more Carmilla??? I almost don’t even know why she was there at all.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

In Hungerstone we follow Lenore, plagued by self doubt and set with the duty of getting the crumbling manor of Nethershaw ready for a hunting party vital to her husband’s steel working business and future. They come across a carriage accident with a mysterious survivor, Carmilla, who comes to stay at the manor until she has recovered. But Lenore could swear she’s seen Carmilla before in a dream and a strange hunger begins to awaken in those around her.

Hauntingly atmospheric and gothic, Hungerstone takes its time to build tension as mysterious and unsettling events unravel. The crumbling manor and moments of dreaming and mystery are expressed beautifully in the prose. I really loved how this reimagining of Carmilla, builds off the original but also subverts it really satisfying ways. Carmilla is a seductive and freeing presence that helps Lenore find agency rather than targeting her innocence as in the original, but her presence also brings with it monstrous hunger to those around her, have no doubt this iteration of Carmilla has teeth. Lenore’s growth and progression is so satisfying to read and once there was no going back and events are irreversibly set in motion with shocking twists and turns, I could not put this book down.

A perfect spooky season read for fans of Carmilla, Dracula, and gothic literature. 

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it will come out next year. Yeah I loved this Carmilla retelling, except for one scene (I have a lose hair phobia). It was slow to get into but once it picked up, holy shit it got exciting. Very gay, very suspense.

This was a completely unsettling yet enthralling novel. By design. The writing was, for me, reminiscent of Susan Hill and Henry James, which I loved. The first part of this novel were both creepy and alluring, much like the character Carmilla. At points I didn’t know if I wanted to carry on reading but I couldn’t look away. Part 2 was more about strength and becoming, which I absolutely loved. Despite the horror on the page, the result was a tale of empowerment. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Thank you to Zando and NetGalley for this ARC.

Such a haunting retelling. Beautiful prose that leaves you this gothic aftertaste that is undeniable for this fall season. I loved everything and was left with wanting more. 5 stars.

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn is a masterpiece of a retelling. Dunn expertly pulls symbols and themes from the original Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu, and expands them, adapts them, and sometimes completely reimagines them. It is clear that Dunn took so much time and care with the original text, while at the same time challenging and critiquing it. Dunn also manages to effect a similar atmosphere and tension, and in my opinion, does this even more effectively than the original - or at least, Dunn expertly identifies what exactly in this current moment would elicit the same disgust and an unease that Carmilla does, and expands on that.

Kat Dunn has lovingly reworked Carmilla, utilizing many of the same literary devices as the original, while inverting many of those devices, and employing her own to make the brilliantly rich and salient revival that is Hungerstone. Horror, desire, hunger, and monstrosity are woven inextricably together in Hungerstone. Dunn’s expansion of the character Lenore (Laura) and her sapphic romance with Carmilla are pitted against the monstrosity of patriarchy and industrialization represented in Henry, as well as the feminine complicity embodied by Cora. Hungerstone is precisely the Carmilla retelling we need in the 21st century. If, while reading Carmilla, you saw the potential of Carmilla as a liberating force, rather than a force of corruption, you simply must read Hungerstone.

Violent. Vibrant. Visceral. Hungerstone is everything I could ask for in a Carmilla retelling and more. I genuinely believe that Dunn has nailed the haunting Gothic atmosphere necessary for a Carmilla retelling. Dunn has excelled at emulating the eerie tone of Gothic literature with a straightforward writing style that makes this book immensely easy to binge-read.

Hungerstone is haunting and gorgeous all at once. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is visceral and grotesque and so so perfect for a creepy October read. Hungerstone is for gorgeous gorgeous girls who were born hungry. 5/5 stars!!!

Something about this book just did not work for me, which is saying a lot because lesbians and vampires usually work for me. For a reimagining of Carmilla, there wasn't a lot of Carmilla involved. Our main character went from despising her and wanting Carmilla out of her house, to wanting and desiring her rather quickly. Their relationship and interactions were really lacking, which I felt was the case for most of the characters and relationships in the book. I would like to have seen more development between Lenore and Carmilla.

I did enjoy Lenore trying to out-maneuver her shitty husband. Although I found the ending a bit abrupt (spoilers ahead) and the implication that he wasn't having an affair after all, came rather flat. I would have liked an exploration of this further, him planting the seed of doubt and the consequences of Lenore essentially murdering her friend for nothing.

I loved the setting but this book was a miss for me with only one dimensional characters. I much prefer the original Carmilla, unfortunately. The writing also felt like it was trying too hard.

Thank you to Zando and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early.

Hungerstone follows Lenore, an unhappily married woman who takes a stranger into her house.

I am a huge fan of Carmilla (and Kat Dunn’s other books) so I was very excited to read this and it did not disappoint. The writing style was similar to Le Fanu’s original which gave it such an isolating, gothic flair to it that continued hooking me into the story. I loved untangling how Lenore’s life fell apart, her connection with Carmilla, and her past. The way appetite, fear, and desire are described in this book are nearly intoxicating and I found myself growing more curious by the chapter as to what would happen next and how Lenore’s life would shift as the story continued.

The only thing I wanted more of in this book was more vampires. The idea of the hunger was a great transformation of the idea of a traditional vampire but as a massive Carmilla fan it feels a little strange to me to have a story that was more or less lacking in traditional vampires. However it wasn’t lacking here as I enjoyed the book even without the specific description of traditional vampires.

Thank you to Zando and NetGalley again for the chance to read this early.

I would give this a solid 3.5!

This was such a good fall read and got me in the brooding fall mood I wanted to be in. If I could bathe in the language of Hungerstone for the rest of my life, no matter the season, I would. I appreciate that it set the tone and gave life to the novel in a way that didn't sound incredibly archaic and illegible. It flowed incredibly well and was so easy to read.

Pacing also great-- devoured this in just a few days, was constantly wondering what was going to happen next and what Lenore was going to get into next. Carmilla and Lenore are fantastic characters in a fantastic setting with a fantastic dilemma.

My only qualms about this book are that it gets a little repetitive at times, where Lenore would consistently rehash scenes and tones we already knew existed, or we would sit in a reflective moment just a tad too long. Other qualm is that I wanted more Carmilla, but I fear that is selfish of me considering that this is Lenore's story but I think Carmilla is just an incredibly cool character that I wanted to see more of and do even more!

Lenore prepares for a hunting party at an old manor for her steel magnate husband, Henry. While traveling to the manor, Lenore and Henry rescue an injured woman named Carmilla from a carriage crash. As Lenore navigates the complexities of hosting the party, she grows increasingly drawn to their enigmatic guest, prompting a deeper exploration of her marriage, her childhood and the factors that shaped her.

The writing is engaging, effectively capturing the time period while exploring powerful themes of female rage, survival, and desire.

However, where the novel stumbles is in the character of Carmilla. Despite her significant role in Lenore's emotional journey, Carmilla feels underdeveloped and lacks a distinct personality or backstory. This absence makes it difficult to understand the depth of Lenore's feelings for her, ultimately weakening their relationship—a central element of the narrative.

While the exploration of Lenore’s character is compelling, the reliance on Carmilla to propel the plot detracts from the overall impact. I rated the book 3 out of 5, as the disconnect in their relationship prevented me from fully connecting with the story's emotional core.

Thank you NetGalley and Zando Projects for the ARC!

Lenore lives a comfortable existence. Her husband Henry is somewhat removed but still, Lenore seems happy on the outside. That is until Carmilla enters her life and causes her to question her own happiness, and to identify just what it is that she truly hungers for.

As Lenore reassesses her life and delves into her wants, she finds that her life is lacking. She soon discovers that Henry, an industrial revolution businessman, is not what he seems. As she uncovers his dastardly deeds she decides that revenge is in order and sets about to make it happen.

A darkly gothic novel full of foreboding. The atmosphere the author has created is full of nuance and suits the time period and situation perfectly. Lenore's character, emotions, and thought processes are well thought out. The plot flows and keeps you interested.

Every time Zando publishes a book, I know I'm in for a treat, and *Hungerstone* is no exception! This atmospheric gothic tale is a slow-burn exploration of feminist rage, weaving together the intricacies of Lenore’s identity and societal expectations of women in the 19th century.

While the pacing is deliberate, I found it enriching—each moment feels like a careful unravelling of Lenore’s constraints. The tension builds with subtle hints of horror, culminating in a bloody and chaotic climax that leaves a lasting impact.

I can't believe I missed reading *Carmilla* until now, but this novel has ignited my curiosity about its backstory. My only minor complaint is the lack of traditional vampirism, which I had anticipated, but the open-ended conclusion leaves ample room for exploration. Overall, *Hungerstone* is a compelling read that masterfully blends gothic elements with a fierce feminist perspective. Highly recommended!

a big thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing this arc!

it’s hard to settle on a rating for one of my most anticipated books of 2025. while it didn’t hit like a 5 star, it wasn’t a 4 star either. so i’m tentatively setting on a 4.25⭐ while knowing that, upon a reread, it might change.

what can i even say about this book? in some ways, it was nothing what i expected – and that was the best part about it. it managed to surprise me and hold my attention until the last page while i waited to discover what was going to happen with lenore.

i’m not the biggest fan of slow books since my attention keeps wandering off, but ‘hungerstone’ is a feverish vision with its evocative and haunting prose, drawing heavily on the concept of “consumption”. carmilla is charming and darkly amusing when the reader knows what she’s capable of and waits for the protagonist–lenore–to catch up.

it’s a book that talks about the sacrifices and bloodshed involved in emancipation. it’s an unapologetically angry book. and i adored it.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This suffered a little from my massive over consumption of vampire books at this moment in my life, but I did still really enjoy it! I need to read Carmilla as well. I think the main character was well developed and thought out, and her transition as a character was well done.

Oooo this was delectable. With evocative prose, Hungerstone very effectively captures what is so appealing about the vampire aesthetic--who doesn't love the feeling of being conflicted by curiosity, fear, and desire (or in this case hunger). Perhaps even more appealing to me, personally, was the exploration of agency and what it means to grapple with admitting that you have any (albeit maybe this is also just because I saw so much more in myself in Lenore than felt comfortable at times).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Obsessed. Obsessed. I couldn't put this book down. I loved the pacing, the slowly dawning horror, the steady unraveling of Lenore under Carmilla's watchful gaze. What a glorious experience - longer review to come!