4.5 // i wasn’t looking for this book but i’m glad it found me. what a delight it was to read, what a feast. thank you netgalley for the arc <333

good retelling but still able to read like an original story and concept. the writing was excellent and i don’t usually say this for first person narration. there’s always something self-flagellating or high and mighty in first person but the narrator here was compelling and true to the time period. a fast paced, flowing prose and narrative, with a well developed cast - no notes. i enjoyed how both the inner and outer conflicts developed. i especially liked how things gradually escalated and got creepier and eerier, and how the theme of hunger was presented. the ending, although satisfying, could have used some more or an epilogue. it left me wanting more, to see what happens next.

you can read “hungerstone” without having read “carmilla” but it adds flavour if you have. overall a great read, perfect for sapphic september or spooky season. i hope this book comes in a pretty edition or has a special edition in the future so i can get it as a physical copy. i’m also curious to read more of kat dunn and what future
projects she has planned.

I am in the very small group of people who don’t like reading anything with vampires/vampire-adjacent. And yet, and yet!! I loved this. The atmosphere was dripping off the pages, the characters were compelling, the plot gripped me, and the prose was gorgeous. Easy 5-star.

ARC provided by NetGalley

For years, Lenore has always done the correct and proper thing, first for her awful Aunt, and then for her social climbing husband Henry. But her new mysterious houseguest, Carmilla, soon gives Lenore reasons to take a closer look at what she wants out of life.

This book is so atmospheric! It gives a strong gothic vibe. I felt like the author really did her research, because I was definitely transported back to the time the book was set in. Even the details about the types of food they ate back then seemed to be spot on. The book is set in the English moors, in a dilapidated manor. Perfect if you are looking for a spooky read that’s also empowering.

this was absolutely fantastic. it not only met my expectations but exceeded them a million times over. the atmosphere was perfect. the prose was extraordinary. the plot twists had me on the edge of my seat. i absolutely love when women take what they deserve. give Kat Dunn all the money in the world so she will keep writing masterpieces.

*Hungerstone* by Kat Dunn is an absolute must-read! The storytelling is out of this world, pulling you into a gothic, atmospheric tale that grips you right from the start. Lenore’s inner turmoil, the mysterious allure of Carmilla, and the secrets lurking within Nethershaw Manor make for a truly immersive experience. The tension between desire and fear is perfectly balanced, and the reclamation of the lesbian vampire trope is done masterfully. With its haunting yet enthralling plot, *Hungerstone* is a mesmerizing novel that will leave you hungry for more. Five stars, without a doubt!

This book is nothing short of a thrilling rollercoaster—it's raw, feral, and intoxicating. From the very first page, I was hooked. It’s a whirlwind of chaos and discomfort that grips you and doesn’t let go. I devoured it in one sitting, unable to tear myself away from this story. I can't recommend this book enough—it's a must-read!

Lenore appears to have a picture-perfect life with her husband, Henry. She’s the epitome of the dutiful wife, gracefully managing every household task. Yet beneath her seemingly flawless exterior lies a dark past. Her world is upended when she meets Carmilla, a force of change that challenges everything Lenore thought she knew about herself and her life. Their collision leads to a compelling, and unpredictable journey that will keep you on edge.

I was hooked from the cover and description and was so glad I was able to read this. It had that element that I was hoping for and thought the characters worked in this universe. I was enjoying the story and how Kat Dunn wrote this and created the characters that I was invested in. It uses the Industrial Revolution perfectly and glad I was able to read this.