Thank you to the publishers for the arc.

I unfortunately really wished I had liked this more. It's definitely not one of the worst things I've ever read, but I still thought that there were so many elements that just didn't work.

I found it very difficult to buy the characters and their motivations because, in my eyes, they simply didn't feel developed enough.
Overall, the writing was quite messy to me. I could tell that copious amounts of research was done in hopes of creating an accurate image of the time period which was supposed to strengthen the narrative, but, sadly, I think it did quite the opposite. There were lots of descriptions of places, dresses, foods and I thought they interrupted the prose's flow making it jagged and difficult to immerse into. I was almost always aware of the fact that I was reading something someone had written if that makes sense.

I do understand the intention behind this, but I really believe lots of descriptions and details could have been sacrificed in favor of a deeper focus into the heart of the book which I thought was clear... maybe almost too much so?
I felt that there was too much tell and not enough show, and the first person narration just really didn't help this in my opinion. It reached the point where it was just not an interesting reading experience because of how spoon fed it came off.

However, like I said, it's by far not the worst. The atmosphere could be alluringly dark and deep, and, as force fed as it felt, I really loved the core message of wanting and hunger! I thought it was a great idea and reading the afterword explaining the inspiration behind the book I really thought the thought process was brilliantly threaded.

I was honestly hovering on an average 3 star rating for 90% of the book, but I think endings are extremely important and I unfortunately just did not like this one. It felt abrupt and rushed.
Overall, I believe that there were some really interesting and cool ideas, but I found that the execution wasn't all that successful.

Again, I'm very thankful to the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this arc and I wish the author a prosperous career!

Carmilla as a sapphic magic pixie dream girl fantasy?

Atmospheric, horrifying, and filled with absolutely disgusting English meals (seriously, were those to make us feel better about consuming blood?). I was feral for this. I've always loved Carmilla the Vampire as a symbol of female sexuality and taboo queer relationships, rage/passion, and overwhelming desire in a way that was monstrous in Victorian society. This book embodied every aspect of those themes. Much like the original Le Fanu story, the protagonist meets Carmilla after a carriage accident and nurses her back to health at her home, and that's when the Gothic goodness starts: a sapphic vampire, a creepy mansion, and a murderous plot.

As much as I enjoyed Carmilla's character, the highlight of this book for me was the machinations between the MC Lenore and her husband. Lenore is married, so the romance between her and Carmilla would be infidelity and I'm never a fan of that, but her husband is truly awful. HE'S the character with a monstrous appetite. But the final climactic scene! AHH!!

Hungerstone

5/5 rating

Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley.

I desperately craved a good gothic vampire novel this October, and Hungerstone delivered precisely what I was looking for.

Dunn’s writing is addictive, haunting, and atmospheric. ‘Carmilla’ is one of my favorite novels; this retelling absolutely does the original justice. Kat brings Le Fanu’s characters to life and gives them so much more personality. Her beautiful descriptions brought me right back into the story I loved so much.

It surprised me that many readers found this book slow or tedious. I found the story well-paced, and I caught myself itching to pick it back up at times when I was unable to read. 

Overall, this novel was great, and I plan on picking up more of Dunn’s works in the future.

Holy shirtballs Batman… this book was absolutely stunning! Rich, decadent with undertones of something on the edge of decay, like a half rotted cherry covered in dark chocolate. The way that everything slowly fell apart for Lenore only for the pieces to be used to make something so much more than she imagined was dark and terrifying in the best of ways. Kat Dunn is now one of my auto buy authors and I cannot wait to get my hands on everything else she writes.

Hungerstone is a haunting sapphic tale of female autonomy and the dangerous consequences of reclaiming buried desires. Dunn weaves a richly atmospheric and feminist-driven gothic novel that reimagines classic horror.

The story follows Lenore, trapped in a cold and passionless marriage to steel magnate Henry. When they move to the decaying Nethershaw estate to prepare for an elite social gathering, their strained relationship fractures further.

Lenore's world shifts with the arrival of Carmilla, a mysterious and captivating woman whose presence awakens long-suppressed yearning in Lenore—both for freedom and for love. As her desires grow, Lenore begins to question the confining role she has endured for so long. Dunn’s visceral prose pulls readers into the crumbling estate and Lenore’s unraveling mind, as she confronts desire, repression, and the dark secrets lurking within her home.

Didn't realize this was a Carmella retelling before I started, but it worked out that I read that last month!

I really wanted to like this but I just couldn't get into it. My main gripe is that the first 50-75% dragged for me. I get needing to set the scene and Lenore's frustrations, but it was slow. Love feminine rage and the atmosphere but I was also looking for more exploration of the queer relationship with Carmilla and actual vampirism.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Holy fucking shit. This blew me away. I didn’t expect to devour this as fast as I did- I could NOT put this down at all until I was finished. Female rage is my forte.

4.5 stars

Thank you netgalley for this e-arc

For what do you hunger, Lenore?

Really intriguing story based on Carmilla.

Lenore is the wife of steel magnate Henry, Henry is planning on preparing a shooting party in a manor.

Carmilla comes into the story after she got into a carriage accident, while Lenore and Henry where on their way to the manor. Carmilla stays in their home after to recover from the accident

Strange things are also starting to happen in the local villages

I really enjoyed the characters Lenore and Carmilla, they were both very interesting.


I wish i could already talk to someone about this book, but i keep forgetting it is not out yet!

While it explores the mondain life (of vampires yes) and can be boring at times, it is a great retelling of Carmilla. I’m always down for a lesbian relationship full of hunger and desire. The writing felt dry to me, kind of lacks personality but still enjoyable.

thank you net galley for the copy.

Hungerstone is a wonderful take on the story of Carmilla which actually explores the what-if of giving in to desire.

Lenore lives a suffocating life with Henry, her industrial businessman husband, and her society acquaintances. The new season opens up an opportunity for her to renovate Nethershaw manor in the countryside, away from the ploys of London.

I adored the atmosphere and setting of this new house Lenore is trying to bring up to standards. Nothing is at it seems and as our main character’s life crumbles around her, the estate seems to take on a life of its own.

Most of the book entertains the mundane, the everyday life of a woman making herself as small as possible, tidying herself up within the box that’s been assigned to her. As Lenore is pushed more and more into her hunger, the past she’s kept locked up is also starting to resurface. This made for an oppressive atmosphere that simultaneously lulled me in my discomfort and had me waiting for the next shoe to drop.

Retellings and reworkings can be tricky but Kat Dunn definitely achieved what she set out to do with this story.

First of all: Amazing cover!! The moment I saw it I knew I want to read this book. I am not a big fan of retellings of any sort, but still decided to give this book a chance..

We follow our main character Lenore through her life, after tragic incident she is orphaned at the age of twelve, so she has to stay with her emotionally unavailable aunt. She escapes this life by marring a man but instead of living a perfect life she imagined, she is trapped in a new cage: unhappy marriage. Her life turns upside down after meeting a mysterious woman named Carmilla, who is staying at their manor after a carriage accident. Strange incidents begin to happen after the arrival of Carmilla, a strange hunger awakens in those around her…

The book has a very slow pacing at the beginning and in my opinion has a bit boring start, but it definitely gets better later in the book. I enjoyed the dark theme of this book with its grotesque and gothic elements. I loved how the sapphic themes of original Carmilla were more overt in Hungerstone.
Perfect for a creepy October read!

This is not a bad book but it just wasn't for me. If you like slow paced stories with gothic vibes you might like it. I found it boring and didn't care about any of the characters. Also to call this a sapphic romance is a stretch.

I'm not sure what to say about Hungerstone, this book is such an agonizing slowburn that I just couldn't get into it and once it picked it up at the third act it just felt so unearned.

"I am a mirror to those who need it. To those who hunger but deny themselves."

Lenore is a formidable Victorian woman. Born into the aristocracy but orphaned and left destitute, she won her way back into society using her social capital and practical nature by marrying well. She should be able to sit back and enjoy the life she has built for herself. She may not have love, but she has security. Her husband is wealthy, she knows her value to him and they have a partnership. This is the story Lenore tells herself anyway. Her worldview is entirely altered when, on the way to their country home, Nethershaw, a carriage accident brings an unexpected guest into their home, Carmilla Karnstein. Carmilla is pale and frail during the day but comes alive at night and opening Lenore's eyes to just how hungry she truly is. As Lenore's eyes are opened, the violence around her only gets more difficult to ignore.

I really enjoyed this novel. While not exactly a retelling of Carmilla, it obviously builds on the mythology of that character to construct a thoroughly enjoyable Gothic novel. You can really feel the suspense building throughout the novel as the plot builds. I also really enjoyed the nuance presented both in the situations presented and the characters. While Lenore is the POV character, she is not depicted as infallible, making bad decisions which are acknowledged as such. I never got the impression that characters were there to be punching bags which always take me out of stories so I was glad it was not the case here. I also really loved the subtle deconstruction of a form of girlboss feminism. The novel is very clear that while women should be empowered, the way to empowerment is not just to be a really good version of 'what men want' as you can comply as much as you like but that is not the route to real power.

I thought this book was excellent and I really enjoyed it.

To my utter delight, there's been a surge in Carmilla retellings (or otherwise inspired stories). In some ways, Hungerstone is one of my favourites. I think Kat Dunn really toes the line between a contemporary and a gothic tone well. It reads very easily, but feels authentic to the period. There's also quite enough for fans of the original to recognise, while also being completely digestible for new readers. The way Dunn used the setting. particularly the manor. to reflect the main character's internal conflict and deteriorating marriage, was very affective. That said, I found the pacing in this to be a little off, particularly towards the end. I felt like we were building up to something that never quite came for me, so the ending felt a bit rushed and disappointing. I would've loved more of Camilla and Lenore's actual relationship, as well as more about the effects on the other women in the city. The few scenes we did get of the latter were so good and I think going a bit further with it would've made the book all the more memorable - especially since this is a vampire horror novel, like let's go there with it! I still enjoyed my time and I think this will standout amongst the latest retellings for the right audience. 3.5!

as soon as this book entered my mind i had to try to get my hands on it QUICK.

this book is an absolute feast. it’s been a few years since i first read Carmilla, but i think it’s safe to say this is a magnificent retelling. dunn’s ability to suck you into the novel and place you within the crumbling walls of nethershaw is breathtaking. lenore makes for a captivating main character, and you will want to absolutely kill for her by the end.

i would recommend this novel to people who wish to read classic literature but find it difficult to grasp the sometimes flowery, convoluted language that can be present. this book reads like a classic novel in the sense of beautiful descriptions and classic gothic style, but the language is accessible.

my only qualm with this is simply that i wish it were gayer. i wanted to see carmilla a bit more, although i understand the importance of lenore becoming her own person on her own terms and without guidance every step of the way. perhaps i’m just greedy.

tl;dr: great book if you love women getting revenge, women being gay, and gothic crumbling buildings.

(thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review!)

4.5 stars. The only reason it isnt five stars is the language used, vvery timely and appropriate for the story but a oersonal pet peeve of mine.
I remember reading Carmilla when i was in highschool and being absolutely obsessed with it. This books reminded me why good vampire stories hit so hard. Its the tension, the back and forth, the pull the story and the characters have with eachother and with the reader.

Hungerstone is a retelling of Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla, reimagined through the lens of insatiable hunger and female rage. It centers on Lenore, a disillusioned wife who takes in the enigmatic Carmilla Kernstein after a mysterious carriage accident, strange and sinister events unfold, mirrored by Lenore’s own descent into an internal storm of hunger and desire.

What makes Hungerstone captivating is how it creates a gothic atmosphere. Lenore’s feverish visions, the crumbling settings, and the sense of dread make for a claustrophobic, seductive narrative. The story unravels layers of shocking truths about Lenore’s life—her oppressive marriage, her desires, and the role Carmilla plays in awakening something feral within her.

I just really enjoyed it! I think this is a perfect autumnal book, so save it for a blustery fall night. I do wish the book leaned a bit more into queerness, rather than focusing on Lenores relationship with her husband, but it was delicious nonetheless.

I enjoyed this book, it’s exactly what it says on the tin! A retelling of a classic vampire story that has you clinging to each new page. Carmilla is just as captivating and terrifying as in the original, yet this book has a gothic Rebecca feel to it which I loved. It added an atmospheric element I didn’t realise it needed.

Having read the original Le Fanu novella, I was a bit skeptical of this retelling, but ended up enjoying it tremendously. I loved the character arc and the first-person narrative. I enjoyed how the author made the original’s sapphic themes more overt and how she pulled in elements critical of the Industrial Revolution.