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!

I took me a long time to finish this book since I never really found the story interesting. I normally like historical and/or vampire stories and this book contains both but, in this book, it never clicks for me. Lenore is never a character I empathize with and then the enjoyment of the story is not really there.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

This story is addictive and gripping from the very beginning; I found myself unable to stop reading, wanting to know what would happen next, even as the pacing remained slow at times. Through the narrative, we witness Lenore's transformation as she regains her confidence, largely influenced by Carmille. Lenore learns to prioritize herself over her cold, neglectful husband, who has been using her without any regard for her feelings or well-being for 10 years.

I wholeheartedly support women's wrongs, and in my eyes, Lenore can do no wrong, amen. Her journey is empowering, reminding us of the strength found in self-discovery and reclaiming one's voice.

I do wish we could have gone deeper into her relationship with Carmille after the events at the end, but I suppose an open ending is the best we can get.

let’s go lesbians let’s go!!

i had a good time with this one. it’s a quiet, feverish book that encapsulates feminine rage and insatiable hunger. the pacing was languid but i didnt seem to mind, i knew i was in it for the ride. the detailed descriptions of food especially later on were beautiful it brought to mind how it was written and described in “piglet” another book about woman’s hunger.

Many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for supplying me with an arc in exchange for my honest review.

'I don't understand. Everything has gone so wrong since you came.'
'No. I am not the beginning of it. ... I am the end.'

Hungerstone is slow, sensual, and horrific (in the best way). I vividly felt Lenore's emotions, her strifes, her hunger, escalating to a point of no return as the story went on.

'If I am mad, it is only because they have made me so.'

The tension slowly builds and builds as Lenore attempts to navigate her new life at Hungerstone and Carmilla awakens her to an entirely foreign concept: desire.

I have been waiting for this since it was announced on October in 2023. I feel incredibly lucky to have been chosen to receive an ARC! It was well worth the wait and I can't wait to see what Kat Dunn does next.

What is a monster but a creature of agency?

Hungerstone is a reimagining of Carmilla set during the industrial revolution and follows Lenore, the wife of a steel magnate Henry. While preparing for a hunting party, the two encounter the mysterious Carmilla who begins to exert her power more and more on Lenore's life.

I think this book would have been stronger if I had not read the original Carmilla. Even though this book is significantly longer, I don't think it fleshes out the characters, especially Lenore. I also find the relationships between the characters to be lacking. Lenore has very surface level interactions with everyone for so much of the book, that it made her reactions to situations seem very out of place.

My biggest issue with the book, though, is the focus. What makes the original so interesting is the treatment of queerness. This book chose to focus more on Lenore's relationship to womanhood in relationship to Henry's patriarchal household. In my opinion, the more interesting take would have been to tackle Lenore's relationship to womanhood through the lens of queerness. Queerness and vampires have always been closely related to each other, and I felt as though this book missed on the opportunity to expand more on that. This book is more about feminism and less about queerness. Lenore's interactions with Carmilla are so shallow and consist mainly of Carmilla insisting that Lenore "want things." I wish that there was some kind of interrogation of queerness as a disruptive force, or something monstrous to the mainstream. There are lots of historical horror books about women realizing their husbands suck, and I don't think this book offers more than that (or more on the queer themes presented in the original).

Sapphic vampires in a gothic manor set in 1880s in Peak District… say less!

This was dark and gritty and explored some hard hitting themes of what it means to be a wife and a woman during this time period and how they wanted so much more than they were allowed.

Ended up really enjoying this but took me a wee while to get into.

Kat Dunn’s Hungerstone is a captivating blend of historical fiction, supernatural intrigue, and a poignant exploration of love and identity, all set against the backdrop of Sheffield. For readers familiar with the city, Dunn’s vivid descriptions and local references add a layer of authenticity that enhances the narrative.

The novel weaves a unique tale centered around lesbian vampires, a refreshing angle that is often underrepresented in both the historical and fantasy genres. Dunn's portrayal of her characters is rich and nuanced, particularly in how they navigate societal constraints while grappling with their desires. The emotional depth of the protagonists adds a compelling layer to the story, making their struggles and triumphs resonate deeply.

Dunn’s writing is both atmospheric and engaging, drawing readers into a world that feels both familiar and otherworldly. The historical context is well-researched, lending credibility to the fantastical elements and enriching the reader’s experience. The balance between romance and horror is masterfully handled, ensuring that neither overshadows the other.

As a Sheffield girl myself, I found particular joy in recognizing local landmarks and the cultural nuances that Dunn incorporates into her storytelling. It’s a testament to her skill that the city itself feels like a character, influencing the plot and the characters’ lives in meaningful ways.

Overall, Hungerstone is a delightful read that successfully merges genres while providing a fresh perspective on both history and queer representation. Dunn has crafted a memorable narrative that invites readers to explore the intersections of love, identity, and the supernatural. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique and engaging story that lingers long after the last page.

What is great about Hungerstone is what is great about Carmilla, perhaps what is great about all vampire stories—the irresistible tension between fear and desire. At its best, Kat Dunn’s reworking of Carmilla is less an update of Sheridan Le Fenu’s classic for the modern reader than a remarkable heightening of the original’s half-kept promise.

I must admit, even somewhat past the halfway mark, I was feeling mostly underwhelmed. Aside from the narrator, the novel’s characters are one-dimensional. Cold husband. Servile servants. Even Carmilla herself hardly a character. And Clara—Clara, who should mean so much—one lost opportunity after another. But then, this sense that the novel’s people are only half-seen is not entirely ineffective; it contributes to the novel’s claustrophobic air, to a growing sense of dread, isolation, desperation. “I am so furious,” Lenore howls, “at anyone who is not alone.” Then she trips a stranger, sending forth “a stream of beautiful red blood.”

In my case, the novel suffered for being read alongside Nicholas Nickleby, Dunn’s prose dimming in the light of Dickens’ sparkling sentences. (What novel wouldn’t suffer that comparison? But Hungerstone, with its Victorian pretensions, is particularly vulnerable.) And though there are effective moments, Dunn doesn’t always quite pull off the trick, so essential to historical fiction, of dialogue that feels at once of another time and like something someone would really say.

One last complaint, ultimately withdrawn. At first, the subplot about industrialization felt rather obvious; an easy way to create social and political stakes for what is at heart a story personal to the point of selfishness. The equation of bloody industrial accident to bloody supernatural incident felt, as Carmilla herself might say, rather boring. In fact, for a time it seemed that Hungerstone was almost trying to be boring; bending over backwards to provide the straightforward symbolism of the modern feminist novel, complete with elaborate fancies of disordered eating, instagram worthy “you are enough!” affirmation, and rote anti-capitalism straight from the mouths’ of characters taking extravagant pleasure in reaping capitalism’s blessings. In the end, I’m happy to report, the novel utterly fails at being boring. What looked, at first blush, like labored and obvious symbolism utterly refuses to resolve. The novel has a wild heart. It works itself into a frenzy, exhausts itself, works itself up again.

I devoured the last third and finished the book utterly satisfied with the meal.

Sapphic vampire tale of woman embracing her rage - gasping with joy for it!
Lenore has existed in a 10 year marriage - bringing her social standing to her husband of new wealth. No children makes Lenore's position tenuous - though she and Henry share a dark secret.
Henry's purchase of an estate brings them out the moors.
A woman in distress becomes a creepy houseguest.
Henry's idea of an ideal wife also joins the household.
The stress of an upcoming hunting party - the house repairs, lack of staff experience, the peerage.
Carmilla pushes Lenore to realize how her despairing life as a wife; certainly against Cora's pristine peerage, youth and naiveté. Really which woman is more naive?

Watch out for a woman who is fed up and HUNGRY.

This is about a woman empowered to no longer put up with BS from society or her husband. Without giving spoilers, Lenore learns female rage from our dearest spooky Carmilla. It hits all the gothic vibes with mysterious illnesses and decrepit buildings.

However, this is still between 3 and 4 stars for me. The pacing felt slow. I found myself wanting to flip quickly through her childhood flashbacks. We get repetition of major details refed to us, at the expensive of character development. Only our main protagonist has a fully fleshed out character and I still felt disconnected from her.

This will hit with fans of moody historical fiction but the writing style was just a tad on the dry side for me personally.