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!

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.