Wow, This book is stunning and deep. Layers of trauma and relationship trouble. The author explores and unpacks it all! I was hooked. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I think I would consider this 3.5/5 stars... It's a solid read. I felt a strong connection to the main character and to the themes being explored, but something kept me from becoming completely invested. For a premise that promises excitement and emotion, it didn't fully live up to that potential; I never felt the emotion of the story on a visceral level like some other books have made me feel.

Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC of What Hunger!

This is a dark exploration of teenage girlhood with themes of cannibalism, grief, and female rage. The writing was captivating, eliciting visceral reactions from me while reading. The portrayal of generational trauma through the Vietnamese family the book is centered around is gutwrenching and honest. A few scenes containing body horror were stomach-turning but also engrossing. The story follows our main character, teenage Ronny who endures a series of traumatic events. As a result, she comes into her own and explores herself through some darker avenues.

The writing was good, but I hoped for more reliability or a clear "wow this speaks to me" moment. I'd still recommend this for anyone interested in a quicker coming-of-age horror story.

3.5 stars

TW: Rape

This book takes a little while to slowly reveal itself--what at first appears as coming-of-age story is really about feminine rage and the way it's passed down from generation to generation of women. I've heard it compared to Jennifer's Body, but I think Nightbitch is a more apt comparison.

Note: The cover of the book is misleading; it makes the story seem almost salacious. It's very reminiscent of the post-50 Shades influx of romances with black covers and a singular fruit at its center. (This did not affect my review, but it's important to note that this is a book about trauma, and written from the perspective of a 14 year-old girl.)

I liked the premise of the book with a female cannibal fighting grief and the twist at the end but it really didn’t capture my attention like the movies it was referencing

3 stars.

Veronica Nyugen and her elder brother, Tommy are the children of Vietnamese immigrants. Following Tommy’s high school graduation and during Ronny’s fourteenth summer tragedy strikes the family and everything changes.

Then at Ronny’s first high school party a boy crosses the line with her and Ronny’s rage reveals itself in an unexpected way. That leads Ronny to explore a whole new side of herself that both frightens and, increasingly, fascinates her.

I went into this book blind. There was way more SPOILER than I expected. Which was none. Decent coming-of-age/fierceness of women story, but I just read it a few weeks ago (I’m behind on reviews) and I already can’t remember much about it.

3.5 stars

There are some really, strong, visceral moments in this novel. Some paragraphs were written with a real sense of strength and grit, while more fell flat for me. I think the pacing was a bit awkward and rushed, and the supporting characters underdeveloped to where they felt unnecessary. Ronny herself feels a bit underdeveloped until her entire self switches over night. More time could have been dedicated to the family members (especially her mother, who is largely deemed uninteresting), where detail and identity were stronger, than empty high school characters and aspects. I could see this really working for some audiences, but in a way it leaned more into the Y/A or coming of age aspect than I expected. There's a lot of great emotion here. It certainly captures the feeling of experiencing trauma at fourteen. For me personally other elements detracted from the effectiveness of that.
Also, the copy reveals more than it should. The very final moments of the novel have a surprise twist, which is given away by reading the description... an exciting, heavy read, with strong prose. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book, but I do think I set my expectations a little too high for this one, and I did find that it fell short in that regard. The book is exactly what it pitches itself as. It is a coming of age novel about a girl who becomes unhinged after an incident with a boy at her school. It follows her descent into cannibalism as her hunger grows. It does feel a little over the top at times (hence the Jennifer’s Body comparison) but I do think part of that is the teen protagonist. My favorite part of the novel was the ending and the generational commentary, and I wish that aspect was further developed.

Some “If you liked” style comparisons: It sells itself as Jennifer’s Body meets Little Fires Everywhere, and that feels right - I also think it is quite similar to The Eyes Are The Best Part by Monika Kim.

Warning: There is obviously cannibalism.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this advanced reader copy!

This is one of those crazy books that you really aren't sure what you are getting into until a little bit in! Veronica (Ronny) is going into 9th grade afer her brother, Tommy was the valedictorian. But when he is tragically killed, Ronny is devastated and vows vengeance. But her brand of revenge is like nothing you can imagine so go in blind and be prepared for anything!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Cannibalism steeped in female rage and generational trauma? I’m eating it up. Forget the silverware, I’m already elbow-deep.

This book confirms what every woman already knows: Being a teenage girl is to live with violence. It’s inherent to the experience, the hyperawareness of your own fragility. Socially, physically, sexually, it’s like you’ve never been so vulnerable and yet so capable of savagery.

In a world that prefers their women seen and not heard, Veronica Nguyen is angry. She’s unashamedly furious - at death, at injustice, at creepy men in red cars and the voices whispering behind her back at school. There is a purifying quality to her ire, an underlying hope that if she can just destroy everything that hurt her, she can find happiness.

Vivid, powerful, and provocative, I’m proud this was my first 5-star read of 2025.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the e-ARC.

4 stars

Being a teen can eat a person alive. Being a teenage girl? Well, that can force one to want to eat others alive.

Veronica, or Ronny, is the riveting protagonist of this latest effort from Catherine Dang, and it's impossible - as well as inadvisable - to take eyes off this character. Ronny and her older brother, Tommy, spend a good deal of their time navigating their Americanness, which their extended family and parents call out frequently, and their Vietnamese roots. The combination of these identities, infused with powerful intergenerational trauma, make for some challenging and surprisingly rewarding outcomes and circumstances. Unfortunately, the trauma is not relegated to the historical. The entire family experiences a major loss, and then almost immediately following this, Ronny has a personal experience that activates something unexpected within her in the moment. Once that switch is flipped, Ronny seems permanently changed, and rather than this seeming like a bad thing, it somehow becomes necessary and warranted. Readers are left with the idea that folks can only be pushed so far and that whatever outcomes may occur may also challenge incoming understandings of right and wrong.

I found this incredibly readable and loved the insight into Ronny's mind as well as her interactions with various family members. Also, the flow of information - especially previously hidden details - is spot on. I'd have liked a bit more development of some of the through lines and additional relationships/connections, but these areas for growth are minor. This is a memorable (in a good way) read with powerful messaging and consistent action.

Readers sensitive to trauma inducing circumstances, particularly deaths of young people and rape, need to be mindful of the content here.

I really enjoyed this read and look forward to recommending it to students as well as those interested in fem-centric and culturally based horror. And that cover? Well, it's the cherry on top of a delectable experience.

This was a beautifully done coming-of-age story and worked with what was promised in this description. I was engaged with what was going on and thought the generational trauma element worked well overall. Catherine Dang has a strong writing style and was able to create realistic and interesting characters.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

All in all a good story, the writing fell a little flat for me, I think it could have used some more descriptive language, more set dressing, but the scenes where food was described and history really shone.

What Hunger by Catherine Dang is a haunting coming-of-age tale set to be released on August 12, 2025. The story follows Ronny Nguyen, the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, as she navigates the challenges of teenage girlhood and grapples with generational trauma. Ronny finds herself caught between her brother Tommy, the pride of their immigrant parents, and her own struggles with identity and independence. The family's meals, rich with cultural memories, play a significant role in the story, symbolizing survival and the weight of the past. When tragedy strikes, Ronny's world is turned upside down, and she discovers a newfound, insatiable hunger for raw meat that both empowers and threatens her. It's a visceral, emotional journey through the complexities of female rage and the bonds of family.

Who knew that grief and generational trauma could be so… tasty? What Hunger was sick and twisted but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

I devoured (pun intended) this book in two sittings, and it was everything I wanted to end my year on. Full of female rage and grief, Cat’s sophomore novel was an incredible feat. I’m a Cat Dang fan forever!

Oooh…another gorgeous cover! This one is visceral!

The book itself is equally as gorgeous. You’ve got female rage, unbelievable grief, a bit of coming of age…and meat. Much, much meat. It’s not for the delicate.

Expect to get angry – all while being lost in some truly lush storytelling.

This was an excellent read and I’d love to read more from the author!

• ARC via Publisher

This book was awesome. I rarely describe books as "awesome," but this one was. It was definitely a second-half-pitcher type of book--I really wasn't enjoying it or understanding what the point was until the surprising development about halfway through. The first half had a very meandering, shallow feel to it in my opinion--it seemed like I was just witnessing horrible things happen to a 14-year-old girl and really didn't understand where it all was leading. And then! What a turn it took, and I eagerly devoured (haha) the second half of the book. I loved the very final twist when we learned so much about Ronny's mom, and the concept of epigenetics and generational trauma really came through in a powerful way.

I would give the first half 2 stars and the second half 4 stars, so I'm just calling it a 4 star read.

I don't know if I'll recommend this book to my friend because I've already spoiled the interesting parts for them, which has to count for something!

3.5 stars.

What Hunger is a coming of age book following Ronny, our young lead as she navigates loss and trauma. It is billed as for fans of Jennifer's Body (of which I am a mega fan) and that instantly made me want to read the book. I do see some parallels between the two, namely puberty, loss of girlhood innocence, the sexualization of young women, predatory men, absent (relatively) parents. The author uses some body horror and cannibalism to tie in intergenerational trauma.

The most striking discovery, in my opinion, that Ronny makes during the book is her understanding that those around her, such as her brother, parents, friends, all have a life and feelings and experiences beyond which she will never know. This is a maturity level not often reached by someone as young as her. The trauma she endures throughout the book molds her journey.

Thank you to the publisher for the early copy.

What Hunger by Catherine Dang is a raw, unforgettable coming-of-age story that perfectly captures the messy intensity of teenage girlhood and the weight of generational trauma. Ronny Nguyen’s journey is haunting yet beautifully told, weaving together themes of family, identity, and an unsettling hunger that feels both metaphorical and terrifyingly real.

It’s a powerful, unsettling read that lingers long after the final page. Highly recommend for fans of dark, introspective storytelling!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.