This was just the right amount of spooky. The idea of a last testament as a man goes insane is such a compelling concept, and Pullen executes this concept with eerie precision. I won't be the first to point this out, but Pullen's writing style and the general tone of the book reminded me of Mary Shelley. This one will find a space among the great works of gothic horror.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

I good historical, gothic, horror novel but the pace and the historical bits were not for me. It is quite slow, and I just prefer more fast paced reads.

I enjoyed the gothic atmosphere with all the otherworldly elements and the fantasy world building. There are a lot of characters and layers in general in the entire book, and the plot keeps the reader in suspense. This book had a very rich narrative which I absolutely loved.

4 stars

I have to begin by saying that this was not what I was expecting at all. I am not a fan of fantasy and this was heavily fantasy/historical fiction. This is not the fault of the book in any way, therefore my rating is more in line with what I think fans of this genre would rate it, rather than my own enjoyment.

The story began with two primary characters, John and Garret, set in the late 1800's at Oxford. John was a Lord and Garrett was his manservant, however they were actually lovers who kept their true relationship a secret. Garrett went with John when he went to study and Oxford and remained by his side after graduation as he entered service in India. The story is filled with dark academia, fantasy world building, religion, and queer representation. This is quite an epic story that spans two timelines, two couples, and at least three religions.

I was invested in the relationship between John and Garrett, which kept me going through this epic adventure. The evil that was determined to end the world was formidable and the ending left so much to the reader's interpretation.

While this was not the kind of book I enjoy, I can definitely see why it has so many 5 star reviews and I would recommend this to anyone who likes this genre.

I received an eArc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very hard read for me.
I absolutely loved the queer representation. I wish there had been more in the book. The Tibetan historical and spiritual literature was dense and monotonous.

The book has a supernatural and dark feel. The author creates an atmosphere of suspense. You will also empathize with the characters and reflect on the prejudices and grief explored throughout the storyline. The character's physical journey is a profound examination of his inner turmoil. The book causes the reader to challenge the perception of reality and the drive for truth. This book was very challenging, and I needed to know Tibetan culture and ancient beliefs/mysticism beforehand. It would have helped me follow along and immerse myself in the story. I did not connect with the book because I felt lost and needed to grasp the history since it is so closely woven into the plot. This book is ideal for anyone interested in the history of supernatural and ancient horrors or who enjoys a haunting tale that transverses the globe.

I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Redhook Books, Redhook

Fans of detailed, labyrinthine historical horror like Dan Simmons' "The Terror" will have a lot to love in "The Black Hunger" by Nicholas Pullen. It takes its time setting up characters and plot, meandering around its 400+ pages with historical context, character work, and neat little background information. There are a lot of main characters to juggle, but they're all immediately interesting, and while the initial firehose of information about Nepal and Buddhism and Oxford can be overwhelming, once the horror kicks in, you *care*. "The Black Hunger" is truly old-school, sprawling, gothic horror. I would not recommend it for those seeking quick or humorous frights, but for those who want seeping dread crawling very slowly toward you. I very much enjoyed it, even if every now and then I wondered if it might have benefited from tighter editing.

It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book so richly textured, so disturbing, and so open ended as this one. The Black Hunger is well done historical horror. If books like The Terror or Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell appeal to you, this is right up your alley. As a die hard fan of Fallen London and Sunless Sea, I was also reminded of Seeking Mr Eaten’s Name. I really liked this book - I can’t wait to see what else this author has in store (I think the ending sets up a potential sequel quite well).

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.


It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book so richly textured, so disturbing, and so open ended as this one. The Black Hunger is well done historical horror. If books like The Terror or Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell appeal to you, this is right up your alley. As a die hard fan of Fallen London and Sunless Sea, I was also reminded of Seeking Mr Eaten’s Name. I really liked this book - I can’t wait to see what else this author has in store (I think the ending sets up a potential sequel quite well).

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Nicholas Pullen's "The Black Hunger" is a chilling psychological thriller that delves into the darkest recesses of fear and desire. The story follows a protagonist grappling with a sinister force that manipulates and distorts their reality. Pullen excels in creating an atmosphere of dread, and the character’s descent into madness is both compelling and haunting.

With its tight pacing and well-crafted twists, the novel keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Pullen's blend of psychological and supernatural elements enriches the narrative, making it both thought-provoking and terrifying. Overall, "The Black Hunger" is a standout in the genre, offering a gripping and unsettling experience.

This is a blend of gothic, magical realism, and historical fiction. The descriptions were immersive, the prose was beautiful without ever feeling too wordy, and the characters felt real. I think Pullen did a fantastic job writing dialogue.

The biggest problem I had was the pacing. The novel started out really strong, but I found myself less interested as we got further away from the hook that initially grabs you in. This isn't necessarily a problem, in my opinion, I just think this book is a slow burn and you should go into it knowing that.

I got a bit too bogged down in the details, so I think I'm going to actually give this a re-read when the paperback comes out. I loved the ending though. Perfect ending for this type of book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook for the ARC!

Is the world we live in worth saving? Is a life with so much suffering worth living?
These questions form the narrative throughline of The Black Hunger. Each of the three narrators we follow must come up with their own answer, which turns out to be not such a simple thing to do. The worldbuilding and lore is rich and detailed, and each character is fully realized.
I absolutely cannot describe how I felt reading this book, especially the last 50 pages or so. I was completely pulled into the narrative, hanging on the author’s every word. The Black Hunger will not be a book for everyone, but if you have a strong stomach, a love for intricate lore, and an appreciation for a slightly vague ending, I cannot recommend it highly enough. This is one of the best books of 2024 for me.
Advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Orbit, all opinions my own.