Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy of this book! Hungerstone by Kat Dunn is a lusciously written work of fiction featuring everything I love: lesbians, vampires, and a moody setting. The inner workings of our main character, Lenore, are so fleshed out I felt connected to her in a way I haven’t found in a long time. Her everyday labours are tangible, despite predominately being the emotional and mental work demanded of women of her time (and today). I appreciated how thoroughly the author captured Lenore’s people pleasing nature, her fears, and her manufactured reality. I devoured the book in a matter of days, as the buildup of her slow revelations kept me chained to the narrative, hungry for an explosive and satisfying ending. However, the fifth star was unfortunately revoked due to the nature of that ending. It ultimately fell flat, where neither I nor Lenore seemed particularly satiated or even pleased with the anti-climatic resolution to her revenge. The relationship between her and Carmilla was not enough to conjure forgiveness in me, either, as I was definitely left wishing for more content in that regard. Despite this, I still believe it is worth the read.

If you enjoy atmospheric writing, vampires and female rage, you`ll love this!
Thank you to the publishers for the ARC for an honest review.

A decadent meal of a read.

HUNGERSTONE drags you deep into the peat and bog of its deliciously gothic setting. Haunting prose and the simmer of danger lurking in shadow make this a heart-pounding page turner. Readers will walk away FULLY sated.

I was sadly quite disappointed with this one. After absolutely loving Bitterthorn by the same author, I was so excited to read this Carmilla retelling and hoped it would have all the same Gothic charm and sapphic yearning that made her first book a five-star read for me. While this story definitely had a Gothic atmosphere, leaning further into the horror genre which I enjoyed, I felt like a lot of the emotional elements and dark queerness was missing.

I thought the story was still well-written, and I especially think that the slow pace was done perfectly and allowed for slow realisations to build up over the story. I also think that the characters were all well developed and the fact there were so few of them lent itself to the tense, claustrophobic atmosphere. The overall message as well was at least uplifting and empowering, and I thought Lenore was a great character whose internal conflict was engaging.

However, there was just so much about this story that didn’t work for me. Firstly, for something marketed so much as a sapphic retelling, I really didn’t think the sapphic elements of this were very strong. Lenore’s relationship with her husband is explored in far more depth than her relationship with Carmilla, and even her relationship with Carmilla felt more like a metaphor for her self-empowerment and desire than a genuine sapphic relationship between the two characters. Frankly, I just didn’t buy the chemistry between Lenore and Carmilla at all. They hardly interacted, and whenever they did, it was just infuriating, repetitive dialogue of Carmilla trying to get Lenore to articulate her desires while Lenore tried to convince herself she didn’t have any. This book felt far more interested in exploring a heterosexual marriage and capitalism during the industrial revolution than anything sapphic. There’s nothing wrong with this, except that this was presented so strongly as an LGBTQ+ book, and when the source material is such an influential piece of sapphic literature, I think it would have been nice to see this be a more important part of the plot. The vampirism element of the book was also pretty much nonexistent and none of the intrigue from the original Carmilla about her illness and origins is present. This was another disappointment for me as I was really hoping that a retelling could explore the vampirism more, adding more darkness and lore to it.

To be completely honest, I see no reason why this should have been a Carmilla retelling. The sapphic and vampiric elements feel like they were only included at the last minute so this could be marketed as a Carmilla retelling when in reality it’s just about an unhappily married couple with a few secrets during the Industrial Revolution and how the wife finds empowerment and learns to think for herself. It’s not a bad story by any means, but I feel like the way it was marketed is misleading, and if the marketing had been accurate I personally wouldn’t have picked it up. My recommendation would be just to read Carmilla instead.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!

I absolutely adore this book!

Hungerstone encapsulates everything about gothic horror I love: the gothic prose, the haunting atmosphere, the cast of unsettling characters, the gradual unravelling of sanity etc.

I loved how Hungerstone explore themes of female desire, and the relationship between Lenore and Carmilla. Lenore is reluctant to give in to, or even acknowledge, her desires, and Carmilla throws a wrench in her structured and orderly life, making her question everything. Lenore's character arc is so well-written, the way it progresses felt very natural, and it's easy to understand how she arrives to her decisions.

The way Lenore is written, she could have easily been a self-pitying damsel passively waiting for someone (Carmilla) to save her, but I was delighted to find that she takes charge of her narrative and is the one taking action.

I have to say, I love how "vampire-y" Carmilla is. I find that a lot of modern vampire books like to come up with their own takes on vampires, but Carmilla is a classic vampire; she is repelled by garlic and Christian symbols, and is legitimately weird and creepy.

I have zero critiques of this book. It is flawless from start to finish.

Oh, I adored this book so much! I liked Dunn's BITTERTHORN a great deal but HUNGERSTONE is pretty dang cosmic. It has a well-balanced mix of historical fiction, horror, sapphic romance, and revenge as a dish best-served cold. Lenore is one of the best and most well-written characters I've read in ages, and I was cheering her on through the whole book as she found her "hunger." Carmilla is such a good gateway drug,

HUNGERSTONE is a perfect read for those who are frustrated with the current state of the world and don't have a healthy place to channel those feelings of rage and hopelessness. This book will perk you right up and might make you daydream about ripping a politician or two's jugular out with your teeth.

Thank you to Zando and NetGalley for the ARC of HUNGERSTONE.

If you like
-gothic manors in secluded boards
-a marriage on the rocks
-lesbian vampires
-poison and revenge
-women rage
-historical fictions set in the 1800s
Than this Carmilla retelling is right up your alley
Be aware the following trigger warnings are included:
-adultery
-poison and attempted murder
-murder
-cannibalism
(There may be other triggers but these are the ones I recall)

5 stars
——————

This was the sapphic Carmilla retelling I needed this year. I was drawn by the cover and stayed for the story.

The vibes in this book were *chefs kiss* throughout. This book was creepy, gory and so much fun. The book felt so incredibly real and the writing was immersive. I didn’t want to check back into reality once I started this book. I waited impatiently the entire time I was away from it. The pacing was my only concern, as I sometimes felt like the book was taking too much time to climax. It happened a little too close to the ending for me. But I found I was okay with it, that it made sense in the end. The themes handled were relevant to the time and had such a deep meaning to the plot of the book.

The characters in this book were just as good as the story. You could feel every struggle, every moment of Lenore’s strive. Her relationships with the other characters are vivid, well handled. I loved the characterization of Carmella and her role within the story and in Lenore’s life.

Kat Dunn is a new author to me, but I will definitely be following for more. I cannot say enough good things about this book.

A historical story of a bored wife. Lady Lenore Crowther, in a bland childless marriage and her husband, Henry, a man not above suspicion; but enter into their life, a wrecked crash victim in white. Carmilla. This is just what Lenore needs- the woman of her dreams. Quite literally.

A slow build with almost a smirk when Carmilla is introduced, as the reader you know what’s going to happen next with the tension building between the two. And the predictability didn’t take away from the story. There are scenery descriptions that feel trivial , almost like paragraphs you want to skip as the characters are the real stars of the story. There are some interesting moments, clever reveals, but the space between moves too slowly as the reader is mostly in the mind of Leonore. As her same thoughts bothered her and I could feel myself spacing out, wanting more.

It is almost a descent of madness for Leonore, like an old black and white movie, picturing an Ingrid Bergman like character in the middle of her seven year itch. Not quite a feminine rage, as Leonore isn’t quite the perfect victim. I felt my own descent of madness from the first person pov, as Leonore was our only perspective and her thoughts never really varied.

Yes the book is called Hungerstone, the references for her desire and being “hungry”, was a little bit of an overkill. Like we get it. Maybe it was the wrong moment to read this but I wish I had liked this more. The stagnant pacing for most of the book and the repetition from the first person POV just got to me too much.

i loved carmilla when i first read it at 15, and i loved this book in much the same way: the rising tension, the capital-R Romance of it all and of course, carmilla herself. hungerstone delivers the Gothic, the sickness, the hunger and yearning, and the retribution lenore delivers made me want to stand up and clap. what a delight this was!

Atmospheric, immersive, intense.

I was so excited to read this book, and my excitement was justified I'd say!

First of all, I liked the plot. I adored A Dowry of Blood, so finding another book with a similar vibe was amazing, and this one did not disappoint. The atmosphere really pulls you in and the way the characters and scenes are written, since we see everything through Lenore’s perspective, is so effective. You can feel the claustrophobia she’s trapped in, the monotony, the suffocation of her life. The idea of hunger here is so much more than just bloodlust. This is a story of a woman hungering for more, for better, a story of female rage.

I also really liked how Carmilla wasn’t given too much space. Just the right amount of romance. Lenore’s journey was the main focus, as it should be.

That said, I did feel like the glimpses into Lenore’s past, the flashbacks, were a little lacking, and the explanation of her trauma could have been better. But maybe that was intentional, maybe it reflects how Lenore herself tries to shut it down.

As for the pacing, I think some readers might find parts of the book slow, but I actually liked that. It put me right in Lenore’s state of mind. I read the entire book in one sitting and I was never bored.

My only real complaint is the ending. It happened, but it didn’t feel quite big enough for the buildup. I wanted more from the climax. Also, the theme of industrialization was interesting, but I don’t have many thoughts on it beyond that it was a good addition, just not what stood out to me the most.

I can’t speak on how it compares to the original Carmilla, but as a standalone, it was solid. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! I’d recommend!

That perfect mix of fear and desire? Dunn absolutely nails it. But this isn’t just a modern retelling; Carmillla

The writing is lush, the atmosphere is dripping with eerie tension, and the whole thing feels both timeless and fresh. With its mix of historical depth and supernatural intrigue, Hungerstone isn’t just a tribute to gothic horror—it’s a bold, unforgettable take on it.

Update: Release-day review on TikTok
Hungerstone delivers an entertaining gothic treat with a lush Sapphic / bisexual awakening. This is a fast, sexy, and moving read with strong atmosphere, suspense and dark surprises.

The sensuality, creepiness, and tragic underpinnings build at a good pace. There's lush, beautiful writing and a powerful exploration of desire, agency, and appetite.

The characters intrigued me. Lenore, as an intelligent, unfillfilled, overburdened wife is complex in appealing ways. I found her indecisiveness and ambivalence believable for her circumstances, time, and place. Women had even less protection under the law in the nineteenth century than they do now.

The juxtaposition of gritty industrialization imagery and vampirism offered up strong moments. Kat Dunn has written an unusual book that's well worth reading. I’m picky about vampire books and avoid the mundane ones. Hungerstone is something different. The strong themes and memorable horrific scenes built to a well-earned ending. I’d read another book by Dunn.

Recommended for readers who enjoy vampires, historical fiction, medium horror with some squelchy details, and open-door scenes.

Thank you, Zando for the eARC for consideration. These are solely my own opinions.

i love carmilla retellings, especially when they’re sapphic, and this one solidly fits the bill. it feels classically victorian in writing style and wonderfully toys with that line between fear and desire and what it means for a woman to take what she wants and claim her freedom in a society where she’s taught that the greatest she can aspire to is captive safety. give me more women doing unhinged and terrible things!!

Lush and evocative, this book brings forth an insatiable hunger in both the characters and the reader. Pure female rage and exhilaration radiates from Hungerstone. Excellent characterization and plot, wonderful development, and a satiating conclusion.

I will NEVER say no to a sapphic vampire book and this one was beautifully gothic and atmospheric as well. @katalicedunn creates such vivid imagery in her stories that you truly feel like you’re alongside Lenore in the ancient Nethershaw manor.

the eeriness was a constant companion to this story and it put me on edge in the best way. I wanted so badly for Lenore to wake up from her life and know that she was deserving of more.
enter Carmilla, my devilish angel.
the more impenetrable and controlled Lenore forced herself to become, the more insistent Carmilla was to poke holes in her facade. Carmilla always found a way to drop a bread crumb or two of truths that would send Lenore’s head spinning, beckoning her to find the answers Lenore had always desired for herself but never dared to look for.

my rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

all in all, this was such a good read! Hungerstone is a journey of self-acceptance, rage, and desire. proof that even a vampire, driven by her thirst for blood, can be the voice of reason in this situation.😌

also it releases in the US today!

thank you @netgalley and @zandoprojects for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Between Nosferatu and Hungerstone, 2025 is THE year of the vampire. A seductive twist on a gothic classic, Hungerstone pulls you deep into a world of hunger, yearning, and dangerous secrets. This retelling of Carmilla is as dark and mysterious as it is empowering, with themes of female rage and self-discovery that resonate powerfully. With rich character growth and a mysterious, brooding atmosphere, this book will leave you captivated and craving more. Perfect for fans of feminist reimaginings, gothic suspense, and lesbians and their yearning.

I cannot wait to read Kat Dunn's previous works!

Also, whoever designed this cover deserves a raise... Like a serious one.

4.5 ⭐️ Like lesbian Nosferatu but without all the back sores <3

Thank you, NetGalley and Zando, for an early ARC.

This was so good, honestly the vibes were immaculate throughout.
Female rage, women behaving badly, and just a great creepy atmosphere. So enjoyable, I ate it up!

I wasn’t aware of the Carmilla story before, so I am not sure on the references etc. but I still loved it and don’t think you need to know in order to enjoy the book.

I could not out this down each time I picked it up to read. And the story stuck with me when I wasn’t reading.

The themes about want, revenge, and patriarchy were so well done and entwined with the story. It made for such an immersive read.

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn
Genre: Horror
Themes: hunger as metaphor, workers’ rights, female rage/oppression
Pub date: Feb. 18, 2025

Lenore and her business tycoon husband, Henry, have moved from London to the countryside manor Nethershaw, where they are planning a shooting party with society’s elite. A carriage accident near their home brings Carmilla into Lenore’s life — and awakens a hunger deep within Lenore.

Hungerstone is a feminist reworking of Carmilla, the novella that inspired Dracula. Add this one to the popular “female rage” book lists; it is dark, gothic, creepy and fun. Surprisingly, I found the portions about workers’ rights and Henry’s business to be the most interesting.

My biggest issues with Hungerstone were the pacing and structure. The chapters might have worked better by designating the passage of time, such as Six Days Until Shooting Party, Five Days Until Shooting Party, etc., which could have created stronger suspense for readers. Some sections were redundant, repetitively describing everything that needs to be done before the party. Regardless, Hungerstone remains an immersive gothic thriller with class commentary, vampires and sapphic yearning.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Zando for the advanced reader copy of #Hungerstone.