In Hungerstone we follow Lenore, plagued by self doubt and set with the duty of getting the crumbling manor of Nethershaw ready for a hunting party vital to her husband’s steel working business and future. They come across a carriage accident with a mysterious survivor, Carmilla, who comes to stay at the manor until she has recovered. But Lenore could swear she’s seen Carmilla before in a dream and a strange hunger begins to awaken in those around her.

Hauntingly atmospheric and gothic, Hungerstone takes its time to build tension as mysterious and unsettling events unravel. The crumbling manor and moments of dreaming and mystery are expressed beautifully in the prose. I really loved how this reimagining of Carmilla, builds off the original but also subverts it really satisfying ways. Carmilla is a seductive and freeing presence that helps Lenore find agency rather than targeting her innocence, but her presence also brings with it monstrous hunger, have no doubt this iteration of Carmilla has teeth. Lenore’s growth and progression is so satisfying to read and once there was no going back and events are irreversibly set in motion with shocking twists and turns, I could not put this book down.

A perfect spooky season read for fans of Carmilla, Dracula, and gothic literature. 

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.