The Black Hunger
By Nicholas Pullen

A gothic, 19th century Satanic Panic tale told in a voice that is at best elegant, at worst pretentious.

While parts of this book intrigued me, including violent and imaginative horror and a queer romance, the pace was punishingly droning.

This book is laden with historical references to ancient Asian spiritualities and customs, which I have no background in and thus no frame of reference, and I found myself bogged down in the dry technicalities of every painfully meticulous detail.

At the root of “The Black Hunger” is a fascinating, unique, and compelling story, but the pacing and telling of it saps the magic from the story itself. This book wasn’t for me, but I can see the appeal that it could have for others.

Thank you to Redhook Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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