I’m sharing another instalment of my Mini Review Mondays, the most recent of which was last week. This is going up a day later than originally scheduled. In case you haven’t seen any of my previous posts, I do ‘mini’ reviews of books that I’ve previously read and am now ready to share my full thoughts about.
First up, I’d like to talk about Hungerstone by Kat Dunn. Thank you to Bonnier Books/Manilla Press for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
As the couple travel through the bleak countryside, a shocking carriage accident brings the mysterious Carmilla into Lenore’s life. Carmilla, who is weak and pale during the day but vibrant at night, Carmilla who stirs up something deep within Lenore. And before long, girls from the local villages fall sick, consumed by a terrible hunger . . .
As the day of the hunt draws closer, Lenore begins to unravel, questioning the role she has been playing all these years. Torn between regaining her husband’s affection and the cravings Carmilla has awakened, soon Lenore will uncover a darkness in her household that will place her at terrible risk . . .
Publication Date: 13th February
CW: death, murder, violence, gore, misogyny, sexism, sexual assault, infidelity, grief, blood, suicidal ideation, self-harm, anxiety, gaslighting, manipulation
My Thoughts:
Hungerstone was a beautiful nightmare of a book. It was simply exquisite.
I have long enjoyed Kat Dunn’s work, particularly her strength in character work and gripping plot lines. I was ravenous for her adult debut – a sapphic reworking of Camilla in the Industrial Age sounds just like what I needed. This was everything I could have wanted and more. It is lavish and lascivious, dripping with sensuality and suspense in equal measure.
I love Gothic literature and this really felt like a love letter to the genre. Dunn has a masterful ability to create such creeping dread, especially through atmospheric that feels like it is weighing down upon you. It all feels claustrophobic and like the walls are closing in on Lenore. The setting is a classic Gothic mansion, in a state of disrepair behind its gilded exterior. It encapsulates the increasingly desperate situation Lenore finds herself in – a opulent cage. Dunn also explores societal themes around the oppression of women and the capitalist violence of the Industrial Age. Men’s appetites are free to be satiated as they wish – sexuality, money, power, violence. We see how capitalism and patriarchy work together and a throughline about class exploitation.
In general, I am really enjoying this trend within fiction of exploring womens’ appetites, hunger and the various forms of this. It feels like an evolution of feminine rage – still encompassing that anger at patriarchal systems and oppression, but exploring other facets. Hungerstone examines that sense of hunger that leaves a pit in your stomach, the desire for something more out of your life, an all-consuming feeling that slowly overcomes you. It is a celebration of appetites that are finally indulged. This is explored richly with some excellent plot threads. Camilla is woven into the story perfectly, giving both new readers and those familiar with the tale plenty to sink their teeth into.
Hungerstone is a fantastically warped Gothic tale of hunger. This is not a book to miss.
Next up, I’d like to talk about Red Flags by Sophie Jo. Thank you to Scholastic for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Poppy is known for her high standards. One red flag and she’s out. Why bother with relationships when boys don’t ever seem to live up to her expectations?
Cam is known for quickly developing the ick. He’s never dated anyone for long – a week here, a month there, but he always spooks.
When Poppy’s friends challenge her to give someone a chance for two whole months, Poppy decides that Cam (her mysterious bus crush) could be the best of an underwhelming bunch. But Cam’s been set his own challenge: he’s banned from ending things in his next relationship … and that means he’s ready to do whatever he can to put Poppy off.
Two skeptics. Two months. And this time, neither of them can disappear the moment they spot something they don’t like…
Publication Date: 13th February
CW: sexism, gaslighting, misogny
My Thoughts:
Red Flags is an adorable book packed full of moments that will tug on your heart and make it flutter. It is empowering and entertaining.
This was such a cute book. I liked how the central romance centered around these standards and expectations. Jo balances between setting boundaries for yourself and pushing some unrealistic standards. I really liked how this was both supported and challenged at different stages in the novel. It opens up some really important conversations, particularly with one subplot that will really resonate with readers. At its heart, we follow Cam and Poppy as they embark on this slightly mad-cap scheme. It is a hilarious set-up that blossoms beautifully into a heartfelt spark of something more. Jo packs the pages with heart and humour in equal measure, making you laugh and be moved. Their relationship felt so real and relatable, with pitfalls and triumphs.
I also want to give a shoutout to the themes covered in this book. Jo handles them with care and sensitivity. I really enjoyed Cam’s storyline around his family – this was difficult, but also wonderful in its honesty. Family comes in all shapes and sizes & Jo depicts this wonderfully. Only you can decide your boundaries and sticking to them can be an act of bravery and self-care. This book is such an ode to friendship as well. I really liked the emphasis placed upon platonic relationships and the importance of supportive friendships. It was warm and the dialogue flowed so well, welcoming you into these well-established groups. Jo excels with characterisation. They felt so believable. I think a lot of that came from the authenticity of these relationships – they all had their own challenges and celebrations. There was nuance and development within all of them.
Red Flags is a wonderful YA rom-com that will spark joy and remind you of the power of love in all its forms.
Finally, I’d like to delve into You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego. Thank you to Bantam Books for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Legendary mystery author J. R. Alastor’s books are sold all over the world, but no one knows his real name. After years hiding in the shadows, he has sent out six invitations to an exclusive murder mystery retreat on his private island.
Mila del Angél has been hired to ensure the week runs smoothly. She has yearned for revenge on a ghost from her past for years – and this could be her chance to get it.
The six bestselling thriller writers accept their invitations without question – it’s an opportunity any author would kill for.
What should have been a week of trope-filled games takes a sinister turn when one guest is found dead, and the others find themselves in the midst of a nightmare drawn from Alastor’s dark imagination. They may have written thrillers – but now they and Mila must survive one…
Publication Date: 13th February
CW: death, murder, blackmail, gaslighting, sexism, grief
My Thoughts:
You Are Fatally Invited was an inventive spin on a classic locked-room mystery set-up with excellent twists and a deliciously meta layer to proceedings.
This was such a twisted tale with plenty of twists, turns and reveals along the way. It was a well-constructed mystery and kept me glued to the pages. Pliego pays homage to the classics, especially And Then There Were None, but adds her own innovative twist. I think the concept of these writers having to solve a mystery of their own is ingenious, especially when you place them on an isolated island. That is a premise designed to snare the reader and Pliego builds on it masterfully. There are several different deadly games going on here with competing motivations and secrets. Like all good thrillers, there are plenty of rabbit holes to go running down. It is paced perfectly. I also enjoyed the snippets from their own work, giving us even more of a meta layer to proceedings. It is quite fun how tropes and expected beats from the genre come into play. After all, these should be experts playing.
Our central cast of characters is excellent, as we get each of their perspectives throughout, but can you trust anyone? Pliego does a great job at casting doubt on all of them, moving between the past and present. They are all embroiled in their own deceits and have their own secrets to protect. You get a clear sense of how their personalities affect their writing, pulling their lives into their stories. It makes you trust everyone even less – these are masters at deception and weaving a convincing story. I loved this ambiguity and feeling of complete helplessness. Even as you may begin to connect with a character, you cannot shake that doubt.
You Are Fatally Invited is a clever puzzle box of a book with a destructive game at its heart. It is a bold and captivating debut.
A Short Book Lover 
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