Thursday, March 29, 2018

Two Bloggers One Book - The Hunger


Since Stormi and I both love horror and we both were craving some, reading "The Hunger" as our feature pick for the month of March was a given.  However, I think we both wish we had picked something else.  So enjoy my thoughts below and after you are finished, hop on over to  Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! and see what Stormi thought.

TITLE: The Hunger
AUTHOR: Alma Katsu
PUBLISHER: G.P. Putnam's Sons
PUBLISHING DATE: March 6, 2018

FROM GOODREADS: Evil is invisible, and it is everywhere. 

Tamsen Donner must be a witch. That is the only way to explain the series of misfortunes that have plagued the wagon train known as the Donner Party. Depleted rations, bitter quarrels, and the mysterious death of a little boy have driven the pioneers to the brink of madness. They cannot escape the feeling that someone--or something--is stalking them. Whether it was a curse from the beautiful Tamsen, the choice to follow a disastrous experimental route West, or just plain bad luck--the 90 men, women, and children of the Donner Party are at the brink of one of the deadliest and most disastrous western adventures in American history.

While the ill-fated group struggles to survive in the treacherous mountain conditions--searing heat that turns the sand into bubbling stew; snows that freeze the oxen where they stand--evil begins to grow around them, and within them. As members of the party begin to disappear, they must ask themselves "What if there is something waiting in the mountains? Something disturbing and diseased...and very hungry?"
 

MY THOUGHTS:  So I'll start by saying that a lot of my favorite bloggers loved "The Hunger" and I'm so glad they did.  I also think I kind of set myself up for disappointment with this one because I wanted it to be horrific and terrifying and as the terror was more subtle and atmospheric (which I usually like) I felt a let-down.  Also, I've seen "The Hunger" described as a "slow burn" type of novel but for me, it was more like "smoldering."  

So basically this is a tale about the infamous Donner party.  However, there's a twist and instead of just facing insurmountable obstacles related to travel, the time of year and terrain, they also face a supernatural entity.  Now I probably couldn't spoil this book if I tried because I'm still not sure I figured out what the "being" was - in fact, upon finishing, I dubbed it the vamp-shifter-wendigo-zombie-witch-thing.  

I also don't think I really connected with any of the characters, which is something I have discovered is important for me when reading a book.  I don't necessarily have to like them, but I have to feel something, and I just didn't in "The Hunger."  I did have two I liked more than the rest, and one I despised and I'll give Katsu credit for making me feel badly for the one I hated in the end.  However, to be honest, in the end I just wanted it to end.

So as I said, I'm sure lots of people will be and are enjoying this book.  I did like Katsu's writing and plan to check out more books by this author.  However, I think if you don't set your expectations high and are okay with slow-paced novels (and I mean SLOW - like wagon train slow), then give "The Hunger" a chance.

RATING: 2 PAWS




26 comments:

  1. I think I better give this a miss as I don't do slow!

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    1. I think you would probably hate this one more than I did.

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  2. I'm sorry this one didn't work for you! I'm not usually a fan of slow-paced stories, but I fee like they have their place. It's just not for me! I prefer scooter-to-motorcycle speed. Wagon is a touch too slow. ;)

    Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. Definitely not scooter-to-motorcycle speed or I would have liked it more :)

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  3. Oh no, Barb, I'm sorry! It definitely sounds like it was right up your alley!

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  4. Just came from Stormi's review. So sad this was a miss for both of you and I think I'll pass on it now.

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    1. I can't even say read it and make your own decision. I disliked it that much.

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  5. That's too bad! This one did sound interesting to me, even though I don't read a lot of horror. I don't know how I feel about not being sure of what the monster/terror actually was!

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    1. I think it's actually perfect for someone who doesn't read a lot of horror. It's a lot about atmosphere and buildup which I usually love.

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  6. I love your description of "wagon train" slow, lol. Yes, I guess this was slow, for me it worked because I think she does tension really well. But expectations are almost impossible to get over so I completely understand your rating.

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    1. I do want to read some of her other works though so I haven't ruled out giving Katsu another try.

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  7. I am so torn about this one. I even had it my hand the other day at B&N and put it down to order McCammon's "The Listener" instead (it's STILL not here 4 days later either). I'm so glad I did because my library has a copy of it on Overdrive now. Sorry you didn't enjoy it :(

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    1. Definitely one to grab on Overdrive and not buy. You might like it.

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  8. Aww, what a shame you didn't enjoy this - it's always such a disappointment when you don't enjoy a book after such high expectations. I really enjoyed this but I've read the author before and like her writing style plus I love her ability to create tension - but, wagon train slow. Yeah. It picks up but I think if you've already missed the train at that point it would be a road to nowhere - haha, lots and lots of puns.
    Lynn :D

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    1. I love your puns...and yes, it was a road to nowhere.

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  9. Oh darn! I was so hoping this one was going to turn around for you. Thanks for the heads up!! I've still got this book in my library stack, but I'll definitely be saving it for last :)

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    1. I can't wait to hear what you think of it.

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  10. Sorry to hear this one didn't work for you, I know you were looking forward to it a lot. But you make some fair observations, and honestly if I hadn't liked the slow building tension so much, I probably would have had the same issues.

    ~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum

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    1. I think it was worsened by my just finishing Snowblind which was very atmospheric yet exciting as well.

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  11. I am so glad that I didn't download this one. I loved the sound of the book but was trying to be responsible with my arcs for a change. Sorry it wasn't better for you.

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  12. I've been so on the fence about reading this one! I'll probably let your review sway me and not read it because lord knows I don't need another Little Heaven. ;)

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  13. yeah subtle, atmospheric horror can be a hit or miss. I think it all depends on how well you connect with the rest of the plot and characters which seem you didn't :(

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    1. No, I only liked 2 characters. I wanted to like this one so bad that it still saddens me.

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