House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson
Reviewed By: Jeremy Zentner, Reference Assistant
Genre: Horror
Suggested Age: Adults
What is This Book About? Marion Shaw is a young maid who lives with her addict brother in the industrial town of Prane. After years of abuse from her employer, Marion finds a tempting ad in the paper. A noble house from the north is calling for young women to become “bloodmaids.” Women who bleed for the House of Hunger so that aristocrats can feed off the blood’s “healing” properties. The setting resembles that of nineteenth century Europe, where noble houses rule an agrarian society and industrialized cities breed poverty. Set in a different world than our own, House of Hunger tells the story of an underprivileged woman finding the opportunity of a lifetime. However, this opportunity comes at a cost as Marion maneuvers the House politics and discovers a dark secret no one is prepared to handle.
My Review: This is a very interesting gothic horror that gives the feel of a vampire novel, without actually having vampires. Marion Shaw is seduced into becoming a bloodmaid as she is showered with fine lodging and sweets galore. All she has to do is feed the nobles, especially the House Head, Countess Lisavet, her blood. The Countess is intoxicated by Marion’s blood and a budding romance begins to bloom after they first meet. Naturally, there is jealousy lurking among the other bloodmaids and being the favorite comes at a high price. This book offers a great deal of gothic depictions within an aristocratic lifestyle, rife with violence and gluttony. And, of course, there is a heinous House secret that Marion must unearth if she ever wants to survive the House of Hunger. This book is great if you like gothic horror, vampires, or any sort of creepy genre.
Three Words that Describe this Book: horror, gothic, vampirism
Give This A Try if You Like… Handmaid’s Tale, Interview with the Vampire, Jane Eyre, Rebecca, Dowry of the Dead
Rating: 4/5
