Book Review | House of Hunger

Marion Shaw lives in the slums with her abusive brother, so when she sees an ad for a noble seeking a new bloodmaid, she seizes the opportunity. However, when she arrives at the manor, she finds a molar in her predecessor’s room and begins to discover that something far more sinister may be taking place there.

House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson weaves a darkly engrossing sapphic fantasy inspired by Elizabeth Báthory, The Blood Countess.

I want to point out that this book doesn’t have “vampires” in the traditional sense. In this world, nobles drink the blood of the servants called bloodmaids because they believe it can cure ailments and keep them younger longer, and in exchange, bloodmaids gets to live a life of debauchery.

Throughout the story, we’re also teased bits and pieces about the other noble houses and the warring politics between them, which I found really interesting. In fact, I almost wished we could have gotten to have learned more about the world.

However, the absolute highlight of the book for me was the Countess Lisavet herself. She’s a tall, morally questionable dommy mommy along the lines of Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil or Lady Verity from The Wicked and the Willing, so if that’s your type, you’re in luck here.

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book Details:

Publication Date : September 27, 2022

Publisher : Berkley Publishing Group

IBSN : 0593438469

Pages : 304

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