Book Review

House of Hunger takes place in a world ruled by blood. In the impoverished slums of this fictional land--unnamed yet reminiscent of industrial-era England--we meet 20 year-old Marion Shaw, a young woman desperate to change her circumstances. She dreams of escaping to the far north, where wealthy aristocrats live lives of luxury and bloodlust. Literally—they indenture “bloodmaids,” young women who bleed so that they may drink. When a mysterious job opening presents her with an opportunity to join the upper echelons of society, Marion leaves behind everything she knows to be a bloodmaid to countess Lisavet of the infamous House of Hunger.

Marion quickly spirals into a confusing web of manipulation, obsession, and desire with the elusive Lisavet, who yearns for Marion’s blood above all else. But power is poisonous, and there are mysteries hiding in the tunnels beneath the castle. How much will Marion bleed before she forgets herself completely?

House of Hunger examines the power dynamics of need and consumption. It’s about dark, hidden histories, the ones we conceal in our souls'--or homes'--deepest tunnels and caverns. In just over 280 pages, Henderson creates a twisty-turny gothic tale about the deceptions of wealth and politics, both on the interpersonal and societal scale. I highly recommend the book to anyone looking to add something a little spooky (and a lot gay) to their bookshelves. I will read anything Alexis Henderson writes!