Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson

90 reviews

wordsareworlds's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

One of the best gothic novels I've ever read, hands down. And it's sapphic! Cannot recommend this enough, for how expertly Henderson weaves the mood of not only the House structure but the overall worldbuilding, the relationships, the in-universe history, the seductive nature of this terrible, terrible system. Everything about it entices while it horrifies, and it doesn't shy away from confronting the classism and racism that make up so much of the tension in gothic lit. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, and Murder

jimm_mix's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

thelongroadtosanity's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this Gothic horror novel. I loved the author's "Year of the Witching" and I did absolutely enjoy this read one as well. 

Marion, poor and living in the slums, has an opportunity to leave behind her past and join the ranks of becoming a Bloodmaid. She takes the train North and is indentured to a Countess, Lisavet, and begins her training as a Bloodmaid in the House of Hunger. But something sinister is going on and Marion isn't sure if her feelings for Lisavet are getting in the way of uncovering the truth of who, and what, Lisavet is becoming. 

This has a very very unique take on 'vampire' lore, with young women practically selling the blood in their veins to their respective lords and ladies of the North. Although a tradition, and not actual vampires, it builds on a Dracula-inspired world. I enjoyed Marion's character and her development as she discovered the truth of what was occurring in the House of Hunger. (06/2024) 

4 out of 5 stars

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Blood

Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, and Murder

maddy707's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This was a quick and enjoyable atmospheric gothic horror. The writing style flowed well and I was able to picture this book perfectly while reading. The story was fast paced and intriguing and the goreyness of the story was well done. I enjoyed the casual queerness of this book. The relationship being WLW adds to the seduction the author tries to create with the whole blood stuff. If it was MLW the vibes wouldn’t be the same. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Drug use, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

lali_002's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use

Minor: Animal death and Murder

author2223's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Drug use and Toxic relationship

jamieleepilk's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

talonsontypewriters's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Cannibalism, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Chronic illness, Drug use, Sexual content, Torture, and Alcohol

Minor: Gun violence, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent

bcvogel90's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Blood, and Classism

Moderate: Drug use, Gore, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

shannonvonpesach's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Het verhaal is te vaag. Het is totaal niet duidelijk of het om vampieren gaat of edelen die koekoek zijn.

Het eind gevecht met het 'poppen' van de kaak en de arousel? Nee...

Ik ben dit gaan lezen vanwege de marketing over Elisabeth of Báthory, maar dit is slechts een inspiratie geweest voor het karakter en heeft er 0 mee te maken.

Ps: dit is een YA schrijfstyle dus geen adult boek.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, and Alcohol

Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment