Reviewed by Christy
John is dying. His long time love Miriam expected it but not
so soon because, after all, John is only around two hundred years old. Though
the word is never mentioned, Miriam and John are vampires, together for
centuries. Miriam has been through this before. Her companions will begin to
age rapidly, become more ravenous with time, and eventually experience “eternal
death”. Usually they can live anywhere from four to eight hundred years. But
not John. So Miriam sets out to find a new companion to take his place.
Miriam has her sights set on a young
scientist named Sarah Roberts. Sarah believes she may have discovered the
antidote to aging, which is what catches Miriam’s attention. The Hunger is
not exactly action-packed but a slow, quiet horror. It doesn’t shy away from
blood but also doesn’t overindulge in it either. I did feel like I was pushing
myself to finish it at times but overall it held my interest enough to keep
going. One thing I particularly appreciated about Strieber’s take is that there
are new rules on the old vampire lore. They can go out in sunlight, and they
don’t have to be invited in to enter your house. Though it is never stated
explicitly, it is hinted at that Miriam was born a vampire, and that her
species is going extinct. She can turn humans into her kind but, unlike her, they
do not actually live forever. (A fact she chooses not to share with them.) And
I don’t want to spoil anything but finding out what “eternal death” entails is
pretty horrifying.
I also really liked the little
glimpses into Miriam’s past throughout the ages. I don’t know if I would
recommend The Hunger to a reader who wants a fast-paced horror. I do,
however, think it’s a solid read with a very dismal ending that packs a punch.
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