Hunger

by Eileen Troemel

Earth cannot grow its own food. Chemicals and pesticides pollute the soil, water, and air. Chaebul Conglomerate designed and developed space stations to grow organic food for all the people on Earth. These stations are vital to the survival of all. Who, then, would try to damage the food and space stations?

When Tree Space Station 41 has a mysterious illness hit their workers, security and management suspect sabotage or a sick out. But the workers are determined to prove they aren't faking their illnesses. Betsy Canfield and her coworkers agree to stay working even when breathing becomes difficult. Nearly out of oxygen, Betsy realizes something is very wrong on the branch. She pulls the alarm before she passes out.

Investigator Colin Casteneda arrives on the station determined to find the truth. He has more questions than answers but with Stephanie Vaccaro, a top toxicologist, and his team, he will find the answers. When he sees Betsy, his ex girlfriend, he knows he will do anything to protect her. She may have left him to work on the station two years ago, but he never stopped thinking about her.

What kind of monster tries to sabotage the only source of Earth's food? Can Colin, Betsy, Stephanie and his team stop this monster before the food supply is destroyed?

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2024

About the author

USA Today Bestseller Author Eileen Troemel writes action packed and emotionally powerful fantasy, scifi, romance. She’ll try almost any genre if it means she can tell a good story. In addition to her writing, she loves to read, crochet, and research genealogy. Her best days are spent with her family of three adult daughters and her husband or writing.

Reviews

[Ines · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Hunger" is a short who-dunnit story that includes a fascinating combination of dystopian and sci-fi vibes, set sometime in the future when human kind has destroyed the possibility to grow food on earth. The author managed to get me intrigued from the start and keep the suspense high throughout the entire book. Most of the book is focussed on finding out what happened that resulted in the passing of a few workers and who's responsible, but there is also a bit of a second chance romance involved that added some quieter moments to the story (and a bit of spice). I enjoyed these characters, the mix of different tropes and plot points, and I'm looking forward to find out what book two will bring.

[JackaayReadsallday · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, so this took me a little bit to get into but at like 13%, the book finally snagged my full attention, and I devoured this book in one sitting. This isn’t normally the kind of book that Eileen towards, but I am so glad that I was introduced to this author because I will be reading the rest of the series and getting a hold of the rest of her books. I absolutely love the idea behind this story… I love dystopian, and I love that this is a little less grungy than the normal dystopian that I am used to reading… The last 15% of the book had me sitting on the edge of my seat because I thought I knew where it was going, but I was pleasantly surprised that I was wrong. I can’t wait to see what happens in book 2 because I am here for it! This book is definitely gonna live rent free in my head for a bit.

[Mrs R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting change to my normal read. Earth has been destroyed and space stations are now growing fresh food for everyone. This is the first book in the series and the story does continue into book 2.

I enjoyed getting to know this world and how it all works. Betsy is our FMC and she has volunteered herself to work in the food station to help others. So the story is very much a space whodunnit. There are no aliens, just a version of our own world in the future.

Things start happening on the station which brings a team in to investigate, and that's how we get our MMC, Colin, who happens to be Betsy's ex.

There are quite a few characters in the book, all playing a main part, it's not all about Betsy and Colin, the romance is not the main interest of the story. We get to watch the team gather clues, put them all together and start to work out who might be responsible and why. I really liked the dynamics of the team and I hope they stay together in the next book too.

- second chance romance
- mystery
- space station

[Suzanne McNeill Taviner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting take on a dystopian future where food is grown on space stations.
When several workers come down with a debilitating cough, investigators must work out whether it's workers slacking off or sabotage. One of the investigators brought in is Betsy's old flame, but now they both realise that they made a mistake when they separated. As they join forces to uncover the truth, their relationship becomes close again. You don't see much of the development of their relationship as it's more of a re-engaging than a new romance but they work well together and you can see the love between them.
The mystery is compelling and the revealing of the culprit is twisty but clever. The ending very much paths the way for more books in the series.

[Brandi Warner · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨
This is my first book by Eileen Troemel and I found it very interesting! I loved the premise of this dystopian kind of society. I was very interested in the mystery surrounding government agencies and their intentions as well as the mystery of the spreading illness. I did knock my rating a little lower because I felt the characters could have been fleshed out a little better. I felt at times they kind of lacked detail and unique characteristics. I also felt the book was slightly too predictable, however that is a subjective opinion. In the end however I really enjoyed this book and I am excited to see where the series goes!

[Joy Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing beginning

Eileen gives us the intriguing beginning of a new series. Betsy's a worker on a space farm where they grow food for the people of earth as it has become too polluted by chemicals to safely provide food. When sabotage occurs and deaths follow, she is drawn into trying to help find the culprit. Dive into this well written story with complex characters and plot twists that keep you guessing throughout. I enjoyed reading this story and am looking forward to finding out what happens next. Don't miss out on this book!!

[Kristin Lindes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my soul! This book was a delightful surprise for me. Dystopian, sci-fi, space-action with a hint of romance, I devoured this book quickly.

If you're looking for a world that has so many parallels to ours, that is as much "science" as "fiction", this is it. It's believable and you can see yourself there, living alongside the characters, experiencing the things they do. The storyline is good, the action is quick and you are guessing to who the baddie is, but still left unsure until the final reveal. I absolutely loved it! I will definitely be looking up other books by this author.

[Donna Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is about growing food as the human world has destroyed being able to grow their own food on earth.
It definitely is something different I have read and really did enjoy the story. The characters are amazing, smart and bit witty.

There is moments of romance in the story and few of the workers end passing, it does keep you guessing who actually is actually causing it.

As they bring in a team to investigate what’s happening we end up with Betsy’s ex Colin and start of romance.
We end up seeing the team looking for information, clues to who is causing things to happen.

[MandyViolete · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Thrilling Mystery!

This story follows the crew on a space ship that grows food for Earth and the mystery surrounding attacks on the ship. It is written in third person, which isn’t usually my preference, but I definitely see why with so many pieces to the mystery puzzle. Fans of who-dun-it, sci-fi, or dramatic second chance romances, will love this one!

[bebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book!

Extremely detailed in everything! The way it was written was great! We hear about the killers point of view. Now we know at the end of the book who the two culprits were. Betsy and Colin together made a great team to figure out how to finally cope together and figure out all the clues of this mystery puzzle.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was different but not really my cup of tea to be honest. Couldn't really get into it and struggled to read through it as it didn't grip me enough.

Not a bad story but not an amazing one either for me (sorry) but please still would recommend giving it a try if you want to try something a little different.

[Mellissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrorists in Space?!?!

This was different than anything I've read!! It was futuristic and yet relatable at the same time!! It makes you think about our own food and that this could totally happen!!!
Someone is trying to send a message and they are going about it completely destructively!! Once we learn who the culprit is, which is a surprise and yet kind of not!, it doesn't end there!!! Oh no they make it so much worse and vow to do something so huge that the "message" cannot be ignored!!! Cannot wait for book 2!!!
This was a very surprising read for me and I loved it!!!

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and unique plot in a dystopian world. Intriguing mystery with action, emotions, romance, drama, mystery, and twists. Well woven tale with some interesting characters. Loved following along the investigation and trying to figure out the who dun it.

[Jodi Kimball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Futuristic story not so unrealistic about the poisoning of earths resources and humanity’s attempt to survive. Meanwhile, someone is trying undermine corporations and call attention to a cure for the earth. Mix in a mini love story, a quirky scientist, and an investigation and you’ve got a great story!

[Sue Harbers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a different genre from what I typically read but I loved it! It’s very well written with an engaging plot and characters. I loved the mystery aspect that kept you guessing as well. I would read this again!

[Cleocutie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good mix of a mystery to solve and a space novel. It was fun seeing them gathering clues to figure out what was really going on and why.

[Wendy Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunger by Eileen Troemel is the first in the Silent Death Series. Very cool dystopian world. Loved Betsy. Looking forward to more in this world

[Kayleigh henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great beginning to a new series. Earth can't produce its own food as it has become too polluted so food is provided to them by a space farm. Betty works atvthe space far but it's being sabotaged and people are dying, she is drawn into finding the culprit. Great read with excellent charactersandstoryline that will keep you guessing.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The soil on earth is so polluted that food can’t be grown and so food is grown on space stations around the earth. It seems someone is trying to destroy the food and Betsy starts to feel ill and she can hardly breath like all the other workers. Help will come and they will need to work with her to try to find what is going on. Can they solve the issue? How will they get on? See if they can stop the ones behind it all

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunger is a story that depicts a dark future for the Earth. The planet is incapable of producing it's own food. The people are struggling, and the only "viable" option is to create space colonies specifically for growing food. Things are working, until they're not. Someone begins to sabotage the process. People are getting hurt and worse. The food, is intended to be contaminated to sabotage the corporations who are benefitting from its production and sky high prices to acquire it for the people.
The question becomes...who is willing to put lives at risk to make a statement? You get a handful of characters who are working against the clock to find the individuals behind it all before it's too late.
This book has some engaging elements, and spots of romance. It's a page-turner, but then things slow down and you begin to lose some interest in the story. The villains are kept in the dark as to who they are, but it makes for a gripping novel once you get back engaged.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

After the destruction of the Earth's natural resources, space stations are in place to harvest food for everyone.  Betsy has worked on a space space station for 2 years, having given up her life and love to do so. When people start getting sick, her ex is called in to investigate. 

This isn't  the type of book I normally read,  but I decided to give it a try. Overall it was a good story, with a good introduction of he characters.  I had a few issues with it though.  I don't mind books that are third person,  but this one bounced between a number of people, making it hard at first to know who the main characters are supposed to be.  It's definitely not built on a romance basis so if that's what you look forward in a book,  you'll be disappointed.  I gave it a 4, but it's really more a 3.5 for me.  However,  if you're into post-apocalyptic sci-fi, this book is definitely for you. 

I recommend. 

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunger by Eileen Troemel is book one in the Silent Death series. This is the first book I’m reading by this author. After reading the book blurb this concept really intrigued me and I had to know more. It did take me a bit to really get into the book but once I did I flew through it. The book made me ponder if this were to actually happen what would we do collectively to survive. I really like the characters, especially Betsy. I thought she great and I could even relate to her and her thought processes. Then there’s Colin who is another character I really liked but I loved how to he was usually calm and collected but that varied when Betsy was involved. This book had so many things I love going for it… a solid mystery, action, dystopian setting plus a splash of romance. It’s a good mixture for a good story and that is what this was. The writing was done well (even though it took me a bit to connect with it), the plot and pacing kept me interested to where I wanted to know more. Overall I had an enjoyable reading experience and am looking forward to the next book in the series. If you like a good sci-fi tale then this is a book for you.

Final review:
4 out of 5 stars

[Laura Beltran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sci-fi Thriller

Great start to a new series. This book was a nice change of pace for me. Its heavy on the sci-fi thriller There is romance but the romance is not the center of the story. I love the mystery to the story. The story is set in a post apocalyptic world where food needs to be grown on space stations. The character build was slow but I felt we got to know them by the end. There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end and I can't wait to read the next part of the story.

[joi Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a different book, about earth can't grow it's own food so it's been grown on space stations, Betty works on the space farm, but people are dying and she is finding out who Is doing it, with the twists and everything this a good start to a new series, looking forward to the next book.

[DeeDeeWReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat new series

Interesting in its own way apocalyptic series. Space stations that food are grown on in mass quantities when the soil on Earth is too poisonous.

The story has it all. A little love, a lot of mystery, with a little murder thrown in. Characters are relatable and the story keeps you guessing. Small cliffhanger at the end, but you knew more was coming in the future.

[katy andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, interesting twist on the future with crops being grown on space stations as Earths soil can't grow anything, with a good mystery thrown in. I enjoyed getting to know the world Eileen has created and look forward to reading more in the series

[Book Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly I did not know what to expect with this book but I was pleasantly surprised. As soon as I started reading I was completely captivated by this sci-fi who-don-it story. The characters are diverse and interesting and even though the book primarily focuses on two the supporting characters make this book. This is definitely is book I could not put down once I started. Highly recommended.

[Bella Street · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! It kinda reminded me of the tv show The 100 and the movie Passengers! If you want a quick read and enjoy dystopian novels with a bit of romance this is the book for you!

[Julorie Siefert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Earth has done it just like what is happening currently in our life, people have polluted the earth and it is no longer viable to grow food. So a big corporation has built a place in space, where they with the help of scientists are going genetically modified food. This is what is keeping people alive on Earth, but since the corporation owns it, they manage what people have to pay. So now you have people believe that Earth has healed it's self and people should be able to grow their own food. All of sudden they have a terrorist on the space station, they are killing people ruining the crops that is needed to feed Earth. Who is doing it? How are they doing it? Most of the people on the station have become close like a family, who would kill their friends? What do they hope to accomplish? This story shows possibly what could happen in our future, however this is also a love story, the complex relationship of the characters, will they last? Can they start new? As the story starts you are captured by the individuals about who they are and why they came to the station to help grow and harvest the food for Earth.

[Lene Blackthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great sci-fi thriller that grips the reader fest from the beginning to the end.
Betsy has been working at a space station growing food for two years. Earth is polluted and cannot grow enough clean nourishment, so these stations are supposed to cover the produce. When a mysterious illness hits the workers, the management is suspicious of a sick out, but after one horrible incident with several deaths everything points to sabotage. That moves the chef of station security, Frank, to call for Colin, a great investigator, who is determined together with his team to uncover what is going on. His motivation is even greater on this case, as he still harbors feelings for Betsy, his ex-girlfriend..
I binged this book practically in two hour. Sat down and read straight through. The story flows naturally and very fast, with enough mystery and sabotage to keep me guessing the plot, culprits, and motivation constantly. The futuristic setup with space stations in written very realistic, and I very much enjoyed also the characters in this series. New author for me, but scored a bingo :)