What Hunger

by Catherine Dang

A haunting coming-of-age tale following the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, Ronny Nyugen, as she grapples with the weight of generational trauma while navigating the violent power of teenage girlhood, for fans of Jennifer’s Body and Little Fires Everywhere.

It's the summer before high school, and Ronny Nguyen finds herself too young for work, too old for cartoons. Her days are spent in a small backyard, dozing off to trashy magazines on a plastic lawn chair. In stark contrast stands her brother Tommy, the pride and joy of their immigrant parents: a popular honor student destined to be the first in the family to attend college. The thought of Tommy leaving for college fills Ronny with dread, as she contemplates the quiet house she will be left alone in with her parents, Me and Ba.

Their parents rarely speak of their past in Vietnam, except through the lens of food. The family's meals are a tapestry of cultural memory: thick spring rolls with slim and salty nem chua, and steaming bowls of pho tái with thin, delicate slices of blood-red beef. In the aftermath of the war, Me and Ba taught Ronny and Tommy that meat was a dangerous luxury, a symbol of survival that should never be taken for granted.

But when tragedy strikes, Ronny's world is upended. Her sense of self and her understanding of her family are shattered. A few nights later, at her first high school party, a boy crosses the line, and Ronny is overtaken by a force larger than herself. This newfound power comes with an insatiable hunger for raw meat, a craving that is both a saving grace and a potential destroyer.

What Hunger is a visceral, emotional journey through the bursts and pitfalls of female rage. Ronny’s Vietnamese lineage and her mother’s emotional memory play a crucial role in this tender ode to generational trauma and mother-daughter bonding.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Adult, Thriller, Audiobook

288 pages, Hardcover

First published August 12, 2025

About the author

Catherine Dang is the author of the novels Nice Girls and What Hunger. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, she currently resides in Brooklyn.

Reviews

[emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

i knew i had to read this book when it claimed to be for fans of both little fires everywhere and jennifer's body. and it was!

this reminded me a bit of bestiality, in being about how the violence of womanhood and war and trauma can be borne from mother to daughter. but i loved how this one made that a form of power too.

the way characters and dialogue were written sometimes took me out of it — things felt a bit convenient, or tell-y not show-y — but i loved the story of this family and also i am now very hungry.

because of the food descriptions, to be clear. not the eating raw meat parts.

bottom line: empowering and snacky.

(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)

[Esta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannibalism but make it less fava beans and chianti and more phở, random aunties and generational trauma.

However, if you’re expecting constant horror-fuelled human flesh eating, adjust your appetite. This isn’t Hannibal’s instruction manual and cookbook. Cannibalism isn’t the main course, but I'd say it’s more like a metaphorical dessert of rage and grief that’s been slow-cooked over familial and societal trauma that makes fourteen-year-old Veronica Nguyen want to bite back.

And it takes its time to build up to that crescendo. But when the chomping on human flesh moments come [not a spoiler, we know this will happen], if you’re anything like me, you probably won’t recoil. You’ll cheer and you’ll think, good for her.

Veronica’s fury feels not only warranted but righteous and maybe even overdue. And if you feel even a glimmer of sympathy for the rapists, abusers and predators who get their karma, well, our moral compasses are pointing in very different directions. [And if that's the case, why are we even acquainted? Because we shouldn't be.]

I couldn’t help thinking about the resonance this has with other books I’ve loved, like The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim. Both stories dwell in complicated family dynamics and cultural textures while exploring some unhinged scenes, which makes the story linger in your mind. In What Hunger, I particularly appreciated the way Veronica’s relationships shifted with her parents and her auntie, as she grew empathy for their circumstances as immigrants and what they’ve endured.

And speaking of lingering… I got hungry reading this. Not for human flesh, lol. This is also an ode to Vietnamese culture, family and food, and it made me it made me crave phở, eggrolls, bánh mì and bánh xèo.

Unhinged revenge, grief and delicious Vietnamese cuisine: five stars, would eat again.

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Little, Brown Book Group UK | Corsair for the ARC.

Probably needless to say, but just in case you missed it... mind your triggers. There's a lot more than cannibalism. Domestic abuse, violence, rape, kidnapping, implied pedophilia, death of a loved one, animal cruelty, animal death, alcoholism, gaslighting and racism are some of the more prominent ones.

〰〰〰〰〰
Not me starting another female rage good for her cannibalism horror book. Bon appétit? 🍽️💀

[BookTrib.com]

Mother daughter bonding via cannibalism? What the hell, sure.

[Ricarda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is it with these young cannibal girl books lately? I mean, I'm not complaining, just noticing a weird trend. I'm talking about The Lamb by Lucy Rose and this book, What Hunger by Catherine Dang. And while they both feature unsettling cannibal horror from a young perspective, they couldn't be more different. The Lamb takes a lyrical, flowery approach to the theme, while What Hunger feels more grounded, almost raw (pun intended, I guess). It reads more like general fiction or a coming-of-age story than a true horror novel, but that doesn't mean that this book is free of horrific things. The story follows Ronny, the 14-year-old daughter of a Vietnamese immigrant family, at a time of massive change in her life. Her beloved brother Tommy dies in a car accident, which throws her family into chaos and grief. Without a way to cope and with a family that doesn't understand her due to generational and cultural barriers, Ronny starts to spiral into rage and develops a strange craving for raw meat. She could be bratty, but I felt mostly sorry for her with her being repeatedly struck by tragedy. The sibling relationship was portrayed very well in just a few pages and I liked it right away, which made Tommy's death even more devastating. I would describe the overall atmosphere as heavy, not because Ronny is perpetually sad, but because she is in a constant state of unrest. She only finds peace when eating raw meat and it was great how this was transported through the writing style. It's usually not very descriptive, safe for scenes featuring food and eating. Once Ronny's hunger is stilled, it's easier for her to connect with her family – first her aunt, later her mother. The family dynamics turned out to be very complex, and I read the entire book with great interest. I mentioned The Lamb, but I think this book is actually more similar to The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim. Both feature a family confronted with change and a daughter developing strange and maybe murderous cravings because of it. What Hunger might be more unsettling though, because of Ronny's young age. I would recommend these two books in tandem, and I think them both great reads.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK / Corsair for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

[megs_bookrack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impeccable. The topics explored, the characters and writing were all exceptional. This took me by surprise how connected I was to Ronny and her life.

This never felt like I was reading a book. I was completely immersed and pulled into Ronny's thoughts and experiences. She was such an empathetic character, and as an older person, reading the perspective of this young girl, I just wanted to protect her.

She went on such a journey over the course of this story, and was so strong in the face of it all, even though at times it was confusing and maddening to her. I loved that even though the story contained truly horrific elements, Dang was still able to infuse it with such love and hope.



This story follows a teenage girl, Ronny Nyugen, the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants. She's really close with her brother, Tommy, who is the golden child that Ronny never feels like she's measuring up to.

There is some clashes between the parents and the kids, as their two worlds grapple. The parents are more old-school and traditional, whereas the kids don't want to stand apart from their peers culturally. They'd rather fit in and do things a bit differently than their parents.

When tragedy unexpectedly rocks the family, Ronny's world is turned upside down with nowhere to turn. In the midst of all of this, Ronny decides to attend her first high school party, where a boy she knows crosses the line with her, throwing her world even more into chaos.



We follow Ronny as she starts to spiral. As she tries to navigate some true daunting things without feeling like she has anyone to turn to for help.

Soon she begins to have an insatiable hunger for raw meat. This new craving could turn out to be a saving grace for Ronny, or her potential destroyer.

As mentioned above, this book is so well done. Beautifully-written, it pulls the Reader in with it's raw emotion of this family's life. I think Catherine Dang has a tremendous talent for channeling life into her characters. Ronny felt so real to me. Everything she was going through, and the complexity of her family, it was exceptional.



I would definitely recommend this to anyone who read and enjoyed The Eyes Are the Best Part. It tackles some similar subject matter, and the examination of culture and identity is just as vividly portrayed.

I loved how frank the narrative style was for Ronny. Her thoughts are what I would imagine a teenage girl's thoughts to be under these circumstances.

I also really appreciated the examination of the more subtle battles, or tensions, between 1st-generation and 2nd-generation immigrant peoples within the same family. For example, Ronny talking about her and Tommy's tastes in food and how her parents would make them feel bad about the things they enjoyed.

I think Dang is just so talented, how she wove so many different topics and themes into this one incredible and gripping story, yet still made it feel so cohesive and natural.



As you can tell, I loved this a lot. I was happy to see it at least made the nominees for the Horror Category in the Goodreads Choice Awards.

Though it would have been close to impossible for this to get the recognition it deserves going up against some of the juggernauts that were in the Horror category, perhaps its appearance on that list will at least bring some new attention to this book.

Dang deserves all the flowers for this one!

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

The horror tag and comparison to Jennifer's Body is doing this book a disservice. If that's what you're expecting coming in, you're going to be disappointed.

It is a fantastic and tightly written novel about a teenage girl who experiences some horrific things, then struggles to deal with the aftermath. I really loved the main character's family. The book is more about dealing with emotions, particularly anger, than any big scares.

[Celine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 !

The rawest reflection on grief and trauma, utilizing hunger, culture and family in a way I’ve never read before. Incredible.

[Dona's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pre-Read Notes:

This was a shameless cover+title request because that title? with that tiny trickle of blood in the image? Well it made me hungry for a certain kind of book. Hoping I love this like I did TENDER IS THE FLESH and A CERTAIN HUNGER.

"The adults in our lives acted so sure of everything , but we sensed it was a lie. As teenagers, we had the compulsive need to humble them— to point out their hypocrisy, their uncertainty, their lies. They were flawed people, too." p90 Even though this book is for and about high schoolers, it's universally familiar. The friends, the boys, the mundane activities that serve as backdrop to the life young people want from adulthood, and rarely get.

Final Review

(thoughts & recs) This one didn't leave as much of an impression on me as some of the other books I read that surround cannibalism. I think this is maybe mismarketed as a thriller, as it read to me as a very dark coming of age drama. And I didn't like the ending, which I felt was really abrupt.

I did however, like the style and perspective the author chose-- sort of a stream of consciousness describing a powerful change within this young girl who is desperate for some kind of agency. Stream of consciousness is a difficult perspective to write from and for me, usually a no-go. Authors sometimes burden the plot and character development with unnecessary character material in a bid for authenticity. But I think paring all that away really works for Dang here.

I recommend this one to fans of weird fiction and dark, character driven stories. If stream of consciousness is something you like, you will love this one. They don't share themes or subjects, but because of the POV, this book really reminds me of LISTEN TO YOUR SISTER by Neena Viel, which is also an excellent dark coming of age drama and totally weird.

My Favorite Things:

✔️ "We never opened the front door at night. Our parents only did it for people who called us beforehand. But everyone else was a safety concern. Mẹ said there were too many crazy people in the world, too many thieves eager to barge in. That was why we never gave out candy for Halloween." p33 Two things. First, the mentally ill people in the world are the last people you need to be worried about and thinking otherwise is because of stigma. Second, this is a great example of how fear stops us from living our lives.

✔️ ""...But if you’re being good just to get into heaven, are you actually being good? Or are you being selfish?”" p39 Interesting questions abound in this book. It's giving more weird coming of age vibes than hunger body horror vibes though, at least so far.

✔️ "“You’re hurting them. It’s not—it’s not necessary,” I said. Gigi shrugged, the cage trap in her hands. “These things happen sometimes,” she said. “Just don’t think about it.”" p144 It's hard to be soft in a hard, heartless world.

✔️ I was *fully* unprepared with what came at the three quarters mark, despite lots of clear and clever foreshadowing. I loved it! Omg is it was so visceral and physical and disgusting, it was awesome.

Notes:

1. content notes: animal cruelty, animal death, blood, death of a sibling, grief, depictions of depression and anxiety, corporeal punishment (mention), disordered eating, raw meat, ableist language,

Thank you to the author Catherine Dang, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of WHAT HUNGER. All views are mine.

[౨ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

if jennifer's body met raw (2016)

so, so haunting and poignant, deserves all the hype & perfect for the summer. rtc!

[Stacy (Gotham City Librarian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a solid premise rooted in grief and coming of age horror. The main character, Veronica, could be bratty at times but she was a teenager dealing with a lot and this only made her more believable. I thought the family dynamic between Ronny and her parents, though strained and upsetting, was also complex and vividly constructed. I especially liked the sibling relationship between her and Tommy, and really appreciated the Auntie character and how Veronica’s opinion of her changed throughout the story.

The plot quickly grows depressing and then dark as Ronny encounters blow after blow to her well-being. Not to give too much away, but the Goodreads description does mention that she develops a sudden alarming craving for raw meat that she needs to satisfy as if her life depends on it. She is also consumed with the rage of an adolescent girl who has been hurt and wronged, and the combination of the two makes for an interesting time. (I hesitate to say "fun," since so much of the subject matter was troubling, but Ronny's reaction to the meat craving and a couple of other things made me want to keep reading to see what she was going to do next!)

So why the three stars? Well, there’s something a little simplistic about the writing itself, and a couple of plot points don’t feel entirely believable. (Also, why doesn't Veronica ever get sick from eating raw meat? The author sort of offers up a possible explanation eventually, but it's a stretch.) I felt like her whole "awakening," the anger, the cravings, etc. was almost meant to be more symbolic than literal even though it was very much happening. There was a bit of a disconnect there for me.

There are a couple of twists at the end. One was not a surprise, because the “hints” were laid out very clearly throughout the book. (So much so that I was wondering why Ronny was surprised when the truth was revealed.) The other one, though, was a bit more unexpected. I liked the ending overall.

I'm leaving a major plot point out of the trigger warnings so as not to spoil it, but some of the other reviews do mention it. (The actual book blurb does NOT.) What I will say, as a hint, is that if descriptive passages about eating (and savoring!) raw, bloody meat from a butcher shop put you off then you definitely won't be into this.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

Biggest TW: Bodyshaming, Animal harm/death, Death of a Family Member, Domestic abuse, *Sexual Assault, Alcoholism 

[dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

wow. just holy crap.

every part of this, from start to finish, was an absolute wild ride. every emotion i could feel was felt in waves as this had a very strong start as well as a strong ending. i was absolutely enthralled with the entirely of the story as well as veronicas arc.

at just fourteen, she undergoes a huge situation that ultimately changes her forever. this was a coming of age with a twist, for the metaphorical use of hunger for flesh (yes as in human flesh) as a process of girlhood, growth, and rage (so so much female rage!) was portrayed so vividly that i felt like a teen girl again.

on top of that, i truly enjoyed the heritage and culture presented as it heavily reminded me of mine, especially the family dynamic children have with their parents and how it affects them. it all tied together in veronicas character as we are shown how slowly, everything around her, is so crucial for her as a teenage girl surviving in such a cruel world.

this was the perfect coming of age and was 10/10 representation on girlhood. this is jennifers body but make it through the lens of needy instead.

Thank you to Simon Books for the free review copy!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite book of the year contender for me!

I was intrigued because this book is selling itself as Jennifer’s Body meets Little Fires Everywhere which seems confusing but once i read it i completely agree; i’d also compare it to The Eyes Are the Best Part.
DONT go in reading too much of the synopsis, it gives too much away.

What Hunger dips its toes into body horror (a few parts are not for the squeamish) but at its core is really just a fantastic coming of age novel. It’s a story about high school freshman Veronica (but don’t worry, it’s definitely not YA) dealing with grief, her frustration of growing up Vietnamese-American in a small town with parents who barely speak English, and the suppressed female rage that comes with being a teenager finally starting to surface. The story went in several unexpected directions and I really loved how Dang created such fleshed out characters in Ronny and her family, the horror was also extremely well written. It definitely has the family drama aspect of Little Fires Everywhere or an Angie Kim novel. A really impressive 2nd novel

[Mai H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏆 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards | Opening Round Nominees | Readers' Favorite Horror

🍦 🍓 The Ripped Bodice's 9th Annual Summer Romance Bingo 🕶️ 🏄🏼

/ Fireworks

Absolute banger.

I guess I can no longer say I'm not a horror fan. I seem to be loving it. I'm gross. What's new?

Not sure the raspberry on the cover makes sense, unless it's a euphemism for raw meat. I'd rather look at an eyeball. Or, in this case, an ear.

You may say cannibalism is revolting. May I argue that domestic abuse, racism, and rape, all experienced in this book, are even more revolting?

Book pairings: BAT EATER AND OTHER NAMES FOR CORA ZENG | TANTRUM | THE EYES ARE THE BEST PART

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster

[Ray 🌿 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finish. This. Book.

Oh my god, the way I wanted to holler. The way I cried and several pages later was like wth is this girl doing.

This book had me CRAVING food (oddly enough). I’m about to drive an hour and a half for a Vietnamese restaurant the next city over. It starved the way other books have me feeling fed, and I welcomed the feeling until the final page.

5 stars earned. I was feeling confident in 4 stars until I hit the last 20% and my brain got demolished.

One of my favorite books this year.

Summary that isn’t really a summary at all: Coming of age story where main character is haunted and turns to cannibalism in her grief.

[Kelly (and the Book Boar) · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I typically make a practice of not looking at blurbs or synopses at all before adding a book to my TBR, I will confess this one made it purely because it was said to be like . . . .



Oh I fucking LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Jennifer’s Body!!!!!

That might have been the problem here, because this simply did not hold a candle. This read VERY young to me and did not deliver anywhere near the amount of revengey cannibalism I was hoping for.

SPOILER AHEAD SO YOU’VE BEEN WARNED: And when Ronny’s mother finally talked about her past I thought of all the wasted potential of this “hunger” being somehow genetic that requires a traumatic event to activate it, but once it’s activated you better watch the fuck out!

[Kurryreads (Kerry) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

Video review - sorry about the audio: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6H6Foae/

[emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a lot, and I mean that in the best way. Some parts are definitely intense and gory, but it also felt like one of the most refreshing reads I’ve had all year. It shows the harsh truth of how teenage girls, especially immigrant teenage girls, actually grow up, and I wish I had written this myself.

Dang captured the feeling of growing up in that pressure cooker perfectly. Ronny's rage felt familiar and agonizing, which is what makes it so real. Even without the details of cannibalism, the story was messy and disturbing. Here we have a teenage girl trying to navigate through grief, and she still has to face the truth that boys can get away with almost anything. That being said, is it bad that I think it is exciting to read the way Ronny consumed meat? It feels like witnessing her actually winning something in life after watching her suffer with so much grief and pain in silence.

The part that hit closest to home for me personally is the family dynamics. There’s a moment where the mother made a casual colorism comment about worrying over Ronny's skin getting dark, and I swear, I physically winced. It’s that tiny, exhausting detail that perfectly illustrates the hidden, everyday struggles of a Southeast Asian teen navigating inherited anxieties and impossible expectations.

I'll admit the pacing can be a bit slower than I usually prefer, sometimes the author goes on and on about something when nothing is happening, and I would have liked to read more action.

I wonder if it is right for the book to be marketed as horror/thriller, though? I suppose it has gory details, what with the cannibalism and all, but I'm not sure that fits the horror or thriller genre. But maybe that's just me.

This book has so much anger, but that brutal honesty is exactly why it’s such a breath of fresh air to me. I wonder if the author is considering a sequel? I would love to see how Ronny gets her revenge.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the e-ARC!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the summer before Veronica "Ronny" Nguyen starts high school sometime in the early 2000s, and her brother Tommy has just graduated as valedictorian. Tommy is the pride of Ronny's Vietnamese American family: he's popular, he gets good grades, he has a promising future as he plans to attend the "Harvard of Missouri." Ronny herself feels painfully average in comparison, but she loves her older brother—he bears the brunt of their parents' hopes and aspirations for the future of the family as their past (largely unspoken of in the Nguyen household) is mired in the weight of the Vietnam War.

You can read my full review HERE on BookBrowse.

[Lilly of the Library 📖🌿 · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Coming of Age
✨Adolescent Female Rage
✨Intergenerational Trauma

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the advanced copy of What Hunger in exchange for my honest review!

What in the world did I just read?? Female rage that demands flesh is having a moment right now, and I don't hate it.

Ronny is a 14-year-old daughter of Vietnamese immigrant parents who speak very little English. Navigating this world comes with its own struggles and frustrations, which combined with feeling caught between childhood and adulthood, creates a storm of raw teenage emotion and adolescent rage. Everything takes a dark turn when Ronny experiences a traumatic event at a party, triggering a supernatural hunger for raw meat that becomes both a terrifying defense and a haunting burden as she struggles to understand her identity and her family’s history.

This was a unique read, and I can see why it’s been compared to Jennifer’s Body and Boy Parts. The horror elements feel deeply personal rather than gimmicky, which I appreciated given the sensitive subject matter. It is brutal and emotional in just the right way, capturing the messy intensity of adolescence. At times, the pacing felt heavy with grief, so it wasn’t as fast a read as I expected, and a few scenes could have used more breathing room, but overall, the fierce honesty and vivid imagery drew me in and stayed with me.

I was surprised that I found it so captivating considering there’s a character who literally hungers for human flesh (yuck) which I usually avoid in horror. So if you’re worried this is a gory, gratuitous read, fear not! The focus is much more on the metaphorical aspects of Ronny’s hunger and the deeper emotional and cultural themes.

[nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Major thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for offering an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts:

*3.5 rounded up

"𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦. 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺: 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳. 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘴𝘰. 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥—𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳."

A story with a bite. Literally.

If anyone wanted to know what it was like to be nagged at by my parents, aunts, and uncles, here it is. Great scenes that felt like they were ripped out of my own Vietnamese-American upbringing.

Gotta let the bite sink its teeth in the skin real deep. Then the story takes off.
Teen angst, trauma, and cannibalism!
All visceral.

Perfect for summer. And PLEASEEE do it for the gorgeous cover...as I did hehe

[kiki’s delivery witch ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Oh, What Hunger, you deliciously messy book, you. Catherine Dang’s debut is like a steaming bowl of phở served with a side of existential dread and a garnish of teenage angst. I devoured it in two sittings, giggling, gasping, anddddd occasionally side-eyeing some choices.

Ronny Nguyen is our 14-year-old Vietnamese-American protagonist who’s just trying to survive high school, family secrets, and, you know, generational trauma. Her world crumbles after a family tragedy followed by a gut-punch assault at a party. When she goes full Mike Tyson and chomps her rapist’s earlobe off? I screamed. Like, YAS, QUEEN, serve that justice! But then things get raw. Ronny develops this primal craving for flesh, and I don’t mean a Five Guys burger. We’re talking straight-up cannibalism, and it’s as unhinged as it sounds. Dang writes these scenes with such raw, vivid detail that I felt like I was right there, heart pounding, wanting to wrap Ronny in a blanket and feed her some raw pork loin or something.

The scene where Ronny takes a literal chunk out of a pedophile’s arm? I was cheering. Dang describes it so vividly—blood dripping, sinew snapping. Ronny’s new motto seems to be “steak tartare or bust,” and her love for really, really rare meat is both grotesque and weirdly empowering. It’s like she’s reclaiming her body by, uh, snacking on creeps. Iconic, but also... girl, maybe try therapy?

When Ronny’s mom’s backstory finally drops, it’s a haunting tale of survival that made me want to hug them both. But, ugh, why did we have to wait so long for it? I was starving for more mother-daughter bonding over their shared hunger (literal and not). Imagine them swapping cannibalistic tips over a pot of phở, like, “Pass the fish sauce, and also, how do you tenderize a predator?” That could’ve been peak chaos, and I’m pouty we didn’t get it.

Dang’s prose is a vibe—descriptive, funny, and just the right amount of extra. She paints Ronny’s suburban town so vividly I swear I heard the hum of strip mall neon signs. Also, some side characters (looking at you, Generic Best Friend #1) felt flatter than my attempts at origami. I wanted more meat on their bones, you know?

Despite the hiccups, I enjoyed this feral fever dream. What Hunger is messy, bold, and doesn’t apologize for its bloodstains. It’s like if Fresh and The Sympathizer had a baby who loves rare steak and revenge. I laughed, I winced, I yelled, “RONNY, SPIT THAT OUT!” Would I die for more mama-Ronny cannibalism bonding? Obviously. But even with its late reveal and wonky pacing, this book’s a juicy 3.5 stars. I’m docking half a star for making me wait for the good stuff, because I’m bratty like that.

Now, I’m off to daydream about Ronny opening a butcher shop with a very exclusive menu. I can get behind cannibalism with a side of justice. Don't come for me.

[Roman Clodia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt like a surprisingly bland book given the subject matter: body horror, female rage, the traumatic story of Vietnamese parents now living in America, grief and violence. The writing didn't engage me and felt flat, even through highly emotional scenes, and the figuring of female rage as hunger is beginning to feel like a trope now with the number of recent books I've read that utilize it. I don't think this will linger in my memory.

[♡ retrovvitches ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

who doesn’t love coming of age stories centring around cannibalism and some hefty generational trauma. this is got some strong writing and truly some nasty horror scenes, just an enjoyable book all around

[brewdy_reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚝, 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚊𝚟𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚎.”

Thank you @simon.books for the ARC! ♡

Everything in this book resonated with my soul. Damaged but unbroken. Fragile but resilient. Raging, for things taken that cannot be returned and for the yearning for a reckoning.

“𝚆𝚎’𝚛𝚎 𝚅𝚒𝚎𝚝𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚎. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢’𝚕𝚕 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚠𝚎’𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚞𝚜𝚞𝚊𝚕.” — lived experience of an immigrant

It’s all the little micro aggressions that add up over time that made me feel seen. It’s the knowing your parents and yet not knowing them, who they were before you existed.

I recommend going in blind. Be ok with blood and a fair amount of violence and trauma and feeling icky uncomfortable.

🥩 The symbolism is as bloody and forbidden as it is cathartic. You may find yourself craving a rare steak on the heels of gagging.

Outstanding literary horror — highly recommend.

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။‌‌‌‌‌|• 🎧 This would be a good one to sample on audio to hear the pronunciations of the Vietnamese names and words. Otherwise, I found this worked really well in written form!

TW: rape, check other TW if sensitive

[Stasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming of age story that follows Ronny, a 13 year old Vietnamese-American girl, through the summer and into her first year of high school. Tragedy strikes twice, leaving Ronny grappling with death, violence, what it means to be the child of immigrants, and a growing hunger for raw meat.

There’s been a lot of cannibalism as a metaphor media lately, to the point where I think it’s a little over-saturated, but having this be from such a young perspective felt fresh. Dang writes Ronny with such a gentleness that she balances the natural teenage brattiness with gentle empathy. She is a strong girl whose rage and revenge fantasies felt so familiar to my own, though most of us are unable to act on them.

For such a short book there’s a lot of revelations, some of which I wish had more detailing, but I appreciate the author’s choice to only let us into the information that Ronny receives in bits and pieces. This is a book written with a lot of love and nuance for its characters, and I’d be interested to follow adult Ronny in a sequel.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published August 12, 2025.

3 stars.

Veronica Nyugen and her elder brother, Tommy are the children of Vietnamese immigrants. Following Tommy’s high school graduation and during Ronny’s fourteenth summer tragedy strikes the family and everything changes.

Then at Ronny’s first high school party a boy crosses the line with her and Ronny’s rage reveals itself in an unexpected way. That leads Ronny to explore a whole new side of herself that both frightens and, increasingly, fascinates her.

I went into this book blind. There was way more SPOILER than I expected. Which was none. Decent coming-of-age/fierceness of women story, but I just read it a few weeks ago (I’m behind on reviews) and I already can’t remember much about it.

[lexluvsb00ks · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is going to be a cult-classic! for fans of the eyes are the best part, jennifers body, and overall enjoyers of womens wrongs - you'll absolutely EAT this novel up, literally. it has all the gory crazed behavior that i love to read about intertwined with the complexity of a girl's coming of age in the wake of an immense tragedy. i loved all the references to food. to identity and generational trauma and girlhood and family. also the ending? LOVED!!!! i have endless praise for this novel and cannot wait for it to debut!!

[OutlawPoet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooh…another gorgeous cover! This one is visceral!

The book itself is equally as gorgeous. You’ve got female rage, unbelievable grief, a bit of coming of age…and meat. Much, much meat. It’s not for the delicate.

Expect to get angry – all while being lost in some truly lush storytelling.

This was an excellent read and I’d love to read more from the author!

• ARC via Publisher

[♡ Amanda Love ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ I finished this in a day! It’s an easy, enjoyable read. I just expected a bit more horror and for things to get a little crazier, but overall still a solid story.

[Rachel (thenycreader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow is this one worth all the stars. Aardvark consistently crushes it with female rage-induced horror picks: Hungerstone, The Eyes Are the Best Part, The Unworthy, etc etc. Now WHAT HUNGER easily joins the ranks. 🔥

Similar to Eyes, an unnatural hunger is front and center here, but I promise you’ve not read this exact spin before.

Through the lens of our young MC, Ronny, who’s just starting high school, you get equal parts coming-of-age and stomach-churning body horror. Sign me up. 🙊

And at <300 pages, it’s a fast read. Highly recommend grabbing this one soon, but it’s not for the squeamish…and maybe hold off if you’re grilling for Labor Day weekend. 😂