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Dr. Laura Powell #1
The Hungry Earth
Sakima, New York, a sleepy, idyllic city nestled in the Hudson Valley, a place where everyone knows each other, families look after the highly prized community garden, and the crime rate is so low that Dr. Laura Powell, the police department’s medical examiner, spends most of her time tending to her own private medical practice.
That changes drastically the day a local high school student is found dead, an apparent suicide. Called in to perform the autopsy, Laura uncovers a strange growth inside the body, composed of a mysterious substance she can’t identify. Enlisting the aid of her scientist ex-boyfriend, Booker Coates, Laura launches an investigation that leads to a horrifying discovery.
Something deadly has taken root in Sakima, an organism whose toxic influence spreads like a disease through the population, dangerously altering minds and dominating wills, a ruthless intelligence that demands obedience. As more and more townspeople fall under its control, forming violent mobs to seek out those who remain uninfected, Laura and Booker must find a way to stop it before they become its next victims. But how can they stop something they don’t understand?
With The Hungry Earth, Nicholas Kaufmann, co-author of the bestselling horror novel 100 Fathoms Below with Steven L. Kent, launches a chilling new series of science thrillers featuring Medical Examiner Laura Powell.
That changes drastically the day a local high school student is found dead, an apparent suicide. Called in to perform the autopsy, Laura uncovers a strange growth inside the body, composed of a mysterious substance she can’t identify. Enlisting the aid of her scientist ex-boyfriend, Booker Coates, Laura launches an investigation that leads to a horrifying discovery.
Something deadly has taken root in Sakima, an organism whose toxic influence spreads like a disease through the population, dangerously altering minds and dominating wills, a ruthless intelligence that demands obedience. As more and more townspeople fall under its control, forming violent mobs to seek out those who remain uninfected, Laura and Booker must find a way to stop it before they become its next victims. But how can they stop something they don’t understand?
With The Hungry Earth, Nicholas Kaufmann, co-author of the bestselling horror novel 100 Fathoms Below with Steven L. Kent, launches a chilling new series of science thrillers featuring Medical Examiner Laura Powell.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2021
34 people are currently reading
344 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Kaufmann
38 books217 followersNicholas Kaufmann is the Bram Stoker Award-, Thriller Award-, Shirley Jackson Award-, and Dragon Award-nominated author of numerous books and stories. In addition to his own work, he has written for such properties as Zombies vs. Robots, The Rocketeer, and Warhammer. He lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 6, 2022
Huge shout out to my buddy Shane aka bookzrkool on Instagram for kicking me in the butt about reading this one. It had been on my radar but it was his review and subsequent messages about how awesome it was that had me bump this waaaayyy up my TBR!
Way back in 1995, a movie came out that scared me to my core. ‘Outbreak’ rocketed into our tiny theatre in Nakusp and I watched it with the growing sense that I could never touch the surface of anything ever again. Of course, years went by and now Covid has hit and the same fear I had during that movie permeates my life throughout this pandemic.
But, Kaufmann has decided to up the ante with inducing fear and decided to focus the story on the horrendous reality of what fungus and their spores can do and in short order. I’ve always been weary about fungi and now this novel has taken that worry and ramped it up.
What I liked: The story follows small town doctor Laura, who, after several unexpected deaths, begins to unravel the reality of what is truly happening. Aided by her former significant other, Booker, the two discover that a massive fungus has taken hold in the community garden and begins to control each host body as the spores infect more and more.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this one and Kaufmann does a great job of keeping things concise and to the point, while also painting expansive scenes throughout. This book says its only 186 pages long, but the heft and meat of the story feels like you’ve just read a 1,000 page book stopper.
The characters are great, even the ones purposefully done to annoy you or anger you and the way that the resolution occurs was fantastic. It had me smiling and it didn’t feel forced or too far-fetched.
What I didn’t like: I will say, even though I really enjoyed the characters (even the incredibly annoying one from the development company), I think the post-credit style scene that was included was almost unnecessary. If there is going to be a further entry and this is becoming a series, then fine, necessary, but personally it didn’t to much for me.
Why you should buy this: I personally struggle to want to read zombie books and I’m also staying far away from virus type books, so this was a refreshing take and look at mass infection/people under control and becoming mindless beings. Kaufmann really ramps things up and throughout, even with the idea of hope and potential for success, does a great job of constantly pumping the breaks and making things bleak at all the right moments.
This was a blast!
Way back in 1995, a movie came out that scared me to my core. ‘Outbreak’ rocketed into our tiny theatre in Nakusp and I watched it with the growing sense that I could never touch the surface of anything ever again. Of course, years went by and now Covid has hit and the same fear I had during that movie permeates my life throughout this pandemic.
But, Kaufmann has decided to up the ante with inducing fear and decided to focus the story on the horrendous reality of what fungus and their spores can do and in short order. I’ve always been weary about fungi and now this novel has taken that worry and ramped it up.
What I liked: The story follows small town doctor Laura, who, after several unexpected deaths, begins to unravel the reality of what is truly happening. Aided by her former significant other, Booker, the two discover that a massive fungus has taken hold in the community garden and begins to control each host body as the spores infect more and more.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this one and Kaufmann does a great job of keeping things concise and to the point, while also painting expansive scenes throughout. This book says its only 186 pages long, but the heft and meat of the story feels like you’ve just read a 1,000 page book stopper.
The characters are great, even the ones purposefully done to annoy you or anger you and the way that the resolution occurs was fantastic. It had me smiling and it didn’t feel forced or too far-fetched.
What I didn’t like: I will say, even though I really enjoyed the characters (even the incredibly annoying one from the development company), I think the post-credit style scene that was included was almost unnecessary. If there is going to be a further entry and this is becoming a series, then fine, necessary, but personally it didn’t to much for me.
Why you should buy this: I personally struggle to want to read zombie books and I’m also staying far away from virus type books, so this was a refreshing take and look at mass infection/people under control and becoming mindless beings. Kaufmann really ramps things up and throughout, even with the idea of hope and potential for success, does a great job of constantly pumping the breaks and making things bleak at all the right moments.
This was a blast!
August 22, 2021
First a story to show how this book affected me. While taking pictures for my review, a mushroom touched the bottom right of my Kindle. I went to snap the pic and the pages on my Kindle started flipping. Quite rapidly. It was like the mushroom was trying to absorb the information within the story. Trying to learn, and plan. So if I start hallucinating, talking about the voices in my head, and saying that The God of Dirt is calling me, please join me. Inhale the spores, your pains will go away and all of your dreams can come true.
This book takes off quickly and soon has you engaged with the characters and the story. There is good scientific explanations and gore throughout.
Dr. Laura Powell has found herself treating a small town for multiple odd cases of psilocybin (magic mushroom) use. All of the cases have the people saying that “it was calling them” and “they have to go to it.” I don’t want to get into too much more because of spoilers.
What is causing this? How is it spreading so quickly? Is anybody safe? Or are we all doomed to be controlled by The God of Dirt?
This book takes off quickly and soon has you engaged with the characters and the story. There is good scientific explanations and gore throughout.
Dr. Laura Powell has found herself treating a small town for multiple odd cases of psilocybin (magic mushroom) use. All of the cases have the people saying that “it was calling them” and “they have to go to it.” I don’t want to get into too much more because of spoilers.
What is causing this? How is it spreading so quickly? Is anybody safe? Or are we all doomed to be controlled by The God of Dirt?
July 15, 2021
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
If I had to sum up the plot in a snazzy tagline, to a degree I'd say it's Kay Scarpetta meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
The small town of Sakima, NY, thought its biggest problem was the developer who wanted to tear up their park and build expensive condos. But the beloved community garden in the park has something worse in it - a virulent fungus whose spores are taking over those who breath it in.
What starts with a teen girl inexplicably leaping to her death, town doctor/medical examiner Laura Powell is called in for the autopsy. When she finds strange fibrous growths inside the body, she calls in her ex, recently returned to town botany expert Booker Coates for help. They soon discover evidence of some strange fungus, its brown spores showing up everywhere. Before long it's up to them to stop the spread before the whole town is taken over.
When the spores begin to spread and more townspeople become infected the pace quickens more and more. As Laura and Booker race to find the truth behind the outbreak, danger closes in on them from every side as the threat of infection spreading everywhere increases.
While it starts more scientific-ish, it eventually becomes like a popcorn action flick. From about the midpoint of the book forward, the action ramps up, the story becomes more tense, albeit somewhat ridiculous. And you learn more about fungi than you probably ever planned. In the end, it's intense and crazy and a reasonably fun read. 3.5/5*
If I had to sum up the plot in a snazzy tagline, to a degree I'd say it's Kay Scarpetta meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
The small town of Sakima, NY, thought its biggest problem was the developer who wanted to tear up their park and build expensive condos. But the beloved community garden in the park has something worse in it - a virulent fungus whose spores are taking over those who breath it in.
What starts with a teen girl inexplicably leaping to her death, town doctor/medical examiner Laura Powell is called in for the autopsy. When she finds strange fibrous growths inside the body, she calls in her ex, recently returned to town botany expert Booker Coates for help. They soon discover evidence of some strange fungus, its brown spores showing up everywhere. Before long it's up to them to stop the spread before the whole town is taken over.
When the spores begin to spread and more townspeople become infected the pace quickens more and more. As Laura and Booker race to find the truth behind the outbreak, danger closes in on them from every side as the threat of infection spreading everywhere increases.
While it starts more scientific-ish, it eventually becomes like a popcorn action flick. From about the midpoint of the book forward, the action ramps up, the story becomes more tense, albeit somewhat ridiculous. And you learn more about fungi than you probably ever planned. In the end, it's intense and crazy and a reasonably fun read. 3.5/5*
July 16, 2024
An old style science fiction horror story. One of the best B movies books I’ve read in a while.
July 15, 2021
This was a fun, kind of icky, blast of a horror read!
The book feels like old-school horror in all the right ways – great characters, dangerous situations, and just a touch of squelch.
It’s a popcorn read, but an adrenaline-filled one as you join our characters on a race to survive.
While there weren’t a lot of surprises when it came to the fate of our characters or the who or what that was responsible for everything, I really didn’t care. I just raced through the book until the satisfying ending.
Happy with this one and would love to read the author in the future!
*ARC provided via Net Galley
The book feels like old-school horror in all the right ways – great characters, dangerous situations, and just a touch of squelch.
It’s a popcorn read, but an adrenaline-filled one as you join our characters on a race to survive.
While there weren’t a lot of surprises when it came to the fate of our characters or the who or what that was responsible for everything, I really didn’t care. I just raced through the book until the satisfying ending.
Happy with this one and would love to read the author in the future!
*ARC provided via Net Galley
August 12, 2021
ARC provided by NetGalley for an Honest Review
OK so this book took me completely by surprise. It was such a great sci-fi read with a little lost lovers reuniting and saving the day thrown in. The overall plot isn't all that original but the author certainly went a long way with details and making it their own. A lot of the science went over my head but it all seemed rather legit and plausible to me.
A small New York town is facing losing their beloved park to an overpriced condominium complex. The mayor sells the land under the towns nose and is led by some rich city investors. Only losing their park is not the only concern as something that's been lying in wait underground is re-awoken when chemicals are added to the soil. At first it only affects a few young teens but in no time (days) the dangers from the fungus become known and the whole town is either in danger or already infected. The story was fairly up beat and rather exciting from start to finish. Sci-fi fans will really appreciate this, especially the way the book ends. The spores and fungus have been eradicated..... right?!?!?
OK so this book took me completely by surprise. It was such a great sci-fi read with a little lost lovers reuniting and saving the day thrown in. The overall plot isn't all that original but the author certainly went a long way with details and making it their own. A lot of the science went over my head but it all seemed rather legit and plausible to me.
A small New York town is facing losing their beloved park to an overpriced condominium complex. The mayor sells the land under the towns nose and is led by some rich city investors. Only losing their park is not the only concern as something that's been lying in wait underground is re-awoken when chemicals are added to the soil. At first it only affects a few young teens but in no time (days) the dangers from the fungus become known and the whole town is either in danger or already infected. The story was fairly up beat and rather exciting from start to finish. Sci-fi fans will really appreciate this, especially the way the book ends. The spores and fungus have been eradicated..... right?!?!?
November 1, 2021
I think this would make a fantastic movie, but it was a bit more action heavy than I like in my horror
December 5, 2021
A throwback to good old fashioned, small town horror stories, a botanist's Invasion of the Body Snatchers, this book starts fast and doesn't let up. A fun, scary ride.
June 4, 2023
“If those dried-up little scraps of fungus taught me anything, it is that there are other stranger forms of consciousness available to us, and, whatever they mean, their very existence, to quote William James, ‘forbids[ s] a premature closing of our accounts with reality.’”― Michael Pollan, How to Change Your Mind
What is a fungal-pocalypse you ask? 'The Hungry Earth' is a walk through a mutant spore outbreak in the Hudson Valley, complete with psychedelic internal growths and radical deaths. This is the third eco-horror this year alone with a plotline involving bizarre plant/fungal infection of some sort. (Sorrowland being one of them. The other I sadly didn't finish. This book was by far my favorite of the three.) At 186 pgs, it's a quick but interest grabbing read. I liked the characters and the pacing. I'll definitely be looking up Nicholas Kaufmann's other books. This cover is also eye-catching. Bravo to the artist.
People are acting strange in Sakima NY. Dr. Laura Powell is the town doctor who doubles as a medical examiner. When bodies start turning up with strange organic filaments inside and people start behaving oddly, she's forced to call in ex-boyfriend Booker Coates for help. Paleozoic Era God fungus is plaguing their community and can it be stopped? Thanks to Crossroad Press for my egalley copy.
"Kenneth’s body seized. He fell onto his back. The bulge in his neck bloated larger. His eyes swelled in their blood-lined sockets. His convulsions stopped suddenly, and he went limp. He was dead, Laura realized. Damaged and drained by the fungus’s appetite, his organs had shut down. A moment later, Kenneth’s eyes burst, their oozing remains forced from their cavities by a multitude of sprouting earth -colored mushrooms, their caps round and glistening with blood. They opened like umbrellas, revealing their gills underneath."
"Cicadas spend seventeen years underground when they’re in their pre-adult form. When they finally burrow to the surface as adults, some of them encounter Massospora spores in the soil... About a week after the cicada’s initial infection, things turn gruesome. The bottom half of the cicada falls off, including its genitals. In its place is a white plug of fungal spores , which the cicada proceeds to sprinkle on other cicadas like a salt shaker, repeating the cycle of infection. The fungus also forces adult male cicadas to try to mate with everything they encounter, whether it’s another cicada or not, whether it’s female or not, but since their genitalia are gone, all they do is shake more deadly spores onto their unwilling partners.” What a great premise for a book. "The future is fungus" The Hungry Earth by Nicholas Kaufmann releases October 5th. Be sure to put it on your tbr list.
What is a fungal-pocalypse you ask? 'The Hungry Earth' is a walk through a mutant spore outbreak in the Hudson Valley, complete with psychedelic internal growths and radical deaths. This is the third eco-horror this year alone with a plotline involving bizarre plant/fungal infection of some sort. (Sorrowland being one of them. The other I sadly didn't finish. This book was by far my favorite of the three.) At 186 pgs, it's a quick but interest grabbing read. I liked the characters and the pacing. I'll definitely be looking up Nicholas Kaufmann's other books. This cover is also eye-catching. Bravo to the artist.
People are acting strange in Sakima NY. Dr. Laura Powell is the town doctor who doubles as a medical examiner. When bodies start turning up with strange organic filaments inside and people start behaving oddly, she's forced to call in ex-boyfriend Booker Coates for help. Paleozoic Era God fungus is plaguing their community and can it be stopped? Thanks to Crossroad Press for my egalley copy.
"Kenneth’s body seized. He fell onto his back. The bulge in his neck bloated larger. His eyes swelled in their blood-lined sockets. His convulsions stopped suddenly, and he went limp. He was dead, Laura realized. Damaged and drained by the fungus’s appetite, his organs had shut down. A moment later, Kenneth’s eyes burst, their oozing remains forced from their cavities by a multitude of sprouting earth -colored mushrooms, their caps round and glistening with blood. They opened like umbrellas, revealing their gills underneath."
"Cicadas spend seventeen years underground when they’re in their pre-adult form. When they finally burrow to the surface as adults, some of them encounter Massospora spores in the soil... About a week after the cicada’s initial infection, things turn gruesome. The bottom half of the cicada falls off, including its genitals. In its place is a white plug of fungal spores , which the cicada proceeds to sprinkle on other cicadas like a salt shaker, repeating the cycle of infection. The fungus also forces adult male cicadas to try to mate with everything they encounter, whether it’s another cicada or not, whether it’s female or not, but since their genitalia are gone, all they do is shake more deadly spores onto their unwilling partners.” What a great premise for a book. "The future is fungus" The Hungry Earth by Nicholas Kaufmann releases October 5th. Be sure to put it on your tbr list.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2022
Nick created images I have never, ever read before in a novel. Major creative points for The Hungry Earth by Nick Kaufmann.
Dr. Laura Powell, the police department’s medical examiner drives this first of an upcoming series of thrillers. She's wicked smart, but not prepared for the fungal mutation that's taking over the sleepy town.
Like all of Nick's writing, there is no lull in the action, and he keeps up a great pace that keeps you turning the pages. The characters are vivid, and I quickly grew to hate the "villain" Sean. I'd also like to see this story on the big screen so I can get a better look at handsome Booker. Whew! LOL! The details when setting a scene are just enough that I could picture it all in my head without spending too much time just looking around. Where I did appreciate more detail, was in the description of the mushroom-fungus trippy hallucinations of the infected, and the following death scenes where their bodies are taken over and used to breed more spores.
I have to admit, and this had nothing to do with the book, I'm a little "masked-out" with the pandemic, and the heroes having to protect themselves from miniscule/invisible airborne sickness by wearing PPE, hit a little too close to home. Perhaps that's part of what made it so terrifying? I know exactly how it feels! The air is dangerous!
Authors always research their topics thoroughly, and the science behind what's happening is very interesting, but I do feel a little bit could have been held back in a few spots where it read as info-heavy.
There are some fun similarities to zombie stories, like running from the infected, hoping there's a cure, etc, but the added theme of the spores in the air definitely made it more intense, and the hallucinatory effect on the victims was far more interesting than lumbering zombies.
Definitely recommended if you're looking for a fun thriller, and I'm looking forward to seeing Dr. Laura Powell in the next book.
Dr. Laura Powell, the police department’s medical examiner drives this first of an upcoming series of thrillers. She's wicked smart, but not prepared for the fungal mutation that's taking over the sleepy town.
Like all of Nick's writing, there is no lull in the action, and he keeps up a great pace that keeps you turning the pages. The characters are vivid, and I quickly grew to hate the "villain" Sean. I'd also like to see this story on the big screen so I can get a better look at handsome Booker. Whew! LOL! The details when setting a scene are just enough that I could picture it all in my head without spending too much time just looking around. Where I did appreciate more detail, was in the description of the mushroom-fungus trippy hallucinations of the infected, and the following death scenes where their bodies are taken over and used to breed more spores.
I have to admit, and this had nothing to do with the book, I'm a little "masked-out" with the pandemic, and the heroes having to protect themselves from miniscule/invisible airborne sickness by wearing PPE, hit a little too close to home. Perhaps that's part of what made it so terrifying? I know exactly how it feels! The air is dangerous!
Authors always research their topics thoroughly, and the science behind what's happening is very interesting, but I do feel a little bit could have been held back in a few spots where it read as info-heavy.
There are some fun similarities to zombie stories, like running from the infected, hoping there's a cure, etc, but the added theme of the spores in the air definitely made it more intense, and the hallucinatory effect on the victims was far more interesting than lumbering zombies.
Definitely recommended if you're looking for a fun thriller, and I'm looking forward to seeing Dr. Laura Powell in the next book.
October 13, 2021
In the sleepy small town of Sakima, the crime rate is low and everyone knows each other. However, when Dr. Laura Powell is called in to perform an autopsy on a teenage girl, she’s baffled by what she finds: the girl has strange white filaments attached to all of her organs and muscles.
With the help of her botanist ex-boyfriend, she tries to uncover the original source of the fungi before the rest of the town meets a similar fate.
The Hungry Earth by Nicholas Kaufmann is a fun, psychedelic-mushroom fueled horror romp.
It has some wonderfully gnarly and gross moments of body horror with mushroom stocks protruding through people’s eyeballs and skin falling off of someone’s body.
My fungi-loving heart also adored that much of this book is inspired by and grounded in real-life science. However, I do feel like, towards the end, the story does deviate into more pulpy and farfetched territory.
Overall, I think you’ll have a better time with this book if you take it for what it is. By no means is this story as poignant and emotionally-driven as The Girl with All the Gifts, but it sure is an enjoyable, action-packed popcorn read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Crossroad Press, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
With the help of her botanist ex-boyfriend, she tries to uncover the original source of the fungi before the rest of the town meets a similar fate.
The Hungry Earth by Nicholas Kaufmann is a fun, psychedelic-mushroom fueled horror romp.
It has some wonderfully gnarly and gross moments of body horror with mushroom stocks protruding through people’s eyeballs and skin falling off of someone’s body.
My fungi-loving heart also adored that much of this book is inspired by and grounded in real-life science. However, I do feel like, towards the end, the story does deviate into more pulpy and farfetched territory.
Overall, I think you’ll have a better time with this book if you take it for what it is. By no means is this story as poignant and emotionally-driven as The Girl with All the Gifts, but it sure is an enjoyable, action-packed popcorn read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Crossroad Press, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2021
"The Future is Fungus"
Mother nature can be absolutely beautiful while also being such a scary thing, scary enough to push Earth to become dangerously hungry.
The Hungry Earth is a very unique concept and Nick executed it so well!
This was my first experience with Nick's work and I really enjoyed the gripping story and his writing style was so easily consumed.
The characters were so well written, from your main characters, Laura and Booker to your supporting characters, Ralph, Sophia, Adam, Victor and more there was so much to take in from each and Nick did such a great job of writing them in a way that although I was taking in a new setting and a bunch of new to me characters, I didn't get lost easily. The writing and transition from character to character was very smooth.
The story was exciting and packed full of eerie goodness throughout and what I am REALLY impressed with, was the dedication and time it would have taken to research for this type of piece. I am no scientist or mycologist but everything was written just so, that I can't help but feel Nick really took the time to research what he was writing and I respect that.
The Hungry Earth will take you on a trip! I absolutely recommend it.
Thanks for reading
Dark
Mother nature can be absolutely beautiful while also being such a scary thing, scary enough to push Earth to become dangerously hungry.
The Hungry Earth is a very unique concept and Nick executed it so well!
This was my first experience with Nick's work and I really enjoyed the gripping story and his writing style was so easily consumed.
The characters were so well written, from your main characters, Laura and Booker to your supporting characters, Ralph, Sophia, Adam, Victor and more there was so much to take in from each and Nick did such a great job of writing them in a way that although I was taking in a new setting and a bunch of new to me characters, I didn't get lost easily. The writing and transition from character to character was very smooth.
The story was exciting and packed full of eerie goodness throughout and what I am REALLY impressed with, was the dedication and time it would have taken to research for this type of piece. I am no scientist or mycologist but everything was written just so, that I can't help but feel Nick really took the time to research what he was writing and I respect that.
The Hungry Earth will take you on a trip! I absolutely recommend it.
Thanks for reading
Dark
August 22, 2021
First a story to show how this book affected me. While taking pictures for my review, a mushroom touched the bottom right of my Kindle. I went to snap the pic and the pages on my Kindle started flipping. Quite rapidly. It was like the mushroom was trying to absorb the information within the story. Trying to learn, and plan. So if I start hallucinating, talking about the voices in my head, and saying that The God of Dirt is calling me, please join me. Inhale the spores, your pains will go away and all of your dreams can come true.
This book takes off quickly and soon has you engaged with the characters and the story. There is good scientific explanations and gore throughout.
Dr. Laura Powell has found herself treating a small town for multiple odd cases of psilocybin (magic mushroom) use. All of the cases have the people saying that “it was calling them” and “they have to go to it.” I don’t want to get into too much more because of spoilers.
What is causing this? How is it spreading so quickly? Is anybody safe? Or are we all doomed to be controlled by The God of Dirt?
This book takes off quickly and soon has you engaged with the characters and the story. There is good scientific explanations and gore throughout.
Dr. Laura Powell has found herself treating a small town for multiple odd cases of psilocybin (magic mushroom) use. All of the cases have the people saying that “it was calling them” and “they have to go to it.” I don’t want to get into too much more because of spoilers.
What is causing this? How is it spreading so quickly? Is anybody safe? Or are we all doomed to be controlled by The God of Dirt?
November 10, 2021
This science-fiction horror novel is suspenseful and engaging, with strong and sympathetic characters facing a truly horrific situation. The threat facing the small town of Sakima is so daunting that, as the novel climaxes, I found myself wondering if any of our heroes were going to survive. (I'll avoid spoilers as to whether any do!) The science behind the infection plaguing Sakima is extremely well-researched and imagined in rich detail, which only adds to the suspense. I also appreciated how much the characters struggled with the moral and emotional quandary of being attacked by their own friends and neighbors - a complexity that's often lost in stories featuring zombies or other types of infections that make people lose control of themselves. (For clarity, I would not describe this as a zombie novel - it's an innovative and different take on mind-altering infection.)
Highly recommended for fans of horror, science fiction, and suspense!
Highly recommended for fans of horror, science fiction, and suspense!
October 6, 2021
I do not get scared often by books I read. Horror books I just find interesting. Ghost books if the story is good I find interesting. Books that delve into virus or pericytes or some fungus infecting me and being easily passed on from person to person, scares me. Even if the issue presented in this book is fictitious, it made me very uncomfortable. I felt the fear of the characters almost as if it was happening to me. I always feared that one day some disease or event level extinction occurring will end my life if it happens during my life time. The pandemic that we are working through now has been emotionally devastating. So, a book like this really gets to me. The descriptions of how people looked and their reaction to the fungus was very well written. I would definitely read additions books written by this author.
October 8, 2021
I highly recommend it. It’s a science fiction/horror thriller enticing us into the very trippy world of a new kind of god..
Kaufmann’s premise is engineered from nature itself, from the proliferation of nature's own radical forms of reproduction. It ties into a vague mistrust we have about nature, with its toxic weeds and poisonous snakes and yet—those mushrooms! How intoxicating!
Kaufmann’s story moves quickly and decisively; his characters are human and engaging in life even while death surrounds them. It’s a page turner, carefully constructed and lovingly painted. I suggest you read it. And then order a portobello burger and exult in your revenge!
Kaufmann’s premise is engineered from nature itself, from the proliferation of nature's own radical forms of reproduction. It ties into a vague mistrust we have about nature, with its toxic weeds and poisonous snakes and yet—those mushrooms! How intoxicating!
Kaufmann’s story moves quickly and decisively; his characters are human and engaging in life even while death surrounds them. It’s a page turner, carefully constructed and lovingly painted. I suggest you read it. And then order a portobello burger and exult in your revenge!
October 5, 2021
Creature Feature mushroom-apalooza
This was a fun, quick horror read that reminded me a lot of some of the old-style British horror books I've enjoyed in the past. One that comes to mind is James Herbert's RATS trilogy.
In a small New York town a deadly entity quickly takes over the inhabitants of the town, leaving a few untouched survivors fighting for their lives and their sanity.
I loved the science mixed with the fiction making this tale seem like it could actually happen. Pretty scary. A fun popcorn read. Oh, and it looks like it's the first in what might be a series.
I received this book from Crossroad Press through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
This was a fun, quick horror read that reminded me a lot of some of the old-style British horror books I've enjoyed in the past. One that comes to mind is James Herbert's RATS trilogy.
In a small New York town a deadly entity quickly takes over the inhabitants of the town, leaving a few untouched survivors fighting for their lives and their sanity.
I loved the science mixed with the fiction making this tale seem like it could actually happen. Pretty scary. A fun popcorn read. Oh, and it looks like it's the first in what might be a series.
I received this book from Crossroad Press through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
November 25, 2021
A fast, compelling read that's well researched and has characters you'll want to see again. (At least some of them, since not everybody makes it out!)
In the book, a mutant form of mushroom spore is taking over members of a fractured small town community, and let's just say thing do not go well. Kaufmann does a terrific job of taking us into their lives and making us care about the individuals, while also making us root for the right bad guys to get what's coming to them. But it's also rooted in enough reality to make this a frightening, ecological disaster possibility....
In the book, a mutant form of mushroom spore is taking over members of a fractured small town community, and let's just say thing do not go well. Kaufmann does a terrific job of taking us into their lives and making us care about the individuals, while also making us root for the right bad guys to get what's coming to them. But it's also rooted in enough reality to make this a frightening, ecological disaster possibility....
July 23, 2021
I really enjoyed this. The Hungry Earth follows the town of Sakima, New York as the land and people are taken over by a parasitic strain of fungus. The characters are interesting and fully-realized. They have thoughts, emotions, and drive that makes sense individually. The star of the book is the fungus though and the information associated with it. I felt like I learned a lot while reading this, which I always find fun. I highly recommend this.
**I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!
**I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!
November 2, 2021
Perfect Halloween read! My favorite thing about it was the sciencey stuff. Kaufmann did not cheap out on or breeze past what's going on with this fungus invading the people of the idyllic small town. I learned so much while having my toes curled. But for readers who aren't into science, they're not going to find it over-done, either. It's just enough to terrify!
The Hungry Earth, which is a perfect name for this book, starts off at a brisk pace and then launches into something that is absolutely breathless. It is a must read for anyone who enjoys horror, zombies (this isn't about zombies, though), science fiction, or thrillers. Highly recommend.
The Hungry Earth, which is a perfect name for this book, starts off at a brisk pace and then launches into something that is absolutely breathless. It is a must read for anyone who enjoys horror, zombies (this isn't about zombies, though), science fiction, or thrillers. Highly recommend.
April 27, 2022
A quick and concise stab through the heart. Ecological horror at its best. If I had a complaint, it would be that I wish it were twice as long. Cinematic and claustrophobic by turns, I read it straight through.
May 10, 2022
This’ll Grow On You
Nick Kaufman’s horror novel presents readers with an interesting premise: What if a fungal life form mutated to the point where humans were as susceptible as insects have been found to be in the wild? What would it be like if we were flatlined and enslaved by a conscious mushroom monster?
His depictions of such horrors is vivid and engaging. We watch as his characters Dr. Laura Powell and Prof. Booker Coates experience the situation while explaining to us (as they talk aloud to work through what they’re seeing) the science behind the threat. This makes the novel a good laymen’s introduction to mycology as well as a zombie story with better pedigree than the average such tale.
It’s been announced that Laura and Booker will be showing up in a sequel. Considering how well this book read, hey, the spores the merrier…
Nick Kaufman’s horror novel presents readers with an interesting premise: What if a fungal life form mutated to the point where humans were as susceptible as insects have been found to be in the wild? What would it be like if we were flatlined and enslaved by a conscious mushroom monster?
His depictions of such horrors is vivid and engaging. We watch as his characters Dr. Laura Powell and Prof. Booker Coates experience the situation while explaining to us (as they talk aloud to work through what they’re seeing) the science behind the threat. This makes the novel a good laymen’s introduction to mycology as well as a zombie story with better pedigree than the average such tale.
It’s been announced that Laura and Booker will be showing up in a sequel. Considering how well this book read, hey, the spores the merrier…
August 1, 2021
Review to come soon (but GREAT plant/fungus/body horror! Probably in my top ten of the year!)
August 21, 2021
Enjoyed this book by Nicholas Kaufmann. Scientific horror story are hard to write, and this one was great. Enjoyed and cared for the characters, and the story had great pacing. Can't wait for more from Nicholas Kaufmann. #TheHungryEarth #NetGalley
March 25, 2024
Action, horror, suspense, it has it all
This story would make a fantastic movie. There is so much action and so many parts where I would have covered my eyes if it was a movie because I knew something bad was going to happen. I found myself holding my breath at times when they were trying to escape the hoard of mushroom fanatics. It was such a thrill ride. And right up until the end, it all seemed hopeless. You’re really rooting for them, but it doesn’t seem like they are going to make it. But then ….
This story would make a fantastic movie. There is so much action and so many parts where I would have covered my eyes if it was a movie because I knew something bad was going to happen. I found myself holding my breath at times when they were trying to escape the hoard of mushroom fanatics. It was such a thrill ride. And right up until the end, it all seemed hopeless. You’re really rooting for them, but it doesn’t seem like they are going to make it. But then ….
March 28, 2024
Brilliant
I was not going to read this book at first ,didn't sound like my sort.but so glad I did kept me so interested that I actually read it in one go brilliant read
I was not going to read this book at first ,didn't sound like my sort.but so glad I did kept me so interested that I actually read it in one go brilliant read
November 3, 2021
A simple, quick little read with some decent body horror and a truly horrifying idea at its core.
Mold and fungi freak me out. It's kind of like how jellyfish are alive and just do their jellyfish thing, but they don't really have "intelligence" as we know it... and yet they still have that drive to survive and thrive. There's just something very primal and eerie about it to me. Or maybe I'm just weird.
This was a fast-paced read that I finished in a couple of days. The characters were likeable enough, if not fleshed out especially well. The plot itself was somewhat predictable, and bogged down by an unnecessary romance.
Overall, though, an entertaining read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
Mold and fungi freak me out. It's kind of like how jellyfish are alive and just do their jellyfish thing, but they don't really have "intelligence" as we know it... and yet they still have that drive to survive and thrive. There's just something very primal and eerie about it to me. Or maybe I'm just weird.
This was a fast-paced read that I finished in a couple of days. The characters were likeable enough, if not fleshed out especially well. The plot itself was somewhat predictable, and bogged down by an unnecessary romance.
Overall, though, an entertaining read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
October 19, 2024
Yes, this was good! It had good characters and nice location and plant based nastiness, all nice things. I thought it went along at a steady pace, no draggy spots and the problems started very quicky, no waiting till halfway through the book to start getting the creepy feeling. I'm sure I will go on the read the next in the series.
April 4, 2024
This was like the true-horror analog to Kingfisher's What Moves the Dead, and for that, I enjoyed it! But things just got weird in the second half - weird enough that the story kind of lost momentum and just started writhing around on the pavement. Such a strong start for such a blahhhh payoff!
Also, "authors stop shoehorning unnecessary romances into my body horror novels" 2024 challenge.
If you need something to read on a plane or train and you have $0.99 to burn on the Kindle ebook, go for it. Just don't expect your world to be forever changed.
Also, "authors stop shoehorning unnecessary romances into my body horror novels" 2024 challenge.
If you need something to read on a plane or train and you have $0.99 to burn on the Kindle ebook, go for it. Just don't expect your world to be forever changed.
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