Random Reads discussion

Alright here we go! What did we think about the first part of the book?

Looking forward to starting this tomorrow, I’m in Oz - so time frames will be a little out...

Ok things are still building up a bit but I like that there is still an overall sense of dread. Especially because we readers know how things turn out for them (well, those who already know about the Donner party). It’s one of those stories where you’re yelling at the book “no, don’t do it! Don’t take that ‘shortcut’!” Lol. So yeah, I’m liking it so far!

I had listened to the Last Pod Cast On The Left episodes on the Donner party before starting the book to get an overview and historical context before starting The Hunger, so it is cool to read familiar names and dive into their fictional personalities here.

From the letter that Mary Graves found, "Turn back or you will die", to the destroyed body of the missing Nystrom boy, it sets up a perfectly creepy story. Ignore all the omens, and keep pushing on Donner party, keep pushing on.

I’m really loving the creepy atmosphere so far. It’s making everything feel uneasy. I like that everyone seems to be hiding a secret or running from something. I like Stanton as a character but I’m not so fond of anyone else so far, but we shall see how it goes. So far so good!

I'm enjoying it so far. There's already some tension building between the characters and I'm looking forward to what will happen next on their journey!

Not my usual genre (historical fiction is), but once I settled in that this is a supernatural/horror reimagining of the Donner Party tragedy this book drew me right in.

Hello Donner Party!! The clues:
the "turn back or you will all die" letters
the fur trapper heading East, telling them that "on the Hastings cutoff route, the demon lives out by Truckee Lake".
The note from Langston Hastings himself- turn back and take the Northern Route

Does everyone have “badness” fermenting inside their cores?

This book has really drawn me in. After slogging through the last few books I've read, I really needed to a good page turner.

We know what will eventually happen to this group, but the supernatural added element just makes this so I need to find out what happens next.

I'm really enjoying the characters and the atmosphere of this book.

I’m fighting myself to make this book last. I can’t put it down. The atmosphere of this book is outstanding! From the first page I was hooked.

Really enjoying this read! At first, my complaint was that I couldn't keep all the names and characters straight. But I went back when I needed to and took my time a bit more and I think I've got it now. It's been a long time since I've read anything about pioneers, so I'm quite enjoying that historical setting.

For me, the warning letters (all those notes left with the same message) was probably the creepiest part! (I sort of mentally skipped over the scene of the mangled boy, as a Mom!) Also, I'm really hoping we find out what is going on with Tamsen and why she is sort of sexually black mailing Stanton. What is the motivation there, bc I feel like it's about more than her physical pleasure.

It's an okay read so far. I'm liking the characters, but a lot to start with, the journey seems be typical other than them having this supernatural around them.