The New Hunger is a dystopian novella that explores a near-future society fractured by a mysterious event called the Quickening, which mutates certain young people into “Eaters,” who survive on human flesh, and “Healers,” whose flesh regenerates. Narrated by Nora, a haunted young woman hiding her monstrous truth while caught between guilt, revolution, and survival, the book dives into a queer, post-apocalyptic world full of genetic mutation, political unrest, and intimate, blood-soaked trauma. Through hallucinatory parties, whispered conspiracies, and quiet heartbreaks, Margariti crafts a narrative that is equal parts bodily horror and queer resilience.

The writing is visceral, poetic, and strangely intimate, like being let into someone’s dreams. Margariti builds a lush world. The prose is vivid, sometimes dizzying, sometimes raw. The dialogue crackles, the pacing is slow but deliberate, and the emotional stakes feel earned. I felt the hunger, the confusion, the shame, and the aching tenderness in every page. At times, it reminded me of Annihilation and Never Let Me Go, but queerer, weirder, and more guttural.

What stands out most is how boldly The New Hunger leans into its disorientation. The worldbuilding is lush and dreamlike, full of sensory detail and strange beauty, and it embraces a kind of narrative chaos that mirrors the crumbling society it depicts. The mystery around the Virus, the shifting power dynamics, and the blurred lines between friend and enemy all add to the story’s surreal, feverish tone. Rather than laying everything out neatly, Margariti trusts the reader to navigate the confusion alongside the characters. The revolution subplot, though more hinted at than spelled out, adds to this atmosphere of uncertainty. I felt it was deliberate, immersive, and true to the experience of living through upheaval. It left me curious, unsettled, and eager to know more.

The New Hunger was equal parts entertaining and emotionally stirring. It’s a queer, mutant fever dream with a pulse. I’d recommend this book to fans of body horror, speculative fiction, or anyone who’s felt alien in their own skin. If you liked Gideon the Ninth, Black Mirror, or even Euphoria with teeth, this might be for you.

Pages: 156 | ISBN : 9781590217818