The Hunger by Alma Katsu

The Blurb On The Back:

After having travelled west for weeks, the party of pioneers comes to a crossroads. It is time for their leader, George Donner, to make a choice. They face two diverging paths which lead to the same destination. One is well-documented – the other untested, but rumoured to be short. His decision will shape the lives of everyone travelling with him

The searing heat of the desert gives way to biting winds and a bitter cold that freezes the cattle where they stand. Driven to the brink of madness, the ill-fated group struggles to survive and minor disagreements turn into violent confrontations. Then the children begin to disappear. As the survivors turn against each other, a few begin to realise that the threat they face reaches beyond the fury of the elements to something more primal, and far more deadly …

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Alma Katsu uses the real-life tragedy of the Donner Party and adds a supernatural twist to form an engaging horror novel that creates a real sense of dread and foreboding (but also sadness and pity) while at the same time making full-use of the actual horrors that the pioneers encountered although the large cast of characters means that at times the horror is spread too thinly to be as effective as it could be.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.