The Hunger

Alma Katsu's "The Hunger" reimagines the infamous Donner Party expedition with a chilling supernatural twist. As ninety men, women, and children embark on a perilous journey west, their wagon train is plagued by a series of escalating misfortunes: dwindling rations, bitter internal conflicts, and the mysterious death of a child. Isolated and driven to the brink of madness, the travelers find long-buried secrets emerging and dissent spiraling into chaos and murder. A pervasive sense of dread hangs over them, fueled by the growing suspicion that something malevolent—or someone, like the rumored witch Tamsen Donner—is stalking their every move. As members begin to vanish, the survivors confront the terrifying possibility that a disturbing, hungry entity lurks in the mountains, and that the evil consuming them may have been festering within their own hearts all along. This historical horror masterfully blends historical fact with eerie suspense, exploring the extreme volatility of human nature under unimaginable duress.