Hunger by Nihaarika Negi is a bold science fiction graphic novel that fans of dark fantasy will find themselves relishing.
The narrative is set in Bombay in 1896, as its residents suffer greatly due to the widespread famine and plague of the times. Izna, a young girl, is imprisoned in a concentration camp, where she is subjected to vicious medical experiments. While the medical experiments are intended to produce a controlled and submissive subject, the opposite actually transpires, resulting in Izna transforming into a monstrous, primeval form. Izna eventually accepts this transformation and begins using it to her advantage. What is exceptionally striking about this transformation is how Izna’s shift to a “monster” makes her come across as more of a victim reclaiming what was rightfully hers rather than a monster seeking to destroy.
The entire book, with its stunning artwork, chilling cover and protective outer box, makes this quite the conversation piece. The graphics that accompany the story are bold, expressive, and often able to tell a story wordlessly better than some other stories do with the use of words. The artwork is graphic but meaningful, and will appeal to fans of dark fantasy. With the crux of the story centering on the actual historical event of the 1896 Bombay plague, this story also has the ability to cross genres and appeal to fans of historical fiction.
Quill says: Hunger tells a bold, captivating story with stunning visuals and unexpected characters. Readers who appreciate stories with heightened tension, emotions, and an emphasis on the grotesque will find this book greatly rewarding.
For more information about Hunger, please visit the publisher's website at: thelabpress.com/pages/hunger
