Blood Is Another Word for Hunger

It's probably more of a 3.5 but I'm rounding up.

Another short story I read because it's nominated for the Hugo.

This is pretty out of my comfort zone coz it's so bloody and gory, with quite a bit of violence. I loved the vengeance part of the story because there's just something satisfying about a slave girl extracting it from her masters. But what happens later with the balance between life and death, and the main character's hunger for a place where she and her loved ones can feel safe was both disturbing as well as hopeful; and I'm amazed at the author's ability to evoke so many contrasting emotions in me.

I'm not sure this will be for everyone, so I don't want to outright recommend it. But if you've read the author's other Hugo nominated novella The Deep and enjoyed it, you should give this a try as well. It just might surprise you.