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nittiotvaan's review
dark
fast-paced
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood and Gore
anapthine's review
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Thank you Net Galley and Brigids Gate Press for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Before reading this, I didn’t know whether or not I would like it, as it is not the usual genre I read. I weirdly liked this. It was very dark and gothic - which I do love in books. It deserved the 4 stars as the book is very unique and different, and was written very well. Whilst parts of it are quite disturbing, it kind of makes you laugh at the same time; it is just so ridiculous that it is funny. I thought this was quite clever. A lot of people were saying in other reviews that it was too short, but I thought it was the perfect length - I didn’t think it needed to be any longer. The plot just flows and isn’t detached (plot makes sense and events aren’t disconnected). I would recommend it to readers over the ages of 18. I also suggest you read the content warning before reading as there are some quite graphic parts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual content, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Suicide
our_bookish_reads's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Marionette was an interesting read, if nothing else. It was a very quick, super short read as it is a novella and the premise was there, however the story could have been executed better. Also, while there is sex, it doesn't come through as an erotica. I love the idea of human possession through an object belonging to that spirit. I also love that the spirit was a scorned wife & lover set of retribution.
If this had been a longer book aith more information then I might have enjoyed it more.
Ultimately, this book wasn't for me.
If this had been a longer book aith more information then I might have enjoyed it more.
Ultimately, this book wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Misogyny, Gore, Death, Blood, Body horror, Suicide, Sexual content, and Violence
This contains DubConhouse_of_hannah's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thank you so much to Brigids Gate Press and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC; it is greatly appreciated.
There are content warnings posted in the back of this novella that I will share at the end of my review. This novella actually starts out quite strong. It definitely feels like more work was put into the first 40% of this compared to the rest. The prologue, even though it was just a few paragraphs, is a perfect opener, and really gives us a taste of the vibes the rest of the novella will bring. There is no dilly dallying, and we jump right into (or onto) the meat of the story.
Unfortunately, I just wasn't into the plotline. It didn't feel original, or compelling. I had no reason to care about any of these characters, which I know can be difficult to achieve in a shorter story. The plot moved at the speed of light, with everything happening within just a few days. I bet the main character had whiplash with how quickly everything occured; what an interesting first impression of Paris !
One of the content warnings is dubious consent, but most of the spicy scenes just flat out have no consent at all. With the ages of the female characters also being quite dubious, the whole thing feels quite icky. All the men expect for the MC, George, seemed to be older men. George is 19, and the main female character, Cecile, comments that he is older than her, so it's possible she isn't even an adult yet. There is also mention of sex work being performed by a child, which had me do a double take.
Overall, this novella had a promising premise, but just included too many things that I personally dislike. I'm never going to be into love at first sight, and I prefer knowing that the characters are adults. There is quite a delicious revenge scene, which really shows off the horror aspect of this novella, but that alone cannot redeem it for me.
CW: References to suicide, violence, mutilation, sex scenes of dubious consent
There are content warnings posted in the back of this novella that I will share at the end of my review. This novella actually starts out quite strong. It definitely feels like more work was put into the first 40% of this compared to the rest. The prologue, even though it was just a few paragraphs, is a perfect opener, and really gives us a taste of the vibes the rest of the novella will bring. There is no dilly dallying, and we jump right into (or onto) the meat of the story.
Unfortunately, I just wasn't into the plotline. It didn't feel original, or compelling. I had no reason to care about any of these characters, which I know can be difficult to achieve in a shorter story. The plot moved at the speed of light, with everything happening within just a few days. I bet the main character had whiplash with how quickly everything occured; what an interesting first impression of Paris !
One of the content warnings is dubious consent, but most of the spicy scenes just flat out have no consent at all. With the ages of the female characters also being quite dubious, the whole thing feels quite icky. All the men expect for the MC, George, seemed to be older men. George is 19, and the main female character, Cecile, comments that he is older than her, so it's possible she isn't even an adult yet. There is also mention of sex work being performed by a child, which had me do a double take.
Overall, this novella had a promising premise, but just included too many things that I personally dislike. I'm never going to be into love at first sight, and I prefer knowing that the characters are adults. There is quite a delicious revenge scene, which really shows off the horror aspect of this novella, but that alone cannot redeem it for me.
CW: References to suicide, violence, mutilation, sex scenes of dubious consent
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Death of parent
rachel_reads_books's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
2/5 I enjoyed this book moderately, it was entertaining and the plot was intriguing but the execution was poor. The characters had no substance to them and I would have liked more development towards their personalities and backstories. The plot and ‘twists’ were easy to see coming and I would hardly call the novella erotica. It was more of an adult novella with some spicy scenes that were poorly written and rushed. I believe if this was a full length novel, both the plot and the personalities and backstories of the characters could have been executed better and with more detail. All in all, it was an easy and quick read that kept my attention but definitely could have been executed with more personality.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Body horror
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