Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - Unhinged

Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

roksyreads's review

funny lighthearted relaxing tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

For a novella, this had a surprising amount of plot! A quick and easy read, it was a pleasant foray into a weird and wonderful story with humour, tension, and heart, as well as a good dose of spice.

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emmettdakool's review

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funny fast-paced

3.0

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lizardgod's review

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Author writes about how unethical AI is in the intro. Author proceeds to write a story I'd only imagine I'd get from AI. /jk

All jokes aside, what did I read? I can't even rate this because for how bad the plot and characters (and to some degree the writing) are, I can't tell if that was intentional or not. I went into this as a comedy and left it very bewildered, but laughing. Congrats to the author for writing such a cursed book, that it inevitably became a comedic masterpiece.

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cheeserue's review

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

"If I hadn't already been made of wood, I'd be stiff as a board at the sight."

that was a wild ride. at no point did I know what was coming next. don't pay attention to the fact that I read this. it's a private affair

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hannahslit's review

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hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I came across this author and book by accident when trying to see which Chuck Tingle book people on Reddit recommended be read first. An old post, rather than answering the question, suggested this book instead, and I’m glad they did. Once I found out ‘Unhinged’ (perfect title btw) was about a sentient door in love with the human woman whose apartment he ‘protects’, I was all ears (and eyes).
The story is narrated by The Door, so we see everything from his point of view, which is so unique and works really well I think. It also means we don’t know much about Tana other than the things Drys (aka The Door) sees; her love of detective shows, the ice cream she eats to make herself feel better during her depressive episodes, the way she uses her “shivering blue stick” (I really love this joke) to give herself pleasure.
Weirdly, though I was curious to know things like Tana’s job, why she had moved to the apartment, her friends and family etc, I found myself accepting the mystery of her, perhaps because Drys, the narrator, had so willingly done the same. The short length of the book also made me more understanding to the author not needing to delve as deep as you may be required with a full length.
The danger to life element/threat of a murderous landlord gave the story a much needed edge and was a good plot driver, though at times I felt the landlords portrayal to be cartoonishly evil.
(SPOILER)
I thought adding the gods element to explain Drys being sentient was smart (also enjoyed Zeus’ cameo lmao), along with communicating with Tana through her dreams. I’m also realising whilst writing this review that Tana hinted at being more ‘kinky’ than she first thought by even agreeing to have sex with her front door, and this is later seen in her taking the lead sexually.
I kind of wanted to know what they looked like a bit more for my own personal visuals. I felt like it was hinted at (Drys saying Tana’s skin was closer to the original colour of his oak, if oak is a brown shade does this mean she’s Black or Mixed or simply has a tan?) but not explored. Maybe Drys could’ve had a scene where he looked in the mirror so that the readers could see a visual of him as a human too.
The way Valentine tied Drys need to protect and serve Tana into Tana awakening a sub kink in him was genius and I loved that. Tana being a dom was unexpected but appreciated! The sex between them was hot and I believed their chemistry. There were a few editing issues (e.g. when tenses would slip and Drys, who was our acting narrator would accidentally refer to himself in the third person) but otherwise this was a really original, sexy novelette and I REALLY enjoyed it.
P.S. I thought it was quite a cool touch that Drys turns into a door every full moon and only Tana’s “magic pussy” can bring him back to life. It’s an homage to myths and fairytales which fits with Drys’ existence.

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vreyna20_2004's review

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

1.0

I felt uncomfortable for not Tana having sex with her door (and liking it) but because they explained how Drys (the door) door knob which is his dick stretched her. I can’t even say that I didn’t need to know since I read this willingly. Also Drys? Seriously? Anyway, the creep who murdered the girl cannot be a realistic way people talk when they’re being creepy, right? I’m just baffled I tried writing a review for so long, but nothing comes in my mind. I just read it and I don’t like that.

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gaymoonreader's review

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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alixsbooktherapy's review

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challenging emotional funny informative lighthearted relaxing sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Well I guess I'm attracted to doors🤣
This book had me asking myself what the fuck I was reading and questioning myself so much especially when I got aroused
This is one of those odd smuts I recommend
The love tana and drys had was absolutely so cute even if he was previously her door
The aftercare was top tier and I've never seen books really go that detailed into it.
This book was sexy and wholesome at the same time the spice level was 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 I was so shocked I didn't think I'd like it
Shoutout to vera Valentine for making me even kinkier🤣 definitely can't wait to read more fucked up smut by her/others (give me recs😅)
I cried when Drys got shot by tanas creepy neighbor Randall.
My heart hurt so bad like what the actual fuck

Now to share some quotes
“That was a handjob, Drys, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a man completely reboot his hard drive over it like that. You okay, baby? I worried I’d broken you for a second there.”

Her light teasing made my cock throb pleasantly. She stroked me again, firmly enough that my hips kicked again and I moaned out loud, nodding frantically.

“I’m going to tell you a secret, Drys. I have a weakness for big, strong men who do as they’re told. Good boys who enjoy working for my praise. It makes me feel safe and protected. Do you know anyone like that?” (he got so nervous when she said this)

What do you want me to call you Tana asked Yours, I thought, before the question really sunk in. Right, a name. Humans had those. I didn’t.

“The look on your face when I told you what a good door you were for me.”
She was the most beautiful human I’d ever seen, and if I’d been in love with her before, I was entirely smitten now.

“Drys, I don’t know if you can hear me. I’m not even sure you weren’t a fever dream, but I can’t let you go. I made them bring you back to me after their investigation, after Randall was charged for the death of that poor girl.”

“My Beautiful Tana, how I’ve missed you. I’d die for you a thousand times to live this moment.”

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leximoonbeam's review

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fast-paced

3.5

Unhinged
Rating 3.5 stars - weird, but didn't take itself too seriously and was kind of funny

Would I recommend this book: on sheer weirdness alone, but the themes themselves are not particularly special

Overall: do you like weird books? Do you want a short read? Are you looking for a different kind of paranormal/fantasy boyfriend and don't want to take it too seriously? This is the book for you. I spent a lot of time wide eyed reading and laughing, but the door magic aside it's not particularly innovative in terms of trope - just enough new/weird with comfortable themes you already know. It's like the princess and the frog, but if the frog was a door.

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Gun violence, Stalking, and Violence

I read it so you don't have to. Now what the fuck did I just read:

Okay, the entire thing is from the perspective of a sentient front door of Tana's apartment. He's definitely in love with her already and feels like he's her protector. Tana is so much nicer and gentler with him than the previous two guys living there who slammed him around. But he's worried about her superintendent, who took one girl into the woods one night and she never came back, and also he's bad vibes. The door wants to protect her. The door gets visited one night by some guy claiming to be his dad dressed in weird clothes (surprise, it's Zeus) who tells him how he came to be. The door was basically a dryad who was stuck as a tree, and the tree got cut down and turned into a door. Why is Zeus, king of gods telling us this? Great question. After a WILD line about appropriately placed tree holes and mead, Zeus suggests he might be the door's dad and that he's in big trouble with the missus. Because he's in trouble for all of his canon compliant Zeus romps, he's come to tell the Door that he can become human if he gets his love (Tana) to use him in a reverse of what Zeus did to that tree. Yeah. She's gotta get on that knob. Zeus helpfully informs The Door that he will grant The Door the power to speak to Tana in her dreams for one night to try and convince her to do it. And then fucks right off. The Door manages to fall asleep and visits Tana in her dreams, telling her he's her door. It goes about as well as you think, until he starts telling her about her super who comes in when she leaves the apartment and steals her underwear. This makes her start to believe him, but then she wakes up. She avoids him for the day (Door-kun is hurt) and leaves. While she's gone, the super shows up and dumps pills in her orange juice (apparently he knows she loves mimosas) and tries to take more panties. When Tana comes back, she catches the super as he's leaving (says he's helping the old lady) and finds one of her panties on the floor once she gets in. So the solution to this, obviously, is to drink wine and fucking go for it (fuck your door). Cue sexual cleaning scene where she sprays his Knob with Lysol and wipes it off and then puts a condom on it. And then she fucks herself on it. She apparently was into it, new kink unlocked. And then goes to shower. Door-kun is like wow that was great but did it work oh no I'm getting sleepy! And then wakes up a human. The door is gone btw like there's him in the doorway, scaring the old lady across the way and scaring the hell out of Tana. Btw he's nakey. Door-kun manages to convince her it's him (he's got the condom on and everything), the man in her dreams and also her door. She decides this calls for more alcohol, and goes to make mimosas to which Door-kun is like a cat batting something off a table telling her it's drugged. She threatens to kill the super and then they hug. Touching moment - but wait! The door! They order a new door (you can do that on door dash apparently). Something something hot pink tool kit and pink tax, he is confused by the prospect of paying more for worse quality items marketed towards women, she approves. BTW we're not calling the police, we're fixing the door and then maybe calling the police. They watch a movie. She decides to call him "Drys" which I think is inspired by Idris Elba in Thor. She falls asleep and he watches her, which if you've watched Twilight you know is NOT creepy. The door arrives and him, despite being human for a few hours, installs an entire door. He insisted on a door without knobs because he didn't want her to get tempted btw. Also he does mention feeling jealous of the new door because now it's protecting her. She wakes up and suggests calling the police, but the Creep messages her. It's a creepy ass line about helping with big packages. Drys says he knows her schedule because he watches her from the windows and that he's going to come over and suggest mimosas. Obligatory line about Drys being the "stalker" since he knows her schedule. They both want to kill the super. She's genuinely concerned that she doesn't have enough evidence for the police to convict him and that she would put herself and other women in more danger, and also is worried because Drys doesn't have any documents. They table the subject after disagreeing on what to do (she hopes the new door will work, he thinks they should go to the police) - obviously so they can have a shopping trip to get him clothes and for him to tell her she need ice cream because her sad days are coming up. There's a funny line where he suddenly kisses her, starts to apologize for not asking first, and she's like nah it's cool I did have your knob buried in my coochie earlier it's fine. They get home, she starts cleaning her sheets because she's worried what all Creep-kun has touched and done. He starts helping her and she tells him that he was a very good door for trying to keep an eye on Creep-kun. there's a femme Domme scene where she gives him a handjob and walks him through his first ever orgasm by calling him her good boy - he's really into it. and then has him lay down in her lap for some sweet aftercare. Moments over! It's creep-kun, intoxicated and waving a gun around threatening Tana because he thinks she called the cops on him, and he's freaking out. He low-key confesses to killing that other girl (something about being better for her, being a therapist, some kind of nice guy bullshit) and Drys attacks him. Drys gets shot and turns into a door again and knocks Creep-kun out, but "dies" in the process, saving Tana. Time passes, guess what he's alive but in and out of consciousness as he's taken from her apartment and part of the investigation. Eventually he "comes to" as a door again on the floor of Tana's apartment. That "wood putty use" was not sexual by the way, I don't know why it was included in the content "considerations". She just repaired the bullet hole with it. Door-kun is worried that with Creep-kun gone, she has no use for him since he's not even her door anymore and he can't protect her as a human. To try and bring him back, you guessed it - she's gotta sit on that knob. Yeah, so apparently several months passed and despite being together or like 24 hours max she was in love with him too. She mentions this recurring nightmare of being buried in the woods, but one day Hera visits her dream and tells her how to get Door-kun back from the police and how to make him human again. So with another wine glass and Lysol, she's in her lingerie and getting down with the door knob on her living room floor. When she sits on it successfully, he's so turned on that the door rattles I guess and that's her cue that he's still in the door, I guess. Then we get this line. "She let out a little cry of alarm as my body bowed and grew beneath her, my wide, short knob lengthening into something between my door self and human self deep inside her, causing both of us to groan." Which I thought this "between" meant he's some kind of half door half man half shifted weredoor, but he is able to like hug her and really get pumping so maybe not? Anyway more femme Domme scene, he gets a little shy and ask if he do a good job. This door has a praise kink. Okay, the rest of the final chapter is an epilogue basically. So the old lady neighbor called the police because she saw him leaving her apartment while she wasn't there. Creep-kun didn't die, he's facing charges and the girl he killed is properly buried. Tana drops the knowledge that apparently, Drys is going to turn into a door every full moon. I'm not joking. Anyway, every full moon, and she has to have sex with his knob to turn him back (something about magic pussy), which Tana is fine with because she's into it. There's implications Drys will get better at the change as time goes on...? Also, some guy in a bathrobe showed up last night, asked about Drys saying they were family, left a gift and dipped. It's a wallet with cards, money, an ID for Drys, who is apparently a Greek permanent resident, with a passport and birth certificate and a card for a job (something about tell them dad sent you, but it's at a pawn shop????) Then they go to dinner the end.

howboutjane's review

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funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A better love story than twilight. I never thought I'd ever read a book about a.. weredoor??.. but here we are. Loved every minute of it.

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Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

Unhinged by Vera Valentine

roksyreads's review

emmettdakool's review

lizardgod's review

cheeserue's review

hannahslit's review

vreyna20_2004's review

gaymoonreader's review

alixsbooktherapy's review

leximoonbeam's review

howboutjane's review