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rlouis's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The elegantly dark prose definitely saved this one for me, I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. If you enjoy monster fucking then yeah this is definitely for you.
The short length felt both an advantage and disadvantage, if that makes any sense at all.
The short length felt both an advantage and disadvantage, if that makes any sense at all.
vtmichelle's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
emrodav's review against another edition
4.0
A very strange little book. Not totally sure what to think about it, but I did mostly enjoy it. The writing style had a weird magic to it that I liked. I’d definitely read more from this author.
savvie1991's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
honnari_hannya's review against another edition
1.0
Changing my review because this author is smug and insufferable, and I can no longer in good faith put this on any recommended list.
laurasauras's review against another edition
5.0
I wish there was a rating for more than five stars. I don't think I've ever enjoyed a book this much. The narration feels like poetry, there's a tangible metre behind the words, and it's contrasted with this almost disconcertingly modern dialogue.
The setting is bleak and gothic in the best possible way, such a vivid picture that even though I usually am not a visual reader I could completely see it. The whole thing feels like it has one of those Instagram filters on it where everything is just a bit dimmer.
And *oh my god*, the relationship between Florian and Johann. Johann's devotion! His delight in Florian's depravity! The way he feels *seen* and how that's echoed in the way Florian can truly be himself with Johann in a way he's been deprived of! They're such incredible characters and I could read about them forever. I may have to write some fanfiction, I don't think I'm ready to leave the world behind.
The setting is bleak and gothic in the best possible way, such a vivid picture that even though I usually am not a visual reader I could completely see it. The whole thing feels like it has one of those Instagram filters on it where everything is just a bit dimmer.
And *oh my god*, the relationship between Florian and Johann. Johann's devotion! His delight in Florian's depravity! The way he feels *seen* and how that's echoed in the way Florian can truly be himself with Johann in a way he's been deprived of! They're such incredible characters and I could read about them forever. I may have to write some fanfiction, I don't think I'm ready to leave the world behind.
miss_majuu's review against another edition
4.5
This was quite a ride.
It was creepy and the 'twist' was also very interesting. Lovely (?!) character dynamic I could read a lot more of.
Also all the monster references/similarities influenced me. I'm weak in that regard. (Also some of them are very minor and probably mean nothing but I saw what I saw)
-List of these-
°main character doesn't have a name, chooses various fake names (which are all from *the* picture book), most used: Johann
°also calls himself 'nameless monster' and 'monster of Elendhaven'
°there is quite a bit of german in this
°a set of twins, with one female and one male twin, look so much alike they could dress up as each other
°the twins using the sentence, 'it was like we were the only people in the world'
It was creepy and the 'twist' was also very interesting. Lovely (?!) character dynamic I could read a lot more of.
Also all the monster references/similarities influenced me. I'm weak in that regard. (Also some of them are very minor and probably mean nothing but I saw what I saw)
-List of these-
°main character doesn't have a name, chooses various fake names (which are all from *the* picture book), most used: Johann
°also calls himself 'nameless monster' and 'monster of Elendhaven'
°there is quite a bit of german in this
°a set of twins, with one female and one male twin, look so much alike they could dress up as each other
°the twins using the sentence, 'it was like we were the only people in the world'
casp801's review against another edition
5.0
God I fucking love dark academia with homoerotic undertones
drasticpear's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
And when our work is done, I will carry him to the bottom of the sea, where we both belong. Deep beneath the silt our bones will turn to salt.
This was lovely and unnerving.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Gore, Murder, and Blood