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shinyfox's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Death, Murder, Animal death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, and Grief
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Minor: Dysphoria, Homophobia, Alcohol, Transphobia, and Racism
lennie_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Whilst the premise is interesting and I quite liked the unique magic system I have to say that unfortunately there isn't much substance to this.
I didn't really connect with the characters and I kind of actively disliked the love interest.
I also think this book could do with a go over from an editor because there were multiple times when I had to go back and reread a page because it just didn't make sense.
And sadly the 'romance' just wasn't there for me. I didn't feel any chemistry between the characters and you are just told repeatedly how attracted they were to each other.
I think the author maybe tried to cram too much into a novella and that's why it feels rushed and a bit all over the place.
I've heard good things about their other books so i may try them but i think I'm done with this particular series.
Graphic: Blood, Death, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Animal death, and Murder
booksthatburn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
**My recommendation has been pulled based on issues with the author. The original text of the review remains below.
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HEART, HAUNT, HAVOC is a captivating story of horror and connection, beginning when a trans exorcist starts falling for his nonbinary client. Things escalate as the only way to remove the spirits plaguing them is to dig into the client's painful past.
I like the relationship between Colin and Bishop. I rarely get to read romances where both characters in a relationship are trans and/or nonbinary, so I was excited to read this and very pleased with how it's handled.
As the first book in a series, HEART, HAUNT, HAVOC resolves the major issue of the haunting Colin arrived to handle. It also sets up the possibility of later appearances, though a quick glance at the descriptions of the next two books indicates that the main character won't be the same as the series moves forward. I like the story, I like the setting, and I'm interested in the idea of an exorcist who understands himself as abandoned by his god, but is still some relevant level of devout. Though the way the worldbuilding clearly establishes the presence of at least three spiritual/magical traditions in play, it implies the possibility of many more.
Moderate: Body horror, Violence, Cursing, Death, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Animal death, Grief, Medical content, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Racism, Colonisation, Vomit, Gore, and Alcohol
blewballoon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death and Blood
Moderate: Death, Body horror, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
rowyn_reads's review
I knew there would be Christian undertones but it was too overpowering for me, but this may just be my experiences with Catholicism and religious trauma.
I think people should try this book but it's not for everyone
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Dysphoria
fanboyriot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Gore, Gaslighting, and Violence
Minor: Racism, Dysphoria, and Alcohol
mellikesbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
galleytrot's review
- 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
4.0
Horror isn’t a genre I hop into very often, so it’s always an interesting experience for me when I do. I’m having a difficult time writing out this portion of the review, because I don’t really have too much to say about it. I really liked the story, I really liked the main characters, and... well, that’s pretty much that.
This book has representation for unspecified queer sexualities, potentially pansexuals. One of our main characters is a trans man, and the other is nonbinary, using they/them pronouns. The latter is also a person of colour.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Animal death, Murder, Death, Sexual content, Alcohol, Cursing, Dysphoria, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Medical trauma, and Racism
noellelovesbooks's review
4.25
Starting of the #TransRightsReadathon with the story of a haunted house and an exorcist that comes to help cleanse it. So much is packed into this short story...I wish it was full length so we got more time getting to know both Colin and Bishop. My first read from Freydis and I look forward to reading more!
Graphic: Death, Grief, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Animal death, Sexual content, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, and War
harveyjoy53's review
- 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
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Blood, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Violence
Minor: Sexual content