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shinyfox's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
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
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
I kept seeing this book & series pop up on Bookstagram and after reading the synopsis I thought it sounded right up my street.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Animal death, and Murder
unsuccessfulbookclub's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Murder, Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Blood, and Grief
booksthatburn's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
*I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
**My recommendation has been pulled based on issues with the author. The original text of the review remains below.
-----
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.
**My recommendation has been pulled based on issues with the author. The original text of the review remains below.
-----
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.
Content Warnings
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
smellymiche's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, Blood, and Murder
rabidteddybear's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Racism and Dysphoria
downtown_kb's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Colin is an exorcist and hired to clean a house. Upon arrival it becomes clear this is bigger than just a haunting and the owner of the house, Bishop, has a lot of secrets.
I really loved the depiction of the haunted house: described as breathing and feeling alive and the way Freydis depicted magic. It’s dark and more ritualistic than just waving around hands. They do so well with their character development in so few pages and again, the writing is just mesmerizing and poetic. They really write beautifully even though the story is dealing with ghouls, demons, and murder.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
erco's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It was very entertaining and fast to read, I like the storyteling and the environment full of gothic and spiritual topic. For my suprise I expect th topic will be about trans topic but no in this book he just exist .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Animal death, and Body horror
Moderate: Murder and Blood
rowyn_reads's review
I was super excited for this book as a trans person who is very spiritual and loves ghosts. However I found the story to be written in a very clunky way with little flow.
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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Dysphoria
ktdaugherty's review
dark
emotional
tense
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia