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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
bkwrm1317's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
Finished reading this book for Indie Ink Judging on 3.30.24. The following review does not necessarily reflect how I judged the novel for the specific Indie Ink categories I judged it for:
Heart, Haunt, Havoc is quite dark and brooding, a bit funny, and really tender in the most lovely way.
Protagonist, Colin (really both main characters are protags of this story), is hired to complete a sort of exorcism of a house for Bishop. Little does Colin know that Bishop comes from a family line of brujería, where Tezcatlipoca, the Mexica (Aztec) god who governs the night sky, is connected directly to Bishop and offers Bishop a unique magic.
I am generally not a fan of romance, but there was just the right balance between sensual/romance-y scenes in this novella with plot and story arc, as well as individual character/protagonist growth. Further, Moon writes desire incredibly convincingly.
I loved the additional nerd references peppered into the novella here and there as well (e.g. listening to Critical Role, and how Moon intersperses these lighter references with the occult, demonic posession and integration, and angelic stuff a la Catholicism.
I will definitely be continuing this series outside of my Indie Ink judging capacity, as there are two more novellas already published in the series, and I can't wait to get to them likely later this year.
Check CWs and note that all minor CWs I've listed are either not emotionally charged or mostly in passing within the novel (e.g. animal death is part of a ritual sacrifice of a familiar, which is reanimated, so animal cruelty is not part of CWs, etc.).
Heart, Haunt, Havoc is quite dark and brooding, a bit funny, and really tender in the most lovely way.
Protagonist, Colin (really both main characters are protags of this story), is hired to complete a sort of exorcism of a house for Bishop. Little does Colin know that Bishop comes from a family line of brujería, where Tezcatlipoca, the Mexica (Aztec) god who governs the night sky, is connected directly to Bishop and offers Bishop a unique magic.
I am generally not a fan of romance, but there was just the right balance between sensual/romance-y scenes in this novella with plot and story arc, as well as individual character/protagonist growth. Further, Moon writes desire incredibly convincingly.
I loved the additional nerd references peppered into the novella here and there as well (e.g. listening to Critical Role, and how Moon intersperses these lighter references with the occult, demonic posession and integration, and angelic stuff a la Catholicism.
I will definitely be continuing this series outside of my Indie Ink judging capacity, as there are two more novellas already published in the series, and I can't wait to get to them likely later this year.
Check CWs and note that all minor CWs I've listed are either not emotionally charged or mostly in passing within the novel (e.g. animal death is part of a ritual sacrifice of a familiar, which is reanimated, so animal cruelty is not part of CWs, etc.).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Death, Animal death, Blood, and Toxic relationship
_teoeo's review
Google "Wolf Guy Sing 2" and you'll find a biblically accurate depiction of Mechosias
(I read this book before I knew about the problematic behaviour of the author, i will not support them nor read any of their books in the future.)
(I read this book before I knew about the problematic behaviour of the author, i will not support them nor read any of their books in the future.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Animal death
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
stormeno's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Grief, Alcohol, Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Blood, Death, and Gaslighting
Minor: Transphobia
mpurdy's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
I had a great time with this one it was something different and it was a fun quick read. Finished it within a Night and the next morning.
I thought that the artwork included was such a awesome touch along with the chapter headings of the window! There was some cute romantic scenes but I feel I was more invested in the exorcism of the house.I just think they fell for eachother to quickly and it just felt to rushed. I wanted it to have more pining.
The ending was spot on I think Moon did a great job of balancing description and and a all encompassing story in a short format.
I think there were scarry moments and some mild body horror. But it wasn't over the top scarry.
Can't wait to read the newest one!
I thought that the artwork included was such a awesome touch along with the chapter headings of the window! There was some cute romantic scenes but I feel I was more invested in the exorcism of the house.
The ending was spot on I think Moon did a great job of balancing description and and a all encompassing story in a short format.
I think there were scarry moments and some mild body horror. But it wasn't over the top scarry.
Can't wait to read the newest one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Body horror, Alcohol, and Blood
Minor: Domestic abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death, Sexual content, and Violence
fanboyriot's review against another edition
dark
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
Read For:
T4T
Dark Humor
Hurt/Comfort
Haunted House
Forced Proximity
I really enjoyed this read. The amount of domestic fluff was not something I was expecting but was very much here for. The relationship was wholesome and tender, graverobbing dates and all. The story was dark and horror filled; packing all the spooky gothic vibes.
The writing style of this was amazing, the artwork was stunning, and the formatting was as gorgeous as the story.
(Third Person POV)
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
Rep: Bisexual, Trans (ftm) MC, Non-Binary LI, POC
Content Warnings
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
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
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
READ: Apr 2023
FORMAT: Digital
BRIEF SUMMARY:
In this contemporary horror/romance, Colin has made a business of performing exorcisms and extractions for clients experiencing peculiarities in their homes or their lives. Bishop has a project house that they bought to do renovations on, and over the last several months paranormal activity has been ramping up, making the place more and more unlivable. The house proves to be much more active than Colin had anticipated, and Bishop isn’t entirely forthcoming about the situation leading up to the situation getting to the point that it has; they know more than they’re letting on.
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 3.75 / 5⭐
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.
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.
Colin and Bishop are both coping with some trauma from their pasts wherein they were each forced to make a choice that nobody should ever have to make. Colin’s loss and grief caused a rift in his relationship to God, but he is doing what he can to restore that connection to what he once had. The circumstances surrounding Bishop’s haunting aren’t something they could easily confess to, and since Colin can tell they’re being deliberately careful with their information, it makes for a tedious situation where trust is difficult to give freely.
TECHNICAL / PRODUCTION: 4.5 / 5⭐
I think my favourite thing about this book is that it is very visual. The language and imagery are not overly descriptive, but they do offer enough to paint a vivid picture in my mind and, more importantly, to set the mood that the author is going for. That’s what this book has going for it above anything else – mood, vibe, atmosphere.
I liked the romance for the representation more than anything. For what the book is, I was fine with the romance’s existence and its execution. It was largely secondary to the main thread of the book – the mystery surrounding the haunting – and it was sufficiently built up to, rather than some sort of immediate spectacular fireworks show from the moment they lay eyes on each other. They also never cross into unrealistic relationship development in my opinion, and they very clearly acknowledge that they don’t actually know each other. They never jump into “I love you” territory over the span of time this story takes place, and the ending of the book doesn’t strike me as unreasonable development, either.
FINAL THOUGHTS - OVERALL: 4 / 5⭐
I think if you’re an avid horror reader, this book might not have anything new or exciting for you – I’m only an occasional enjoyer myself, and I found it just this side of disturbing and intriguing. As a transmasc, I am in the market for more gender-queer representation, and I think this book was a lovely way to start. The characters treat each other with great respect, and are tactfully portrayed.
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.
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.
The following elaborates on my content warnings. These may be interpreted as spoilers, but I do not go into deep detail.
Content Warnings
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